THE SGS LIBRARY – ONE MEMBER’S EXPERIENCE

Lisa Chan is the SGS member that leads the “Seattle Genealogical Society Networking” group on Facebook as well as shares her interest and enthusiasm for genealogy, including some useful tips and tricks, via her on-line blog.

She recently wrote about exploring the shelves at SGS.  Wouldn’t you, too, like to treat yourself to an afternoon at the SGS Library doing one of the things you enjoy most, researching your genealogy?

Here’s an extraction from Lisa’s blog to whet your appetite.  To read the story in its entirety you can find her blog at http://genealogy.grippingyarn.com.    If you are a Facebook member, consider joining the “Seattle Genealogical Society Networking” group.

NEHG and MARYLAND : EXPLORING THE SHELVES OF SGS

By Lisa Chan

This afternoon, I was greeted by the lovely desk attendant Chris. A volunteer with Seattle Genealogical Society for many years, she delights in helping intrepid researchers find just what they’re looking for among the stacks, and often resources of value that they weren’t expressly seeking.

Dangerously, I hadn’t set out this early afternoon with specific research goals. However, I did have a general desire to browse and see what goodies could be found amongst the Maryland section, maybe find something to inform my RHODES of Maryland research.

Before settling in, I stopped at the open seating area just inside the door of SGS. Comfortable chairs face a welcoming coffee table adorned with local society bulletins, Dick Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter (Plus Edition), and various journals.

Prominent and tempting, The NEHG Register: Winter 2015 (produced by the famous New England Historic Genealogical Society) called out for a casual thumb through. Curious about the overall-size of SGS’s collection, I wandered over to Chris and she graciously directed me to the treasure trove. 3 full shelves of products produced by NEHG!

“Is The NEHG Register collection all there?”

Chris explained that it was almost complete. I found Vol. 1-60 looking great, but then around Vol.s 70-96 things got a little dicey. I can imagine that at some future point, those small voids will get filled. But after Vol. 96, I believe the collection looked solid (I didn’t count every single one).

“And how do I find things?”

Chris pointed out several bound volumes representing the printed indexes. Overwhelmed, I wondered out loud if there might be an online searchable database.

There is!

We journeyed over to the visitor work stations, and Chris pulled up NEGH’s  American Ancestors website (accessible for FREE through the SGS library). With a little poking about, we found the portal for searching the NEHG Register.

Of course, this is me. After 2 minutes, I got side tracked away from searching the index and sucked into outlying pages. I happened upon the Town Guides — covering Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont — which had resources detailing how to find records for Windham, Green, New York (important to my WHITCOMB line).

Chris was handily standing nearby to suggest that I could save the information into a thumb-drive. That would have been lovely had I remembered to bring one.

SGS had me covered though, they sell 8GB thumb drives for $10+tax. Great time saver, and I didn’t go home empty handed.

Finished at the computer, and remembering that I had a goal of eyeballing the Maryland section, I wandered back to the stacks and easily found my area with clear labeling. SGS kindly provides foot stools in the aisle to sit upon while you’re searching through the bottom shelves.

Started exploring near the beginning of the shelf, and wasn’t disappointed. Found Inventory of Maryland Bible Records: Volume One published by The Genealogical Council of Maryland in 1989 and prepared under the supervision of author and historian Robert Barnes.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All programs are at the SGS Library at 6200 Sand Point Way unless otherwise indicated. Please Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections. Programs may be cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather.

Saturday, January 16,  10:15am – 12:15pm,  Irish Interest Group, Leader: Jean A Roth

Saturday, January 16, 1:00pm -3:00 pm,  German Interest Group, Leader: Jean A Roth

Saturday, January 23, 10:00am – 12:30pm, DNA Interest Group, Presentations by  group members as well as new discoveries in DNA testing.  Downstairs in the Fellowship Hall of Wedgewood Presbyterian Church,  8005 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA   To be added to their email list contact:    sgsdnasig@gmail.com

Saturday, January 30th, 10:30am – 12:30pm, Evernote Workshop, Learn how to use Evernote for the genealogist.  Leader: Janet Camarata

Saturday, February 6th, 10:15am – 12:00pm,  Canadian Interest Group, Leader: Dave Roberts

SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP

The Director of SGS Membership is responsible for compiling and maintaining the roster of current SGS members.  Duties include:

•Processing all new, renewing and life membership applications
•Compiling and updating the roster of members in a timely manner
•Sending membership renewal forms to members each year
•Providing mailing labels for all SGS mailings
•Sending acknowledgements to members for donations
•Providing membership materials, such as informational brochures and applications, for distribution at the library and other genealogical events.

The Membership Director is required to attend monthly SGS Board meetings. It is also important that the person is comfortable using computers.  There are times of the year when Membership is busier than others; May is always busier because it is Member Renewal Month.  However, on average the time commitment for the Membership Director is between 10-12 hours per month.

The current Director of Membership is Julia Marconi and she may be contacted at sgsmembership@gmail.com with any questions.