Was Your Ancestor Involved in Politics?

Dan Murphy lending support to his candidate.

Whether your candidate won or didn’t, the 2016 election is finally over. But imagine one of your descendants searching old newspaper stacks (or the web or whatever form of news distribution there will be in the future) for news of this election.

Do you have an ancestor that was involved in politics at the local, state or national level in America or another country? Did he/she run for office? Involved in a campaign? Here’s a picture of my grandfather Dan Murphy “campaigning” for Sheriff M.B. “Tiny” Taylor in Grays Harbor County in the 1930s.

We’d love to hear your story, including what resources you used. “Leave a comment” at the bottom of this post.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

Nov10 by Charles Hansen

GFO1

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 9 November 2016

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR go to www.gfo.org/calendar.htm.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for November 2016, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Nov.pdf.

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Diane Hunter Boyd Awarded 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

Nov9 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 500 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 2016 award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Diane Hunter Boyd

Today we’re introducing Diane Hunter Boyd of Spokane Valley, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS). She was recognized for her dedicated, creative efforts as the EWGS’s web manager.

In August 2011, Ms. Boyd agreed to become EWGS’s web manager “for a few months.” She remained in the position for the next four-and-one-half years.

In additional to her duties as web manager, including creation of a new home page at ewgsi.org, Ms. Boyd became the web coordinator of EWGS’s new digital publication, Digital Digest. When Ms. Boyd stepped down as EWGS’s web manager, she continued to answer questions from both the new web manager and the Digital Digest coordinator.

Ms. Boyd ensured EWGS had an easy-to-use, current website, and was always helping anyone that needed help. As such a dedicated member, she richly deserved being named an Outstanding Volunteer by the Washington State Genealogical Society.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Meet the Board: Sue Ericksen

Nov7 by Roxanne Lowe

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Did you know we have an Executive Committee, six standing committee chairs and three appointed non-elected officers? Who are all these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them.

Sue Ericksen

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Sue Ericksen from Zillah in Yakima County. Sue is WSGS’s Treasurer, but her involvement has been longstanding: WSGS’s President from 2009 – 2012, membership chair, web manager and Region 5 representative.

In addition to her WSGS dedication, Sue is an active member of the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society, currently serving as its vice president and web manager. She was also a major player in YVGS’s recent acquisition of the massive Yakima Family History library collection that used to be housed in the LDS Yakima Family History library (approximately 6,000 microfilm and 6,000 microfiche). You can also add presenter to Sue’s long list of credentials. She will be presenting a talk on “Copyright vs. Plagiarism” at the February 4, 2017 YVGS meeting.

Susan Bernice Semenza was born to Norman and Sallie (Gallupe) Semenza in National City, California, not far from San Diego. Sue has researched her family lines for many, many years, following their migrations and journeys through Germany, Italy, England and Canada. When she does find time to do her research, she often uses Ancestry.com.

Sue married William Leroy Ericksen on 18 Sept 1965 in Wapato (Yakima County). They celebrated 50 years of marriage before his passing earlier this year. Together, they were successful orchardists in the fertile Zillah area, growing apples, peaches and pears. They are the parents of three children and grandparents of five.

A few other tidbits about Sue:
• Hobbies besides genealogy – reading, bird watching
• Favorite color – yellow
• Favorite dessert – cherry pie
• Word that best describes her – busy!

Now you know a little more about one of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Sue, say hello and thank her for her service to the WSGS.

Serendipity Day

Nov4 by Charles Hansen

** Mount Rainier

** Is your society contributing to the WSGS blog?

** “Weather Forecasting Game to End in N.W.”

** Snoqualmie Pass closed for 30 days???

Did you know that the highest point in Washington is our Mount Rainier. This peak was named for Peter Rainier (1741-1808), a British soldier who fought AGAINST us in the Revolutionary War. Anybody but me wonder why HIS name was chosen for this majestic mountain?????

