Let’s Talk About…. Gold Rush Ancestors?

This 33-cent stamp, issued in 1999, commemorated the California Gold Rush. Did you have an answer who “went west” to make his fortune…….. but didn’t…… and possibly was never heard from again?

I won’t recount the history of how gold was discovered; that’s easy finding-reading. I will explain that those eager gold seekers from the East who managed to make it to California by the end of 1849 numbered about 90,000.

Life in the gold fields was pretty rough; mining work was hard and most finds were minimal. Within a year or two many gave up and, if they had the means, returned home.

The fall 2009 issue of New England Ancestors, carried an article on this topic, written by Nancy Peterson, CG. I quote:

“No official documents collected the names of fortune seekers who traveled to California. No comprehensive governmental passenger lists recorded the names of the fortune seekers who sailed to California via Panama or San Francisco. We learn of journeys to the gold fields from diaries and letters, from California newspaper listings of new arrivals, and from reminiscences written many years later. Newspapers “back home” often printed news and letters from the California-bound adventurers.”

The article continued, “Perhaps the most comprehensive resource about the Overland route is J.S. Holliday’s The World Rushed In. This book is based upon accounts by more than 500 men about their westward journeys and early lives in California. The book’s sources serve as an excellent starting point in the search for these emigrants.”

Certainly, there are other resources to be found; use Google. Check out CyndisList and the FamilySearch.org/Wiki.

At the conclusion of her article, Peterson states: “for a comprehensive well-annotated source covering all aspect of the gold rush, see Kenneth N. Owens, Riches for All: The California Gold Rush and the World, published in 2002. I just checked (Dec 2023):

Heritage Quest Research Library Cindi’s List in Practice

Feb21 by Charles Hansen

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Digital Archives

Feb21 by Charles Hansen

Saturday, March 2 DIGITAL ARCHIVES
(EWGS Meetings) 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Hybrid Meeting at The Hive –
2904 E Sprague Ave,
Spokane, WA 99202

Digital Archives with guest speaker Robert Perret
A comprehensive presentation by the new Eastern Branch Manager of the Cheney Archives, Robert Perret. He will cover navigating digital archives, the Washington State Archives and what’s new at the Cheney Archives.
DOOR PRIZES AND RAFFLES AND OUR NEW “DDD” fund.
Drop a Dollar in our “fund can” when you attend the meeting and get a chance to win 50% of the fund. Must be present to win! Great opportunity to support EWGS and win some extra pocket money.

Italian Interest Group Dual Italian Citizenship

Feb21 by Charles Hansen

16-Mar-2024 Meeting

Please notify your members of our next Zoom meeting.
Dual Italian Citizenship is always a popular subject.
Mille Grazie, Stephen Stimac, Webmaster
email@egs-iig.com

ZOOM Meeting Topic: Dual Italian Citizenship by Descendancy
Presented by: Mike Mechum
When: 16-Mar-2024, Saturday
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (PST)

Most people may not realize it, but they could actually be citizens of Italy from birth. Italy requires you to prove your Italian ancestry with proper documentation to apply for and obtain Italian citizenship and does not require you to renounce your current citizenship(s), which allows you to hold two or more passports and be a dual-citizen or “multi”-citizen.

Zoom Meeting Request Form

COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING:

Eastside Genealogy Group – Italian Interest Group
2410 East Helen Street,
Seattle WA, United States of America

Fiske Genealogical Library March Events

Feb21 by Charles Hansen

Two upcoming events – Fiske Genealogical Library (Seattle):

Wednesday, March 6

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

19th-Century Women Settlers Confront the Far West

Presented by Janice C. Lovelace

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Women settled the Far West along with their male family members although we don’t learn about them as much. This session will help you learn more and delve deeper into the lives of White, Asian and Black women ancestors who settled in the Far West pre-1900. We will look at women’s lives through their own lenses in letters, diaries and photos as well as what records were generated during their lifetimes.

