| THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 30, 2020 |
| Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member! |
| 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 |
| Northwest Loses National Archives in Seattle |
| The National Archives Seattle. We have a sad update to our top story from one week ago. The National Archives in Seattle is being closed. The public was never offered a single hint this was coming nor any chance to comment. Our Northwest historical records will end up at least 1,000 miles away in Riverside, California, or 1,800 miles away in Kansas City, Missouri, or both. The Seattle Times reported on the decision: “The move comes despite a letter sent Friday to the OMB by all senators from Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Idaho, and eight of the 10 Washington state representatives to Congress. The letter concluded the recommendation to close the archives “was flawed” and should be rejected.” Meanwhile, there may be one last fight over this decision. Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson might sue the Trump administration over the failure to follow legally required procedures. Ferguson says, “It’s the Procedural Act that requires them to take certain procedural steps before they make changes to people’s lives and they simply don’t do it over and over and over again.” |
| Join us for our 2020 Spring Seminar, “Solve Puzzles with DNA,” on April 4 & 5, to be presented by nationally-known genetic genealogy author and educator Karen Stanbary, CG®, MA, LCSW. |
| The Saturday, April 4 classes, will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at Portland’s Center for Self Enhancement (SEI).
Karen will guide experienced beginners and above in learning how to
manage and interpret DNA evidence, then how to incorporate it into
existing documentary research and provide guidance on managing
conversations about unexpected DNA results. If you register now, the
cost for GFO members for this full day is just $45 and for non-members,
$50. The
Sunday half-day classes on April 5 will be held at the GFO from 9:30
a.m. – Noon. Deepen and expand your intermediate- to advanced-level
skills as Karen presents more complex genealogy puzzles requiring more
complex DNA evidence analysis. Early registration price for this
half-day is just $25 for GFO members and $30 for non-members. Download the Seminar Flyer for more details. Take advantage of those Early-Bird Registration prices! On March 1, all prices will increase by $5. This is a great opportunity to learn more about solving those genealogy puzzles with the use of DNA. |
| Spreadsheets can be a powerful tool to help you analyze your genealogical data and keep track of your research; and they are essential in managing your DNA information. |
| From 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, join BCG Certified Genealogist Mary Kircher Roddy as she presents a hands-on guide for the experienced spreadsheet user using Excel to gain perspective on and to further your genealogy research. For a more complete description, download the seminar flyer. Seating is limited to 30 people! Everyone gets a spot at a table. Participants should bring their (fully charged) laptops pre-loaded with Excel. Mary is an active member of Seattle Genealogical Society, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the National Genealogical Society. She has published articles in Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. For Early-Bird Registration on or before Jan. 31, the fee is $30.00 for GFO Members and $35.00 for non-members. You’ve got until tomorrow before the price increases $5 on Feb. 1. |
| It’s time for a genealogy conference in your backyard which doesn’t cost a dime! Save these dates for the 2020 GFO Genealogy Open House: March 13-22. Over these 10 days, the library is free to the public and everyone is invited to all classes. Of particular note, we have an Evening with Special Guest John Schmal on Mexican Ancestry, a Beginners Day, DNA Day, Software Day, and Irish Day. Check out the full schedule and save your favorite classes on your calendar. 42 events in all! It’s like having a free genealogy conference in your own backyard. Join us! There are no events that require registration this year. |
| News from the Library |
| Does anyone have research to do in Washington County, Indiana? Our most recent donation, listed below, is from the estate of Cindy Holsapple-Boone. Many thanks to her family for their generosity, and the help of her friend Trudie, who sent them cross country to the GFO. |
| New Books: • [Cemeteries] Washington County, Indiana, Posey Township, 1982, partial list 1983 • Affidavits and consents for persons making application for marriage license in Washington County, Indiana, years 1844-1877 • Bible records (Washington County (Indiana) Historical Society) • Celebrating Salem & Washington County, Indiana, 1814-2014 • Cemeteried [sic]:Franklin Township, Washington County, Indiana • Cemeteries in Pierce Township, Washington County, Indiana • Cemeteries of Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana • Census of Indiana Territory for 1807 • Death records, Washington County, Indiana, 1882-1950 • Divorce records for Washington County, Indiana, 1814-1921 • Early marriages in Indiana • Guardianships, 1820-1859, Washington County, Indiana • Map of Washington County, Indiana: showing the townships, sections, divisions & farm lands … • Obituaries, selected newspapers of Washington County, Indiana • Pioneer pickings, by Horace Heffren • Salem cemeteries, Washington County, Indiana • The Faris family of Washington County, Indiana: a genealogy of the descendants of William Farrie … • Washington County, Indiana Brown Township • Washington County, Indiana Franklin Township cemeteries • Washington County, Indiana Vernon Township cemeteries • Washington County, Indiana, Howard Township cemeteries, 1984 • Washington County, Indiana, Jackson Township cemeteries: copied from obituaries, death records, marriage records, family records, cemetery records, old church records • Washington County, Indiana, Jefferson Township cemeteries. • Washington County, Indiana, Madison Township, 1984: copied from death records, old church records, grave stones, obituaries, mortuary records, marriage records, newspaper items • Washington County, Indiana, Monroe Township cemeteries, 1985: copied from death records, old church records, grave stones, obituaries, mortuary records, marriage records, newspaper items • Washington County, Indiana, Polk Township_ |
| New Digital Files • Alabama heritage: The Alabama Statehood Bicentennial Issue • Cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions of Benton County, Oregon, Index to volumes 1-5 • Genealogy news about our members, for our members (British Columbia Genealogical Society) • Inscriptions in St. Mary’s churchyard, Tickhill, Yorkshire, England • Last leaf (Montana) • Marriage records, Douglas County, Oregon: Book 1 (1852-1871) and Book 2 (1871-1879) • Mountain memories (Page County, Virginia) • Newsletter of Willamette Valley Genealogical Society • Portrait of an English parish church: St Mary the Virgin, Tickhill, Yorkshire • The Beall News • The Headhunter (Redondo Beach, California) • The Root digger (Solano, California) • Willamette Valley Genealogical Society News |
| Do You Have Professional Genealogy Skills to Offer? |
| Sometimes finding ancestors is just too daunting to do ourselves. Professional genealogists can help break down brick walls. The GFO lists the names and contact information of such researchers and other professionals on our Professional Resources page. Are you a professional and wish to be included? Some of the professionals have formal certification, some do not. All have experience in various facets of genealogy. You must be an active member of the GFO in good standing to be included. We invite you to submit your name, contact information and credentials to: info@gfo.org. |
| Here’s a fun collection of Pacific Northwest history preserved in four editions of the Washington State Genealogical and Historical Review published in 1983. These four periodicals are retired library copies with a label on each spine. Each is in very good condition. |
| Featured stories include: Carbonado Mine Explosion December 9, 1899 The Great Seattle Fire June 6, 1889 The Pig That Went To War June 15, 1859 The Great Mount Baker Marathon August 10 & 11, 1911 |
| Our price to pick up this set of four: $40 Price to ship to you: $45 If you’d like to buy these, email booksales@gfo.org. |
| Survey Results: Your Learning Style |
| Respondents had a lot to share about how they learn best. Reading
in a book and hands-on workshop topped the list with one-on-one
training and live presentations not far behind. Many indicated that a
combination was best. Here are a few of the comments: • If it’s technology then a hands-on workshop is better for me. For genealogy I’ve found the online reading the best. • I teach adults and know about the four learning styles – very important that instructors understand how all students learn so that he/she can offer training that fits everyone. |
| • The
advantage of an in-person lecture is being able to ask questions of the
person you’re learning from while they’re fresh in your mind. • I’m a visual and kinesthetic learner. I learn best when seeing and doing—-not by just listening! Reading online is ok but reading it in a book makes it easier to go back to an example or reread an explanation without so much fumbling with the computer version. Also you can use post it note tabs to mark things that are important to you to be able to find [it] fast. • Learning depends on the topic. Some require reading, research; others hands on. • Too much rambling can turn me off and I may miss something important. Taking notes is also important as a means of learning. • I usually learn best by reading a paper or book (or online). But classes can be good too depending on the speaker/teacher. • I learn best when I have to teach something or explain it to another. Then it “sticks” and I don’t forget it. |
| New Survey: Vintage Family Photos This week’s survey asks about the oldest photo in your family history collection, what it is of, how old it is, and how you dated the image. |
| Our Privacy Policy: No Sharing |
| The GFO never shares your information. Period. Our website uses cookies to function but not to collect information about you. How’s that for a succinct privacy policy? |
| This week at GFO … Saturday, February 1st Virginia Group 10:00 a.m. – Noon Topic: The Natchez Trace. Those of us with ancestors in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and more, may have ancestors who floated their goods down the Mississippi to sell, or fought with Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Maybe they fought in the Civil War battle of Shiloh, or were early settlers in Tennessee or Mississippi. If so, the Natchez Trace may have played a part in your family history. But even if it didn’t, this short-lived rough road played an important role in the settlement and growth of the United States. We’re going to talk about the “Kaintucks,” the Native Americans, the soldiers, a mysterious death that is still being debated today, and even the bandits along the Trace. And show photographs that might entice you to take a trip through history yourself. For more information see our blog: “Virginia Roots and Vines.” German Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join us as we provide information and inspiration for anyone with German speaking ancestors. We touch 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. Send questions to german@gfo.org. Sunday, February 2nd Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – noon Come and help us preserve the periodicals! We’ll be working to prepare periodicals for scanning and doing some scanning too! Doors open 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. Monday, February 3rd Free to Non-Members All Day A great time to sample our resources. Tuesday, February 4th Italian Group10:00 – 11:30 a.m. The Italian group is dedicated to promoting Italian family history and genealogy through education using nationally-recognized genealogical standards and practices. If you have any questions, feel free to contact facilitator Stephanie Silenti at italian@gfo.org. Wednesday, February 5th Learn & Chat 10:00 a. m. – Noon Join our “genealogy self-help” group. Please bring tales of your latest genealogy related adventures and a wish list of subjects to build our calendar. Facilitators: Jeanne Quan and Sandy Alto. learnandchat@gfo.org DNA Q&A: Beyond the Basics1:00 – 3:00 p.m. This meeting is for those who have already taken a DNA test, understand the results and have begun to use the results in expanding your family tree. The meetings begin with a presentation or discussion regarding current changes in DNA testing, different DNA testing tools and analysis methods. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Lisa McCullough leads this group.. Questions? dna_qa@gfo.org. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m. |