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 Donna Potter Phillips of Spokane, Washington who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Donna has contributed nearly 50 years of dedication to EWGS. She has held every position on the Board except Treasurer. She has been the driving force for multi-class workshops, an annual Board retreat, keeping scrapbooks and other EWGS materials, the Walking with Ancestors event and the massive Obituary Indexing Project with more than 100,000 records to date.
Donna has written over 40 articles for the EWGS Digital Digest. She writes weekly Blog articles for EWGS and WSGS. She also volunteers at the library helping the public find their own story. Her dedication is an inspiration to all of us!
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.
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 Kelly Martin of Spokane, Washington who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Even though Kelly has been a member of EWGS for only two years, she has jumped right in on a number of different activities. She has been a gene helper in the library, and even substituted for others that were not able to attend their shift. Her knowledge of North Idaho sources has been invaluable to people coming to the library researching that area.
Kelly has started an Irish special interest group, whose goal is to discuss resources and tools to aid Irish genealogical research. She also was one of the participants in the recent “Walking with Ancestors” event. Kelly has been an enthusiastic researcher on the well-known Best family in the library. She portrayed Emily and Edward Best. (Best Road in Spokane Valley was named for them.)
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.
(Full-text search is a powerful technique that allows you to find specific information within a large collection of text by analyzing the content of the documents, rather than just matching keywords.)
Join us May 3rd to find out how this “magical” tool can help you!
Date: May 03, 2025
Time: 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM
Location: The Hive – 2904 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 Hybrid-Zoom meeting Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Pam Duce will be presenting:
“Family Search Full-Text Search: Experimental to Essential”.
Artificial Intelligence has advanced access to handwritten, narrative records like wills, guardianships, and land records.
Learn how to access and search these records through the FamilySearch Full-Text Search introduced at RootsTech 2024.
Examples showing the importance of these records and how you can help AI learn will also be shared.
Zoom link and Handouts will be available on the EWGSi.org website the day prior to this presentation. (please print your handouts at home.)
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 the EWGS Audio-Visual Team who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Dan Cotton, Julie Roesnoff, Ron Marvin, John Wilson and Duane Beck.
The Audio-Visual team is responsible for the storage, transport, maintenance, inventory, and set-up / take-down of equipment. They are also responsible for ensuring audio and visual capabilities for attendees and presenters of EWGS meetings and seminars for those attending in person and on Zoom.
The team was created in 2020 when in-person meetings could not be held. When regular meetings resumed, they continued to provide the services needed for hybrid meetings.
Members of this team spend countless hours making sure the meetings are available to all and record them for later viewing. They have had to adjust to varied set-up conditions at different locations, and they have worked to resolve any technical difficulties that arose.
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.
Earlier this week, Charles Hansen was surprised with a proclamation by the Spokane City Council for his “dedicated service to the citizens of Spokane and in great celebration of the positive impact he has made in the lives of our community’s families, residents, organizations and youth.” The resolution was signed by Betsy Wilkerson, Spokane City Council President.
The proclamation (below) outlines the many endeavors that Charles has committed himself to over the years, including being Whitman Neighborhood Council Chair, volunteering to do genealogical research at the Spokane County Auditor’s Office and being a longtime member of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society.
Although in his long list of activities it doesn’t say, we are enormously proud of Charles for being the WSGS Blog Master since its inception in January 2019. He is also the #2 all-time scribe of Washington State records with 678,945 transcriptions.
Southside Community Center – 3151 E 27th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223
Celebrating our 90th Anniversary
Presentation by Dolly Webb Little known fun facts, stories and surprise guests
Thomas MacEntee:
“Creating An Ancestor Sketch”
Class Description: Face it: most genealogists never get around to publishing that family history book based on their genealogy research. How about a different approach: producing short 3-5 page “sketches” about an ancestor? You’ll learn how to include a cover, photos, facts, family stories, source citations and more! And guess what, once you get a few of these ancestor sketches done, you can compile them together for one big book!
James M Beidler: President of PA Society
“Digging Pennsylvania Roots From Your Desktop”
It’s estimated that one in four Americans has Keystone State roots. Much of Pennsylvania research – from church records to land documents – to courthouse filings, can be done remotely.”
Registration is required for this seminar.
You wil receive a handout via email 2-3 days PRIOR for this seminar.
You MUST be registered to receive the handouts & the zoom link.
DEADLINE IS MARCH 31ST
$40 for EWGS members,
$50 for non-members,
$20 for zoomers
IF you pay by check we ask you to include your email address so we can send your handouts.
Mark your calendars! You don’t want to miss this one!
Saturday, March 1 “BREAKING THE SILENCE: CLOSING THE BOOK ON COLD CASES” 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm The HIVE, 2904 E Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA Presented by Lynda Keenan How do genealogical skills help Law Enforcement solve Cold Cases? What is Genetic Genealogy? What tools are needed to help connect DNA evidence with Genealogical research? Come learn the answers to these questions and more!
Pin Your Ancestors Down with Google Maps and Google Earth
Saturday, February 1
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
THE HIVE, 2904 E Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA
DOORS OPEN AT 12:30 P.M. for Social time (please come early to help set up)
Presented by Cyndi Ingle (Cyndi’s List)
Class description: Google Maps and Google Earth provide two wonderful sources for geographical assistance in tracking your ancestors and pinning them down for your research. Combined with other mapping resources online we will demonstrate how using these Google tools can give you a visual aid for your research. Follow migration paths, historical routes, and your own family’s path, marking them on the maps with information, photos and documentation.
Door Code is: 648264#
Handouts will be on the EWGSi website the day before this presentation. (Please print them at home.)
Zoom link will be on the EWGSi website the day prior the the presentation.
Free Table
Raffles
50/50 Contest
Please remember to bring any donations you might have for the April Book Sale or the October Auction. Paula Davis will accept donations at any meeting.
Southside Community Center at 3151 E 27th Ave. Spokane, WA 99223
PLEASE NOTE START TIME OF 12 NOON
TOPIC “The Future of Genealogy Societies”
Handouts are available now on the website (print them at home)
Guest Speaker : Dr. Joshua Taylor, president of the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, is a nationally recognized speaker. His contributions to the field have been acknowledged through numerous awards, including Rootstech’s Distinguished Presenter Award.
(the Zoom link will be sent to registrants via email the day prior to the presentation.)
Program will include:
Recognition of 2025 Board Members and 2024 outgoing Board members and Past President
Committee volunteers and chairpersons
Recognition of our amazing volunteers! We couldn’t do this without them!
Lunch: Clam Chowder, Creamy Italian Sausage & Pasta and Lentil Soups, Caesar Salad and Bread. Assorted cupcakes for dessert.
**Cost: $40 for members, $50 for non-members, and $20 for zoomers.
How to Register:
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS DECEMBER 31, 2024
YOU MUST LOGIN TO GET MEMBER RATE
1. TO PAY FROM OUR NEW WEBSITE: On the event listing Click on “register here” YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO THE ‘DONATION’ PAGE. FILL OUT THE FORM AND CLICK SUBMIT. YOU WILL HAVE A NEW SCREEN WITH ‘PAY NOW’. CLICK ON PAY NOW TO ENTER Credit Card DATA.
OR
2. YOU MAY ALSO PAY IN OUR STORE (Click on Store and follow the directions there)
OR
3. You can mail your registration to: EWGS – 816 W Francis, Suite 572, Spokane, WA 99205(Deadline for mail-in is December 27th)
No refunds after December 31, 2024
The Ways and Means Committee is planning a book auction for April.
Please bring your best genealogy-related books to Paula Davis. She will accept your donations at any meeting.
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.
