TIP OF THE WEEK – FREEBIES
Both American Ancestors and Ancestry have free access promotions this
month. If you hurry, you can get in on the last few days.
Between Tuesday, November 12 and Tuesday, November 19, 2019, anyone
can access the many research databases of American Ancestors by
registering as a FREE Guest Member. That link is AmericanAncestors.org/Free-Billion
AmericanAncestors.org
contains some of the most important online databases for researching
American ancestry, with more than 1.4 billion names in records covering
18 countries.
For Veterans Day, Ancestry.Com is offering free access to their military records collection covering all 50 states and nearly 400 years of American history, from the Colonial era to Vietnam—and beyond. Search for free now through November 17
HELP SGS WHILE YOU SHOP
Black
Friday and Cyber Monday, kicking off the holiday shopping season, are
just around the corner. Think about helping SGS while you do your online
shopping by using AmazonSmile with Seattle Genealogical Society
selected as your charity of choice.
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization you choose.
SAVE THE DATE
Spring 2020 SGS Seminar with Fritz Juengling, Fairview Christian School, 844 NE 78th St, Seattle, WA Saturday, May 16, 2020 Mr Juengling is the German, Dutch and Scandinavian Research Specialist at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Fritz’ self-description says, “I read old documents in German, Dutch, French, Latin, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, help people with their genealogical research, teach classes, publish articles, and lecture at conferences.” SGS is happy to have Fritz as the presenter for our spring seminar. Save the date. SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather. The Library will be closed from November 24, 2019 through December 2, 2019, for the Thanksgiving Holiday. NOVEMBER Saturday, November 16, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth Saturday, November 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth
Saturday, November 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Digging Deeper: Comparing Genealogical Software, presenters will compare Legacy, Family Tree Maker, and RootsMagic. Come see which one is right for you.
Tuesday, November 19, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Family History Writers’ Group, contact Gail Stevens for more info at stevens_gail@hotmail.com DECEMBER
Saturday, December 7, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree for Family Search Interest Group, with leader Lou Daly. Saturday, December 14, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Second Saturday – Holiday Potluck – watch for details
TIP OF THE WEEK – ARE YOUR “SAVED” RECORDS “SAFE”?
Most people who keep their family tree on Ancestry regularly attach
records/images to an individual in their tree using the ‘Save to a
person in my tree’ function, thinking they have really saved the record
to their tree, and it will be there forever and ever. Fun and easy?
True. Forever and ever? Not true. What has really happened was a link
was created from their tree to that record/image in a database. So once
they stop subscribing to Ancestry, they will still have access to their
family tree kept there, but they will no longer be able to view any
record/image attachments “saved” from a paid database — which most are.
The bottom line, if these records/images are important to you, by all
means, “Save to someone in my tree” as you have been doing, but also use
the “Save to my computer” function. Name the record/image file you
saved something meaningful, so it can easily be identified later, and
keep it organized in a folder on your computer. A good practice might be
to create a folder on your computer for each of your family surnames.
SGS SURVEY COMING YOUR WAY! Watch your email inbox for a short two question survey from the SGS Library Trustees. It will be sent out on November 3, 2019.
Whether you are an SGS Member or not, if you are a user of the SGS Library, your opinion is important to us. So please take the time to respond to the survey and email it back. Thank you in advance for your time. Click here to access survey
WELCOME, JIM SECAN, SGS VICE PRESIDENT
On
October 12, 2019, at the regular SGS Board meeting, the Directors
voted, as is allowed by the Bylaws, to instate James “Jim” Secan as Vice
President. Jim will be responsible for non-social media publicity and
serve as Board contact for the Nominating committee for this next cycle.
Jim is presently our grants writer, but will need to relinquish that
position in light of this assumption of new duties.
Jim
was an Army brat, and as a result never lived near any of his parents’
families (in Pittsburgh, PA, and Tupelo, MS). That lack of connection
with cousins, combined with his maternal grandmother’s family tree (for
her DAR application) and an almost complete lack of detail on his
father’s paternal side (Croatian immigrants from c. 1880) are the basis
for his late-in-life interest in genealogy.
Jim
retired from NorthWest Research Associates, Inc., (NWRA) a small
research company with headquarters in Redmond, in 2014. He joined NWRA
in 1989 after a ten-year stint in the US Air Force where he had begun
his life work in the area now known as space weather, most specifically
on the effects of the earth’s ionosphere on satellite communication
systems. When Jim retired, he was a Senior Research Scientist and Vice
President responsible for NWRA’s operations in other states (Colorado
and California). After a lifetime spent doing scientific research, the
transition into a retirement doing genealogical research was a natural.
Jim
and wife Lisa have three grown sons, two living in the Seattle area (a
Bothell fire department lieutenant and a Seattle-based architect) and
one living in Vancouver, WA (a supervisor for a “boutique” moving
company). They lived in Bellevue, Redmond, and what is now Sammamish
while their sons were growing up, moved to Tucson, AZ, for the college
years (go Arizona Wildcats!), and care for aging parents. They returned
to Seattle in 2009 and plan to stay.
Please give Jim a hearty welcome when you meet him. Jim, thank you for volunteering for Vice President!
SECOND SATURDAY SPEAKER SERIES: IS IT TRUE? USING MANUSCRIPTS AND FAMILY RECORDS FOR GENEALOGICAL PROOF Steven Morrison will be the speaker at our last Second Saturday Speaker Series presentation for 2019.
Steven has been a professional genealogist since 2006 and has served on the board of the Puget Sound chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. He is a member of multiple local and national genealogical societies and is a past president of the Olympia Genealogical Society.
In this presentation, Steven explains how family records (including diaries, letters, and personal photographs) can be perceived as having little genealogical value, but nothing could be further from the truth! Come explore how original information can shine new light on undiscovered facts or family relationships. Hope to see you there, Saturday, November 9, 2019, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm in the SGS Library.
SAVE THE DATE
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, LDS Factoria Bldg, 4200 124th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA Monday, November 11, 2019
Doors open at 6:30 PM and the presentation starts promptly at 7:00 PM
Come early to network with other attendees and to enjoy the
extensive JGSWS library resources, including FREE access to the FHC
computers and genealogical websites
Free Wi-Fi available
Free admission and refreshments
At this meeting, Michael Saunders will present “Digging Deep: Doing Historical Research”
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather. The Library will be closed from November 24, 2019 through December 2, 2019, for the Thanksgiving Holiday. NOVEMBER Saturday, November 2, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree for Family Search Interest Group, with leader Lou Daly.
Sunday, November 3, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright. Q&A first hour, while focus second hour in on Genome Mate Pro.
Saturday, November 9, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree Maker Interest Group, with leaders Reiley and Jess. Saturday, November 9, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Speaker Series – Using Manuscripts and Family Records for Genealogical, with Steven Morrison
Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Mac Computer Interest Group, with Lisa Marker, held at the Fiske Genealogical Library in Madison Park, 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112, jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings are open to the public and will address topics and resources helpful for those using MacIntosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion program in their genealogy research. $3.00 library use fee applies.
Saturday, November 16, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth Saturday, November 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth
Saturday, November 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Digging Deeper: Comparing Genealogical Software, presenters will compare Legacy, Family Tree Maker, and RootsMagic. Come see which one is right for you.
Tuesday, November 19, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Family History Writers’ Group, contact Gail Stevens for more info at stevens_gail@hotmail.com DECEMBER
Saturday, December 7, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree for Family Search Interest Group, with leader Lou Daly. Saturday, December 14, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Second Saturday – Holiday Potluck – watch for details
TIP OF THE WEEK – OUR BOOKSHELVES (Part Two) Once again this edition’s tip comes from Sue Jensen, Library Director at SGS, in the form of a Q&A session.
Question: “I
want to find my grandmother’s high school photo, she went to Stadium
High School in Tacoma and graduated in 1926. Does the SGS Library have
yearbooks for high schools?”
Answer: “Yes!
We have lots of school yearbooks for Seattle schools (high schools,
UW, and others), King County schools (high schools and colleges),
Washington State schools ( high schools, colleges, and universities).
These yearbooks are in the Special Section area of our library on the
north wall in the main room and are labeled by school, county, and
year.”
ARCHIVES FAIR: CELEBRATE WASHINGTON’S
HERITAGE
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Seattle City Hall, Bertha Landes Room
From the Seattle Municipal Archives:
“Join us on October 30th from 10am – 2pm for an Archives Fair in the
Bertha Knight Landes Room at City Hall. Visit display booths from
several different archives in the Seattle area, chat with archivists
from a variety of institutions, and get a preview of the Seattle at 150
book. At noon, UW professor Jeffrey Shulman will discuss local archives
in the context of making his recent documentary film On the Brink.”
This event is free and open to the public.
Visit the Seattle Municipal Archives website for updates and more information: http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/about-the-sma/seattle-at-150
SGS will participate in the Archives Fair.
DIGGING DEEPER:
COMPARING GENEALOGICAL SOFTWARE
November 16, 2019
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, Washington
Thinking
about investing in a genealogical software program that resides on your
computer? Have a genealogical software program, but are thinking of
switching? Or are you just interested in what is “out there”? All these
are reasons to attend the upcoming session on three of the top
genealogical programs–Legacy, Family Tree Maker and RootsMagic. A panel
of three users will discuss the advantages and challenges of each of
the three and illustrate some of the features of each. MOLLIE FITZSIMONS
1927-2019
Mollie,
long time SGS Member, passed away on May 21st and a memorial service
was held for her in Seattle on June 8th. Besides raising seven children
and having a 50 year nursing career, Mollie, at one time, served as the
head of the Nominating Committee, the most miserable job in the SGS
organization.
