THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GFO1

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 7 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.

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Roddy in September? This Sunday, come learn the art of newspaper research…

Please call the Library at 503-963-1932 to ask whether the class has already been filled to capacity.

Roddy
Click the info sheet above to register.

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We can’t wait to share GFO’s 70th Birthday with you next weekend! Saturday, Sept 17th…

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GFO’s 70th Birthday Bash Schedule BOOK BONANZA!! 10am – 4pm
All GFO’s clearance books are $1 each, or purchase a GFO tote bag for $5 and fill it with as many books as you dare at no extra charge!! Wow! Wadda deal!! On the main floor of the Ford Building.
HUNTING AND GATHERING, 9:30am – 11:30am
Join us for a monthly support group where we help each other find information about a family line. We will learn to do a reasonably exhaustive search and develop research plans. The focus will shift depending on the needs of the group. Several experienced researchers have volunteered to help. Beginners and intermediate researchers are encouraged to submit problems to work on. For more information contact Nanci Remington at nancicr@outlook.com.
MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL, 9:30am – 4pm
Get 2 or 4 extra months of GFO membership when you pay for only 12 or 25 months respectively. If you would like to take advantage of the deal but are in the middle of your current membership, well that’s no problem!! Just sign up at the GFO on Saturday, Sept 17th, and we’ll tack the same deal on to your membership when it next comes up for renewal.
GEN Talks, 2pm – 4pm
The GFO proudly presents Keith and Darlene Pyeatt as they will be imparting their wealth of knowledge about the German Parish Map Guides. If you remember, the GFO was recently able to purchase this entire collection with the support of people like you! Or maybe that was you who helped us reach our purchasing goal last month!! We’d like to say “Thanks Very Much” by sponsoring this free talk all about how to utilize these map guides as they are making their way to our library shelves now!
IRISH GROUP CANCELLED
Please contact volunteer@gfo.org to inquire about what you can do to get this group back!! (Looking for leaders!!! Please help.)

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Parking

GFO’s ANNUAL MEMBERS REUNION PICNIC! Sept 18th
We would love to see you at the membership picnic this year!! Just think of it: Old friends, new friends, possible wild animal sightings, food, ice cold lemonade in the shade of grand Pacific NW trees, and all the genealogical gossip you could ever wish for!

WHEN Sunday, Sept 18th, from noon until whenever you’re sick of it all!

WHERE Mt. Scott Park, Picnic Area B at SE 72nd Ave & Harold St in Portland.

HOW RSVP to picnic@gfo.org, then just put one foot in front of the other on Sept 18th, and come on out! YOU CAN ALSO PUSH THE SUPER-FUN BLUE BUTTON ABOVE OR BELOW!!

WHAT Iced tea, lemonade, and all the necessary paper and plastic products (plates, utensils, napkins, etc.) will be provided by the GFO. Please bring dishes to share, preferably filled with additional, more food-like items!!

NOTE No alcohol or smoking of any kind is permitted on the park grounds…city rules say so regarding all public parks.

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Some Super Hot Links in Genealogy this Week…

Mining Records for Baker, Josephine, Jackson Counties
New online collections of Oregon mining records are opening up our state’s rich history.

▪ Explore Baker County Mining Claim Records

▪ Explore Josephine County Historical Society Records

▪ Explore Gold Hill Historical Society and Woodville Historical Society Records
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The records span decades, from the gold rush of the 1800s to more modern mining operations, and include Baker County Mining Claim Records and mining records held by the Josephine County, Gold Hill, and Woodville historical societies.

Archives Crawl – Saturday, Oct 8th, 11am – 3pm
Portland-Area Archives and Historical Repositories, Unite!! Come meander between to this year’s 3 downtown hosting repositories (stop by at the GFO’s table to see how we’re doing with our Digital Manuscript Collection), the City of Portland Archives & Records Center, the Oregon Historical Society and the Multnomah County Library. What a lovely day this will be! Lots of historical and archival talks, with lovely short jaunts through Portland’s beautiful and mysterious downtown. Hope to see you there at GFO’s table too!!
Slavery Manuscript Collection
The Xavier University of Louisiana has just posted a great new digital resource for researchers interested in slavery and African American genealogy research in Louisiana, specifically New Orleans. Check out the collection’s history HERE along with useful tips on how to access the material online.
Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. 37th National Conference
Events will run from Oct 13th through 16th in Atlanta, Georgia. Check out the full schedule and registration (page 21) information HERE.

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What’s Happening this Week at the GFO?

