South King County Genealogical Society September 2024 Meetings

Be in the know! Receive notices for our virtual meetings, as well as the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io

Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online discussion and collaboration arena where:

we communicate and share information with each other
other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
you can unsubscribe at any time

PROGRAM UPDATES

All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at the Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland Libraries
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.

SEPTEMBER – EARLY OCTOBER 2024 MEETINGS & EVENTS

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

Monday, September 9, 2024 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (online)
Topic: Gedmatch Updates, highlighting Autocluster for Endogamy
Similar to the original Autocluster tool, now includes more filtering options based on genetic genealogy techniques. One new option is a minimum average segment size filter, which is based on the idea that distant relatives have smaller DNA. Compare and contrast with BanyanDNA would be interesting; bring your examples.
The Newest DNA Tool on GEDmatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEiwn4NgHPs (7 mins)
https://gedmatch.launchnotes.io/announcements/q1-updates-new-tools-familysearch-integration-autocluster-for-endogamy-plus-bug-fixes-and-more
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, September 11, 2024 ⋅ 6:00pm – 7:00pm PT
Research Study Group – Step 3 of 10 (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

Thursday, September 12, 2024 ⋅ 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

Monday, September 16, 2024 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Technical User Group (online)
Topic: How to Write Your Ancestors’ Bios
LifeStory at Ancestry, including Explore, MyHeritage auto-bio, chat bot assists
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

Friday, September 20, 2024, 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

Saturday, September 21, 2024, 9:30am PT social time; 10am – 11:30am PT program (online)
SKCGS General Membership Meeting and Speaker (Online)
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

Monday, September 23, 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, September 25, 2024 ⋅ 6:00pm – 7:00pm PT
Research Study Group – Step 4 of 10 (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

Thursday, September 26, 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, September 26, 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

Tuesday, October 1, 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, October 4, 2024 ⋅ 12:30pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
Topic: Finding Females in the US Naturalization Records, 1790-1952 by Nancy Loe
For meeting registration, visit https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

Saturday, October 5, 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

——————

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.

You are receiving this email because you have attended a SKCGS meeting and indicated you would like to receive periodic notice of events. If you would like to be removed from our list and stop receiving emails from us, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.

Like – Facebook :: Blog :: Follow – “X” (Twitter) :: Website – SKCGS.org :: Member support – info@skcgs.org

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

Let’s Talk About: History of Labor Day

Sep3 by Donna Phillips

Okay, we all mark Labor Day as an end-of-summer holiday. But do we know WHY we have a holiday labeled “Labor Day?”

In 1894, Congress voted to have a national holiday to honor the nation’s workers and their contributions to the well-being of the country. The impetus for this decision was to celebrate the achievements of American workers and, specifically, the establishing of an 8-hour workday and abolishment of child labor, among other achievements.

Tidbits from Vogue magazine dated 1925: Where did the idea that you can’t wear white after Labor Day originate? In a quote from the magazine we read: “It’s a fashion rule that has been parroted by grandmothers, magazines and teenage girls for generations, as if it’s a statue that society has always abided by.”

This crazy idea traces back to the elite of the Gilded Age. Every summer the rich would move from the crowded, sweltering cities to the cooler places by the ocean, such as Newport of Southampton, and remain for the entire season. Packed away in their travel trunks were their summer wardrobes of white. White clothing was cooler in summer, reflecting sunlight. But another factor for the elite to wear white was a subtle way of showing you were not doing any manual labor which would dirty your white clothes.

And one certainly could not wear white back in the city where the streets were dirt or mud and were covered in horse poop and rotting garbage.

2024 Outstanding Volunteer and Team Awards Announced

Sep1 by Roxanne Lowe

Congratulations to the amazing individuals and teams who contributed to Washington’s local societies. The announcement was made on Friday, August 30, at the WSGS Annual Meeting. Fifteen local society members and six teams (with 45 volunteers) were recognized with Outstanding Volunteer and Team awards. The volunteers and teams were praised for their commitment and energies to promote their local societies, family history and cooperation in their local communities.

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society

David Cosman
Susan Palmer

Clallam County Genealogical Society

Paul Wessel
Nomination Team (Jackie Jardine, Pricilla Hudson, Carol Colman)

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society

Kelly Martin
Donna Potter Phillips
Audio Visual Team (Dan Cotton, Julie Rosenhoff, Ron Marvin, John Wilson, Duane Beck)

Eastside Genealogical Society

Help Desk (Helen Carlson, Robert Barnes, Jane Wickert)

Grays Harbor Genealogical Society

Diane Huntley Carter

Jefferson County Genealogical Society

Research Center (Pam Wilson, Dave Sachi, Eileen Martin, Harlean Hamilton, Marge Samuelson, Mary Stolaas, Pam Stinson, Cathy Beatty-O’Shea, Kathie Wilkinson, Geri Eekhoff, Elaine Raymond, Ada Kornmeyer, Bobbee Davidson,
Sue Atkin, Gene Nelson, Kathy Pool

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society

Connie Timperley Davis

Seattle Genealogical Society

James A. Secan

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society

Hawthorne Cemetery Readers (Sylvia Ammons, Dottie Chandler, Karen Strelow, Carol Nersten, Barbara Johnson, Rene Vance, Dan Royal, Margie Wilson, Bill Cayford, Patty Gowler, Judy Hakins, Margie Lauer, Linda Holland

Sno-Isle Genealogical Society

Jerald Rogers

South King County Genealogical Society

Publicity Team (Tina Lawson, Janet Stroebel, Brenda Phillips, Valorie Zimmerman, MaryLynn Strickland

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

Dan Caesar

Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society

Hazel Leise Thornton
Lisa Atkins Vollrath

Whatcom Genealogical Society

Lynne Oliver

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

Brenda Goddard Arambul
Larry Ball

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society Survivors of Disasters

Aug31 by Charles Hansen

Survivors of Disasters: How Deadly Forces of Nature Impacted our Ancestors’ Lives

Friday, September 20, 2024

10:00 am

Zoom Only – Please Register

L-R: Robin Engel is a retired lawyer and native Washingtonian.

Karen Strelow is a retired physical education specialist.

Rene Vance is a retired chemical engineer.

All three are members of the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society.

Click Here to Register

In the extreme, weather and natural disasters have a direct impact on the lives and deaths of our ancestors. In more subtle ways, conditions may influence their relocation, helping to expain the “why”, “where” and “when” of their movements.

Our presenters will share their stories of volcanoes, blizzards, avalanches, floods, tornadoes and heat waves, and how they affected their ancestors lives.

Heritage Quest Research Library Eastern European Genealogy for Beginners

Aug30 by Charles Hansen

Let’s Talk About: Dutch Treats & Trivia

Aug30 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

Aug27 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:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82495661568?pwd=dy85YmluVzF5aEU4SzFTcTUrVDlTUT09

Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568

Passcode: 715731

One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,82495661568#,,,,*715731# US

+12532158782,,82495661568#,,,,*715731# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:

+1 253 205 0468 US

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568

Passcode: 715731

Find your local number:

https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcphK19I1E

Let’s Talk About: Dutch Chocolate

Aug27 by Donna Phillips

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

Aug23 by Donna Phillips

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

Aug21 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