Serendipity

by Roxanne Lowe

Blogger’s note: Donna’s still on vacation, but was organized enough to pass along her “valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for” (definition of serendipity). Enjoy!

In this edition of Serendipity:

  • Downloaded Books at Your Fingertips
  • Shutterfly Makes Life Easy
  • Real Photo Postcards
  • American Merchant Marines
  • Warm Fuzzy Advice from a Friend

Downloaded Books — I keep a folder on my computer desktop labeled “Downloaded Books.” This is not a folder of my Kindle books, my evening-reading books. This is a folder for books to study, for educational books. Most of these were free-to-download books; many come from Ancestry, FamilyTree, or from Thomas MacEntee. Many were from library sources. For instance, here are some of the titles in my folder:

  • All About Ancestry DNA
  • Ancestry Toolkit
  • 38 FamilySearch Tips
  • 84 Best Tips, Tricks & Tools from Lisa Louise Cooke
  • 23 Secrets to Organize Your Genealogy
  • MyHeritage Users’ Guide to Family Tree Builder
  • Free Online Educational Resources (MacEntee)
  • The Password Trick, A Foolproof System (MacEntee)

I also have the 100-page guide to hostas from Naylor Nursery, and the User’s Guide to my Canon camera. And The Battle of the Alamo, a free download book from the Texas State Historical Association.

The beauty of having a folder of downloaded books on your desktop is that (1) they take up no shelf space; (2) they are available at your fingertips; (3) they are FREE (for the most part).

Dick Eastman, in his Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter back in March 2014, said it this way:

You can download 83,947 genealogy books free of charge. You can keep a huge genealogy library in your own home. You don’t need to purchase bookcases or build an addition onto the house. You can keep the entire collection in your computer or even in a handheld Kindle, iPad, or similar device. Actually, you don’t have to keep a local copy at all as the entire collection is available online, and you can retrieve the books of interest at any time.

My point with all this is that you could do the same thing as I have….. set up a folder on your desktop, label it “Downloaded Books” (or some such), start adding books into this folder as you discover them, and then, most important of all, READ AND STUDY THOSE BOOKS

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Continue reading →

Time Running Out to Register for Meet & Greet

by Roxanne Lowe

If you’re thinking you’d like to attend the WSGS Pre-Conference Meet and Greet with Paula Stuart-Warren (check out her blog!)  and Cyndi Ingle (creator of Cyndi’s List), you better get registered ASAP. The Friday night (17 Jun) Meet and Greet (which includes a dessert buffet) is limited to the first 50 registrants, $10 each, and as of 12 Apr, there were only 14 spots left!!! Pre-registration is required.

 

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THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GFO1

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON Wednesday Evening E-News 13 April 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-Apr.pdf.

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DNA Day is this Sunday! Join us for a full day of free classes! Or come for a few, at the very least!!

DNA

Y-chromosome DNA and mitochondrial DNA Basics, 9am – 10:20am

Learn the differences between the Y-DNA and the mtDNA test and how each helps your genealogy research. Understand how the different results are displayed and what each means. (includes 15 minutes for questions) Presented by Lisa McCullough

The Basics of Autosomal DNA, 10:30 – noon

Discover how atDNA is inherited, how to find the common ancestors and how to determine which DNA segments came from which ancestor. (includes 15 minutes for questions). Presented by Emily Aulicino

The Three DNA companies with Success Stories, 1pm – 2:20pm

Discover which company offers what features in order to make the best decision for you needs. Learn how a success story involving all three companies can be a guideline for your accomplishments. (includes 15 minutes for questions) Presented by Tim Janzen

I’ve Tested. Now What?, 2:30pm – 3:50pm

Learn what steps you can take to better insure finding a common ancestor for any of the three major tests (includes 15 minutes for questions). Presented by Emily D. Aulicino

Q & A, 4pm – 5pm

The presenters will take questions on any genetic genealogy topic.
Don’t be left out! Be sure to bring all handouts and an evaluation form for each class. Presentation notes and evaluation forms can be downloaded HERE.
NOTE: You may submit your questions/problems to Emily (aulicino@hevanet.com) prior to DNA Day so they can be organized to include more requests and to save time. Continue reading →

Sylvia Nelson Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

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 Sylvia Nelson of Bainbridge Island, Washington, who was nominated by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS). She was recognized for her outstanding efforts in supporting and promoting the society and its members.

Sylvia Nelson

Sylvia Nelson

Ms. Nelson has served for three consecutive terms as director of publicity and public relations. She is the manager of BIGS’s new member process and has authored communications welcoming new members to the society.

In addition to performing her regular public relations duties, Ms. Nelson has consistently identified opportunities for BIGS to be visible or present at special events and local seminars. She also serves as a mentor to other members and as a member of the technology committee.

Ms. Nelson has undertaken her responsibilities and others whenever a helping hand has been needed. She has been consistently willing to help whenever and wherever the society’s need has been greatest. Her selfless contributions prove that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 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.

CeCe Moore Dazzles Audience in Olympia

by Roxanne Lowe

Patty Olsen, CeCe Moore and Roger Newman

Educating (and entertaining) a roomful of enthusiasts, genetic genealogist extraordinaire CeCe Moore shared her expertise — and ability to explain — the complex world of genetic DNA at the Olympia Genealogical Society‘s annual Spring Seminar held on Saturday, April 9. Her topics included:

  • The Power of DNA: Genetic Genealogy Basics
  • I Have My Results, Now What?
  • Autosomal DNA and Chromosome Mapping: Discovering Your Ancestors in You
  • Who Am I? Exploring Ethnicity Estimates

Always a first-rate affair, Olympia’s Spring Seminar also included book sales and fabulous raffle baskets.

Societies: If you’d like to promote your workshop or seminar on the WSGS Blog, send a flyer or paragraph to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org. We’d love to share it with our readers!

How to Post on the Blog

by Roxanne Lowe

Do you want to broadcast information about your local society, workshop, genealogical tip, or a research query? Just post to the WSGS Blog! You can reach hundreds of genealogists from around the state. Just email a Word document, text file, PDF or graphic to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org and the blog masters will do the rest.

We’re always looking to publicize local events and workshops, feature stories, updates from your society, and other genealogical information that might be of interest to our many subscribers.

We hope to hear from you soon! And don’t forget to encourage your Society members to subscribe to the Blog for the most up-to-date information from around the state.

You may manage your subscription options from your profile.

Brick Walls Broken Here

by Roxanne Lowe

BrickWall

DO YOU HAVE AN UNRESOLVED BRICK WALL??

If so, you won’t want to miss the April 14 meeting of the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society. 7:00 p.m. in the Dining Room at the Sommerset Retirement Apartments, 2025 Tibbetts Drive, Longview.

The Program Committee will lead an audience-involved look at current evidence to help with members’ research that remains unresolved. Research questions have been submitted by members. Come with your researcher’s hat on!

Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Whitman County Genealogical Society Spring Seminar

by Charles Hansen
Hi, all,
    Attached you will find information about our spring seminar, which is FREE!  In addition, we will have goodies to munch on!  We have an exciting program planned with Charlotte Omoto speaking on DNA, and Matt and Sheli Carroll speaking on Irish Research.  Mark your calendar for Sat., April 30, 9 – 12:15, Bishop Place, Pullman.  We would like an RSVP by April 15 so we can plan for the number of handouts, snacks, etc.  Walk-ins are welcome, however.  See the flyer for how to RSVP and for further details on the seminar.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Monica Peters, WCGS Corresponding Secretary

La Quinta Motel Reservations for WSGS Conference

by Charles Hansen
  I have heard from some people that they are having a hard time making reservations for the 2016 conference. After checking with the
La Quinta folks it seems like if you dial the local number given and punch the number associated with reservations, you are sent to their
national reservation center, who have not heard of any group rate for the conference.
  So they informed me that as soon as the phone is answered by La Quinta, Immediately punch the number 6 which will take you to the local front desk and they can direct you to reservations, who do know about the group rate.
  Hopefully this will clear up this problem.

Northwest Genealogy Conference Early Bird Discount Ends Soon

by Charles Hansen

Stilly
Early Bird Discount will end April 15th

Are you one of the 80+ people who have registered for the 2016 Northwest Genealogy Conference?  If so, Congratulations you saved $20.

If you haven’t registered yet, you only have 4 days remaining to take advantage of the discount pricing.  Log on to www.nwgc.org and select NwGC Registration.
We hope to see you at the conference.