Your president (and his lady) at RootsTech………….
Skagit County History Project Team Earns Outstanding Recognition Award
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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2014 award recipients and learn why they received the 2014 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Rita Schulze
Sharon Johnson
Kris LaRue
Hazel Rasar
Dan Royal
Today we’re introducing Sharon Johnson, Kris LaRue, Hazel Rasar, Dan Royal, and Rita Schulze, members of the Skagit County History Project Team, who were nominated by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. The team was recognized for exceptional research, preservation and publication of historical material relating to Skagit County.
The History Project Team was created to document the historical biographies of the people of Skagit County and their ancestors. Beginning in 2003, stories were gathered for a number of years until collections ceased and the gathered material turned over to Mr. Royal with the vision of publishing a book known as “Skagit County, Washington and Its People.”
Each member of this long-term team held a unique, valuable role. As publications chair, Ms. Rasar was instrumental in assisting Mr. Royal with the early development of the project. Together, the two of them also coordinated the effort throughout the ten-year period. In 2012, Ms. Schulze became chair of the effort while Ms. Johnson began budgeting for the books’ publication. Ms. Rasar was also involved with Ms. Schulze, Ms. Johnson and Ms. LaRue in proofing and developing of an every-name index. Mr. Royal worked with a draft person to format and publish the final books. The two-volume set was published in 2014.
Due to the team’s dedication and tireless work on this decade-long project, they richly deserved receiving 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.
Blog Readers
Most blogs are easy to read in your web browser, but soon you will find it a waste of time to check a blog several times and find out nothing new has been added since the last time you were there, so most blogs have a couple of ways to read them without having to go there daily and check for a new post. One way is to sign up for E-Mail and the post is sent to your E-Mail where you can filter it into categories. I have not liked that option as I already average 100 or more E-Mails a day. The second method is to use an RSS reader. Google had a very good one called Google Reader and a lot of the people I know used it, but Google in its infinite wisdom closed Google Reader a year or so ago. I first went to The Old Reader which was similar to Google Reader, but very slow in updating the feeds, so I switched to Feedly and I really like it. I have somewhere around 250 blogs I read on a regular basis. I have 47 Genealogy Society Blogs, 150 Genealogy Blogs, 16 Library Blogs, 12 newspaper blogs and even 7 Rootsweb blogs, plus several others just for entertainment and a few for work. Each one is in its own category on Feedly, I have one category for Gene Societies, one category for genealogy blogs, etc. I know this sounds like a lot to read every day, but the newspaper blogs are the busiest each day, some blogs only have a new article once a week or less. The genealogy blogs probably only have 25-35 posts a day, and the newspaper blogs are just about as busy.
Dick Eastman wrote a great blog article on Blog readers, so If you are interested in a blog reader click here
Bend Genealogical Society 2015 Spring Seminar
Chicago Genealogical Society Seminar
March 7
Event with D. Joshua Taylor–
In conjunction with the Newberry Library, CGS members are invited to attend a seminar with D. Joshua Taylor as he shares his enthusiasm for genealogy and history. For more than 15 years, Joshua has been an active genealogist, tracing the histories of families across the globe. Joshua can be seen on Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) Season 2 which started January 13, 2015, Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC and TLC) and is the Lead Genealogist for Findmypast.com, a worldwide leader in online family history. Check out his blog at: http://www.djoshuataylor.com/b
This will be a FREE all day event and pre-registration will be required. Again, it is FREE but there are limited seats. Here is the link to register:
https://go.newberry.org/page.a
You HAVE to print the confirmation and bring it with you that day to get in to this event.
Hope you can attend!
The Chicago Genealogical Society
Seattle Genealogical Society Seminar Date Correction
All day Irish Genealogy Workshop
This workshop, sponsored by the Irish Heritage Club and the Seattle Genealogical Society Irish Interest Group, is on MARCH 21, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Greenwood.
The previous eNewsletter listed the date incorrectly.