Our condolences to Mollie’s family & friends. Her full obituary is available at: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=mollie-ann-fitzsimons&pid=193042947&fhid=10154 SAVE THE DATECGSI Genealogical & Cultural Conference,
Lincoln, NE
October 15-19, 2019
The
Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI) is the leader in
genealogy and family history in the geographical areas now known as the
Czech and Slovak Republics. Their 2019 conference is the premier event to learn about techniques for genealogical research in those areas.
For additional information and registration, visit the website: www.cgsievents.com Archives Fair: Celebrate Washington’s HeritageSeattle City Hall,
Bertha Landes Room,
Wednesday, October 30,10:00 am to 2:00pm
SGS will participate in the Archives Fair. This event is free and open to the public.
Visit the Seattle Municipal Archives website for updates and more information: http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/about-the-sma/seattle-at-150SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Unless
otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand
Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes,
and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of
inclement weather.
OCTOBER
Thursday, October 17, 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm, “DNA Learning Series”,at Mountlake Terrace Sno-Isle Library, Seattle and Sno-Isle Genealogical Societies are co-sponsoring the “DNA Learning Series”. Class 7 of the 7 class series is “Intro to Advanced Techniques”.
Pre-registration and class assignments are required. To register send an email to sgsdnasig@gmail.com
Saturday, October 26, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA SIG, this group meets quarterly at the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Co-chaired by Cary Bright and Herb McDaniel. For more information contact sgsdnasig@gmailSaturday, October 26, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth Saturday, October 26, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth
Monday, October 28, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, WAY To Go! Workshop: A Methodology for Efficient Report Writing (Classes and Workshops) Online only with Jill Morelli, CG. Session 2 (Pre Registration is Required). See October 14th for complete description and links to additional information and registration. NOVEMBER Saturday, November 2, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree for Family Search Interest Group, with leader Lou Daly.
Sunday, November 3, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright. Q&A first hour, while focus second hour in on Genome Mate Pro.
Saturday, November 9, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree Maker Interest Group, with leaders Reiley and Jess.
Saturday, November 9, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Speaker Series – Using Manuscripts and Family Records for Genealogical, with Steven Morrison
Saturday, November 16, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth Saturday, November 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth
Saturday, November 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Digging Deeper: Comparing Genealogical Software, presenters will compare Legacy, Family Tree Maker, and RootsMagic. Come see which one is right for you.
Tuesday, November 19, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Family History Writers’ Group, contact Gail Stevens for more info at stevens_gail@hotmail.com
The Seattle Genealogical Society
Library has over 2,500 Family History Books including Periodicals
written by family members documenting the lives of their ancestors.
Here is an excerpt from one:
The Carpenter Family News-Journal page
16
Mary Carpenter from a letter written
to her cousin on August 18, 1871.
“Our cabin has a ground floor and
we spread green grass over it for a carpet and change it
occasionally. It saves sweeping and mopping… You see we are right
in the midst of harvesting, the great drive of the year. Now, for
what I did yesterday. I got up before four, got breakfast, skimmed
milk, churned, worked over the churning already at hand, did a large
washing, baked 6 loaves of bread and seven pumpkin pies, while I was
baking put on the irons and did the ironing, got supper etc—besides
washing all the dishes, making the beds, (and) sweeping.”
Mary Carpenter had a busy life didn’t
she!? There are many more stories like this one in these Family
History Books and Periodicals. Come into the Library at 6200 Sand
Point Way NE in Seattle to see if any of your ancestors has a history
on our shelves.
There are over 1400 Surnames in our
Family Book Section so we include only the Surnames for the
Periodicals:
TIP OF THE WEEK – OUR BOOKSHELVES This edition’s tip comes from Sue Jensen, Library Director at SGS, in the form of a Q&A session.
Question: “My great-grandparents lived in Orange County, New York. How do I find information on Orange County, New York in Seattle Genealogical Society’s Library?”
Answer: “First, go to the New York section of our bookshelves and look for this manila colored “county card” shown in the left photo below. Look down the list for Orange County and see that it has the #36. All our books are numbered with the state first, then the county # and finally the sequence # of the book in that County’s collection. So, NY 36-1 would be the first book cataloged in Orange County in our collection in New York. NY 36-1 is the “call number” for that book. The “county card” (left) and book “call number”(right) are shown in these photos:
…
You may also find a book and its call number in our library by using the Library Catalog you can find on our website: www.seagensoc.org
LAST CHANCE – REGISTER NOW! SGS FALL SEMINAR SGS is pleased to have Tom Jones, renowned genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator, for our Fall Seminar on October 5th. His presentation this year will be Creating Credible Conclusions While Circumnavigating Walls. Come learn how to forge innovative paths around research brick walls with confidence and ethics.
