Columbia Gorge GS Earns Outstanding Communication Award

by Roxanne Lowe

The Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society’s “Tales and Trails” quarterly newsletter was awarded the 2015 Outstanding Communication Award at the WSGS Conference in Ellensburg last month. The society received a certificate and will have possession of the perpetual Outstanding Communication Plaque for the next year.

Besides news, reports and announcements that pertain to their 38-member society, the newsletter features interesting and useful information about genealogical research and family history. It’s no easy task for Editor Jim Bull to constantly be on the lookout for quality material. He has been the Editor in Chief since 2010.

Formerly “paper copy only,”  the newsletter has now transitioned to an “on-line” edition that is available to society members, other genealogical societies, family history centers and libraries. Those without computer access still receive their copy in the mail. The change to electronic publication has resulted in a higher quality newsletter, which can be published at less expense.

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Veterans Cemetery Gets Renovation Money in State Budget

by Roxanne Lowe

A veterans cemetery for soldiers who served as far back as the Civil War will get a $250,000 renovation thanks to a provision in the latest state budget.

According to an article in the Tacoma News Tribute, the money will go to the state Department of Veterans Affairs, which manages the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting and the cemetery on its grounds. Almost 2,300 veterans are buried there.

To read the entire article, click here.

A Washington Tour Every Citizen Should Do

by Charles Hansen

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In early June, 2015, husband, John, and I took the free government-run tour of the Hanford Nuclear Site, north of Richland, Washington. We both knew something of the chronology and the story but we were eager to learn more details and to see the places for ourselves. What I’ve summarized below is not meant to be a full and detailed explanation of all the history and parts of this two-fold massive project (first to build to get the plutonium and then, after the war, to clean up the mess that was made) but to share our new understanding of this episode in American history.

In the early1940s America greatly feared that the Germans would get a nuclear bomb (and use it) before we did. That fear prompted the haste to get the job done and since nobody had done a project like this before they were “flying by the seat of their pants” in many instances.  It then follows that very little care, understanding or recognition was given at the time to the nuclear waste mess that was being created.

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Whatcom Genealogical Society September Seminar

by Charles Hansen
Greetings from the Whatcom Genealogical Society!
We would like to remind everyone of our WGS Fall Seminar to be held Sept. 26th at Saint James Presbyterian Church, 1910 – 14th Street, Bellingham, WA.  Doors open 8:30, and the program is from 9 am – 4 pm.  Jill Morelli and Jim Johnson are our speakers.  Jill will speak on “The Push and the Pull:  Decision Making of the 19th Century Emigrant”, “Insanity in the 19th Century”, and “Getting the Most from Insurance Maps”.  Jim Johnson will speak on “Finding and Using Your Ancestors’ Church Records”, and he will bring his Heritage Quest Traveling Bookstore.  There will be a Raffle, and lunch will be available.  For more information and a registration form, please go to http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/WGS/wgs.htm.  Reserve your space before we are sold out!  We look forward to welcoming you.
Sharon Neem
Publicity Chair
WGS  

Blog Banner Photo Challenge

by Roxanne Lowe

Summer’s in full swing and that means many of us are on the road, in the air, or on a boat visiting people, places, and things. It also means you’re taking lots of photos. So…we’re sponsoring a Blog Banner Photo Challenge, looking for a few good photographs to highlight in our banner (replacing the Snoqualmie Falls photo above). The banner will feature a series of photos taken by you, our readers.

Rules are few:

  • Landscapes, landmarks, and scenery photos are preferred. If, however, you have a perfect photo that includes people, please obtain their permission to post the photo.
  • Photo must have been taken in Washington State (this is the Washington State Genealogical Society blog, after all!).
  • Photo will be cropped to 1100 x 250 pixels, so keep that in mind.
  • You may enter as many photos as you want.
  • Final decisions on suitable photos will be made by the awesome WSGS Blog Team.
  • There’s no prize if your photo is chosen – just the satisfaction that your photo is being showcased on a blog viewed by hundreds of enthusiastic genealogists.
  • There’s no firm deadline to submit photos, just keep ‘em coming. We want to rotate lots of photos to keep the blog fresh.
  • To submit your photo, please email the image (jpg only, please); what, where, when, and by whom the photo was taken to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org.

Got questions? Email the blog team at WSGSBlog@wasgs.org.

