THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition June 27, 2019

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gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Half-Day Workshop: Adding Historical Context

Adding Historical Context: A Hands-On Approach Join GFO’s Kate Eakman July 14 from 9:30 a.m. – Noon for a half-day of learning about how to add historical context to your genealogical research to make it richer and more interesting. In this workshop you will: ▪ Practice identifying items, events, and topics ripe for historical research. ▪ Once the questions have been asked, learn how to find the answers. ▪ Discuss how to add this new-found information to one’s family’s history. Take advantage of Early Bird pricing. Register by June 30 and save $5.00!

Register Now

Local Screening of Film of Genealogical Interest

Peace of the City Film series in partnership with Northwest Film Center and NW Documentary, are extending an invitation to the staff, board, and any patrons of the GFO to the season opener of their summer documentary series. The film, entitled Thank You for Coming will be screened on Tuesday, July 9th from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. at Whitsell Auditorium in the Portland Art Museum. This film documents filmmaker Sara Lamm’s personal journey to find her biological father after learning, as an adult, that she was donor-conceived. The film prominently features the deep and rewarding genealogical work that ultimately leads Sara to her sperm donor. Sara herself will be coming from LA to Portland to present the film on the evening of July 9. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the film’s trailer here.

Surplus Book of the Week: Sons of the American Revolution Register

On this July 4th, here’s how you can own some history of American independence. A National Register of the Society Sons of the American Revolution was published 117 years ago. This 1902 volume compiles information from state SAR societies which could not afford to publish on their own. As the forward states, “While it is no wise a complete history of the Society or its aims, it does contain the entire list of the membership of the National Society to December 31, 1901, including deceased members, with their line of descent from their Revolutionary ancestors. This alone will make this work a valuable one, and it will be used as a standard book of reference for many years to come.”

This surplus book feels like history in your hands. It features a single gilt edge on the top in gold, ragged page edges and a damaged cover which has been taped back together. The pages themselves are as dark, crisp and readable as the day they were printed. Photos intersperse this 1035 page tome. A previous owner’s bookplate and a few library stamps on pages in the front and back. All other pages are free of any markings. Our price: $30 if you pick up at the GFO $40 if we mail it to you If interested, please email booksales@gfo.org. (Please contact them first; don’t just show up at the library to purchase.)

Survey Results: Family Scandals are Often True

Last week we asked if you had a family story about a scandal or black sheep. 3/4 of you say, “Yes!” And of those, nearly 83% say your research proved the scandal really did happen!

You shared stories of cattle thieves, domestic abusers, two murderers, several bigamists, and out of wedlock births (a scandal by the standards of a century ago.) One reader’s great uncle killed two people on Pikes Peak in 1892; he later died in prison. We received more replies than we can include here. Read them all here.

If you haven’t found a scandal, black sheep, or skeleton lurking in your family closet yet, you haven’t been researching long enough. We’re all descended from people and none of us are perfect. If you are having trouble embracing your less-than-perfect ancestors and worry about balancing historical truth with sensitivity, here are a couple of articles that you may find helpful: Scandal! Dealing With Skeletons In Your Family Tree and Keeping It Secret: Revealing the Secrets in Your Family History.

New Survey: Native American Heritage

One of the most common family stories is that of having Native American heritage. If this story runs in your family, please take our survey now.

Take the Survey

Support the GFO when you Shop Amazon Prime Days!

Did you know you can help the GFO financially every time you shop on Amazon, especially during the upcoming Prime Days sales on July 15 and 16?

Be sure to use smile.amazon.com/ch/93-6026015 each time you start shopping. Save that bookmark! Register the Genealogical Forum of Oregon as your non-profit of choice. We’ll then get a small donation for every purchase you make! It does not raise the price you pay.

This week at GFO …

Saturday, July 6th German Interest Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The topic / das Thema: feed back from the international German Genealogy Partnership (IGGP) conference in Sacramento last month. Five members attended the week long conference. Some of them will share their experiences, what they learned at some of the lectures, and more. Questions may be sent to German@gfo.org. Sunday, July 7th Library Work Party 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 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. Tuesday, July 9th Board Meeting 6:10 – 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 10th Open Late to 8:00 p.m.