
Be in the know! Receive notices for our virtual meetings, as well as the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io
Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online discussion and collaboration arena where:
- we communicate and share information with each other
- other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
- you can unsubscribe at any time
PROGRAM UPDATES
- All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland library branches
- Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
- Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Register at our website skcgs.org. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.
FEBRUARY – EARLY MARCH 2025 MEETINGS & EVENTS
Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 6:30pm PT
SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (online)
All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Officers and Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link.
Friday, February 7, 2025 ⋅ 12:30pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
Topic: How a Non-German Speaking Person Can Trace Their German Ancestors. Presenter Bernard Meisner explains how to conduct an exhaustive search of US records to identify your ancestor’s home town and religion and recognize obstacles to ensure you are researching the correct person.
For meeting registration, visit https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/
Monday, February 10, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (online)
Topic: RootsTech – How to Use All the New Tools for our DNA Research as we Prepare for RootsTech 2025
Register at https://www.skcgs.org
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Subscribe to the free SKCGS Genetic-Genealogy email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 ⋅ 6:00pm – 7:00pm PT
Research Study Group – Step 10 of 10 (online)
At each meeting, we’ll discuss one of the ten steps from Elizabeth Shown Mills’ webinar “Dissection & Analysis of Research Problems: 10 Steps to a Solution”
This is not a free webinar; you will need a subscription from familytreewebinars.com to participate
More information and registration at https://www.skcgs.org
Thursday, February 13, 2025 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
2801 NE 10th Street
Renton WA 98056
Registration not required. In-person event. Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities is available by request. Email access@kcls.org at least seven days before the event. More information at King County Library, email jwooten@kcls.org
Saturday, February 15, 2025, 9:30am PT social time; 10am – 11:30am PT program (online)
SKCGS General Membership Meeting and Speaker (Online)
“The Road to Independence: Revolutionary War Research” presented by Michael Strauss
The Revolutionary War was fought in part over tensions between England and her colonies that escalated over time into violence with the opening shots fired in Massachusetts in April 1775. Some of the historical records examined will include compiled military service records, pensions, state and federal bounty land, local militia, along with records from the Continental Navy and Marine Corps. Additionally historical context include some of the national emergencies after the end of the war in 1783 including both Shay’s Rebellion and the later Whiskey Rebellion.

Michael L. Strauss, AG has been employed as a forensic investigator for thirty years, most recently he has worked as a research manager for Ancestry ProGenealogists. Michael is a native of Pennsylvania and a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He is a court qualified expert witness in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Michael is a national genealogical lecturer and instructor and is a faculty member at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) where he coordinates the military history and research courses. Michael was the film historian for the 2015 Academy Award nominated movie Finding Vivian Maier and has been involved in Civil War and Mexican American War reenacting for more than twenty-five years.
The program will be recorded for playback by SKCGS Members. Guests welcome! Register at https://www.skcgs.org
Monday, February 17, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Technical User Group (online)
Topic: Using AI to generate or improve research plans for our genealogy work
See these videos for some ideas:
- Getting Started: The 3 Free AI Tools I Use for Genealogy Research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8oJTK3sDB0
- Increasing Genealogy Productivity with Artificial Intelligence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ju7Sicy0mA
- Using AI in Family History Research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n7_sEYYXbc
- Using AI for Research Planning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI5XbywHIPM
Register at https://www.skcgs.org
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Subscribe to the free SKCGS Technical User Group email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG
Thursday, February 20, 2025 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
1102 Auburn Way S
Auburn, WA 98002
Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, email kcls-auburn@kcls.org
Thursday, February 20, 2025 ⋅ 2:00pm – 4:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
34200 1st Way S
Federal Way, WA 98003
Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, https://kcls.org/locations/federal-way, or phone: (253) 838-3668
Friday, February 21, 2025, 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Research Workshop (in-person)
For SKCGS members
Kent FamilySearch Center
12817 SE 256th St., Kent, WA
Seating is limited
RSVP REQUIRED to Winona at w.laird@skcgs.org
Monday, February 24, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genealogy Chat (online)
Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another!
Register at https://www.skcgs.org
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Subscribe to the free SKCGS email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 ⋅ 6:00pm – 7:00pm PT
Research Study Group – Next Steps (online)
At each meeting, we’ll discuss one of the ten steps from Elizabeth Shown Mills’ webinar “Dissection & Analysis of Research Problems: 10 Steps to a Solution”
This is not a free webinar; you will need a subscription from familytreewebinars.com to participate
More information and registration at https://www.skcgs.org
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT
Family Tree Maker Users Group (online)
Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM.
Register at https://www.skcgs.org
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG
Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 6:30pm PT
SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (online)
All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Officers and Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link.
Friday, March 7, 2025 ⋅ 12:30pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
Topic: Websites for German Research presented by Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG®, AGL™
This presentation will teach participants how to use important websites, such as FamilySearch, Ancestry, Matricula, Archion, Genealogy.net, and Meyersgaz to find records and jurisdictional information for German research. As far as possible, the presentation will include a case study to find information on one person as a case study. Participants will be able to compare the advantages of the different sites.
For meeting registration, visit https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/
——————
MEMBERSHIP: We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.