VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER
Congratulations to Paul Wade for being SGS Volunteer of the Quarter!
In addition to his other volunteer activities for the Seattle Genealogical Society, Paul performed a much needed service by heading up the Book Transcriptions Project to support the sales of books on eBay.
Paul coordinated the transcribers and tracked the books as they were being transcribed, ultimately providing surnames to accompany listing of books on eBay. Because of Paul and the volunteer transcribers, John Eshelman and Bonnie Larson, thousands of surnames from yearbooks and other volumes have become available for inclusion in the book descriptions on eBay.
Paul, a member of SGS for 2 years, has been a desk volunteer since the beginning. He also works with research queries and catalog entry. He is a member of the Nominating Committee and recently took on the position of Desk Volunteer Coordinator.
About 10 years ago while helping his daughter with her school project to trace back four generations, Paul became hooked on his family history and he has been working on it ever since. His background includes English, Irish, Scottish and German ancestors. One of the challenges he has been working on is a gap in the lineage of his surname.
Once again, a hearty “Thank You” to Paul for his service to SGS.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
Recruiting efforts for this year’s slate of candidates continue; the slate is due to the Board on February 23rd and to the Membership on March 20th. Currently we have candidates for Vice-President, Treasurer, Directors of Library, Membership, Operations, and Volunteers, and 3 candidates for Nominations. This is very positive and we thank those who have agreed to run for office.
We are however quite concerned about finding candidates for President, Secretary, and Directors of Publications, Technology and Education. While every position is important in enabling the society to provide valuable services and activities for its members, the positions of President and Education Director are especially critical. Without these officers, it would be almost impossible for the Society to serve its members and ensure its future.
While we continue our recruiting efforts, we are asking each member to carefully consider how they could best serve the Society and to please step forward and volunteer.
To nominate someone or to be considered yourself, contact the Nominations Committee at SGSNominate@gmail.com.
It’s an exciting time. The Nominations Committee and Mary Ellen Maxell, the Chair, want to thank everyone for their membership and contributions. They are encouraged by the sense of new energy and the number of members willing to serve on a committee, which will make a Director’s job much easier. We just need a few more members willing and able to step into the vacating leadership roles.
SEATTLE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEMBERS
WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!
Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13
NEEDED: St. Pat’s Parade – We need a classic antique car and driver (driver doesn’t have to be antique) – preferably a convertible as our SGS entry in Seattle’s official St. Pat’s Parade on Saturday morning March 12 in downtown Seattle. We have two signs for the car that advertise SGS.
NEEDED: About 10 -12 people each day to work a 2-hour shift at the SGS Information booth at Seattle Center’s Center House Armory (old Food Circus), during the Irish Week Festivities on Saturday, March 12 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. This is a simple and fun job that won’t take up too much of your time. Plus, you can enjoy the Irish entertainment and displays.
There are hundreds of people that stop by our vendor booth. This is great publicity for SGS and this event has been a long time commitment for SGS. We bring some of our Irish and Scottish books from the SGS Library and help people look up their family names; we answer questions and promote Membership, Classes and Seminars. You do not need to know much about Irish Genealogy to answer simple questions. A lot of people are interested in Genealogy, but don’t know where to start. It is a simple and fun job that won’t take up too much of your time. Jean is teaching a Genealogy class each day and must have coverage at the booth. We also want to promote the Irish Genealogy Workshop on March 19th.
Why is this so important? Because our Irish Week Participation and assistance is part of our community outreach efforts. It is one of the requirements and reasons that SGS has received thousands of dollars in grant money each year for Community Outreach. This supplements our dues and seminar profits and helps to keep our SGS Library open.
Please contact Jean as soon as possible if you can help:
Jean A. Roth, Director of Education, (206) 782-2629 or email: jeanaroth@juno.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SGS SPRING SEMINAR
It’s time for the SGS Spring Seminar and we need your help! We have secured William Dollarhide, a nationally recognized genealogical lecturer and award winning author, as our speaker.
It does take a community of about 30 volunteers to make this happen. If you are new to SGS, this is a great way to meet other genealogists, and to get to know all about the resources that are available. We’re looking for some enthusiastic volunteers to help with a variety of volunteer jobs.
Volunteer jobs include:
•Design a “flyer” and Poster for distribution
•Seminar Syllabus Layout and Printing
•Seminar Snacks and Beverages (Planning, purchasing and set-up) ½ day plus 1 hour before seminar.
•Day of Seminar Volunteer Coordinator
•Volunteers to help with room set-up (2 hours the morning of the seminar)
•Parking attendants (8:30-10:00)
•Clean up (3:00 –4:00)
•Day of the event, hosts, photographer
•Pre event tasks (registration packet stuffing, transporting seminar materials and books for the book sale, etc)
•Post event tasks (survey data entry, etc.)
