THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s
Wednesday Evening
E-News
14 June 2017

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

 

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for May 2017, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. NOTE: The Insider issues are now located under the “Learn” > “Our Publications” menu at our new website (still gfo.org).
Curious about the status of your GFO Membership?? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!
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Calling All Volunteers!! You really MUST come to the Party!! Saturday, June 17th, at the GFO!

We’re throwing you a party this Saturday, as we’d like to show our thanks for all you do for the GFO.

We will be celebrating our volunteers with snacks and prizes during our Annual Meeting, Saturday, June 17th beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The appreciation festivities will be followed by a program featuring Harold Hinds, speaking on U.S. Farm Ancestors. Most of us had them. Come learn more exciting facts that can be gleaned about their lives.
We look forward to seeing you there, and THANKS SO MUCH for volunteering!
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CALLING ALL RESEARCHERS!! We need your help.

For all you mystery lovers, oh boy, oh boy! Do we have a treat for you!!
1. Finding R.L. Graham

Earlier this week the GFO received a very special request to help an elderly gentleman find out when and where his father, Robert Lloyd Graham, died. The gentleman would also like to know if he has any half siblings.

He’s exhausted his hired genealogist and still can’t break through his brick wall. But maybe you can!!

Sooooo…..we created a special email address (RLG@gfo.org) and webpage (http://gfo.org/find-rl-graham.html) for you all to help out! Explore what has already been submitted in this epic quest for family history on the website above, and then send what YOU are able to find to the special email address. Questions are also completely welcome!
2. African American & Native American Research Tips??

We’re looking for some specific help for one of our dear members! She’s asked for assistance with how to best research African American, as well as Native and European American, heritage or ancestry.

She notes also that she’s really interested in attempting to trace heritage and ancestry lines from Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and North Carolina.

She’s looking for tips on how to research Native/Indigenous ancestry prior to the various tribal “removal” events of mid-late 1800s.

Any help, support, or tips on how and where to access this information would be greatly appreciated. Also, tips on how to successfully trace female ancestry for black, native, and white family members would be a big help!

Send your ideas please to gfo@gfo.org.
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Juneteenth (June 19th) is around the corner!

Learn more about this day of remembrance from an article in the New York Times HERE. The festival date is reserved for celebrating a day in 1865 when, although more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, a Union general delivered the fateful news to the community in Galveston, Texas.

Many states in the south and around the U.S. celebrate with Juneteenth Jamborees, involving red food and drink.
The article also gives some interesting information about African American ancestry.
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The GFO Seminars need your help! You don’t even need to be as spiffy as this lady.

Hi All! Below are three specific opportunities to help with GFO’s seminars. These aren’t big, time consuming jobs for sure! But they’re oh so needed to keep the seminars up and running.
1. Seminar task list coordinator – submit an up-to-date task list to the board and education committee on a monthly basis highlighting any volunteer needs. People usually step up as they see openings. It helps to be on either the board or education committee to keep track of any changes (1 hour a month)
2. Milwaukie Center contact – make sure they are paid (July); add and pay for any additional space and janitorial services (usually a few weeks before the event – depends on how registration is going). Will also need to follow up on a contract for Spring 2018 and set a date for Fall 2018 (Maybe 1 hour/seminar – usually done by phone or email)
3. AV person – make sure microphone and projector are working – will need to go to the Milwaukie Center a few days ahead to talk to staff – the person in the know is not there when we do set up. It would be great if there were two people who did this and if they would take notes and/or photos and/or a video so that we can have the information for the following seminars. Arrive at the seminar with extra batteries, back-up projector and possibly microphone (probable time commitment – 2 hours on first visit to MC; 1 hour during Friday set-up; plus a few minutes the morning of the seminar)
Interested parties should email Laurel at president@gfo.org.
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This Week at the GFO…

SATURDAY, JUNE 17th

Genealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) 9:30 – 11:30am

GPS is a monthly support group where we help each other find information about a family line. We will learn to do a reasonably exhaustive search and develop research plans. The focus will shift depending on the needs of the group. Several experienced researchers have volunteered to help. Beginners and intermediate researchers are encouraged to submit problems to work on. For more information contact Katie Daly at GPS@gfo.org.

Volunteer Appreciation Day!! 1 – 2pm

If you contribute to the GFO in a very volunteerie way, then this event is for you!! We’re throwing a small party with refreshments and prizes for all our wonderful volunteers at the GFO library this Saturday. We look forward to seeing you there!

GenTalk – Farm Ancestry 2 – 4pm

Capturing & Bringing to Life Your U.S. Farm Ancestor
The “occupation” line on the census may say “farmer,” but that is not all there is to know about your U.S. farm ancestor. Learn about the different types of records that may contain Information on individual farms, as well as research strategies for reconstructing the farm life and production of a farm family. Presented by Harold Hinds.
SUNDAY, JUNE 18th

Library Closed in honor of Father’s Day
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21st

Learn & Chat 10am – noon

Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jean Quan.

DNA Q&A 1 – 3pm

Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion.