Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen


REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR OUR FALL SEMINAR

“You can’t really know where you are going
until you know where you have been.” –Maya Angelou
Journey with us for an unforgettable day with esteemed genealogist, Ari Wilkins, reviewing Southern documents, exploring family connections, and tracking the movements of previous generations.

Seminar Topics

  • Black and White Southern Families in Southern Plantation Records
  • Mysterious Relatives
  • Reconstructing Communities Using Sanborn Maps, Census Records, and City Directories
  • Friends of Friends: Quakers and African American Communities

Register online at https://sgsfallseminar2021.eventbrite.com.

Meet our speaker, Ari Wilkins 

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Ms. Wilkins has been actively researching family history since 1998, specializing in African American research. Ms. Wilkins speaks at the National Genealogical Society, the American Library Association, RootsTech, major genealogical institutes, and a multitude of state and local genealogical societies. 

FROM OUR SGS PRESIDENT

On September 2nd, SGS Library Director Kathi M., SGS Library Technician Ann Wright, and I made a final walk through inspection of the library’s new home at the Good Shepherd Center, and Kathi was given the key to the front door. The entire space has been repainted, and after a few minor repairs to the floor, it will be ready for us to move in. Our present plan is for that move to take place the final week of October. We do not as yet have a schedule for when we will reopen to our membership, but we are hoping to reopen — at least for computer use — by Thanksgiving. We will continue to be open for computer use only on Tuesdays and Saturdays at our current Sand Point Way NE location through Tuesday, October 12th.

An enormous amount of work has gone into this project, directed primarily by Kathi, who has been overseeing all activities within the library; Ann, who has been working on the technology changes we will need; and SGS Operations Director Rob Sexton, who has been planning, performing, and organizing everything else. And they have had plenty of help from an ad hoc Space Planning Committee and the library’s “usual suspects” — the Trustees, the Material Review Committee, the Archives Committee, the Library Committee, and the Board of Directors. It has truly been a team effort, and I feel confident that the SGS membership will be well served in our new location.
  Jim Secan
President, Seattle Genealogical Society  

SGS Family History Writing Contest 
There’s still time! The deadline for submitting your entry for this year’s family history writing contest is September 30, 2021. The theme is They Survived so tell us the story of your ancestor and the hardship he or she endured.

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

All the rules are on the SGS website: 

https://seagensoc.org/

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

Register today 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.

Sacramento German Genealogy Society, 
“Your Ancestors & the World of Cartography: Pinpointing Time & Location”, 
Saturday, October 23, 2021
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT

Fee $20
Register here: 
https://sggs.us/eventListings.php?nm=54#er251

Join SGGS for their fall online webinar with three presentations focusing on the use of maps and how to find the ones you need.

Melinda Kashuba: Using Maps to Trace and Depict German Migration and Settlement in the United States

Előd Biszak: Arcanum Maps: Historical Maps

Heiko Mühr: The Long Shadow of the Habsburg Empire: A Hidden Collection of Austrian Maps Emerges

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, Sep 15 , 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, Sep 22, 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, Sep 28, 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, Sep 29, 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.   Saturday, Oct 2, 2021, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch Interest Group with Lou Daly, Discover the many ways to use FamilySearch. At each meeting a different aspect of the website will be featured. There will be time for Q & A.  Want to join the mailing list? Email Lou: loudaly@nwlink.com

Sunday, Oct 3, 2021, 1:00 pm-3:00pm, DNA Workshop, To be included you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.  

Wednesday, Oct 6, 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, Oct 12, 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, Oct 13, 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, Oct 20, 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, Oct 26, 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, Oct 27, 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.