Grab a friend and lend a hand for this amazing event! If you are interested, let us know and we will find the perfect fit for your talents and interest!
Date: Saturday, May 21, 2016 Spring Seminar
For more information, such as details of a specific job and/or time required please contact: Sandra Stark, Seminar Chair, SandraKStark@live.com
Road Closure : Visitors Approaching SGS Library From The North
Please be advised the Sand Point Way NE Retaining Wall Replacement Project being undertaken by the Seattle Department of Transportation [ SDOT ] will close Sand Point Way NE between NE 70th Street and NE 95th Street for the next two months.
Beginning Monday, February 8th , Sand Point Way NE will be CLOSED to all pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic in both directions. This full closure is expected to last 4 week, until early March , and it will be followed by a closure of just the northbound vehicular lanes for another 4 weeks, until early April.
Bicycle and pedestrian travel along the Burke-Gilman Trail (BGT) will not be affected.
Sand Point Way NE will be open between NE 70th Street and NE 95th Street for local access only. Expect to encounter large equipment with heavy loads operating on the roadways in this area six days a week during normal business hours.
Your best detour route is to head south out of Lake City on 35th Ave NE, and then go east at either NE 70th St or NE 65th St. Please remember, vehicles must STOP at the Burke-Gilman Trail where it crosses @ NE 65th St. The BGT also crosses @ NE 70th St; please be attentive and cautious at this crossing as well.
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.
February
Wednesday, February 17, 12:00pm – 3:00 pm, Brick Wall Session – Come discuss your problems and we’ll share research suggestions. Leader: Jean A Roth
Saturday, February 20, 10:15am – 12:15pm, Irish Interest Group, March Irish Week Activities and New Irish Catholic Church Record Index coming from FindmyPast and Ancestry.com, Leader: Jean A Roth
Saturday, February 20, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, “Land of Our Ancestors – Germany in the Middle Ages” Visual program includes a visit to Germany’s “Williamsburg”, Leader: Jean A Roth
March
Saturday, March 5, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian Interest Group, Leader: David Robert
Sunday, March 6, 1:00 pm -3:00 pm, Beginning Genealogy Workshop, Instructor: Janice Lovelace. Please register with the SGS front desk.
Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, Irish Week Festival at Seattle Center – St Patrick’s Parade on Saturday with SGS entry. SGS will have a booth and offer genealogical help on both days. We need volunteers for both days for two hour sessions. Please contact Jean A Roth at jeanaroth@juno.com to volunteer for this fun event.
Sunday, March 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group, Leader: Karen Knudsen (note Daylight Savings Time begins)
Saturday, March 19, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Irish Genealogy Workshop, at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Greenwood Ave N and N 132nd Street, Seattle, WA . A full day of classes on Irish research and genealogical records. Sponsored by the Irish Heritage Club, the Irish Special Interest Groups of the Eastside and Seattle Genealogical Society, and the Irish Genealogical and Historical Society (IGHS). Register on line at the Irish Heritage Club.
Sunday, March 20, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, SGS Membership Meeting, Nominations Committee and Election Information with Marilyn Rose, SGS President. Program: “My Ancestors Didn’t Have a Camera”, using a simple Google Search to capture on-line images to highlight your family history narrative, presented by Jean A Roth
Wednesday, March 23, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Brick Wall Session – Come discuss your problems and we’ll share research suggestions. Leader: Jean A Roth
Sunday, March 27, SGS Library will be closed on Easter Sunday
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, May 21st, All-day SGS Spring Seminar with Bill Dollarhide, guest speaker
SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY
This is the position for those who love books!
The Director of the SGS Library is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive genealogical library for the community. Duties include:
•Maintaining and making available to researchers the Society’s collection of genealogical resources.
•Promoting awareness and use of the library among members and the larger community.
•Preparing library materials for cataloging, labeling and placing on shelves.
•Overseeing the Archives Committee
•Overseeing the Material Review Committee
•Appointing and overseeing the Research Queries Coordinator.
•Working with the Library Trustees.
The Library Director is required to attend monthly SGS Board meetings. It is important that the person be comfortable using computers. Since new materials are donated or purchased on a regular basis, this position requires time each week to prepare new acquisitions for the library. Candidates interested in the Director of Library position should be willing to be at the Library at least one day a week.
While there is a time commitment for this position, the library has a strong group of active volunteers that not only keep the library running from day to day, but also work on special projects such as book repair, digitization and indexing. Working in the library is popular with SGS members so there is always a pool of volunteers to choose from.
The current Library Director is Annie Wright. Feel free to reach out to her at sgslibrary@gmail.com if you have any questions about this position or its duties.