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH
Illinois Interest Group 9:30am – 11:30am

Come join us! At all the meeting times you will receive handouts and/or work sheets for each topic we cover. We focus on the state of Illinois, but the research techniques can be used on all states. The group leaders are Kristy Gravlin, call 630-621-5166 or email hannah @teleport.com, and Harlene Patterson.

Writers’ Forum 1pm – 3pm

This is a peer group of genealogists who meet to learn about writing and to share their writing with each other. All are welcome to join!! Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at peggy@familypassages.com or 503-916-9410.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th
Newspapers Sleuthing Workshop 10am – 1pm

Be sure to call the library beforehand (503-963-1932) to ask if there are still seats available please!!

Family Tree Maker Group 1pm – 3pm

For this month (September), the group will meet on the second Sunday, returning to the third Sunday in October. Come learn how the experts use this particular database!! You know you want to!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th
Free First Monday Per last week’s holiday, we’ve moved this month’s Free First Monday to this coming Monday! Don’t have a membership to the GFO, but still yearn to explore our in-house resources and database subscriptions (Fold3, Newspapers.com, etc.)? No problem! Just drop on by anytime from 9:30am to 5pm this Monday!!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th
PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Join us for a discussion of how to use Photoshop Elements to present your family history research, pictures and stories. We discuss scanning techniques, photo restoration, creating pages for presentation, resources and anything else participants want to know related to this topic. All are welcome, from beginners to more advanced users. Come and learn and share your ideas and questions. Please email Sarah Holmes at photoshop@gfo.org for questions.

Kelowna & District Genealogical Society HARVEST YOUR FAMILY TREE GENEALOGY CONFERENCE!

by Charles Hansen

This is Your Chance to Start Discovering YOUR Family History!

If you’ve already registered – read on for the latest news and please consider sharing this email with friends who may be interested – thanks!

 

  • Are you interested in finding out about your family history? 
  • Are you already on the family history journey but having trouble making progress? 
  • Are you a well-seasoned family historian but always wanting to learn more?

 

If any of the foregoing applies, then…

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE “HARVEST YOUR FAMILY TREE” GENEALOGY CONFERENCE!

September 23-25, 2016

www.KDGS.ca

People are flocking from all points of Western Canada and the Northwest US to attend this inspiring event, right here in Kelowna!  With 10 internationally acclaimed speakers from England, the US and Canada; a large Marketplace of Vendors & Exhibitors; and 28 workshops to choose from, our “Harvest Your Family Tree” Genealogy Conference is the place to be and the largest event of its kind in Western Canada!

 

The fun begins at noon on Friday, Sept. 23rd at our downtown Kelowna Public Library where you’ll find our own KDGS Family & Local History Resource Centre, the Okanagan Regional Library’s main collection of genealogy materials, including a huge collection of microforms and the University of British Columbia Library’s Innovation Centre.  There will be free tours, talks & hands-on opportunities at all three facilities plus several workshops ($18 each – pre-registration required) to choose from.  A perfect time to start digging into your roots!

speakers

Friday Evening is our “Meet the Speaker’s” Reception where a Q&A panel will discover what makes our speakers tick!  Enjoy the refreshments and a myriad of interesting family history displays. If you have a self-standing display or family history project you’d like to show off, please bring it along; tables are provided. The Reception is at the lovely Centre for Learning Atrium located at Kelowna’s Okanagan College Campus ($15 – pre-registration only).

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Saturday’s activities kick off at Okanagan College’s Centre for Learning, sharp at 8am.  What a fantastic day we have planned for you!  Our Marketplace is even bigger than our 2014 Conference by a third!  Be sure to cheque the exhibits on the second floor, too!  My Heritage will be there and we are so very grateful for their sponsorship:  you will covet your Conference bag and spiffy name-badge, all courtesy of My Heritage.  Of course, we’ll have all your favourite vendors, including The Bookshop from Penticton, BC Genealogical Society Boutique, KDGS Used Bookstall and Shop the Hound plus great exhibits from FamilySearch, Vancouver Public Library’s Genealogy Department, Okanagan Regional Library, Kelowna Museums, Family Roots Tracer, Lake Country Museum & Archives (hosting a Heritage Photo Booth – bring home a souvenir vintage pic of you at the Conference), KDGS will have their newly minted Cemetery Books, Raffle Tickets (for three fab prizes), Archival supplies, bottled water and more.  Speakers, Dave Obee, Lisa Louise Cooke and Xenia Stanford will have booths, too.  New this year will be the Guild of One-Name Studies, Maple Ridge Heritage Group and Family Tree Design (as well as My Heritage, of course)!  Bring your cheque-book and some cash!