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Most genealogical societies within our region do submit information to us about their upcoming meetings, seminars, workshops, etc. Does yours? If you are a regular reader of this blog, have you noticed posts about your society’s doings? Perhaps you might ought to ask your Board about this? Why turn down such wonderful free publicity???

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On September 22, 1947, this article appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune: “Harried, heckled and much maligned meteorologists along the Puget Sound who have borne the brunt of long-range weather miscalculations for lo! these many years are breathing great sighs of relief.

The head men in the weather bureau in Washington, D.C., announced that its new forecast center at Seattle would probably begin operations about Nov. 1st.

This means that the Pacific Northwest will not have to depend henceforth on San Francisco for its long-range forecasts, which has been the case for more than the 35 years Tacoma Observer Ross O. miller has been in the service.

Miller, who has always felt that the San Francisco forecasts were not any too accurate for Puget Sound if only because of the distance involved, sees a definite improvement in the business of weather prediction with the advent of the new center in Seattle.

“Puget Sound weather has always been difficult to forecast at best,” Miller pointed out. “The state is too big for accuracy in the blanket predictions that have been coming from the Bay City.”

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According to a Seattle newspaper for November 23, 1959: “Snoqualmie Pass, the state’s major 4-lane route through the Cascades, will be closed for a minimum of 30 days (and could be up to a year) due to the rampaging south fork of the Snoqualmie River.” Can you imagine that happening today??? Right before Thanksgiving??????

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

Nov3 by Charles Hansen

GFO1

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 2 November 2016

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR go to www.gfo.org/calendar.htm.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for October or November 2016, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy of each at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Oct.pdf and at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Nov.pdf.

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They’re FLYIN’ off the shelves!! Book Review Updates:

flying

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Special Census Records Featured at Kittitas Co. GS

Nov2 by Roxanne Lowe

The next meeting of the Kittitas County Genealogical Society (KCGS) will feature Erik Bakke speaking on Special U.S. Census Records, like Mortality Schedules. The meeting will be Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the KCGS Library, 413 N. Main Street, Suite L, Ellensburg. Visitors are welcome. For more information, visit the KCGS website.

Honoring Veterans in Wenatchee

Nov2 by Roxanne Lowe

In recognition of Veterans Day, the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society Library is proud to honor all who have fought to give us freedom. All through the month of November, WAGS will offer anyone who has served in our Armed Forces a free Beginner How-to Packet and a one-on-one tutorial by one of their knowledgeable librarians to help get started. The library has several shelves full of locally-researched information on Civil War veterans and WWI veterans in our area, besides general books on the subject of wars through the centuries. The WAGS library is located at 127 South Mission (Museum Annex Building), Wenatchee. Hours are Tuesday and Saturday, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit the WAGS website.

A Trio of Travels at Wenatchee Area GS

Nov2 by Roxanne Lowe

The November program at the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society will be “A Trio of Travels,” featuring Dave and Louise Inchauspe. With a nod to Dr. Seuss, they’ll be off and away to great places in this talk. First you’ll get some history and research tips on the Basque people of the French/Spanish border, and their cultural contribution to the American West. Then Louise will talk about her German ancestry, and trace her line that came to Rosalia in 1908. Lastly, you’ll hear about trials and triumphs on her genealogical “journey” of working with Ancestry software to publish her family story.

Come to the Douglas County PUD Auditorium, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee at 2:00 p.m. for this fascinating presentation! For more information, visit the WAGS website.

Puget Sound GS Hosts City Directory Program

Nov2 by Roxanne Lowe

Puget Sound Genealogical Society
Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 1:00p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“Direct Link to the Past — City Directories for Genealogy”
Sylvan Way Library, 1301 Sylvan Way Library, Bremerton, WA 98310

Come join us for our free monthly meeting program. Mary Kircher Roddy will discuss what you’ll find in city directories, where and how to locate them. These directories contain information to help fill in the gaps in your ancestors’ lives — occupation, residence, work address, the community they lived in and how to find families.

For more information, visit the PSGS website or call the Genealogy Center, 360-475-9172. Visitors are most welcome and invited to remain for our business meeting.