Seattle Genealogical Society News

SGS Family History Writing Contest

  Attention! All writers of family history stories. The deadline for this year’s SGS Family History Writing Contest has been extended to September 30th.

This year’s theme is They Survived and takes its cue from events of the past year and earlier – the pandemic, floods, fires, droughts, heat waves, racial and ethnic strife, and more. Many of our ancestors also survived such events. Please tell us their stories!

First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded,
and your story will be published in the
Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society.


Descendants of Friedrich Muench (1799-1881) gathered at their
forefather’s grave in Missouri on the centennial of his birth June 25, 1899.Guidelines for submission:

  1. Keep the word count under 3,000 and submit an MS Word document.
  2. Cite your sources as endnotes (interviews, letters, books, websites, censuses, etc.).
  3. Unpublished works are preferred. If your story has been published before, ensure you have permission to republish. Let us know the name and date of publication.
  4. A committee will review all submissions and award prizes. Some entries selected for publication will receive prizes.
  5. Subjects need not relate to Washington, the Pacific Northwest or the United States.
  6. The committee makes all decisions and all decisions are final.
  7. Need to talk about your ideas? Email us at publications@seagensoc.org and we will get in touch.
  8. Submit your entry by 30 September 2021 to publications@seagensoc.org
     

This is a great summer project!


Volunteers
SGS is a member-driven, volunteer-run organization. We could not continue without the support of our members and the talents and dedication of our volunteers. Benefits of volunteering include camaraderie with fellow genealogists, sharing genealogical tips, enhancing your current skills, or discovering skills you never knew you had! But mostly meeting and working with other genealogists.

We are currently looking for people to fill SGS Board positions that remain open after the recent elections.
Vice President and Director of Volunteers are now vacant  
and several positions will open up next year. You can volunteer now to assist a board member like Secretary, Treasurer, or Director of Membership to learn more. Serving on the board is a great way to connect in these times of limited public interaction.

We also need someone to communicate with and schedule Desk Volunteers now that the library is open to members and the public. The Desk Volunteer Coordinator can work from home and will have the opportunity to become acquainted with some of our most active members.

With our move to the Good Shepherd Center on the horizon, we need someone to coordinate our move volunteers – we already have a long list – for activities that will be scheduled by the Director of Operations. Serving as our Move Volunteer Coordinator will be a short-term, one-time commitment, expected to happen this Fall.

If you would consider volunteering, please contact anyone on the SGS Board of Directors by sending a note to sgs@seagensoc.org.  


* SAVE THE DATE *The International German Genealogy Partnership presents, a
“Researching Together Worldwide / Weltweit Gemeinsam Forschen”, 
the first ever International German Genealogy Virtual Conference, 
July 17-24, 2021


Is German genealogy one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2021? If so, be sure to mark your calendars for July 17-24, 2021. The IGGP Conference, which only takes place every two years, is your chance to take a deep dive into all things German genealogy – and learn from the experts themselves. This year, the conference will be virtual, which means you can tune in from anywhere in the world!  https://iggp.org

SGS 2021 Fall Seminar – Online with Ari Wilkins
Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Mark your calendars now for our all-day seminar! 

Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and library associate at Dallas Public Library, where she provides genealogy-programming education. She specializes in African American genealogy and research, with a focus on North Carolina and Louisiana, and has been researching her family history since 1998.
Ari worked with the esteemed genealogist, Dr. James Rose, on his project, “Generations: The WPA Ex-Slave Narrative Database.” She has spoken nationally at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, RootsTech, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, American Library Association, and at a multitude of local societies.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*

The SGS Library is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, for computer-based research only. Visit the SGS Website for details.
We recommend you plan your visit and call ahead – 206 522-8658. 

** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule. 

 Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Wednesday, Aug 4, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Tuesday, Aug 10, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, Aug 11 , 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. 

Tuesday, Aug 24, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, Aug 25, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual),  Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

MEMBERSHIP
  SGS members, did you remember to renew? If you have not done so, please take a few moments now to renew your SGS membership. It is our 98th year! When you renew online you can pay your dues with a credit/debit card right away, or print out your invoice and send it with your dues payment to SGS. Log in at Members Home, then go to your Member Profile and click the green “Renew Membership” button. If you have any questions, send an email to membership@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org.
Not a member yet? Join online today and enjoy discounted class and event fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases, as well as video recordings of some of our past Second Saturday presentations. 
  Find out more about membership at Join SGS.