Tip of the Week

TIP OF THE WEEK:

Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994

By now, everyone should be familiar with the ever-increasing databases available online at Familysearch.org. However, many people limit their searching to INDEXED records, and thus never discover the many “image only” unindexed historical records that are available on this site.
One such database is Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, found at:https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1999196
This database has over 3.2 MILLION images of wills and other probate records in it.
It takes some gumption to click on the BROWSE button with that many records, but don’t despair! The images are arranged first by county, and then by the will books, in chronological order. Nearly all of them have indexes at either the start or the end, making it possible to search for and locate a specific document without too much effort, just as one used to do in the “old days” with microfilms.
Using this site recently, I was able to find and download three pre-1850 wills in one sitting, without leaving home.
If you have Pennsylvania ancestors and want to check for probate records, check out this database.

This tip from the Seattle Genealogical Society

Seattle Genealogical Society Updates

Apr17 by Charles Hansen

NEW WEB SITES ON SGS LIBRARY COMPUTERS

You are invited to check out the three excellent genealogical web sites we have recently added to our SGS Library Computers.
We now have Fold3, Newspapers.com, and the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International among other sites already available to assist researchers in our library.
Fold3 has become the place to go for US military records, including pension files from the Revolutionary War, some from the War of 1812, Civil War service records, Navy cruise books, collections of casualty lists from recent conflicts, and much more. Newspapers.com is a massive collection of papers, some going back to the 1700’s, from locales throughout the USA, with a smaller number from England, Ireland and Canada.
The Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International website gives access to the Member’s homepage. This in turn allows research of the Archdiocese of St. Paul MN church records, Leo Baca’s Czech Immigration Passenger List and a number of other valuable resources.
We hope to add more genealogical sites in the near future. Your library is growing. Please come and enjoy it!

Don’t forget to register now for the SGS spring seminar “Who’s Your Daddy? Researching Your Family History in the Mid-South States”! Register online, mail in your registration form and check, or bring your registration form and check to the SGS library. The seminar will be held on Saturday, 9 May, at the Greenwood Senior Center. Doors open at 9 a.m. Details can be found at http://seattlegenealogicalsociety.org/springseminar.
C. Lynn Andersen CG will present four sessions on family history research in the Mid-South states. If all your ancestors didn’t arrive on the Mayflower, you likely need to know:

An Overview of Internet Resources for the Mid-South States;
Internet Resources for Mid-South States Will and Probate Records;
Finding and Using Land Records Online to Solve Mid-South States Research Problems; and
A Look at Colonial Land Records from the Mid-South States.

The research techniques and resources Ms. Andersen will present can be applied to your family history research in all parts of the U.S.

ANNUAL SEMINAR RAFFLE BENEFITS SGS LIBRARY FUND

Come prepared to participate in the annual seminar raffle! All proceeds benefit the SGS Library Fund, established to enable the society to fill gaps in its current library collection, increase its collection in areas of interest to members, and to conserve properly its library holdings. The Library Fund has already enabled SGS to add to its library collection during the past year more than five popular magazine/journal subscriptions; several additional genealogical web site subscriptions such as Fold3.com and Newspapers.com; and approximately 50 new books of particular interest to members. By participating in the 2015 seminar raffle, you support continuing improvements to the SGS library resources that are available to aid you in your family history research.
Great prizes include two Mocavo gold subscriptions, four tickets to a Pacific Northwest Ballet performance, Chartmasters pedigree charts, free admission to the SGS fall seminar, Dollarhide’s Civil War Records, gift card for use at SGS book sales, and much, much more!
Raffle tickets are only $1 each.

SGS ELECTION IS UNDERWAY

The election of SGS Board members and members of the 2015-2016 Nominating Committee is underway now. Ballots were mailed out last week, and must be returned to SGS by April 30.
If you haven’t received your ballot in the mail and believe that you are a current SGS member, please email Julia Marconi, Director of Membership, atSGSMembership@gmail.com.
Two board positions – Director of Publications and Director of Volunteers – are currently vacant, and we need your help in finding someone to fill these. If you have someone who you think would do a good job, please feel free to nominate them by contacting Marilyn Rose, President, at SGSPresident@gmail.com.

NOTE: this eNewsletter goes to previous, now lapsed members of SGS as well as current members, so receiving it is not a sign that one’s membership is current.
If your membership has lapsed, we’d love to have you back again!

RECOGNIZING SGS MEMBER KAREN PORTZER

Seattle Metro’s RapidRide buses and stations feature a new poem every day of the year through November 2015, as part of the Poetry on Buses public art program.
SGS member Karen Portzer is among the poets whose poems have been selected. Her poem, Irish Morn, is the poem of the day on July 30, 2015.
See http://poetryonbuses.org/collection for full details.
Congratulations, Karen!

SGS FAMILY HISTORY WRITING CONTEST UPDATE

We received thirteen entries for this, our first family history writing contest, and we are thrilled with the response.
Winners will be announced at the end of the month, unless the judges need more time to review all the submissions.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The SGS Bulletin is now accepting advertisements for genealogically related enterprises. See our web site, seattlegenealogicalsociety.org for costs and parameters.

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.

Wednesday, April 15, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
PROGRAM – HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY
This is a two part program. First we’ll give a short introduction to “Accessing Holocaust Databases.” From deportation records to lists of the martyred to survivor testimonies, the Holocaust has generated a vast amount of documents and records – many of which can be researched online.
The second part of the program is a little-known and chillingly unique story of the“The Ahnenerbe – the Nazi Genealogy Ancestral Heritage Program.” Its Family History records can go back into the 1700’s and it has affected German genealogy research for decades both in a negative and positive way. It inspired Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones” movies with the Quest for the Ark of the Covenant and the Search for the Holy Grail. Speaker: Jean A. Roth

Saturday, April 25, 10:15 am – 12:00 pm
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER, Judith Eccles Wight, AG from Salt Lake City.
Judith Eccles Wight, owner of Wight House Research, has been an Accredited Genealogist specializing in Irish research for almost 40 years. She writes extensively for genealogical periodicals including Irish Roots and is a popular teacher and lecturer at genealogical events and Legacy Family Tree webinars. She worked 10 ½ years as a British Reference Consultant at the Family History Library. She and her husband recently completed a 15 month LDS Church mission at the Church History Library where her research skills were put to work in documenting people.
Program: “My Delia Holland isn’t WHO and WHERE She’s supposed to Be.”
This is based on a case study that Judith did on a woman she researched; her name and place of origin were identified in U.S. records and through family records and stories. There was only one problem – she couldn’t be found in Ireland. Judith will give tips for solving both Irish personal name and place name problems that may prevent you from finding your Irish ancestors.
Space is limited to 50; call (522-8658) or stop by the SGS library to reserve a place; we’ll announce this to other groups after April 6, if open seats haven’t been claimed by that date.

Sunday, April 26, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
ETHNIC SERIES: OSTFRIESLAND
Program: “Dear Brothers and Sisters: A Letter to Ostfriesland.” This is an overview of an area of Germany contiguous with the Dutch border, its history, culture and people.
Speaker: Jill Morelli

Saturday, May 2, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm
CANADIAN INTEREST GROUP, Leader: David Robert

Tuesday, May 5 – GIVE BIG DAY – make a contribution to SGS online on this date, and we will receive additional funds from the special non-profit cultural funds. See http://www.seattlefoundation.org/GivingCenter/GiveBIG/Pages/Default.aspx for more details.

Wednesday, May 6th – Ginny Sharp Sommarstrom, SGS member and former SGS President, is scheduled to present a Webinar sponsored by the Minnesota Genealogical Society on this date, titled Researching Your Swedish Ancestry in the 21st Century. More information at http://mngs.org/eventListings.php?nm=38.

Saturday, May 9
SGS SPRING SEMINAR – All Day
“Who’s Your Daddy? Researching Your Family History in the Mid-South States
Greenwood Senior Center – 525 N. 85^th Street Speaker: C. Lynn Anderson

Sunday, May 10 MOTHERS DAY – SGS Closed

Wednesday, May 13, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
MAC Computer Interest Group
Fiske Genealogical Library 1644 43^rd Ave E. Seattle – Pioneer Hall in Madison Park $3 library use fee. Speakers: Diane Heddrick and Lou Daly

Saturday, May 16
SGS IRISH INTEREST GROUP, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm
General open session on German research ideas. Speaker: Jean A. Roth

Saturday, May 16
SGS GERMAN INTEREST GROUP, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
General open session on Irish research ideas. Speaker: Jean A. Roth

Sunday, May 17, 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
ETHNIC SERIES: GERMAN-RUSSIAN WORKSHOP
Speakers: Jean A. Roth from the Volga Germans and Carolyn Shott from the Black Sea and Ukrainian Germans.

Saturday, May 23 – Monday, May 25 – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
SGS Closed

David Rencher Returns to Washington

Apr16 by Roxanne Lowe

Are you excited about the WSGS Conference on June 27, 2015? David Rencher is, too!

In a recent interview, David, chief genealogical officer at FamilySearch and the headliner at the conference in Ellensburg, expressed his excitement about returning to Washington State — a place he’s been many times.

David and his family have strong ties to Yakima, where his wife Tamara was raised. Tamara is the daughter of Luella (Robinson) and J. Franklin Howell. Dr. Howell (1932 – 2012) was an pioneering entomologist who worked with a government program in Yakima on pheromone technology to control the coddling moth.

If you haven’t registered yet for the conference, do it now. It promises to be educational and enlightening.

Deadline for New Awards Looming

Apr15 by Roxanne Lowe

The deadline for WSGS’s newest recognition awards is May 1, 2015. Societies are urged and encouraged to submit nominations for Outstanding Communication, Outstanding Project and the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. For more information and nomination information, click on the links below.

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.
Outstanding Project – Awarded to local genealogical society or organization in recognition of exceptional genealogical or historical projects implemented during the past year.
President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement – Recognizes that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

Questions? Contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair.

Kim Nichols Honored as Outstanding Volunteer in 2014

Apr15 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 months, 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 Kimberly A. Nichols of Snohomish, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS). She was recognized her leadership, knowledge, and volunteer efforts toward the goals and operation of the EGS.

Kim Nichols

Ms. Nichols has long served the EGS in the dual capacity of newsletter editor (since 2008) and webmaster (since 2007). In this capacity, she has been the face of the EGS to the genealogical world as well as being a consummate editor and communicator, notifying society members of current happenings and where and how to get involved. Ms. Nichols also served as EGS’s newsletter editor for much of the 1990s.

Ms. Nichols established one of EGS’s earliest special interest groups more than 20 years ago, and is in the process of establishing another.

From running EGS’s book and supply table to organizing outreach activities and teaching classes, Ms. Nichols has been an outstanding volunteer with special grace and a smile. She 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.

Serendipity Tuesday for WSGS

Apr14 by Charles Hansen

This was an interesting article in our Spokesman on 23 March 2015. “Urn artists look for beauty in death.” The article began, “Of all the pieces Julie Moore crafts in her home studio, the most popular is a brightly colored fabric vessel she calls ‘the party jar.’ But in this case, the guest of honor is inside the jar.” The article goes on to explain that since cremations are up, more people are looking for unusual and beautiful urns for their loved ones’ ashes. Do a Google search for “Julie Moore party jars” to read more about this artist and her project. And what do you think about this?

I thoroughly enjoy old postcards! This one, “Upper Grand Coulee, Columbia Basin Project, Washington,” is undoubtedly of what would become Banks Lake. So named for an engineer on the project, Banks Lake was created to provide irrigation water to the central basin area of Washington.

Way back in Dec 2014, I posted and proposed that our WSGS blog carry members’ queries as long as they pertained to the Pacific Northwest. I crafted a sample query but one which I was curious about. “I would like to know mroe about the U.S. Army’s Balloon Company, stationed at Port Townsend, Washington, about 1920.”

Well, Robert Edwards, friend of Bonnie MacDonald, wrote in January 2015 with an answer to my query! “(My wife) and I were married at “Memories Vault”, up on the hill at Ft. Worden, and have visited and stayed in the houses there numerous times, and we pass the hangar each time. Here are some websites to check out regarding Donna’s query:

www.fortworden.org/about

www.historylink.org

http://mil.wa.gov/national-guard-museum/official-history-of-washington-national-guard

“In one of the above references, it indicated that the balloons proved not to be suitable for the mission at Ft. Worden, so the project was probably short lived while there….”

“There also may be some helpful information on www.fold3. com,” added Bob.

What a great answer! Even to a make-believe query….although I did really want to know about the Balloon Company. We do welcome queries from YOU regarding your research and your ancestors in the Pacific Northwest. Please send them to Charles Hansen, Roxanne Lowe or Donna Phillips.

British Columbia Genealogical Society Seminar

Apr10 by Charles Hansen

Just wanted to alert you to the fast approaching deadline for
Early Bird Tickets – April 15th – for Jill Morelli’s Seminar.
She will be making 4 presentations at the South Arm United Church
in Richmond on May 9th. I have attached a poster with
information about the topics for each sessions, and how to
register for this event.
May 9 Morelli poster
For more information, check out the British Columbia
Genealogical Society’s website:
http://bcgs.ca

Cheers
Lynne Fletcher

Want To Read A Local Historical Novel?

Apr9 by Charles Hansen

Written in 1953, this book was a great read for those of us interested in our area’s history. Below the photos is a book review I wrote for this book.