 

We have well over 100 wonderful door prizes!  Thank you to all the businesses, organizations and individuals who supplied these – a list will be in your Conference Syllabus.  Your chance of going home with a great prize is over 50%.  By just filling in your Evaluation Questionnaire at the end of the day, you could win a crisp, new $100 bill!  We listen to your feedback:  this year, free coffee and tea will be available as soon as our doors open at 8am and during the lunch hour, as well as during our two breaks.

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Sunday will be a day to relax, stretch your legs and learn a little about the history of Kelowna’s Downtown Cultural District with a tour led by our famous Bob Hayes!  This free event includes two special visits:  1.  Okanagan Military Museum to learn about their great resources for military and family history; 2.  Kelowna Art Gallery to enjoy a special art exhibit about Mexican Migrant Workers, their lives and culture.  For those who wish to linger, we have an option to join us for lunch at our former CPR Station, now The Train Station Pub.

 

REGISTER NOW:  WWW.KDGS.CA

MORE INFORMATION:  Conference@KDGS.ca or phone Marie, 250-763-7159

 

Claire Smith-Burns

Kelowna & District Genealogical Society

Chairperson, “Harvest Your Family Tree” Conference 2016, Conference@KDGS.ca

Director, KDGS Family & Local History Resource Centre, Library@KDGS.ca

www.KDGS.ca

 

 

Tacoma-Pierce County Gen Society Newsflash

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting at LDS Family History Center, Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Tacoma Pierce GS

Summer break is over and it’s time for the monthly meetings of the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical society to start again.  Hopefully this summer has allowed you to break down some of the brick walls, and discover new ancestors that you didn’t know about last spring.

Our September meeting will be an informal show and tell at the LDS Family History Center located on 12th and Pearl in Tacoma. Bring your stories or just come and listen to other members talk about what they have found recently.  Who know, maybe someone’s story will help you with your research.

Hope to see everyone there!

TPCGS monthly meetings are held September – May at Bates Technical College, South Campus, Building E, 2201 South 78th St., Tacoma. (September’s meeting is at the LDS Family History Center)  Meetings are from 6pm – 9pm.  In between the two talks, there will be a short business meeting along with a social time and light refreshments.  Find more information at www.tpcgs.org

 

Jefferson County Gen Society Newsflash

by Charles Hansen

 

PUTTING YOUR ANCESTORS IN THEIR PLACE…AND TIME:

TIMELINES, CHRONOLOGIES, AND CALCULATORS

Jefferson Co GS

 

To understand an ancestor’s life, genealogists use timelines, chronologies, and online calculators to summarize a life and identify interconnected historical events. These methods are not to be missed as they can show us how ancestors are interconnected with each other; how their lives are connected to history; identifies discrepancies and inconsistencies; reveals additional areas for further research; and will ease the work of writing a memoir, a family history, or an obituary.

 

Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS) www.wajcgs.org has invited Professional Genealogist, Janet Camarata, to be their speaker during a full-day Seminar on Saturday, September 17, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 W. Valley Rd, Chimacum. A donation of $10.00 for the full-day Seminar is suggested. Janet’s topic “Putting Your Ancestors in Their Place…and Time: Timelines, Chronologies and Calculators” will demonstrate how these methods worked to help understand a family’s mid-1800s migration from Kentucky to Missouri to Kansas. Members and friends of JCGS are invited to learn about Timelines and Chronologies in the morning, while in the afternoon Janet will present Calculating Our Ancestors’ Lives that compares the life of your ancestor with your own life using online tools for computing inflation, cousins, distance, weather, etc. Bring your own lunch; coffee/tea/water will be available. In addition Heritage Books will be on site offering for sale a large selection of genealogy books and other items for family history researchers.

 

Janet O’Conor Camarata tells her family’s stories using all the benefits of genealogy, history, the internet and the latest computing tools. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and is an experienced instructor.