Outstanding Volunteers and Teams Honored at State Conference

by Roxanne Lowe

Forty-six local genealogical society members were honored for their outstanding volunteerism at the WSGS Annual Conference in Ellensburg, Washington, on 27 June 2015. Nominated by their local societies, these individuals and teams spent countless hours supporting their local organizations, researching, cataloging, inventorying, teaching, and inspiring others. We are proud to announce the 2015 Outstanding Volunteer Awards:

Wanda Burke Alderman, Whitman County Genealogical Society, Region 6
Veronica Anguiano, Tri-City Genealogical Society, Region 6
Erik Bakke, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Beverly Bakos, Genealogical Society of South Whidbey Island, Region 1
Margie Beldin, Tri-City Genealogical Society, Region 6
Janette and Tony Birch, Eastern WA Genealogical Society, Region 7
Susan Breshears Boatright, Yakima Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Marilyn Brown, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Dona Bubelis, Seattle GS Library Team, Seattle Genealogical Society, Region 2
Jim Bull, Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society, Region 5
Betty Carrick, Wenatchee Area GS Website Team, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society, Region 8
Mary Christensen, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Judy Clayton, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Linda Colton, Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society, Region 5
Christine Janet Kenck Courtright, Chelan Valley Genealogical Society, Region 8
Robert Edwards, Grays Harbor Genealogical Society, Region 3
Warren Fisk, Tacoma Pierce Co. Genealogical Society, Region 2
Tuck Forsythe, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Daniel P. Harmon, Seattle GS Library Team, Seattle Genealogical Society, Region 2
Susan Hassemiller, Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society, Region 3
Mary Malone Holcomb, Eastern WA Genealogical Society, Region 7
J.C.Howard, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Fae Douglas Jacobs, Grays Harbor Genealogical Society, Region 3
Rose Anderson Janke, Lower Columbia Genealogical Society, Region 4
Kathy Kelly, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Julie Large, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Kathi McGinnes, Seattle GS Library Team, Seattle Genealogical Society, Region 2
Delma Roloff McLean, Yakima Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Muriel S.Neely, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society, Region 1
Sylvia Nelson, Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society, Region 3
Diane Ulrich Partington, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society, Region 1
Elinor Perlich, Clark Co. Genealogical Society, Region 4
Brian Runyan, Clark Co. Genealogical Society, Region 4
Dave Sachi, Jefferson County Genealogical Society, Region 3
Karen Spellman, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Stillaguamish Conference Planning Team, Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society, Region 1
Mary Stolaas, Jefferson County Genealogical Society, Region 3
Mary Swartz, Wenatchee Area GS Website Team, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society, Region 8
Larry Taylor, Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society, Region 1
Janice Weihs, Tacoma Pierce Co. Genealogical Society, Region 2
Bob Wieking, Kittitas County Library Team, Kittitas Co. Genealogical Society, Region 5
Charlotte Wixon, Seattle GS Library Team, Seattle Genealogical Society, Region 2
Ann Wright, Seattle GS Library Team, Seattle Genealogical Society, Region 2
Mel and Marilyn Wright, Genealogical Society of South Whidbey Island, Region 1

To read each individual’s accomplishments and why they were nominated, visit the Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program page.

For more information about the Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program, contact Roxanne Lowe at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Central Branch, WA State Archives, Ellensburg Visit

by Charles Hansen

I took some extra time before the recent state conference in Ellensburg to visit the Central Washington Branch of the Washington State Archives.

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Brigid Clift is the director of the Archives Branch and a most sunshiny and helpful gal she was! I emailed her ahead of time with a short list of things I wanted to view (their catalog/holdings is online) and she had them ready for me, no problem.

One really fun thing I wanted to look at was a mimeographed newsletter titled The Goodfruit Grower. The first issue of this local publication..

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Serendipity Thursday

by Charles Hansen

Last week, while visiting the Central Washington Branch of the Washington State Archives in Ellensburg, and since I have no family connections to the counties covered by this archives, I looked for interesting Washington trivia. And I found much in the books on the shelves there.

From the book:  Plats & Descriptions of Operating Properties Owned by the State of Washington, a report prepared by L.D. McArdle, of the Dept of Efficiency on 30 June 1924.  Found some interesting maps.

