Tag Archives: Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society 3 Types of DNA 5 Testing Companies Help Me Understand!

by Charles Hansen



Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society

Topic: 3 Types of DNA, 4 Challenging Types of Families, and 5 Testing Companies – Help Me Understand!

Speaker: Kelli Jo Bergheimer

Join us Saturday, March 21, 2026 @ 10am

In Person at the Bainbridge Public Library and via Zoom

This presentation includes a review of the three kinds of DNA. The speaker will also discuss the four kinds of challenging families that make working with DNA matches difficult. The presentation closes with a review of the highlights of five testing companies.

Kelli Jo Bergheimer is a writer, teacher, editor, and international genealogical speaker. Kelli is Director of Curriculum and Assessments for Blue Kayak, a K-12 textbook company. She works as the Director of Education for Your DNA Guide. She also runs a small business called “Mess on the Desk,” a genealogical organization company with a YouTube channel, and is the facilitator for Genetics, Genealogy, and You, an online DNA Interest Group.

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society New England to the Midwest

by Charles Hansen

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society

Bridging the Gap: New England to the Midwest, 1780 – 1850

Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor

Friday, February 20, 2026 @ 10amMeeting via Zoom only

*To receive a Zoom link, please register at bigenealogy.org


Migration from New England to the Midwest in the early nineteenth century transformed families and communities. This presentation examines why people moved, how they traveled, and where they settled, using real research examples to illustrate these journeys. We will explore records and research techniques that help bridge the gap between departure and destination.

For more than 20 years, Joshua Taylor has been sharing the incredible connections that can be made through genealogy and family history. An avid genealogist, he is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and is past President of the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society The Challenge of WWII Military Research

by Charles Hansen

The Challenge of World War II Military Research and Records

For many of us, the story of a World War II veteran— whether a parent, a grandparent, an uncle, or an aunt—is a significant and moving chapter in our family history. But the search for details can often be frustrating and discouraging. We know they served, but finding the records that bring their story to life can feel like searching for a needle in a historical haystack.

The biggest roadblock is the catastrophic fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO, in 1973, which destroyed millions of Official Military Personnel Files. By necessity, genealogists have learned to search other ways to reconstruct their ancestor’s records. Some other sources include; Draft Registrations, Morning Reports, Submarine War Patrol Reports, and Missing Air Crew Reports.

On Friday, November 21st at 10:00, Michael L. Strauss will be presenting, via Zoom, World War II Military Research and Records. This lecture focuses on sources and strategies to reconstruct those records most affected by the fire.

Michael L. Strauss is a professional genealogist and a military historian. He has a B.A. in history with a concentration on the Civil War and an M.A. in military history. He has lectured extensively and authored multiple publications.

You are invited to join us! No membership necessary. Go to the BIGS website to register and receive the Zoom link: bigenealogy.org/events.

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society Best Uses of AI for Genealogy

by Charles Hansen

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society

Best Uses of AI for Genealogy

Speaker: Mark Thompson

Friday, October 17, 2025, 10am

Meeting via Zoom only.

To receive a Zoom link, please register at bigenealogy.org

Artificial Intelligence has brought powerful new tools to family history research. AI can efficiently summarize documents, reliably extract information from large texts, and accelerate your research. These tools offer fascinating possibilities for enhancing and simplifying your family history.

On Friday, October 17th at 10AM, Mark Thompson, will come to us via Zoom, with his beginner friendly presentation, Best Uses of AI for Genealogy.

A nationally-known expert in the use of artificial intelligence for family history applications, Mark will explain how to use these powerful tools to find, analyze and organize our data. He will also highlight areas where caution is critical and traditional research methods remain essential.

You are invited to join us! No membership necessary. Go to the BIGS website to register and receive the Zoom link: bigenealogy.org/events

Betty Wiese Receives 2025 President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS President Kathleen Sizer is pleased to announce the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award: Betty Wiese from the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society. The announcement was made at the WSGS Annual Meeting on 21 Aug 2025.

Created in 2015, the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations. The award is not given every year as it is based on merit and accomplishments. As you’ll see from reading about Betty’s dedication, she is worthy of this recognition.

Betty Wiese

Betty’s contributions to the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) started as soon as she joined BIGS when she retired from her work with the Environmental Protection Agency in Seattle. For the past 15 years, Betty has held various volunteer roles within BIGS, including president, vice-president, treasurer, SIG leader and Treebuilder coach. She has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the health and growth of the organization.

Betty has a strong passion for education that she brought to BIGS. A particular focus of hers has been to see that their skill building special interest groups survive. She created a regular forum for members to discuss issues and learn new skills. She also created a mentors’ program that puts a member in touch with another member with the skills or experience needed to help. She has an incredible skill of being able to find the right person for a given task and to get that person to agree to do that task!

When important jobs need to be undertaken, whether to revise the by-laws, refresh the website,
or survey members’ needs and wishes, Betty has been the one to raise her hand to facilitate the effort. She has been responsible for many of the creative ideas that keep BIGS relevant and fresh. For example, she contacted the Suquamish Museum to arrange a tour for the BIGS board members where they were able to talk with the museum director about genealogy, DNA and the Suquamish tribe. That meeting led to Betty arranging a presentation by the museum director to help the BIGS membership better understand how the Suquamish look at family history and ethnicity.

Betty’s work extends beyond BIGS and its members. Not only has she opened up their educational sessions to those outside the area via Zoom, but she has been an active participant in the Washington Presidents’ Council since its creation. She was instrumental in arranging for a talk from national speaker Joshua Taylor for the state’s genealogical groups about the ways to meet future needs and continue to be relevant.

Betty’s leadership, relationship building and commitment to providing engaging educational 0pportunities prove her worthiness of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

More about the award

If you want to know more about the qualities needed for this prestigious award, click here. Previous recipients are listed here.

Susan Palmer Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Susan Palmer of Bainbridge Island, Washington who was selected by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Susan joined the BIGS Board as Director of Programs in April 2022. Selecting topics for and delivering the monthly programs is a major cornerstone of BIGS’ work. Susan jumped in and helped the society move forward with the Zoom platform. She was an essential member of the Hybrid Team to again offer in-person programs. She was instrumental in developing the Zoom registration process. Susan broadened the society’s horizons in the breadth of speakers she engaged, including their first international speaker.

Under her leadership, BIGS was finally able to celebrate its 1st Annual BIGS at the Beach – for members and their families that had been cancelled the previous two years.

Susan developed a very useful planning document, providing speaker and topic information for programs well into the future. This is an effective tool in communicating with the board and the communications team’s use. Susan worked quietly, efficiently, reliably and collaboratively to deliver excellent program results.

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.

David Cosman Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing David Cosman of Bainbridge Island, Washington who was selected by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Without the need of any particular title, David has become one of BIGS’s most important mentors. He simply makes himself available to anyone who is willing to ask for help. And David knows how to help, in terms of both his knowledge and his personality. He teaches others with dignity and grace.

David is an outstanding traditional genealogy researcher. Coupling those skills with his personal background as a native of Nottingham, England, has equipped him well to be co-leader of our Great Britain Special Interest Group. David’s career involved cloning genes that regulate the immune system and this technical knowledge allowed him to quickly become one of only a few of BIGS’s members with true expertise in employing DNA for genealogical purposes.

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.