South King County Genealogical Society August 2024

New this week is the first meeting of the research study group on Wednesday, August 14 from 6-7pm PT (online). Rather than a book, the group will focus on Elizabeth Shown Mills’ webinar “Dissection & Analysis of Research Problems: 10 Steps to a Solution.” Join the study group to learn the ten-step process and gain fresh ideas to see information in a new light. This is not a free webinar; you will need a subscription from familytreewebinars.com to participate. More information at https://www.skcgs.org.

Also, upon request, SKCGS has created a new special interest group for Wikitree users. No meetings have been scheduled yet, but you can join the group and the conversation if you would like an online meeting at https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.

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PROGRAM UPDATES

All meetings are online except Genealogy Help at the Auburn and Federal Way Libraries
The in-person Research Workshop will not meet in August
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.

AUGUST – EARLY SEPTEMBER 2024 MEETINGS & EVENTS

Monday, August 12, 2024 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (online)
Topic: Exploring the Y DNA “Tree of Man”
Introducing the Discover™ Classic Tree for Y-DNA – https://blog.familytreedna.com/classic-tree-for-y-dna/. Show and tell with your examples.
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 Genetic-Genealogy email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 ⋅ 6:00pm – 7:00pm PT
Research Study Group (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

Monday, August 19, 2024 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Technical User Group (online)
Topic: Trying Out Transkribus
First Steps with Transkribus – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCdL_kKBMn8 (10 mins)
Transkribus Basics: Managing Documents – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4BHm_aNs3w (2.5 mins)
How to digitize archival materials with Transkribus: https://readcoop.eu/how-to-digitise-archival-materials-with-transkribus/
5 most common Transkribus questions (and their answers!) https://readcoop.eu/5-most-common-transkribus-questions-and-their-answers/
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, August 22, 2024 ⋅ 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, August 22, 2024 ⋅ 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

Monday, August 26, 2024 ⋅ 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, August 28, 2024 ⋅ 6:00pm – 7:00pm PT
Research Study Group (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

Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 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, September 6, 2024 ⋅ 12:30pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
Topic: A Day in the Life of Your German Ancestor by Roger P. Minert
For meeting registration, visit https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

Saturday, September 7, 2024, 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

Coming soon:
Saturday, September 21, 2024, 9:30am PT social time; 10am – 11:30am PT program (online)
SKCGS General Membership Meeting and Speaker
Steve Little, NGS AI Coordinator, will present “Today’s Limits Are Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs”
AI Genealogy is a fact-based research and reporting discipline. Yet the large language models powering today’s artificial intelligence (AI) systems are weak with facts though great with words. Their weakness with facts and research, however, hardly renders them useless to genealogists. Knowing the benefits and limits of artificial intelligence empowers genealogists today and helps us recognize breakthroughs tomorrow. The use cases here illustrate how researchers are successfully using AI Genealogy today.

Stephen Little says about himself: As the AI Program Director for the National Genealogical Society, I research AI tools for genealogical use, develop educational programs about AI in genealogy, advise our team on AI-related matters, lead creation of guidelines for ethical AI use in genealogy, and produce various content like courses and articles on the topic. It’s all about integrating AI into family history research.

I trace my deep roots to one Appalachian county, where, by 1820, all 32 of my 3rd-great-grandparents had settled—many even earlier than that. In fact, 60 of my most recent ancestors were all born, lived, and died there, in Ashe County, NC. My passion lies in AI and genetic genealogy: with a keen interest in endogamy, pedigree collapse, and the art of deciphering multiple relationships through DNA segment triangulation, and an insatiable curiosity to explore beneficial uses and current limits of artificial intelligence in genealogy. Beyond genealogy, I wear many hats: I’m a husband and a dad, a Methodist pastor, and a Virginian. My hobbies span from bird watching and sky gazing to chess and film. Additionally, I’m an avid reader, writer, photographer, and regex script hacker.
The program will be recorded for playback by SKCGS Members. Guests welcome! Register at https://www.skcgs.org

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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. Regarding our programs, even if and when we can meet again in person, we will continue with some virtual programs. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.

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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
PO BOX 143
BLACK DIAMOND, WASHINGTON 98010

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Chat

Aug13 by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat

Tuesday, August 20, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

Please join us and let’s chat!

The conversion starter topic this month will be the results of the Membership Survey that was conducted in June & July.

