TIP OF THE WEEK – LEARN THE LEEDS METHOD WITH A VIDEO The Leeds Method is simple, useful, and visual. After doing it once, you might comment “Gee, why didn’t I think of that?”. This method can be especially helpful for an adoptee or for someone with an unknown parent or grandparent.
In the Leeds Method you are organizing your DNA matches; therefore, generating hints for yourself by grouping your DNA matches according to shared (in common) DNA. Your matches are color coded and displayed in columns in a table.
In the purest form you will end up with 4 columns, each representing one of your grandparents’ family line. Then you must further evaluate each column of shared DNA matches by doing traditional genealogy.
You can learn the steps and more about the Leeds Method at Dana Leeds’ website: https://www.danaleeds.com/
But, since the Leeds Method is so visual, why not get a quick start by watching Dana’s presentation at RootsTech 2019. In the video, she is the third speaker in the hour-long Power Hour Session entitled “You Can Do DNA”. In this video, there are 3 speakers and 3 subjects:
“Do: The Right Test” with Christi Jacobsen “Do: Understand Your Ethnicity” with Diahan Southard “Do: Work on Your Matches” with Dana Leeds
Watch the entire video or skip to about 40 minutes to see Dana’s presentation.
Sadly, over the last few months, several longtime members of the Seattle Genealogical Society have been lost. They served as volunteers, on committees, and on the board. Each was a special friend to the Society and they will be missed. Join us in extending condolences to their families.
CHRISTINE E PULLIAM 1934 – 2021 Christine Pulliam passed away January 20, 2021. In life, she was a teacher, a successful business owner, a mother, a grandmother, and a world traveler on all seven continents!
Her family recalls that next to her love of family, her greatest passion in life was genealogy research. Her genealogy library contained numerous files, thousands of records, and she had countless genealogy conferences under her belt.
Christine was a Life Member of SGS from 1984-2021. She served as SGS Vice President 1988-89. In 1991, she published in the SGS Bulletin a Directory of local Family History Centers and Libraries available for genealogical research. In 2015, she donated an extensive collection of local newspaper obituaries. They are being scanned and indexed to become part of our digital database resources. Christine remembered SGS with a bequest from her estate which will be put to good use in our new location.
DANIEL P HARMON 1938 – 2021 Dan Harmon passed away July 25, 2021. He was a Life Member of SGS, joining in 1996. He was on the Board serving as Director of the Library 2013-2015 and Director of Publications 2015-2017.
Dan received both his MA and PhD in Classical Languages, Literature and Linguistics from Northwestern University. Dr Daniel P Harmon’s entire career, 1967-2004, was spent in the Department of Classics at the University of Washington. Numerous students left memories of how fortunate they felt to have been taught by Professor Harmon.
MARY FIELDS STOEBUCK 1929 – 2021 Mary Stoebuck passed away August 25, 2021. She was an active member of SGS for thirty-three years, 1983-2016. In 1988-89, she was on the three-member “space committee” that arranged the big SGS move from the Jones Building to 5th & Union. She was a speaker for the SGS 65th Anniversary and “Celebration of a Century” (the Washington State Centennial), presenting a talk on “Basic Genealogical Research-Part II: Census, Research Libraries, Immigration & Naturalization”. Mary was a founder and the first VP for the Fiske Genealogical Library.
Her family recalls that Mary not only researched their own families, the Fields and Stoebucks, she aided countless others she met through the Seattle Public Library, the National Archives, the LDS libraries, SGS, DAR, and the Fiske with their research.
Like others mentioned here today, there was teaching in Mary’s background. She graduated from Wichita State in 1951 with a BA in Home Economics, a minor in Mathematics, and a Kansas Teacher’s Certificate for Secondary Education.
PATRICIA J YOUNIE 1932 – 2021 Pat Younie passed away September 10, 2021. Right up until that time, she stayed involved with her homeowners association and with the Archives Committee at SGS. Her fellow committee members, and others, remember her for her knowledge, wit, and work ethic. Under her guidance as chair, the Archives Committee successfully processed a decades-long backlog of donated materials. And they laughed a lot and had fun doing it.
