Seattle Genealogical Society July Happenings

by Charles Hansen

Romain Dancre / Unsplash
 

CERTIFICATION COURSE TO BE OFFERED THIS FALL

The Certification Discussion Group (CDG) course will be offered this October as a virtual course. More than 700 students have graduated from this SGS course, now in its seventh year. Join in and learn about the Board for Certification of Genealogy’s certification process. Gain an understanding of how to develop a portfolio. Strengthen your knowledge of the standards for being a better genealogist. Find out if certification is right for you. Sign up for the waitlist to get the announcement of dates and times in August. Final decisions can be made at that time.

 

HELP SPREAD THE NEWS ABOUT SGS AT THE SKAGIT VALLEY HIGHLAND GAMES

SGS is sharing the Clans of Ireland booth at the 28th Annual Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival and volunteers are needed to staff the booth. This two-day festival of music, dance, competition and entertainment will be held at the Skagit County Fairgrounds (501 Taylor St in Mt Vernon, WA) on the weekend of July 13–14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. If you are interested in helping staff our table for several hours, please contact James Ryan at janglinjehu@yahoo.com.

APPGEN SIGNUPS TO BEGIN SOON 


Mark you calendars. Sign up for the fall Applied Genealogy Institute classes from August 22 to 28. Classes offered will include

  • DNA Analysis
  • Native American research
  • Records after Death
  • Researching Overseas
  • Connecticut Genealogy and Social Media Marketing (oriented toward professional genealogists and society social media partners.)

You can find out more on the website. These courses are oriented towards “Learn By Doing.” The instructors are content experts.

 SGS MEMBERS, REMEMBER TO RENEW

Take a few moments now to renew your membership as we begin our next century! When you renew online you can pay your dues with a credit/debit card right away or print out your invoice and send it with your dues payment to SGS. First log in at Members Home then click the green “Renew Membership” button. If you haven’t logged in before or have questions, send an email to membership@seagensoc.org.
 
NOT AN SGS MEMBER YET?

Join online today and enjoy a full year of discounted class and event fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases. Find out more about membership at Join SGS.

SAVE THE DATE

American Ancestors by NEHGS (FREE Webinars)
Thursdays, July 11 and 18, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

An Introduction to California Research – July 11
California has a rich history that reflects the state’s diverse cultural heritage and dynamic social changes. In this online lecture, Genealogist Meaghan E. H. Siekman will provide an introduction to doing family history research in the state starting with the period of pre-contact to statehood and beyond.

Understanding and Utilizing Indexes – July 18
Indexes are an unparalleled resource for genealogists, yet not all are arranged the same way. Join Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb to understand the different types of indexes that you will come across and how to leverage them in your family history research.

For more information visit the American Ancestors website.

East European Family History Conference
Tuesday, August 6 through Friday, August 9
Salt Lake City (in person)

The Foundation for East European Family History Studies (FEEFHS) will hold its annual conference on August 6-9, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. More than 60 sessions will be presented in 8 tracks: German, Polish, Russian, Germans from Eastern Europe, Austro-Hungarian, Jewish, DNA, and Resources. For more information visit the FEEFHS website.


2024 GFO Virtual Fall Seminar
Genealogical Forum of Oregon
Eastside Genealogical Society
Friday, Nov. 1 through Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024

GFO has announced there 2024 Fall Seminar. It will feature a feast of DNA topics. Genetic Genealogist Paul Woodbury will discuss using DNA to solve genealogical questions. Friday evening will be a beginner session, with Saturday devoted to intermediate and advanced techniques. For more information visit the GFO’s website.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTSGood Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658Hours :  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

Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.,  Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), This month’s focus in on Idaho and Montana resources. Register on the SGS website.

Monday, July 8, 2024, 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. Remember the new Zoom link started this month

Monday, July 8, 2024, 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.

Monday, July

8, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 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 SGS Director of Education (education@seagensoc.org).

Tuesday, July

9, 2024, 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, July 10, 2024, 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. 