Contact Jean A. Roth for details: jeanaroth@juno.com
Seattle Genealogical Society Upcoming Seminars
TIP OF THE WEEK
The HeritageQuest database, which is available remotely via The Seattle Public Library’s website, will see several upgrades in the first quarter 2015.
Following are a few important changes noted by ProQuest, the database vendor:
- Complete 1790-1940 U.S. Federal Census with images and every-name indexes for all years
- Additional census records such as Mortality and Non-Population Schedules, Indian Census Rolls, and more
- Expanded collection of genealogy and local history books and city directories with an all-new user interface, thumbnail images and hit highlighting
- Complete Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land record collection (NARA M804)
This database can be accessed by anyone with a Seattle Public Library card via the Internet, and does not require a trip to the library.
HELP WANTED – YOUR SOCIETY NEEDS YOU
Current SGS needs and openings:
Are you Irish (or do you wish you were), and can you walk a mile?
SGS’s official participation in Seattle’s Irish Week Festivities is one of our best community outreach activities and helps us obtain financial grants for our Society. SGS is participating in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 14, and we need a few people to march in the parade, carry the SGS banner alongside an antique car, and pass out membership brochures. The parade begins at 12 noon and starts at 4th and Jefferson and travels north on 4th. After passing the reviewing stand at Westlake – walkers can board the monorail (for free) to the Seattle Center for closing ceremonies at 2:00 pm.
SGS will also have a booth at the Seattle Center for the Irish Week festivities. We need volunteers to man our SGS Information booth for two-hour shifts on Saturday March 14 from 12 Noon to 6 PM and Sunday March 15 10 AM – 6 PM. This is a lot of fun.
If you can help – please contact Jean A. Roth at (206) 782-2629 or jeanaroth@juno.com
Strong backs needed: Several times a year, we need help moving boxes of books or other similar items, and many of our members can no longer do this kind of physical work. Commitment: 1-3 hours, two or three times a year. Email Reiley Kidd,SGSSecretary@gmail.com
Seeking one or more leaders for Beginner’s classes: Twice a year, SGS offers a series of classes for people new to genealogical research. We need several people to share this responsibility. The curriculum and lesson plans are available, and we can coach you to get you started. Commitment: several 1-2 hour sessions (evenings or weekends), twice a year. Email Jean Roth, jeanaroth@juno.com
BELOW ARE SEVERAL NEEDS RELATED TO THE SGS SPRING 2015 SEMINAR:
WANTED: Volunteers willing to give SGS two hours to help with registration of attendees at 2015 spring seminar, Saturday, 9 May. Will check attendees’ names against registration/paid list and hand out already-prepared information packets. Will register walk-up attendees and take and record their registration fees. Seminar at Greenwood Senior Center. Work begins at 8:30 a.m. on day of seminar. Email Betty Ravenholt,ravenholt@aol.com
WANTED: Volunteers willing to give SGS two to three hours to help with preparing registration packets for spring seminar attendees. Work involves collating already printed pages and putting them into envelopes, preparing name labels, etc. Work to be done at SGS library at a date during week prior to May 9 seminar. Email Betty Ravenholt, ravenholt@aol.com
WANTED: Volunteers willing to give SGS approximately two hours to put out snacks/water and hand out lunches at SGS spring seminar on 9 May. Preparatory work of organizing snacks and lunch boxes will take about one hour and begins at 8:30. Handing out lunches will take about one hour and begins about 12:00. Seminar at Greenwood Senior Center. Email Betty Ravenholt, ravenholt@aol.com
WANTED: Volunteers willing to give SGS approximately one hour to help pack up, clean up, and straighten up at the end of the spring seminar event. Work begins about 4:30 p.m. on 9 May. Greenwood Senior Center. Email Betty Ravenholt, ravenholt@aol.com
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, January 31, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Wedgewood Presbyterian Church
DNA INTEREST GROUP, Cary Bright and Herb McDaniel, leaders.