Wednesday, March 13

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

French-Canadian Records: Beyond Initial Resources

Presented by Judy Nimer Muhn

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

This class will follow on from her class on January 31, including advanced topics such as notarial records and the eastern townships of Quebec. A real opportunity to bring your own specific questions and problems with French-Canadian and Acadian genealogy!

Jo Linker Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

Feb21 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 Jo Linker of Aberdeen, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS).

In 2010, Jo Linker became one of eight new members in Grays Harbor Genealogy Society. Today, she is the only one of those eight who is still active!

Jo works behind the scenes for the good of the society – providing refreshments for meetings, volunteering for special projects, and helping others at the Genealogy Café. In 2013 Jo was part of a committee that organized a successful workshop featuring expert genealogist and popular lecturer Mary Kathryn Kozy. In 2015 and 2016, she served as a trustee.

Jo’s biggest contribution, however, has been as treasurer. In late 2015, the society’s longtime treasurer passed away leaving a huge void and a position no one wanted. Jo stepped up and has held the position for seven years. She has attended a number of statewide and regional genealogy conferences to hone her skills and stay current in the genealogy field.

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.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG

Feb20 by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Tuesday, February 27th Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom

We will be reading Your DNA Guide by Diahan Southard.

This month we will begin with the first 20 pages.

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 Tue 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

Genealogical Forum Oregon Annual Open House

Feb20 by Charles Hansen

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon is pleased to announce our annual Open House, March 16 – 24, 2024.

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. Most classes are online, including:

* GFO’s Afircan 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
* 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

Both in-person and online events are free of charge.

Let’s Talk Aboout….. Colfax, Whitman County

Feb20 by Donna Phillips

My kiddos used to live in Pullman and so I’ve driven through Colfax a hundred times but I’ve seldom stopped. My bad, for this little town has a history AND, today, some cute little shops.

Colfax lies in the heart of the rolling Palouse hills, and is bisected by the Palouse River. Historic Steptoe Butte can be seen to the north.

In 2022, Colfax celebrated their 150th year anniversary. In 1870, James Perkins was the first white man to see the potential in this little valley and envisioned a nice little town. Perkins and his fellow settler, Thomas Smith, soon scouted a site for a lumber mill. By 1871, the mill cut its first lumber and had its first log drive. This lumber, ordered by Waitsburg businessman, Anderson Cox, recognized the need for lumber for buildings in order that the area towns thrive. After the sawmill was established on the Palouse River, the town quickly sprang up around it. Pine trees that once covered the hills were turned into lumber for the immigrants’ homes.

Perkins originally named the town Belleville, perhaps after a former girlfriend named Belle or perhaps after his hometown of Belleville, Indiana. But since his wife was not named Belle, the town name soon was changed to Colfax, to honor U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax in 1873.

There are many inviting little shops: The Colfax Mercantile, Tick Klock Drug, the Dusty Attic and Palouse River Quilts. The little hamburger place on the east side of main street has been a staple for years……….and offers great burgers!

The Whitman County Historical Society maintains the Perkins House where the family lived from 1887 from into the 1960s, when it was sold to the Whitman County Historical Society. It is open for visits.

One story, told to me by a friend years ago whose husband was on the Spokane police force, explained that largely unknown in a basement of a downtown building was a complete, ready-to-go, command center in case of an environmental catastrophe on the West side, ie, Olympia. True? Wasn’t able to verify that story. Do you know?

Linda Swank Lantis Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

Feb18 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Linda Swank Lantis of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

In 2005, Linda became a member of YVGS and has been an invaluable member ever since.

A semi-annual yard sale is the library’s primary fundraiser and Linda organizes the donated items along with Patricia Hert. Linda schedules volunteer workers and the food donated during the week for the workers. During Covid, Linda and Patricia kept the grounds around the library presentable by mowing the lawn, pulling and spraying weeds.

Linda served as past secretary of YVGS and has been an active librarian. This past spring, because of her experience, workmanship and excellent leadership, Linda was elected head librarian delegating librarians, training and keeping up with the abundance of donated books in a timely manner.

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.