Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

How to Post Your Meetings & Events on the WSGS Blog and Website

by Roxanne Lowe

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 WebManager@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.

Elizabeth Dalton Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Elizabeth Dalton of Camano Island, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS).

Elizabeth Dalton

Elizabeth began as a volunteer with SVGS in its early days, as a member of the Publications Committee, by serving as an indexer for some of the society’s earliest published books. In between indexing projects, she wrote articles and fillers for the newsletter “The Stillaguamish Star,” as well as performing editor-in-chief duties. More recently, she functioned as vice president of the library for a time during the pandemic.  Currently, she is working on organizing a large collection of donated materials from the Camwood Genealogy Workshop.

In Elizabeth’s opinion, the three most important things to remember when doing genealogy research are “… accuracy, accuracy, and accuracy.” She adds, “We need to prove the accuracy of every record used in our research to the best of our ability.”

Elizabeth was born in Seattle and currently lives on Camano Island in Island County. She has been an SVGS lifetime member since 2015.

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

WSGS Election Closes on Dec. 24, 2022

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS members received a link via email with their election ballot on Dec. 17. Your vote is important to us, so if you did not receive the link, please check your alternate email or Spam folder. If you still can’t find it, please email Info@wasgs.org.

Offices on the ballot include Vice President and Treasurer. Polls close at 11:59 p.m. 24 Dec 2022. Your vote shows support to WSGS. There is also an opportunity to share ideas or suggestions to improve our organization. We appreciate you taking the time to vote.

PS-APG Bylaws Revision Team Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Bylaws Revision Team who was nominated by the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (PS-APG).  The team was comprised of Nancy Cordell and Karin Coppernoll.

Karin Coppernoll
Nancy Cordell

Nancy is a family historian specializing in DNA analysis and African American research. In 1991 she attained a Ph.D. in anthropology. She received a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and attended the Advanced Genealogy Course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She is a past President of the Olympia Genealogical Society. Ms. Cordell serves the needs of her clients with her firm “Diggin’ Our Past.”

Karin has over 30 years of experience researching family history. She attained a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies in American Records from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. Karin takes on the genealogical brick walls and dead ends for her clients as “Brick by Brick Genealogy.”

Nancy and Karin both joined Puget Sound Chapter of the PS-APG in 2015. Nancy became an active member and volunteered as an expert in three “Ask the Expert” events. She currently serves as the PS-APG Chapter president. Karin has served as the chapter treasurer since 2017. She was the chapter coordinator for an “Ask the Expert” event and volunteered in several others as an expert. She became a National APG Director in 2022.

Nancy and Karin greatly aided the PS-APG chapter by updating its bylaws. These revisions were important and timely since they allowed members to attend meetings online.

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.

WSGS Vice President and Treasurer Nominee Statements

by Roxanne Lowe

Valorie Cowan Zimmerman of Kent has been nominated to serve a second term as WSGS Vice President. To learn more about Valorie, click here.

Additionally, Frank McLean of Yakima has been nominated for another term as Treasurer. To learn more about Frank, click here. The term of office is 01 Jan 2023 through 31 Dec 2024.

Online voting for the slate will begin 18 Dec 2022 and run through 24 Dec. All WSGS members will receive an email with a Google link to their anonymous ballot. Members are asked to vote for each position. Write-in nominations are allowed.

Valorie’s candidate statement:

I’m proud to have served as the Vice President of the WSGS for the past two years, which have seen enormous changes in the genealogy landscape of the state and country. WSGS has changed as well, now focusing solely to serve the genealogy societies and individual genealogists around the state. It has been exciting to see the enthusiasm and online participation grow around the state in many, if not all, societies, and more and more “lone” genealogists finding societies where they can both learn and contribute. Helping the Pioneer Pursuit roll out across the state has been inspiring. I see this program not only as a way to increase our knowledge of our Washington Territorial pioneers, but also to strengthen our partnership with other heritage and history groups around the state and beyond. Check out the Washington State Genealogy and Family History group at https://groups.io/g/Washington-State-Genealogy and see what researchers are working on. I’m happy to say that we have rekindled our membership in the National Genealogical Society as well, and see our role there growing over the coming years. I ask for your vote to continue this work.

Frank’s candidate statement:

I have been a member of WSGS since 1988 and have served in nearly every office, including President and Treasurer. I have a vested interest in seeing the society become a more useful organization to local societies and individual genealogists.

Over the years, I have seen a lot of changes in WSGS, but am hoping for more. I am particularly interested in making WSGS an organization that provides value to societies. WSGS is interested in what services and opportunities it can provide. I also hope we can generate interest in expanding individual participation, maybe serving on the board or helping some other way. I would appreciate your support in moving WSGS in a positive direction.

Ruth Caesar Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Ruth Caesar

Today we’re introducing Ruth Caesar of Arlington, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS).

During the last two years of pandemic lockdowns, mandates and uncertainty, Ruth has been the “glue” that has held the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society and Library together. Along with fulfilling her own duties as society president, she has taken on many tasks that others have been unable to perform. During discussions considering “boxing up the books and shutting down the library,” Ruth continued to advocate for maintaining our community presence, which has been successfully accomplished. She was also able to work with the City of Arlington to secure rent relief during the lockdown as well as continuing to lead fundraising efforts which have been instrumental in paying for necessary services.

The SVGS library is now back open, welcoming staff and visitors and the business of the society is being conducted as before, thanks to Ruth’s leadership and commitment.

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.

Cary Lynn Bright Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Cary Lynn Bright of Snohomish, Washington, who was nominated by the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS).  

The biggest change in genealogy in the past decade has been the low-cost availability of DNA testing and the development of tools for using DNA information for genealogical research This technology has exploded, and its rapid expansion makes it difficult to keep current with the latest and greatest ways to use these data for digging into your family roots. Cary Bright has kept the Seattle Genealogical Society and its members current in this invaluable methodology as leader or co-leader of SGS’s DNA Special Interest Group (SIG) since 2009. During the COVID-19 shutdown, this SIG continued to be SGS’s strongest performer, making the transition from in-person meetings and workshops to an all online operation where it is drawing in people from far outside the Seattle area. DNA-based research and online programs and research are the future of genealogy, and Cary has helped SGS stay on the forefront of both.

Congratulations, Cary, on a job well done!

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.

EWGS’s Audio/Visual Team Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society’s Audio/Visual Team. Members of the team included Julie Rosenoff, David Luders, Harold Young, John Wilson and Duane Beck.

On March 7, 2020, the Eastern Washington Genealogy Society had its final in-person meeting. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a world-wide pandemic, and by March 17th all schools in Washington State were closed. All social gatherings were forbidden. EWGS was stunned by the isolation.

The EWGS Audio/Visual team jumped at this challenge. They learned how to “Zoom” and by June 2020, the society was having Zoom business meetings.  In September 2020, EWGS was able to conduct a full Zoom program celebrating their Mayflower ancestors.

When COVID restrictions began to ease, the Audio/Visual Team researched hybrid meetings. They practiced and prepared…a lot. In April 2022, EWGS went “hybrid” offering its first all-day seminar to both in-person and Zoom attendees. It was a huge success!

EWGS continues to thrive and bring in new genealogy enthusiasts in large part due to this team of intrepid volunteers.

Congratulations, EWGS Audio/Visual Team. Job well done!

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.

Richard Adams Named One of 2022 Outstanding Volunteers

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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Richard Adams of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Richard joined YVGS in 1985. He is an invaluable member wearing many hats. He worked as part of the team serving coffee to travelers at Indian John Hill rest area on I-90 many years and for ten years he has set up and staffed the raffle table at YVGS’s general meetings and sets up their coffee bar. He helps with the transportation of goods from two local churches back to YVGS’s lot in preparation for two yard sales held each year, selling items and with cleanup after each sale. Richard researched and obtained quotes on prices and had a new sound system installed in the YVGS library. Since 2003, Richard has cleaned YVGS’s restrooms every week with his wife Carla. When the maintenance committee needs extra help, Richard is right there.

Richard is a highly valued member of YVGS, and richly deserves this recognition.

Happy Thanksgiving From WSGS Board

by Roxanne Lowe
Valorie, Diane, Ginny, Kathy, Roxanne, Charles. Missing – Frank

We give thanks each and every day for our families, past and present. This is a special time to spend time with our families, whether in person or in our hearts, whether connected through DNA or friendship. As you’re gathered together during this holiday season, make time to take a few photos. Listen and share familial stories of days gone by. Preserve those photos and write down those stories. As genealogists, we know our ancestral searches are more than births, marriages and deaths. Preserve today’s memories for the future.

The WSGS Board wishes you a special Thanksgiving.

Kathy, Valorie, Roxanne, Frank, Ginny, Charles & Diane