Donna McLain Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2025

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 2025 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Donna McLain of Longview, Washington who was selected by the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Donna has been a member of LCGS for many years, and during her tenure she has served as a member of the society’s board, as a greeter at in-person meetings and two terms as secretary.  Her secretarial skills are outstanding, and her minutes are presented in a very businesslike and detailed manner.  She has also been an active participant on the program committee, and she recommends presentations of interest. Donna is a great asset to our society, as she consistently offers thought-provoking input to all board discussions, and she is always willing to see a project through to its completion

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.

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Missing Reward! Locating Widows, Spinsters and Batchelors

Sara Cochran

Genealogist and lecturer

Her Topic is

Missing: Reward! Locating Widows,

Spinsters and Bachelors

The speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s June 11th, 2026, zoom meeting will be Sara Cochran. Her topic is Reward! Locating Widows, Spinsters and Bachelors.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am

Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am

The public is invited to attend

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr.

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Preserving and Dating Photographs

Maggie Cogswell

Washington State Archivist

Her topic is

Preserving and Dating Photographs

The speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s May 14th, 2026 zoom meeting will be Maggie Cogswell. Her topic is Preserving and Dating Photographs

Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am

Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am

The public is invited to attend.

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr.

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Researching Newspapers Outside the Newspaper com

Amber Oldenberg

Genealogist and Lecturer

Her topic is

Researching Newspaper Outside of Newspapers.com

The speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s April 9th, 2026 zoom meeting will be Amber Oldenburg. Her topic is Researching Newspapers Outside the Newspaper.com.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am

Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am

The public is invited to attend.

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr.

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Did Your Ancestor Work on a Railroad

James Tanner

Attorney, Genealogist and Blogger

His topic is

Did Your Ancestor Work on a Railroad

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

March 12th 2026 Zoom meeting is James Tanner. His topic is Did Your Ancestor Work on a Railroad.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am

Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am

The public is invited to attend

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Probate Where There’s a Will or Not

Christine Cohen

Genealogist and lecturer

Whittier Area Genealogy Society

Her topic is

Probate—Where There’s a Will or Not

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

February 12th 2026 zoom meeting is Christine Cohen. Her topic is Probate – Where There’s a Will or Not.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am

Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am

The public is invited to attend

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence

Angela Packer McGhie

CERTIFIED GENEALOGIST

WRITER, LECTURER

Her topic is

Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

January 8th 2026 zoom meeting is Angela Packer McGhie. Her topic is Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence.

Please note time change

Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am

Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am

Public is invited to attend

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI

THOMAS MacENTEE

GENEALOGIST, AUTHOR, BLOGGER

Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

November 13th Zoom meeting

Virtual meeting doors will open at 6:30 pm

The speaker’s program will begin at 7:00 pm

The public is invited to attend however, non-members will not have access to the handout as per speaker’s request

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Was Your Ancestor Really Gone or Just Hidden

PAM VESTAL

Genealogist and lecturer

Was Your Ancestor Really Gone or Just Hidden in the Records

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

October 9th Zoom meeting.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 6:30 pm

The speaker’s program will begin at 7:00 pm

The public is invited to attend.

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Locate Original Quaker Records

Steven W. Morrison

Genealogist and lecturer

Using Hinshaw & Other Finding Aids to Locate Original Quaker Records

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

September 11th Zoom meeting.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 6:30 pm

The speaker’s program will begin at 7:00 pm.

The public is invited to attend.

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event.