Civil War Images: Newly Found & Posted Online

by Charles Hansen

Did you catch the article in your newspaper the other day titled “Library of Congress buys trove of Civil War images?”

This story told how “a Houston housewife who has quietly collected rare Civil War images for 50 years has sold more than 500 early photographs to the Library of Congress. The library announced the acquisition and is placing the first 77 images online.”

To me the cool thing about this is that they are almost all stereo-pictures, like the gizmo we used as children, the View Master.

Most of the images were taken by Confederate photographers and many are never-seen-before images.

Robin Stanford, the Houston grandmother who collected these images for over four decades, said the images are like ghosts form the past that reflect part of American history.

I cannot wait to click to the Library of Congress and take a look-see at some of these photos!

 

Do you know about and use Heritage Quest??

by Charles Hansen

Mary Holcomb is a vitally important member of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society. She was telling me recently about the updates with HeritageQuest/ProQuest, the public library online database. With her permission, I share her penned comments with you:

 

The “New” HeritageQuest —  By Mary Holcomb – March 2015

Heritage Quest/ProQuest  has for years been a genealogy tool available to all genealogists through their local public library (not individual subscription). Those who have used this database of information know its value and are excited about the transformation this website has undergone for our benefit. Those unfamiliar with the HQ database should plan a visit to your public library  and inquire about this. We just hope your public library has this subscription!  Now for Mary’s update:

 

I’m excited to be telling you about this update! As of March 3, 2015, HQ has undergone a face lift. The site is now powered by Ancestry with a different but similar search format.  I for one will miss the old search but find the new site exciting and very manageable. The images are much improved, the search boxes are user friendly and much more information is available.

 

There still are six major categories to search:

CENSUS — Includes all the US federal Population schedules (1970 – 1940). Slave, Non Population, Veterans Schedules and more. There is also included an extensive list of Indian Census Rolls.

BOOKS & DIRECTORIES —  lets you search where your ancestors lived with Local Histories from History Books and City Directories.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR —  Search has actual copies of the requests for pension and benefits for many soldiers and their spouses. I found this section much improved over the old search. I gained five more pages of information for my Patriot.

FREEMAN’S BANK —   A searchable data base of ancestors  (Afro American and white) who applied to a federal banking program during Reconstruction period after the Civil War (1865 – 1874).

US SERIAL SET —  A unique area to search for Information. If your ancestor petitioned a State Representative or the President for special help (Amnesty, exceptions to existing law or other assistance) paperwork documenting this could probably be found here.

 

While the above categories were made more user-friendly than the original versions, there are a couple new and very exciting additions. Under the HeritageQuest banner on the home page and next to SEARCH are RESEARCH AIDS and MAPS.

Here in MAPS you will find in one place, all the state’s county maps and how they changed over the years. The original states, new states and then the territory’s breaking down to the states as we now know them, It’s all here.   Down-loadable state research guides are available here as well.

RESEARCH AIDS is a gold mine. Tips and tricks to help when you get stuck are here. Sub categories for Military, Immigration, Census and ethnic Research are here. Also here are sections for “getting started” and “beyond the basics”.

I hope you will take a trip to your nearest public libary and check out the new HeritageQuest. This is truly another wonderful tool to add to your genealogy toolbox.

 

 

Heritage Quest Research Library NEWS FLASH

by Charles Hansen

To HQRL members and friends:

A gentle reminder: Please DO NOT wear perfumes, colognes or after shaves to classes.

NEXT upcoming class:

Monday, March 30 at 1:00 p.m.:

 

Evernote Tips & Tricks for PC Instructor: Janet O’Conor Camarata Evernote can store everything you possibly need for genealogy research and make it available everywhere. Learn to fully utilize its capabilities with checklists and reminders, merging notes and stacking notebooks, adding media, creating a Table of Contents and related products for becoming an Evernote power user. This class will be PC centric. If you use a Mac, you are welcome to attend to learn the concepts, but no instruction will be provided on how to access the concept on the Mac. MondayMar 301:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. $15

 

And then plan ahead for the first two classes in April:

 

Research in France Instructor: Dee Haviland Fournier Are you looking for your ancestors in France?Learn several strategies to help your search. Maybe one of these will help you bust through your brickwall! We will also talk about the history of France and then concentrate on what records are available, where they are located and for what years they are available. MondayApr 61:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. $15
Timelines and Chronologies Instructor: Janet O’Conor Camarata Genealogists use a variety of methods to better understand their ancestor’s lives and experiences. One method is the use of timelines and/or chronologies to summarize a person or family’s life, demonstrate how lives interconnect with each other and with history, identify discrepancies and inconsistencies, identify research problems and additional areas for further research and ease the writing of a memoir, family history or obituary. See how the method worked in understanding a family migration from Kentucky, to Missouri to Kansas in the mid-1800s. FridayApr 106:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. $15

 

3 Ways to Signup

  • In person at HQRL, 1007 Main Street, Sumner, WA: Sign-up Notebook at Front Desk.
  • E-MAIL HQRLinfo@gmail.com – provide full name, telephone number and, if a member, HQRL membership number.
  • Telephone HQRL @ 253-863-1806 during our normal working hours Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – provide full name, telephone number and HQRL membership number if a member.