This was the original platting for the Washington Soldiers’ Home in Orting. the first deed was dated 18 Nov 1890. The facility was opened in 1891 and was located on 181 acres in the beautiful Puyallup Valley near Orting. It is still in operation today.

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To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Served at any time, in any branch of the United States Armed Forces including the National Guard;
  • Received an honorable discharge;
  • Reside in Washington State;
  • Be the spouse or widow of an eligible veteran;
  • Or be a Gold Star Parent.

Was your ancestor a resident in this place??

Tip of the Week Seattle Genealogical Society

by Charles Hansen
TIP OF THE WEEK – FREE WEBSITE FOR THOSE WITH
CZECH REPUBLIC (BOHEMIA) ROOTS
Onward To Our Past (http://onwardtoourpast.com/) is a web site hosted by genealogical historian, Scott Phillips, offering free tips, hints, help, and genealogy fun together with unique resources for Bohemia (Czech Republic), Italy, and Cornwall family history and genealogy.

One of the valuable resources available on this site is an English translation of a lengthy genealogy article from the 1878 edition of  Amerikán Národní Kalendář, titled STRUČNÁ STATISTIKA: Osad, míst a okresů ve Spojených Státech Čechy obydlených (Translation: “BRIEF STATISTICS: Of settlements, towns and counties at United States, inhabited by Czechs.”)

This publication is described as “an information census of the Czechs and the communities in which they lived” in the United States in 1878.  The web site is presenting these translations in installments (12 so far), covering Czech communities in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, the Dakota Territory, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts and Michigan.
More installments will be coming to this site in the ensuing months.

BONUS TIP OF THE WEEK –FREE ACCESS TO
“THE GREAT MIGRATION DATABASES”
ON AMERICANANCESTORS.ORG
Thanks to the New England Historical and Genealogical Society (NEHGS), family historians may commemorate Independence Day by searching for their early American ancestors for FREE on AmericanAncestors.org July 1 through July 8.
A total of nine searchable databases comprise the Great Migration project on AmericanAncestors.org.
See http://www.americanancestors.org/specials/fourth-of-july for more details.

Seattle Genealogical Society Upcoming Meetings

by Charles Hansen
SGS GAINS EXEMPTION FROM THE WA STATE
PROPERTY TAX AS A FREE LIBRARY –
WILL SAVE $4700 IN 2016
Under the terms of our lease for the our Library space, SGS has been responsible for a component of the real property tax each year.  That component has been growing annually, placing an increasing strain on our budget.
Upon investigation, we determined that we could qualify for an exemption from this tax as a Free Library, if we eliminated the daily User Fee we charge non-members to use the library, and met several other criteria.  The Board took the necessary steps, and our application for this exemption was granted by the WA Secretary of State on June 15.  The exemption begins in 2016; in that year, we’ll save over $4,700 due to this exemption.
THANK YOU, RESPONDENTS
Marilyn Rose, President of SGS, recently sent a letter to the membership outlining the Society’s five main goals for the next 5-8 years, and asking for members to consider how they could help the Society reach those goals.
Many SGS members responded to that letter by returning their Member Interest Forms or by volunteering their help.  To those members, the Society says, “Thank you very much!”
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN GENEALOGY
& FAMILY HISTORY AT UW
Each year the University of Washington offers a nine-month evening certificate program in Genealogy and Family History.  This program prepares students to conduct their own genealogical research into family history with an understanding and appreciation of the social and historical context within which their ancestors found themselves.  Over the years, several SGS members have completed this course.
The 2015-16 program begins on October 8, and meets one evening a week for three quarters, culminating in a family history writing project in the spring.  Sarah Thorsen Little, SGS Life Member and Past President, is one of the program instructors for this program.
A preview class for this course will be held on Monday, July 20, 6-8 pm at the UW Seattle campus.
Full information about the program and this preview class can be found online at http://www.pce.uw.edu/certificates/genealogy-family-history.html.
HELP WANTED
NEEDED: Someone to give one or more presentations on how to use FOLD3, the web site formerly known as Footnote.com.  If you have experience and expertise with this repository of military records, and would like to share that with others, please contact Jean A. Roth, SGS Director of Education at jeanaroth@juno.com.NEEDED: Several more members for the 2016 Seminar Planning Committee, to join the 4 members we presently have.  This committee has its first meeting at SGS on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m.  Anyone interested in possibly being part of this critical committee, or who has ideas about either subjects or speakers for next year’s seminars is invited to attend and participate.  Many hands make light work!
Contact Jean Roth, jeanaroth@juno.com for more information.Needed: Still need at least two more people each day to help at the SGS Booth at the Scottish Highland games, the last weekend in July. Contact Jean Roth, jeanaroth@juno.com for more information.
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
All programs are at the SGS Library at 6200 Sand Point Way unless otherwise indicated. Please Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be postponed.
Friday-Sunday, July 3-5 SGS Closed for 4th of July HolidayWednesday, July 8, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
BRICK WALL PROBLEM SOLVING 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
DATE CHANGE – SEE JULY 22, BELOW Wednesday, July 15, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
PROGRAM MEETING: “ROUTES to OUR ROUTES”: EXPANSION WESTWARD FROM THE ATLANTIC
Our “Manifest Destiny” with Trails, Timelines, and Transportation. We’ll discuss North America’s major migration patterns and regional history.
Speaker: Jean A. Roth , SGS Director of EducationWednesday, July 15, 6-8 p.m.    SGS SEMINAR PLANNING MEETING
Preliminary planning for 2016 and 2017 – topics and speakers for future seminars.
Anyone interested in helping the 2016 Seminar Planning Committee is welcome!

