Tag Archives: Skagit Valley Genealogical Society

Margie Wilson Earns President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement

by Roxanne Lowe

Margie Wilson was announced as the recipient of the WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement at the WSGS Conference in Tacoma on June 18, 2016. The announcement was made by WSGS President Mikal McKinnon. Margie was nominated by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS) where she has been an active member since at least 2008 and has held various offices.

Margie Wilson as Anne Justis Morton, wife of John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence

Margie Wilson in an historical portrayal of Anne Justis Morton, wife of John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence

It’s easy to see why Margie earned the coveted award. She was the driving force to secure and implement a $23,000 Paul Allen grant for “Making Connections Through ROOTS – Researching Our Origins for Teens and Seniors,” a 20-week credit-bearing course for high school seniors who were at risk of not graduating. The innovative program taught them research skills, how to use library services and resources, citations, family history, interviewing skills and more. Margie worked two years to get the project off the ground, guiding the program from beginning to end, including securing the grant, getting local school board approval, writing the curriculum and arranging for field trips. The program is now being implemented elsewhere around the country.

Margie is active in the City of Burlington walking tours and cemetery historical tours. She was asked by the Skagit County Historical Museum to teach 120 7th grade students about the early history of Burlington. She has also been a member of the local Rotary, Toastmasters and United Way.

Created in 2015, the WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement was designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations. Last year’s recipient was Fred Pflugrath from the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society. Continue reading →

Diane Ulrich Partington Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Diane Ulrich Partington of Mount Vernon, Washington, who was nominated by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). She was recognized for her ardent commitment to researching genealogical queries.

Diane Partington

Diane Partington

Ms. Partington is SVGS’s resident researcher. She spends countless hours researching information for people from all over the world. She gathers obituaries and funeral home records, as well as Skagit County birth and death records. She does courthouse genealogical research and frequently makes visits to county cemeteries to locate and photograph headstones.

In addition to local research, Ms. Partington frequently assists other communities in the preservation of cemetery records for the development of research databases. She has been instrumental in maintaining SVGS’s collection of records from local funeral homes and collecting and preserving obituaries from local newspapers.

Ms. Partington is a valued and dynamic member of the SVGS. Her qualities illustrate that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

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.

Muriel Neely Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Muriel Neely

Muriel Neely

Today we’re introducing Muriel S. Neely of Mount Vernon, Washington, who was nominated by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). She was recognized for her dedication and commitment to her local society and community.

When the need arose for someone to assume the job of SVGS secretary, Ms. Neely, who had previously held the office, graciously agreed to return to the position. Demonstrating her commitment to the society, she has been re-elected twice. She has also generously given of her time and expertise in assisting with SVGS’s community education classes and recording of cemetery databases.

In addition to her commitment to SVGS, Ms. Neely is a great community volunteer. She serves on the boards and governance committees of multiple community organizations, including the Skagit County Historical Museum, Friendship House and helping at the local blood bank.

Ms. Neely is supportive of the objectives and goals of SVGS in every circumstance and richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

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.

Skagit Valley Gen Society Newsflash

by Charles Hansen
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
Educational Program for April 9, 2016“An Introduction to Eastern European Family History Research”
featuring Canadian Genealogist, Dave Obee

BURLINGTON – The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS) presents, An Introduction to Eastern European Family History Research on Saturday, April 9, 1-3PM at the Burlington Senior Center, (Use the East Entrance) 1011 Greenleaf St., Burlington. 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 to attend. Details: skagitvalleygenealogy.org, genealogy0715@gmail.com, or (360) 757-6224.

DAVE

“Getting to Know the DAR” Presentations in Burlington on February 13

by Roxanne Lowe

Skagit Valley GSThe Skagit Valley Genealogical Society is proud to present an afternoon of “Getting to Know the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution).” Visitors are welcome.

Have you discovered a American Revolutionary War ancestor in your family tree? Join fellow researchers for “Getting to Know the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) at the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society‘s Saturday, February 13, 2016 meeting. The program begins at 1:00 pm at the Burlington Senior Center, 1011 Greenleaf St.. Enter on the east entrance to the building.

Linda Maki, Regent, will speak on “What Does the D.A.R. Do?”; Karen Manatt, Treasurer, will discuss “The History of the Ann Washington Chapter”; Mayo Shears, Past Regent and Registrar, will explain “DAR Ancestor Research and the Application Process”; and Mollie Sackman, historian, will share historic DAR scrapbooks.

For more details, contact Margie Wilson at rootsproject@frontier.com or visit skagitgenealogy.org.

Skagit Valley Gen Society News Flash

by Charles Hansen

 

Skagit Valley GS

Skagit Vally Genealogical society will hold its 2015 seminar on Saturday, September 19.  We will be featuring Jill Morelli and Mary Kathryn Kozy.  Walk ins are welcome.  We hope you will join us at the Mount Vernon Senior Center at8:00am.
Door Prizes and lots of books.  Come join us.
Hazel
Communications
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
Society Mision Statement:
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to the collection and preservationof genealogical information and to providing supportive and educational opportunities for those who are involved in genealogical research.