Come learn about DNA testing and how you can tear down some of your brick walls with the right DNA test. We will have a quick overview at 9:30 a.m. to review DNA for beginners. Our usual meeting (10:00 a.m.) will review all new discoveries and include two presentations by group members about their own DNA testing results.
Saturday, January 31, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m., SGS Library
Program: Using Postcard Images: An Unusual Picture Source For Family Histories.
Old postcards are a valuable but often little-used resource for images to add to your genealogies. They include early photographs and art work of places and people important to your narrative.
Leader: Jean A. Roth
Sunday, February 1 – SGS Library will be CLOSED today, because of the Super Bowl.
The program originally scheduled for this date has been moved to Feb. 8 – see below.
Saturday, February 7 10:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m., Canadian Interest Group; David Robert, leader.
Bring your Canadian brick walls for some expert help.
Sunday, February 8, 1:30 p.m.,
NEW DATE! “House Histories–Wherever You Live” will be presented on Sunday, 8 February at 1:30 pm at the SGS Library. Jill Morelli, licensed architect and genealogist will present an approach to doing your house history, wherever you live. While each county’s land records are filed differently, Jill will outline a procedure which works in most urban jurisdictions. Document retrieval, online and on site, and the architecture and neighborhood assessment will be covered.
Tuesday, February 10, 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Program: Finding and Interpreting Family Bible Records, Ida Skarson McCormick, leader.
Is something puzzling you about the content of a family Bible record? Please send image before class to idamc@seanet.net
Saturday, February 14.
CANCELLATION NOTICE: Computer Interest Group, Ida Skarson McCormick, leader, originally scheduled for this day has been cancelled.
Saturday, February 14, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. SGS OPEN HOUSE
It’s Valentine’s Day! We’d “love” to have you join us for sweet treats. Researchers will be available to help you with your family history.
Tuesday, February 17, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Brick Wall Solving Session.
Join SGS members for a problem-solving session. This is an open forum format. Jean A. Roth, leader.
Saturday, February 21, All day Irish Genealogy Workshop 9 AM – 5 PM in Greenwood sponsored by the Irish Heritage Club and the SGS Irish Interest Group.
Contact Jean A. Roth for details: jeanaroth@juno.com
Sunday, February 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Irish Interest Group, Jean A. Roth, leader.
Open session on Irish research. Come and share your successes and brick walls.
Sunday, February 22, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., German Interest Group, Jean A. Roth, leader.
Open session on German research. Come and share your successes and brick walls.
The next two programs begin our 2015 series of lectures on the Ethnic Heritage in the Northwest:
Saturday, February 28, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Program: Embracing Your Ethnic Heritage, Jean A. Roth, leader. Our ancestors had a rich ethnic heritage – a story that needs to be told.
Saturday, February 28, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Program: Coming to America – Castle Gardens and Ellis Island, Jean A. Roth, leader.
Many of our ancestors came through the Port of New York and entered through Castle Gardens or Ellis Island. This program will describe entering the U.S. in the 19th and 20thcenturies.
David Rencher is a 12!
David Rencher, chief genealogical officer at FamilySearch and our headliner at the WSGS Conference on June 27, 2015, is cheering for a Seahawks victory at Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday. Yes, David’s a Seahawks fan!
Look for more interesting tidbits about David in the coming weeks and months. Then come see him yourself at the WSGS Conference, June 27, in Ellensburg — mark your calendar now!
Deciphering Old Photos
I am writing to inquire about information you may have in deciphering
old photos. Is there a person or persons that may refer to themselves as
Photo Detectives and can identify from old photos the era and or
information. I am looking for such individuals to help me in my research
or may be willing to conduct a presentation on this subject. I also am
the president of the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society in Lynnwood,
Washington. If there are individuals that do this I would greatly
appreciate hearing from you or someone in your organization. I do hope
you help us. Thanks for your attention.
Sincerely,
Gary Ottman garyottman@yahoo.com
President of Sno-Isle Genealogical Society.