Monday, July 15, 2024, 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. Remember the new Zoom link started this month

Monday, July 22, 2024, 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. Remember the new Zoom link started this month

Tuesday, July

 23, 2024, 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.

Monday, July 29, 2024, 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. Remember the new Zoom link started this month

Monday, August 5, 2024, 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. Remember the new Zoom link started this month Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 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.

Heritage Quest Research Library Timelines

by Charles Hansen
Debbie Wilson Smyth has been researching her family since 1993 and holds a certificate in the Genealogical Research program from Boston University.  As the owner of Oak Trails Genealogy Services, LLC, she provides professional genealogical services in research, education, consultation, and speaking. Her research focuses on mid-western and southern states, methodology, lineage society applications and DNA. She is a member of APG and the Genealogy Speakers Guild, as well as a number of national, state and local societies.  Timelines: A Genealogical Tool for Organization and Analysis.  Timelines help organize the information that we collect on our ancestors and are beneficial in the analysis process. This presentation describes the use and elements of timelines for genealogical research, including examples created in various formats and for different types of research problems.  When: Thursday, July 11, 2024

Time:   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 go to HQRL Store (Sign in as a member to get the discount)
IN-PERSON (8 ONLY)
Call 253-863-1806 or come into the library located at 2102 E Main Ave, Suite 105, Puyallup, WA 98372
Copyright © 2024 Heritage Quest Research Library, All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:
Heritage Quest Research Library
2102 East Main Suite 105
Puyallup, WA 98372-3205

Grays Harbor Gen Soc Open Discussion

by Roxanne Lowe

The program at the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society meeting will be an open discussion about resources, brick walls and general questions. No issue is too small to discuss — and there’ll be lots of opinions! Saturday, July 13, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Hoquiam Library downstairs meeting room and via Zoom.  All are welcome. For more information, email Info@graysharborgenealogy.com.

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society Using Genetic Genealogy in Crime Fiction

by Charles Hansen


This talk gives an overview of the investigative genetic genealogy process, IGG: what it is, where it is used and the basics of how it is undertaken.
Nathan will briefly discuss some real-life key cases that have used IGG and then move on to his own fictional writing, focusing on the Venator Cold Case series, which uses this methodology to catch serial killers. He will explain his meticulous research method, the experts that he consults and his writing process.
Friday, July 19 @ 10AM on Zoom only Nathan Dylan Goodwin will present The Science Behind the Stories: Using Genetic Genealogy in Crime Fiction


Nathan Dylan Goodwin is a British historical, genealogical mystery crime writer. A member of the Society of Authors, he has completed several local history books about his birthplace of Hastings, England, as well as several works of fiction, including the acclaimed Forensic Genealogist series, the Mrs. McDougall Investigates series and the Venator Cold Case series. He is a qualified teacher, member of the Guild of One Name Studies and the Society of Genealogists, as well as being a member of several history societies in Southeast England. Nathan is also the co-creator with Diahan Southard of the in-person and virtual masterclass in investigative genetics, Genealogy Solves It (GSI).

So, please join us on July 19 at 10AM on Zoom

No membership necessary but registration is required.

Register now on our website: bigenealogy.org

Let’s Talk About: AI to help save whales

by Donna Phillips

Oceanus is the publication of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. I quite enjoy the issues of Oceanus and learn from the WHOI website and frequent free educational webinars. 

Living in Washington, with the whale-waters of Puget Sound, Straits of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean, we’re very aware of ferries and their potential negative impact on whales. (This article’s information applies to all ocean-going big vessels.)

“Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has come into worldwide use and in many ways we’d never have imagined.” The Spring 2021 issue of Oceanus explained……

“Vessel strikes are one of the biggest threats to the survival of the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (and I would add, ALL whales). Restrictions on shipping speeds and routes have reduced the number of vessel strikes, but at least sixteen North Atlantic Right Whales were killed by ship strikes between 2003 and 2018. Only about 360 of these endangered animals remain.

