SKCGS Publicity Team Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the SKCGS Publicity Team who was selected by the South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS) as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Tina Lawson, Janet Stroebel, Brenda Phillips, Valorie Zimmerman and MaryLynn Strickland.

Under Tina’s leadership, the publicity team has not only performed reliably, but has gone beyond, providing accurate and beautifully presented information to the membership and friends and the general public. Janet deals with the quirky Groups.io calendar system so that SKCGS members and friends get timely meeting reminders automatically. Brenda, as a new member, has volunteered to update the Facebook page. Valorie continues to maintain a presence on X (formerly Twitter), while MaryLynn coordinates the blog presence. Tina not only creates the public calendar on the website, but also maintains SKCGS.org behind the scenes, and crafts the monthly emails to members and friends near and far, including Conference Keeper and the Washington State Genealogical Society Blog.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

WHY JOIN A GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY? WHY ATTEND MEETINGS?

by Charles Hansen

WHY JOIN A GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY? WHY ATTEND MEETINGS?

Research can be done through the internet on your computer. That format will never replace group knowledge from members in a society. You ask why?

Anyone can put information on line BUT is it accurate? The problem: too many false family lines. DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE FALSE INFORMATION TO YOUR DESCENDANTS?

You are probably a member of other groups. Think it is not necessary to belong to a genealogical society, then why are you a member of these other groups? Is it sharing of ideas, meeting others, the knowledge others have to help you?

Here is a brief list of what is important for genealogists and belonging to a society:

  • learn how to trace your family tree.
  • education in the monthly programs
  • medical history- what your people died of can help for future medical problems along the way.
  • learn about personalities/character traits to watch for
  • learn more about the history of our country and the world. Knowledge is good!
  • find long lost family members that you have been searching for
  • adoptees finding out something about their history
  • insight into research methods that you may not learn on the internet
  • society holdings that cover specific areas are available to you
  • conversations with members who know the research techniques
  • MANY RECORDS ARE NOT ON LINE – court records, divorces land and criminal records, etc.

Join a society today in an area of your research or locally for expert help!

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Using FamilySearch.ORG

by Charles Hansen

Marie Job

Genealogist

Using Family Search.org

Wiki and Lab Program

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

June 12th Zoom meeting.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 6:30 pm

The speaker’s program will begin at 7:00 pm

The public is invited to attend.

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Education Meeting Open Forum

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: Open Forum

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who is able to attend in person at our new meeting location:
University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466
and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

One tap mobile
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFbCNTY39

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History SIG June 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History SIG
Wednesday, June 11, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

The Writing Family History Special Interest Group (WFH-SIG) supports TPCGS members in documenting, writing, and preserving their family histories—formally or informally. Monthly meetings will provide a mix of presentations, writing exercises, and peer reviews to help members make progress in their projects.
Visitors welcome.

Meeting invite with links in file attached below:

Date & Time: Every month on the Second Wednesday, starting at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMoc-2qqDMjHNXnACfWJ0dop_pMeQXMRoYM/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqz8uGNKduR-GRpwEGY-gLOrwplxEgo1lkj7GBRd5Mgf5Jt1SH7dOKPXi

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87544268961?pwd=oNtdztP51tePuSn3bt45J3wuxnGXzl.1
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639

One tap mobile:
+12532158782,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US (Tacoma)
+12532050468,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US

Dial by your location:
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kclCP1SsOV

South King County Genealogical Society June 2025

by Charles Hansen

Note: because no candidate was nominated for the position of President, your board is implementing an interim leadership plan. Two of your Past Presidents, your Treasurer and Member-at-Large will lead Board and educational meetings, rotating as appropriate until a candidate for President volunteers and is brought on board. 

As summer approaches, our 2024-5 Speaker Series comes to a close with “The Scots-Irish Migration Into North America” presented by Peggy Lauritzen. This season We had a wealth of informative speakers and topics. 
January 2025, Dr Carol Gorman Friedel presented “The Invisible Man – Moving Through a Pre-1840 Burned County Brick Wall“.

In February Michael Strauss, AG spoke about “The Road to Independence: Revolutionary War Records.”

In March, we heard Amber Oldenburg reveal “Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defense Registration Cards: The Largest Census of American Women You’ve Never Heard About.”

April, Debbie Gurtler, AG covered “FamilySearch 2025: New Tools, New Discoveries.”

And last month, Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA discussed “The WPA Era: Free Records Boom from the Government.” All this was possible because of Member dues and donations. 

Your Education team is researching possible speakers and topics for 2025-6, and welcomes your suggestions. Please write to Education@SKCGS.org to volunteer or offer an idea. 

