Read ‘Em or Weep in Jefferson County

by Roxanne Lowe
Mary Roddy

Mary Roddy

The Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS) is hosting Mary Roddy for their Saturday, October 15, 2016, program. Mary will present “Read ‘Em or Weep.” Her program involves finding free and pay newspaper sites online and will show a method to do a ‘thorough searching in every newspaper every time.’ The public is welcome to this free program, but donations are gratefully accepted.

The program will be Saturday, October 15 at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road in Chimacum. 9:30-10 a.m. ‘meet & greet’; 10-11:30 includes brief announcements and the presentation. Visit the JCGS website for more information.

Mary Roddy is a Certified Public Accountant who has earned a certificate from the Genealogy and Family History Program at the University of Washington. She is an active member of the Seattle Genealogical Society and speaks frequently to groups in the Seattle area. Her background in accounting has influenced the way she uses spreadsheets and forensic research in her genealogy. Mary is a regular contributor to Your Genealogy Today and Internet Genealogy magazines as well as a webinar presenter with Legacy Family Tree Webinars.

Serendipity Day

by Charles Hansen

** Understanding A Bit More About 18th Century Photography

** Reacquaint Yourself With Cyndi’s List

** Washington History Trivia: Bing Crosby’s Pipe

** Following Up: Digital Public Library & FamilySearch

 

The following is quoted from Edward Rutherfurd’s book, New York;  I found his explanation of these facts so clear that I thought to share them with you:

1863, page 413:  “His photographic studio was well equipped….. like the other photographers on the Bowery, his bread-and-butter business in recent years had been taking quick portraits of young men standing proudly, or sheepishly, in their unaccustomed uniforms, before they went off to fight again the South. Quicker than the old daguerreotype to take, easy to reproduce on paper, he’d get thirty customers a day sometimes. It paid the rent. At first, these small “carte-de-visite”-size portraits had seemed jolly enough, like taking someone’s picture at the seaside. Gradually, however, as the terrible casualties of the Civil War had mounted, he had realized that the dull little portraits he was taking were more like tombstones, last mementoes, before some poor fellow vanished from his family forever. And if he tried to make each humble one as splendid as he could, he did not tell his customers the reason.”

1871,  page 488: The character was explaining why he didn’t get a photo of Lincoln speaking the Gettysburg Address…… Lincoln was so brief and:  “It had been no easy business getting a picture in the Civil War. The photographs were always taken in 3-D, which meant that two plates had to be inserted simultaneously into a double camera, one to the left, one to the right. The glass plates had to be quickly cleaned, coated with collodion, then, while still wet, dipped in silver nitrate before being put into the camera. The exposure time might only be a few seconds, but then on had to rush the plates, still wet, into the mobile darkroom. Quite apart from the difficulties of having people in motion during the seconds of exposure, the whole process was so cumbersome that taking pictures of battlefield action was almost impossible. “

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THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

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THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 28 September 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 August 2016, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Aug.pdf.

***
Joshua

Notice: Fall Seminar has a WAITING LIST

Thank you all for your registrations. We have reached capacity. BUT!! If you’d like to be put on the waiting list, please email seminar@gfo.org today!

Hope to see you at the The Milwaukie Center on Saturday, Oct 15th, 10am – 4:30pm.

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Kittitas County Genealogical Society Meeting

by Charles Hansen

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October 3, 2016 General Meeting:
Judy Clayton will present “Mysteries and Discoveries from DNA Testing

Kittitas Co Genealogical Society Meeting Mon Oct 3 7PM 413 N Main St, Ellensburg WA & Bob Wieking (actually Nancy) will be providing our refreshments

 

[Background explanation for Judy’s DNA talk]

In KCGS library are more copies of solution to 200 year mystery of origin of Abe Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks.

It’s okay to merely appreciate the mystery and the surprise answer. But the background in cellular DNA testing is that there are 3 different kinds of DNA birth parent tests now:

  • First we had the test like Candace Hooper used to find out why her genetics were so different from her apparent “Hoopers.” That tests the similarity of the Y-chromosome that boys get from their Dad’s Dad’s Dad’s Dad’s Dad etc.
  • Nowadays AUTOSOMAL-DNA is a generally useful DNA test for similarity anywhere among your genetic ancestors for about 4 or 5 generations back.  Ancestry.com mostly uses Autosomal DNA tests of the similarity of your 22 non-sex chromosomes (to other people’s test results).  It’s more reliable, for more lines and for further generations, if multiple siblings (close relatives) all get tested, because any one person could happen to receive an abnormally low percentage of DNA from a particular ancestral line.  AND ANCESTRY.COM DNA TESTS tell us more if we attach to the test-results-section, a simplified ancestry.com of our family tree.  If the DNA correlation to another sample is low, Ancestry.com may only report it to you if both you and the other submitter list the same people among their online tree.
  • Your genetic father only contributes, to your cellular make-up, a tiny bit of DNA from the cell nucleus.  All the rest of each of your body cells’ makeup came directly from your birth mother (and from her mom’s mom’s mom).  And one of the non-nuclear inclusions in your cells is/are called Mitochondria, which give us our energy.  But for DNA studies Mitochondia have some of their own DNA, unrelated to your chromosomal DNA in your cell nuclei.  So if our family history mystery concerns “Who was the mother?” mt-DNA (mitochrondial) is a useful genetic test for the similarity to possible maternal lines.  Abe Lincoln’s mother’s mitochondrial DNA happened to be of an unusual type; so her maternal genetic similarities were extremely certain.

 

Tri-City Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting

by Charles Hansen

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Tri-City Genealogical Society

Monthly Meeting:  Wednesday, October 12th

Place:  Charbonneau Retirement Center- 8264 Grandridge-Kennewick

Time:   7:00 p.m.

Topic:  Find-A-Grave and Billion Graves 

             Learn how to use these graves registration websites

             Learn how to search for an individual/cemetery 

             Learn how to post a memorial, add a photo or a document

 

Speaker:  Veronica Anguiano

 

For more information, please contact summerfest.44@gmail.com

Heritage Quest Research Library Autumn Quest

by Charles Hansen

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October is Family History Month and HQRL is celebrating in a     big way with 3 days of Autumn Quest and 3 NEW classes.
As a courtesy to  our patrons and instructors, please refrain from wearing perfume or heavy cologne in the classroom.

October

Autumn Quest

If you are unable to attend Saturday’s Seminar, 

you may still register for the Friday and Saturday classes.

 

Please note the change of instructor at this class and HQRL hours. 

Friday, October 7th, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. $15.00

“Resources to Tap into Washington State from the Comfort of Your Home,” with Janet O’Conor  Camarata at HQRL

Washington State is digitized! Come and learn about the many resources available. This will cover more than Washington state ancestors. HQRL is open 10:00 – 4:00 p.m. It will remain open for Seminar attendees. 4 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

 

Saturday, October 8th, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ($60.00 includes lunch), “Enriching Research through Library Sources,” with Curt B. Wicher, (held at the Emerald Queen Ballroom & Conference Center). No walk-ins.

 

Please note the change of HQRL hours.

Sunday, October 9th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. $15.00

“Hidden Treasures at HQRL,” with Dee Haviland Fournier at HQRL

A gold-mine tour explore the books, microforms, compact disk, and other non-database resources available at HQRL.  HQRL will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for Seminar attendees.

 

Back to our classes at HQRL. . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Thursday, October 20st, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. $15.00

“The Palatines. Who are they? And why should you care! with Jim Johnson. 

Jim will answer the burning question –What is a Palatine? He will explore where they came from, where they settled and how you can find lists of Palatine names and information about these German and/or Irish ancestors. Yes, he said, “IRISH.” He will also discuss resources you can use to make your Palatine connection. Join Jim for this informative class.

An additional class:

Tuesday, October 25th, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. $15.00
Voices From the Past: Researching Old Letters and Diaries with Janet O’Conor Camarata   $15.00

Old letters, diaries, journals and other handwritten items are primary sources of genealogical information and an can offer an intimate look into the hearts and minds of our ancestors. They offer valuable, exciting and sometimes challenging opportunities for discovering missing pieces to the family puzzle, giving valuable clues of where to look next. Learn tips on what to look for, what questions to ask, tools for transcribing, how to archive and organize the gems we have hidden in our family papers.

  

Saturday, October 29th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm $15.00

“How to find your Revolutionary War Ancestor in 90 Minutes” with Ann Crawford. 

Ann is currently serving as DAR Registrar for the Mary Bell Chapter in Tacoma. She will talk about the Revolutionary War, Patriots and Posers. More information to follow.

 

 

Saturday, November 5th, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $15.00 (The HQRL library will open at 9:00 a .m. for this event.)

Steven Morrison will present this special event.

The Quakers are coming! The Quakers are coming!

Join us as we learn about the Quakers in this two topic event. There will be a short break between classes.

Simply Amazing – US Quaker Records on Ancestry .com

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) was one of the largest religions in colonial America. Finding a Quaker ancestor may open multiple brick walls. Learn the basics of Quaker church records and discover how rich these records are for your genealogical research.

 

Irish Friends Migration to Pennsylvania – Uncovering an Ulster Family Story

        Did you know that the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) were one of three major religions in America prior to the revolution? While small in numbers, the travels of the Irish Friends are so well documented they provide a migration template for English-speaking nonconformists.

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Thursday, November 17th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  FREE “Beginning Family History Research,” with Dee Haviland Fournier

Join Dee in a FREE class and learn about Heritage Quest Research Library (HQRL). This class will help you in the search for your ancestors, by learning how to find and use birth, marriage, and death records, along with a discussion on how to use census records to further your research and some genealogy hints. Everyone is welcome and you may attend as many times as you like.