This is a monthly opportunity to connect with others and talk about anything and everything genealogical. The value of this meeting increases with the participation of each person that attends and contributes to the conversations. This is your chance to celebrate the breaking down of a brick wall in your research or ask questions of others that can help you find records or relatives. Everyone, members, and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.

Date & Time: Every month on the Third Tue, from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM Pacific Time

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

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMldOCprTsqGtSoVglOBTElUaBRgTq5IEgI/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvpjgjG9eVsBmHRpwEGojCXevztmJfjbdukyniDw9xVib6A-NgALVLAY35

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87839130000?pwd=dGdHY2wrZ0d1bDNRTEQ4Uk15OVk0Zz09

Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000

Passcode: 836216

One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US

+12532158782,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:

+1 253 205 0468 US

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000

Passcode: 836216

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdesX0el3t

German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society A Day in the Life of Your German Ancestor

Aug13 by Charles Hansen

German Interest Group

When: Friday, September 6, 2024 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PDT

Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/4rj86chu

Topic: A Day in the Life of Your German Ancestor
Most family history researchers are interested in the daily events in the lives of their ancestors. This presentation deals with the common activities of families on the farm and in the trades. The details provided represent the culmination of the presenter’s reading on the topic over the last two decades, from hard-to-find literature available only to the German audience.

Presenter: Roger P. Minert

Roger P. Minert received his doctoral degree from The Ohio State University in German language history and second language acquisition theory. He taught German language and history for ten years, and then became a professional family history researcher. Accredited by the Family History Library for research in Germany and Austria, he worked for twelve years as a private genealogical researcher. From 2003 to 2019, he served as a professor of family history at Brigham Young University. The author of more than 200 publications, he directs the research program German Immigrants in American Church Records [GIACR], the series now consists of 40 volumes. In 2019, Minert was recognized for his years of service to the Palatines to America Society and also received the “Shirley Riemer Lifetime Achievement Award” from the International German Genealogy Partnership. In 2020, he was named a fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association. From his home in Provo, Utah he continues to write articles on Germanic genealogy, compile new GIACR volumes, and participate in conferences nation-wide.

More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society Using Maps for Genealogy

Aug13 by Charles Hansen

21-Sep-2024 Meeting

Maps can be incredibly valuable tools for genealogy research. They allow us to visualize our ancestors’ world, understand historical boundaries, and discover new records. Remember, maps not only provide context but also connect you to the places your ancestors called home. Happy mapping!

ZOOM Meeting Topic: Using Maps for Genealogy
When: 21-Sep-2024, Saturday
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (PDT)

If you aren’t an active member, please request a Zoom meeting invitation.

Meeting Request

COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING:

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

Let’s Talk About: Dutch Cheese!

Aug13 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.

The Dutch are known for their cheese, or kaas, as they say. In some towns, the cheese trade dates back to the 1300s. Today, this country is the largest cheese exporter in the world. We toured a cheese factory…… tour started with meeting the cows all happily munching in their stalls. Holland’s low, flat rich soil, kissed by a salty sea wind, produces grass most healthy for cows….. which produce much milk. Legally, cheese farmers/factories can only have a certain number of cows to graze the land allotted to them. After seeing the adults, we got to meet a 10-day old calf….. her pink muzzle was so darn cute. (Females are kept for milk production; males are sent to become hamburger.)

Here I am with a 20# wheel of Gouda. I learned that there is young Gouda (less than six months), perfect for sandwiches, and mature Gouda, best for eating as cubes to dip in mustard. Wrapped in paraffin wax for export, cheeses do not spoil but they do become harder and saltier. Edam is a close favorite cheese, best eaten as a snack with apples or pears. In days gone by, cheese makers delivered their product to the town square on market day either by horse cart or canal boat. Known as kaasdragers, they carried up to 300 pounds of cheese to the buyers’ stalls. Buyers would purchase a slice of a wheel….. that’s why you see deli cheeses cut in wedges in stores today.Have you had your cheese today? REAL cheese, not those plastic-wrapped slices. 🙂

In days gone by, cheese makers delivered their product to the town square on market day either by horse cart or canal boat. Known as kaasdragers, they carried up to 300 pounds of cheese to the buyers’ stalls. Buyers would purchase a slice of a wheel….. that’s why you see deli cheeses cut in wedges in stores today.

Have you had your cheese today? REAL cheese, not those plastic-wrapped slices. 🙂

Northeast Washington Genealogical Society Ancestor Detective

Aug10 by Charles Hansen

The Northeast Washington Genealogical Society in Colville is trying something new this year for their annual fall seminar. We are partnering with our local FamilySearch Center to present a FREE all-day workshop on Saturday September 21^st at the LDS church in Colville. This FREE event will include 12 different classes to choose from, informational stations and a free lunch. For more information and to register, please go to our website’s Events page at https://www.newgs.org/eventListings.php?nm=88 to download a flyer and registration form.

Let’s Talk About Windmills!

Aug9 by Donna Phillips

Yes, I clicked “publish” too soon few weeks back….. now this post is in order. So sorry.

I learned that over half of this little flat country, right on the North Atlantic, would be underwater if the windmills (and modern pumping stations) didn’t keep pumping. I was told that with rising ocean levels and glacial melting increasing the rivers’ flow through Holland, it’s a constant battle of man against nature.

I heard this wag more than once: “God made the world but the Dutch made Holland.” The industrious Dutch constructed dykes and dams and pumped the water out (into the ocean) and the resulting polders provided rich farmland for a growing vegetables (and tulips!) for a growing population.

The original windmills had a keeper-miller who lived in the base of the tower with his family. He needed to be a good judge of weather. It was his job to keep the blades turning, and the water pumping, but not endanger the structure. The top of the structure rotated as needed by hand to get the blades in best wind-catching position.

I visited a restored windmill and was amazed at the strength and work it took to move those big wooden blades into position, often several times in a 24-hour period.

Windmills were not invented until the 1700s and didn’t come into widespread use until into the 1800s……… before this time, when much of Holland was flat, mushy land, the cities were confined to higher points where they could be found. Before windmills, the early inhabitants built dykes to keep the water from their homes. (Amster was the town began on the Amster’s Dyke.)

Fascinating topic; one could read a big book and not learn all there is to know about Dutch windmills.

You’re Invited to WSGS’s Annual Meeting

Aug7 by Roxanne Lowe

You’re invited to the WSGS’s annual meeting! Friday, August 30, 2024, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

In compliance with Washington’s Nonprofit Corporation Act (24.03A), we’re holding our annual meeting.

Here’s the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89375006911?pwd=ohQLJAEtE26bfgGtBIDOVCRbn3hP0F.1

Meeting ID: 893 7500 6911
Passcode: 547652
Via phone: (253) 205-0468,,89375006911#,,,,*547652# US

The agenda will include the announcement of the 2024 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients, President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Supportive Grant awards. We’ll also talk about Pioneer Pursuit, featuring Ralph Brown (who submitted 1,285 pioneers) and Le Anne Koliha (who specialized in Native American research). You’ll also learn more about our Pioneer Pursuit Push to 5,000!

We hope you join us! If you want more information, email Info@wasgs.org.

Pioneer Pursuit Push to 5,000!

Aug7 by Roxanne Lowe

Since its launch last year, the WSGS Pioneer Pursuit project has been a huge success, adding 3,696 pioneers to our index at the end of the contest (31 Oct 2023), and another 120 more names since then. Now, let us try to reach a goal of 5,000 names by November 11, 2024!

We’re encouraging everyone, whether you’re a WSGS member or not, to submit a three-generation genealogy (with sources) for every man, woman and child who lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889 when we became the 42nd state. We want to have 5,000 names in our free public index — and we need your help!

We’ve made it easy to submit Pioneer Pursuit genealogies. First, check both the Pioneer Pursuit index and the Pioneer Certificate Project index to see if a family or individual is already listed. If you find a name in the Pioneer Certificate Project index, your work is almost done — just include the name(s) on the Submittal Form and we’ll pull the information from the Certificate Project to Pioneer Pursuit.

If you’re new to Pioneer Pursuit, there are lots of resources on our website. To learn more about Pioneer Pursuit, from the WSGS Home Page‘s left navigation bar, select Washington Pioneer Pursuit. Check the Submission Instructions, Submission Example and Frequently Asked Questions to see how to type up your genealogy and add your source materials. The last step is to complete the Submittal Form (available in PDF and Word) and send it to wapioneerpursuit@gmail.com or mail it to Washington State Genealogical Society, Pioneer Pursuit, 1901 S. 12th Ave, Union Gap, WA 98903.

REMEMBER, YOU DON’T HAVE TO RESEARCH YOUR FAMILY – we want to document everyone who was in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. Let’s work together to add additional names. We ONLY NEED about 1,200 more names to meet our goal!

Heritage Quest Research Library Friendly Relations

Aug7 by Charles Hansen