Happy New Year

This has been a learning year for me, Charles Hansen and the WSGS team of bloggers, Donna Potter-Phillips, Roxanne Lowe and Susan Faulkner. Word Press is a lot different than blogger and so we were feeling our way around the WSGS blog for months, tweaking and adding plug ins to make it work better and easier for everyone.

Our top ten articles for 2015 were:
1. Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week
2. Northwest Genealogical Conference August 2015
3. 2015 Seminars
4. Subscribe to Blog Updates
5. Oregon Burial Site Guide for just the Cost of Shipping
6. 2015 WSGS Annual Conference
7. Do Records Matter?
8. Veronica Anguiano Honored as 2015 Outstanding Volunteer
9. WSGS Blog Promoting the Preservation of, and Access to, Genealogical information in Washington State.
10. Seattle Genealogical Society

Many others were popular also, which one was your favorite.

One of the best part of blogging is reading the comments, but we get so few comments, so I guess we are doing a great job? Anything we can do better in 2016?

Happy Year End & Happy New Year

Dec28 by Charles Hansen

How many times have we said, “Oh, what I’d give for one diary entry….one letter…one card…one page….written by my great-great grandmother!!”

I have a great-grandchild due in June 2016. It’s not likely that in 2036 (when he/she is 20) that I’ll be up to telling stories about my life.

Permission to speak boldly? NEITHER WILL YOU.

But today I can write those stories about my life and by so doing will be leaving a real legacy for her/him.

Permission to speak boldly? PERHAPS YOU DON’T CARE WHETHER YOUR GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN KNOW WHO YOU WERE?? It’s your decision.

Perhaps your New Year’s Resolution or New Year’s Goal might-oughta-should be to start writing the history of you…..for them?

Here’s a great list of ideas to get you started…thinking back across the year 2015:

1. What did you do this year that you had never done before?

2. What was the smartest decision you made this year?

3. What was the biggest risk you took?

4. What new things did you discover about yourself?

5. What are you most grateful for this past year?

6. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

7. What do you wish you had done more of?

8. What do you wish you had done less of?

Happy Year End & Happy New Year from Donna.

Yakima Valley Gen Society News Flash

Dec27 by Charles Hansen

If you need yet another good reason to visit the stupendous genealogy library housed in the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society headquarters building, here it is! Better make travel reservations at a local hotel for one day in this library (just like potato chips) is not nearly enough!

YVGS

Union Gap, WA. – The Yakima Valley Genealogical Society has recently been donated the Vernie Smith Bennett Collection, a major and significant collection of genealogical research material, by a benefactor in Texas. The collection consists of approximately 670 bound volumes of genealogical books and records. The donated material mainly covers the southern states (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas) but does include some books with records from the northern states. This is a major addition to the existing collection which already consists of over 18,000 bound volumes on the shelf, 6,000 microfilm and 6,000 microfiche. The Yakima Valley Genealogical Society operates a library in Union Gap, Washington. It is one of the largest genealogical libraries in the Pacific Northwest and is open to the public free of charge 6 days a week. For the catalogue of the society holdings, the library address and it’s hours of operation you can go to their website at yvgs.net.

Thank-you,

Susan J. Boatright, Publicity Chairperson, YVGS

sjboatright@gmail.com

509-966-1354

Eastside Genealogical Society January Meeting

Dec25 by Charles Hansen

EGS

The Eastside Genealogical Society will meet on Thursday, January 14, 2016 in the Bellevue Regional Library, Room 1, 1111 – 110^th Ave NE, Bellevue 98004 at 7pm, with doors opening at 6:30 pm for networking.

Topic: Darcy Brixey, Bellevue librarian, will present “Genealogy Gems from your Public Library”. Come learn about the latest sources of research help in the Library, updates to the genealogy databases and how to use World Cat to find those limited edition family books. She will also demo the KCLS catalog and options within Bibliocommons.

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Thank you,

Dorothy Pretare

EGS Publicity Chairperson

dpgen@comcast.net

Genealogical Forum of Oregon Wishes you Merry Christmas

Dec23 by Charles Hansen

Merry
The Genealogical Forum of Oregon would like to extend our warmest wishes to all our members, patrons and supporters for a safe and lovely Christmas holiday.

GFO’s Research Library will close at 5 p.m. today, December 23rd, and will be closed again from 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 24th, until 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 26th.

We will also be observing the world’s most recent revolution around the sun the last week of this month. In other words, the Library will be closed from 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 31st, until 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 2nd.

*** Continue reading →

Margie Beldin Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

Dec23 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 Margie Beldin of Richland, Washington, who was nominated by the Tri-City Genealogical Society (TCGS). She was recognized for her dedicated, enthusiastic efforts to educate members of her local Society.

Margie Beldin

Ms. Beldin has distinguished herself in untiring support of the TCGS as its Education Chair for many years. In that position, Ms. Beldin has made many classes on a wide variety of subjects available to the membership. Ms. Beldin has not only coordinated setting up classes and programs, she has taught numerous classes herself, as she actively increased her knowledge and capability through attendance at genealogical conferences and classes outside the TCGS. She is always willing to share the knowledge that she gets from these events.

Ms. Beldin is a valued and hard-working member of the TCGS, and illustrates that she richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

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.