“Various methods or remedial action have been utilized but up to now, nothing has really “done the trick.” A WHOI team is developing a new detection system, Thermal Imagine Scanners (cameras!) to be used to scan the water’s surface for whale blows. The cameras are linked to AI that the team has trained to ignore waves, birds and boats and to only sound alerts of a thermal signature…. ie, whale detection.

“Mounted on ships, the system can alert captains to the presence of a whale several kilometers away within seconds…..enough time for the vessel to slow down or change course.”

Don’t we all mourn when we read a news story of a dead whale on a beach with clear propeller slashes on its body?? Let’s hope our Washington ferries also get this technology to better protect our Orcas. I want my great-grandchildren to see leaping Orcas in our Washington waters!!

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG Meeting

Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm virtual via Zoom

Note due to technical problems we were unable to watch the video Legacy for Beginners last month, so we are going to try again this month.

This month we will be returning to reviewing the free Legacy Family Tree software videos hosted by Geoff Rasmussen. Our first video in this series will be “1 of 5 – Legacy for Beginners” . It is a short video so we should be able to watch the video and discuss it this month. 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:

+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: Sam’s Hill

by Donna Phillips

Way up on a Washington bluff overlooking the Columbia River, a huge stone castle pokes in and out of view as you zoom along I-82 in Oregon. “What the Sam Hill?” You’ve heard that expression, haven’t you? 

There is no population center for miles and yet here’s this castle, Sam Hill’s mansion. Hill was an “inspired lunatic”  and the son-in-law of railroad baron, James J. Hill. Sam bought 7000 acres of scrubland on a high bluff overlooking the mighty Columbia River in 1907. He intended to erect a glorious home for his wife, Mary. 

“No way!” she must have said when told about her proposed new home. She never left Europe to come see “her” castle home. 

After 20 years, the mansion/castle was till unfinished. Over the years, the place remained unoccupied and unfinished. People wandering through the deserts of Washington and Oregon would look up to see this enormous abandoned building and say “What the Sam Hill?” 

Or so the story is told. 

Today the mansion is part of Maryhill State Park and there is lots to see and do at the park. Do stop on your next trip to Portland. While you’re there, on the Washington side, take a snap of time to visit Stonehenge just three miles east of Maryhill….

Also built by Sam Hill, this replica of England’s famous Stonehenge was begun in 1918 to honor the heroism of Klickitat County’s soldiers in that Great War. Finished in 1929, it’s both a monument to heroic dead but a monument dedicated to peace. 

Let’s Talk About: Summer Genealogy To-Dos

by Donna Phillips

There is no need to put your genealogy on hold during the summer months! Mixed in with outdoors and family fun, here are some suggestions for summertime genealogy things to do:

  • Start writing those stories…. yours or those of your ancestors.
  • Zero in on a dead-end line using all the new tips and tricks you’ve learned.
  • View How-To videos: Ancestry Academy, YouTube, plus dozens mor.
  • Catch up on your genealogy book/magazine reading (take down that stack!)
  • Identify the folks in the photos in that old box of musty photos.
  • Take a grandchild to a cemetery.
  • Take a grandchild to lunch to “celebrate” an ancestor’s birthday.
  • Use Google to find places important in your ancestors’ lives: homes, church, work.
  • Work a bit harder to understand your DNA matches (there are plenty of helps!).
  • Clean up your email back log and email address list. 
  • Read a good historical fiction novel or genealogy mystery (like the Deserter’s Tale).
  • Take a whole day and spend 30″ studying the advantages to your research of what’s available from the Big Four: FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, FindMyPast.
  • Take a second day to explore Fold3 and Cyndi’sList and any other genealogy websites that you’ve been wanting to explore.

Summer sometimes means lazy, slow, down days. Great. When you’ve finished your drink and watched the sun come up, plan a genealogy to-do day!!

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Tuesday, June 25, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom

We will be reading Your DNA Guide by Diahan Southard.

This month we will discuss pages 62 to 83.

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