HQRL is located at:

1007 Main Street
Sumner, WA 98390

Phone 253-863-1806

Our Web address is: www.HQRL.com (click on “find us” for directions.)

Marilyn Schunke
HQRL Education Coordinator

2015 WSGS Annual Conference

by Charles Hansen

2015 WSGS Annual Conference

Strategies and Visions for the Future

With David Rencher

June 27, 2015

Quality Inn and Conference Center

1700 Canyon Road

Ellensburg, Washington

Who is David Rencher?

Certified Genealogist

Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch

Fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society

Past-President of Federation of Genealogical Societies

Irish course coordinator fna dinstructor for Samford University

Accredited Genealogist with ICAPGen in Irish research

Professional Genealogist since 1977

BA in Family and Local History

He has a vision and he knows the future.

2015 Conference Schedule

Friday, June 26

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Early Registration at Quality Inn

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Open House at Kittitas County Genealogical Society Library

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Computer Lab and Legacy webinars at Quality Inn

Saturday, June 27

8:00 am – 8:45 am Registration at Quality Inn

8:45 am – 9:00 am Introduction

9:00 am – 10:00 am Coming Forward, Descendent Research – Methodologies, records, sources and tools on how to organize massive amounts of records are described during this comprehensive descendant research project discussion

10:00 am – 10:30 am Break and Browse Vendors

10:30 am – 11:30 am FamilySearch Future and Vision – Learn where FamilySearch is headed and what to expect from FamilySearch.org.

11:30 am – 1:00 pm Lunch and WSGS Annual Meeting and Awards

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Digital Projects & Programs of FamillySearch – Get more detailed information about projects and programs coming to FamilySearch.org from its Chief Genealogical Officer.

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Break and Browse Vendors

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Strategies for Irish Research 1500 to 1800 – Irish research can be difficult. Learn how to overcome obstacles in Irish research that can also help you with other difficult research hurdles.

Things to do in Ellensburg while you enjoy your Friday night stay:

Barn Quilt Tour – Many area barns are painted with images of quilts. Taking the tour is a nice way to get off the “main drag” and see some really beautiful scenery. Maps can be found online at barnquiltswashington.org

Central Washington Branch of the Washington Archives – Located at 400 E University Way. Tours of the building will be available from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Friday, June 26.

Computer Lab – Bring your research in Gedcom format on a flash drive and test drive various genealogical programs in a computer lab at the conference site. Legacy webinars will also be available for viewing.

Kittitas County Genealogical Society Library – Located at 413 N Main Street will have an Open House. You are invited to meet local genealogists and research in their library.

Register Now!

Register online and use PayPal to pay your Registration Fees or complete the following form and mail to

Washington State Genealogical Society, 1901 South 12th Avenue, Union Gap WA 98903

Registration of $55.00 includes Friday and Saturday events and a “Brown Bag” lunch. Coffee, tea, and water available all day.

Name:

Address:

City/Zip:

Phone:

Email:

Number of Registrants: X $55.00 = $

Include check make payable to WSGS with Registration Form.

All lunches include chips, fruit/vegetable, and a cookie. Circle number of desired lunch:

1. Dill Chicken Salad with tomato and greens on a croissant.

2. Grilled Caesar Chicken Wrap with lettuce and parmesan.

3. Smoked Turkey and Swiss with lettuce and tomato on whole wheat.

4. Roast Beef with cream cheese on sourdough.

5. Vegetarian Sandwich with spinach, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, avocado and cream cheese on white.

6. Ham and Cheddar with spicy mustard and lettuce on rye.

7. Albacore Tuna with lettuce on ciabatta bread.

8. The Classic. Turkey, ham, bacon and Swiss on whole wheat.

Lola McCreary Named Outstanding Volunteer

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 400 outstanding volunteers, 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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2014 award recipients and learn why they received the 2014 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Lola King McCreary, of Spokane, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS). She was recognized for her leader­ship, knowledge, and volunteer efforts toward the goals and operation of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS).

McCrearyPhoto

Lola McCreary

Ms. McCreary has been a member of the EWGS for more than 30 years and has held several offices. She is one of the Distinguished Service Members of EWGS, and has always been ready and eager to help in any way she could.

Whenever EWGS needs a volunteer, Ms. McCreary is there, whether it’s as a rest stop volunteer, on the society nominating committee, and as the current member-at-large. Ms. McCreary has been a valued and hard-working member and a proven leader of the Society, and 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.

Donna’s Travels: Cemeteries in Taiwan

by Charles Hansen

In an island country the size of Connecticut with a population matching that of Australia, you’d expect to see many cemeteries and we surely did! Weedy-overgrown ones, tidy-tended ones, hillside ones…coming right down to the highway…. Buddhist ones and a few Christian ones…. and one all by itself in a plowed field.

April 5th is the Chinese New Year and on that date families will come to their ancestral graves to clean them up……… as this man is getting a head start on doing.

 

 

 

Loved ones are buried facing west because, I was told, they are “facing the life to come.”

Thought you might enjoy these photos I took since all genealogists are interested in cemeteries.

 

Eastside Gen Society News Flash

by Charles Hansen

EGS

 

The Eastside Genealogical Society will meet on Thursday, April 9, 2015 in the Bellevue Regional Library, Room 1, 1111 – 110th Ave NE, Bellevue  98004 at 7pm, with doors opening at 6:30 pm for networking.

Topic:  The “Push” and the “Pull”:  Decision-Making of the 19th Century Emigrant

 

Speaker:  Jill Morelli

Jill Morelli is a professional genealogist who has traced her Scandinavian and German families for over 30 years.  She now lectures and writes on her family’s ethnic groups, methodologies for successful problem-solving and general topics of interest.  She blogs regularly at “Genealogy Certification: A Personal Journey.” (http://genealogycertification.wordpress.com).  In 2014 and 2015, she attended SLIG (Advanced Methodogies & Advanced Practicum) and is a graduate of ProGen.  Currently, Jill is the Publications Director for the Seattle Genealogical Society and the Puget Sound chapter representative for the Association of Professional Genealogists. Jill is an architect and works for the UW School of Medicine.

 

About the Program:

Why did our ancestors risk everything to come to this country? What were their motivations?  Learn the Px4 approach to understanding the complexity inherent in the “push” and “pull” approach to emigration. Multiple case Studies will be studied for motivations.

 

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

Northwest Genealogy Conference August 2015

by Charles Hansen
Dear Society Members:

We have exciting news for your members and your community, and we are asking for your help in spreading the word. I’ve included information below about both The Northwest Genealogy Conference and the Free Beginning Genealogy Workshop, held this upcoming August.  Our Conference Flyer is attached so you can print and make available at your society.

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST GENEALOGY CONFERENCE

Registration begins April 15 for the Northwest Genealogy Conference held August 13 – 15, 2015 in Arlington, Washington. You’ll find information about our conference at http://www.nwgc.org.

The details:

CeCe Moore, Angela Packer McGhie, and Judy G. Russell to headline the NwGC three-day event – Registration Opens April 15, 2015

This year’s speaker list is an outstanding group of professional genealogists from across the country. In addition to our headline speakers, your members will also learn from some of the Northwest’s best genealogists, including Cyndi Ingle, Luana Darby, Steven W. Morrison and Janet Camarata. Linda Harms Okazaki will be lecturing on Japanese Roots in the United States, and Jean Wilcox Hibben will be lecturing on Citations and  America: Land of the Farm, Home of the Plow. More than 25 total classes are available, and you can see all the specifics on our website at http://www.nwgc.org.

Conference Video for Your Website: http://www.nwgc.org/?page_id=1675 (great for your website and social media pages)


NEW THIS YEAR – Free Beginning Genealogy Workshop held August 12, 2015 – Registration is Open

Beginning genealogists (or those of us who want a refresher course), will get to learn from two of the Northwest’s best educators, Janet Camarata, and Winona Laird. They will be teaching a four-part workshop on fundamentals all genealogists need. Attendees will learn how to prepare to research, all about census records and vital records, as well as both on and offline resources and tools and techniques to keep moving your research forward. This pre-conference workshop is free, but space is limited so registration is required.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD

Many of the conference speakers are in the Pacific Northwest for the first time, and we know your members will not want to miss out on these classes. We have recently returned from RootsTech where two of our headliners spoke to standing-room-only crowds. Their appearance in Arlington is a unique opportunity to see them a little closer to home.

We are asking our society friends to help us spread the word in four ways

1. Post the information about the NwGC and the Free Beginning Genealogy Class on your website event calendar
2. If you would like physical copies of our flyer, just send me an email at val@valsanfordgroup.com, and we will get them to you. We also have bookmarks if you want them and can send those to you as well.
3. Promote us to your membership. We are happy to write a guest blog or newsletter article for you if you want. Again just email me at val@valsanfordgroup.com, and we will turn around an article or marketing blurb about the conference.
4. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, (@stillygen #NwGC) LinkedIn and Google+ (nwgc.org)

FAST FACTS – Free Beginning Genealogy Workshop, sponsored by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

Date: Wednesday Aug 12, 2015
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Location: Byrnes Performing Art Center, Arlington Washington, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd. Arlington, WA 98223
Workshop Leaders: Janet Camarata and Winona Laird
Cost: FREE but registration required
Registration: http://www.nwgc.org/?page_id=1826

FAST FACTS – Northwest Genealogy Conference (NwGC), sponsored by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

Dates:  Thursday through Saturday, Aug 13-15, 2015
Time:  8 am to 6 pm each day
Location: Byrnes Performing Art Center, Arlington Washington, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd. Arlington, WA 98223
Speakers: 19 speakers, with CeCe Moore, Angela Packer McGhie, and Judy G. Russell headlining
Cost: Below. Registration Opens April 15

Full Conference All Three Days – Early Bird Pricing $130 $150.00
Single Day August 13th Only
Early Bird Pricing – $60		 $75.00
Single Day August 14th Only
Early Bird Pricing – $60		 $75.00
Single Day August 15th Only
Early Bird Pricing – $60		 $75.00

Room and Ride Share Board: http://www.nwgc.org/?page_id=1796
Conference Hotels: http://www.nwgc.org/?page_id=218
NGS

 

NwGC

WSGS Announces New Recognition Awards

by Roxanne Lowe

The WSGS is pleased to announce the creation of three new awards for local genealogical societies and individuals. Nominations are now open for all three – in addition to the established Outstanding Volunteer/Team Awards.

  • Outstanding Communication – Recognizes the importance of how local genealogical societies or organizations communicate. Includes all forms of communication, including websites, social media, newsletters, lectures, videos, podcasts, etc. Nomination deadline is May 1, 2015.
  • Outstanding Project – Awarded to local genealogical society or organization in recognition of exceptional genealogical or historical projects implemented during the past year. Nomination deadline is May 1, 2015.
  • President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement – Recognizes that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations. Nomination deadline is May 1, 2015.
  • Outstanding Volunteer/Team Award – An opportunity for local societies and organizations to recognize their outstanding members and teams on a wider basis. Nomination deadline has been extended to April 1, 2015.

A couple of other very important reminders:
• The deadline to apply for a WSGS Innovative Grant is April 1. We want to give up to five $100 grants to worthy projects, so apply now! The application is easy to complete and available here.
• Registration is wide open for the WSGS Conference featuring David Rencher, FamilySearch’s Chief Genealogical Officer, Saturday, June 27, 2015 in Ellensburg. Don’t miss it!

TriCity Genealogical Society Contest

by Charles Hansen

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact

TriCity Genealogical Society Susan Davis Faulkner

www.tricitygenealogicalsociety.org Phone: 509-554-1050

www.facebook.com/TriCityGenealogicalSociety denmother4@hotmail.com

The TriCity Genealogical Society to launch contest to prove that not all genealogical records are available online.

Beginning April 1 contest participants are encouraged to post scanned images of genealogical documents on the TriCity Genealogical Society Facebook page. Images can be of documents obtained by any method other than downloading. There are various methods to obtain documents including having them handed down by family members, ordering them from government agencies, and copying them from microfilm images just to name a few.

To enter the contest a participant needs to upload the document image to the TriCity Genealogical Society Facebook page. They also need to include how the document was obtained and how it fits into their family history research.

Each month an entry will be selected as the winning entry and a prize will be awarded. The contest ends March 31, 2016 and three entries will be selected as Grand Prize winners. Prizes include online subscriptions to Findmypast, Mocavo, Newspapers.com, Fold3 along with additional prizes.

Participants are limited to one entry per week. Membership is not a requirement.

It is the desire of the TriCity Genealogical Society to educate our community that not all genealogical records are available online while simultaneously celebrating computerized genealogy.

The TriCity Genealogical Society Facebook page is located at www.facebook.com/TriCityGenealogicalSociety. A link to the Facebook page can be found on the TriCity Genealogical Society website at www.tricitygenealogicalsociety.org.

###