Saturday, July 18, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm   BEGINNING GENEALOGY CLASS
An overview of basic genealogy techniques and resources. Advance registration requested at SGS.  Instructor: Janice Lovelace, SGS Vice President

Wednesday, July 22, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
BRICK WALL PROBLEM SOLVING
Join SGS members for a problem-solving session.  This is an open forum format.
Leader: Jean A. Roth

Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES – Enumclaw. SGS will have a booth and offer genealogical help. We need volunteers for both days and for two hour sessions. You will be provided with a ticket for the games.  Please contact Jean Roth at jeanaroth@juno.com or (206) 782-2629

Sunday, July 26, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
PROGRAM: “INSANITY IN THE 19th CENTURY: ONE FAMILY’S STORY”, Speaker: Jill Morelli.
We are told as children, “Shhh, don’t talk about Aunt Jane.” As genealogists, we may find that she was in an insane asylum or mental health hospital (depending on the era of the confinement). Explore the history of institutionalization and treatment of the insane from Bedlam to the 20th century with an in-depth look at the life of one man confined in Illinois in the 19th century. Records publically available will be compared with those accessible through the courts.

AUGUST
Sunday, August 2, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
PROGRAM MEETING: “USING “FIND A GRAVE” FOR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH.”  “Find A Grave” is a resource for finding the final disposition of family, friends, and famous people as a virtual cemetery experience.  “Find a Grave” memorials may contain rich content including pictures, biographies and more specific information. Speaker: Karen Sipe.Sunday, August 16, 1:30-3:30 pm
PROGRAM MEETING: “LOVE, COURTSHIP, SEX & MARRIAGE”
Until Eve – It was a man’s world.  Without women, there would be no genealogy; but their status has changed throughout history, and this has had a profound effect on the records we use for research.  We’ll explore the surprising customs and practices of our ancestors, and the place of women in society over time. Speaker: Jean A. RothSaturday, August 22, 1:30 pm  – 4:00 pm
ETHNIC WORKSHOP: “BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL OF SLAVERY: AN INTRODUCTION to AFRICAN-AMERICAN GENEALOGY” Speaker:  Janice Lovelace, SGS Vice-PresidentSunday, August 23, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
BRICK WALL PROBLEM SOLVING  .
Join SGS members for a problem-solving session.  This is an open forum format.

Sunday August 30, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
PROGRAM MEETING: “USING FIRE INSURANCE MAPS” These maps, including the famous Sandborn Maps, were originally created in the years following the Civil War and used for assessing fire insurance liability in urban areas in the United States. They are a highly useful resource for historical and genealogical research.
Speaker: Jill Morelli
 

SAVE THE DATES!
August 13-15 Northwest Genealogy Conference
Arlington, WA  – details at http://www.nwgc.org/
Saturday October 17 and Sunday, October 18
Seattle Genealogical Society Fall Seminar
“The Family History Detective: Finding Solutions to Your Toughest Research Problems.” Speaker: Dr. Thomas W. Jones
Visit http://seattlegenealogicalsociety.org/content/seminars for more information.