Seattle Genealogical Society April 2025

by Charles Hansen

Paola Aguilar and Florida Memory / Unsplash
and Library of Congress

BEGINNING GENEALOGY CLASS STARTS
TUESDAY, MAY 13 

Motivated to learn more about your family’s story? Want to learn how DNA can help?SGS will be offering a new beginning Genealogy class in May. This class fun, online and interactive will give you the tools to succeed in your research.
 
This class includes four weekly sessions online with a fifth, optional session in person at the SGS library. The class covers how to successfully conduct, organize, and record research for your genealogy. How to begin? How to evaluate evidence? What are the best sources? Where are the records–online and off? What can DNA tell us?

Start your journey on a foundation of good habits and best practices.  Participation will help you develop great genealogy skills.  The course finishes with a list of favorite sources for additional learning and an optional meet-up with a personal research session at the SGS library.

There are two options for class time, both start on May 13, and both will be taught by Kathy Weber and Cecellia Rogers:

  • Afternoon class, Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 p.m.
  • Evening class, Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Weeks 1 – 4 will meet virtually and consist of lecture, discussion, and workshop for one-and-a-half-hours each session.

Week 5 (optional) includes a library tour and one-on-one research assistance.
 
There is a limit of 20 people per class. Class fee $80 (SGS members $60).
 

Learn More and Register

Stock image by Rochelle Lee / Unsplash
 


TWO EXCITING TOURS FROM SGSJoin SGS Tour of UW Special Collection April 8

Join a private tour of University of Washington Archives and Special Collections. See what’s in the Special Collections and hear how this unique collection was built. Gain first-hand perspective on how to access these records of original Pacific Northwest sources for your genealogical research. SGS Vice President Lisa Oberg, Director of Special Collections of the UW Library, will share insights into the resources available in this fascinating collection.

Exact details about when and where to meet will be delivered several days in advance to those who register for the field trip. The tour will start around 10:30 a.m. Optional lunch on campus to follow.
 
Registration fee: $20 (SGS Members $10)

Register Now

Lisa Oberg received her Master of Librarianship degree from the University of Washington, where she is the Director and History of Science and Medicine Curator for Special Collections in the UW Libraries. Lisa regularly gives genealogy-related lectures at the Seattle Genealogical Society, across the country virtually, and teaches an online course aimed at library staff serving genealogists through the University of Wisconsin’s School of Library and Information Studies.
 

Explore the Secrets of Seattle’s
Disappearing Denny Hill May 14

Between 1898 and 1930, Seattle completed its most audacious engineering change by eliminating Denny Hill at the north end of downtown. By the end of the project, Seattleites had washed and scraped more than 11 million cubic yards of landscape, reducing the previously 240-foot-high mound to its present pancake topography. Join author-naturalist David B. Williams on May 14 as he guides attendees on this walking tour of this historic part of Seattle. Williams will discuss the full scope of this massive regrade project, point out often overlooked but still existing evidence of the topographic changes, and explain how this reshaping of the Seattle’s landscape continues to shape Seattle and those who call it home. 
 
The walk covers about two miles of flat terrain and lasts between 90-120 minutes, depending on how many questions we ask.

Registration fee: $40 (SGS Members $30)

Register Now

David B. Williams is an author, naturalist, and tour guide whose award-winning books include Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound and Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography, as well as Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City. His newest book, Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature is a best of collection from his free weekly Substack newsletter, the Street Smart Naturalist.edc.

FAMILY HEIRLOOMS SHED LIGHT ON
A FAMILY’S FRIENDSHIP WITH THE LINCOLNS

This April is the 160th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Join Caroline Van Deusen for Second Saturday April 12 at 1 p.m. as she explores how family heirlooms rediscovered in attics, archives, and personal collections helped piece together a fascinating story of a family’s enduring friendship with the Lincolns. She will read excerpts from her great-grandmother’s diaries and letters, offering a firsthand account of her friendship with Mary Todd Lincoln.

Register Now

Caroline Welling Van Deusen specializes in custom curatorial services, preservation, project management, and digital stewardship. She is the Private Archivist and Project Director for the E-Archives-Collection of Henry Austin Clark Sr. and has worked with multiple repositories. Caroline is a contributor to the Armchair Historians Podcast and an author and contributing editor for the White House Historical Association. Her blog is Lost + Found History.

