Sneak Peek of Upcoming International Conference on Jewish Genealogy

by Charles Hansen

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

This summer, from Aug. 7 to 12, 2016, Seattle will host the 36th International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. This is a landmark event with leading genealogical experts and family researchers from around the world gathering at the Sheraton hotel in beautiful downtown Seattle.

To explain what the conference is all about The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State and the Seattle Sephardic Network will host a free Sneak Preview of this conference.  This Sneak Preview event is free and open to the public.  All are welcome!

Date and Time:  The Sneak Preview will take place on Monday, March 28, 2016, from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Location:  the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island, 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

Please join us for:

  • A brief introduction to Jewish genealogy and its ongoing importance to Jewish history, culture and identity
  • Highlights of the upcoming conference, including a sneak preview of the keynote address by Dr. Devin Naar, chair of the University of Washington Sephardic Studies Program
  • A presentation about Seattle’s Sephardic community (the third largest in the nation) by members of the Seattle Sephardic Network
  • Videos and slides on how to get started on your family’s history
  • A Q & A session with conference organizers
  • Flyers and promotional material
  • Sponsorship and advertising opportunities
  •      Free Refreshments, including Kosher cookies!

For information about the conference, go to www.iajgs2016.org.
For information about JGSWS, go to www.jgsws.org.
For information about the Seattle Sephardic Network, go to www.seattlesephardicnetwork.org.
For directions to the Stroum Jewish Community Center, go to www.sjcc.org.
Questions? Comments? Contact co-conference chair Phyllis Grossman at Phyllis@iajgs2016.org

If you would RSVP for the sneak preview event, we’d love to have a head count!
Please email publicity committee member Karen Campbell at
KarenCampbellGenealogy@outlook.com

 

Thank you and we hope to see you Monday evening!

Serendipity Day

by Charles Hansen

I just discovered a brand new (to me anyway) most interesting website:  www.curiositystream.com.  The home page for this site boasts:  “Watch 1000+ nonfiction programs to grow curious minds. There are Trending programs, Science programs, Technology programs, Human Spirit programs, and Civilization programs. Some programs are only a few minutes long, others nearly an hour. Some are offered in several episodes. I just watched Scribes of Ancient Egypt (55 minutes long) and it was great.  If you are among those with curious minds who want to know more, perhaps CuriosityStream would be a website that tweaks your beak. The only downer is that it does cost $2.99 per month……… for unlimited watching. Good deal if you ask me.

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Here is another recommended new-to-me-too website. If you use it, would you please provide some feedback to me??

Hi everyone:      I didn’t know who to send this to, but I’ve just discovered a site that is new to me, and had a tremendous response.  So I sent it to a few of you, and maybe you can pass it along to more.  Free, no sign up required.

  It is http://www.wikitree.com/g2g .  Very cool!  In just 20 minutes I have had more response to my genealogy query on this site, than I’ve had on the Rootsweb/Ancestry family message boards, ever.

  I’m excited! Happy ancestor hunting! Jo

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Continue reading →

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Spring Seminar

by Charles Hansen
The Yakima Valley Genealogical Society is holding its Spring Seminar Saturday, April 2 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 7809 Tieton Drive in Yakima 9 a.m. to 4:00 pm.

The featured speaker is nationally recognized forensic genealogist, Kelvin Meyers.  This is his first time in Washington State.  $40.00 registration before March 25, $45.00 afterward.  Snacks and possible lunch provided.  Topics are “Tax Records, or Why did Scarlett Make a Dress Out of Her Mother’s Drapes?”  “Who Cares Who Their Neighbors Were?  You Do! That’s Who”  “Scallywags, Rogues and Ruffs:  All Those Ancestors We Don’t Talk About”

http:/www.yvgs.net for registration or more information on Kelvin Meyers or call 509-248-1328

Vernon & District Family History Society Scottish & Irish Seminar

by Charles Hansen

SCOTTISH & IRISH RESEARCH SEMINAR

Hosted by the

Vernon & District Family History Society

CHRIS PATON

Chris

APRIL 27, 2016

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE HALL

2500 46TH Ave. Vernon, BC

Registration $55.00

Cost covers all lectures, light lunch, coffee breaks

Originally from Northern Ireland, but with both Scottish and Irish roots, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies and work as a professional genealogist, running the Scotland’s Greatest Story research service (www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk). I am married, have two sons, and live in the coastal town of Largs, North Ayrshire.

