Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Did you know we have an Executive Committee, six standing committee chairs and three appointed non-elected officers? Who are all these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them.

Patrick Bundy

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Patrick Bundy. Pat lives in Yakima and is WSGS’s Historian, a position he’s held for more than a few years. He is also a 30-plus-year member of the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society where he has been president for the last two years. Over the years, he’s also been YVGS’s vice president, program chair, publicity chair, recording secretary and on the library board. He has been a member of the WSGS since 1988 and was named a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2014 for his leadership, knowledge, and volunteer efforts at YVGS.

In the beginning…Earl and Elsie (Deans) Bundy’s firstborn son, Patrick James, made his appearance in 1944 in Minnesota. His next big accomplishment was marrying his sweetheart Lynn Helmick in 1973 in Yakima. Sadly, Lynn passed away in 2014, leaving Pat, five children and many cherished grandchildren that Pat continues to dote on.

After getting his education at Yakima Valley Community College, Pat was employed in the TV and radio biz in Yakima. Although he’s always been interested in genealogy, after his retirement, Pat really ramped it up, searching for his Mid-West and New York ancestors. One of his most interesting finds: his 3x great-grandfather, a Lutheran minister, built the first Lutheran Church in Ontario, Canada.

Pat knows his way around the kitchen and enjoys cooking when he’s not searching for his ancestors – or engaging in social media. It’s not uncommon to wake up to his cheery Facebook message:

Good morning, friends! Hoping your day is fabulous!

A few more interesting tidbits about Pat:
• Favorite genealogy websites: Ancestry
• Favorite dessert: Pie
• When asked one word that described him, Pat replied, “Easy-going, even though that’s two words!”

Now you know a little more about another of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Pat say hello and thank him for his service to WSGS.

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Did you know we have an Executive Committee, six standing committee chairs and three appointed non-elected officers? Who are all these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them.

Frank McLean

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Frank McLean. Frank lives in Yakima and is WSGS’s chair of the Pioneer and First Citizen Program and the Conference Liaison. He has been a member of the WSGS since 1986, previously serving as President and Vice President. He was named as a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He’s been a proud member (and past President) of the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society since 1986.

Frank’s high school picture

Frank Leroy McLean was born in Chewelah (Stevens County), Washington in 1937 to Jonathan Cornelius and Margaret Ella (Starz) McLean, the third of six children. After high school, Frank served proudly in the Army for 20-plus years, then worked for 19 years at the U.S. Department of Defense, with a short break in between working in Spokane. In 1958, Frank married Delma Dee Roloff. They have three surviving children and seven grandchildren.

Frank has a special interest and knack in technology and computers. In fact, he maintains a database for the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Society that holds about 560,000 names. He also manages the WSGS Pioneer and First Citizen certificate database — almost 30,000 strong. For an index of the names, click here.

Frank, Delma and their children

John Robertson McLean (1847 – 1919)

Speaking of Germans from Russia…that’s how Frank got his interest in genealogy. No, he doesn’t have German ancestors from Russia, but Delma does. She joined the Central Washington chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Society in 1985 and Frank tagged along as “driver, cemetery walker and microfilm cranker.” From there, his interest grew. His ancestors hail from Germany, Nova Scotia,  Maine and Minnesota. Frank’s grandfather, John Robertson McLean (pictured at left) was born in Nova Scotia, but moved to St. James, Minnesota in 1870. While there, he started a church in a boxcar on a siding. Frank and his family attended the 125th anniversary of the church, where they were given a copy of the picture that hangs in the church. There is also a miniature replica of the boxcar on the lawn in front of the church.

Frank likes the research part of the genealogical search, but he’s not as thrilled with the documentation part. He also prefers his hard-copy paper charts and lists over paperless research.

A few more interesting tidbits about Frank:
• Favorite genealogy website: Family Search
• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite dessert: Lemon Cream Pie

Now you know a little more about another of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Frank, say hello and thank him for his service to WSGS.