Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

Russell Kruse Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

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

Russell became interested in genealogy and became a member of YVGS in 2011.  He actively volunteers when a maintenance issue arises.

Russell has been very active in multiple activities working on the semi-annual yard sale with other members transporting discarded items from church yard sales to the YVGS storage garage and setting up, selling and cleaning up at the end of the sale.  Russell oversees the recycling project for the YVGS library loading up the recyclable items each week and hauling them to the recycler — an invaluable task. 

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.

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! Your post will be seen by more than 1,000 genealogists from around the state and beyond. Just email a Word document, text file, PDF or graphic to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org and Info@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.

Lynn Krogh Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Lynn Krogh of Spokane, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS).

Lynn joined EWGS about five years ago, and soon after was on the Ways and Means committee. This committee does the raffles at each meeting and the door prizes at our seminars. Lynn is now the committee chair of the Ways and Means committee. She picked raffle and door prizes that matched the topic of the monthly meeting or seminars. She also held a silent auction of donated items and raised almost $900.

Lynn is now on the program committee and sends out the blast e-mails announcing the upcoming meetings and seminars. She was also the EWGS NGS representative. during Covid, and kept EWGS current on what was happening at NGS.

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.

Kathy Sizer and Jill Scott Elected to WSGS Board

by Roxanne Lowe

Congratulations are extended to Kathy Sizer and Jill Scott who were elected recently as WSGS President and Secretary, respectively. Their terms run through Dec. 31, 2025. Kathy will be serving her second two-year term, while Jill is new to the Board. Jill’s election was unanimous and Kathy’s was almost unanimous — one write-in vote for Cynthia Fuerst of Yakima.

Kathy and Jill, and the rest of the WSGS Board, are anticipating a year filled with growth and service to its members. WSGS members are invited to attend (virtually) the monthly board meetings which are the third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. The minutes of each meeting are available in the Members’ Area of the website.

For more information about participating in WSGS, email Info@wasgs.org.

Deb Klein Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Deb Klein of Kirkland, Washington, who was nominated by the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS).

Debra “Deb” joined the SGS in June 2015 and became editor of eNews!, the SGS newsletter, later that year. She has never missed a beat, ensuring that an SGS eNews! has been published and emailed to more than 1,000 people on the 15th day and the last day of every month these last eight years. 

During the long COVID-19 shutdown, the newsletter was a vital connection between SGS leadership and the society’s members. Deb has regularly prepared and written articles and “Tip[s] of the Week” and made sure SGS events were promoted even when no one sent her any content ahead of time. She has just retired from this position, and everyone in SGS will miss her.

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.

Diana Keehn Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Diana Keehn of Marysville, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS).

Diana is currently a volunteer librarian and publicity chair (a board position) at SVGS. As publicity chair, she promotes the society primarily via social media such as the SVGS Facebook page, Arlington Newsletter, Washington State Genealogical Society blog and Conference Keeper. As a volunteer librarian, she assists with cataloging new additions at the library, and is noted for one-to-one training and encouragement of patrons in how to do research themselves to find the answers to their questions in the extensive collection. She participates in various research groups and is usually available to “do whatever needs to be 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.

Carol Jenner Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Carol B. Jenner of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (PS-APG).

Carol began her family history journey by visiting NARA in Washington, DC in 1973 to inspect the newly released census records. After that she became the family historian, collecting its odds and ends over the years. In 2010, Carol completed a University of Washington certificate program which intensified her focus. She has since attended 19 genealogical institutes. These provided Carol with the solid educational foundation to become a Certified Genealogist (CG) in 2022.

Carol joined the PS-APG in 2017. During her term as chapter representative, the chapter website failed. She singlehandedly took on this project. Within weeks she was able to move the entire website onto the free WordPress platform. This resulted in a secure and stable website that now incorporates a mobile-friendly design. Where would PS-APG be today without those people who can make “magic” happen?

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.

Lori Gibson Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Lori Gibson of Bainbridge Island, Washington, who was nominated by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS).

Lori took over the position of website administrator in 2016. She has served tirelessly, maintaining the site on a day-to-day basis, finding illustrations and creating layouts, posting and archiving material, and handling all the site’s technical needs. In the process, she worked successfully with several different BIGS newsletter editors and contributed to those communications as well. The website was originally developed in HTML. Lori migrated the site to WordPress and provided a leadership role in two separate “website refreshes.”

Most recently, Lori integrated PayPal into the website, allowing BIGS to collect dues via the web. In addition to her work on the website, Lori also volunteers as a member of the hybrid meeting committee.

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.

JCGS Board of Directors Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the JCGS Board of Directors who were nominated by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS).  Board members included Barb Peterson, Kathie Wilkinson, Dora Whittaker, Lesa Barnes, Pam Stinson, Mary Stolaas and Ann McCreery.

The JCGS Board of Directors exceeds expectations in their collective knowledge, patience, and dedication. Their leadership of JCGS through an unprecedented period of challenges, including enforced closure of the Research Center and the need to provide alternative approaches, have enabled JCGS to continue its mission. The Board members have adapted to online presentations, transferred large databases to an online site to allow access by its members, funded needed equipment and national presenters, expanded the website and Facebook pages, and maintained the monthly newsletter. They have also responded patiently to members’ questions and concerns, translating their knowledge into clear, accessible language. JCGS is grateful for their selfless contributions. They are individually deserving of this honor and as a team are worthy of the highest accolades for working together and emerging from this challenging time with the society intact and poised to move into the future.

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.

Pioneer Pursuit: And the Winners are…

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS is proud to announce the winners of the Pioneer Pursuit contest.

Most submissions by an individual:

  • Ralph Brown from Bothell, WA with 1,285 entries. We will introduce blog readers to Ralph in a future post. Ralph won a $150 cash prize for his amazing contribution.
  • Vickie Bullard from Wapato, WA with 272 entries. Vickie is a member of the Yakima Valley Genealogy Society and also a past member of the Chapter 8 Yakima Daughters of the Pioneers. She earned $100 for her efforts.
  • Jayne McCarley of Vancouver, WA with 269 entries. Jayne is the president of the Fort Vancouver Chapter #19 of the Daughters of Pioneers of Washington (DPW). Jayne earned $50 for her submissions.

A total of 60 individuals submitted 3,696 pioneers. Each pioneer was verified to have lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. Every person who submitted an entry will receive a year’s membership to WSGS as a thank-you for their contribution.

Most submissions by a local genealogical or historical society (based on percent of membership):

North Beach Genealogical Society (Ocean Shores) contributed 150 submissions. The small society of 15 members earned $300 for its efforts. One of their submissions was for Chief Seattle (Sealth), interpreted and written variously as See-ahth, Seathl, See-Yahtlh, or Sealth. You can view Chief Seattle and his pioneer families’ genealogies in the Index.

Fort Vancouver Chapter #19 of the Daughters of Pioneers of Washington (DPW) submitted 269 pioneers among its 37 members. They earned a $200 award.

Kingston Historical Society submitted 52 submissions from its 14 members. They earned a $100 award.

Twenty-four societies submitted pioneer genealogies. Each will receive a $20 cash award.

It’s Not Too Late to Contribute

We are still accepting Pioneer Pursuit submissions. Although we received 3,696 pioneer genealogies, we want more! There is no deadline to submit. On the Pioneer Pursuit webpage, we have information on how to submit, including a form and an example. There are also frequently asked questions and hints and help resources. The index will forever be publicly available.

If you have more questions about Pioneer Pursuit, email Info@wasgs.org. Please put “Pioneer Pursuit” in the subject line.