Have you always wanted to do your genealogy but did not know where to start? The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society has the class for you…SVGS, in conjunction with the Celtic Arts Foundation, presents Genealogy 101, a two-hour course on the basics of family history research, Saturday July 26, 2025. Choose either the morning (9-11am) or afternoon (1-3pm) class. This is SVGS’s 2025 fundraiser, tickets are $15, go to https://www.celticarts.org/event/genealogy-101 for tickets.
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 SkVGS Hawthorne Cemetery Team who was selected by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SkVGS) as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Sylvia Ammons (co-leader), Dottie Chandler (co-leader), Rene Vance, Barbara Johnson, Dan Royal, Bill Cayford, Karen Strelow, Margie Wilson, Carol Nersten, Patty Gowler, Judy Hakins, Linda Holland and Margie Lauer.
This team of genealogist volunteers worked during the Covid-19 pandemic and after for long hours, and for many months to complete a long dormant project of reading and transcribing gravestone inscriptions at Hawthorne Cemetery in Mount Vernon, WA. This team demonstrated attention to detail, cooperation, dedication to the task, and enthusiasm for this project throughout the course of many months. This team’s exemplary work will serve the genealogy community for many years to come.
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.
Uff Da don’t miss out! Join SVGS this Saturday, June 14, 2025, 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for Norwegian Genealogy with Dana Kelly, Executive Director of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center (NAGC). Dana has researched her Norwegian ancestors for over 20 years and speaks, writes and reads Norwegian and has a degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.
Please join the SVGS on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 1pm for the last of our Spring Series, Norwegian Genealogy with Dana Kelly, Executive Director of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center (NAGC). NAGC is a non-profit devoted to collecting, preserving and sharing records of Norwegian and Norwegian-American genealogy and immigration history. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.
Please join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 1pm for the second of our Spring Series, Finding Records of Family Members at Northern State Hospital with Northern State Hospital Researcher Amy Muia. Amy co-curated the Northern State Hospital exhibit at the Sedro-Woolley Museum, authored the Northern State Hospital Guidebook and served as the moderator at the Northern State Hospital Public History Days. Come learn the fascinating history of Northern State Hospital, the patients who lived and sometimes died there, and the community that cared for them. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.
“This Saturday April 12, 2025, tiptoe through the tulips in the Skagit Valley and then come join SVGS at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for Diseases Our Ancestors Faced and How Those Illnesses Changed Our World with Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.”
Please join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 1pm for the first of our Spring Series, Diseases Our Ancestors Faced and How Those Illnesses Changed Our World with Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP. Have you ever come across a death record listing “Brain Fever,” “Consumption,” “Grippe,” and wondered what those illnesses are? In this presentation, Dr. Gardner brings together his medical background with his passion for genealogy. Topics include death records, life expectancy and the major illnesses that changed the course of history. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.
What’s the next best thing to March Madness? AI and Genealogy with Dave Obee, March 8, 2025 at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library presented by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society! Dave will bring us up to date on how artificial intelligence programs are changing genealogical research (have you tried ChatGPT or FamilySearch “full text” search?), and how we can best use them. If you can’t make it to the Burlington Public Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.
Please join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1pm for the last of our Winter Series, AI and Genealogy with Dave Obee, author, journalist, and genealogist. Dave has written a dozen books and has given more than 700 presentations at genealogy and history conferences. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.
Sharpen your pencils! Do your keyboard finger exercises! Don’t miss the second of our Winter Series, Writing Your Life Story with Annette Burke Lyttle, CG, of Heritage Detective, Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1pm,presented by Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. Learn how effectively organizing your time and research leads to success in writing your family history. Come in person to the Burlington Public library or join us by Zoom, email genealogy0715@gmail.com to request a Zoom link.