In addition to the all-day seminar on Saturday, Oct 5th, Tom Jones will present two sessions of “Planning an Exhaustive Search” on Sunday, Oct 6th, at the SGS Library. The Sunday sessions are limited to 30 attendees each and the seats are nearly full. Hurry! Click here to Register Online Now or Print a Brochure to Register by Mail
MICROFILM READER, FIRST COME – FIRST SERVED Seattle Genealogical Society would like to offer our extra microfilm reader to the first person, or Society, to come retrieve it. It is located in our library at 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA. If you are interested, please contact SGS at: operations@seagensoc.org with “Microfilm Reader” in the Subject Line. FREE CLASS DIGGING DEEP : DOING HISTORICAL RESEARCH The Puget Sound Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives, in Bellevue, WA, is offering the class Digging Deep from 11:00 am- 2:00 pm on October 19, 2019. Designed for teachers, students, beginning genealogists, local heritage volunteers and others interested in exploring the past, you’ll get practical advice and learn the basic steps for gathering the information that you will need to investigate and interpret a historical topic. In this class, discover:
· What historical sources are & how to use them · What primary sources are & aren’t · What secondary sources are & why they’re useful · How to use the library system in your research · How to use archival collections · How to find and use reliable online resources . How to properly cite your sources · How to use information from different sources
For additional information, contact Mike Saunders, Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Branch at mike.saunders@sos.wa.gov or 425-564-3950. DO NOT FORGET THE FALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Remember the SGS Membership Meeting is Saturday, October 12, from 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm, followed by a Second Saturday Series presentation. The topic will be The New SGS Website. SAVE THE DATE
Tom Jones – Guest Speaker, SGS 2019 Fall Seminar, Fairview Christian School, 844 NE 78th St, Seattle, WA October 5-6, 2019 Back by popular demand! We are delighted to have Dr. Tom Jones visit Seattle once again. Tom is an award-winning genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator. He has co-edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002, and he is the author of the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation. Click here to Register Online Now or Print a Brochure to Register by Mail
CGSI Genealogical & Cultural Conference, Lincoln, NE October 15-19, 2019 The Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI) is the leader in genealogy and family history in the geographical areas now known as the Czech and Slovak Republics. Their 2019 conference is the premier event to learn about techniques for genealogical research in those areas.
For additional information and registration, visit the website: www.cgsievents.com
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather.
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 5, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, SGS Fall Seminar with Tom Jones, at Fairview Christian School. The SGS Library will be closed so our volunteers may attend the seminar.
Sunday, October 6, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright. Q&A first hour, while focus second hour in on Genome Mate Pro.
Saturday, October 12, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree for Family Search Interest Group, with leader Lou Daly. Rescheduled date & time due to the seminar on October 5.
Saturday, October 12, 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm, SGS Fall Membership Meeting
Saturday, October 12, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Speaker Series – The New SGS Website , Learn how to log into the new web site and to use the new features; stay current with our events; access our research resources and add your family’s name to our surname registry. Facilitators: David Rimmer, Ann Wright, Christine Schomaker and Heidi Mair Sunday, October 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Special Interest Group – meets quarterly with Karen Knudson. Share info and discuss researching your Scandinavian ancestors.
Monday, October 14, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, WAY To Go! Workshop: A Methodology for Efficient Report Writing (Classes and Workshops) Online only; with Jill Morelli, CG. Session 1 (Pre Registration is Required). Write as you go is a method of writing reports efficiently and accurately. By focusing your attention on a single research question coupled with other techniques learned in the program, this two session course will improve the efficiency of your product. Brick wall problems, client, and research reports benefit from this approach. There will be assignments. Maximum class size is 30 members, with priority given to SGS members. $40 for members, $50 for non-members
TIP OF THE WEEK – FIX THAT INDEX!
It’s
finally here, and Family Search members are excited for the newest
enhancement that allows for correction to names in the indexes on Family
Search. If and when you find it necessary to correct an index record,
you will be asked to provide an explanation for the correction and given
a choice of two reasons :
Indexed incorrectly (such as misread of the original document)
-or-
Wrong in the original document (such as nickname used)
Keep
in mind that your correction does not override the information already
on FamilySearch. Instead, you are providing additional information. The
old index information remains intact. Your change, as well as the
original information, are both searchable; therefore, allowing other
members to more readily locate these persons. There could end up being
several changes for the same record, so please edit carefully since
multiple changes will muddy the waters.
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.
