Whatcom Gen Society Newsflash

Whatcom Genealogical Society

PO Box 1493, Bellingham, WA 98227-1493

Website: http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/WGS/wgs.htm

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/WhatcomGenealogicalSociety

NEWSLETTER…… March, 2016

WGS President: Barbara Lynch – ward.in.barb@frontier.com; Susan Nahas, Vice President and Webmaster; Sharon Bishop, Secretary; Carol Signett, Treasurer; Linda Lawson, Publications; Nancy Parker, Membership; Cindy Harris, Education; Merrily Lawson, Research; Sharon Neem, Publicity and Newsletter Editor; Barbara Lynch, Sylvia Willis, “The Bulletin” Committee

Programs for WGS Meetings:

Please silence your cell phones, or put them on vibrate during our meetings. They are quite disruptive to our speakers. Thank you!

March 14^th – “Finding Female Ancestors in Court Records” with Janice Lovelace……..Cindy Harris and Lorene Hofstrand have volunteered to bring snacks for the March meeting.

April 11^th – Program for organizing your research will be presented

May 9^th – “Genealogy in the Computer Age” with Claudia Breland

Other Events:

Whatcom County Historical Society – meets second Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm at the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room. Free and open to all. www.whatcomhistory.net

March 10^th – Deb Morgan will present a program on the history of the Sumas Rodeo.

April 14^th – Dave Tucker will give a presentation on his book “Geology Underfoot in Western Washington.

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society – meets at 1 pm at the Burlington Senior Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave. They do not meet July, August or Dec.

www.skagitvalleygenealogy.org

March 12^th – “The Silent Stones Speak – Gravestones and Icons” with Margie Wilson

April 9^th – TBA with Dave Obee

May 14^th – “How to Research People and Property in the National Register of Historic Places” with Martha Collins

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society – meets 2^nd Tuesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Hadley Hall, Arlington Boys and Girls Club, 18513 – 59^th Ave. NE, Arlington. www.stillygen.org

May 10th – “Supplemental Census Records” by Winona Laird. Ms. Laird has written a book entitled, Have You Ever Lived in a Mining Town, about her grandmother’s life.

Upcoming Seminars

March 26, 2016 – Genealogical Society of South Whidbey seminar featuring Gary Zimmerman, President of the Fiske Library. Useless Bay Country Club, 5725 S. Country club Lane, Langley, WA. http://www.gsswi.org/seminar.shtml for more information.

April 9, 2016 – Olympia Genealogical Society Spring Seminar 2016 – “The Power of Your DNA” presented by CeCe Moore, “Your Genetic Genealogist”.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~waogs/seminars.htm for your information.

May 4-7, 2016 – National Genealogical Society Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/

June 18, 2016 – WSGS Conference, Tacoma, WA. Paula Stuart-Warren will speak on “Your Anytime Library: Success in the Virtual Stacks”, “Railroad Records and Railroad History: Methods for Tracking”, “Untrod Ground: Sources You May Not Have Encountered”, “Controlling Chaos: Organizing Your Genealogical Materials”. Cyndi Ingle Emcee. Space is limited. www.tpcgs.org/seminar.html

Aug. 17-20, 2016 – Northwest Genealogy Conference 2016, sponsored by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society, Arlington, WA. www.stillygen.org for more information.

Aug. 21 – Sept. 3, 2016 – Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference, Springfield, IL

http://www.fgs.org/cpage.php?pt=43

Oct. 15, 2016 – Whatcom Genealogical Seminar. More information to come….

Whatcom Genealogical Society Bulletin

For 20 years WGS Member Merrily Lawson published the Society’s quarterly publication “The Bulletin” and finally resigned from the job a couple years ago. There were no Bulletins published for quite some time until Roland Signett volunteered to do the job. Healthwise he is no longer up to it, and he tells us that he believes we should form a committee to work on The Bulletin as it is far too much work for one person.

We already have two volunteers who are willing to be on the Committee: Our President, Barbara Lynch, and new member Sylvia Willis. The Board is looking for more people who would be willing to get together to discuss how to proceed. The more people, the less work for everyone. It would be a fun way to get to know other people in the Society.

Barbara will be bringing the subject up at the March meeting, and will have samples of previous Bulletins so you can see what they include. We hope you will consider the opportunity to participate. Thank you!

Upcoming Legacy Family Tree Webinars

To learn more about these free webinars and to watch them, go to the following Web site and register. You will receive a reminder through e-mail when it is time to watch.

http://familytreewebinars.com/upcoming-webinars.php

Wed., March 16th, 11 am – “The Private Laws of the Federal and State Governments” with Judy G. Russell.