Pat was SGS Director of Library 2001-2002 and Desk Volunteer Coordinator 2009-2010. She joined SGS in 1994. She was in the Irish SIG and often volunteered for Irish Week, the Highland Games, and SGS Seminars. These are just a few of her contributions.
RICHARD F AMBUR 1936 – 2021 Dick died September 20, 2021, at home, surrounded by his family.
Dick graduated from the University of Washington, Medical School, in 1961, and joined the Navy. He spent ten years in the Navy, including a stint in Viet Nam. After leaving the military, with an honorable discharge and the rank of Commander, Dr Richard F Ambur established his private medical practice in Bremerton, WA.
Dick joined SGS in 1990 and was a Life Member. He was a volunteer and donor who helped with the “heavy lifting”, literally. He served on the Seminar committee, set-up, take-down, trucking, and sound systems. He even donated a sound system. He also served at community outreach events like the Scottish Highland Games, and as a Desk Volunteer. Over and over, Dick is described by fellow SGS members as the nicest guy.
VIRTUAL SUNDAYS: “SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW” STARTS NOW SGS is delighted to announce a new program, “Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New.” With the move to our new home in the Good Shepherd Center, we will be unable to offer Sunday hours, but we can still connect virtually. Jill Morelli, CG will host a lecture and discussion on the third Sunday of every month via Zoom.
Come join us for the inaugural offering on Sunday, October 17, at 1:00 PM. A small donation will be requested. For the monthly lecture topic and the Zoom link, see the SGS website Calendar of Events: https://seagensoc.org/eventListings.php?nm=67 STORAGE NEEDED FOR SEMINAR MATERIALS! Our new home at Good Shepherd has very limited storage space. We have 4 bins of materials we use for in-person seminars–signage, tablecloths, name tags, etc. If you could store some or all of these materials for SGS, please notify Ceil Rogers, Director of Education, at education@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org
We would like to get these moved out of the Sand Point location as soon as possible, or by October 25th at the latest.
* SAVE THE DATE * SGS 2021 Fall Seminar – Online via Zoom with Ari Wilkins Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Register today for our all-day seminar!
Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and library associate at Dallas Public Library, where she provides genealogy-programming education. She specializes in African American genealogy and research, with a focus on North Carolina and Louisiana, and has been researching her family history since 1998. Register online at https://sgsfallseminar2021.eventbrite.com.
Sacramento German Genealogy Society, “Your Ancestors & the World of Cartography: Pinpointing Time & Location”, Saturday, October 23, 2021 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT
Join SGGS for their fall online webinar with three presentations focusing on the use of maps and how to find the ones you need.
Melinda Kashuba: Using Maps to Trace and Depict German Migration and Settlement in the United States
Előd Biszak: Arcanum Maps: Historical Maps
Heiko Mühr: The Long Shadow of the Habsburg Empire: A Hidden Collection of Austrian Maps Emerges
Lewis County Genealogical Society, “The Witches of Salem” with Jerri McCoy via Zoom Tuesday, October 19, 2021 7:00 PM
Jerri McCoy’s 8th great grandmother was tried for witchcraft. Come learn her fate. Everyone is invited.
Jerri’s presentation will begin about 7 PM. It will be preceded by the LCGS business meeting at 6:30 PM and some social time starting at 6:00 PM. This is a virtual presentation and meeting. Send your request to info@walcgs.org by Monday, October 18. You will be emailed a Zoom link.
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*
The SGS Library normally is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, for computer-based research only. We are in the process of moving to a new location. Please visit the SGS Website for details. We recommend you plan your visit and call ahead – 206 522-8658. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule.
Saturday, Oct 16, 2021, 9:00 am-3:00 pm, SGS Fall Seminar – Virtual – with Ari Wilkins, Join us for an full day of learning. Register today: https://sgsfallseminar2021.eventbrite.com/
Sunday, Oct 17, 2021, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Jill Morelli will host this first session of our new monthly 3rd Sunday program. Visit the SGS website Calendar for all the particulars.
Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Oct 26, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Oct 27, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. Wednesday, Nov 3, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Saturday, Nov 6, 2021, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch Interest Group with Lou Daly, Discover the many ways to use FamilySearch. At each meeting a different aspect of the website will be featured. There will be time for Q & A. Want to join the mailing list? Email Lou: loudaly@nwlink.com
Sunday, Nov 7 , 2021, 1:00 pm-3:00pm, DNA Workshop, To be included you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.
