DEB KLEIN, VOLUNTEER OF THE SPRING QUARTER
Deb Klein, the editor of our indispensable SGS eNews! has been named the Volunteer of the Spring Quarter. Her role demands familiarity with all that is happening in the society so that the rest of us stay up to date.
Deb says that she had driven by SGS for years, but it was a conversation with her neighbor’s mother that prompted her to join. As a self proclaimed genealogy junkie, addicted to the thrill of the hunt, the classes and special interest groups sounded like something she would enjoy.
In answer to how she happened to get involved, Deb responded, “I wanted to volunteer to help out at SGS, but my part-time, sporadic work schedule prevented me from being able to commit to a set routine. Reiley Kidd had a full plate and wanted to be relieved of publishing the eNews! As a former programmer/analyst, I had the technology experience, the hours were flexible, and I could work remotely; all this made for a good fit.”
Deb reports that she has always been a bit of a history buff, but never was into genealogy. “In 2011”, she notes, “I was reading Nathaniel Philbrick’s book Mayflower, and there were a few paragraphs on Major John Talcott, ‘Indian Fighter’. Hey!, I said to myself, Maybe that story Grandpa Talcott told me about our family coming to America in colonial times had some truth to it. The next week Ancestry had a free weekend promotion and I was easily able to trace my Talcott ancestors through the census back to 1860. Then I found the e-book Talcott Pedigree in England and America from 1558 to 1876. Eureka! What a gift. The family is far more interesting than I ever imagined. We arrived in Newtowne, MA in 1632 and in 1636 traveled with Reverend Hooker’s party to found Hartford, CT. Equally as easily, I traced my Acton family branch back to colonial Maryland. Oh, and here’s a fun fact; my 10 times great-grandfather, William Pynchon, wrote one of the first book banned in the New World.”
Researching other branches has come harder for Deb than researching those colonial lines. Her Irish and Swiss ancestors that immigrated during the 1800’s have managed to keep their lives before America a mystery. Deb says that she would be thrilled to be able to break through one of these brick walls. “In this quest, I’ve signed up for the webinar version of the Western European Family History Conference coming up in May; I’m taking the classes focused on research for Switzerland.” We wish Deb success in this research venture, and we thank her for serving as the editor of SGS eNews!.
DON’T MISS THE 2017 SPRING SEMINAR
“VOICES FROM THE PAST”
Featuring Lisa Alzo,
International Lecturer & Freelance Writer
Topics for the 4 workshops are:
•Diseases, Disasters, Distress: Bad for Your Ancestors, Good for Genealogy!
•Writing Your Family History Step-by-Step
•Silent Voices: Telling the Stories of Your Female Immigrant Ancestors
•Make Those Skeletons Dance: Exploring Your Family’s Dark Side
For more information and online registration: http://seattlegenealogicalsociety.org/2017-spring-seminar
Help Needed the Day of the Seminar, May 20th
Needed – someone to take photos
Needed – someone to fill the snack trays for breaks
Needed – help with set-up, hanging signs, directing parking, and directing people to the registration desk
If you can help, please email Sandra Stark at :
seminar@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org
SGS 2017 ELECTION RESULTS
The 2017 SGS election has concluded. The Election Committee has met and tabulated the votes. Ballots were mailed to 445 SGS members at the end of March; 134 ballots were returned, representing a turnout of 30%.
The following candidates, all running unopposed, were elected:
President: Jill Morelli
Secretary: Amandalei Bennett
Treasurer: Karen Knudson
Director of Education: Karin Borgerson
Director of Library: Ann Wright
Director of Membership: Christine Schomaker
Director of Operations: Lynne DeMerritt
Director of Publications: Julia Marconi
Nominating Committee: Siri Nelson and David Rimmer
Congratulations to all these candidates! We wish them great success!!
Both Bylaws revisions that had been recommended by the Board passed handily, with more than 90% of votes cast.
We were unable to find any candidates for three offices (Vice President, Director of Technology and Director of Volunteers) and for 3 more members of the Nominating Committee. Several individuals received write-in votes for each of these positions; these names will be turned over to the Nominating Committee. The NC will contact each one, to see if they are willing to serve, and if so, will recommend them to the Board of Directors.
Thanks also to the Election Committee – John Harley, Trish Howell, and Lisa Oberg for their work during this election!
IS YOUR SGS MEMBERSHIP CURRENT?
Ballots were mailed on March 30 to all 445 current members of SGS. If you did not receive a ballot, and believe that your membership is current, please email the membership director at: membership@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org
It may be we do not have your correct mailing address, or possibly your membership has lapsed.
The SGS eNews! goes out to nearly 800 individuals – members, former members, and non-members alike. We do not purge former members from the distribution list; therefore, the fact that you are receiving it does not mean that your membership is current.
SAVE THE DATES
Seattle Genealogical Society Spring Seminar,
“Voices from the Past” with Lisa Alzo,
Fairview Christian Church
844 NE 78th St
Seattle, WA
Saturday, May 20, 2017 9am – 4pm
Doors open at 8am – welcome at 9am. Did you receive the brochure in the mail? Registration and further information also available online at www.seattlegenealogicalsociety.org
Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS),
2017 Conference – “Building Bridges to the Past”,
Pittsburgh, PA
August 30 – September 2
Ready for a road trip? This conference is open to anyone with an interest in family history. FGS is teaming up with the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society to put on this four day events. There will be various tracks to suit the individual researcher; beginner to experienced.
For more info visit : fgs.org
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather. The library will be closed May 14 for Mother’s Day and May 27-29 for Memorial Day.
MAY
Tuesday, May 2, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more. Hosted by Lisa Chan.
Saturday, May 6, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, David Robert, leader
Saturday, May 6, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Family Tree Interest Group, Lou Daly, leader of this new special interest group exploring all the features of the tool Family Tree on FamilySearch
Sunday, May 7, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, Led by Cary Bright with first hour on a specific topic, and the second hour open for sharing DNA issues with focus on GenomeMate Pro.
Saturday, May 13, 10:15am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth, an open session on Irish research using old and new resources
Saturday, May 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth, an open session on German research using old and new resources
Tuesday, May 16, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, DNA FOCUS, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more. Hosted by Lisa Chan.
Friday, May 19, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, Beginning Genealogy, Want to learn how to get your genealogy project going? Linda Fitzgerald, a past president of SGS, will be presenting her “Beginning Genealogy Class”. Add it to your calendar. Invite a friend.
Saturday, May 20, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, SGS Spring Seminar “Voices from the Past”, featuring: Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A., a freelance writer, instructor, and internationally recognized lecturer. At Fairview Christian School, 844 NE 78th Street,Seattle, WA Doors open at 8:00 a.m. – Welcome at 9:00 a.m.
JUNE
Saturday, June 3, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, Annual SGS Membership Meeting
Sunday, June 4, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, Led by Cary Bright with first hour on a specific topic, and the second hour open for sharing DNA issues with focus on GenomeMate Pro.
Tuesday, June 6, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more. Hosted by Lisa Chan.
Saturday, June 10, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Family Tree Interest Group, Lou Daly, leader of this new special interest group exploring all the features of the tool Family Tree on FamilySearch.
Sunday, June 11, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group, Leader: Karen Knudson