THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition February 28, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider During inclement weather this winter, please be sure to check our Facebook Page, website, or local TV & Newspaper closure web pages to see if we’re open! Or, call the library at 503-963-1932 to insure someone is here.

NEW! Free First Monday Hours Extend to 8 O’clock!

We’re making it just a bit easier to see everything the GFO Library has to offer. The First Monday of each month has long been free to everyone. For the next three months, we are extending our hours until 8 p.m. that day so you can come after work or when parking space may be easier to find. So, on March 4th, April 1st, and May 6th, come stay late with us! And please, be sure to share this with friends who are not members of the GFO.

Are you ready for this year’s Open House at GFO?

Check out the full 9-day Open House schedule here!

Barbara Rae-Venter. Photo by Brian L. Frank. You have a chance to hear directly from the genetic genealogist who cracked the Golden State Killer case. Barbara Rae-Venter is coming to speak at the GFO during our DNA Days. On Saturday, March 30th, she will talk in the afternoon about DNA genealogy research techniques. On the morning of Sunday, March 31st, she’ll speak about the Golden State Killer case itself. This will be popular so you must register for these limited seats. Registration for Barbara’s sessions opens on Friday, March 1st at 9:00 a.m., at our website. 67 seats are available for each session. Do not wait to sign up. They will fill fast. Many thanks to Emily Aulicino for arranging this rare opportunity. Barbara’s sleuthing has been profiled in the New YorkTimes and she was named one of the 10 People Who Mattered most in 2018 by Nature magazine. Also, Laurel Smith’s all-day Beginning Genealogy class on March 24 requires advance registration. 30 seats are available. This registration also opens Friday, March 1 at 9:00 a.m. at the same web link above.

Have you read GFO’s most recent Bulletin yet?

Inquisitive Bulletin editors want to know … What was your favorite article in the March 2019 Bulletin?

Take the survey now!

If you haven’t looked at the March issue of The Bulletin yet, well, now’s the time! Please click on the link above to cast your vote. Results will be shared in next week’s E-News. If you’re not yet a current GFO member, you can get a free copy of the March issue of The Bulletin, on the house! Simply click the blue button link directly below.

Complimentary issue of The Bulletin, March 2019

New Records at the GFO: Obits from Oregon and West Point

Don’t let the name “Data Extraction” cause your eyes to glaze over. Our dedicated volunteers who perform this task are unlocking records by creating indexes. Without them, it’d be next to impossible to locate the records you need. Our latest records include half a dozen binders and several CDs of obituaries collected in sets. They include: * Oregon Obituaries 1958 – 1962 (newspaper clippings) indexed: Some 1907-1952. * Newspaper Clippings – 1937, 1938, and 1939: Mostly obituaries, but some anniversaries and family reunions. * Southwest Oregon obituaries from 1953-1958. * West Point Assembly obituaries of graduates of USMA: scans from 1968, 1969, 1984, 1986. We’ve been preserving heritage since 1946 and the job never ends. Come check out our perpetually improving collections at the GFO Library.

Featured Book: Cyclopedia of Current History – 1890-91

This week’s surplus book of the week is an original printed in 1892. The Cyclopedia Review of Current History, Vol. I, 1890-91 could provide you valuable historical context for your writing or research in this era. It covers both U.S. and international current events, noting the fifth session of Queen Victoria’s twelfth Parliament, predicting that Russia is ripe for Revolution, and in the U.S., marking the death fo General Tecumseh Sherman. Publication is listed as by The Evening News Association of Detroit, Michigan. This 127-year-old slice of history can be yours for just $20. If interested, email booksales@gfo.org.

RootsQuest 2019 in Forest Grove

You’re invited to the Forest Grove Oregon Stake Family History Conference annual conference! WHEN? March 16th, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. WHERE? This year’s Roots Quest is at 3600 Brooke Street, Forest Grove. WHAT? They have promised to have many wonderful instructors including Crista Cowan – Ancestry Corporate Genealogist. Thank you, Forest Grove, for putting together this wonderful annual event!

Lost & Found Corner

Feeling inexplicably thirsty while simultaneously soaked through from the rain? Please come see one of our Research Assistants at GFO’s library to reclaim your lost items. Some are featured in the image here, while we also have a plethora of other items crying for their homes. If you think you left an item at our library, call the front desk at 503-963-1932, we’ll check the lost & found box for you.

This week at GFO … SATURDAY, March 2nd Virginia Group 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Have you ever wondered if your ancestor was a Mason or Elk or Odd Fellow? Our first hour features guest speakers Dale and Elsie Deatherage who will discuss techniques for researching the records of fraternal organizations. It is an interesting topic that might shed some light on your family’s history. For more information see our blog: “Virginia Roots and Vines.” There will also be time each meeting for discussion, suggestions, and perhaps research on individual research. We’ll also explore the settlement of Kentucky, the Carolinas and Tennessee. Questions? Contact Judi Scott and Carol Surrency at Virginia@gfo.org. German Group 1 – 3 p.m. “Footprints of Your Ancestors” presented by Gerry Lenzen Use a multitude of records and sources to trace your ancestors back to their origins in Europe. The German Interest Group was formed in the spring of 2011. It is intended to be a source of information and inspiration for anyone with German speaking ancestors. One goal is to provide information on a variety of topics related to Germanic history and migration. We also will provide time for members to share their research journeys and connect with others who may be researching the same region or time period. SUNDAY, March 3rd Manuscripts Work Party 9 a.m. – noon Explore our manuscript, personal papers and Bible collection while we organize, scan and create finding aids. Drop by at the time that works for you. Questions? Send a note to manuscripts@gfo.org. MONDAY, March 4th Free First Monday! 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Please note! We’re open late (until 8 p.m.) for this month’s Free First Monday. Stop by after work! Come visit our research library each first Monday of every month and splurge on all GFO’s wonderful resources for FREE. Explore our online databases like Fold3, Ancestry World Library Edition, Newspapers.com, and many more. Our analog and microfilm collections total over 50,000 items. Don’t miss out! WEDNESDAY, March 6th Library Open Late Until 8 p.m. Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon When he skedaddled: Dissolution of marriage in Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia, 1845 – 1875. Presented by Nancy Methany. Dissolution of marriage in 19th century Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia, seemed like a blood sport at times, with barbs flying, blistering accusations, and searing insults. But the legal process to end a marriage can help us a great deal in uncovering valuable evidence of our ancestors with some terrific backstory. Come learn about the laws, records, and customs surrounding the dissolution of marriage in Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia, 1845 – 1875, to help you on your research journey. Questions? Please reach out to Jeanne Quan and Sandy Alto at learnandchat@gfo.org. Family Tree Maker Road Show – 2 Sessions: 1 – 3 p.m. & 4 – 6 p.m. The first session has sold out, but a few seats remain for Session 2. You can also sign up for the Wait List as sessions fill at website just incase seats open up. The folks behind FTM are coming to the GFO library for two, 2-hour interactive presentations! (It’s not just a lecture – plenty of Q&A) Mark Olsen is the Family Tree Maker Ambassador to historical and genealogical societies around the world working to support their members as they use Family Tree Maker.He’ll show new features in Family Tree Maker, moving to its current version and how to get a free update. Also, do you know about FTM’s DNA charting features? Kiara Neilsen teaches classes regarding the use of Family Tree Maker, DNA, and how to use DNA results to further genealogical research. “If you have received your DNA results and are thinking ‘now what?’ Charting Companion 7 is a great place to start. Pierre Clothier is the creator of Charting Companion and will join in with us to show off the amazing DNA edition charts both those tied to your DNA findings and your Family Tree Maker trees.”