Tuesday, Nov 9 , 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Nov 10, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Wednesday, Nov 10, 2021, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG , Jointly sponsored by the Fiske Library and SGS this group meets every other month on the second Wednesday of the month. Meetings address topics and resources helpful for those using MacIntosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion program in their genealogy research. Visit the SGS website Calendar of Events for instructions on joining the MAC email list.
Saturday, Nov 13, 2021, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Second Saturday Speaker Series: Indirectly Evident: Finding William’s Parents, with Debbie Wilson Smyth
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Sunday, Nov 21, 2021, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Jill Morelli will host our new monthly 3rd Sunday program. Visit the SGS website Calendar for all the particulars.
Tuesday, Nov 23, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
The German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS)meeting
When: Friday, November 5, 2021 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PDT– Virtually
Topic: “Learning about my Oswald and Rendtorff Ancestors”
Janice will highlight the discoveries in her journey while researching the German branch of her family tree — New and surprising family stories, helpful research finds, historical context, gratifying contacts with others, joy of finding cousins, useful DNA finds, and a quick virtual trip to Gimbsheim, Germany will be included. She is excited to share the joy she has had finding these family stories and collaborating with others.
Presenter:Janice Leitzke
Janice’s love of family history began when her children started school, and she began recording their history in scrapbooks. About the same time, her father wrote a book of his family history. The two interests combined and she became involved in researching and recording her family’s genealogy. She was delighted to uncover information about her mother’s unknown early American roots as well as more details about her father’s German roots. She gets particularly excited learning about connections between family and historical events, and discovering new cousins. When Janice is not researching genealogy, she loves to travel, sew and read.
More information: https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/ Visitors are always welcome and may request an invitation by using the Contact tab on our website, no later than 2 days prior to the meeting.
October 23rd is fast approaching, but there is still time to sign up for the Sacramento German Genealogy Society Annual Fall Webinar: Your Ancestors and the World of Cartography (Pinpointing Place and Time). The webinar will be via Zoom with a $20.00 fee. Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_alwalRE6QyKomhZYYKxmdA This promises to be a phenomenal webinar. We have arranged an amazing lineup of speakers:Elod Biszack, CEO of Arcanum Database Ltd, will speak to us from Hungary. If you have ever done research in the Austrian Empire, you have heard of the amazing mapping source, Mapire. This is just one of the projects Arcanum is responsible for. They have digitized historical maps all over Europe and beyond.Heiko Mühr, Map Metadata and Curatorial Specialist at UC Berkeley, will share how to use their collection of German Captured Maps from WWII and then talk about the hidden collection of Austrian maps discovered in the process of making the German Captured Maps available to the public. Melinda Kashuba rounds out our trio. She has a doctorate degree in Geography. She will show us how to use maps to trace our ancestors from their homes in German-speaking Europe to their settlements in the United States. Class Descriptions and Presenter Bios: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hyhtczd7i0su2su/SGGS%202021%20Annual%20Fall%20Webinar%2C%20presentation%20descriptions%20and%20bios%20final.pdf?dl=0 Regards,Amy Chidester
Bring your questions and a notebook, and come chat with Research Archivist Tracy Rebstock! Learn how to use state and local government records in your family history. New records are added to our collections all the time — updates to vital records means more access to birth, death, marriage, and divorce collections. Ask questions so you can dig deeper into your genealogical research! Register here for this free webinar.
Haunted (virtual) tour — Oct. 29
The fourth annual Halloween haunted tour will take you on a spooky trek through the dark stacks in the underbelly of the Archives Building. We’ve brought some infamous Washingtonians back from the dead to tell their stories, and you don’t want to miss it! Newsletter subscribers will be emailed a link upon release.
Trick or treat yourself to the final Archives Month adventure with the Puget Sound branch. Senior Records Consultant Emily Venemon will discuss the importance of public records and the role of the State Archives’ regional branch system in preserving public access. Reference Archivist Jessica Jones will talk about the scope of archival government records held at the Puget Sound branch and how those records are used by researchers, and provide a look into how research requests are fulfilled. Register here for this free webinar.