 

No classes during the month of December.

 

*3 ways to sign-up:*

1. In person at HQRL, 1007 S. Main St., Sumner, WA. The sign-up notebook is at the Front Desk.

2. E-mail *HQRLinfo@gmail.com <HQRLinfo@gmail.com>* – provide name, telephone number and your HQRL membership number, if you are a member.

3. Telephone HQRL at 253-863-1806 between 10:00 am – 4 pm, Monday through Saturday. Provide your name, telephone number and HQRL membership number, if           you are a member.

Olympia Genealogical Society October Meeting

by Charles Hansen

 

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Visiting Your Ancestral Town– Carolyn Schott will help you experience the places where your family lived at the Olympia Genealogical Society meeting on Thursday October 13, 7-9 pm at Thurston County Courthouse, Bldg 1, Room 152. 360-451-1059

Thank-you   JOYCE OGDEN  publicity

=======================================================================                                                                  Joyce T. Ogden             jtogden@comcast.net

YAKIMA VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY Fall Workshop

by Charles Hansen

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Take a road trip to Yakima on Friday, the last day of September and enjoy the Union Gap Agricultural Museum tram tours on a beautiful fall day.  Then, Saturday October 1 attend the Yakima Genealogy Society fall workshop 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Mt. Olive Church 7809 Tieton Drive.  12 separate genealogical classes.

YAKIMA VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Fall Workshop:  Saturday, October 1, 2016
Mt Olive Lutheran Church 7809 Tieton Dr
Registration: 8:15-8:45am; Announcements 8:45-9:00am
Morning Classes 9:00 -12:00; Lunch 12-1; Afternoon Classes 1:00-3:45
Session 1: 9-10:15
  1. Genealogy Photo Preservation
  2. Military Pension Acts
  3. Windows 10 Basics
Session 2: 10:30-11:45
  1. River Migrations
  2. Immigrant Labor: Treatment & Records
  3. Washington State Central Archives
Session 3: 1-2:15
  1. Online Foreign Newspapers
  2. Quaker Records
  3. Adoption Family Research & DNA
Session 4: 2:30-3:45
  1. Using Biographical Sketches in Genealogy Research
  2. Catholic Records
  3. Life Aboard Ship: The Immigrant Experience
Workshop Fee $20, includes Handouts & Hot Dog Lunch                                          $_________
Lunch can’t be guaranteed with registration after Sept 29 & at the door.
Make check payable to YVGS
Send to YVGS 1901 S 12th Ave Union Gap, WA  98903
—————————————————Cut Line———————————————————–
NAME_________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS______________________________________________________________
CITY__________________________________________STATE__________ZIP:______
PHONE:_________________________EMAIL:_________________________________
Circle Letter of Class You Want to Attend (1 per session):   A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L

Ancestry Day’s Special Friday Event

by Roxanne Lowe
We were welcomed as we entered the museum

We were welcomed as we entered the museum

In a sold-out precursor of Ancestry Day, the crowd was treated to a half-day of presentations on topics from State Archive and State Library resources to identifying old photos. Besides getting a great opportunity to browse the exhibits at the Washington State History Museum, we heard presentations by:

A sold-out crowd at the Friday presentations

  • Tracy Rebstock, Southwest Regional Archivist at the State Archives, enlighten us with the “unique” records available online and on-site at the Archives. From old high school yearbooks to logging and cattle brands. Who knew Tracy had such a fascination with criminal records — and passed that on to us!
  • Mary Kathryn Kozy, professional genealogist extraordinaire, is always a delight — and she didn’t disappoint. Her talk about tracing people through time and space using timelines was excellent and enlightening.

    Mary Kathryn Kozy talking about timelines

    Mary Kathryn Kozy talking about timelines

  • Lynette Miller and Ed Nolan from the Washington State Historical Society shared the resources and original records available among their collections — all focusing on Washington State — from businesses, personal papers, organizations and more. A particular source of pride is the collection of Northern Pacific Beneficial Hospital records.
  • Karen Wallace Steely, professional genealogist with The Past Matters, provided an enlightening talk about finding stories in family photographs. Her  knowledge opened our eyes in identifying old photos.
  • Kathryn Devine from the Washington State Library shared numerous newspaper indices, online resources and on-site opportunities to find that unique story about our ancestors. Did you know the State Library has 40,000 reels of newspapers?

What a day! And there’s more! Tomorrow (Saturday, 24 Sep) will feature the “main event” — Ancestry Day, sponsored by Ancestry. If you’re reading this blog post before 8:00 a.m. Saturday  morning, get yourself to the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and register at the door for a plethora of classes, door prizes, networking, vendors and more! Only $35 — a real bargain!