Seattle Genealogical Society April Happenings

Warren Umoh / Unsplash

SGS OFFERS THREE-PART DNA CLASS

Want to get into using DNA in your tree but don’t know where to start? SGS is offering a three-part class over three weeks to give you the knowledge you need to get going.

Week 1:
Why use DNA?
Types of DNA
Types of tests and what you can learn from each

Week 2:
Deeper dive into autosomal DNA
Introduction to third-party tools

Week 3:
Deeper dive on mitochondrial and Y-DNA
Resources for continuing your learning

Classes are April 3, 10, and 17. Each 90-minute sessions will be conducted via Zoom. The cost is $80 (SGS members $65). Max enrollment is set to 20, so sign up soon.
 

Register now

Get more information

AMBASSADOR TO SHARE WHAT’S NEW IN FTM 2024

Family Tree Maker is hitting the road as it prepares to launch its newest release. FTM Ambassador, Mark Olsen, will be stopping at the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle to demonstrate the new features of FTM 2024 as well as teach all things related to the software and its partner products. There will be two opportunities to attend the session: one during the day (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and another in the evening (5:30-8:30 p.m.).

The event will be in Room 202, a larger meeting room at the Good Shepherd Center. Seating is limited to 50 people. Please arrive early. Registration link coming soon.

 GET A GUIDED TOUR OF SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY’S GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES

SGS has a long history of collaboration with the Seattle Public Library (SPL). Join us for a guided tour of SPL’s genealogical resources with SPL’s own genealogical librarian. This event is limited to 20 people, so sign up today!
 
The Seattle Room on the 10th floor of the Central Library is open to researchers by appointment only. It holds more than 50,000 items documenting and exploring the culture and history of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Get a glimpse behind the scenes and learn about resource that can aid your study of the Seattle area and its people.
 
The Genealogy Department on the 9th floor originally housed many books donated by SGS researchers of 100 years ago and now holds some SGS archival materials. Check the SGS catalog for resources that were transferred to SPL when SGS vacated the Sand Point facility.
 
Following the morning tour, consider breaking for lunch with others or conducting your personal research. The library is open until 6pm.

 NEW PACIFIC NORTHWEST SIG ANNOUNCED

Seattle Genealogical Society is delighted to announce a new special interest group (SIG) focused on Pacific Northwest genealogical research. This SIG will meet via Zoom on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM Pacific, 9:30PM Eastern. SGS membership is encouraged but not required. More information at the SGS website. Inaugural meeting May 1st.

 NEW RECORDS ON FOLD3

Fold3 has added a new collection of records for Black and Indigenous Soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War. The records are primarily manuscripts dating from 1775-1783 and include muster rolls, pay vouchers and enlistment records. The records are varied, but may contain information such as: the name of the solider, the unit, regiment and rank. They can also include birthdate and place of birth, occupation, date and place of enlistment and further military history or history of enslavement.SGS SURVEY EXTENDED TO SUNDAY APRIL 7TH

If you have not yet submitted your SGS Survey for the future now is your chance. And now, no sign-in is required!

Take the Survey


SAVE THE DATESpring Virtual Classes
Fiske Genealogical Library
Wednesdays 10:00 am-noon


Join the Fiske’s free virtual classes.

  • April 3: “Piecing it Together, Discovering a Family Secret,” with Claire Smith 
  • April 17: “Which Hans Jensen is Mine? Navigating Scandinavian Patronymics,” with Jenny Hansen

For further information see the Fiske website.


“Discover the Power of Your DNA”
San Mateo County Genealogical Society
Saturday April 13, 2024, 9:00 am-2:00 pm


Learn the Fundamentals of DNA. Find more information and register.


“How to Write a Family Portrait”
Eastside Genealogical Society
April 18, 2023, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm

In this hour-long, free generative writing workshop, essayist Kristen Millares Young will use guided prompts and discussions to help you plan, write, and revise your family stories. For more information and to register.    
Tacoma-Pierce County Spring Seminar with Cyndi Ingle and Cari A. Taplin
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society
Saturday April 27, 2024, 8:45 am-3:15 pm

  • Smarter Searching: Refining Search Parameters for Genealogists
  • Off the Shelf: The Unexplored Potential for eBooks in Genealogy
  • Using Timelines to Analyze Your Research
  • The Heart of It All: A New Hampshire to Ohio Migration Case Study

for more information and to register, visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society website.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTSGood Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658
Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday   
** 10:00 am – 3:00 pm **
 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.   All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise notedMonday, April 1, 2024, 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, April 1, 2024, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG (Virtual), with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.comSunday, April 7, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.Monday, April 8, 2024, 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.

Monday, April 8, 2024, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group  to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.

Sunday, April 14 2024, 1:00 am-3:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group (Virtual), “Indexed vs Non-indexed searches for Norway and Sweden” hosts Karen Knudson and Kathi M. Share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestral research.

Monday, April 15, 2024, 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, April 16, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm,  “Pass It On” Writers’ Group (Social Interest Group), Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members.Friday, April 19, 2024, 10:00 am-12:30 pm,  Seattle Public Library Tour (Special Events), at Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle. SGS has a long history of collaboration with the Seattle Public Library (SPL). Join us for a guided tour of SPL’s genealogical resources. LIMITED TO 20 PEOPLE. Reserve your spot today.

Saturday, April 20, 2024, 10:00 am-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information.

Saturday, April 20, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, German SIG (Virtual), 
Our speaker for April, Merv Weiss, will be exploring the topic of learning about his German-ness with his talk, “Growing Up German Without Realizing It.” Register on the SGS website.

Monday, April 22, 2024, 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, April 23, 2024, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. Thursday, April 25, 2024, two times: 11:00 am-1:00 pm, AND 5:30 pm-8:30 pm, Family Tree Maker Tour (Special Events), Family Tree Maker Ambassador, Mark Olsen, will be hat the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle to demonstrate the new features of FTM 2024.Monday, April 29, 2024, 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.

Monday, May 1, 2024, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm,  Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual)  (Special Interest Groups), Topics this month: 1. Short history of Oregon Territory, 2. Oregon and Washington State Archives, 3. Oregon and Washington State Libraries. 

Register on the SGS website.

Saturday, March 23, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop SIG, Message SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.Monday, May 6, 2024, 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.