Big Kudu for Washington from Genealogy’s Star James Tanner

Dec23 by Charles Hansen

In case you missed this…………………

The Genealogical State of the States

Posted: 21 Nov 2015 06:24 AM PST

There is no real second place in the list of the genealogically valuable U.S. state websites. The Washington State Digital Archives wins hands down, no contest. Unfortunately, although there are some other notable collections, most of the states have a miserable level of digital offerings. Currently, the State of Washington has preserved 165,412,383 records and made 64,505,776 records available as of November, 2015. They have also added 2,638,172 records in the past month. At the other end of the spectrum, most of the states make no attempt to systematically digitize their records and what they have preserved online is usually in a “Memory Project.”

Jefferson County Gen Society News Flash

Dec21 by Charles Hansen

images

JEFFERSON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

PO Box 627

Port Townsend, WA 98368

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

FOR RELEASE

INTERESTED IN GENEALOGY? START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT!

Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS) invites the public to a special three-fold Seminar comprised of two professional one-and-a-half hour presentations, and a genealogy publications sale on Saturday, January 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center located across the street from the Chimicum School campus, Bring your own lunch and $10 donation.

Master genealogist, Mary Kathryn Kozy, will make the two presentations. Her topics will cover: “Family Tree” and “Wiki and Unique Books to Peruse” all of which are found on the important, free, genealogy website Family Search. Mary Kathryn has been doing her own genealogy for over 35 years. That work has taken her geographically from the Midwest to the Deep South and to both Western and Eastern Europe. Mary Kathryn has served in multiple positions in several Seattle area genealogical societies as well as on the state level. She is the past-president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State and has completed her second Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Systems.

Mary KKozy

In addition, Heritage Quest booksellers will have a large display of books for genealogists that are helpful no matter what level of expertise you have. More information is available on <wajcgs.org>

Serendipity: A Genealogist’s Christmas Eve

Dec18 by Charles Hansen

Genealogist’s Christmas Eve

‘Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said…
“Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat.”

Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I’d forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents’ wills,
I’d not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I’d spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and ‘ole Santa Claus, too.

And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa–KER-RASH!

“Dear” Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good ‘ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you’d have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who’d brought us such gladness and joy:
When I’d been too busy for even one toy.

He spied my research on the table all spread
“A genealogist!” He cried! (My face was all red!)
“Tonight I’ve met many like you,” Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amusement–the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
“I know what it’s like as a genealogy bug.”
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.

“While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can’t find a thing.”

“Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I’ll clean up the house from this genealogy mess.”
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who’d brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa’s clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
“Family history is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!”

–Author Unknown

— The earliest attribution found for this particular poem is for Gibbs Publishing House of Toledo, Ohio, which published it as a Christmas Card. Some Web sites attribute the poem to Dora Mills c. 2001, but it has been around since at least 1988. Dora Mills does appear to have written at least one poem based on Clement Moore’s poem, titled A Christmas Incident which appeared in the Ash Tree Echo in January 1983.

Genealogical Forum of Oregon Wednesday News

Dec17 by Charles Hansen

GenForum

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON’S

Wednesday Evening E-News

16 December 2015

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 last month’s newletter, The Insider, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/15-Nov.pdf. Look for the January 2016 Insider coming soon! Check on our website for the link on our Newsletter page.

Annual Appeal – End of the Year Donations

Don’t forget that as a 503(c)(3) non-profit organization, all gifts, devices and contributions made toward the GFO are tax deductible!
Consider giving before the end of the year for a tax break on your 2015 filing.

Click here for a link to our Annual Appeal letter for more information. Or simply donate via your Paypay account by sending any amount to payments@gfo.org.

Holiday Hours – What are you still doing here? Go celebrate the season!

Please remember to be safe out there, and happy holidays to all from the GFO!

The Library will be close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23rd, and from 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 24th, until 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 26th.

January Seminar – “Discover Your House History”

HouseHistory

Come hear our very own Connie Lenzen, author, researcher and board-certified genealogist, teach about the histories of houses.

Have you ever wondered who lived in your home or building before you? Have you ever wondered when your house was built, and maybe WHY?? Connie will lead us through the process of researching the history of your house. While her examples will begin from Multomah and Clackamas County, the principles are applicable to any location you might be curious about.

So register early, and be quick about it, as this session is limited to 50 attendees! Click here for a registration form.

What’s Happening this Week at the GFO?

Hunting and Gathering – Saturday, December 19th, 9:30am – 11am

Join us for a monthly support group where we help each other find information about a family line. We will share expertise about resources and search strategies. We will learn to do a reasonably exhaustive search and develop research plans. The focus will shift depending on the needs of the group. Free to members. Visitors may request a guest pass at education@gfo.org.

Library Work Party – Sunday, December 20th and 27th, 9am – noon

There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so and you’re welcome to do the same. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there.

Don’t forget: GFO Book Group to meet Saturday, January 9th, at 11:45am – Author Harold Hinds will lead the discussion about his book Crafting a Personal Family History. A Guide Plus a Case Study: Three Generations of the Hinds Family in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. There are 3 copies of the book available at the library. Please call the front desk (503-963-1932) to ask if any are still available, as they’re goin’ fast!

Announcement, announcement – Class hours have been changed!
Don’t let the printed version of the January Insider fool you. We’re shaking a couple things up.

Firstly, some sad news. Our “Photoshop Elements” class will be MIA in January, but we’ll keep you posted on the February schedule.

Secondly, some awesome news! For lovers of our “Learn & Chat” sessions with Connie Lenzen, these will now be held the same days as our “DNA Q&A” classes with Lisa McCullough. So come spend the day, we dare you! Start with Connie’s class from 10 a.m. to noon, and move right into Lisa’s class from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., but don’t forget to pop on upstairs for a snack in between.