Volunteers Needed

Can you lend a hand to help get the word out about our events? If you find this monthly schedule helpful, we’d love for you to contribute by volunteering to help create it. Contact publicity@skcgs.org for more info. 

Stay connected! Get updates on our virtual and in-person events, plus the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io

Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online platform for discussion and information sharing: 

  • we communicate and share information with each other.
  • other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
  • you can unsubscribe or change your email format at any time

PROGRAM UPDATES

  • All meetings are online except Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland library branches. KCLS will be closed June 19 in honor of Juneteenth, so there will be no Genealogy Help Desks that day.
  • The monthly in-person Research Group is on hiatus until September.
  • The monthly online SKCGS Genealogy Chat is on hiatus until September.
  • Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
  • Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.

JUNE – EARLY JULY 2025 MEETINGS & EVENTS

All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone

Register at https://www.skcgs.org for all meetings unless stated otherwise

Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 6:30pm
SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (online)
All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Officers and Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link.

Friday, June 6, 2025, 12:30-2:30pm 

 The German Interest Group (EGS)
Topic: Using Ortsfamilienbücher to Research German Ancestors. Presenter Robin McDonough discusses Ortsfamilienbücher and the Emerson History & Genealogy Center’s large collection of these books and how to use them. More information: https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/meetings/

Saturday, June 7, 2025, 10am–12pm
Family Tree Maker Users Group (online)
Topic: Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM.
Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion:  https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Monday, June 9, 2025, 1-3pm, Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (online)
Topic: Topic: Top Five Reasons to Use FamilyTreeDNA. 
Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion: 
https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Thursday, June 12, 2025 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
2801 NE 10th Street
Renton WA 98056 
Registration not required. In-person event. 

Monday, June 16, 1–3pm 
Tech Users Group (Online)
Topic: How to Create a Locality Guide, and Why You Want To. See How to Make a Locality Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duyh_TvDa8g. How Can AI and Deep Research Help Create a Locality Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLx1b9cLLHc
Subscribe to the  free email group for meeting information and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG.

Saturday, June 21, 10–11:30am
SKCGS Speaker Series (online): June 21: Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG, FOGS will present “The Scots-Irish in America.” 

Peggy Lauritzen, AG, FOGS, is a favorite speaker at conferences. She is a Family History Director, and was named Fellow in the Ohio Genealogical Society, and received the Laura G. Prescott Award for Exemplary Service in Genealogy. A lifelong Ohioan, her ancestry is mostly south of the Ohio River.

This lecture will focus on the group of people known as the Scots-Irish”.  Just who are they and what brought them to America?  Why did they settle in New York, Canada, New England, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Appalachian frontier?

Many Americans can trace their ancestry back to the British Isles.  Some have even heard that their background was “Scotch-Irish”.  We will focus on who these people were and where they came from in the British Isles.

The program will be recorded for playback by SKCGS Members. 

Guests are welcome!

Saturday, July 5, 2025, 10am–12pm
Family Tree Maker Users Group (online)
Topic: Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM.
Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion:  https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

———-

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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Signers of the Declaration of Independence

by Charles Hansen

Presentation: Meet the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

(The presentation and meeting this month will not be available via Zoom but we would love to see you in person at the library.)

Tuesday, June 10th

1:00 pm – SVGS Library 6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

Sally Buckingham will be speaking. 

Our business meeting and board meeting will follow the presentation at 2 PM. 

Sally’s topic: Meet the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Join us as Sally brings the signers of the Declaration of Independence to life. In an 1811 letter to Adams, Benjamin Rush recounted the signing in stark fashion, describing it as a scene of “pensive and awful silence”. Rush said the delegates were called up, one after another, and then filed forward somberly to subscribe what each thought was their ensuing death warrant. Fifty-six men from each of the original 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Nine of the signers were immigrants, two were brothers and two were cousins. One was an orphan. The average age of a signer was 45. Seventeen fought in the Revolution. The British captured five of them. Eleven signers had their homes and property destroyed.

Bio: 

Sally Buckingham has been involved as a research genealogist since 2008 and been a serious student of American History since 1996. She is a member of several linage societies National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), National Society Daughters of the American Colonists (DAC), Daughters of the War of 1812, and Colonial Dames XVII. She has served as an officer in each of these groups.

Visit our website at www.stillygen.org

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week New Pope: New Case Studies

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
NEW POPE: NEW CASE STUDIES  The election of the first American Pope has spared interest in the family history of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost. Recent articles provide insights exploring his Creole roots in New Orleans (New York Times subscription required) or the mystery of his European grandparents this latter provides a fascinating case study for dealing with brick walls. Navigate name changes, immigration and reinvention to build out the family tree of the new leader of the Catholic Church.