Heritage Quest Research Library Eastern European Genealogy for Beginners

by Charles Hansen
School is in session! It’s time for us to get back into the swing of learning and genealogy.  There’s always something new to explore or investigate.
We have had a busy summer at the library, and we’re now focused on getting back on track.  If you’re a regular to our online offerings you will already know about the upcoming topics for last few months of the year. 
September is a great time to start the research into your Eastern European ancestors. From there we move to Forensic DNA in October, and we will close out the year by focusing on WWII. 
We hope you will join us, either online or in our limited space classroom. Eastern European Genealogy for Beginners
This presentation will focus on providing the beginner the basic background information to start investigating their ancestors across Eastern Europe.  It will focus on early modern history of Eastern Europe, major record sets and repositories available by country, and US and European research strategies to maximize success.  Alexander Tolksdorf is a genealogist and speaker, specializing in German, Dutch, and Eastern European research.  He began his personal journey in high school, inspired by a trip to Ellis Island and through a correspondence with his great uncle in Germany, who was also an active family historian. His ancestors can be found in Germany, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland and Russia. Alex believes that standard records only tell part of the story, with the many additional forms of documentation providing color and texture to a family history.  When: Thursday, September19, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: ZOOM and limited In-Person (8)
Cost: $20 members / $25 non-members Sign-up and Payment: ZOOM
Go to hqrl.com and click on the HQRL Store (sign in as a member to get the discount)
In-Person (8 only)
Call: 253-863-1806 or come into the library at 2102 E Main, Suite 105, 
Puyallup, WA 98372

Let’s Talk About: Dutch Treats & Trivia

by Donna Phillips

In April 2024, I was blessed to spend two weeks in Holland on a Viking riverboat cruise. Besides learning that Gouda cheese is “wunnerful,” I eagerly soaked up lots of Dutch history. Since many family historians find that they have a family line going back to the Netherlands (proper name of that little country), I thought I’d share some of the Dutch history bits that I learned.

Two major treats sold on the street were waffles (on left) but not like ANY waffle I’d ever seen. This pix shows 40 different toppings! All major “bombs” to your tummy for sure, but oh, so yummy. The other pix shows fries with mayonnaise; see the little top cup for the mayo? Everybody eats these so of course I had to try one. Made it through half of those fries. 


A very cute thing I noticed were the doorknobs. The one on the right is an apple and says “den gouden appel.” So many homes had their front doors opening right onto the street so a doorknob was a must. (And a key.)

So ends the saga and snips of my trip to Amsterdam, Holland….. or more properly, the Netherlands. Hope you enjoyed my sharings.



Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG Meeting

Tuesday, August 6, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm virtual via Zoom

This month we will finish reviewing the free Legacy Family Tree software video “Discover The New Legacy Family Tree 9”. We watched the first part on Aug 6 so this month on Sep 3 we will watch the second half. While New is a relative term (this video was created in 2017 and 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

One tap mobile:

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Dial by your location:

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Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568

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Find your local number:

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Let’s Talk About: Dutch Chocolate

by Donna Phillips

In April 2024, I was blessed to spend two weeks in Holland on a Viking riverboat cruise. Besides learning that Gouda cheese is “wunnerful,” I eagerly soaked up lots of Dutch history. Since many family historians find that they have a family line going back to the Netherlands (proper name of that little country), I thought I’d share some of the Dutch history bits that I learned.

So what’s the big deal about Dutch chocolate? 

Well, Dutch-processed cocoa powder is also referred to as Dutched Chocolate, is made from beans that have been washed with an alkaline solution that neutralizes that natural acidity and gives the chocolate a darker color and smoother, softer flavor.

The Dutch are known for their chocolate. The Netherlands was the first country to mass produce cocoa powder used for making chocolate drinks and baking and chocolate bares. 

There were dedicated chocolate shops everywhere and every tourist shop also carried packaged chocolate. I was surrounded by chocolate goodness!! 

While yes, I certainly did bring some Dutch chocolate home, I found a website that sells the real thing:  www.realdutchchocolate.com.  You can purchase milk chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate with hazelnuts or licorice. Go for it!

If that doesn’t ring your bell, know this: the consensus is that YES, dark chocolate is by far the healthiest form of the treat, containing the least sugar and because of its cocoa content, it has higher levels of substances that protect the body’s cells. 

The price for that one-pound chocolate shoe? About $5.00…… it was pretty much 1-for-1 when I was there. Notice how they mark it 4,95 and we mark it 4.95.  And no, I did not get one. 

TIDBIT ON WOODEN SHOES:  They were made from willow wood which held up better to the mostly-constantly-wet ground. 

Let’s Talk About: Tilting Houses

by Donna Phillips

In April 2024, I was blessed to spend two weeks in Holland on a Viking riverboat cruise. Besides learning that Gouda cheese is “wunnerful,” I eagerly soaked up lots of Dutch history. Since many family historians find that they have a family line going back to the Netherlands (proper name of that little country), I thought I’d share some of the Dutch history bits that I learned.