NEXT MONTH’S SECOND SATURDAY: “Jewish Genealogy 101,” presented by Rhoda Miller. Sign up separately for this event held May 10.
Photos courtesy of Library of Congress

SGS MEMBERS – VOTE!

The annual election is upon us! SGS Members, please check your email for your election letter, sent April 1, 2025 (members without an email on file will receive their ballot by postal mail). It has all the information you’ll need to vote for the officers and directors who will lead the society during 2025-26, as well as a proposed change to our bylaws. If you can’t find your election letter, go to the SGS website Members Home area and log in. Look for the link “SGS 2025 Election – Vote!”. All ballots must be submitted by April 30th, 8:00 pm.
 SIG HIGHLIGHTS:AI and Organizing SIG Start This Month

SGS had been starting up a lot of new Special Interest Groups in the past year. In April two more groups will join the line up:
 

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy will have its first meeting April 3 at 6:30 p.m.
    The explosive growth in AI has lead to many applications for it in genealogical research. Do you use AI in your research or want to learn more about how to do so? Email: SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org (Subject: AI SIG).
     
  • Organizing for Genealogy will kick off Monday, April 7 at 7 p.m.
    Get out from under that pile of papers and digital files associated with your research. Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey.
     

Learn about the many SIGs offered by SGS on our webpage. These include the recently added groups focused on Eastern European genealogy and Mexican ancestry, as well as the Pacific Northwest interest group formed last spring.SGS SIG Leader Advices Backing Up 23andMe Data

The SGS DNA Interest Group advises all members that are 23andMe customers to promptly save their raw DNA file[if not done previously] and any important DNA match information. Given recent financial and leadership challenges within the company, it is always wise to safeguard DNA Test information for future reference.

Misinformation is circulating, often from sources unfamiliar with genetic genealogy. We encourage you to stay informed, avoid unnecessary concern, and focus on preserving your data.

 Discoveries Made at SGS Library

courtesy Jill Morelli
Mary Roddy, CG, CGG discovered the baptismal record of her 3rd great grandfather in the SGS library, using our newest database, Archion. As a bonus she got the next generation as well! Congratulations.

LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE

Do you use a software program on your computer or tablet to record your family tree (e.g., Family Tree Maker, Roots Magic, Legacy Family Tree)? Would you be willing to share with others information about the program you use? We’re looking for answers to simple questions such as: cost ease of use, learning curve does it interface with online sites such as Ancestry or FamilySearch? what features you like best what it does NOT do so well anything else significant to you as a user. We’d like to put together a panel of 4 or 5 genealogists like yourself for a virtual (Zoom) meeting to present a brief summary — just 10 minutes or so–and then answer questions from viewers. If you would be willing to do this, please email Education@seagensoc.org and tell us what software and what device (e.g., laptop, phone, tablet) you usually use. This would probably be on either a Second Saturday or a Virtual Sunday (3rd Sundays of the month), so let us know if you have any conflicts with those dates in the next 3 or 4 months.

SGS LIBRARY NEWS:

Library Evening HoursLooking for a quiet, friendly place to spend an evening doing research? Look no further — the SGS library is open on the third Wednesday of the month from 6PM to 8:30 PM. Evening hours will continue through June.
Hidden Gems in the LibraryHave you explored our collection of the Postmarked Washington books by Guy Reed Ramsey? In his position as a salesman in the lumber industry, Mr. Ramsey traveled throughout the state compiling historical information on the post offices and the communities served by the post offices. Although some of Mr. Ramsey’s manuscripts were published, the unpublished manuscripts, which were gifted to the Washington State Library for preservation microfilming, are being made available through a State Library project. Find out more about the project here.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday** 10:00 a.m .- 3:00 p.m. **

Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.Thursday, April 3, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., NEW! Artificial Intelligence for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), Join this dedicated community for exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research. For more information or to express interest in this SIG, email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.

Saturday, April 5, 2025, 10:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to get on the email list

Sunday, April 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.

