Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Meeting

Aug21 by Charles Hansen

A Boy in the American Revolution and the Birth of the US Army
Saturday, September 9
A Boy in the American Revolution and the Birth of the US Army (EWGS Meetings)
12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Spokane Public Library Auditorium, Downtown Spokane
Presenter: Bob Asbury

Robert Washington Asbury, 65 years old, born January 28, 1951, Spokane WA
Work for: CUTBOARD STUDIO, Spokane WA
I have been a television producer for the past 20 years, producer of the syndicated television (sport fishing) series, COLUMBIA COUNTRY (2000 -2010), but more recently, TROUT TV (2011 – 2013).
Currently I am working on a series for Northwest PBS affiliates called: WAY OF THE COLUMBIA, a series about the fisheries and related habitat work underway throughout the greater Columbia Basin watershed.
The name of my presentation is: A BOY IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AND BIRTH OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY. It’s the story of my 3rd great grandfather, Daniel Bedinger. Danial was 15 years old when he ran away from home to join the Continental Army, part of a special unite that represented the first national recruitment by the Continental Congress.
I discovered this story while doing research on a film I am producing about Samuel Washington, General Washington’s younger brother. The name of this film is: THE GENERAL’S BROTHER.
My interest in Samuel Washington is driven by my family tie to the Washington’s, Sam Washington, is my 4th Great Grandfather. Our family (Asbury’s) are among the closest living descendants of General Washington’s immediate family. Since discovering this, I have spent the past twenty years researching, and studying everything I can find on George Washington and the American Revolutionary War period.

Go to “Download: Meeting Handout.” to obtain the presenter’s handout.

Cookies & Social Time: 12:30 PM. Meeting starts at 1:00 PM
Download: Meeting Handout

Meet the Board: Donna Potter Phillips

Jul11 by Roxanne Lowe

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Did you know we have an Executive Committee, six standing committee chairs and three appointed non-elected officers? Who are all these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them.

Donna Potter Phillips

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Donna Potter Phillips. Donna lives in Spokane and is WSGS’s Vice President, Communication Chair, on the Blog Team, and Region 7 Representative for Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens Counties. She also served as WSGS Vice President a number of years ago. She is a proud member of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society where she has been president (twice!), program chair, newsletter editor and held “jack of all” jobs. She is currently EWGS’s Federation of Genealogical Societies’ representative and Education chair.

Besides being a member of WSGS (since 1984) and EWGS, Donna is a member of the Mayflower Society, DAR, St. Clair County (Illinois) Genealogical Society, National Genealogical Society, Whitman County Genealogical Society and the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society. In addition, Donna was named a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2008 and 2014. That’s a lot of genealogy, but that’s what Donna does!

Donna, age 5

Donna Ruth Potter was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Francis Harold and June Magdalen (Gurney) Potter. She was named for the heroine Lady Dona in Daphne Du Maurier’s 1941 novel “Frenchman’s Creek.”

Donna and her husband John are the proud parents of three, grandparents of eight and great-grandparents of 2-3/4 great-granddaughters.

Donna’s been interested in genealogy for more than 40 years – since she first learned she was a direct descendant of Englishman William Bradford of the Mayflower. She got “hooked” in 1971, joined EWGS in 1976 and has been researching, sharing, educating and promoting genealogy ever since. One of her favorite experiences was going with her son Benjamin and his son Austin to Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane to see a B-52 bomber jet on display. According to the serial number on the plane, it was one Donna’s father flew as an Aircraft Commander in the U.S. Air Force. Such serendipity! And speaking of “serendipity,” Donna publishes a weekly feature on the WSGS Blog called “Friday Serendipity” – assorted musings to entertain one and all. She also publishes “Monday Mystery,” “Tuesday Trivia,” and “Wednesday Nostalgia.”

On Donna’s ever-growing genealogy To Do List:
• Get all her genealogy research and information in order in case…well, you know.
• Upload her photos to www.Forever.com.
• Put her family tree on Ancestry, FamilySearch and MyHeritage.
• Make sure her list of contacts and passwords are updated.

When Donna’s not doing genealogy, she enjoys gardening (both inside and out), reading, rock collecting, taking educational classes and travel, including her ancestral homelands: Germany, England and Wales. She’s also a devoted dachshund lover!

A few more interesting tidbits about Donna:
• Favorite genealogy sites: Ancestry, FamilySearch and the Washington Digital Archives
• Favorite color: red
• Favorite dessert: Anything chocolate
• Word or phrase that describes her: Outspokenly energetic!

