Serendipity

by Charles Hansen

Serendipity
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal.
Serendipity

Serendipity means a “happy accident” or “pleasant surprise”; a fortunate mistake. Specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it. The word has been voted one of the ten English words hardest to translate in June 2004 by a British translation company.[1] However, due to its sociological use, the word has been exported into many other languages.[2]
Etymology

The first noted use of “serendipity” in the English language was by Horace Walpole (1717–1797). In a letter to Horace Mann (dated 28 January 1754) he said he formed it from the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip, whose heroes “were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of”. The name stems from Serendip, an old name for Sri Lanka (aka Ceylon), from Arabic Sarandib. Parts of Sri Lanka were under the rule of South Indian kings for extended periods of time in history. Kings of Kerala, India (Cheranadu)were called Chera Kings and dheep means island, the island belonging to Chera King was called Cherandeep, hence called Sarandib by Arab traders.

For more on serendipity
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Serendipity

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GenForum

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-Jan.pdf.

***

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! There’s still time before Jan 31st!

2015-12-30 1845
Take a walk down your ancestors’ memory lane. Continue reading →

Wenatchee Area GS Website Team Named Outstanding Team 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 Betty Carrick and Mary Swartz, who were nominated for a team award by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS). This dynamic duo made up the Total Technology Upgrade and Website Transformation Team.

Betty Carrick and Mary Swartz

Betty Carrick and Mary Swartz

Individually, these valued members of WAGS provide much to the society. Ms. Carrick is a dedicated long-time member and her exemplary database management and computer skills have enabled the society to thrive and grow.

Ms. Swartz, a member of WAGS for only a few years, is one of its most dependable volunteers and serves on the Board of Directors as Corresponding Secretary.

Acting as a team, these outstanding volunteers transformed the WAGS website, reconfigured thousands of historical data records to a standardized format, and expedited a total systemic upgrade, making WAGS’s computer system far more effective, efficient and patron friendly.

Due to their teamwork, skill, dedication and tireless work on this project, this team richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team 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.

Northeast Washington Gen Society Newsflash

by Charles Hansen

NeWGS LOGO cropped

 

The next Northeast Washington Genealogical Society meetings are on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. The morning Computer Interest Group (CIG) will meet in the basement meeting room of the LDS Church on Juniper Street in Colville at 10:30 AM.

Longtime member and newly appointed Chairman of The Evergreen Cemetery, Lora Rose, will bring us up to date with all that she has been accomplishing at the cemetery, In particular, she will focus on the detailed research she has done on several of the known Civil War veterans who are interred there. Lora is a meticulous researcher and her attention to detail is unsurpassed by most. Come hear what she has to share. You won’t be disappointed.

We will take a break for lunch at noon and meet again in the same location at 1:30 PM.

Our speaker for the General Meeting will be NeWGS member, Gordy Struve. Gordy recently became a charter member of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) Fort Walla Walla Camp No. 3. He will share some of the history of the organization, current projects, the qualifications and how to apply for membership.

All visitors are welcome. You do not need to be a member to attend the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society’s meetings.

Olympia Gen Society Newsflash…… Save the Date!

by Charles Hansen
Olmypia
Olympia Genealogical Society
Spring Seminar
April 9, 2016
Speaker: CeCe Moore “The Power of Your DNA”
Topics:
1) The Power of DNA
2) I Have My Results – Now What
3) Autosomal DNA & Chromosome Mapping
4) Who Am I? – Exploring Ethnicity
CeCe Moore is an independent professional genetic genealogist with close working relationships with all of the major genetic genealogy testing companies. She participated in the beta testing for all three autosomal DNA products on the market, considered an innovator in the use of autosomal DNA for genealogy and is frequently consulted by DNA testing companies, genealogists, adoptees and the press.
NEW LOCATION: Capital Event Center, 6005 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater, WA

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON’S Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GenForum

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM OF OREGON’S Wednesday Evening E-News

20 January 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 last month’s newletter, the Insider, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Jan.pdf. Look for the February 2016 Insider coming soon! Check our website for the link on our Newsletter page.

House Histories Workshop? Time’s a Tickin’!!

HouseHistory

The GFO would like to cordially invite you to come hear our very own Connie Lenzen, author, researcher and board-certified genealogist, teach about the histories of the brick and mortar we all call home.

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.

Continue reading →

Northeast Washington Genealogical Society February Meeting

by Charles Hansen

NeWGS LOGO cropped

The next Northeast Washington Genealogical Society meetings are on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. The morning Computer Interest Group (CIG) will meet in the basement meeting room of the LDS Church on Juniper Street in Colville at 10:30 AM.
Longtime member and newly appointed Chairman of The Evergreen Cemetery, Lora Rose, will bring us up to date with all that she has been accomplishing at the cemetery, In particular, she will focus on the detailed research she has done on several of the known Civil War veterans who are interred there. Lora is a meticulous researcher and her attention to detail is unsurpassed by most. Come hear what she has to share. You won’t be disappointed.

We will take a break for lunch at noon and meet again in the same location at 1:30 PM.

Our speaker for the General Meeting will be NeWGS member, Gordy Struve. Gordy recently became a charter member of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) Fort Walla Walla Camp No. 3. He will share some of the history of the organization, current projects, the qualifications and how to apply for membership.

All visitors are welcome. You do not need to be a member to attend the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society’s meetings.

British Columbia Genealogical Society’s annual Seminar

by Charles Hansen

The British Columbia Genealogical Society’s annual Seminar, featuring
Chris Paton from Scotland, will be Saturday, April 30, 2016 in Richmond,
BC, Canada.
Chris Paton is an author, a professional genealogist and teacher. His
topics include: Discover Irish and Scottish Land Records; The Godly
Commonwealth: Discover Scottish Church Records; Understanding Scottish
inheritance; and Genealogy Without Borders.
For registration and details, see the Society’s website:
http://www.bcgs.ca/?page_id=2511

___________________

BC Genealogical Society, contact M. Diane Rogers: diane_rogers@shaw.ca or editor@bcgs.ca

Jim Bull 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 Jim Bull of Trout Lake, Washington, who was nominated by the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society (CGGS). He was recognized for his outstanding efforts in the communication of genealogical and historical information of importance and value to researchers interested in the families of the Columbia River Gorge.

Jim Bull

Jim Bull

Since 2010, Mr. Bull has served as editor of “TALES and TRAILS,” the CGGS newsletter. The quarterly newsletter is an outstanding communication tool,  full of information about genealogical resources and family history. It is read and enjoyed by many because it is always packed with interesting articles that help CGGS members and other readers find new sources of information and develop research skills.

Mr. Bull has been a member of the CGGS for approximately 15 years, including serving as President from 2003 to 2005. Since then, he has continued to provide knowledge and experience as a board member.

Prized volunteers such as Mr. Bull are rare, and as such he 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.