Monday, April 7, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.Monday, April 7, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW! Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 10:30 a.m., Tour of UW Special Collections, Tour of University of Washington Special Collections with SGS Vice President Lisa Oberg, Director of Special Collections of the UW Library. Register here.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., NEW! Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org.

Thursday, April 10 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW! Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.

Saturday, April 12, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Lost + Found Friendship” Presented by Caroline Van Deusen. Family heirlooms rediscovered in attics, archives, and personal collections helped piece together a fascinating story of a family’s enduring friendship with the Lincolns. Register here.Sunday, April. 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Scandinavian Interest Group SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestral research. This month will feature two case studies: A Journey to Norway and Finding Gustaf Malmgren’s Parents (Sweden). Register here.

Monday, April 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.Monday, April 14, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-noon, “Pass It On” Writers’ Group, Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. This group is currently accepting new members. Send queries to SGSPassItOn@seagensoc.org.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., SGS Library Evening Hours, Looking for a quiet, comfortable place to work on your genealogy research? Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of the month during our evening hours.

Saturday, April 19, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. View SGS calendar for details on joining this group.

Saturday, April 19, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, German SIG (Virtual), Share what you know OR get help with problems in your own research. Register on the SGS website.

Sunday, March 16, 2025, 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm, Virtual Sunday: Something Old, Something New, Topic TBD. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Please register in advance.

Monday, April 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.Monday, April 21, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Sheyna Watkins at sgsWriteItUpSIG@seagensoc.org.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Mexican SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Indigenous North American, Spanish, Cuban, and Hispanic genealogical research. Email Diane Hughes-Hart at SGSMexSIG@seagensoc.org to join.

Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., DNA SIG, Join our quarterly meetings to discover what’s new in genetic genealogy and learn more about select, in-depth topics. Email SGSDNASIG@seagensoc.org to join.

Monday, April 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.Thursday, May 1, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., NEW! Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), At this first meeting, we will get acquainted, discuss ideas and goals for this new SIG. Topic: “AI and genealogy. What?”, Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.

Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list.

Sunday, May 4, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.

Monday, May 5, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.Monday, May 5, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW! Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS websiteThursday, May 8 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.

Saturday, May 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Jewish Genealogy 101” Presented by Rhoda Miller. Register here.Monday, May 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.Monday, May 12, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.

OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND Family Tree Maker SIG
Eastside Genealogical Society
Friday, April 18, 2025, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 p.m. Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev. The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance. You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.

When Hell Came to Sharpsburg: The Battle of Antietam and its Impact on the Civilians Who Called it Home (Virtual)
North Hills Genealogists
Monday, April 21, 2025, 4:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.

Join North Hills Genealogists and author Steven Cowie as he discusses his book on this Civil War battle. Cowie dedicated fifteen years to researching the Battle of Antietam for this book. Get more information on the website and register here.

Jumping the Pond: Connecting Immigrants to Their Homeland
Lower Columbia Genealogical SocietyThursday, April 10, 2025, 6:45 p.m.

Join speaker Mary Kircher Roddy as she helps make connections between immigrants and the old country. Sign up for Zoom link on their website.

Researching Your War of 1812 Ancestor
Olympia Genealogical Society
Thursday, April 10, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom opens at 6:30 p.m.)

Researching a War of 1812 Ancestor can involve a set of interesting records. Join Craig R. Scott as he examines types of service, compiled military service records, how to compile your own service record, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other records can be found. For more information visit their website.
Join SGS Today* to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page
and click the green renew membership button.
April 1, 2025

SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month.

Let’s Talk About: A 1666 Inventory

by Donna Phillips


So often in the 17th century, a will was handwritten and was accompanied by an inventory. This inventory was mandated by law and some of the items might be sold to pay off any debts of the deceased. This was the inventory of Aquila Chase, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, dated 15 May 1666. 

I ask you: how many pages would it take to “inventory” every single one of your possessions? And would there be archaic terms then that were well known today…… like “saw and pillion.” What is a pillion? What is an “Apple watch?” An “electric hot pot?” 

And take note of what you don’t see: any art, music, crafts, hobbies, things we would call comfort things like fuzzy slippers or teddy bears? Could YOU cook a meal using just the utensils mentioned here? 

                                                                    Eleven swine

                                                                    Twenty sheepe

                                                        Two heifers & three calves

                                                                One steer & three calves

                                                            One feather bed/ bolster/pillows

Blanket & curtains

Wearing apparell

One new curtain

Six paire of sheets

Linen yarne

20 lbs of woollen  yarne

One bed furniture/blankett

70 bushels Indian corne

6 bushels barley

Some wheat, rye & pease

Saw & pillion

2 wheels

Muskett/swort/pike

                                                                        1 saddle/bridle

                                                            3 iron potts/hookes/tramells

                                                            Spitt/fire pan/tongues/peele

                                                        1 fryeing pan/greediron/ 2 skilletts

                                                                        Carpenter tooles

                                                                4 axes/ beetle & wedges

                                                        Pewter platters/basons/potts/spones

                                                                    Box of earthenware

                                                                        Books/ 2 chests

                                                                        Hog lard/butter

                                                                        Grinding stone

                                                                    Cart/dung pott/plow

                                                                    Yoakes & Chaines

                                                                            Old lumber

1 hay boate 

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Ancestry Pro Tools

by Charles Hansen

Monthly Meeting & Presentation – Ancestry Pro Tools – Are They Worth It?

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

You are invited to this free presentation at the SVGS library.

Everyone is welcome! 

Sue McNeil, SVGS member will be back! This time Sue will be giving an an overview of her experience using the new Ancestry Pro Tools. The presentation will be in person only at our library. Our business meeting will follow the presentation.

Sue’s topic: Ancestry Pro Tools – Are They Worth It?

Ancestry Pro Tools is a new monthly add-on subscription. Are they worth paying an additional $10 per month? That depends on your needs and goals. There are tools for a tree checker, smart filters, reports, DNA matches and more.

There will be a short break with refreshments. The monthly meeting will followat 2pm.

New England Interest Group – 1st Tuesday of the Month

The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am. This is a hybrid group. You may attend in person at our library or join via Zoom.

If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly

Zoom invitations.

DIG – DNA Special Interest Group – 3rd Thursday of the Month

Also join us at the SVGS library from 1-3pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month for the DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives, discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.

All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please send an email info@stillygen.org

Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.

For more information visit www.stillygen.org

Fiske Genealogical Library March April Programs

by Charles Hansen

Wednesday, April 2  

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

“Beyond the Hints”- Digging deeper into other search options available in FamilySearch & Ancestry websites

Presented by Beth Swartz

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Using online search options available at FamilySearch and Ancestry can offer diverse research tools beyond their main hints. FamilySearch includes options like recommended tasks, recent views, a catalog of genealogies, books, records and Full Text search. Ancestry provides access to military records, public trees, and collections. Exploring these can uncover valuable sources often missed by automated suggestions.

Wednesday, April 9  

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Cemeteries and Funeral Homes

Presented by Lisa Gorrell

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

There is more to cemetery research than online cemetery sites such as Find A Grave. Learn how to find these other records, what to do when visiting a cemetery, and how funeral home records can add to the family story.

There is no class on April 16,

Wednesday, April 23

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Discovering African American Ancestry

Presented by Beth Swartz

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Researching African American ancestry blends traditional genealogy with unique historical challenges. The 1870 Federal Census, the first to list African Americans by name, is a key starting point. Earlier records, such as the Freedmen’s Bureau, probate documents, and slave narratives, can help trace enslaved ancestors and their last owners. Understanding historical context, including Freed People of Color and U.S. Colored Troops service, is essential for uncovering these rich and complex family histories.

Wednesday, April 30

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Putting Your Learning to Work: Get the Most from an Educational Opportunity

Presented by Mary Kircher Roddy

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Genealogists are constantly learning. Societies and libraries around the world offer webinars and courses galore. With each opportunity you take, you spend your most precious resource – your time. How can you decide what to watch and how to get the most out of any educational opportunity? Discover ways to make what the presenter told you part of your research toolbox.

Wednesday, May 7

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Who ‘Owned’ Solomon? A Case study of 19th Century African American Research Presented by Janice Lovelace

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Many African American researchers struggle to break through the brick wall of slavery.  This presentation looks at techniques to identify the slave-holders of Solomon through the use of land, probate and court records.

Wednesday, May 14

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Packrat or Genealogist? Effective Methods for  Organizing Your Family History Research

Presented by Lisa Alzo

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Are you drowning in a sea of papers, documents, old photographs and other research materials?  This talk will cover how to organize family history documents, photographs, etc. for quick retrieval. Traditional methods and computer technology will be featured along with ways for distributing/sharing this information with others.

Wednesday, May 21 

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Wills & Probate Records for Genealogy Research

 Presented by Claire Smith

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Wills and probate records are some of the richest sources of documents for researching your ancestors. These records contain an abundance of details about an individual’s life, often proving the key to resolving a tough problem. Find out how to use them to break your research brick walls.

Wednesday, May 28

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

The Nuts and Bolts of Accreditation

Presented by Jenny Hansen

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Have you ever wondered about earning a professional genealogy credential? Learn more about the nuts and bolts of the process during this hour. You will learn some of the details about what is required and how to best prepare for earning the Accredited Genealogist credential.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society April Writing Family History

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

The Writing Family History Special Interest Group (WFH-SIG) supports TPCGS members in documenting, writing, and preserving their family histories—formally or informally. Monthly meetings will provide a mix of presentations, writing exercises, and peer reviews to help members make progress in their projects.

Meeting invite with links in file attached below

Date & Time: Every month on the Second Wednesday, starting at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMoc-2qqDMjHNXnACfWJ0dop_pMeQXMRoYM/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqz8uGNKduR-GRpwEGY-gLOrwplxEgo1lkj7GBRd5Mgf5Jt1SH7dOKPXi

Join Zoom Meeting:
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Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639

One tap mobile:
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Dial by your location:
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kclCP1SsOV

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society April Educational Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

This month’s presentation: Melanie de Leon will be speaking in person at the University Place Library on the History and Mission of the DAR and genealogy resources available to the general public. Her presentation will be recorded and a link to the video posted in the members only TPCGS Documents section of our website for future viewing.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who can to attend in person at our new meeting location:
University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466
and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who can to attend in person at our new meeting location:
University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466
and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

One tap mobile
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location

        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFbCNTY39

How to Post Your Meetings and Events on the WSGS Blog and Website

by Roxanne Lowe

Do you want to broadcast information about your local society, workshop, genealogical tip, or a research query? Just send it to the WSGS Blog and WSGS Meetings and Events! Your post will be seen by more than 1,100 genealogists from around the state and beyond. Just email a Word document, text file, PDF or graphic to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org and Info@wasgs.org and we’ll do the rest!

We’re always looking to publicize local events and workshops, feature stories, updates from your society, and other genealogical information that might be of interest to our many subscribers and viewers.

We hope to hear from you soon! And don’t forget to encourage your Society members to subscribe to the Blog for the most up-to-date information from around the state.

Ballard Locks and Montlake Cut – An Engineering Marvel

by Charles Hansen

Ballard Locks and Montlake Cut – An Engineering Marvel

By, Karen I. Treiger

(Photo: Cherry Blossoms at the Park next to the Ballard Locks).

I can feel spring in the air. The cherry blossoms have popped and the air is fragrant.  I love spring and (especially) summer in Seattle.  

I have a favorite summer bike ride (30 miles) that goes from our home in Seward Park, along Lake Washington, cuts up and over the hills, through the I-90 bike tunnel and down to the waterfront. It continues along the waterfront and through Myrtle Edwards park to the old railroad tracks. This railroad path leads to Magnolia.  Here there is a slow climb and then a steep drop down through the woods to the Ballard Locks.

At the Locks, I dismount and walk across.  This gives me the opportunity to rest for a few minutes and watch the boats, large and small, as they enter the locks.  The huge gates are closed and the water level rises or falls as the vessels prepare to enter either Puget Sound or Lake Union.

The Ballard Locks connect Puget Sound with Lake Union.  And the channel under the Montlake Bridge connects Lake Union and Lake Washington.    