Do you want to broadcast information about your local society, workshop, genealogical tip, or a research query? Just send it to the WSGS Blog and WSGS Meetings and Events! You can reach hundreds of genealogists from around the state. Just email a Word document, text file, PDF or graphic to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org and WSGSWebManager@wasgs.org and we’ll do the rest!
We’re always looking to publicize local events and workshops, feature stories, updates from your society, and other genealogical information that might be of interest to our many subscribers and viewers.
We hope to hear from you soon! And don’t forget to encourage your Society members to subscribe to the Blog for the most up-to-date information from around the state.
You may manage your subscription options from your profile.
You are cordially invited to an online “wedding” re caption – and index ing party!
On Tuesday, Nov. 30, the Genea logi cal Forum of Oregon is spon sor ing an on line event to index Mult nomah County mar riage records from 1917-1924.
Way back in 1981, the GFO acquired the county’s original mar riage regis ter books for 1885-1924. Over four decades, dedi cated volun teers have indexed the registers to 1916. But we get many requests in the “missing” years, so it’s time to finish the job!
These records have proven to be an in valu able source for Oregon and Southern Wash ing ton re searchers.
For the first time, GFO is trying out our annual volun teer work party as a one-day, inter active event entirely on line. You can join the fun for the whole day or even just an hour. You do not need to be a mem ber, just willing to dedicate a little time to support genealogy. For more infor mation and to RSVP, please visit http://gfo.org/givingtuesday.
It’s not a trick — only a treat. The deadline for WSGS Supportive Grant applications is October 31.
WSGS is awarding two $250 Supportive Grants to local genealogical societies for special projects or purchases. The grants are designed to fill a need or support a special project of WSGS-member societies and organizations.
The simple application is only one page and is available here. There is also additional guidance on the program. For more information, visit our website at http://www.wasgs.org/cpage.php?pt=49.
Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please note “Awards” in the Subject Line.
Lewis County Genealogical Society invites you to The Witches of Salem presented at our meeting on Tuesday, 21 October. We have social time at 6:00PM, business meeting at 6:30 and the program beginning shortly after 7:00. Keep reading for more about the presentation and how to join us.
Jerri McCoy will present The Witches of Salem at the October Meeting of the Lewis County Genealogical Society. Today we do not expect to see witches on broomsticks and hexing neighbors, but in 1692 good sense, as will as charity and mercy, had disappeared. Persecution of women and girls reached a new height with witch hunts and trials taking over Salem Village and nearby towns. Who accused them? How were they identified? What happened to them? Come to our virtual meeting and learn about these times of gossiping, and sometimes honestly terrified, neighbors.
Jerri has a personal interest as her 8th great grandmother was Rebecca Nurse, a well-respected 71-year-old grandmother and wife of a local artisan who was accused, arrested and tried for witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. Learn her fate. See how she and others are remembered today.
Jerri McCoy was born and raised in San Diego, California. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from San Diego State University, and worked in the computer industry for 30 years before retiring. Jerri has been active in genealogy for over 45 years. She is a member of her local genealogical society in Olympia, the Washington State Genealogical Society, and several lineage societies. She is a past president of two genealogical societies, and has held numerous lineage society offices. Jerri has published three books on her family.
Please email info@walcgs.org by Monday before the meeting or the Zoom Link.
Visit Lewis County Genealogical Society online at: walcgs.org
What?: October Olympia Genealogical Society Monthly Member Meeting
When?: Thursday, Oct 14th, 7:00pm
Where?: virtual via Zoom link available on the OGS website: olygensoc.org
Why?: We all have a story and sharing with others may lead to new discoveries. Come share your family lore or maybe you have ghost story or two to share. Members and those interested in genealogy are welcome to attend. Questions about becoming a member: membership@olygensoc.org. Thank you, Mandy StahreOGS – Publicity chair
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The fourth annual Halloween haunted tour will take you on a spooky trek through the dark stacks in the underbelly of the Archives Building. We’ve brought some infamous Washingtonians back from the dead to tell their stories, and you don’t want to miss it!
