GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday E-News

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition May 9, 2019
Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!
gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR.
Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider
Donations Stack Up! Now, A Challenge
Big thanks to Susie and Chris for coming in last Sunday to help us sort and box hundreds of books to donate to the Paradise Genealogical Society in northern California. Paradise lost their entire library to wildfires last year. They’ve found a new building to rent and have decided they’d like to rebuild their collection. It’s a daunting task; they lost everything. The GFO is in a good position to help. Here’s what we’re doing. We spent the weekend culling out more than 550 surplus books which we’re donating to them. Plus, we’re giving them brand new copies of all of the GFO’s 55 publications which we print. We’d like to challenge all the other genealogical societies on the west coast: If you’re in a similar position to be able to help, we urge you to do the same.
If you know someone in another genealogical society, please share this with them.
Portland Probate Records Now Available: 1852-1901
The GFO is pleased to unveil a new index to Early Oregon Wills, Probate Intestate Estates, and Oregon Guardianship records from the first half-century of Multnomah County, Oregon. These records were compiled as abstracts back in the 1930s and 40s by local members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. They had never been indexed until GFO volunteers Eileen Chamberlin and Loretta Welsh began the task several months ago.
Many contain important information about relatives in other states and countries, and a few give small family charts. These indexes to Multnomah County Estates, Wills, and Guardianship Abstracts 1852-1901, 1904, & 1908 are available to search on the GFO website. Included in the index are names of the deceased and their heirs, and indicates if the heir was out of the state or country. If you find a record you want, you can order a copy.
Beginners’ Boot Camp Returns June 10!
Have you signed up for our next Beginners’ Boot Camp on June 10? It’s a great way to get started in your family tree research. GFO members get in free! Seats are limited so sign up online now. Registration closes June 6. Join Laurel Smith at the GFO for a day of beginning genealogy. There will be sessions about the census, vital records, immigration and naturalization, discussions about genealogy software and database use, organizing your research and more — all geared toward beginners. Bring a sack lunch so the discussion can continue while we eat.
Register Now
Free Webinar: Introducing the GU272
In 1838, Georgetown University sold 272 enslaved men, women, and children to plantations in Louisiana. Thousands of descendants are alive today. American Ancestors has partnered with the GU272 Memory Project, which seeks to document the stories, family history, and legacy of these individuals and their descendants. Learn about GU272 genealogical research and American Ancestors’ new website, which features a searchable database of descendants, oral histories of descendants, and research tools for GU272 descendants and their families. Presented by Meaghan E. H. Siekman, Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press. Thursday, May 23rd, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT
Register Here
2019 International German Genealogy Conference
The International German Genealogy Partnership is sending out a reminder that Friday May 10th 2019 is the deadline for registering, updating registration and paying for their upcoming 2019 multi-track Conference, Strike it Rich! With Connections to Discoveries, being held Saturday – Monday June 15th – 17th, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sacramento, CA. The conference schedule provides a full description of events. Additional information and registration information can be found on their online registration page.
Survey: Recent Immigrants Arrived a Century Ago
Last week a large majority of you told us your first immigrant ancestors arrived in the 1600s. This week, we asked when your most recent immigrants arrived in North America. 53.8 % say they came between 1850 & 1899
31.6 % say they came between 1900 & 1949
1.7 % say 1950 or after
New Survey: DNA #1
Autosomal DNA is inherited from both parents. Therefore, an autosomal DNA test may be taken by either a male or a female.
Have you had this test done? Click to take this week’s survey:

This week at GFO …

Saturday, May 11th
Great Lakes Region SIG 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Our topic is maps! Historic maps and modern mapping tools can be great ways to learn more about your family’s story. We will look at how the land in the region was divided and sold, the township system, how a map often reflects the particular culture or agenda of its creator, and the amazing Google Earth. Then be prepared for a quick Great Lakes Region trivia game before we look at our brick walls and success stories.
If your ancestors were in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Ontario CANADA, or if you simply want to come hear about this fascinating topic, you are most welcome.
For more information contact Lynn Rossing at GreatLakes@gfo.org
Writers’ Forum 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
This is a peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at writers@gfo.org.
Sunday, May 12th
Library Closed.
We will be closed all day in celebration of Mother’s Day. We will open at our regular time on Monday, May 13th.
Wednesday, May 15th
Learn and Chat 10:00 a.m. – noon
At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. And if you have been doing genealogy for any length time you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jean Quan and Sandy Alto. Questions? learnandchat@gfo.org.
DNA Q&A 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Questions? dna_qa@gfo.org

One comment on “GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday E-News

  1. Sue says:

    WOW! So glad you guys are helping out Paradise Gen Soc! We are too in Seattle. We don’t have as many books, but we have some!

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