(Photo: Montlake Cut)

Before the white settlers arrived, the Duwamish had ways of navigating the waterways of the area, but it was not easy passage.  The white settlers asked themselves, how can we make it easier and profitable to move vessels goods from the Sound to the Lakes?

The idea of a man-made channel was first floated by Thomas Mercer in 1854.  There were two questions: (1) how to do it? and (2) how to pay for it?

One main obstacle was that the water levels of these various bodies were different.   Lake Washington used to be 29 feet, Lake Union – 20 feet, and Puget Sound was 10-12 feet (depending on the tides). So, how to unite these bodies of water and make for smooth sailing?

Well, at the time, there were no good answers to either question.  Then, in the early 1900’s, Hiram Chittenden, for whom the Ballard Locks are named, became the director of the Federal Army Corps of Engineers in the Seattle area.  He took a stab at uniting the bodies of water.  

(Photo: Hiram Chittenden (1858-1917), HistoryLink.org).

His idea was to make two channels – one – The Fremont Cut between Salmon Bay and Lake Union and a second, the Montlake Cut between Lake Washington and Lake Union.   At the west end of Salmon Bay, locks would be built to move the traffic.  This construction,” writes David Williams on HistoryLink.Org, “lowered the water level of Lake Washington by nine feet and raised that of Salmon Bay behind the locks, changing it from a tidal inlet to a freshwater reservoir.”

Chittenden realized that they needed to pour concrete into the locks to make them truly workable.  Concrete retaining walls also had to be built in the canals and in the Montlake Cut.  These were huge projects. They had to first build dams to stop the water.  After the water stopped flowing, they excavated tons of soil and poured concrete into molds that created the walls that we see today. The final stage was to remove the dams and let the water flow return.

(Photo: Water flowing from Lake Union into Montlake Cut, August 25, 1916 MOHAI (1983.10.10325)).

Chittenden’s army of men built two locks between Puget Sound and Lake Union – one for smaller boats and one for larger boats.  The canal from the locks to Lake Union, states C. H. Hanford in his 1924 book Seattle and Environs, “is 36 feet deep, 100 feet wide at the bottom and 250 feet wide at the top.” (Hanford, 424)

Chittenden dreamed of building a second set of locks between Lake Union and Lake Washington.  This, however, was never realized due to the cost.   This resulted in Lake Washington being lowered to the level of Lake Union to allow the waters to flow and boats to pass smoothly.  This channel, taking boats from Lake Union to Lake Washington is “26 feet deep, 80 feet wide at the bottom and 200 feet wide at the top.” (Hanford, 424)

This amazing engineering feat was completed in 1916 and 1917.  On October 12, 1916, the canal between Puget Sound and Lake Union was opened and on May 8, 1917, the canal between Lake Union and Lake Washington was completed. (Photo: Water flowing from Lake Union into Montlake Cut, August 25, 1916 MOHAI (1983.10.10325)).

Chittenden’s army of men built two locks between Puget Sound and Lake Union – one for smaller boats and one for larger boats.  The canal from the locks to Lake Union, states C. H. Hanford in his 1924 book Seattle and Environs, “is 36 feet deep, 100 feet wide at the bottom and 250 feet wide at the top.” (Hanford, 424)

Chittenden dreamed of building a second set of locks between Lake Union and Lake Washington.  This, however, was never realized due to the cost.   This resulted in Lake Washington being lowered to the level of Lake Union to allow the waters to flow and boats to pass smoothly.  This channel, taking boats from Lake Union to Lake Washington is “26 feet deep, 80 feet wide at the bottom and 200 feet wide at the top.” (Hanford, 424)

This amazing engineering feat was completed in 1916 and 1917.  On October 12, 1916, the canal between Puget Sound and Lake Union was opened and on May 8, 1917, the canal between Lake Union and Lake Washington was completed. 

(Photo: People Watching Opening of Lake Washington Ship Canal, July 4, 1917, Webster & Stevens, MOHAI (1983.10.10570)).

