THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 8 February 2017

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for February 2017, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. NOTE: The Insider issues are now located under the “Learn” –> “Our Publications” menu at our new website (still gfo.org).

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GFO’s February 18th GenTalk – Parking Forum

GFO parking situation got you down? You’re not alone!
As the situation is evolving a little every day, we’re calling all members to attend the February GenTalk to learn what the board is doing, to get the most up-to-date information, to discuss parking alternatives, and to brainstorm ideas for additional actions we might take.

You’re invited to bring both your frustrations and solutions to this safe and cooperative environment to help us all don our thinking caps to work together to try to make things better.

Please remember that the new pay-to-park rules initiated by the Ford Building Management go into effect this next Monday, February 13th.
February’s GenTalk is on Saturday, the 18th, from 2 – 4pm.

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Q: What Does Valentine’s Day Have To Do With Genealogy? A: Everything!
A day dedicated to love – now THAT is a day worth celebrating! After all, isn’t the study of genealogy actually a study of love and passion? Were it not for romantic love, the sacrificial love for children, the respectful love of elders plus the genuine love of discovery – genealogy would fail to exist!

Where can we find evidence of love in our genealogy studies? For those with imagination, the answer is EVERYWHERE! A simple census record indicates a “Head of Household” willing to take responsibility for others, an immigration record reflects the dreams of a better life for a future family, a military record shows a soldier’s idealism as he risks everything for hearth and home – all of these examples are based in love.

JustaJoy makes love tangible – love letters, vintage valentines, 19th century marriage certificates, anniversary announcements and more add a sweetness to our knowledge of those that went before. These items can be extra special as a gift to the next generation – a reminder that love can cross generations.

Let’s celebrate all the things we love on this fun holiday by remembering all those moments of passion and sacrifice that led to our very being. Love is that fantastic fuel that keeps all things functioning. Whether giving or receiving, it is the best part of every day – past, present or future.

This reminder is brought to you by JustaJoy Click HERE to check JustaJoy for LOVE items for YOUR Family! Remember, GFO has a subscription to JustaJoy’s website on one of our library computers. It’s waiting for you to come and check it out!!

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What ARE these mysterious GFO web portals??

We still need your input on web portal content!
Website “portals” are areas of a website that you can sign into to access additional content based on your membership or volunteer status.

We’re currently testing out the web portals function on our new website at the GFO for our volunteers and board members.

In the next month, we’d like to gather ideas for what YOU WANT in a members-only section of the GFO website.

If you have any ideas about what content you would like to see go into the Members Portal, please send an email to webmaster@gfo.org.

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Sharing on Facebook! We’d LOVE to be loved by you!  

We’d like to encourage you to please feel free to “Share” GFO’s postings to your own Facebook timelines!
HOW? You cry! With the little rightward pointing “Share” icon you can find at the bottom of any post on Facebook.

Sharing posts enables GFO’s news to reach a whole new universes of people, AND THEN our reach could expand exponentially!! Wow, oh my goodness, wow!

The goal is that, by sharing GFO posts on your own timeline, your friends may find interest in the various multitude of amazing GFO topics so that they’ll then click over to the GFO page for more info!

Remember, this is just one of many ways that helps a non-profit organization grow so we can continue to offer the wonderful services you already enjoy.
And as always, thanks for all you do for the GFO!!

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DID YOU KNOW GFO’s SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!??
If you haven’t checked these out, well you should really get on that! Details about every last one, and boy is there a gaggle if I ever saw one, are available at our brand spankin’ new website right HERE!!

Some SIG’s (Special Interest Groups) currently available:

▪ German Interest Group

▪ Illinois Interest Group

▪ Italian Interest Group (Ciao, baby!!)

▪ DNA Advanced and Beginner Interest Groups

▪ British Isles Interest Group

▪ Genealogical Problem Solvers

▪ Photoshop Elements Interest Group

▪ Family Tree Maker

▪ Get Acquainted With (one of our newest!)

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Really, if you’re not taking advantage of some or all of these FREE resources you should quit pondering the possibilities, check the GFO Calendar, and scoot on down to SE 11th & Division!!
Again, these are free classes and research groups open to the public, meaning no membership needed. Just you, your brain, and maybe a notepad for the ambitious researchers among you!

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THE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OREGON proudly invites you to join them for FINDING YOUR EASTERN EUROPEAN ANCESTORS
WHEN: FEBRUARY 11, 2017 , 10 AM

WHERE: HILLSBORO BROOKWOOD LIBRARY

WHO: PRESENTED BY PAM VESTAL

The Genealogical Society of Washington County Oregon will hold its monthly meeting from 10 am to noon, this coming Saturday, February 11th, at the Hillsboro Brookwood Library, 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway.

Featured speaker, Pam Vestal, will give tips on Finding your Eastern European Ancestors: If I can do it, so can you!

The event is free and open to the public. GSWCO is not limited to research in Washington County, and promotes the study of genealogy in all parts of the world. For further information, please call 503-640-4431 or visit their website HERE.

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What’s Happening this Week at the GFO?

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11th
Illinois Group 9:30 – 11:30am

The Illinois Interest Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 9:30am (except Jul/Aug/Dec) in the GFO Library. All interested researchers are welcome to join us. Just drop in and share the workshop when you can and when you are interested.

At all the meeting times you will receive handouts and/or work sheets for each topic we cover. We focus on the state of Illinois, but the research techniques can be used on all states.

SIG Leader Training 12:15 – 12:45 pm

Library evacuation training for Special Interest Group leaders and any other interested parties.

Writers’ Forum 1 – 3pm

This is a peer group of genealogists who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at peggy@familypassages.com or 503-916-9410.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12th
MAPS Work Party 9am – Noon

We are planning to continue working on the GFO’s maps project this Sunday from 9:00 am until noon or whenever you feel satisfied with the work! Come when you can. Doris Cruickshank, our very own map project coordinator, will be oh so so happy to see you!!

Get Acquainted With… 1 – 3pm

This month’s topic will be the GFO’s subscription databases. We’ll be giving an introduction to the research sites that are available at our library. Presented by Nanci Remington. NOTE: This is a repeat of the session held earlier today (Wednesday, February 8th), just in case you couldn’t make it today.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15th
Learn & Chat 10am – noon

Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Connie Lenzen.

DNA Q&A

Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion.