Author Archives: Charles Hansen

Jefferson County Genealogical Seminar 40th Anniversary Celebration

by Charles Hansen
JCGS 40th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, May 11, 2024 @ 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Hybrid Meeting: Attend online via Zoom or in-person at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, Chimacum, WA
Join us in marking our 40th Anniversary with a full-day event that includes live vendors, awards for long-term contributors, and – of course – cake! Guest speaker and internationally known genealogist Michelle Leonard will also be joining us live from Scotland for two presentations.
Registration is required. Please CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Registration deadline: May 5, 2024. $25 for Non-Members (includes an individual one-year membership) Free for Members but you must register
To register and you are not a member, complete the registration form and submit payment via the following options: PayPal via JCGS website (https://wajcgs.org/jcgs-40th-anniversary/) Mail a check to: JCGS Class, PO Box 627, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (please allow five business days for mail delivery)
If you are a JCGS member, attendance is free, but you MUST register by completing the registration form.
A Zoom link will be sent to registrants on May 8, 2024. For those planning to attend in person, the doors to the Tri-Area will open at 9:30 a.m. to allow you to sign in, get a name tag, grab some coffee or tea, and find a seat. You will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with old friends (and perhaps make some new ones!) and fellow genealogists in the large meeting room until the first presentation begins at 10 a.m. We will have a short break between the two presentations.
First Presentation: Begins at 10 a.m.
Tools for Researching Your English and Scottish Ancestors
Second Presentation: Begins at 11:30 a.m.
Case Studies: Solving Ancestor Mysteries with Help from DNA
Michelle Leonard is a Scottish professional genealogist and expert DNA detective. She runs her own genealogy and DNA consultancy business, Genes & Genealogy, and specializes in DNA Detective work, particularly the solving of adoption, unknown parentage, and all manner of ancestor mysteries. She is a regular speaker at major genealogy events such as RootsTech, The Genealogy Show, Family Tree Live, Back to Our Past, and Who Do You Think You Are? She co-authored Tracing Your Ancestors Using DNA: A Guide for Family Historians, published in 2019.


Olympia Genealogical Society Celebrates 50 Years

by Charles Hansen

PO Box 1313

Olympia WA 98507-1313

https://olygensoc.org

OLYMPIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY CELEBRATES 50TH YEAR PROVIDING SERVICES TO SOUTH SOUND AREA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM

THE OLYMPIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Contact

Anthony Carter, OGS President

PH 360-561-2727 or president@olygensoc.org

The Olympia Genealogical Society, formed in 1974, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a kick-off party on Saturday, May 18, 2024

OLYMPIA – The Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS) is announcing the start of a year-long celebration of its 50th Anniversary promoting the study of family and local histories, and assisting members, friends, and the South Puget Sound community on their genealogical journey.

The kick-off party for the celebration will be held at the Capital Vision Christian Church, 1775 Yew Avenue NE, Olympia on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Two of our founding members, Alma Greenwood and Ann Olson, will give a short presentation about OGS’s origins followed by an open Q & A period.

Scrapbooks documenting the OGS history will be available for review, and a video diary of OGS pictures and documents will be shown before and after the oral presentation. The event is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served.

Digging Up Ancestors for 50 Years!

Anyone interested in becoming a member of OGS can get information at Olympia Genealogical Society – Membership (olygensoc.org)

Annual dues are just $30 per individual, $35 for a family, and $15 for students.

For new members joining between April 16 and August 31, 2024,

the remainder of the current membership year is included

with the next full year’s membership!

Fiske Genealogical Library May Classes

by Charles Hansen

Wednesday, April 24

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

From a Box in the Closet to a Treasured Family Heirloom

Presented by Sara Cochran

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

If you’re overwhelmed by the collection of photos your family has accumulated, you’re not alone! After a brief history of photography, we look at organizing techniques, digitization basics and options/ideas on what to do with your photos so they can be enjoyed by generations to come, instead of collecting dust in the box.

Wednesday, May 1

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Bagging a Live One: Reverse Genealogy in Action

Presented by Mary Roddy

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Mary will show you how to find distant relatives, perhaps ones you never knew existed. You will come away with the skills to target specific people and to find their contact details. Great for finding missing friends and cousins or for locating family members to fill out your DNA “dance card.”

Wednesday, May 8   

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Becoming the Ancestor

Presented by Beth Swartz

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

“Becoming the Ancestor” is about planning for your genealogy when you’re gone. Deciding what to do with it and who’s getting which items or documents. I also discuss identifying items, papers, etc that you want passed on to younger generations, friends or donated to a society. Genealogy wills and getting your wishes down on paper so your family knows your intentions. This is not legal advice, seek advice from an attorney or estate planner in your local jurisdiction.

Wednesday, May 15 

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Across the Pond to Scotland

Presented by Winona Laird

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

The church, government and the wars all play a part in tracking Scottish genealogy and Scottish migration to other countries. Included is the search for baptismal, marriage and death registers plus the census records of Scotland. In addition, the clans of Scotland, the structure  of family and kinship, are important in discovering Scottish genealogy.

Wednesday, May 22 

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Disaster Proofing Your Research

Presented by Sara Cochran

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Family historians spend years gathering and compiling records, photographs, and family heirlooms to preserve the past and guide the future. Let’s talk about ways to ensure that all this hard work isn’t lost in any number of potential disasters.

Wednesday, May 29

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Pruning Your Family Tree

Presented by Jenny Hansen

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

We grow up hearing stories of ancestors and poring over old family files. But how much of that information is really true?  Whether you are trying to crack family mysteries or just starting your own original research, this class will show you how to verify your family tree. Learn how to eliminate potential relatives and how to embrace the true stories of your past

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Trip to the Oregon Trail!

by Charles Hansen

Please join us on this trip to the Oregon Trail!

(Be sure to read to the end of this message to discover what other treats will be offered at this event.) 

Saturday, May 4

Genealogy of the Oregon Trail  

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Hybrid Meeting at The Hive – 2904 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202

Oregon Trail by Travis Boley, Manager of the Oregon and California Trails Association

“Join Travis Boley from the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) as he presents on Paper Trail, OCTA’s online index to thousands of emigrant diaries from the 19th century. The diaries are indexed in a fashion to make it simple for researchers to find people, places, tribal interactions, and even numbers of wagons and animals in a train. Mr. Boley will walk us through Paper Trail and show us how to most efficiently use this valuable genealogy tool.”

  • 1:00-3pm, doors open at 12:30 Greeters will be there to open the door
  • If you will be “zooming in” the Zoom link will be available on the website EWGSi.org the day prior to the event. 
  • Please print your handouts prior to attending; handouts will be available on the website the day prior. 
  • If you are able, please arrive early to help set up/ or stay late to help clean up.

Free Table:

Bring research items that you no longer use;

take something home that may help you break down your brick wall. 

Cookies:

Eat cookies and drink coffee with friends. 

(If you haven’t brought cookies in a while, be sure to sign up.)

Raffles:

I got a sneak peek at this month’s raffles…

you will want to bring some cash to win something! 

Hint: It’s Spring, Birds Singing, Gardens Growing, Mother’s Day,

Oregon Trail…Wow!

$$$50/50$$$

Be sure to bring a couple bucks for the 50/50 jar!

Last month’s winner went home quite a bit richer! 

 Auction

The yearly EWGS auction will take place in October. 

You can bring your donation to any meeting

or contact Brusan Wells.

Here’s an item recently donated:

See you soon on the Oregon Trail!

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Tuesday, April 23, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom

We will be reading Your DNA Guide by Diahan Southard.

This month we will discuss pages 40 to 61.

This book is available from the author, the publishers, Amazon, or perhaps through your local public library or via Inter-Library Loan.

Check WorldCat to see what libraries may have copies.

Calendar reminder: TPCGS DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Every month on the Fourth Tuesday beginning at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqdeyrrz0iEtx-c_J3gNfcI8mebT1zajLo/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTkvGdWTuBGPRpwQB4joZ-nzmCFHj7dF0RzaKXNUTAX1H7pPN7BLQcLR

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82725316888?pwd=MDc3UEZrUVJNbmxmK2ZORmw5YzdDdz09

Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888

Passcode: 811780

One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US

+12532158782,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:

        +1 253 205 0468 US

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888

Passcode: 811780

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kIKCyZLQy

Seattle Genealogical Society “Finally Get Organized”

by Charles Hansen
SGS Second Saturday Program
Saturday, April 13, 2024, 1:00 – 2:30 pm (PT)

“Finally Get Organized:
Conquer the Clutter Using Your Natural Learning Style”
presented by Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal
To view at the SGS Library, register here. (Available only if 2 or more people register in advance. Call a friend.)
Registration is optional, but it helps us know how many seats will be needed, and it allows us to notify you in case of elevator outage or unexpected closure.  Elizabeth will be presenting via Zoom.  Library attendance is for social and research purposes.

To view online from home, register here.
After registering, you will be able to join the meeting immediately from the registration window.  If you register in advance, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

About the program: Have you tried organizing your family history documents, photos, and digital files, but you just can’t find a system that you can stick to? Start organizing according to your natural learning style! This talk will help you identify your specific learning style and will share brain- and research-based organizing strategies for each style. Learn how you learn so you can finally get organized with the right system for YOU!

About the Speaker:Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal is a professional genealogist who writes, lectures, and consults on a variety of topics. For 35 years, she has made it her goal to research, preserve, and share her family stories. Elizabeth is the author of the family history lifestyle blog Heart of the Family™, and her mission is to help others make the past part of their present.

Watch the Calendar of Events for more programs from SGS!
Click here to make a $5.00 donation for a program you enjoyed or plan to attend.
Copyright © 2024 Seattle Genealogical Society, All rights reserved.
All SGS members have been automatically signed up for this e-letter.

Our mailing address is:
Seattle Genealogical Society
4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 302
Seattle, WA 98103-6955

German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society National Socialism and Family Research

by Charles Hansen

The German Interest Group

of The Eastside GenealogicalSociety (EGS)meeting

When: Friday, May 3, 2024 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PDT

Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/mrwca3bd

(This presentation will not be recorded.)

Topic:  National-Socialism – “Euthanasia” and family research
During the Nazi era, people were transferred from hospitals and homes for the disabled to various institutions in the German Reich and in the annexed territories and murdered there. This took place in 2 phases.
Based on the speaker’s own relative, it is possible to follow his path in today’s Poland and the Pomeranian institutions until he was murdered in Meseritz (today Międzyrzecz) in Brandenburg. There will be an overview of the history surrounding the forced sterilization of mentally ill and disabled people and their murder (“euthanasia”).

Presenter:   Inga Guttzeit

Inga Guttzeit, is a Citizen Scientist and Genealogist residing in Lübeck, Germany. She has been doing genealogical research for more than 20 years. She is a volunteer on several projects such as “Transkribus for Hanse-Documents” where she is helping to train the Transkribus AI Software platform, building the “Hanse-Recess Model” enabling better transcriptions of handwritten and printed documents of the Hanseatic League. Inga is a member of the “Working group for research into Nazi-“euthanasia” and forced sterilization” ( www.ak-ns-euthanasie.de ) which was founded in 1983 and she is a member of the group “Researching Lübeck 20th Century”. She has spoken several times in person and online about genealogy and Euthanasia. In June 2023, she began working on a remembrance book (Gedenkbuch) for victims of National Socialist-“Euthanasia” who were born in, deported from, or lived in Lübeck. Inga’s areas of research are Silesia, East Prussia, Thuringia (South), Schleswig-Holstein (near Kiel) and the Salzburg Protestant Expulsion. 

More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society AI

by Charles Hansen
20-Apr-2024 Meeting
Welcome to Italian Genealogy Let’s explore the world of Italian genealogy together, one person at a time.
                          ZOOM Meeting Topic:    FamilySearch.org – Full Text Search
When:        20-Apr-2024, Saturday
Time:         1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (PST)
FamilySearch has introduced a new full-text search feature for historical records. This powerful tool leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to help you uncover valuable information in historical documents. This innovative search capability allows you to explore historical records more comprehensively, making your genealogical research even more exciting! AI Searches every word of text including unindexed documents.
If you aren’t an active member, please request a Zoom meeting request. Request Here
COUNTDOWN TO THE MEETING:
Days Hours Minutes Seconds
Eastside Genealogy Group – Italian Interest Group 2410 East Helen Street, Seattle WA, United States of America