Early History of SGS
On October 18, 1923, eight local researchers founded the Seattle Genealogical Society. They met in the downtown Seattle law offices of Moore and Higgins. According to the 1924 Seattle City Directory (information gathered in 1923) this was in Room 953 of the Dexter Horton Building, 704 Second Avenue, on the northeast corner of Cherry Street. These offices were the likely site of the original Seattle Genealogical Society, now known as SGS to all those who use it.
The eight founding members were Alexander Craig Dermond, Eleanor M. Freeman, Elizabeth A. Hubbart, Susan M. Keppel, Lida R. McKercher, Harry Denton Moore, Alice V. Robinson, and George E. Tilton. Their purpose was to form an active genealogical society and to begin a library collection available for Pacific Northwest researchers.The original SGS constitution, statement of purpose and the bylaws were modeled after those of the California Genealogical Society, founded in 1898 in San Francisco. President Harry Moore read aloud a letter from the California society. Its wording, adapted by the Seattle Genealogical Society, declared the new Society’s purpose of being: “To collect, preserve, disseminate information on genealogy and Washington local history; to assist its members in tracing their ancestry; to ascertain the location and condition of various public and private records which are or may become accessible to students of genealogy and American History; to aid in investigation of this nature by combining the efforts and resources of its members; to seek to direct public attention to the value of complete and exact records; and to emphasize the necessity of unremitting care in their collection and preservation.”
Fifty-nine interested researchers met on December 10, 1923 in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium in the downtown Arctic Building, Third Avenue and Cherry Street. Reverend Ambrose Bailey of the First Baptist Church spoke on “Why Trace Your Ancestry?” This was the first general meeting of the newly organized Seattle Genealogical Society and at that meeting 21 more members joined SGS.
SGS membership has increased from the original 8 members to over 1200 members at our peak and now we have over 500 members. We have seen membership dues rise from $1 to the current $40 for an individual membership. Next year we will be 100 years old so watch for news about celebrating our centennial.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
SGS is having trouble getting the front desk covered for a few days this summer so we ask you to Please call before coming in to ensure we will be open that day: (206) 522-8658
SGS depends on volunteers and there are several volunteer positions open. We still need new members for the Archives Committee. We can always use front desk volunteers. Visit our page on open volunteer positions at SGS:
https://seagensoc.org/cpage.php?pt=18
FROM OUR FRIENDS TO THE NORTH
The Surrey Libraries Family have two FREE online Eastern Europe research programs coming up in August and you are invited to join in.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 10-11:30am PDT, Eastern Europe Border Changes
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 10-11:30am PDT, Online Polish Records
Free. Registration is required. To register, email familyhistory@surrey.ca or call 604-598-7327. A notice for these two programs was posted in Washington State Genealogical Society’s BLOG. The WSGS BLOG is a good way to stay on top of what’s happening at the various genealogical societies all around the Northwest. Here’s the link if you’d like to subscribe to the WSGS BLOG:
https://wasgs.org/blog/subscription-form-2/
RENEW OR JOIN SGS
For Members – to renew online log in at Members Home, go to your Member Profile, and then click the green “Renew Membership” button. If you’d rather renew by postal mail, click print a membership application and send it together with your dues payment to SGS. Or better yet, stop by the SGS Library and renew in person!
Not a member yet? Join online today and enjoy discounted class and Seminar fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases. Find out more about membership at Join SGS.
Take part as SGS enters it 100th Year!
SAVE THE DATE
Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games &
Clan Gathering,
Enumclaw Expo Center,
Enumclaw, WA
Friday, July 22, 2022 – Sunday, July 24, 2022
Mark your calendar and show up for plenty of fun at the 75th Annual Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering. For full details visit:
https://www.sshga.org/daily-event-schedule/
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State,
2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 PM unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Monday, Sept 12, 2022 at 7:00 pm. The presentation will be “A Multiracial Jewish Family in Early America” with Laura Arnold Leibman.
http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658
New Hours : Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
10:00 am – 3:00 pm ** Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers this summer.
Masks are recommended inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting.
NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room. The host must take action to let people into each meeting. The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.
All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
Saturday, July 16, 2022, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Sunday, July 17, 2022, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Jill Morelli is the host. Visit the SGS website Calendar for details and updates. Please register in advance. Topic this month is “150 Years of Burned Records: Parents for Elna Johansdotter”.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 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 26, 2022, 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 27, 2022, 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 3 2022, 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 9 2022, 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 10, 2022, 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 17, 2022, 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, Aug 20, 2022, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Sunday, Aug 21, 2022, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Jill Morelli is the host. Visit the SGS website Calendar for details and updates. Please register in advance. Topic this month is “Solving Family Myths Using the Principles of Logic”.
Tuesday, Aug 23, 2022, 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 24, 2022, 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 31, 2022, 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.