After noting the houseboats and the bicycles, look closely at the houses. This was called “the laughing row” because the buildings tilt to one side! And why? Because they are centuries old and because the ground is soft. Not all structures tilt, to be sure, but the ones that did surely did catch my eye. 


Which is straight, the trees or the house??????

I quite longed to go inside one of these “leaning houses” and see how they cope. Do the floors slant? 

While I surely did admire all the ancient old buildings, churches and government buildings, to me they all did need sand-blast-cleaning (inside and out). Centuries of grime shadowed their splendor. 

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Tuesday, September 3, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom

Join us as we discuss our DNA Research, and try to follow our plans, using Diahan Southard’s You DNA Guide to chart our course. 

This book is available from the author, the publishers, Amazon, or perhaps through your local public library or via Inter-Library Loan.

Check WorldCat to see what libraries may have copies.

Calendar reminder: TPCGS DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Every month on the Fourth Tuesday beginning at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

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

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqdeyrrz0iEtx-c_J3gNfcI8mebT1zajLo/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTkvGdWTuBGPRpwQB4joZ-nzmCFHj7dF0RzaKXNUTAX1H7pPN7BLQcLR

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82725316888?pwd=MDc3UEZrUVJNbmxmK2ZORmw5YzdDdz09

Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888

Passcode: 811780

One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US

+12532158782,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:

        +1 253 205 0468 US

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888

Passcode: 811780

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

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Finding Your Friends in Early American Quaker Research

by Charles Hansen

What a perfect topic!

After several months apart…  

Let’s get together with friends and learn about Friends!

Bring some cookies.

Bring some cash for raffles.

Bring your raffle/auction donation items.

Bring items for the free table.

But most of all bring yourself!

  Saturday, September 7
Finding Your Friends in Early American Quaker Research 
12:30 pm to 3:00 pm THE HIVE AND ZOOM
  Lori Lee Sauber presents: “FINDING YOUR FRIENDS IN EARLY AMERICAN QUAKER RESEARCH”
An entertaining and informative story of a seemingly simple question that unexpectedly unravels into multiple coast-to-coast research journeys. Lori Lee asked, “Who were my grandmother’s people?” and found herself developing a primer for researching Early American Quaker families. Learn how to undertake your own Quaker research through her story of beautiful souls, living and dead, that helped her on her journey. 

Let’s Talk About: Dutch Bicycles

by Donna Phillips

In April 2024, I was blessed to spend two weeks in Holland on a Viking riverboat cruise. Besides learning that Gouda cheese is “wunnerful,” I eagerly soaked up lots of Dutch history. Since many family historians find that they have a family line going back to the Netherlands (proper name of that little country), I thought I’d share some of the Dutch history bits that I learned.

Yes, bicycles are EVERYWHERE. We were told that there are about 18,000,000 people in Holland and at least 25,000,000 bikes. Our guide quipped, “I have three!” Bikes have the right-of-way, not pedestrians. We were constantly told to watch out where we were walking!! 

Some bikes are super fancied-up (note the “oog-gga” horn) and some are modified to carry small children or old folks. We were also told, with a big smile, that if you were angry with your wife or boyfriend, you’d push their bike into the canal! That must be true, he said, for every year they haul out hundreds of bikes from the canals. 

We were also taught that there are NO school buses in Holland. The children ride their bikes to school…… up to an hour each way!!!  And it rains over 200 days per year!! No sissies there for sure. And with all that bike riding, the only chubby folks I saw were the tourists. 

Would you or I be up to riding a bike every day, everywhere?????

Civil SUV CivilWar -Ft Walla Walla Camp 3 & Walla Walla ROA Tombstone Dedication

by Charles Hansen

As Camp Commander of FWW Camp 3 we wish to post that on Fri Sept 6th at 11:00 am to 11:45 at Walla Walla there will be a dedication ceremony for two CW veterans.  Details are under FWW Camp 3 Events on  https://www.suvpnw.org/find-your-camp/fort-walla-walla-camp-no-3-of-kennewick-wa   This is a joint effort With the Walla Walla Reserve Organization Association.

GFO Gen Talk August 17, 2024

by Charles Hansen

Friedrich Eiler: Building an Identity from Scant Clues

When we are offered little information, how do we proceed? Research planning, research strategy development, and the importance of collaboration are all illustrated in this case study, which focuses on methodology of identity. Not all our ancestors were exemplary individuals!

Join us for GFO’s August GenTalk. This event if free of charge.

Jill Morelli, CG, CGL, loves to share her passion for genealogy with others. She is a writer, lecturer, and researcher specializing in methodology, the American Midwest, and Scandinavia. Jill is the founder of the Certification Discussion Group and a co-founder of the Applied Genealogy Institute, a practicum-based educational opportunity for intermediate and advanced learners. Jill has been published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, the Swedish American Genealogist, and many others. Jill is past president of the Seattle Genealogical Society and contributes to many local genealogical societies.