Tag Archives: Seattle Genealogical Society

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

CLOSE OUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON THIS SATURDAY WITH THIS DELECTABLE SEND OFF

Come celebrate Twelfth Night, the New Year and something many of us will (likely) RELATE to National Smith Day. We’ll be starting at 1 p.m. this Saturday at the Seattle Genealogical Society Library (Suite 302 of the Good Shepherd Center, 649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle WA).

Bring cookies to share, we’ll drink warm beverages and talk about our favorite topics: family history, genealogy, and our SMITH ancestors.

Contact Melanie at volunteers@seagensoc.org to help or bring cookies, tea, hot chocolate, cider to share.

images courtesy Library of Congress

DAR TO BE THE FOCUS AS SECOND SATURDAY RETURNS TO IN-PERSON AT THE SGS LIBRARY

Learn about the Daughters of the American Revolution’s more than 130 years tradition of historic preservation, education and patriotism. 

Paula Furick, former regent of Redmond DAR chapter, will speak at the Seattle Genealogical Library 1 p.m., Saturday, January 13. She will share a little about the work of this organization and how genealogists can use its resources and contribute to its mission.

Patrons can attend the event in person, or view from home via Zoom. Please register in advance so accommodations can be provided.

RSVP to attend in person

RSVP to attend via livestream from home

GET STARTED WITH BEGINNER GENEALOGY CLASS

Do you want to document your family tree using best practices and efficiency? Sign up today for SGS’s new class for beginners. This 4-week virtual class, with an optional 5th week, will cover the basics to help you get started. The first class is 1:00-2:30 pm, February 1 and runs every Thursday that month. Deadline to register is January 30. Get more information about the class on the SGS website.
COME SEE HOW SGS’S DIGITAL HOLDING
CAN HELP YOUR RESEARCH

During 2023 volunteers in the library have continued organizing and digitizing materials donated to SGS over the years. The digital holdings include family research related material and various materials compiled by SGS volunteers. Included in the compilations are newspaper clippings, abstracts of vital records and obituaries appearing in early Seattle newspapers and cemetery surveys. Although some of the digitized materials may be accessed on the SGS website, the vast majority are only available on one of the library’s patron computers. Throughout 2024, we will add more of these digitized materials to the patron computers.
 GOODBYE TO SGS’S CENTENNIAL YEAR

2023 is in the history books and the next 100 years of SGS has begun. Look back at some highlights of the year that was.

Over the weekend of April 20-23, SGS’s Writers’ C(r)amp brought together ten family historians for a weekend of a recording family stories, good food and great conversation.

Left: The 1920s-themed Ice Cream Social brought SGS members out to Meridian Playground, August 5, for treats. From left are Sheyna Watkins, Jim Secan, Christine Schomaker, and Amandalei Bennett dressed in the costume of the era. Right: SGS President Jim Secan speaks at the 100th Birthday celebration, October 20.

The Keynote speaker Knute Berger speaks at SGS’s Birthday celebration at Dunn Gardens on October 20. Berger talked about the mission of preserving the history of the Northwest.

100 YEARS AGO: 16 DEC. 1923

Some things never change. One hundred years ago, ferries were in the news in the Seattle Daily Times. On December 16, 1923, the headline was “FERRY CONTRACTS LET, TWO FAST SOUND VESSELS TO BE REMODELED.

The article went on to explain that two high-class ferry boats, the Seattle and the Sioux were to be “Widened and Lengthened for Automobiles Carriage.” They were headed to the Todd Shipyard for two months of work. The steamship Seattle was to be used on the Seattle Bremerton run while the steamship Sioux would be operated on the Port Angeles to Victoria route. Total cost was more than $250,00. The contract for the Seattle was awarded to the Navy Yard Route and the contract for the Sioux was awarded to the Puget Sound Navigation Company. Both corporations were owned by the same interests.

“FERRY CONTRACTS LET, TWO FAST SOUND VESSELS TO BE REMODELED.”, Seattle Daily Times, 16 December 1923, P. 23, Col. 1.

* Thanks for celebrating this centennial year with us!

SAVE THE DATE

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
usually 2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Pacific Time

JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 pm unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Jan. 8, 2024, “We Are Not Strangers,” presented by Josh Tuininga. For more information see http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

Eastside Genealogy Society Italian SIG
Saturday January 20, 2024, 10:00 am-12:00 pm (special time, this month only)

This month’s topic: Hands-on Italian Genealogy and Dual Citizenship: Digging Roots on the Ground in Italy presented by Allesandro Bovino (Bella Italia Genealogy). More information available on the group’s page.

Olympia Genealogical Society Seminar: “Immigration & Naturalization” by Rich Venezia (Virtual)
Saturday, February 3, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

  • Emerald Isle Express: Researching Irish Ancestors
  • Discovering Your Immigrant’s Origins: Exhausting Every Resource
  • Ship Manifests: An In-Depth Look
  • Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U.S. Citizenship

More information on the OGS site.

SGS Second Saturdays: Women in Special Collections
Saturday March 9, 2024, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm
Zoom and in person at the SGS library

What can you find in special collections at libraries and archives? Learn more about the lives of your women ancestors by digging into special collections of diaries, letters, manuscripts, and photographic material generated by women.


 

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday   
** 10:00 am – 3:00 pm **

Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. 

All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.comSaturday, Jan. 6, 2024, 1:00 am-3:00 pm, Holiday Open House (Special Events), Bring Cookies to share to the SGS Library as well as a Smith ancestor (if you have one) to note National Smith Day. 

Contact Melanie at volunteers@seagensoc.org if you would like to help.

Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, 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.

Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.

Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group  to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.comTuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. 

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG,  Co-chaired by Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick. Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of alternating months. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list.

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, 1:00 am-2:30 pm, Second Saturday: DAR (Virtual or at the SGS library), Paula Furick will be speaking at the SGS Library about this linage organization: To view at the library, register here. To view from home online register here.Sunday, Jan. 14 2024, 1:00 am-3:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group (Virtual), “What does it mean to have Scandinavian DNA?” hosts Karen Knudson and Kathi M. Share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestral research.

Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, 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, Jan. 16, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  “Pass It On” Writers’ Group (Social Interest Group), Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members.

Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information.

Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, German SIG (Virtual), Bring your favorite German research resource to share with the group. Carolyn Schott is the facilitator. Get the new Zoom link. Register on the SGS website.

Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, 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, Jan. 23, 2024, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. 

Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, 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, Jan. 30, 2024, 11:00 pm,  Registration Closes for Beginning Genealogy Class, class with run every Thursday 1:00-2:30 pm beginning February 1.

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2024, 1:00-2:30 pm,  Beginning Genealogy Class, class with run every Thursday 1:00-2:30 PST beginning February 1.

Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.comSunday, Jan. 3, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.

January 1, 2024

SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!

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Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week Unique Family Gifts

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
CREATE UNIQUE FAMILY GIFTS FROM FREE PRINTABLES

Need an inexpensive, but personal gift idea? The Library of Congress has dozens of blank and adaptable antique family record sheets. The images are in the public domain. You can print them off on good paper, paste in photos and create a memorable gift for each family member. Search for “family record” on the Library of Congress website. Here are a couple examples.

Images courtesy the Library of Congress

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

FORMER SGS LIBRARY TRUSTEE PASSES

Bernadette Laqueur, 1950-2023

Word of the passing of Bernadette Laqueur was received recently. She died earlier this year at the age of 72.

Laqueur was born May 24, 1950, in San Francisco, to Gert and Mary Alice Murphy. She grew up near Washington, D.C. and graduated from the University of Indiana. She worked in Los Angeles in legal administration before moving with her family to Seattle in 1989. She was an active voice in community, political, conservation and education work. In addition to her passion for genealogy, Laqueur enjoyed skiing, kayaking and playing the piano.

Laqueur joined the Seattle Genealogical Society in 2011 and actively participated in the society’s programs and special interest groups. A regular donor, she also volunteered in the SGS library. In 2020, Laqueur stepped up to serve as a trustee for the SGS library and did so until her health failed. She died Jan. 21, 2023. Survivors include husband Paul Herstein, and sons Andrew and Richard. She is buried at Lake View Cemetery on Capital Hill in Seattle.

WHERE’S PERSI?

The Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is the premier subject index for genealogy and local history periodical articles. Although PERSI has had a few different homes over the years the index is now available through the Allen County Public Library’s (ACPL) website. Seattle Public Library owns many of the indexed periodicals. Articles can also be requested from ACPL. The SGS catalog also includes a link to the website.

 THANKS TO FLIER VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to all those who volunteered to locate living relatives of the fliers of the first circumnavigation of the world. Each flier has been matched with a volunteer and the search is on.

IT’S THE GIVING SEASON
As 2023 wraps up and we reflect on our centennial year, we also want to look forward to the future. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support the work of the Seattle Genealogical Society and Library.

Your support helps us keep membership dues low and allows us to serve the our community in more meaningful ways.

Give online If you have a PayPal account, you may donate to SGS via the PayPal Giving Fund and their transaction fee will be waived.

photo credit Annie Spratt / Unsplash

100 YEARS AGO: 11 Nov. 1923

The celebratory news on 11 November 1923, was “MERCER ISLAND CELEBRATES OPENING OF BRIDGE, Residents See Dreams and Plans of 45 Years Realized”. The headlines further explained “New Structure 1,200 fee Long Reaches from Barnabee Point to Enatai on Eastern Shore of Lake Washington.”

Barnabee Point is on the east side of Mercer Island with Enatai located on the eastern shore of Lake Washington between Newport and Bellevue. The bridge gave Mercer Island its first land communication with Seattle and the rest of the mainland. The article touted the fact that it allowed one to now drive from Mercer Island to Seattle via Renton. The celebration included a 20 piece band of the Boys Parental School of Mercer Island. The article also noted that a bridge on the western side of Mercer Island to Seattle is a possibility in the future but would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

— “MERCER ISLAND CELEBRATES OPENING OF BRIDGE, Residents See Dreams and Plans of 45 YearsRealized”, The Seattle Daily Times, 11 Nov. 1923, p. 14, col 3.