Now you know a little more about another of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Donna, say hello and thank her for her service to WSGS.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society June Meeting

May24 by Charles Hansen

Army Medicine during the American Civil War 1861-1865
Saturday, June 3
Army Medicine during the American Civil War 1861-1865 (EWGS Meetings)
12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Spokane Public Library Auditorium, Downtown Spokane
Presenter: Mike Inmann

Mike Inman is a retired Firefighter living in Spokane with his wife MJ and has been reenacting for 26 years. He does reenacting and living history including the frontier army of the 1880’s focusing on Forts Sherman and Spokane as well as portraying a surgeon 1861-1865 with the Washington Civil War Association. Mike has an extensive library for research to questions and some details of ancestors who fought in the Civil War. Mike also has a vast array of equipment including original medical instruments that he displays and allows people to handle so they can get a hands on experience, for example, of what an actual Civil War period amputation saw feels like. He not only reenacts throughout the Pacific Northwest but has attended many Civil War reenactments back east as well as participated in filming for Civil War oriented movies. Mike strives to educate or as he likes to say, “de-Hollywood the American Civil War” as well as entertain through both a presentation and a question and answer period.

The program is designed to give both military and civilian medical history involving the armies of the Union and Confederacy. But the presentation can go in any direction the audience wants such as drug use, medical procedures, nursing activity, field hospital organization, statistics, etc.

Go to “Download: Meeting Handout.” to obtain the presenter’s handout.

Cookies & Social Time: 12:30 PM. Meeting starts at 1:00 PM
Download: Meeting Handout.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Spring Seminar

Feb8 by Charles Hansen

Saturday, April 1
Spring Seminar — DNA (EWGS Meetings)
8:30 am to 3:15 pm
Country Homes Christian Church 8415 North Wall Street Spokane WA
Presenter: Mary Kathryn Kozy
Mary Kathryn Kozy has been researching her family history for over 35 years and across many different localities. She has served in multiple positions in societies on the

local & state level and as a Family History missionary. Mary is currently the Secretary of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State and speaks to many groups in

the area. She holds bachelor’s degrees in both Zoology and Information Technology & Systems and has completed the ProGen online study program with an eye toward

certification.
You can pay at the door, but you may not get a handout, so register early and be counted.

PDF Version of the flyer EWGS Kozy Flyer

Eastern Washington Gen Society News

Dec29 by Charles Hansen

Saturday, January 7, 2017 — 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

The Pearl Buffet, 21 E Lincoln Road Spokane WA 99208

Lunch at 12:00 followed by program.

Welcome to the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum!! A gem in our area that perhaps you’ve overlooked visiting. Come hear director, Jayne Singleton, tell us all about this wonderful museum AND research station for the history of the peoples of Spokane Valley.

Born in South Bend Indiana, raised in Redondo Beach CA, Jayne moved to Spokane 33 yrs ago and was educated at SFCC, Gonzaga and EWU.

She (with a group of others) established the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum in 2004 in the Opportunity Township Hall. She is now Museum Director & Valley Historian, presented programs to community, schools, clubs, groups and is a contributing author on historical events/people to magazines, newspapers etc.

Diane Hunter Boyd Awarded 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

Nov9 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 500 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 2016 award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Diane Hunter Boyd

Today we’re introducing Diane Hunter Boyd of Spokane Valley, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS). She was recognized for her dedicated, creative efforts as the EWGS’s web manager.

In August 2011, Ms. Boyd agreed to become EWGS’s web manager “for a few months.” She remained in the position for the next four-and-one-half years.

In additional to her duties as web manager, including creation of a new home page at ewgsi.org, Ms. Boyd became the web coordinator of EWGS’s new digital publication, Digital Digest. When Ms. Boyd stepped down as EWGS’s web manager, she continued to answer questions from both the new web manager and the Digital Digest coordinator.

Ms. Boyd ensured EWGS had an easy-to-use, current website, and was always helping anyone that needed help. As such a dedicated member, she richly deserved being named an Outstanding Volunteer by the Washington State Genealogical Society.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Eastern Washington Gen Society Newsflash

Oct25 by Charles Hansen

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Saturday, November 5

Spokane History, a New Way to Share Local History.

Cookies & Social Time: 12:30 PM. Meeting starts at 1:00 PM

Spokane Public Library Auditorium, Downtown Spokane

Presenter: EWU Professor of History Larry Cebula

” Spokane History, a New Way to Share Local History.” For decades, local history was told mostly through public plaques, small museums, and the rare public event. Starting in 2012, students at Eastern Washington University pioneered a new way of sharing local stories, through a website and smartphone app called Spokane Historical. EWU Professor of history Larry Cebula and a few of his students will demonstrate SpokaneHistorical.org, sharing some of the best stories and the excitement of local history.

Eastern Washington GS’s Tuesday Gals Awarded 2016 Outstanding Team Award

Oct12 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing the Tuesday Gals Team who were nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS). Members of this dedicated team include Carol Anderson, Patricia Ayers, Patricia Bayonne-Johnson, Barbara Brazington, Mary Holcomb, Juanita McBride and Dolly Webb.