Wed., March 23th, 11 am – “Introduction to German Parish Records” with Gail Blankenau

Wed., March 30^th, 11 am – “Proof Arguments – How to Write Them and Why They Matter” with Warren Bittner

Wed., April 6th, 11 am – “Getting to Know Findmypast – Your Source for British and Irish Ancestry” with Jen Baldwin

Fri., April 8^th, 11 am – “Confirming Enslaved Ancestors Utilizing DNA” with Melvin J. Collier

Genealogy Hints of the Month

If after your ancestor died his widow married a Civil War veteran, her pension
application may mention that first husband and provide information on him. This
application for Mary Butler gives the date of her first marriage and the date
and burial place of her first husband’s death in 1876–before that state kept
marriage records.
It is a good idea to occasionally review the material you have gathered on a certain individual. Sometimes there are clues that you missed the first time around.

Free Genealogy Web Sites of the Month: (or what else do you have to do with your time?)

www.archive.org – This site offers free public access to millions of public domain books, along with music, film, photographs and other archived historical records. Resources include items from the Allen County Public Library and the Brigham Young University Library, among others. You will be amazed at what you can find here.

www.familyhistorydaily.com – How-to stories and research. A great learning site.

Looking for help with your genealogy research? Remember there is help for you every Wednesday throughout the year from 10 am to 2 pm at the Bellingham Public Library in the genealogy room at the back. Our current volunteers are: Barbara Lynch, Cindy Harris, Judith Culver, Judy Bayless, Evelyn Darrow, and Sharon Neem.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Serendipity Day, 4 March 2016

Mar4 by Charles Hansen

Few days ago, Cyndi’s List turned 20 years old! That’s a marvelous genealogy milepost…to think that all by herself Cyndi Ingle has created, maintained and updated this everybody-uses-it website for all to use FOR FREE. For a birthday gift to Cyndi to mark this accomplishment, I proffer that it’s time to give her a gift………..I just made a donation to her website. Click on the link below and read Judy Russell’s article and then (if you’re so moved) click on the DONATE link and (as Capt. Jean Luc Picard says) “Make it so!” Here’s the link:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/15342b6807d743fc

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While we were in Hawaii in February, on the Big Island, we visited a heiau or ancient sacred temple site of the Hawaiian people. At the Visitor’s Center, I met Nani, who explained to me that she was an ali’i, or royalty, and was a direct descendant of King Kamehameha. Wow. I asked if I could take her picture.

BB-Nani

Upon returning to my own desk, I did some Googling. King Kamehameha V died a bachelor in 1872. So that nixes that. But there are surviving collateral lines, according to the websites I searched. Here is a photo of the royal family: King Kamehameha III is in the center; his wife is to his right; Kamehameha IV is to the left rear; Kamehameha V is to the right rear; their sister is to the lower right.

House_of_Kamehameha_(restored)

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I was fascinated by all the Hawaiian street names. Most were Hawaiian but I spotted these: Pszyk, Peck, Oshiro, Volcano, and Pu’u O’o. I’d guess that 80% of street names were Hawaiian but these others reflect the mixture of cultures in these islands over the decades. Ever read Hawaii by James Michener? Great read.

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I was doing some FamilySearch Indexing the other evening. The batch was English Probates from 1936; easy to read for it was all printed! I could not help but smile as I spotted the stated professions, not of the deceased, but of the beneficiaries: Dental Surgeon, Solicitor, Cabinet Maker, Farmer, Surgical Appliance Maker, Colliery Fitter (has to do with mining), Butcher, Poultry Keeper, Licensed Victualler, Chaplain H.M. forces, Locomotive Engineer Driver, Cloth Merchant, Carpenter, Marine Engineer, Baker, Coal Miner, Wholesale Fruit Merchant and Ferry Employee. I wondered just how many of those occupations would be listed as such today? And back then, no TV Sportscaster, or Computer Tech. (And by the by, my total is nearly 12,000 records indexed. How about you?)

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We’ve been told by everybody who is anybody in the genealogy world, and many from other worlds, to have more than one good computer backup. Many, including Thomas MacEntee, recommend a 2TB portable hard drive (“buy the biggest one you can get!”). But what brand is the best? A good, reliable, online backup service is Backblaze (www.backblaze.com) and their website offers a quarterly “Hard Drive Reliability Review.” You might consider using Backblaze ($5 per month) and for sure reading their advice about buying a reliable portable hard drive.