Nothing In Life Is Free, by Della Gould Emmons, 1953

“A Historical Novel of the Pioneer West”

“Selected as the Official Book Commemorating the Washington Territorial Centennial”

This book tells the story of the settlers to the area in Washington south of Tacoma, the founding of the town of Steilacom, and the trials and hardships they endured to get there.

It was in the fall of 1853 at a meeting in Olympia with Governor Isaac Stevens that the immigrants got the answer to one of their plaguing questions: “As for the Indian title (to the land) it must be extinguished throughout the length and breadth of this territory. In my judgment under the Donation Law the settler can locate his claim west of the Cascade Mountains.” And so they came.

Jenny and Julius and their wagon train were stalled in Northwest Oregon debating how best to proceed to their goal, the Willamette Valley of Washington. The leaders held council: they could float down the Columbia River to Fort Vancouver and then overland to the north. Or they could go in a more direct northwesterly direction which would take them along the Yakima River and then up and over the Naches Pass. The wagon master had been told that a road had been built for that route and that it was passable for oxen and wagons. He was misinformed.

This “road” turned out to be a myth and the wagons struggled for weeks crawling along the rivers, down cliffs and over Mud Mountain (aptly named). With the rich and timbered lands at the foot of Puget Sound as their goal, the continued on despite been harassed by the Indians and having to chop clear every mile of the way. Jenny’s only shoes wore out and her dress rotted at the hem.

Quoting from the story: “Rain, which hadn’t bothered then east of the mountains, decided it was due on the west side and had better make up for any time that it has lost. Down it came, emptying huge pocketfuls and as the immigrants pushed aside head-high underbrush they were showered liberally, as though receiving a Puget Sound baptism, without which they could never be true citizens.”

They did finally make it to Steilacom. Page 221 described how Jenny and Julius measured off their claim by carrying 66-foot chains over and over and over through the dense and dripping undergrowth that is the country in Pierce County. And Jenny in her long skirt!

Upon their arrival in 1853, the story details how these hardy pioneers became embroiled in the conflict between the U.S. government and the Hudson’s Bay Company over who rightly owned the land. The local Nisquallys, believing the land was theirs, also acted against the settlers. Jenny, now with a young son, lost her Julius and watched her cabin go up in flames but held onto her 160 acres of land no matter what befell.

The Donation Land Act decreed that “all male citizens of the U.S. who immigrated and settled in Oregon after 1 December 1850 and before 1 December 1853, and who should comply with the requirements of the stated law, should each receive, if single, 160 acres of land, and if married another 160 to his wife, in her own right.”

Finally in 1864 most disputes were settled but it took until 1869 for the fighting factors to pull out of the area. The novel continues with the story: it was in late 1866 that Jenny and her new husband went to the Pierce County courthouse in Steilacom to testify for final ownership of her land.

In the story, Jenny finally receives the patent for her land signed by U.S. Grant, President of the United States, and dated February 1875.

The inside cover of this hardbound book shows a map of their travels. How they came from the Midwest through southern Idaho over Emigrant Hill (near Baker, Oregon) and then cut up to re-supply at Fort Walla Walla. They then went west of Pasco and northwest along Selah Creek and Wenas Creek to the 4988’ Naches Pass. Finally over, they followed the White River, crossing south of Lake Tapps to the area around Fort Steilacom between what would become Tacoma and Olympia.

Della Emmons’ sense of poetry shines out of here prose: “Spring. Dogwood trees bursting stars and new green gowns dressing the bushes.”

This book was a wonderful read and made me so glad I was not placed by God on earth in the 1850s to be an Oregon Trail pioneer!

** As of February, 2015, this book was available via Amazon for about $10.00.

** For $4.00 postage I will send this copy to you: Donna243@gmail.com.

Steve Morrison Honored as Outstanding Volunteer in 2014

Apr8 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Steven W. Morrison of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (PS-APG). He was recognized for his exceptional and consistent support of the goals and operation of the PS-APG.

Steven W. Morrison

Mr. Morrison is a valued participant of the speakers forum which is an interest group of the PS-APG. He was the chapter representative of the PS-APG in 2014. He is also a member of the National Genealogical Society. He regularly attends local and national advanced genealogical training courses such as the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.

Mr. Morrison was President of the Olympia Genealogical Society from 2003 to 2005 where he was the chair of their spring seminar for three years. He presented two workshops at the Washington State Genealogy Conference in Arlington in August 2014.

Mr. Morrison’s contributions to the PS-APG and the field of genealogy illustrate that 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.

Skagit Valley Gen Soc NEWS FLASH

Apr8 by Charles Hansen