This lovely old photo is my hubby’s grandmother, Mary Ethel Leverich Oswald (1886-1967). This was her high school graduation photo……. today’s high school graduation photos look nothing like this, do they?? Yes, the Olden Times were different…… for instance:
If We Didn’t Have It We Used:
Q tip — cotton wound around a match
Scouring powder — wood stove ashes
Glue — raw egg white
Hot water bottle — heated rock or bag of heated rock salt
Toothpaste — salt mixed with baking soda
Paste — flour mixed with water
Bandage — torn-in-strips old bedsheets
Adhesive tape — needle and thread
Deodorant — baking soda
Ice — hailstones or blocks cut in winter from a pond or river
Waxed paper — found inside cereal boxes
Sandwich bags — waxed paper
Foil — gum wrappers
Ink — laundry bluing
Group transportation — truck with seats in back
Tire repair kit — can of rubber patch and glue
Air for tires — hand operated tire pump
Toilet tissue — Sears or Wards catalog
Salad dressing — cream, sugar and vinegar mixed well
Sanitary napkin — old sheets
Pencil sharpener — knife
Fingernail clipper — kitchen scissors
Salve/Ointment for wounds — lard mixed with kerosene and turpentine
Hand lotion — cream or lard
Laundry soap — you made it from grease and lye
Lunch pail — lard bucket with a handle
New mop — old clothing on a mop stick
Cough syrup — raw onion and sugar syrup
Fresh milk — milked a cow twice daily
So do you really think life was better in the good old days? How would you have fared?
(Thanks to Nostalgia Magazine, Nov-Dec 2010 issue for this wonderful article by Leone A. Browning.)
Dear Members and Friends of Washington State Genealogical Society
The Foundation for East European Family History Studies (FEEFHS) will be holding its annual conference on August 6-9, 2024, held in Salt Lake City, Utah. More than 60 sessions will be presented in the German, Polish, Russian, Germans from Eastern Europe, Austro-Hungarian, Jewish, DNA, and Resources tracks. The classes will be presented by experts from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Israel and can be viewed at https://feefhs.org/conference-2024/announcement-main. The sessions are focused on genealogists with beginner and intermediate researcher skills. An electronic syllabus will be provided to all attendees. The conference schedule can be viewed at https://feefhs.org/conference-2022-classes.
If you are interested, please use this special promotional code: 65v3ak
A pre-conference workshop on August 5 is also available for an extra fee.
2024 Virtual FOCUS Event will Help Your Organization with Outreach and Engagement
Dear NGS Organization Members, Administrators, and Delegates,
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is hosting our FOCUS pre-conference event for genealogy organizations virtually in 2024, and we welcome your organization’s leaders, volunteers, staff, and members to attend on 16 May.
FOCUS offers learning opportunities that foster collaboration and share successes among societies, libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions. Its goal is to strengthen our genealogy and family history community as we work to support everyone in search of their ancestors’ stories.
This year’s theme is outreach and engagement. FOCUS sessions will offer practical tips and ideas to help your organization reach new people, activate volunteers, and highlight family history as a part of the America250 celebration in 2026. Watch presentations and participate in live Q&A on 16 May, then see sessions you missed at your convenience over a few months. Registrants will have access to FOCUS recordings until 15 August.
Learn More and Register for FOCUS
Learn from Fellow Organizations in Keynote and Breakout Sessions
FOCUS begins with a keynote presentation at 2:00 p.m. (ET) by International African American Museum (IAAM) President and CEO Tonya M. Matthews, PhD. She will share lessons from the launch of IAAM, one of the country’s newest and most compelling museums. Join us to find inspiration, a renewed sense of mission and purpose, and motivation to expand public outreach, engage volunteers, and grow your community. Matthews is a nonprofit executive leadership veteran with insights that will benefit you and your organization. FOCUS breakout sessions take place 3:15–6:45 p.m. (ET) on 16 May. The nine available breakout options by genealogy and family history organizations include:
"Fabric of the Past: Teaching Local and Family History Research to School Teachers"—Charity Rouse, Spartanburg County Public Libraries
"Street Genealogy: Family History in a Parking Space Pop-Up"—Shamele Jordon, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
"Using Multimedia Approaches for Public Family History Outreach to Include Diverse and Marginalized Populations"—Marcia Johnson, The National Grigsby Family Society
"Branch Out: How to Partner Societies with State or Local Libraries"—Korina Tueller and Linda Caldwell McCleary, Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records and Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board
"Cemetery Digitization Project: Engaging Volunteers and the Community to Save History"—Lynne Deese, Wake County Genealogy Society
"We Are Three Lakes: Genealogy + History = Community"—Marie Byatt, Three Lakes Genealogical Society
"Creating an Exhibit and Celebration that Captures Hearts and Gets Attention"—Marcia Fraser, Williamson County Public Library
"Growing Membership and Increasing Value with a PBS Affiliate Partnership"—Heather O’Hara, Maryland Genealogical Society
"Densho’s Story: Preserving and Sharing History by Leveraging Technology"—Caitlin Oiye Coon, Densho
Learn more about all the FOCUS sessions online and share the information with other people in your organization. Organization Member Discount Offer for 2024 FOCUS The FOCUS registration fee is $50, but NGS organization members with three or more FOCUS registrants can get a $40 registration for each person they sign up (a $10 discount per person). Visit the Organization Member Registration page for discount details and to access the required form.
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.
Saturday, April 13th 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 13th Registration 8:30am to 9:00am. $45.00.
No Refunds of Registration fee after April 7th.
Nationally recognized speakerChristine 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You are free to copy articles to any non-commercial web site or message board or printed publication you wish. Don’t bother to ask permission, just do it.