* Thanks for celebrating this centennial year with us!

SAVE THE DATE

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
usually 2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Pacific Time

JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 pm unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Dec. 11, 2023, “‘Illegitimacy’ in the Jewish Communities of Galicia,” presented by Janette Silverman. For more information see http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

Free webinars from American Ancestors by NEHGS
Events are all noon to 1:00 pm Pacific Time

• “Applying to Revolutionary War Lineage Societies,” Dec. 7, 2023, Join Vice President of Research and Library Services Lindsay Fulton for a step-by-step look at applying to Revolutionary War lineage societies. Register in advance.

• “Family History Roundtable: Getting Family Involved in Your Research,” Dec. 12, 2023, Finding ways to get our relatives interested in family history is almost as much of a challenge as the research itself! Join us for this engaging panel discussion with our genealogists as they discuss their tips for getting family involved in your research. Register in advance.

• “What’s New at American Ancestors,” Dec. 14, 2023, Stay up to date with what’s new at American Ancestors with this webinar series! Register in advance.

 

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday   
** 10:00 am – 3:00 pm **

Masks are recommended  inside the Good Shepherd Center. Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. 

All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.comSunday, Dec. 3, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.

Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, 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, Dec. 9, 2022, 1:00 am-2:30 pm, Second Saturday: City Directories (Virtual or at the SGS library), Learn how to leverage city directors in your research: To view at the library, register here. To view from home online register here.

Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, 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.

Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.

Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group  to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.comTuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. Saturday, Dec. 16 2023, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information.

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, German SIG (Virtual), Bring your favorite German research resource to share with the group. Carolyn Schott is the facilitator. Get the new Zoom link. Register on the SGS website.

Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, 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, Dec. 19, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  Family History Writers’ Group (Social Interest Group), Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members.Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.comSunday, Jan. 7, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG,  Co-chaired by Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick. Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of alternating months. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list. 

December 1, 2023

SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!

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Seattle Genealogical Society 2023 Fall Seminar

by Charles Hansen
SGS 2023 Fall Seminar
Death and Taxes: Records to Enhance Your Research
Friday-Saturday, November 10-11
and Saturday, November 18, 2023
online with
Judy Russell, CG®, CGL℠,
Annette Burke Lyttle,
Lisa Gorrell, CG®,
Nicole Dyer, and
Gregory Gardner, MD, MACP
Nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. – Benjamin Franklin   For More Information and to Register Click Here
Please join us for our Fall Seminar, “Death and Taxes,” an exploration of lesser-known record sources to enhance your genealogy research. Five programs by noted experts, presented online via Zoom over three days.
All presentations will be recorded and available for viewing by paid registrants for about a month following the seminar. 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 © 2023 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

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week Legalese Got You Down? Ask AI to Help

by Charles Hansen

TIP OF THE WEEK –
LEGALESE GOT YOU DOWN? ASK AI TO HELP Use AI to help you understand legal language in older document. If you are getting confused by the complex language of a legal document ask Chat GBT to help. Ask the AI to “summarize the following text” and type the text of the document and paste it into the chat GBT. This can’t account for specific legal rules of the past, but it should at least help you understand what the document actually says.
November 1, 2023

Seattle Genealogical Society 2023 Fall Seminar

by Charles Hansen

photos credit Dan Dennis and waldemar / Unsplash


REGISTER NOW FOR SGS’s 3-DAY FALL SEMINAR 

Get ready to learn about some lesser-known record sources. SGS’s Fall Seminar will provide you with the information you need to make some exciting discoveries in your family tree. Our 3-Day conference kicks off Friday evening, Nov. 10, with sessions continuing the next day and the following Saturday, Nov. 18.

Register on the SGS website
 

FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 10 (5PM)

“Polls, Personalty and Property – Making Sense of Tax Lists”

Somebody had to pay government’s bills, and they did it through the law by imposing taxes on polls, personal property and real property. The records of those taxes offer some of the best clues available to our ancestors, their families and their neighborhoods.

SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 11 (9AM)

“Obituaries and Other Death Information in Online Newspapers”

Obituaries can be a bonanza for genealogical information and family stories, but other death information can also be found in newspapers. Learn how to find your ancestor’s death information in online newspaper archives, both U. S. and international.

“Probate Records: More Than Just Wills”

Will records are a great genealogical source but not all estates involve wills and estates without a will often have more genealogical information than those with wills. This session will discuss both testate (has a will) and intestate (without a will) estates and how you can use them to further your genealogical research.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, NOVEMBER 18 (1 PM)

Nicole Dyer

“Tax Records Tell the Story: Cluster and Neighborhood Research”

Learn how tax records can help locate individuals, identify neighborhood groupings, and separate individuals from others of the same name. (A case study)

“Digging into Death Certification Data to Uncover Family History and Family Health Information Treasures: A Physician’s Perspective”

We will discuss the fascinating history of recording death and then explore those death records in the US that contain a cause of death such as mortality schedules, mortality registries, and death certification all from a physician’s perspective. We will discuss some pearls and pitfalls along the way and how to access these useful records. Finally we will discuss diseases to be on the watch for during your family history journey and how to use family health information to develop a family history portrait and actually calculate your risk of certain illnesses.

