Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized almost 500 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2016 award recipients and learn why they received the 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Patricia Deutsch

Today we’re introducing Patricia Deutsch of Seattle, Washington, who was nominated by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State (JGSWS). She was recognized for her organizational skills to improve access to the JGSWS holdings.

The JGSWS owns a collection of over 200 resources, including books, research guides, methodologies, atlases, histories and maps of particular interest to Jewish genealogists. This collection had previously been unavailable to members of the society having been stored in boxes at the Jewish Community Center and in one of the society member’s garage. Ms. Deutsch moved the collection to a more advantageous location, and made them available for members to use. She arranged the books on shelves for easy browsing and devised a system for the items to be loaned out to members for their use at home. These efforts have given the JGSWS members an additional way to improve their knowledge of research methods and resources and to further their own efforts to trace their families.

Ms. Deutsch’s efforts to improve access to their resources were much appreciated by the JGSWS, thus proving she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2016 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.