THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’sThursday EveningE-News, Edition18 July 2018 |
Curious about the status of your GFO Membership?We’d love to have you as a GFO Member! |
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For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here. The current Insider newsletter awaits you HERE. |
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A GFO member’s ancestor inherited land in Kansas, sold it, and used some of the money to send his wife and children to California. They made it. He never arrived. Was he murdered? Learn what our experts found at this week’s Genealogy Problem Solvers. This free meeting is Saturday, July 21th, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the GFO library. Remember, all our Special Interest Groups are free and open to the public! |
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Genealogy in the News… |
Preserving Our Black History“The physical vestiges of these communities are gradually disappearing.” The Washington Post reminds us of the importance the physical locations of African American homesteads have in our collective memory. Read the full article HERE. What is DNA Research Missing?This article by the Wall Street Journal explores both sides of DNA research for African Americans. Hot Tip: Don’t have a Wall Street Journal subscription? Search for “Wall Street Journal” at Multnomah County Library’s website, click on “Resource: Wall Street Journal,” then put in your Multnomah County Library card information to login, and search for the article title “For Some African-Americans, Genetic Testing Reopens Past Wounds” and finally, click on “Full Text” to read this article! The Seattle Times’s Riveting Story of DNA SurprisesRead all about this case of how Ancestry.com provided an unexpected family reunion [HERE]. “The Affair, the Son and the Cousin Who Came to Dinner” brings to life the “flesh and bone” of genealogical inquiry. |
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You’ve probably heard of Cyndi Ingle and her invaluable website, Cyndi’s List.Now come hear from the guru behind one of the most comprehensive reference lists there is online! GFO is proud to bring Cyndi Ingle in for our Fall Seminar November 3rd and 4th. Topics include: Ten Resources I Use Every Day, Advanced Googling for Grandma, Unappreciated Treasures, Digital Research Plans, Google Maps & Google Earth and Online Resources for the Western U.S. Register HERE now! |
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GFO’s July Star – Liz Stepp |
Elizabeth Stepp serves as an RA, provides content for the Bulletin, and has assisted with the Membership Committee. She stepped into the role of Fundraising Chair, served on our board, and was instrumental in developing successful campaigns such as the one for our electronic microforms reader. Liz also got the Grants Subcommittee going, helped to establish our diversity and inclusiveness statements as well as other policy-making documentation. Thank you, Liz! We are so happy to have you as one of our rock-star volunteers. |
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Thank you Rhonda |
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Rhonda Stone, one of our long-time Research Assistants (RA), has resigned her position with GFO, and it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye. She began her duties as an RA when we were still located on Gideon Street (oh, the memories!), and has been a weekly Tuesday-morning volunteer since that time. She has worked on many projects while assisting patrons at the library, plus she was on the Board of Directors, representing our Membership Committee. Rhonda is very active in area lineage societies, being the current Regent of her Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) group, Recording Secretary for the Oregon State DAR Society, and President of Willamette Chapter of the Colonial Dames XVII Century. She is a busy lady and wants to spend more time with her family. Thank you so much, Rhonda! We will miss you and we wish you much happiness in your further ventures. |
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Fragrances Can Interfere |
Several GFO members are acutely sensitive to fragrances. At a recent special interest group meeting, one person’s perfume or cologne was so strong that a member had to leave. We ask for your help. Please avoid the use of fragrances before coming to the GFO for research, meetings or volunteer work. |
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The GFO is now on Twitter! Follow us @GenForumOregon |
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SATURDAY, July 21stGenealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. See details of this month’s topic above! 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. GenTalk Voting Records: Genealogy’s Best Kept Secret 2 – 3 p.m. Presenter: Pam Vestal Looking for a date of birth or death? The date and court of naturalization? Where your ancestor disappeared to, or where he came from? His political outlook? Even what kind of house he lived in? Voting records may have the answer. These often-overlooked gems can be packed with genealogical information, and you won’t believe what they can tell us about our ancestors! Pam Vestal entered the field of genealogy after a 21-year career as a professional writer. She does genealogical research for clients, has articles published in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and lectures up and down the West Coast. SUNDAY, July 22ndLibrary Work Party 9 a.m. – noon There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help! Our work party at the GFO library today begins at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Family Tree Maker for Beginners 1 – 3 p.m. Laurel Smith will be giving her quarterly session on Introduction to Family Tree Maker software. This is a beginning class for Family Tree Maker users and for those considering a purchase. Laurel gives a lively fast-paced description of the program and then takes questions. Our lab class, Family Tree Maker Users’ Group, dealing with the manual in detail will meet again on August 19th. |
