South King County Genealogical Society February 2025 Meetings

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PROGRAM UPDATES

All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland library branches
Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Register at our website skcgs.org. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.

FEBRUARY – EARLY MARCH 2025 MEETINGS & EVENTS

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 6:30pm PT
SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (online)
All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Officers and Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link.

Friday, February 7, 2025 ⋅ 12:30pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
Topic: How a Non-German Speaking Person Can Trace Their German Ancestors. Presenter Bernard Meisner explains how to conduct an exhaustive search of US records to identify your ancestor’s home town and religion and recognize obstacles to ensure you are researching the correct person.
For meeting registration, visit https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

Monday, February 10, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (online)
Topic: RootsTech – How to Use All the New Tools for our DNA Research as we Prepare for RootsTech 2025

Thursday, February 13, 2025 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
2801 NE 10th Street
Renton WA 98056
Registration not required. In-person event. Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities is available by request. Email access@kcls.org at least seven days before the event. More information at King County Library, email jwooten@kcls.org

Saturday, February 15, 2025, 9:30am PT social time; 10am – 11:30am PT program (online)
SKCGS General Membership Meeting and Speaker (Online)
“The Road to Independence: Revolutionary War Research” presented by Michael Strauss

The Revolutionary War was fought in part over tensions between England and her colonies that escalated over time into violence with the opening shots fired in Massachusetts in April 1775. Some of the historical records examined will include compiled military service records, pensions, state and federal bounty land, local militia, along with records from the Continental Navy and Marine Corps. Additionally historical context include some of the national emergencies after the end of the war in 1783 including both Shay’s Rebellion and the later Whiskey Rebellion.

Michael L. Strauss, AG has been employed as a forensic investigator for thirty years, most recently he has worked as a research manager for Ancestry ProGenealogists. Michael is a native of Pennsylvania and a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He is a court qualified expert witness in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Michael is a national genealogical lecturer and instructor and is a faculty member at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) where he coordinates the military history and research courses. Michael was the film historian for the 2015 Academy Award nominated movie Finding Vivian Maier and has been involved in Civil War and Mexican American War reenacting for more than twenty-five years.
The program will be recorded for playback by SKCGS Members. Guests welcome! Register at https://www.skcgs.org

Monday, February 17, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Technical User Group (online)
Topic: Using AI to generate or improve research plans for our genealogy work
See these videos for some ideas:

Getting Started: The 3 Free AI Tools I Use for Genealogy Research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8oJTK3sDB0
Increasing Genealogy Productivity with Artificial Intelligence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ju7Sicy0mA
Using AI in Family History Research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n7_sEYYXbc
Using AI for Research Planning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI5XbywHIPM

Register at https://www.skcgs.org
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Subscribe to the free SKCGS Technical User Group email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG

Thursday, February 20, 2025 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
1102 Auburn Way S
Auburn, WA 98002
Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, email kcls-auburn@kcls.org

Thursday, February 20, 2025 ⋅ 2:00pm – 4:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
34200 1^st Way S
Federal Way, WA 98003
Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, https://kcls.org/locations/federal-way, or phone: (253) 838-3668

Friday, February 21, 2025, 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Research Workshop (in-person)
For SKCGS members
Kent FamilySearch Center
12817 SE 256th St., Kent, WA
Seating is limited
RSVP REQUIRED to Winona at w.laird@skcgs.org

Monday, February 24, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genealogy Chat (online)
Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another!
Register at https://www.skcgs.org
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Subscribe to the free SKCGS email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 ⋅ 6:00pm – 7:00pm PT
Research Study Group – Next Steps (online)
At each meeting, we’ll discuss one of the ten steps from Elizabeth Shown Mills’ webinar “Dissection & Analysis of Research Problems: 10 Steps to a Solution”
This is not a free webinar; you will need a subscription from familytreewebinars.com to participate
More information and registration at https://www.skcgs.org

Saturday, March 1, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT
Family Tree Maker Users Group (online)
Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM.
Register at https://www.skcgs.org
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 6:30pm PT
SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (online)
All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Officers and Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link.

Friday, March 7, 2025 ⋅ 12:30pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
Topic: Websites for German Research presented by Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG®, AGL™
This presentation will teach participants how to use important websites, such as FamilySearch, Ancestry, Matricula, Archion, Genealogy.net, and Meyersgaz to find records and jurisdictional information for German research. As far as possible, the presentation will include a case study to find information on one person as a case study. Participants will be able to compare the advantages of the different sites.

For meeting registration, visit https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

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MEMBERSHIP: We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.

Set of 1972 Encyclopedia Judaica Available

Jan31 by Roxanne Lowe

The Everett Public Library is looking to find a new home for its set of 1972 Encyclopedia Judaica. It’s in excellent condition, and only one item is no longer in its decorative original binding. They have had no luck via the normal channels they use to move along items no longer in use, so they are reaching out to any local history-adjacent groups that might be interested. The library also has other materials related to the history of Washington State/the Pacific Northwest that are available to new homes if anyone would like to look at that list or be included in future offers. Local pick-up is preferred for these items, but in the case of the encyclopedia, the staff member originally in charge of finding a home for it said they would be willing to drive a bit to either deliver, or meet someone halfway. If shipping is preferred, they would need the requester to cover that cost they do not have a budget for that.

Let’s Talk About: Early Traveling Part 2

Jan31 by Donna Phillips

Recently enjoyed a visual trip through Long Day’s Journey: The Steamboat & Stagecoach Era in the Northwest by Carlos Arnaldo Schwates, published in 1999. What an eye-opener! This book was “a study of transportation in American life, focusing on the era defined by the steamboat and stagecoach.” Boy oh boy did it ever!

Part 2: Overland Stagecoach Etiquette: “Never ride in cold weather with tight boots or shoes, nor close-fitting gloves. Bathe your feet before staring in cold water and wear loose overshoes and gloves two or three sizes to large. When the driver asks you to get off and walk, do it without grumbling. He will not request it unless absolutely necessary. If a team runs away, sit still and take your chances; if you jump, nine times out of ten you will be hurt. In very cold weather abstain entirely from liquor while on the road; a man will freeze twice as quick while under its influence. Don’t growl at food at stations; stage companies generally provide the best they can. Don’t keep the stage waiting; many a virtuous man has lost his character by so doing. Don’t smoke a strong pipe inside, especially in the morning and spit out on the leeward side of the coach. If you have anything to take in a bottle, pass it around; a man who drinks by himself in such a case is lost to all human feeling. Provide stimulants before starting; ranch whiskey is not always nectar.

Be sure to take two heavy blanket with you; you will need them! Don’t swear, nor lop over on your neighbor when sleeping. Take small change to pay expenses. Never attempt to fire a gun or pistol while on the road; it may frighten the team and the careless handling and cocking of the weapon makes people nervous. Don’t discuss politics or religion. Do not point out places on the road where horrible murders have been committed if delicate women are among the passengers. Don’t linger too long at the pewter wash basin at the station. Don’t grease your hair before starting or dust will stock there in sufficient quantities.”

This stagecoach etiquette advice was published in the Omaha Herald, October 3, 1877.

Tri-City Genealogical Society January 2025 General Meeting

Jan29 by Charles Hansen

Please join us for Tri-City Genealogical Society’s January General meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12. The presentation will be at the Richland FamilySearch Center located at 1314A Goethals Dr. Entrance is down the ramp from the parking lot that is to the north of Dairy Queen. The presentation will also be on Zoom so you can join in from the comfort of your own home. See below for the Zoom link.

The February presentation will be by TCGS member Cassidy Moon.

The subject of the talk will be Founding Footprints: Early Families of the Tri-City Area – Part 1: Kennewick

This presentation will explore the stories of some of the early pioneers who helped establish and develop the city of Kennewick. Through their perseverance, vision, and hard work, these individuals played key roles in transforming the region into the thriving community it is today. We will delve into the lives of notable settlers, their contributions, and the lasting impact they had on the area’s growth, culture, and heritage. Join us for an insightful journey through Kennewick’s foundational history.

Thank you to everyone who has already joined TCGS for 2025. For those who would like to join, the online application can be found at https://tricitygenealogicalsociety.org/q/join/join_renew/ and a printable application can be found at https://tricitygenealogicalsociety.org/q/wp-content/uploads/2023TCGSBrochure.pdf .

Time: Feb 12, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87269149501?pwd=GETBMcG3jeXLiXbIsHpV7fbnIPDGLv.1

Meeting ID: 872 6914 9501

Passcode: 300509

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

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society Using Social Security Records to Break Down Brick Walls

Jan28 by Charles Hansen

Social Security records can provide clues to your ancestor’s name, origin, and social history. Learn what records are available and how to find and interpret them. In this presentation we will cover a brief history of Social Security Benefits, the anatomy of the SSN, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, what is the Death Master File (DMF) and Social Security Death Index (SSDI) and how to interpret Social Security records found on Ancestry and FamilySearch.

ZOOM Meeting When: 15-Feb-2025, Saturday
Time: 1:30 PM (PDT) Presenter: Roslyn I. Torella

If you aren’t an active member, you must request meeting access. Below is the link to request a meeting invitation. Please send me an invitation link

COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING:

Eastside Genealogical Society
– Italian Interest Group
P.O. Box 374
Bellevue, WA 98009-0374

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society 1890 Census

Jan28 by Charles Hansen

Sara Cochran

Genealogist and lecturer

1890 Census

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

February 13^th Zoom meeting.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 6:30 pm and speakers

program will begin at 7:00 pm. Public is invited to attend

For a link to join the meeting contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG February 2025

Jan28 by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG Meeting

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm virtual via Zoom

This month we will continue reviewing the free Legacy Family Tree software videos hosted by Geoff Rasmussen. Our current video in this series is “Sources and Citations Made Simple, Standard, and Powerful” it is a longer video that we started last month so we will be finishing it this month. Even though Legacy 10 was just released in Jun 2024, almost all the features shown in this video are still in the current program. If you are thinking about trying Legacy or are currently using it, this video can teach or remind you how to properly use the software and be successful with your research. If you have any suggestions for future topics, please send them in.

This is our monthly meeting to share tips & tricks, problems & solutions. Sometimes we will watch videos or share our screens to aid in learning more about using Legacy Family Tree software.

Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the learning. If you are just thinking about trying Legacy for the first time, you’ve been using it for a year or two or you are an old pro with many years of experience using Legacy this is the group for you.

We look forward to meeting with you, every month on the First Tuesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

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

Monthly Calendar Reminder: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYpfuyuqDovHNwtBgxtQjWKOjDQ8k5Q9bPD/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqjIvHNKUtR-PRpwQBor4Z-7wpn5Ygo1KiD3iGzRiaDTdGehmA-p0RemJ

Join Zoom Meeting:

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Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568

Passcode: 715731

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