Supportive Grant Applications Due July 31

Mar20 by Roxanne Lowe

Is your local genealogy society interested in financial assistance for a special project or need? Applications for the WSGS Supportive Grants are being accepted through July 31, 2024.

The grants, up to $250 each, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations or fill a need that your society has. The awards do not have to be repaid — they’re yours to support worthy projects. Two grants will be awarded in 2024.

The simple application is only ONE page. The application and additional guidance is available here. For more information, visit our website at https://www.wasgs.org/cpage.php?pt=90.

Contact Outreach@wasgs.org if you have other questions. Please note “Grants” in the Subject Line.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Spring Seminar

Mar19 by Charles Hansen

“Y.V.G.S. Spring Seminar”

Saturday, April 13^th The Seminar will be held at the Y.V.G.S. library.8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch and snacks are included.The day of the Seminar, the Y.V.G.S. Library will be closed.

The Registration form is online at www.yvgs.net Click on Society News. Spring Seminar announced. “Forms are also available in the library.”

Advanced Registration before April 7th. $40.00. Onsite April 13^th Registration 8:30am to 9:00am. $45.00.

No Refunds of Registration fee after April 7^th.

Nationally recognized speaker Christine Cohen, from California, on a variety of genealogical topics. She is focusing her presentation on “A Full Day Dedicated to Finding Your Ancestors.”

Immigration Ports of Entry
Naturalization and Citizenship Records
Grand Army of the Republic – Researching your Union Civil War Veterans
Cousin Baiting & Cousin Stalking

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 S. 12th Avenue

Union Gap, WA 98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Email: yvgs@yvgs.net

Katherine Pettersen Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

Mar19 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Katherine Gibson Pettersen of Longview, Washington, who were nominated by the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society (LCGS).

As one of LCGS’s newer members, Katherine, affectionally known as Kat, has been a great asset to the society. She has been a strong voice as a trustee. As a member of the program committee, she offers great suggestions for potential speakers and facilitates the speakers’ virtual presentations.

Kat’s greatest contribution has been in assisting in the transition from meeting in person to meeting virtually. She has moderated all of the society’s general and board meetings, as well as assisted those who have had difficulty grasping the technology of meeting via Zoom.

Kat handles issues in a calm manner. One member stated that she has the patience of a saint, and another said that she never seems to get ruffled.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Fort Walla Walla Camp 3 events of Spring

Mar16 by Charles Hansen

UPCOMING CAMP EVENTS

Date		Comments
April 6 2024	FWW 3 Quarterly Meeting at VFW – Spokane, WA. Start at 12PM, sandwiches available to order. Interesting program T.B.A., speaker at 1:15 PM.	VFW 1425 212 S. David Spokane, WA 99212
April 13, 2024 Saturday 9:30 AM	Any Sons Brother Invitation To: Daughter of Union Vets of C.W. 2024 Department Convention – Richland WA. Richland Community Center-Besty Ross Tent 40. 9:30- 11:30, Luncheon at 12 – about $25-30.00 each. A 2PM Ancestor Memorial Service at Rest Haven Cemetery in RIchland.	To register email Christy McElroy atchristymdar@gmail.com
May 27, 2024 Monday 11:00 AM	Memorial Day Ceremony -Yakima WA 11 AM at C.W. Monument Stone marker dedication, adjacent to C.W. Monument for WIlliam Matthews. Event to be followed by a picnic in near by park.
June 1st, 2024 Saturday	Department of Columbia Spring Meeting. At Clackmas Oregon – Details Later.	Any Brother may attend or be a delegate.
June 15-16th 2024 Saturday and Sunday	C.W. Association at Fullbright Park – Union Gap WA. FWW 3 will maintain a welcom and membership promotion booth.

Monica and Don Peters Named Two of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

Mar16 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Monica and Don Peters of Pullman, Washington, who were nominated by the Whitman County Genealogical Society (WCGS).

Monica is among the 1984 “Founding Mothers” of WCGS, and has served on the board since. As corresponding secretary, she efficiently manages the society’s communications and promotes activities at the core of its purpose. With deep roots in Whitman County, she serves as the society’s primary researcher. Her sleuthing uncovers intriguing stories, which she generously shares in newsletter articles.

Monica was instrumental in establishing an endowment fund which allows the society to provide college scholarships to high school seniors demonstrating interest in family history. Her communication of fiscal matters enhances the financial business of the society.

In partnership with Monica, Don unfailingly provides behind-the-scenes support to WCGS. He assists in the society’s efforts to wrangle technology needed to accomplish its goals. He is generous with his time and expertise in any matter under consideration.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Let’s Talk About… Online Family Trees-Part 2

Mar15 by Donna Phillips

Many of us have been blessed to sit beneath the 150-year-old banyan tree in downtown Lahaina, Maui. (Which is said to be showing signs of life after the devastating August fire. Yahoo.) Looking at the city-park-wide spread of this tree, one can imagine an equally large series of roots reaching back into time and bringing the beloved tree back to life.

The Maui Banyan is the metaphor I choose to share with you today. All that we see, from the ground up, is our growing family (pretend you’re the tiny white person/spot). But what we cannot see is the equal number of roots/ancestors that brought us to this point.

It’s those people/ancestors whom we genealogists seek. The question on the table to day is how to organize and keep that information in a safe and a usable way? Let’s take a peek at the different safe-storage-for-long-term methods:

Individually Managed Family Trees.. meaning YOU are in charge, period:
- American Ancestors TREES
- Ancestry — private member trees
- MyHeritage — private member trees
- Findmypast — private member trees
Keeping your tree online on these websites means nobody/no how can add/substract/multiply/divide or mess with your information…. but you can give permission for folks to see your tree.
Collaborative Family Trees…. meaning folks do work together to add/edit/mange profiles. BUT know that others can and might make changes to “your” profile. Not supposed to without giving documentation. 😉
- FamilySearch Family Trees….. nearing 2-billion online trees
- WikiTree….. 36 million trees
Programs on your own computer…… meaning you are solely in charge; both have a free and paid version.
- LegacyFamilyTree —- can sync with FamilySearch
- RootsMagic —– can sync with Ancestry

Certainly there are other online programs and other at-home computer programs. I’m just giving the bare minimum here to kick-start your decision making process as to what are YOU going to do with all your family history information?????

Remember, your “Maui banyan” might burn to the ground next time.

Genealogical Forum of Oregon Open House

Mar14 by Charles Hansen

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon’s Open House is next week!

We have just added two new classes.

Also, we are pleased to announce viewing parties for most classes. You can easily make a day of attending a class, meeting GFO members in-person, and researching at the largest genealogical library in the northwest! All at no charge.

Registration and details can be found at https://gfo.org/openhouse.

This year’s Open House features more than 20 classes across a wide variety of interests.

* Discover the History of Your House
* GFO’s African American Special Interest Group

* RootsMagic, the Swiss Army Knife of Personal Genealogy Software
* Getting Started with Family Tree Maker
* Germans in America – U. S. Records
* Lineage Society Panel – How to Document your Eligibility
* Using the FamilySearch Catalog
* Find a Grave: Fabulous and/or Frustrating?
* Military Bounty Land: 1776-1855
* Getting Started with AncestryDNA
* Getting Started with Latin American Research
* Finding German Church Records at Archion and Matricula
* Following Your Ancestor Through Swedish Church Records
* English Civil Records
* The 10,000,000 Names Project (and one member’s discoveries)
* Records and Research in New York State, 18th-19th Centuries
* The Great Lakes, Gateway to Western Migration
* Genealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) Special Interest Group
* Introduction to British Records, and Where to Find Them
* Access to GFO Resources from Home

All Open House events are free of charge.

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society

Mar13 by Charles Hansen

Post 16-Mar-2024 Meeting Dinner

34th Anniversary Of The Italian Interest Group! Celebrate the Italian Interest Group’s 34th anniversary!
No-host dinner
Saturday, 3/16/24 at 5:00 pm (May vary based on restaurant availability)
Location: TBD

We normally celebrate the IIG anniversary with a group dinner at Ristorante Paradiso in Kirkland. We need a head count to make a reservation.
Please RSVP to: email@egs-iig.com
Include:Your nameYour email addressNumber of people wishing to attend Mille Grazie, Stephen

COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING: