Tag Archives: Clark County Genealogical Society

Clark County Genealogical Society January Events

by Charles Hansen

Graphic-YOUR STORY, YOUR BOOK

Thursdays: Jan 25, Feb 1 & 8-10-noon; Feb 15-12-2 pm

Beginning Thursday, January 25, there will be a four-week workshop session at CCGS called, Your Story, Your Book. Each two-hour weekly class will focus on a different topic. By the end of the fourth session students will have learned everything from the fundamentals of gathering and writing content, editing and proofing, formatting a book for publishing, and getting your book printed for approximately $2.50/each. Cost is $48 for members and $60 for non-members. Call to register at 360-750-5688.

QUALITY, TIME AND COMPLETION: DEVELOPING A RESEARCH PLAN (PART ONE) WEBINAR

Wed, 10 Jan 2018: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

This Legacy Family Tree webinar session will focus on the effort to balance time, quality and completion of a research project. The first segment will look at the process from research concept to logistics including the conflicting issues between the researcher and previous research. This will include the movement from basic data collection, evaluation and analysis to the development of a direction and specific actions.

Graphic-“FIND YOUR SCANDINAVIAN ROOTS” FOCUS GROUP

Thu, 11 Jan 2018: 10:30 am to 12 pm

CCGS Education Center

Clark County Genealogical Society and Focus Group member, Kay Cooke, will talk about walking in the footsteps of her Norwegian and Swedish ancestors during the summer of 2017. She will touch on the genealogy research conducted, the extensive help received via the internet and from friends and family, and the route traveled in the scenic lands of her roots.

 

FULL CIRCLE: TRACING THE DESCENDANTS OF A SLAVEHOLDING ANCESTOR WEBINAR

Fri, 12 Jan 2018: 11 am to 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Descendants of former slaveholders come from all walks of life. DNA and renewed interest in family history research continue to unearth this phenomena for thousands of people every day. In this Legacy Family Tree Webinar, learn how to confirm slaveholding ancestors and the tools needed to trace and identify living descendants of their formerly enslaved.

 

FINDING THOMAS’ FATHER: AN 18TH CENTURY PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA CASE STUDY WEBINAR

Tues, 16 Jan 2018: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Thomas Stone left few records when he died in 1791 in Prince William County, Virginia. No document or reference names his parentage. Finding Thomas’s father took thirty years. Using indirect evidence and helped by technological advances, Thomas’s father has been found. Land records make the case. This Legacy Family Tree webinar demonstrates the process of creating a proof argument to identify Thomas’s father.

 

INTRODUCING THE GENI WORLD FAMILY TREE WEBINAR

Wed, 17 Jan 2018: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Geni is the best platform for collaborative genealogy, which makes it absolutely the best place to build your family tree. In this Legacy Family Tree Webinar, you’ll learn how to take your genealogy to the next level using Geni’s unique tools.

Graphic-GENEALOGY ENTHUSIASTS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Tue, Jan 23, 2017:  10 am to noon

CCGS Education Center

If you interested in genealogy, come to the Clark County Genealogical Society’s (CCGS) monthly membership meeting. The program is “Paper and Spit,” the title of Don Anderson’s 2017 book about his journey to find his birth parents. Born in Oregon during the era of sealed adoption records, Don started his journey knowing very little. Follow along as this engaging and energetic speaker describes the process that he used to discover his first parents, utilizing a combination of traditional genealogy and DNA. Learn what to say when making first contact with newly discovered relatives.

 

FINDING JAMESTOWN ANCESTORS WEBINAR

Wed, 24 Jan 2018: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Explore numerous sources that can further genealogical research to help individuals identify a qualifying ancestor in order to join the Jamestown Society. This Legacy Family Tree Webinar covers planning research, finding source documents, helpful websites, business records, and common research pitfalls in genealogical research and how to avoid them.

 

Clark County Genealogical Society November Meetings

by Charles Hansen

NAVIGATING THROUGH NEW YORK CITY’S BOROUGHS FOR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

Wed 08 Nov 2017: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Many people can trace their origins to the Empire State. Between the American Revolution and the Civil War, several key urban cities along the eastern seaboard grew in population, the most populous of which was New York City. This Legacy Family Tree webinar offers a unique perspective into the countless genealogical sources and historical records that can be found in New York City.

 

SCANDINAVIAN ROOTS FOCUS GROUP

Thu, Nov 9, 2017: 10-11:30am

CCGS Education Center

If you want to discover your Scandinavian roots, attend this monthly meeting and learn how to conduct your research. Meet with other like-minded individuals who have discovered their ancestors going back many generations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. The November meeting topic will be “What is new in Swedish Genealogy Research.” The presentation will include extensive material from a Swedish workshop sponsored by the Swenson Center of Augustana College in Salt Lake City. This focus group meets regularly on the second Thursday of the month, September-May. Members and non-members are welcome.

 

USING NON-POPULATION SCHEDULES FOR CONTEXT AND EVIDENCE

Fri 10 Nov 2017: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

We are familiar with the decennial censuses, but the non-population schedules can also provide evidence and context for your family history. Using basic analytical skills and correlating tools, we will investigate five different records sets which shed light on many aspects of our ancestors lives and enrich our stories of them.

 

SECRETS OF THE CENSUS

Tue, Nov 14, 10am-12 noon

Instructor Barbara Schrag

CCGS Education Center

Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced researcher, you can always learn more about what the census has to tell you. This class will focus on details of the United States Federal Census. Instructor Barbara Schrag will also touch on census research in Canada, Ireland and Great Britain.Class is $12 for CCGS members and $15 for non-members. Pre-registration is requested as classes may be canceled with insufficient advance registration.

 

BRITISH AND IRISH RESEARCH: THE DIFFERENCES

Wed 15 Nov 2017: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Ireland was England’s oldest colony, but the records are not always the same in each country as their history and relationship to each other are different. We all know about the terrible loss of Irish records, but there are great treasure troves of surviving records which don’t exist in England – records about war, rebellion, security and land control. This Legacy Family Tree webinar will examine the differences in records and research techniques between Britain and Ireland, why Irish records were created, or destroyed, and how they can be used to unlock your past.

 

RESEARCH IN FEDERAL RECORDS: SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

Tues 21 November 2017: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Federal records offer genealogical gold with direct references to our ancestors and rich contextual background information. But it can be daunting to explore record groups that are not readily available online. The wide array of tools includes paper finding aids, preliminary inventories, online indexes, web guides, and published articles, as well as the National Archives Catalog. This Legacy Family Tree webinar will offer a framework and several case studies that highlight the integration of multiple research tools.

 

General Membership Meeting: RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHING GERMAN ROOTS

Tues 28 Nov 2017: 10 am – 12 noon

CCGS Education Center

Tom O’Brien, a frequent speaker at Portland area genealogy groups, will give tips and resources for researching German ancestors. After looking at reasons why our ancestors may have chosen to leave their homeland, we’ll look at the constant boundary changes and other events that influenced the lives of our ancestors. Tips for locating the records created by our ancestors will also be given.

 

UNDERSTANDING ALABAMA

Wed 29 Nov 2017:11 am-12 Noon

CCGS Education Center

Alabama presents the budding genealogist with both unique challenges and unique opportunities. Explore the records and repositories you’ll need to consider. Learn Alabama’s place in classic southern migratory patterns, and the reasons for it. In this Legacy Family Tree webinar, discover opportunities for African American research not found in other southern states.

 

Clark County Genealogical Society October Meetings

by Charles Hansen

THE WPA: SOURCES FOR YOUR GENEALOGY

Wed 18 Oct 2017: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

The Works Progress Administration left behind a legacy that is used by family historians today. This Legacy Family Tree webinar presentation will discuss the WPA, projects under the WPA that are relevant to genealogy, and how you can research some of those records today.

 

General Membership Meeting: UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF DNA TESTING

Tues 24 Oct 2017: 10 am – 12 noon

CCGS Education Center

 

How can DNA testing help me discover my ancestry? Which test should I take? Which company should I use? Speaker Lisa McCullough will cover the basics of DNA and DNA testing and will explain how it can help further your genealogy research. Lisa has a B.S. in engineering and has taken two week-long classes focused on DNA. She leads a DNA Q&A special interest group that meets twice monthly at the Genealogical Forum of Oregon.

MIDWESTERN & PLAINS STATES LEVEL CENSUS RECORDS

Wed 25 Oct 2017: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Many Midwestern and Plains states have superb state census records. Learn about the indexes, the many personal details these censuses include, locating the censuses, and alternate sources. This Legacy Family Tree Webinar includes specific examples from these enumerations, with an overview of state censuses for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, and where to find them.

Clark County Genealogy Society October Meetings

by Charles Hansen

Below are classes and meeting listings for the Clark County Genealogy Society through Oct 17.

 

 

Legacy Genealogy Software User Group

Mon, Oct 2, 2016: 10 am-noon

CCGS Education Center

If you use Legacy Family Tree Software for tracking your genealogy research, there is a Legacy Users Group that meets monthly to discuss tips, tricks and problems. You will always come away with some new ideas. The meetings are held regularly on the first Monday of the month. Members and non-members are welcome.

 

Is Your Genealogy Research a Mess?

Mon, Oct 2, 2016: 12-1:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Is your family history research going the way it should? Have you  hit a brick wall or are confused about which direction to go?  Learn how to re-start, re-set and re-group with guidelines set by nationally-known researcher, Thomas MacEntee, in his “Genealogy Do-Over Workbook.” Free classes are held on the first Monday of each month. Brown baggers are welcome.

Continue reading →

Clark County Genealogical Society Classes

by Charles Hansen

 

CENSATIONAL CENSUS STRATEGIES

Wed, Jul 05, 2017: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center  

The US Federal census and its “little brother,” the state census, are among the major workhorses of genealogical research. But are you getting the most out of them? This Legacy Family Tree webinar presents 20-plus tips for finding missing ancestors and mining the census for more clues for follow-up research.

 

GOOGLE BOOKS: THE TOOL YOU SHOULD USE EVERY DAY!

Wed, 12 July 2017: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Learn how to make the most 25 million digitized and searchable free books full of historical data! This Legacy Family Tree webinar will teach you the best techniques for finding fully digitized books and even translate foreign language volumes from your ancestor’s homeland. We’ll also track down maps, images, photos and more.

 

TIPS FOR SNAPPING PICS: HOW TO TAKE PERFECT FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS

Fri, 14 Jul 2017: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center   

In this Legacy Family Tree webinar, you’ll learn from professional photographer, Jared Hodges, how to compose and shoot the perfect shot. Proper lighting, the right poses, what to wear, and more will be covered.

 

ANALYZING DOCUMENTS SPARKS IDEAS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Tues, 18 July 2017: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Taking the time to analyze documents for reliability, context and information can provided useful clues. Using these clues to map out a research plan can advance your research.

This Legacy Family Tree webinar is hosted and sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

 

THE FIRELANDS, THE CONNECTICUT WESTERN RESERVE, AND THE OHIO TERRITORY

Wed, 19 July 2017: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center  

How did the the northeastern lands of Ohio come to be called “The Firelands”, and “The Western Reserve?” This Legacy Family Tree webinar will review these questions and also why “Ohio fever” brought a lot of settlers to the state following the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

 

FAMILY HISTORY ADHESIVE: HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY TO BIND FAMILY TIES

Wed, 26 July 2017: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

In this Legacy Family Tree webinar, you will learn to use the technology to create a strong family narrative together. You’ll leave with a plan for making your family history fun and strengthening your current family relationships using today’s communication and social media tools.

 

Spotlight on Clark County Gen Society Library

by Charles Hansen

Vancouver, Washington, is a history “hot site” for Washington. With Fort Vancouver’s history going back 200 years and the First People’s history going back much further, Vancouver was an exciting place to visit. 

Past president and current librarian for CCGS is my long-time friend, Lethene Parks. In between sessions of a history conference that we both attended, she showed me around their society’s library. And she just as proudly showed off their Pioneer File.

 

 

Vancouver that weekend was in full bloom and I made a promise to myself to go back and tour and learn more of the rich history of that area. Here is my photo of Fort Vancouver:

Clark County Genealogical Society Norwegian Research

by Charles Hansen

GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR NORWEGIAN RESEARCH

Tues, May 16, 10am-12 noon

Clark County Genealogical Society Education Center

 

This class will guide the researcher through the process of searching for key ancestral information in FamilySearch, then locating and interpreting the original Norwegian parish records in Digitalarkivet. While researching her own ancestry, instructor Kathy Solheim has developed disciplines in both search and interpretation of the original Norwegian church parish records.

Classes are $12 for CCGS members and $15 for non-members. Drop-ins welcome on space available basis. To register in advance call the CCGS library, 360-750-5688.

Clark County Genealogical Society April and May Meetings

by Charles Hansen

 

Note: CCGS=Clark County Genealogical Society

717 Grand Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661-4821

360-750-5688

Public library hours:

Tue-Fri: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thurs eves: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

2nd Sat: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

GENEALOGY IN GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS WEBINAR Tues, 18 April 2017: 5-6:30 pm CCGS Education Center

An often under used resource, evidence of kinship abounds in publication such as the Serial Set, American State Papers, and the Territorial Papers. In this Legacy Family Tree webinar, you will explore these publications and discover efficient ways to access them.  This is hosted and sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

 

NEIGHBORHOOD RECONSTRUCTION: EFFECTIVE USE OF LAND USE RECORDS WEBINAR Wed, 19 April 2017: 11 am to 12:30 pm CCGS Education Center

 

Did you know that you can use USGS topographic maps, tract maps, plat maps, surveys, deeds, census records, and tax lists to reconstruct the neighborhood where your ancestor lived? This Legacy Family Tree Webinar will show you how to plat your ancestor’s land records and discover what unexpected clues might be discovered in the process.

 

CLASS FOR GENEALOGY SLEUTHS: TIMELINES AND ANALYSIS Tuesday, April 25, 10 a.m. – 12 noon CCGS Education Center Instructor Lethene Parks

You’ve been hot on the trail of an elusive ancestor. You’ve gathered quite a bit of information about them. But, what does it all mean? Organizing all these disparate “facts” into a timeline and subjecting them to critical analysis will help you make sense of it.

Lethene Parks, CCGS Library Director, has been a serious genealogist for over 50 years. She loves sharing her knowledge with everyone. Her passion for scholarly research is surpassed only by the thrill of the hunt.

Classes are $12 for CCGS members and $15 for non-members. Drop-ins welcome on space available basis. To register in advance call the CCGS library, 360-750-5688.

 

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR GENEALOGY ENTHUSIASTS Tue, Apr 25, 2017:  7-8:30 pm CCGS Education Center *The McLoughlin Women*

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site’s Assistant Curator, Meagan Huff, will talk about the lives of Marguerite and Eloisa McLoughlin, the wife and daughter of Fort Vancouver’s Chief Factor, Dr. John McLoughlin. Examining the history of the fur trade through the lens of these two local women allows for a new perspective on the history of women in the northwest. Meagan Huff grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and has been at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site since 2010.

 

FINDING AND USING LAND OWNERSHIP MAPS WEBINAR Wed, 26 Apr 2017 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

CCGS Education Center

 

Land ownership maps in this country are generally focused on the county level. Produced largely in the nineteenth-century in single sheet or atlas format, they were sold by subscription and also developed to commemorate events such as the centennial of the American Revolution. In this Legacy Family Tree webinar find out more about locating property using military maps, city directories and fire insurance maps.

 

RESEARCHING CRIMINAL RECORDS WEBINAR

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 – 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

How do you research for your “black sheep” ancestors? This Legacy Family Tree webinar will show how to use specific records available only for those who broke the law. Specific recommendations will be given regarding the methodology of researching such characters in places such as prison records.

 

CLASS FOR GENEALOGY SLEUTHS: FAMILY SEARCH STRATEGIES Tuesday, May 2, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Instructor Alice Allen

FamilySearch.com is a major go-to site for genealogical research. In addition to continuously adding searchable records, FamilySearch is constantly improving how we access those records. Alice is a “power user” of FamilySearch and will share her insights as to how to make the site “dance” for you.