Don’t miss out. Register today.


 LISA WHITE: 2023 VOLUNTEER OF FALL QUARTER

Lisa White, out-going Publication Chair has been selected SGS Volunteer of the Quarter. 

SGS president Jim Secan was pleased to share this news. “Lisa White was appointed Director of Publications by the SGS Board of Directors in May 2021 after she volunteered to take this open position. Lisa was a new SGS member, and had sent an email to then-Director-of-Volunteers Ceil Rogers asking if there was anything she could do to help her new organization. She decided on the Publications job, and has been the SGS Director of Publications ever since.” Unfortunately for SGS, Lisa has stepped down from her director position, but is not done volunteering. 

Lisa White

“It was fun working with the board making decisions for the benefit of our organization and membership,” Lisa said upon learning of the award.

Lisa has accepted the position as SGS Journal Editor. She is working now on the layout for the new edition coming out soon. “My career before becoming self-employed was graphic arts and printing so this is right up my alley.” 
 
Over the years she attended many virtual seminars and other events, and explained, “I always learn so much from them.” Along with many other members of SGS, Lisa attended the 100th Anniversary celebration at Dunn Gardens where local celebrity, Knute Berger faced a full house of SGS Members and other guests. “It was fantastic and so nice to see so many members in person!”

Lisa has personal goals for next year, including concentrating on her Certification portfolio. “I attended CDG in 2022 and gained insight into the process as well as the confidence to proceed. I highly recommend attending and I am thinking I may go through it again. I also have some transcription projects in the works.

“My favorite question for the volunteer is: What are your genealogical interests and research areas? Do you have a fascinating discovery to share? Or a brick wall story? 
 
“My ancestry is from Colonial America, England, Ireland, Wales, France, Germany. I was working on Mayflower lineage with another family member and to his consternation I proved we were not Mayflower descendants on that line! Although through that research I found we have Quaker ancestors which was exciting” 
 
When Lisa is not helping SGS or deep diving into her ancestral roots, she is thinking about her retirement. She and her husband will end their business in less than two years, and begin traveling to National Parks and Civil War locations where her husband has Union ancestors. After that, they will visit Europe and travel to ancestral places in Ireland and Germany.
 
Lisa also enjoys reading and is working on reading all of the books on the BBC’s Top 100 Books You Need to Read. “I am embarrassed to say I forgot I had already read War and Peace and was almost finished with reading it again when I realized. My “rule” is I must finish every book I start whether I like it or not!”

As a volunteer, Lisa has approached her volunteer positions similarly, with good intentions and longevity in service. 

CONGRATULATIONS and Thank you Lisa for all you have contributed to SGS.  


 THANKS TO OUR SGS100 VOLUNTEERS!

The 100th celebratory year is coming to an end. There are so many people to thank for making it a success. We will miss some, so please just let one of us know your name and we will include you in the master list. Those to thank include:
 

  • January, Second Saturday: Ceil Rogers
  • February, SGS Journal, our history: Lisa White, Kathy Weber, Crhistine Schomaker, Cary Bright, Laura Sandridge, Carol Mercer, Karen Portzer, Lisa Oberg, alaine Keisling
  • April, Writer’s C(r)amp: Melanie Moser, Siri Nelson, Caitlyn Oiye-Coon, Kathy Ciskowski, Heather Certmenia, Christine Schomaker, Kathy Weber and Ceil Rogers
  • July, Preservation Seminar: Ceil Rogers
  • August, Ice cream Social: Melanie Moser, Cary Bright
  • September, Family History Writing Contest: *Caitlyn Oiye-Coon, *Debra Lambo, *Lisa White, *Ron Chan, *Gary Robbins; Bonnie LaDoe, Pam Anderson, Chery Kinnick, Janet Colberg, Francis Russell, Ron Hill,  Jenny Irwin, Paula Merrick, Emily Moore, Roberta Nesseth, Karen Portzer, Sheyna Watkins  (* marks winners);  reviewers: Janice Lovelace, Woods Fairbanks, Anne Marie Maquire, Allison Bourne
  • October, SGS birthday cake for building; everyone who came
  • October, SGS Dunn Garden Event: Kathy Weber, Jim Secan, 
  • November, SGS Journal, FHWC winners: Lisa White and all the winners of the SGS100 FHWC.
  • on-going, 100 years ago, newspaper clipping in eNews!: Siri Nelson; publicity: Alanna Stanton; logo art: Carole Jones; SGS100 Store: Julia Marconi



As you can see, we had a special event almost every month of our celebratory year. while we had our hand in almost all activities, without all of you helping it would not have happened.

And, an additional shout out to the Board members who gave us great latitude and to all who kept the doors open while we overlaid the activities on top of those that we normally conduct.

Your co-chairs,
Lisa Oberg and Jill Morelli

 HAVE SOMETHING TO SCAN?
SGS LIBRARY HAS WHAT YOU NEED

SGS member Maggi Murphy stopped in to use the patron scanning station for an old family album. She had no idea this album existed until a connection was made to a step-cousin. She is trying to identify some of the family members in the photos. Are you in possession of an album that deserves scanning? Stop in and do it at the SGS Library.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
FOR SET UP AND HOSTING MEETINGS

Volunteers are needed to help operate tech equipment during meetings, seminars and other events. Setting up the SGS laptop, projector and Zoom for hybrid meetings are among the requests. Additional help troubleshooting with in-person or online participants and speakers may be needed.

Volunteers should have some working knowledge of connecting devises or computers to a projector and using Zoom interface.

 

100 YEARS AGO: 12 OCT 1923

On 12 October 1923, the front page news, in all caps, was “AIR PASSENGER SERVICE TO BE STARTED HERE”.  The article went on to say that Seattle was selected as the junction for Alaska Airways Company and that the company had “let contracts for the erection of hangars, machine shops and an air depot on Lake Union at Westlake Avenue, near Highland Drive.”  “Service will be between Seattle and Tacoma, Seattle and Everett, and Seattle and Victoria, B.C.”

— “AIR PASSENGER SERVICE TO BE STARTED HERE”, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 12 Oct 1923, p1, col 2.

* Watch each eNews! issue for “100 years ago”, our new anecdotal series. We will be running it for the duration of 2023, our centennial year.

SAVE THE DATE

Fiske Genealogical Library Classes (Free!), 
Wednesdays in November
10:00 pm – 11:59 am Pacific Time

Join the Fiske Genealogical Library as they continue their Fall virtual classes. All classes are Wednesdays, 10 am to noon, unless otherwise noted on their schedule.

November 8: What’s New in Genetic Genealogy — Karin Borgerson
November 15: Using Tables and Timelines to Break Through ‘Brick Walls’ — Janet Camarata

“What’s Online at the National Archives”
Eastside Genealogical Society
November 9, 2023, 6:30 pm

The presenter, Marisa Louie Lee, is a freelance researcher and workshop speaker who specializes in federal government records and Asian American. Learn more about the event at the website: Eastside Genealogical Society.

Family Tree Maker SIG
Eastside Genealogical Society
November 17, 2023, 10:30 pm

Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev.  The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance.  You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
usually 2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Pacific Time

JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 pm unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Nov. 13, 2023, “Using Social Media for Genealogic Research: The Good, the Bad, and the Exceedingly Strange” presented by Robin Meltzer. For more information see
http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

“Every Family has a Story … What’s Yours”?
November 4, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Pacific Time

The Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum will be hosting this virtual event to learn the basic research progress. Limited to 100 attendees. The event is free for museum members and $10 for non-members. Register in advance.

“Julefest: A Nordic Christmas Celebration”, 
National Nordic Heritage Museum, 
2655 NW Market St,
Seattle, WA 98107 
Sat-Sun, November 18-29
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

Modeled after a traditional outdoor Christmas market, expect all the traditional Nordic holiday goodies. Ticket price for non-members includes entry to the museum.  Julefest is no charge for museum members. 
https://nordicmuseum.org/events/julefest

 

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers.

Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday   
** 10:00 am – 3:00 pm **

Masks are recommended  inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. 

NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room.  The host must take action to let people into each meeting.  The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.

All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted Saturday, Nov 4, 2022, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com

Sunday, Nov 5, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.

Monday, Nov 6, 2023, 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 8, 2023, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG,  Co-chaired by Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick. Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of alternating months. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list. 

Friday, Nov 10, 2023, 5:00 pm-6:30 pm, and Saturday, Nov 11, 2023, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Death and Taxes (Fall Seminar), see additional details about the event in our feature story above.

Monday, Nov 13, 2023, 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.

Monday, Nov 13, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.

Monday, Nov 13, 2023, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group  to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.com

Tuesday, Nov 14, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. 

Saturday, Nov 18, 2023, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. New Zoom link started in July.

Saturday, Nov 18, 2023, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm, Death and Taxes (Fall Seminar), see additional details about the event in our feature story above.

Saturday, Nov 19, 2023, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, German SIG (Virtual), Focus will be on Pussian research. 

If you’ve done research in Prussia, please come with your knowledge and experiences for our group discussion!. Carolyn Schott is the facilitator. Get the new Zoom link. Register on the SGS website. RESCHEDULED: Day and time for November ONLY.Sunday, Nov 19, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Topic to be announced. Please visit the SGS website to register in advance for this event.

Monday, Nov 20, 2023, 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, Nov 21, 2023, 10:00 am-12:00 pm,  Family History Writers’ Group (Social Interest Group), Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members.

Monday, Nov 27, 2023, 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, Nov 28, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. Saturday, Dec 2, 2022, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com

Monday, Dec 4, 2023, 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.

November 1, 2023

SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!

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Copyright © 2023 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

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week Registrar’s Records

by Charles Hansen
TIP OF THE WEEK –
REGISTRAR’S RECORDS …MORE THAN JUST DEEDS
The county deed record books sometimes have record topics other than land. Be sure to check any miscellaneous books held by the office. I once found my great grandfather’s school graduation exam results in one.
October 1, 2023

SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!

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Seattle Genealogical Society October 2023

by Charles Hansen
1923-2023 and Beyond
You’re Invited!
SGS 100th Birthday Party
Friday, Oct. 20, 2023
5:00-7:00 pm
Dunn Gardens Cottage
13533 Northshire Rd NW, Seattle WA 98177
COME CELEBRATE WITH SGS!
Knute Berger to speak at SGS birthday bashKnute Berger
SGS is turning 100 and we are getting ready to mark the occasion. Well known Seattle television host and historian Knute Berger will be the keynote speaker. This event is the capstone event of our centennial year and is not to be missed.

There will be awards and proclamations recognizing the accomplishments of the society and the vision for it in the future. 

There is no cost for the event, but donations will be requested. Please RSVP on the SGS website so organizers can plan accordingly.

COME SEE WHAT’S NEW AT THE SGS LIBRARY Do you need access to the American Ancestors subscription website? The SGS library has three computer workstations that provide free access to this site. American Ancestors has recently added or updated a number of new databases including: 

Boston Tea Party Participant Biographies
Rhode Island Vital Records 1636-1850
Massachusetts-Shaker Records of the Fruitlands Museum 1791-1910
Early Vermont Settlers 1700-1784
Canadian Headstones: Cemetery Heritage of Canada
Early New England Families 1640-1700
Massachusetts Roman Catholic Parish Cemetery Records 1866-1940

They also started a new project, 10 Million Names, to recover the names of people enslaved in America before emancipation and locate their living dependents.

ROOTSTECH 2024 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN RootsTech, the popular family history conference, is getting ready for their 2024 event, coming Feb. 28- March 2. They offer both in-person sessions in Salt Lake City as well as an online viewing option for attendees. Register today and be a part of this exciting program.100 YEARS AGO: 14 SEPT 1923Toronto Canada Councilman Erickson cited Seattle’s municipally owned utilities as typical of the public ownership movement which he said is sweeping the West. He noted that the price of water was about one-fourth the price that was charged under private ownership. He also cited the reduced price for electric light and power,

— “City’s Utilities Lauded in East”, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 14 Sept 1923, p4, col 7* Watch each eNews! issue for “100 years ago”, our new anecdotal series. We will be running it for the duration of 2023, our centennial year.SAVE THE DATEFiske Genealogical Library Classes (Free!), 
Wednesdays in October
10:00 pm – 11:59 am Pacific Time

Join the Fiske Genealogical Library as they continue their Fall virtual classes. All classes are Wednesdays, 10 am to noon, unless otherwise noted on their schedule.

October 4: Moving Beyond FamilySearch — Jenny Hansen
October 11: Buffalo Soldiers in the West — Janice Lovelace
October 18: Women’s Service During WWI — Lisa A. Oberg
October 25: Using Timelines to Organize Your Research — Claire Smith
November 1: Using Online Scandinavian Church Records — Jenny Hansen

EGS German Interest Grouup
October 6, 2023, 12:30 am

Charlotte Noelle Champenois from the FamilySearch Library will share “The ABC’s of the Old German Script.” Please register in advance with the Eastside Genealogical Society for this event.

EGS Family Tree Maker SIG
October 20, 2023, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev.  The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance.  You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.
 
If you want to be on the Eastside Genealogical Society Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group email list, send your request to ftmsig@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
usually 2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Pacific Time

JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 pm unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Oct. 9, 2023, “When Henry Silverstein Got Cold: Fraud in the 1920 Census” presented by Ron Arons. For more information see
http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

“Every Family has a Story … What’s Yours”?
November 4, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Pacific TimeThe Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum will be hosting this virtual event to learn the basic research progress. Limited to 100 attendees. The event is free for museum members and $10 for non-members. Register in advance.

“Julefest: A Nordic Christmas Celebration”, 
National Nordic Heritage Museum, 
2655 NW Market St,
Seattle, WA 98107 
Sat-Sun, November 18-29
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

Modeled after a traditional outdoor Christmas market, expect all the traditional Nordic holiday goodies. Ticket price for non-members includes entry to the museum.  Julefest is no charge for museum members. 

https://nordicmuseum.org/events/julefest

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTSGood Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers.Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday   
** 10:00 am – 3:00 pm ** Masks are recommended  inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room.  The host must take action to let people into each meeting.  The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted Sunday, Oct 1, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.

Tuesday, Oct 3, 2023, 10:00 pm-12:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group SIG (in person), Workshop your Swedish ancestors with Karen and your Norwegian ancestors Kathi. Share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestral research. This event will be in person at the SGS library.

Monday, Oct 9, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.

Monday, Oct 11, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group  to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.com 

Tuesday, Sept 12, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. 

Saturday, Oct 14, 2023, 12:30 am-1:00 pm,  General Membership Meeting (HYBRID!), Stay current with what is going in the SGS. Please register in advance on the SGS website or by calling the library at (206) 522-6858, confirm if you will be attending in person or on Zoom. The Second Saturday event (listed below) will immediately follow this event.

Saturday, Oct 14, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Second Saturday: Technology to the Rescue (Hybrid), Learn how to work smarter, not harder with free tools – from programs to extensions to built-in features from your operating system. These tools help with organization, research, writing, and plotting land deeds, as well as abstracting, extracting, and transcribing records. There is something for everyone, and who doesn’t love free stuff! Please visit the SGS website to register in advance for this event.

Sunday, Oct 15, 2023, 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Topic to be announced. Please visit the SGS website to register in advance for this event.

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2023, 10:00 am-12:00 pm,  Family History Writers’ Group (Social Interest Group), Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members.

Friday, Oct 20, 2023, 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm, SGS100 Birthday Party, Come celebrate 100 years of the SGS and we look to the past and dream for the future. Please visit the SGS website to register in advance for this event.

Saturday, Oct 21, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. New Zoom link started in July.

Saturday, Oct 21, 2023, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, German SIG (Virtual), Bring your favorite German research resource to share with the group. Carolyn Schott is the facilitator. Get the new Zoom link that starts this month. Register on the SGS website.

Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. 

Saturday, Nov 4, 2022, 10:15 am- 12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com 

Sunday, Nov 5, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week School Records

by Charles Hansen
TIP OF THE WEEK –
SEEK SCHOOL RECORDS
Records kept by schools often list all the students attending the school and ages over time, as well as the parents names of each child. If you have a child in your tree whose death you can’t confirm — maybe they show up in one census and disappear in the next. You may be able to narrow down a likely year of death in school records. When did they disappear from the school attendance sheet? That may be the answer. These records can also paint a colorful picture of what the conditions in the school were like. If the teacher answered an annual survey question, ”What means of ventilation — good or bad?” by triple underlining her answer of “bad” year after year, that tells you a lot about your ancestor’s learning environment.
September 1, 2023

SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!

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Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

We are delighted to announce that Knute Berger will be the keynote speaker for our SGS100 Birthday Party. The Party will be held on 20 October at Dunn Gardens, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm so mark your calendars now.

Knute Berger is a well known Seattle-based historian and writer whose work has been instrumental in preserving and sharing the heritage of the Pacific Northwest. He is widely recognized for his compelling storytelling and deep-rooted passion for unearthing the hidden narratives that define our region. Berger’s writings have graced the pages of prominent publications, including Seattle Magazine, and HistoryLink, and serves as Editor-at-Large of Crosscut.com  You probably know him best as the producer and presenter of the popular “Mossback Northwest” series on KCTS9.

Berger’s ability to connect the past with the present, painting a vivid portrait of the people and events that have shaped our surroundings with humor and perception, is a testament to his dedication to the preservation of our cultural legacy and a perfect adjunct to the SGS100 celebration where “Our Heritage, Our Future” is our vision for the next 100 years.

KAREN KNUDSON 2023
VOLUNTEER OF SUMMER QUARTER 

Karen Knudson has been a member of SGS for 15 years. After retirement in 2014 she began volunteering at the front desk, then quickly moved to a position on the SGS Board as treasure. She worked under three SGS Presidents for eight years until June 2023. Karen’s contributions helped to stabilize the role as Treasure. Jill Morelli, one former SGS President shared, “Karen, brought a commitment to excellence. What she didn’t know, she learned. She consolidated accounts and worked with others to quickly handle the payments and receipts of the organization and taught us best practices. SGS was lucky to have Karen serve multiple terms of office.” 


Jim Secan, current SGS President wrote: “Karen worked to both simplify and document the job as treasure and brought us up to date on understanding the role of treasure, which includes understanding state and federal rules and regulations of non-profit organizations.” 

Karen Knudson

“I have attended many Fall and Spring Seminars,” Karen recalled, “a beginning genealogy class and the Irish Special Interest Group and several other specialty presentations, such as the DNA (SIG) and Brag to Bricks.” She enjoys meeting other people who are researching their genealogy and like them, she enjoys the process. 

Speaking of Brick Walls, her mother’s paternal line, Forbes, ends in New York state in the mid 1800s, where she has hit that proverbial wall. 

Her mother’s sister, Irene Edwards was a member of the Seattle Genealogical Society who in 1993 created a two-volume set which proved to include a Mayflower ancestor and beyond. Karen applied to the Mayflower Society for membership and is waiting to hear back. She also shares that there is a connection with the Whitman Mission Massacre in Washington among other interesting stories.  

Karen says her father’s side is “completely Swedish, so I spent a great deal of time learning to research in the Swedish church books. I even took Swedish language classes for several years.”

Studying Swedish records may have been why Karen started the Scandinavian Special Interest Group — which now has SGS Librarian Kathi M as co-host. Karen focuses on Swedish records, while Kathi shares her knowledge of Norwegian records. They meet quarterly and their next gathering will be in person at the SGS Library on Tuesday, 3 October, from 10:00-12:00PM. 

Karen’s other interests include sewing, knitting, crocheting and other types of needlework. She’s a membership chair and treasure for the Tyee Triumph Club. She and her husband enjoy going to car shows. They sold their sailboat and are now “land sailing” in an RV. They have two young grandsons who play soccer and baseball, which they enjoy attending their games. They are also looking forward to traveling to Europe and seeing relatives in Sweden sometime soon. 

FAMILY STORY CONFIRMED THANKS TO SGS LIBRARY

By Jill Morelli

Bernice Engleton, California, makes an exciting discovery at the SGS library, August 18.

Bernice Engleton, visiting from California, came into the SGS library on August 18 seeking help finding the death of her great grandfather John Martin Stutzman. As the story was told to her, he had died at sea in 1895 between Seattle and Alaska. Bernice knew that the story may be true, false or partially true. She had been looking for his death for years and hoped that we would be able to help.

As a desk volunteer, I knew Newspapers would be the most likely option so I set up the patron workstation with three possible databases that might provide some information: the Washington State Digital archives for death certificate, Seattle Public Library for The Seattle Times newspaper collection and Chronicling America for the Post-Intelligencer.

Bernice, an experienced researcher, sat down. I barely had sat down back at the front desk before I heard an exclamation from Bernice! “I found it!” and indeed she did. John Stutzman drowned at sea with the rest of the crew and passengers in 1898. The sinking was covered on the front page of the P-I and then continued on page 6 for the entire page in very small print! Her great grandfather’s name and his home town was listed, confirming the match.

“I have been looking for his death for years and here it is!’ Bernice exclaimed.

Bernice’s good luck didn’t stop there. Another visitor that day was SGS member Trish Nicola, NARA volunteer extraordinaire. Trish shared what NARA might have and how they were taking appointments. Bernice and her sister-in-law left almost immediately and went over to Sand Point.

Bernice said, “The last time I was here I had such good luck.” Well, Bernice it appears that your luck and the SGS library’s is still holding. Thanks for making this desk volunteer’s day!

LOST COAT

This coat was left behind in the shelter during the ice cream social. It appears to be a men’s jacket. The brand is Pierre Balmain, size is large and the color beige.

100 YEARS AGO: 25 AUG 1923

“Electric Home Will Open This Afternoon” was the headline on page 8 of the Saturday edition of the Seattle P-I on 25 August 1923. It was to be the opening of the model electric home on Bothell Way. Even the Lieut. Governor “Wee” Coyle was to attend this dedication of “the home to the housewives of Seattle”. The model home contained the features of the electrical exposition which was being held nearby.

— “Electric Home Will Open This Afternoon,” Seattle Post-Intelligenecer, 25 Aug 1923, p 8, col 3; digital image, NewsBank (https://infoweb-newsbank-com : accessed 15 Aug 2023).

* Watch each eNews! issue for “100 years ago”, our new anecdotal series. We will be running it for the duration of 2023, our centennial year.

SAVE THE DATE

EGS Family Tree Maker SIG
September 15, 2023, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev.  The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance.  You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.
 
If you want to be on the Eastside Genealogical Society Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group email list, send your request to ftmsig@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
usually 2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Pacific Time

JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 pm unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Sept. 11, 2023, “What’s in a Name? Trouble!” presented by Ron Arons. For more information see
http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

SGS100 Birthday Party
October 20, 2023

Mark your calendar now! SGS is turning 100. Join the celebration at Dunn Gardens on October 20th. There will be a keynote speaker you will not want to miss! See story above for more details.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

The elevator is back in service!

Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers.

Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday   
** 10:00 am – 3:00 pm **

Masks are recommended  inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. 

NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room.  The host must take action to let people into each meeting.  The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.

All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted 

Monday, Sept 4, 2023, 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, Sept 9, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Second Saturday: Trips for Breaking Brick Walls (Virtual), Every genealogist runs up against brick walls at some time. Come learn about some simple techniques to help break through these walls. Please visit the SGS website to register in advance for this event.

Monday, Sept 11, 2023, 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.

Monday, Sept 11, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. 

Monday, Sept 11, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group  to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.com 

Tuesday, Sept 12, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. 

Wednesday, Sept 13, 2023, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG,  Co-chaired by Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick. Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of alternating months. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list. 

Saturday, Sept 16, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. New Zoom link started in July.

Sunday, Sept 17, 2023, 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, This month’s topic is writing and publishing a book. Please visit the SGS website to register in advance for this event.

Monday, Sept 18, 2023, 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, Sept 19, 2023, 10:00 am-12:00 pm,  Family History Writers’ Group (Social Interest Group), Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members.

Monday, Sept 25, 2023, 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, Sept 26, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. 

Saturday, Sept 1, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA SIG, To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join. 

Sunday, Oct 1, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.

Tuesday, Oct 3, 2023, 10:00 pm-12:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group SIG (in person), Share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestral research. This event will be in person at the SGS library.