As well as being a Tutor for Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd’s Scottish Resources Online course, I am a published book writer and also contribute regularly to several genealogy magazines, such as Your Family Tree, Family History Monthly, Family Tree magazine, Discover My Past Scotland and Discover my Past England, and previously had monthly news columns in the now defunct Practical Family History and Ancestors magazines. I have also written for various other newspapers and magazines such as the Scotsman, the Herald, Irish Roots and Scottish Memories

THE TOPICS WILL BE

1. The Godly Commonwealth: Discover Scottish Church Records

2. Irish Resources Online

3. Understanding Scottish Civil Registration

4. Discover Scottish Land Records

Register by mail: Seminar, PO Box 1447, Vernon, BC, V1T 6N7

or contact Darlene Jones 250-545-0733 or darjones@shaw.ca

or Nancy Hanson 250-545-4601 or nahanson@shaw.ca

Twin Rivers Genealogy Society April Seminar

by Charles Hansen

Donna Had to cancel due to being sick. So this seminar is cancelled.

 

TwinRiver

 

Donna

 

 

SPONSORING
DONNA POTTER PHILLIPS
April 23, 2016
8:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
United Methodist Church
1213 Burrell Avenue
Lewiston Orchards

TOTALLY INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP
STARTING OUT OR STARTING OVER WITH TECHNOLOGY
8:00– 8:45     Registration
8:45– 9:00     Introductions and Welcome
9:00–10:15    Starting Fresh or Starting Over: a How to…
10:15-10:30   Break
10:30 -11:45  Question/Answers –six page handout
11:45-12:45   Lunch provided by the Wayback Cafe
1:00-2:15       Where to go from here/which websites are the best?
Public Cost:  $30.00        TRGS Member: $25.00
————————————————————————————-
Mail registration and check payment to: Twin Rivers Genealogy Society
Due Date: APRIL 15, 2016             PO Box 386, Lewiston ID 83501
NAME _____________________________________________________
ORGANIZATION:___________________________________________
ADDRESS: _________________________________________________
EMAIL/PHONE:_____________________________________________

Donna Potter Phillips has been a member of Eastern Washington Genealogical Society since 1976.  She has written many surname booklets, including Gilbert Gallery, Potter Profiles, Oswald Outline, and Texas Queries. She wrote the Heritage Hunting column in the Spokane Daily Chronicle for years. She also teaches genealogy classes for the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society and the local community college.
She has written many articles for the Bulletin and a News Hotline column for years.  She also has experience indexing records the Washington State Digital Archives.
If you ever get a chance to take the Annual Christmas Tour of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, you may find her special attention devoted to making it a special event.
(for more info, check Donna’s biographical information on ewgs-spokaneblogspot.com)

For more information regarding this seminar or TRGS call 509 758-3093 (Darlene)

Keeping your Non Profit Status

by Charles Hansen

Well as a new year brings new officers of your genealogy society what duties are required by the State of Washington and the Internal Revenue Service to keep your non profit status? Which officer will probably be the person that has to deal with the form filing.

First off is the form the State of Washington sends out to collect the fee for a non profit organization. Did you see who it is addressed to? It is addressed to the Registered Agent of the non profit. The Registered Agent is a real person that the state sends correspondence to, and also any legal papers which I hope you will never get. All corporations are required to have a Registered Agent and Non profits are actually a non profit corporation. You can hire a Registered Agent, but I will assume some member of your society will volunteer since all it requires is a Washington mailing address. Since this part requires a fee the treasurer will probably fill in this form and send it back to
the Secretary of State.

The Internal Revenue Service requires all non profits to file a 990 form and they have three different 990 forms. So which one should you file? If your total gross income for the year was less than $50,000 you can file the 990-N or as the IRS calls it the 990 Postcard since it is the size of a large postcard, with only one question, was your income less than $50,000 last year? If your gross income was over $50,000 the next 990 is the 990-EZ form and even though it says 990-EZ it is several pages long and may require an accountant to help you fill it out and file it. The last one is the regular 990 form  if your gross income is over $200,000 and it will require an accountant to help you fill
this one in. These last two can either be filed as a paper form or an accountant will probably be able to E-File it. The 990 Postcard is only filed online and this is where you can find it. Just takes a few minutes for someone to file online, and any officer that is fairly computer literate should be able to file the 990 Postcard. All the 990 forms are due May 15 for calendar year non profits and if the Internal Revenue Service does not receive a 990 form for three years your non profit status with the Internal Revenue Service will expire and you will have to reapply if you want to continue as a non profit.