 

 

Clark County Genealogical Society April & May Meetings

by Charles Hansen

Clark County Genealogical Society (CCGS)
717 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98661-4821
360-750-5688

Clark County Genealogical Society

THIS WEEK AT CCGS
Wednesday, 5pm – webinar (see below)
Thursday, 10am – Scandinavian Focus Group
Friday, 11am – webinar (see below)

SCANDINAVIAN FOCUS GROUP
The Scandinavian Focus group meeting on Thursday, April 13th will have a guest presenter, Fred Hasle. The topic will be Danish genealogy research. He will explore the various resources available for exploring your Danish roots. This should be a very informative presentation. You do not have to be a member of the Focus Group to attend this meeting. Everyone is welcome.

SPRING CLASSES AT CCGS
Fee Classes – $12 for members, $15 for non-members

Timelines and Analysis, instructor Lethene Parks
Tuesday, April 25, 10am-12n
You’ve been hot on the trail of an illusive ancestor. You’ve gathered quite a bit of information about them. But, what does it all mean? Organizing all these disparate “facts” into a timeline and subjecting them to critical analysis will help you make sense of it.

Family Search Strategies, instructor Alice Allen
Tuesday, May 2, 10am-12n
Family Search is a major go-to site for genealogical research. In addition to continuously adding searchable records, Family Search is constantly improving how we access those records. Alice is a “power user” of Family Search and will share her insights as to how to make the site “dance” for you.

Getting Started Tracing Your Ancestors, instructor Brian Runyan   FREE
Thursday May 11, 7pm – 9pm, CCGS Annex
This class will get you started researching your family tree.  Topics include collecting information from the family, family group sheets, pedigree charts, genealogy database programs and best practices for research.

Getting Started with Your Norwegian Research, instructor Kathy Solheim
Tuesday, May 16, 10am-12n
This class will guide the researcher through the process of searching for key ancestral information in FamilySearch, then locating and interpreting the original Norwegian parish records in Digitalarkivet.

CCGS NEWSLETTER
The deadline for the May newsletter is Wednesday, April 19.  If you have something for the newsletter, send an email, with CCGS newsletter in the subject, to allen.alice@gmail.com

LIBRARY TRAINING
Monday, April 24, 10am

Normally we hold our periodic Librarians Training meetings during months with five Mondays. Because the next time this occurs will be Memorial Day, it was decided to move our next training meeting to Monday, April 24th, at 10 a.m. in the CCGS Annex. This meeting is for all current CCGS Librarians as well as anyone who is interested in becoming a Librarian. Presentations are being prepared which will help us all be better librarians, and to better serve those who visit us. Hope to see you there!

CCGS GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday, April 25, 7pm
Meagan Huff – The McLoughlin Women
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site’s Assistant Curator, Meagan Huff, will talk about the lives of Marguerite and Eloisa McLoughlin, the wife and daughter of Fort Vancouver’s Chief Factor, Dr. John McLoughlin.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CCGS MEMBERS

The proposed dues increase of $5 per year was approved by the CCGS members in attendance at the March General Meeting. Thank you for your yes votes and for your continued support of CCGS and its activities.

UPCOMING WEBINARS
Wednesday, April 12, 2017, 5:00pm, CCGS Annex.  Discussion to follow
Your Whiteboard in the Cloud: Trello for Genealogists by Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.
Learn how Trello—a free project management tool—can help you streamline your genealogy projects, tackle your “to-do” lists, and improve your workflow.

Friday, April 14, 2017, 11:00am, CCGS Annex.  Discussion to follow
Complete Photo Restoration in 4 Easy Steps by Eric Basir
Learn how to scan, restore and print a photo like the pros from beginning to end in four basic steps. Audience members are encouraged to send photos from which Eric will choose one to use during this demonstration. Includes scanning and restoration.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017, 11:00am, CCGS Annex.  Discussion to follow
Neighborhood Reconstruction: Effective Use of Land Records by Mary E.V. Hill, MLS, AG
Use USGS topographic maps, tract maps, plat maps, surveys, deeds, census records, and tax lists to reconstruct the neighborhood where your ancestor lived. Plat your ancestor’s land records and discover what unexpected clues might be discovered in the process.