Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Hank LuBean of East Wenatchee, Washington, who was nominated by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS).

As WAGS’ technology chair, Hank had set up a digitizing system in 2018/19 for the society, creating a state-of-the-art digitizing station, and programming and building a website and database to archive digitized items. These very successful projects garnered Hank the WAGS Outstanding Volunteer designation in 2019.

Then WAGS got word that EasyNet Sites, our web provider, was going out of business. Hank suggested we create and maintain our own website, and volunteered to take on the task. He had previous experience making websites for family and some smaller groups around town, but WAGS was a bigger challenge, needing to include ordering merchandise; creating and tracking memberships and receiving payments; creating specialized pages for historical photos and large databases; the previous digitized archive and other databases; and a specialized search engine. Hank’s perseverance and commitment to making documents available to others has resulted in an attractive and functional new website. An important part of his approach is training others to be able to navigate the site and edit and revise.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award.”