Pedro Henrique Santos and Stone Hood / Unsplash
and Library of Congress

COME FOR THE MEMBERSHIP MEETING,
STAY FOR PRESENTATION ON LAND RECORDS   

The March Membership meeting will provide updates on SGS activities and slate of board candidates for upcoming election. The meeting will be followed by a special presentation on land records by Marie Mattson.

Since the RootsTech conference takes place on the day SGS would normally present our Second Saturday presentation we moved that event to Sunday, March 23 — yes, Second Saturday on a Sunday!

The membership meeting begins and 12:30 p.m. with Mattson’s presentation “Land Records: A Trail to Our Ancestors” beginning at 1 p.m. Register once and the Zoom link will get you into both events.
 

Register Now

Candidates for the SGS board will be introduced at the membership meeting and the attending members will have the opportunity to propose additional candidates for any position. After that meeting, any new candidates will be vetted to make sure they are eligible to run, after which the slate is final. Ballots will go out at the end of March (via email or postal mail to those with no email address), and voting will run through the end of April.2025 SGS Board Slate of Nominees

President: Kathy Weber
Vice President: Lisa Oberg
Secretary: Leslie Vogel
Treasurer: Betsey Cotter
Education Director: Stephanie O’Connell
Library Director: Kathi M

NEXT MONTH’S SECOND SATURDAY: “Lost + Found Friendship” — Caroline Van Deusen will share how family heirlooms rediscovered in attics, archives, and personal collections helped piece together a fascinating story of a family’s enduring friendship with President Lincoln’s family. Sign up separately for this event held April 12.

NEW GROUPS FOR ANCESTRY USERS AND PUBLISHING KICK OFF THIS MONTH

Ancestry User SIG to meet March 11

Ancestry.com has become one of the largest genealogical websites available today. With vast records collections and extensive tree building tools, there’s much to explore and optimize. To help users get the most out of this resource SGS is launching a new Special Interest Group.

The Ancestry Users SIG is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Members will share research strategies, exchange tips on using Ancestry’s resources effectively, and collaborate to enhance their understanding of Ancestry’s tools, features, and databases.
 
This group will met monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to express interest, email sgsAncestrysig@seagensoc.org.

 

Publishing SIG kicks off March 13

SGS publishes a journal twice annually. A new SIG is forming to organize the writing and publication of the journal.

The Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society (formerly the SGS Bulletin), has been published as a benefit for our members by the Seattle Genealogical Society since 1952. Currently issued online twice a year, it includes articles about genealogy research and methodology, family history, acquisition notes for the SGS Library and the Seattle Public Library, and transcriptions of genealogical records from the Seattle area and beyond. 
 
This new Publishing SIG will meet monthly on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. 
 
For more information or to express interest in this SIG, email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.
Image credits: Lashawn Dobbs, Brett Jordan, Anna Keibalo, Daniel Lara, Mihai Lazar, Raymond Petrik,  Isaac Quesada, Arno Senoner and Annie Spratt / Unsplash and Gama Films and Library of Congress via Unsplash

LEARN HOW TO ACCESS SGS’S ONLINE RESOURCES

The SGS Library has many resources that can help visitors research their family history. There are so many digital subscription offerings that it can be easy to miss something that could be helpful in your research.

Jill Morelli SGS member and former president Jill Morelli will demo most of the subscription services offered at the SGS library on Saturday, March 15, at 10 a.m. These services include American Ancestors, Find My Past, Historygeo, and Archion. Morelli and other volunteers will be at the library to assist in-person attendees who may want to try out her suggestions on SGS workstations after the presentation.


This event is hybrid. Join Morelli at the library or watch her demonstration via Zoom. 

Register Now

SGS LIBRARY NEWS:

New Books Available About Immigrants in North Dakota
Were any of your immigrant ancestors Scandinavian or Germans from Russia? And did they settle in North Dakota? If so, you may be in luck – SGS recently received a donation of community history books for several North Dakota counties. These books include community descriptions and information on families that lived in

Help Digitize SGS’s Vertical Files

For decades, miscellaneous materials were donated to SGS from its members. These loose papers were grouped according to surname and were filed in file cabinets. We intend to digitize these vertical files and need assistance summarizing the material. If you are interested in assisting with this project, please contact the Library Director at library@seagensoc.org for additional information. The work can be done from home or in the library.

HELP STAFF SGS BOOTH AT IRISH FESTIVAL

SGS is sponsoring a booth at this year’s Irish Festival to be held at the Seattle Center Armory on Saturday and Sunday, March 15–16. There are several time slots available on Sunday. Please contact Jim Ryan at janglinjehu@yahoo.com if you are interested in helping staff our booth.

Signature events of the festival include the lively St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Mayor’s Proclamation Luncheon at the prestigious Rainier Club, and the Irish Festival at Seattle Center, where families can enjoy live performances, cultural exhibits, and workshops.

The Irish Heritage Club is sponsoring events even before the main weekend. For a full listing of all Irish Week events log on to the Irish Heritage Club website located at www.irishclub.org.

SIG HIGHLIGHTS:

Writer’s Group Seeks New Member

“The Pass It On writer’s group has an opening for a new member. The group is kept small (5 members) and focuses on writing our genealogy history or memoirs for personal and family use. We meet monthly to review 3-5 pages of each member’s writing. We meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon virtually using Zoom. Our focus is to review each member’s monthly submission for content, continuity, and interest for the intended audience. If you are interested in joining this group, please send us an email (sgspassiton@seagensoc.org) including some information about your writing and what you hope to accomplish by being in a writing group. You will be contacted to see if this group is a good fit.”

New SIGs on Organization and AI Coming Next 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: Education@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 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

Saturday, March 1, 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 loudaly@nwlink.com. to get on the email list

Sunday, March 2, 2025, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, 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, March 3, 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.

Wednesday, March 5, 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.

Monday, March 10, 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, March 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 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, March 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., 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.

Tuesday, March 11, 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, March 12 2025, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., MAC Computer SIG, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list.

Thursday, March 13 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, March 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Demo of SGS Library Subscriptions (Hybrid: Zoom or at SGS Library), Jill Morelli will demo most of the subscription services offered at the SGS library (e.g., American Ancestors, Find My Past, Historygeo, Archion). She and other volunteers will be at the library to assist in-person attendees who may want to try out her suggestions on SGS workstations after the presentation. Register for Zoom.

Saturday, March 15, 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. Topic this month: Topic this month: Show & Tell: What is your favorite source for learning more about German genealogy? Register on the SGS website.

Sunday, March 16, 2025, 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm, Virtual Sunday: Something Old, Something New, This month’s topic: “Genetic Genealogy (DNA) for Beginners” presented by Cary Bright. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Please register in advance.

Monday, March 17, 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, March 17, 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, March 18, 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.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., SGS Library Evening Hours, SGS library introduces evening hours on a trial basis through April. Use it or Lose it. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Sunday, March 23, 2025, 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m., General Membership Meeting, Update on SGS activities and slate of board candidates for upcoming election. The meeting will be followed by the postponed Second Saturday presentation (see entry below). Register here.

Sunday, March 23, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday Postponed, “Land Records: A Trail to Our Ancestors” Presented by Marie Mattson. Yes, it’s Sunday, not Saturday. But we were at RootsTech the second Saturday in March, so this is to make it up to you (and to reward you for attending the membership meeting). Register here.

Monday, March 24, 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.

Tuesday, March 25, 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, March 26, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 a.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, March 29, 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. 31, 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.

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.

Monday, March 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 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, 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 join the mailing list.

Sunday, April 6, 2025, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, 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, 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.

** NOTE: There will be no Irish SIG in March — Go to the Irish Festival.

OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND

Registration opens for IGHR 2025 (Virtual)
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 6:00 a.m.

Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) 2025 Virtual Institute classes are scheduled to take place July 27 – August 1, 2025. Get information on courses, instructors, and registration.

Fiske Genealogical Library Classes (Free)
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.–11:15 a.m.

March 5 — "A Civil War Ancestor’s Journey through Letters and Research " with Kenneth V. Peterson 
March 12 — "Your Ancestor's Occupation: Exploring the 1821 Irish Census" with Steven W. Morrison

For more information and links to the meetings see the Fiske Library website.

RootsTech 2025 (Virtual & in person at Salt Lake City)
Brought to you by FamilySearch
Thursday–Saturday, March 6–8, 2025

Join the world’s largest family discovery event. There are live presentations as well as on-demand video learning available. Learn more on the FamilySearch website.

“AI and Genealogy” (Virtual)
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
Saturday, March 8, 1:00 p.m.

Join Dave Obee, author, journalist, and genealogist. Dave has written a dozen books and has given more than 700 presentations at genealogy and history conferences. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.

Irish Week 2025
Various locations around Seattle
Saturday-Sunday, March 15-16, 2025

Celebrate Irish Week 2025 with the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle. See the website.

Family Tree Maker SIG
Eastside Genealogical Society
Friday, March 21, 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.

Join SGS Today

• to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page
  and click the green renew membership button.
  March 1, 2025

SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!

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