ANNE JENNER TO BE GUEST SPEAKER AT THE SCANDINAVIAN SIG

We’re delighted to have Anne Jenner, Pacific Northwest Curator, University of Washington Special Collections, as our speaker at the May meeting of the Scandinavian Special Interest Group, on Sunday, May 15, from 1:30-3:30pm, at the Seattle Genealogical Society, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle.

Anne served as the head of the library at the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Swedish-American Historical Society. Anne will discuss resources of interest to those researching their Scandinavian roots, Swedish in particular!

Anne comes to us with extensive knowledge of Swedish language and culture. She received a B.A. in Swedish, with a minor in history, from North Park College in Chicago and her MLIS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Anne also has a M.A. in Scandinavian Languages and Literature from the University of Washington.

Check out her blog at pnwblog.wordpress.com or follow her on Twitter @pnwcurator

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GiveBig IS COMING SOON!

The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBig program is a one-day online charitable giving event involving nonprofit organizations in Seattle and King County.  This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. All donations made to SGS through the GiveBig website on May 3 will be increased by “stretch funds” meaning your gift to SGS will be supplemented by our ‘share’ of the stretch pool funds from the Seattle Foundation.  Last year that was 8.4%.

Membership dues pay less than a third of SGS’s operating expenses so charitable donations as well as our two yearly seminars are important income streams for SGS.  This event will enhance any gift you give to SGS and make your contribution go even farther!  So please save the date – May 3.

More specifics will be forthcoming as the date, May 3, nears. Watch for it and thank you!

SGS 1890 PROJECT CONTINUES

Thanks to several dedicated volunteers, progress continues on our project to “replace” the lost 1890 U.S. Census for Seattle.

Work has been completed on the 1889 WA Territorial Census and we hope to have it added to the SGS website and available to members soon. Phase 2, transcribing the 1890 Seattle City Directory, is about 85% complete.

We are looking for volunteers to help with Phase 3, which entails the final proofreading.  If you are interested in helping, please email the project lead, Kerri Keil, at sgs1890@gmail.com.

5 EVENTS COMING UP THIS SPRING AND SUMMER
  FOR THE GENEALOGY ENTHUSIAST

With spring and summer on the way, many find their thoughts turn to beaches, parks, and outdoor activities. But as genealogy buffs, our thoughts are more likely to turn to what new seminar/conference, courthouse, or cemetery can we visit.  Here are some interesting, up coming events you might want to attend.

“An Introduction to Eastern European Family History Research”
featuring Canadian Genealogist, Dave Obee

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society,

April 9, 2016  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS) in Burlington, WA,  presents an educational program,  “An Introduction to Eastern European Family History Research”  on Saturday, April 9, 1-3 PM at the Burlington Senior Center, (Use the East Entrance) 1011 Greenleaf St, Burlington, WA

The guest speaker is Eastern European genealogy expert, Dave Obee.  Mr. Obee will explain how, with the help of new geographic tools and more records being placed online, it is now easier than ever to locate records in Eastern European countries like Poland and Ukraine.

The program is free and open to the public.  Details: skagitvalleygenealogy.org, genealogy0715@gmail.com, or (360) 757-6224

“Finding Solutions to Your Toughest Research Problems” with
 William Dollarhide, nationally recognized lecturer & awarding winning author,
 Presented by the Seattle Genealogical Society,
Seminar will be located at :
Fairview Christian School,
844 NE 78th Street, Seattle, WA
May 21, 2016  9:45 am – 3:30 pm

Be sure to catch the SGS Spring Seminar. Bill will present 4 sessions covering American Migration Routes from 1750-1800, Civil War Genealogy, Census Substitutes, and Finding Living Relatives On-line.  Save the date.  Register before May 17th for discounted pricing.   For more information check it out on-line at :
http://seattlegenealogicalsociety.org/2016springseminar-info

If you missed the SGS Fall Seminar, everyone had a good time and it was a huge success thanks to all who volunteered, and thanks to the quality of the speaker, Dr. Tom Jones.  Heard repeatedly throughout the day was “How soon can we get him to come back?”.

If you are one of those who’d love to see Dr. Tom Jones again, check out the next item.  He will be in Oregon teaching a writing course at the Western Institute of Genealogy on the 28th and 29th of July.  He will also be at “The Summer Genealogy Fest” following the next day, July 30th, at the same location.

The Western Institute of Genealogy (WIG)
The Genealogical Council of Oregon will host classes by Dr. Thomas W. Jones and Dr. John Colletta at
Lane Community College
Eugene, OR 97405
July 28-29,  2016

Calling all Intermediate and Advanced Genealogists. Are you looking for fantastic, local, and affordable continuing educational opportunities by nationally known professionals? Do you want to improve your writing skills or learn how to locate and use federal records? Here are two courses you don’t want to miss.

Dr. Jones will be offering a two-day advanced writing course, while Dr. Colletta will be offering a two-day course on federal records. You choose one course for the two-day event, register and pay a total of $130.00. This fee is for two days jam-packed with information and it includes  lunches and snacks.

Please see the website for more information and registration : www.gcoconference.com

The Summer Genealogy Fest   
Lane Community College
Eugene, OR 97405
July 30,  2016

Once again see the website above  for more details and registration.Stay around for another fun day on Saturday, July 30. There will be four doctors in the house, as well as other professional speakers and topics to interest you.
Visit :  www.gcoconference.com   to register for one or both events.

“36th International Conference on Jewish Genealogy”
Sheraton Hotel
1400 6th Avenue,
Seattle, WA 98101
August 7-12, 2016

This is a landmark event with leading genealogical experts and family researchers from around the world gathering in beautiful downtown Seattle. Conference focus is “The Wandering Jew”. All are welcome.

To explain what the conference is all about The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State and the Seattle Sephardic Network  hosted a free Sneak Preview earlier this week.  More information, registration and a video of the preview just mentioned is at the IAJGS website :
http://www.iajgs2016.org/

Last, but not least is  “Gwyl Gymru Gogledd America” and no, that is not a typo.  The literal translation is “Festival Wales North American”.

“85th Annual North American Festival of Wales”,
(or “Gwyl Gymru Gogledd America”),
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
September 1-4, 2016

If you’re of Welsh descent or interested in Welsh culture, this is the largest Welsh cultural event in North America and will feature a marketplace, a tea room, music and poetry competition, seminars and Cinema Wales and a Grand Banquet and Grand Concert. Seminar topics include Welsh language, music, dance, films, customs, and contemporary issues in Wales today.

For more information and registration, visit their website at :
www.nafow.org

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All programs are at the SGS Library at 6200 Sand Point Way unless otherwise indicated. Please Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather.

** Please note SGS library hours of operation for Sundays have changed to 1pm – 5pm.

APRIL

Saturday, April 2, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian Interest Group, Leader: David Robert

Sunday, April 3, 1:00 pm -3:00 pm, Program Meeting,  “Using Historic Newspapers in Your Genealogy Research”,  Speaker: Janice Lovelace

Tuesday, April 5, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology,  Bring your laptop or mobile device, visit with other members and learn from each other while working on your family history. Discuss current projects, hardware, software, organizing data, and technology trends in genealogy.

Sunday, April 10, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group, “Uffda! Don’t Speak Swedish?”, cover common words and phrases used in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish & Finnish genealogy research,  Leader: Karen Knudson

Tuesday, April 12, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology,  Bring your laptop or mobile device, visit with other members and learn from each other while working on your family history. Discuss current projects, hardware, software, organizing data, and technology trends in genealogy.

Wednesday, April 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, SGS Program, “A Decree of (Temporary) Divorce – My Life Without Ancestry.com”, A thin bank balance tired of paying for subscription websites – Mary will share free substitute records and sites she has found.  Examine your genealogy from a different view point with a fresh perspective and save a few pennies as well.  Speaker: Mary Kircher Roddy

Wednesday, April 13, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Mac Computer Interest Group, Fiske Genealogical Library, 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle, Leaders: Diane Heddrick and Lou Daly

Saturday, April 16, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, “Beyond Using the Major Websites: Finding some great Irish genealogy resources in print at SGS”, Leader: Jean A Roth
Saturday, April 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group,  “German Emigration: Reasons for German Emigration, Ports of Embarkation and Record Sources”,  Leader: Jean A Roth

Tuesday, April 19, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology,  Bring your laptop or mobile device, visit with other members and learn from each other while working on your family history. Discuss current projects, hardware, software, organizing data, and technology trends in genealogy.

Tuesday, April 26, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology,  Bring your laptop or mobile device, visit with other members and learn from each other while working on your family history. Discuss current projects, hardware, software, organizing data, and technology trends in genealogy.

NEW SUNDAY HOURS AT SGS LIBRARY

Due to difficulty finding volunteers to cover the desk at the SGS Library on Sundays, the Board has changed the hours of operation to 1-5 pm.

DROP IN TECHNOLOGY DISCUSSIONS FOR ALL

* NEW TECHNOLOGY TUESDAYS *

Lonely at home working on research projects? Beginning on March 15th, drop-in discussions will be hosted by Lisa Chan each Tuesday from 12-3pm at the SGS Library. Bring your laptop or mobile device, visit with other members and learn from each other while working on your family history. Discuss current projects, hardware, software, organizing data, and technology trends in genealogy.

All levels of experience are welcome. Participants are encouraged to visit and help one another with projects. These drop-in sessions are about socializing and learning while researching.

While quick questions are always welcome, please be considerate and direct your specific hardware and software problems to the appropriate vendors; we really can’t offer technical support.

Email Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology, sgsdirtechnology@gmail.com for more information.

Note ** Because this is not a special interest group, use of the library on Tuesdays is dependent on library scheduling.  Occasionally the session will be unhosted. Continue reading →

SGS BULLETIN TO BE DISCONTINUED?

SGS has published its Bulletin for much of its 93-year history, and members have come to expect their copy as one of the benefits of their membership in SGS. This may have to change soon, because we cannot find anyone to produce it.

SGS has been without a Director of Publications for almost a year, and the current Nominating Committee has been unable to find a candidate for the coming year. There are a several people who are willing to help on a Publications Committee to publish the Bulletin, including several Board members. But despite concerted efforts, we’ve been unable to recruit anyone to head this group. This position does not require experience in publications, because there are others who can help to do the actual work. This person would not have the responsibilities of the Director of Publications.

Can you help, either as a member of the Publications Committee, or as its head? If so, please contact Marilyn Rose at  SGSPresident@gmail.com or (206) 362-3240.

If no one steps up, there will be no SGS Bulletin after the Winter 2016 issue that is currently in process. The Board has done all it can do! Continue reading →

VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER

Congratulations to Paul Wade for being SGS Volunteer of the Quarter!

In addition to his other volunteer activities for the Seattle Genealogical Society, Paul performed a much needed service by heading up the Book Transcriptions Project to support the sales of books on eBay.

Paul coordinated the transcribers and tracked the books as they were being transcribed, ultimately providing surnames to accompany listing of books on eBay. Because of Paul and the volunteer transcribers, John Eshelman and Bonnie Larson, thousands of surnames from yearbooks and other volumes have become available for inclusion in the book descriptions on eBay.

Paul, a member of SGS for 2 years, has been a desk volunteer since the beginning. He also works with research queries and catalog entry. He is a member of the Nominating Committee and recently took on the position of Desk Volunteer Coordinator.

About 10 years ago while helping his daughter with her school project to trace back four generations, Paul became hooked on his family history and he has been working on it ever since. His background includes English, Irish, Scottish and German ancestors. One of the challenges he has been working on is a gap in the lineage of his surname.

Once again, a hearty “Thank You” to Paul for his service to SGS. Continue reading →