ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING TOPIC
 

For those of you who did not attend the Annual Membership Meeting on June 4th, one of the topics was the concern for waning membership numbers.  Put very simply, if every member was able to recruit one friend as a new member, we’d soon have an influx of new blood and that would be great.

Personally, I can say word-of-mouth is how I learned of the benefits of belonging to SGS. For a decade, I had driven by the bright blue Seattle Genealogical Society canopy thinking, “I should check that out someday”. On the other hand, my inner “Negative Nelly” kept saying “Why bother? There’s probably nothing in there that pertains to you. Your roots are Connecticut and Ohio, not the Northwest”. How wrong this thought was.

Then a neighbor and I started discussing genealogy. She told me she had joined Seattle Genealogical Society and was getting a lot from the interest groups, education sessions, and seminars. Also the library’s resources certainly weren’t limited to the Northwest.  That sold me.

Bottom line, try introducing one friend or family member to the SGS Library; they’re certain to find something useful and interesting here.  Then they just may be motivated enough to become a new member.

MARYANN SPANGLER
1923 – 2016
 

Longtime SGS member and dedicated volunteer, Maryann Spangler, passed away June 14, 2016 at age 93. Services were held on June 23, 2016. Our condolences to her family and extended family. You might remember Maryann was our Volunteer of the Quarter for the summer of 2015.  Thank you to Maryann’s friends at the Horizon House who made donations to SGS in her honor.

Her full obituary and the guest book can be accessed at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=180382418

3 UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE GENEALOGY ENTHUSIAST

 ** SAVE THE DATES **
 

“Wide Eyes”– A War Orphan Unlocks the Mystery of Her Latvian Roots after Seventy Years

The Seattle Latvian Cultural Center invites you to a free lecture and book signing with author, Marija Platace Futchs Fine.  Seized as a baby by Nazi soldiers in 1944, and adopted by American parents in 1949, Marija tells her tale of how a “family detective” in Riga helped her unlock the story of her birth parents and reunited her with one surviving family member.

Sunday, July 24, 2016  at 12 noon
Seattle Latvian Cultural Center
11710 3rd Ave NE
Seattle, WA

** dead-end driveway appears hidden, but keep going into the parking lot

For additional info call : 206 265-3540 or see Marija’s website:
www.marijafine.com

Light refreshments will be provided.

SGS members Janice Lovelace and Mary Kircher Roddy are presenting at the next two upcoming events. Both Janice and Mary will be at:

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society
2016 Northwest Genealogy Conference
Byrnes Performing Arts Center
Arlington, WA
August 17th-20th

August 17th is The Beginner Genealogy Free Day with classes geared for those new to genealogy.  For more details on this conference and registration go to:
http://stillygen.org/cpage.php?pt=50

Mary Kircher Roddy is also speaking at :

The Kelowna & District Genealogical Society’s  (KDGS)
“Harvest Your Family Tree”  Conference 2016
Kelowna, BC, Canada
September 23rd-25th

This conference usually draws over 200 attendees, many from Washington.  It’s known as a top notch genealogy conference; one of the largest in Western Canadian. See 10 acclaimed speakers from the UK, US and Canada with 33 topics, huge marketplace, Expert Panel, Speakers Reception, Guided Historic Walking Tour, bushel of fabulous door prizes and raffles.

More info and registration at :
www.kdgsconference2016.blogspot.ca

CALENDAR
 

Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE.  Please check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections.  Programs may be canceled or postponed due to inclement weather.  The German, Irish, Canadian and Scandinavian Interest Groups will not meet during the summer; regular meetings will resume in the fall.

JULY

Tuesday, July 5, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, No host this week. Desk volunteers will be available to assist visitors. The usual host, Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology will return next week.

Tuesday, July 12, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology. Bring your laptop or mobile device, visit with other members and learn from each other while working on your family history. Discuss current projects, hardware, software, organizing data, and technology trends in genealogy.

Tuesday, July 12, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, “Avoiding Common Mistakes in Genealogical Research”, program presented by Jean A Roth.

Tuesday, July 19, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology.

Friday July 22, 1:00pm – 3:00 pm, Brick Wall Session, Leader: Jean A Roth will be on-hand to help you solve your research problem.

Tuesday, July 26, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology.

******** More Save the Dates ********

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES
Saturday, July 30 & Sunday, July 31, 2016
Expo Center (formerly The King County Fairgrounds)
45224 284th Avenue SE
Enumclaw, WA

SGS will have a booth manned by our volunteers.  Come see us and enjoy the games. Additional info at:
http://www.sshga.org/home.htm

36th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy
 “The Wandering Jew”
 Sheraton Seattle Hotel
1400 Sixth Ave
Seattle, WA
August 7th -12th

This premier annual conference had over 1,000 attendees last year.  This year it’s coming to Seattle.  Here’s your opportunity.    For more information and registration :

https://s4.goeshow.com/iajgs/annual/2016/registration.cfm