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How many of you did photobook projects with MyCanvas, a subsidiary of Ancestry? I had done four projects with MyCanvas myself. So I was all eyes when reading a recent email from Ancestry: “As of 4 April 2016, you will no longer have access to your original MyCanvas projects stored on Ancestry.com. Good news, you can transfer your projects to the new MyCanvas now owned by Alexander’s and continue working.” Click to www.mycanvas.com and follow the links to transfer your projects. And better be doing it asap!

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Do you enjoy learning new words? I surely do. My latest word is irenic. If used as an adjective it means “aiming or aimed at peace.” If used as a noun it means “a part of Christian theology concerned with reconciling different denominations and sects.” How would you use this word in a sentence?

Lower Columbia Gen Society Newsflash

Mar4 by Charles Hansen

AALOWER

Clallam County Gen Society Newsflash

Mar4 by Charles Hansen

1451776443_DonnaPotterPhillips

Saturday, March 19

Meeting program is free + Special Afternoon Class ($15.00 advance registration) (Monthly Meetings)

10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N Sequim Avenue, Sequim WA

Donna Potter Phillips, a dynamic and well-known genealogy speaker, will give a 2-part session focusing on finding our elusive women ancestors. Finding Lost Ladies & Missing Mothers will be given at the General Meeting. Following a break for lunch, there will be a special afternoon class: Cost for the afternoon session is $15.00 for members who pay in advance. Topic is Our Lady Ancestors were Joiners: Clubs, Societies, & Organizations. Click download form at end of this article.

Donna Potter Phillips
Donna has been sharing genealogical teachings with the Clallam County Genealogical Society for nearly 25 years. She is twice past president of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, has written regularly for all the major genealogical magazines, and had a weekly newspaper column for 15 years. She has been “Mother Hen” to the Salt Lake Christmas Tour for 30 years. When not on the genealogy road, or in libraries, she loves the water….. swimming, beaches, lakes, Hawaii! She now counts 15 in her extended family, and has her dachshund, Tika, help her with her blog-writing.

Download: AFTERNOON CLASS REGISTRATION FORM

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON Wednesday Evening E-News

Mar3 by Charles Hansen

GenForum

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON Wednesday Evening E-News 3 March 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, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Feb.pdf.

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From Native American to Scottish – The journey to find my first parents

Don

You know you want to see this guy in person. You just know you do!
Come hear Don Anderson on Saturday, March 19th, at 2 pm at the GFO Library, as he explains his personal genealogical journey.
Topics that are near and dear to Don’s heart include DNA research, adoption, music, and breaking down genealogical brick walls.
This one’s FREE to the public, so please come join in the fun! Continue reading →

Susan Hassenmiller Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

Mar3 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Susan Hassenmiller of Bainbridge Island, Washington, who was nominated by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS). She was recognized for her enthusiasm and passion to support the society.

Susan Hassenmiller

Ms. Hassenmiller has been a dedicated, long-time member of BIGS, serving as a founding board member and as treasurer for two terms starting in 2006. She rejoined the board in 2013 as director of ways and means serving two more terms.

Ms. Hassenmiller is a mentor to members and often meets individually with new members to guide them in starting or continuing their research efforts. She advocated for, and now moderates, an email network group for members to share informally among themselves. Ms. Hassenmiller also shares her knowledge and passion by co-facilitating special interest groups on DNA and Scandinavian research.

Ms. Hassenmiller shares her time and energy selflessly and often volunteers graciously for whatever needs to be done. Her contributions prove that she richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2015.

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.

Eastern Washington Gen Society Newsflash

Mar2 by Charles Hansen

Finding Missing Family Members Through Public Records

Saturday, March 5, 12:30 to 3:00, Spokane Public Library Auditorium, Downtown Spokane

Finding Missing Family Members Through Public Records

Speaker Chuck Delgado.

Chuck is a licensed private investigator with Delgado Investigations, LLC

After 10 years in law enforcement in Spokane & Stevens County, Chuck worked in the mining industry in Alaska, returning to Spokane in the winter as a Private Investigator. He also spent 14 years in the Public Defenders office administering polygraph exams.

His interest in learning how to access public records was the result of working as a private investigator. He had to teach himself how to obtain information which agencies did not want to provide.

As it applies to Genealogy, finding that missing person can be the key to completing the family tree. Thinking “outside the Box” will be part of the class.

Cookies & Social Time: 12:30 PM. Meeting starts at 1:00 PM. All interested genealogists are welcome to attend.