EWGS’s Tuesday Gals

Started in the 1950s, the “Tuesday Gals” are a longtime tradition of Gene-Helpers in the local library. In addition to helping people with genealogical research, the Tuesday Gals support EWGS’s genealogical holdings that are housed in the downtown branch of the Spokane Public Library by ordering books, binding and/or repairing them and cataloging them. Although they’re usually at the library on Tuesday’s (thus the name), they’re quick to help if needed on a different day.

This group of dedicated volunteers richly deserve being recipients of a 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Team by the Washington State Genealogical Society.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Meet the Board: Charles Hansen

Oct9 by Roxanne Lowe

Web Blog Manager Charles Hansen

In our new “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Charles Hansen from Spokane. Charles is WSGS’s Blog Master, as well as chair of the Resource Guide Project. He is a longtime member of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society where he serves as their Registered Agent, email chair, chief researcher (since 1998), head of library volunteers and one of their bloggers.

We know him as Charles, but he was born Charles Michael Hansen and called “Mike” by his family for as long as he can remember – probably to avoid confusion with his maternal grandfather Charles Rupert Kelly after whom he was named. His middle name honored his paternal grandfather Anton Mikkel Hansen.

Born in Spokane, Charles graduated from Washington State University in Pullman in 1971. For many years, he’s been an “Enrolled Agent,” someone considered by the IRS to be the equivalent of a CPA – able to do examinations, collections and appeals. In case you were wondering, the name Enrolled Agent came about soon after the Civil War when Enrolled Agents were authorized by the government to fill out paperwork for the veterans and families of the veterans for benefits provided by the government.

Charles and his grandfather Charles Kelly, Aunt Mayme McMichael and his grandmother Cleo Kelly

Charles became interested in genealogy back in 1990 after he and his sister Jacque decided to hold a family reunion. They started looking for their Hansen relatives – not an easy task considering that Charles and Jacque have more than 100 second cousins! After corresponding with their Dad’s first cousin Lorraine Erickson, a Family History Center volunteer in Arizona, Lorraine sent them a group sheet — something Charles and Jacque had never seen before! Lorraine suggested they send blank group sheets with the reunion packets. Imagine their surprise when they got 350 family group sheets back! They dutifully typed the information into a program called the “Enhanced Family Tree” and printed a book for everyone that came to the reunion.

That started the ball rolling. Wanting to find out more about their family, they took a beginning genealogical course through the local community college taught by Donna Potter-Phillips, past president of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society — and WSGS Vice President. She encouraged Charles and Jacque to join EWGS and the rest is, well…history.

A tip from Charles: I didn’t record who sent me each group sheet, so for the first 500 names in my genealogical file today most have no sources, but I do have the hard copy group sheets. Also the Enhanced Family Tree program did not have the ability to save data as a GEDCOM so when I switched to a better program, I had to retype all the data I had.

Charles and Jacque recently returned from a road trip to visit family and the Montana State Genealogical Society conference in Missoula to hear Judy Russell and Amy Crow. Charles has also visited Minnesota where the five original Hansen brothers settled. He’s also got ancestors from Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, New England, Denmark, England, Scotland and Germany.

When Charles isn’t blogging on the WSGS Blog (or his own blog http://charles-mikkelshus.blogspot.com/), researching at the county courthouse, volunteering at EWGS or doing his own genealogy, he’s out in his garden puttering here and there.

More trivia about Charles:

His favorite color is blue.
His favorite dessert is ice cream.
His most used genealogy website is the Washington State Digital Archives – where he’s transcribed over 523,000 records!
He says the single word that best describes him is “introvert.”

Now you know a little more about one of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Charles, say hello and thank him for his service to the WSGS.

EWGS President Pat Bayonne-Johnson meets Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia

Jun17 by Charles Hansen

On the EWGS Facebook page today was a link from an article by Megan Smolenyak telling about an article in the Washington Post by Terrance McCoy on the Georgetown University sale of 272 slaves to pay off debts owed by Georgetown University:Link here ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/06/17/georgetowns-priests-sold-her-ancestors-into-slavery-heres-how-she-cracked-the-mystery/ )

This is a copy of the Blog post I did for the EWGS blog a few days ago where Pat Bayonne-Johnson met the President of Georgetown University:

EWGS President Patricia Bayonne-Johnson descendant of slaves that were sold by Georgetown University in 1838, meets with Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia at the Spokane Public Library. Read the article by Rachel L. Swarns of the New York Times. (https://goodblacknews.org/author/goodblacknews/ ) or the article in the Spokesman Review

Here is some pictures of the meeting:

Pat and John DeGioia

Greeting the team of researchers.

Sitting down to talk about the research.

Washington State Genealogical Society Blog

Tag Archives: Eastern Washington Genealogical Society