Sometimes we need a deadline and target to get us going. That’s why we did a Pioneer Pursuit Push to have 5,000 people documented in our Index by November 11 — the 135th anniversary of Washington Territory becoming the 42nd state.
Alas, we didn’t make our target. We have 4,044 names listed in the Index, 956 short of our target. BUT, that doesn’t mean we’re giving up. You can still submit genealogies for any man, woman or child who lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. You don’t have to be related to a pioneer — find a name and do what we do best: research it!
We’ve made it easy for you. There are examples, forms, hints and FAQs on the WSGS website. There’s also a video explaining the process and answering questions from the Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable in April 2023. If you have other questions, please email Info@wasgs.org and put “Pioneer Pursuit” in the subject line.
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat Tuesday, November 19, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom
Please join us and let’s chat!
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.
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)
The holidays are nearly upon us and family dinners are likely being planned. Will you be using “mom’s antique china” dishes and/or fixing a multi-course dinner?? Likely a resounding NO!
Antique and thrift shops these days seemingly always have “grandma’s old china set.” And these dishes end up in such shops because people don’t “eat like that” any more. The day of 16-course dinners is long past.
Dinners in days of yore were dress-up affairs (eating in a corset for hours??) and lasted a very long evening. Up to sixteen courses could be served on fancy china, fancy linens, fancy flatware, fancy glassware, etc. etc. All of which had to be hand washed and carefully stored away. (They had maids in those days.)
A typical Very Fancy Dinner might include these courses:
raw oysters
soup, a thin or cream soup
hors d’oeuvres
fish
vegetables (asparagus, artichokes or corn)
sorbet
hot roast
“entremets” a half-way mark, likely to be sweets
game (wild birds or beasts)
salad
pudding
ice cream
fruit
cheese
Guests were not supposed to eat everything; it was like picking from a buffet. (Think of all the hours of preparation and wasted food.) And the portions served were usually small. (And, I’d guess, not very hot.)”Turning the table” meant turning first to talk to the person on your right and then, when the hostess switches, to the person on your left. AND, all of that dressed like this (in a dozen layers) and having had maids spend hours on your hair just for one dinner! Would you???
Please join us for Tri-City Genealogical Society’s November’s General meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13. 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.
On November 13 TCGS will be having our annual business meeting followed by a presentation. The Society’s budget for 2025 will need to be approved by the general membership along with the slate of officers for 2025. Please contact any board member if you would like to be nominated for any of the board positions. The presentation will be Turn Your MyHeritage Record Matches into a Research Roadmap by Lisa A. Alzo (MyHeritage)
Want to know more about the history of traffic lights? Ask “Grandma” Google! Click to Wikipedia!
Continuing the Digest of Traffic Ordinance, City of Spokane
SPEED LIMIT
Speed must not exceed 15 miles an hour inside of fire limits. In other parts of the city 20 miles an hour may be maintained. NOTE: State Law provides that outside of thickly settled or business portion of any city or town speed must not exceed 24 miles per hour.
In crossing or turning, speed must not exceed one-half the legal speed limit.
In proceeding by inertia or momentum of car, the feet of the driver must be on both pedals.
PENTALTIES
Violation of ordinance subjects the offender to a fine of not less than one dollar nor more than 25 dollars, or in default of payment imprisonment in city jail not exceeding ten days.
Hummm…… how fast to you drive when heading east or west on I-90 through the fairly straight and empty (but beautiful!) part of our state????? At 25 MPH, getting to Seattle would take 14 hours. Ouch.
If your ancestor lived in the Washington Territory before it became the nation’s 42nd state on November 11, 1889, you may be eligible for a Washington Pioneer certificate. Or if your ancestors arrived a little later — before December 31, 1900 — you can get a First Citizen certificate. What a great gift for yourself and your family members!
We began the Washington State Centennial Pioneer Certificate Program in 1984 in anticipation of the state’s centennial admission to the union in 1889. The initial certificates were issued to applicants who could prove their ancestors were in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. Those descendants’ names, almost 18,000, were printed in a two-volume set of books entitled “Washington Pioneers” in 1992. A third volume, published in 1993, included Pioneers and First Citizens (those in the state on or before December 31, 1900). The three original volumes are out of print, but an index is available here. WSGS members have access to family lineages in the Members’ Only section of the website.
Pioneer and First Citizen Certificates are still being issued, although they are published only on the WSGS website at this time. If you can prove your ancestor was in Washington prior to November 11, 1889, you may be eligible to purchase a Pioneer Certificate. If your ancestor was in Washington on or before December 31, 1900, you may be eligible for a First Citizen Certificate. More information, including resources to prove residency, is available in the Pioneer and First Citizen Program brochure. An application and instructions are available here.
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History Wednesday, November 13, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom
The Writing Family History Special Interest Group (WFH-SIG) supports TPCGS members in documenting, writing, and preserving their family histories—formally or informally. Monthly meetings will provide a mix of presentations, writing exercises, and peer reviews to help members make progress in their projects.
Date & Time: Every month on the Second Wednesday, starting at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2024, starting at 6:00 pm
Curious about the “First Thanksgiving”? We’ll be showing a couple of interesting videos, one includes a recipe for a dish that was probably served at the event. Join us for this introduction to our holiday tradition. Happy Thanksgiving
Our meetings are held monthly except for July and August starting at 6:00 PM, Zoom comes live about 6:15 PM.
Attend in person at: Parkland/Spanaway Branch of Pierce County Library 13718 Pacific Ave S. Tacoma, WA 98444
Attend virtually via Zoom: Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
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