Tag Archives: Stillaquamish Valley Gen Society

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Navigating the Seven C’s of Genealogy

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation

Navigating the Seven C’s of Genealogy

Tuesday, June 9th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

This month we will be watching another great pre-recorded webinar at the SVGS Library presented by Thomas MacEntee.

Thomas’s topic: Navigating the Seven C’s of Genealogy

Do genealogy “resolutions” really work? How about setting genealogy “goals” or “themes” instead? Thomas has developed list of seven “themes” to guide you this year and hopefully you can institute these as general “rules to do genealogy by” over the next few years. The themes cover most areas of concern for every family historian, whether you’ve been at this for some time or you are just getting started. Participants will learn how to focus on seven key areas of genealogy research: Clean, Collect, Curate, Create, Connect, Conserve and Continue.

Bio: 

Thomas MacEntee is a Baby Boomer guy with a love of punk rock music but also art history who somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago and then left a lucrative IT career to pursue his love of family history and genealogy. Technology and historical research are opposites, but “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide today’s genealogists through the maze of options so they can deploy the best apps and devices to break down research brick walls. Thomas MacEntee: author, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, and that “genealogy guy” who helps you accomplish your family history goals.

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

LeeRoy Kind Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2025

by Roxanne Lowe

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 LeeRoy Kind of Marysville, Washington who was selected by the StillaguamishValley Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

LeeRoy spearheaded the Weller’s Funeral Home Card Project for SVGS. This project required the digitization of 4,000 3×5 cards. These cards span funerals from the 1880’s to the 1980’s and contain valuable family data which had not been publicly available until now. He also indexed the cards in preparation for loading them onto our website.

When the project stalled, LeeRoy stepped up and completed it on his own. LeeRoy’s willingness to work from home, as well as during his volunteer shifts at the library, has been instrumental in completing this project. We continue to be grateful for his diligent work ethic.

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.

Bill Grant Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2025

by Roxanne Lowe

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 the late Bill Grant of Arlington, Washington who was selected by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Bill began as a volunteer with SVGS in 2017 and continued supporting the society until his death earlier this year.  He served as a volunteer librarian, working every Saturday afternoon.  He also served as Education Chair  for several years.  He had deep roots in New England and Nova Scotia and was a great resource for people looking to research those areas.  He was a member of the monthly New England Research Group where his knowledge was especially appreciated.  He counted Benjamin Franklin and five other signers of the Declaration of Independence in his “family tree.”

Bill’s cheerful smile and helpful attitude will be missed by all.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org.

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Annual Meeting, Potluck & Silent Auction

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Annual Meeting, Potluck & Silent Auction

Tuesday, May 12th

Potluck starts at Noon

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE

Arlington, WA

The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will hold a Potluck prior to our Annual Meeting (includes Election of Officers), and Silent Auction.

Everyone is welcome!

The money raised from the silent auction will be applied to the operating expenses of our society. We have a lot of great items to bid on! The society does not have the ability to take credit cards so be sure to bring your checkbook.

What to bring for the Potluck? (maybe from an old family recipe)

If possible, we would like you to bring an item based on the following parameters.

If your last name begins with: 

A to I                                        Dessert

J to R                                        Salad/Side Dish

S to Z                                        Main Course

Another option that anyone may choose is to bring is an Appetizer or Beverage.

Immediately following the Potluck, at approximately 1PM the SVGS Annual Meeting will begin. Members please stay and vote on the upcoming 2026-2027 budget, the Election of Officers and announcement of winners of the fund-raising Silent Auction.

For more information visit stillygen.org

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Tools and Strategies for Property Research

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation

Tools and Strategies for Property Research

Tuesday, April 14th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

Our speaker at the library this month will be Nate Cushman. This event will be in person only at SVGS Library. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation.

Nate’s topic: Tools and Strategies for Property Research

Nate’s Bio:

Nate Cushman has worked as a Librarian with Sno-Isle Libraries for 30 years. His love for libraries began at an early age due to being a military brat and moving every 2 years. Being a shy kid, (at least until basketball season rolled around), libraries became his refuge whenever he arrived in a new town. Over his career, genealogical research has evolved from a professional requirement to a personal passion.

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

For more information visit stillygen.org

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Monthly SIGs

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

SVGS Monthly Special Interest Groups

New England Interest Group

The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) that meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month is now hybrid!

If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly Zoom invitations.

DNA Special Interest Group

Also join us at the SVGS library on the third Thursday of the month from 1-3pmfor our DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives. We will discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.

All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please send an email info@stillygen.org

Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.

NEW – Using AI to Write Your Family History

Starting Thursday, March 26th

This group will meet the on the 4th Thursday of every month at 1 pm at the SVGS Library to discuss and assist in writing your family history using AI resources. Various AI platforms, tools and new developments using AI will be introduced.

Bring your questions, laptop and narratives for help or feedback.

NEW – American Ancestors Webinar Day

Starting Saturday, March 28th

Join us on the last Saturday of the month at the SVGS library at 11am to watch an American Ancestors webinar.

This month:

A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution” with Andrew Lawler

As the American Revolution broke out in New England in the spring of 1775, dramatic events unfolded in Virginia that proved every bit as decisive as the battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill in uniting the colonies against Britain. A Perfect Frenzy chronicles these stunning and widely overlooked events for the first time.

For more information visit stillygen.org

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Ancestry Revisit New, Updated and Upcoming Features

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation

Ancestry Revisit – New, Updated and Upcoming Features

Tuesday, March 10th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Sue McNeil. This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation.

Sue’s topic: Ancestry Revisit-New, Updated and Upcoming Features

There have been many small and large additions and changes to Ancestry over the past year and many more coming. Have you looked at Ancestry lately?

Sue’s Bio:

Sue has been a member of the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society for many years and a family history addict. Her research in the United States has focused on the deep south, Washington, Michigan and just starting New England, Internationally, she has focused on Canada, Sweden and Germany. Autosomal and Y DNA have been a challenging but fun addition!

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

For more information visit stillygen.org

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Using Someone Else’s Genealogy Research

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Newsletter Meeting & Presentation

What’s Been Done: Using Someone Else’s Genealogy Research

Tuesday, February 10th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

This month we will be watching a pre-recorded webinar at the SVGS Library presented by Thomas MacEntee.

Thomas’s topic: What’s Been Done: Using Someone Else’s Research

Many of us as genealogists have inherited research from a relative and we are not always sure whether the content is reliable. What’s the best way to incorporate the research of others into your own research without leading to dead ends, roadblocks and unnecessary detours? Here is a road map on the best way to handle “outside research” and benefit from it as you combine the content with your own research.

Bio: 

Thomas MacEntee is a Baby Boomer guy with a love of punk rock music but also art history who somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago and then left a lucrative IT career to pursue his love of family history and genealogy. Technology and historical research are opposites, but “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide today’s genealogists through the maze of options so they can deploy the best apps and devices to break down research brick walls. Thomas MacEntee: author, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, and that “genealogy guy” who helps you accomplish your family history goals.

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

DIG – DNA Special Interest Group

Also join us at the SVGS library on the third Thursday of the month from 1-3pmfor our DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives, discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.

All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please sen an email info@stillygen.org

Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.

New England Interest Group

The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) that meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month is now hybrid!

If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly Zoom invitations.

For more information visit stillygen.org

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Writing A Family History Book Using AI

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation

Writing Family History Book Using A.I.

Tuesday, January 13th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Teresa Townsell. This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation.

Teresa’s topic: Writing A Family History Book Using A.I.

Have you ever wanted to use A.I. in your genealogy work? Is it finally time to turn your family research into a book your relatives can enjoy? Are you waiting until your research feels “finished” — or unsure where to begin with A.I.? This process meets you where you are.

All you need is an Ancestry.com account and basic WORD skills (or the Apple equivalent).


Teresa will teach you a simple, step-by-step process to write your family history book using ChatGBT, an A.I. tool that’s easier, faster, and a lot more fun than you might imagine!

You will leave with:

  • A clear understanding of how to collaborate with A.I. for writing and organizing your history.
  • A structure and outline you can use as a template for your own family history book.
  • Confidence to start writing and finally share your story as soon as you get home!

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

DIG – DNA Special Interest Group

Also join us at the SVGS library on the third Thursday of the month from 1-3pmfor our DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives, discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.

All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please sen an email info@stillygen.org

Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.

New England Interest Group

The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) that meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month is now hybrid!

If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly Zoom invitations.

For more information visit stillygen.org

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Creating a Virtual Cemetery

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation

Creating a Virtual Cemetery

Tuesday, November 11th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Kathie Webber. This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation

Kathie’s topic: Creating A Virtual Cemetery One Kathie’s favorite things about studying her family history has been learning where her ancestors have been buried. Twenty years ago she discovered an online tool called findagrave.com. This website and the accompanying app have enabled her to organize and expand her cemetery research. She will share with everyone the many things she has taken advantage of using Find a Grave, as well as other options that are available.

Bio: 

I’ve been doing genealogy for over 40 years. I’ve researched in Washington State, Massachusetts, California, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ireland. My favorite notable ways to research include visiting cemeteries, family history centers, online research, Facebook groups, and travel.

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

DIG – DNA Special Interest Group

Also join us at the SVGS library on the third Thursday of the month from 1-3pmfor our DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives, discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.

All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please sen an email info@stillygen.org

Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.

New England Interest Group

The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) that meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month is now hybrid!

If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly Zoom invitations.

For more information visit stillygen.org