The Internal Revenue Service has many newsletters to help taxpayers and they have one here just for non profits that you can sign up and get updates on any changes that may affect your non profit status.

Since this is an election year I will give you a warning, none of your societies PAID officers can support any candidate or proposition that will be voted on in an election.

Volunteer officers are allowed to support any one or any proposition, as only PAID officers can not support candidates or propositions. You are not supposed to use any funds from the non profit to support candidates or propositions either.

Links for the article

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registered_agent

http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/FAQ—Registered-Agents.aspx

https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Annual-Electronic-Filing-Requirement-for-Small-Exempt-Organizations-Form-990-N-e-Postcard

https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Subscribe-to-Exempt-Organization-Update

 

 

 

 

Fae Jacobs 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.

Fae Douglas Jacobs

Fae Douglas Jacobs

Today we’re introducing Fae Douglas Jacobs of Hoquiam, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS). She was recognized for her dependable, committed volunteer efforts.

Ms. Jacobs has been a member of the GHGS since June 2008. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the society, having served in positions of trustee, library chair board member, refreshment chair and co-chair of the obituary committee. She is currently serving her second term as the society’s secretary.

Ms. Jacobs promptly and accurately fulfills her job responsibilities such as record keeping and reports. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with members and the public, volunteering 10-12 hours per month at the society’s research library and participating bi-annually in their “Genealogy Café” held in several Grays Harbor County communities in connection with the Timberland Regional Library system.

Ms. Jacobs is a valued and hard-working member of the GHGS and 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.

Eastside Genealogical Society April Meeting

by Charles Hansen

The Eastside Genealogical Society will meet on Thursday, April 14, 2016 in the Bellevue Regional Library, Room 1, 1111 – 110th Ave NE, Bellevue 98004 at 7pm, with doors opening at 6:45 pm for networking.

Topic:  “Around the World in 80 minutes” will feature members of our Special Interest Groups and others who will share their background from researching in several countries of the world.  Come learn tips for finding records in Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Scandinavia.  This interactive panel of experienced genealogists will present information specific to their country of interest. There will be something for everyone.

 

Also see our website for FREE genealogical help and other Special Interest Group meetings. Visitors are always welcome at all meetings. www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wakcegs/

Dorothy Pretare

EGS Publicity Chairperson

dpgen@comcast.net

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GenForum

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON Wednesday Evening E-News 16 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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Marjorie Enneking Memorial Gathering  

Marj
We will be holding a memorial gathering instead of a formal funeral to remember Marjorie Enneking this upcoming Saturday, March 19th. The event will be held in the Screening Room at the Hotel Deluxe in downtown Portland. Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be served (don’t worry – there is a bar in the hotel lobby 20 feet away). We will have picture albums for browsing and ask that Marj’s friends and family come to share stories, connect, and have a good time. Marj’s daughter is planning to wear jeans!
When: Saturday, March 19th from 2PM to 5PM Where: The Hotel Deluxe; 729 SW 15th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
The Hotel is two blocks from the Providence Park Max station. Parking is available on the street, in a public building across the street, and there is valet parking in front of the hotel. Continue reading →

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week

by Charles Hansen

Seattle

 

Tip of the Week – 25 New FamilySearch Collections  

As reported by Dick Eastman in his blog yesterday, there are 25 new collections available at FamilySearch.  These collections encompass about 3 million digital records and about 2 million indexed records.  A few of the larger collections are “Denmark Deeds and Mortgages 1572-1928”, “Indiana Marriages 1811-2007”, “Maryland Church Records 1668-1995”,  and “United States Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages 1861-1872”.

If you’re not familiar with or registered with FamilySearch.org , remember it’s totally free and hassle free, too.  You won’t be bombarded with spam emails after registering nor will you be bombarded with ads as you’re using the site.

For a complete list of the 25 new collections available, follow the link below to Dick Eastman’s blog.  From there you can also click on the blue ink to link to the collection without registering.

http://blog.eogn.com/2016/03/15/new-familysearch-collections-update-march-14-2016/