The grand opening of the Locks and canals was held on July 4, 1917.  Citing the daily newspaper, the P-I, Williams writes that “more than half the city’s population lined the shores. The great day consisted of the SS Roosevelt locking through to Salmon Bay, stopping for series of speeches, then leading a parade of more than 200 boats through the cuts and Lake Union into Lake Washington.”

The next time I cross the Ballard Locks I will think about their construction and the opening day.  I will pause and contemplate the fact that during the years of design and construction (1900 to 1917), most of my ancestors settled in Seattle.  

Victor Staadecker arrived in 1905. Sam and Augusta Friedlander arrived in 1906 (with two children).  Finally, the Steinberg family arrived in 1910/11.  By the time the Locks opened, Paul and Jenny Singerman had been in Seattle for some time (came in 1870’s) and were well established in the Seattle business, civic, and Jewish communities. 

(Photo: Victor Staadecker)

Did any of these Seattle relatives go to watch the grand opening?  If half the city was there, surely at least one of them must have attended.  Too bad there are no diaries left behind. This surely would have merited a diary entry.  

Perhaps they discuss how much the project cost and who paid for it, around their dinner tables.   They may have been delighted with the good deal the citizens of Washington State got.  The Federal Government footed most of the bill, spending $3,345,500 ($83,397,564.92 in today’s dollars).  In contrast, Washington State put out a mere $246,187 ($6,137,018.78 in today’s dollars) and King County a piddling $142,000 ($3,539,815.94 in today’s dollars). (Hanford, 424).

To finish the bike ride, I head into Ballard traffic until I reach the Burke Gilman trail.  This trail goes along the Montlake cut through Freemont and then on to the University of Washington. From there it’s a 40-minute ride home along Lake Washington Blvd.

I call this ride the “Tour of Seattle.”  

(Photo: Karen Treiger and Sheldon (Shlomo) Goldberg on Tour of Seattle bike ride).

Karen Treiger is the author of My Soul is Filled with Joy: A Holocaust Story (2018) and author of the upcoming book, Standing on the Crack: The Legacy of Five Jewish Families from Seattle’s Gilded Age.

Her website is: Homepage – Karen Treiger – Author

Her weekly blog about the history of Seattle and stories about her ancestors can be found here: Ancestry, Genealogy, Legacy, History: Stories of Five Jewish Families in Seattle

*****

SOURCES:

Hanford, C.H.,  Seattle & Environs: 1852-1924, Pioneer Historical Publishing Co, Chicago & Seattle (1924).

Williams, David, “Lake Washington Ship Canal (Seattle), HistoryLink.org Essay 1444, Posted February 5, 2017.  

Lake Washington Ship Canal (Seattle) – HistoryLink.org

Let’s Talk About: Saloons

by Donna Phillips

 Looking back in those wild west days, we might be astonished at the number of saloons in most towns in the far West. Frontier communities and camps in the mountains (mining, lumbering, etc.) were saturated in alcohol. Much of the color and vitality of life on the frontier was associated with the saloon and so was much of its violence and degradation. 

But the shoot-’em-up tradition of Western history usually ignores the ways in which the saloon helped the urban frontiersman cope with his many pressing problems.  Saloons were meeting places, entertainment centers, refuges for the weary and haunt of the mischief-maker. There has been plenty of words written about the societal aspects of these “places of refreshment.” I’d like to share something else I learned about “wild west” saloons.

Leafing through old photos or visiting restored towns, today’s tourist will find three types of buildings dominating the rest: the church, the fraternal lodge and saloons. These institutions gave the pioneer something he considered important. The church, the lodge and the saloon might seem different but shared certain characteristics and afforded similar sociality. 

Each of these places strove to recreate the structure, trappings and decor of the same sort left behind “back East.” The church had its altar and symbols, the lodge its emblems, and the saloon its bar, games and traditional artwork. Each place had its rituals and distinctive vernacular transplanted directly to the frontier.. Each had is figure of authority: minister, grand master and barkeeper, all of whom dressed in special vestments, set the tone, welcomed the newcomer and served as a keeper of tradition. 

This post comes from a wonderful 10-page article titled Men, Whisky & A Place To Sit, by Elliott West, in the July 1981 issue of American History Illustrated. 

 Minor moral of this story? Never overlook old magazines in thrift stores!