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

PO Box 627,  Port Townsend, WA 98368

Contact for this release: Judy Tough 385-3065 or tough@olympus.net

 

Serendipity Day

by Charles Hansen

** Tibetan Dress Customs

** Why You Might Not Find Your Ancestor’s Grave

** Egyptian Genealogy

** Was Your Ancestor a German Redemptioner?

 

From the book, Seven Years in Tibet, by Heinrich Harrer, who lived in Tibet in the 1940s and 1950s and wrote his famous book in 1982. And was turned into a great movie with Brad Pitt!  I learned so much about the Tibetan people from enjoying this book and could have copied out endless bits for you but will settle on this one….just in case you might have Tibetan ancestor:

Tibean

“(Now spring had come). The season of sandstorms was over, and the peach trees were in blossom. On the neighboring peaks, the last remnants of the snow shone blindly white in the warm sunshine. One day the summer season was officially declared to have begun, and the summer clothes might be worn. One had no right to leave off one’s furs when one wanted to. Every year, after considerations of the omens, a day was fixed on which the notables and monks put on summer dress. The weather might have been very warm or snowstorms might follow. That did not matter. Summer dress must be work from that date only. The same thing happens in autumn, when winter dress is officially resumed. I continually used to hear complaints that the changeover had come too coon or too late and that people were stifling hot or half frozen.”

Continue reading →

Heritage Quest Research Library Upcoming Classes

by Charles Hansen

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Upcoming Classes for Heritage Quest Research Library

September – November 2016

Tuesday, September 13th 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. $15.00 “Capturing Our Stories: Using Artifacts and Photos as Writing Prompts,” with Janet O’Conor Camarata

Family artifacts and photographs each come with a story or a memory. Learn an easy way to use photos and artifacts to write short, simple essays, profiles, narratives or descriptions. Each story can be shared with family and friends, by email or print, individually or compiled into a collection later or as a digital story.

 

Wednesday, September 21th, 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.

  Continue reading →

Skagit Valley Genealogy Society Basic Genealogy Workshop

by Charles Hansen

Basic Genealogy Workshop

SKAGIT VALLEY GENEALOGY SOCIETY

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The Burlington Public Library, has agreed to allow SVGS to use their facilities for a series of classes for people who want to learn how to get started in researching their personal family history.

Beginning this coming October, SVGS will present a workshop consisting of four 2-hr classes covering topics of  “How to begin?”,  “How to organize your materials?”,  “How to find information that has been hidden from you for years?” These workshops will not be just a series of lectures. Each presentation will be a hands on journey in researching your family history.  Emphasis will be on precise detective-like procedures to find the information needed to complete the puzzle of  “Who do you think you are?”  These classes will be held on a Saturday from 10 am to Noon on October 1, 8, 15 and 22.

If you are interested, simply click the PayPal link on the sidebar.  Or you can download and print a flyer describing the classes and a registration application. Complete the registration and mail it in with check or money order for the correct amount to the address listed below or you can drop it off just before class.

The cost is $50.00 for all 4 classes if registered by September 26th. Registration will be $60 after that date.  Walk-ins at the library are welcomed as long as seating is available. Individual lessons are  $15.00 for each class.

Workshop Flyer and Registration form
Workshop-File-Download

SVGS
Attn: Class Registration
P.O. Box 722
Mount Vernon, WA  98273-0722

Don’t miss this opportunity to begin your “family history research” in earnest.  You will learn a lot and you will meet many people who can help you on your family discovery  journey.   Anyone from Skagit county and surrounding areas are invited to attend.  The seating spaces for the library is limited, so don’t wait to register.

In order to register early and be put on our early bird list, we are asking you to voluntarily complete the following form. This information will be directly emailed to our registration coordinator.  Your early place on the list will be confirmed as long as you make payment prior to September 26th.  You will also have to complete the printed application with payment or the PayPal selection in the sidebar. Thank you for your purchase.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

First & Last Name (required)

Email Address (required)

Today’s Date?
REGISTRATION DETAILS

Fee Type:
Before Sept 26: $50 for all 4 classes After Sept 26: $60 for all 4 classes Individual: $15 per class

Class Choice:
Note: If you chose Individual: $15 per class, you need to select which date you want to attend.

10-1-2016  Introduction and Forms

10-8-2016 Sources, Primary and Secondary

10-15-2016 Organization, DNA, Software

10-22-2016 Evidence and Evaluation

Serendipity Day

by Charles Hansen

** Civil War Tombstones: A Quick Primer

** What Is A Source? Definition from James Tanner

** Local Little Societies Are A Goldmine!

** MyHeritage: Do Check It Out

 

 

 

Civil War Tombstones: A Quick Primer….. thank you to Dick Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter and Amy Johnson Crow.

What is the difference between a Union and a Confederate tombstone? Amy Johnson Crow gives the answer in a short, but interesting, article in her blog at http://goo.gl/jGKMhc. (Copy and paste this address to access Amy’s good article.)

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What is a source? One dictionary definition is so vague as to be meaningless: “a place, person, or thing from which something comes or can be obtained.” See Google search for “define source.”

A source is the identity and location concerning where you got the information you are using. 

That isn’t very artfully said but genealogists are talking about sources being reliable or unreliable. A source is a source. If I got my information from a book in the local public library, the citation information about the book and the place where I found it constitute the “source” of my information. Any questions about the accuracy, reliability or whatever of the information have nothing whatsoever to do with the “source.” If I think your information is wrong or unreliable and you provide me with a source, I can go an check to see whether or not you are correct. Absent a source, I have to guess where you might have gotten the information and from my perspective, I have to assume, since you did not tell me where you got your information, that the information is unreliable and quite likely wrong. When people say a “source” is unreliable, what they really mean is that the information obtained from the source is unreliable.

James Tanner    Genealogy’s Star    5 Dec 2015

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I’ve beaten on this drum before but it bears repeating: There is gold in them there little historical societies and museums. Here is a peek through the window of the Coulee City Pioneer Museum………just look at all the potential “good stuff” on those shelves. Maybe you don’t need help in Coulee City……….but what about Waterville? Chelan? Hillyard? Uniontown? Gray’s Harbor? Friday Harbor? Here’s the rule:  If you need local help, go there! Virtually, of course, but in person is great too.

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I’ve been getting plenty of news, updates and information from MyHeritage and I thought I’d share some of it with you all. This website, and what is offered there, is just getting better and better and better.

 

MyHeritage

Way back in February 2016 MyHeritage announced Family Tree Builder 8.0. This new version of their popular FREE software allows you to sync your tree with MyHeritage and use all their wonderful features. Wow.

Back in April 2016 they announced Super Search.  This is a MyHeritage search engine that searches for matches to your family tree within their databases (of about 7,000,000,000 records…..that’s 7 billion!). Wow.

Also in April they announced Book Matching. This automatically finds matches for your people in your family tree on MyHeritage in their vast collection of some 450,000 digitized historical books. Wow.

In May they announced MyHeritage Community. This feature is a Q&A hub on the MyHeritage website created to help their 8,000,000 registered users to collaborate and help each other with any family history related question. Wow.

In June they announced Sun Charts. This is an innovative new family tree chart for visualizing descendants in your family tree.  It is as you would guess, names radiating out in all direction like the sun’s rays. Wow.

Then just a month ago in July, MyHeritage announced Pedigree Map. This is an innovative way to visualize your Family history by plotting events from your family tree (such as birth-marriage-death) along with photos on an interactive world map. Pedigree Map displays photos and events groups by country and location allowing your to easily filter it by person, family group, event and time period. Wow.

You certainly want to sign up for the MyHeritage blog! Click to blog.myheritage.com and (on the right) sign up with your email.  Did I say? It’s free!

MyHeritage offers many more wonderful and helpful things and is worth the subscription price ($160 annually). For more information email sales@myheritage.com, or call 1-877-432-3135.

Tell them my friend, Mark Olsen, sends you and ask for a discount??? My mother taught me that you can ask anything you want as long as you’re polite.

 

 

 

 

Jewish Genealogical Society September Seminar

by Charles Hansen

JewishGen

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State proudly presents:
Beyond Online: Beginning Courthouse Research
by Janice Lovelace, Ph.D.
DATE:  Monday, September 12, 2016
LDS Factoria Building
4200 124th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA  98006
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Come enjoy our extensive JGSWS Library and Family History Center’s genealogical resources!
Presentation starts promptly at 7:15 p.m.
FREE Wi-Fi and access to fee-based genealogical websites
FREE admission and refreshments

 

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
Step away from the computer to search for records that may not be digitized, but are stored in county courthouses across the country. Find out what kinds of documents you can locate from land records to court proceedings, and how that information will help your research. Using many examples, including some from her Jewish great-grandparents, Janice shares her valuable knowledge of resources and methods for researching records in courthouses.

Janice

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Janice Lovelace, Ph.D., a psychologist who recently retired from full-time college teaching in social sciences and American Cultural Studies, has over 20 years of experience in genealogical research and academic studies (Genealogy and Family History certificate at University of Washington, Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate, and ProGen). Her writing and presentations include health, genetics, ethnic minority research and courthouse research.
Janice is actively involved with her local genealogical societies and is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists, African American Genealogical and Historical Society, the Ohio Genealogical Society and the National Genealogical Society.
Please visit our website at http://www.jgsws.org to join or to donate to JGSWS to help support the incredible speakers and workshops we bring to you, to view library listings, download handouts, or for more information. JGSWS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. Membership dues and donations are tax deductible.
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State
P.O. Box 53102 Bellevue WA 98015 www.jgsws.org

Janice Lovelace-JGSWS Flyer for 9-12-16