What will happen to all your genealogy research, both in paper form or as digital files, when you pass on? You might have a relative that will continue the research, or you might be able to donate it to a library or an historical society. Now is the time to make a plan to increase the chance that your work is saved for future generations.
Wednesday, January 21
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
Successful organization starts with organizing ourselves. Over the course of four sessions we will look at why and how we research, building the foundation of an effective personal organizational system. Questions about who, what, where, and when we research clarify how best to apply our time, energy, and resources. This enables us to create and maintain a system of organization that best supports our needs as we engage in genealogical research.
Wednesday, January 28
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
Find out how to use powerful new AI tools to work more effectively on your genealogy research without compromising the quality of your work. Learn how to use AI for cross-document querying, indexing, and analysis, translating / transcribing documents, enhancing images and photos, and more.
Wednesday, February 4
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
Where Does This Go? Organizing Your Genealogy Gems
Whether you’re just starting to climb the family tree or you’re an experienced researcher, come learn practical tips to organize your genealogy treasures and create an easy-to-maintain system that lasts!
Wednesday, February 11
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
The Fort Walla Walla Camp 3 of The Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) will hold their (Saturday) Jan 24th, 2026 Installation meeting at McAllister Museum of Aviation. Social time and furnished meal 11:30 to 12:30, [A meal lunch count RSVP appreciated to 509 945 0549.] *** Some special music will be provided by member/Brother Hank Cramer III of C.W. Ballads and stories.*** Museum open for viewing. After meeting adjournment, a Guided tour to be given by ExDir Lynn Harden. Museum opens at 11:00 am and closes at 4:00+ Located at 2008 South 16th Ave, Yakima,WA 98903.
Business meeting starts at 12:30 with new Officer Installation and routine business items and a Video Program of Civil War history of the GAR and the development of the SUVCW. Camp members and spouses invited. Public also invited. No charge to attend. More SUVCW info at <www.suvpnw.org> Questions to CC Peterson; cbsapiary@live.com or cell/ text 509 969 8844
Submitted by Don Jameson FWW # 3 PCC, Camp Council Chr. cell 509 945 0549
January 2026 to early February 2026 with South King County Genealogical Society
Happy New Year!
SKCGS Members will find the playback access code for Mary Kircher Roddy’s “Putting Your Learning to Work: Getting the Most From an Educational Opportunity” presentation at the end of this email. *if you expected to find the code but do not see it, your SKCGS Membership has expired. Renew on our website: https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership
Are you passionate about SKCGS’s mission and looking for a meaningful way to volunteer your skills? Start the new year by stepping up!
We’re searching for a leader to move into the role of President and help keep our small but mighty nonprofit running smoothly! The best part? You won’t be doing it alone! You’ll be supported by a dedicated, hands-on board and fantastic volunteers who are ready to help. to Board@skcgs.org to help.
Stay connected! Get updates on our virtual and in-person events, plus the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io
Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online platform for discussion and information sharing:
we communicate and share information with each other
other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
you can unsubscribe or change your email format at any time
PROGRAM UPDATES
All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland library branches.
Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.
Tuesday, January 6 2026, 6:30 pm PT: SKCGS Board Meeting (Online). Interested SKCGS Members write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link.
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 11am–1 pm PT: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 2801 NE 10th Street, Renton WA
Monday, January 12, 2026, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group. Topic: Strategies for Success in 2026. How will all your new matches answer your research question? Join our free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 2–3 pm PT: WikiTree User Group (Online). Topic: Digging Deeper: How to use Wikitree to move your research forward. Wikitree Users create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.
Thursday, January 15, 2026: 11am–1pm PT: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA. 2–4pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Main Library (In-person). Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer; 34200 1st Way S Federal Way, WA
Friday,January 16, 2026, 1–3pm PT: Research Workshop. For SKCGS Members only. In-person research at the Kent FamilySearch Center: 12817 SE 256th St, Kent, WA. RSVP in advance to Winona Laird (253) 631-3252
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10–11:15 am PT: SKCGS Speaker Series (Online). Join at 9:30am PT for social time. Topic: Putting Your Learning to Work: Get the Most from an TEducational Opportunity – Genealogists are constantly learning. Societies and libraries around the world offer webinars and courses galore. With each opportunity you take, you spend your most precious resource – your time. How can you decide what to watch and how to get the most out of any educational opportunity? Discover ways to make what the presenter told you part of your research toolbox.
Mary Kircher Roddy, Certified Genealogist, is also a Certified Public Accountant. She lectures in Washington State and across the US, and is a regular presenter for LegacyFamilyTree Webinars. She has written for Internet Genealogy, NGS Magazine, FGS Forum, Family Chronicle, The National Genealogical Society Quarterly and numerous society publications. Mary served as Treasurer for the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is currently a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. She is also co-editor of The National Genealogical Society Quarterly. You can read more about her at MKR Genealogy – www.mkrgenealogy.com
Monday, January 26, 2026,1–2pm PT: Genealogy Chat (Online). Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Register at SKCGS.org
Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 6:30–7:30pm PT: SKCGS Board Meeting. Interested Members are invited; write Board@skcgs.org for the zoom link.
Friday, February 6, 2026,12:30–2:30pm PT: German Interest Group (EGS)(Online). Topic: “Swiss Essentials: Locating Church Records & Understanding the Impact of Citizenship” by Charlotte Noelle Champenois, AG®, AGL™. Visitors welcome. More information at https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/ Registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/yfyrt6yw
Saturday, February 7, 2026 10–11am PT: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online). Topic: Question and Answer for the Family Tree Maker program. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG.
Monday, February 9, 2026, 1–2pm PT: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). Topic: Get Ready for RootsTech. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 2–3pm PT. WikiTree Users (Online). Wikitree Users create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.
Thursday, February 12, 2026, 11am–1pm PT: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person)
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SKCGS Speaker Series: Monthly on the third Saturday, 10am. F
September 20 2025: Roxanne Lowe “Write Your Own Obituary”
October 18 2025: Craig K Gowens “The Border Reivers: The Beginnings of America’s Scotch-Irish”
November 15 2025: Mags Gaulden “WikiTree’s DNA Features, With A Splash of mitoYDNA.org”
January 17 2026: Mary Kircher Roddy “Putting Your Learning to Work: Getting the Most From an Educational Opportunity”
February 21 2026: Robyn N. Smith “Cluster Research: Using Other People to Find Your People”
March 21 2026: Winona Laird “Publish Your Story using AI and Kindle Direct Publishing”
April 18 2026: Robbie Johnson “Writing for Relatives 101-–From Research to Family History”
May 16 2026 Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal “Research at the library…without leaving home!”
June 20 2026: Steven Morrison Part1, “Digging Up New Dirt: Unearthing the Real New England Immigrant” AND Part 2, “Finding, Proving and Publishing”
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MEMBERSHIP: We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.
You are receiving this email because you have attended a SKCGS meeting and indicated you would like to receive periodic notice of events. If you would like to be removed from our list and stop receiving emails from us, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.
Following the General Meeting, Richard Kyle is giving a presentation on the future of Family Search. Come and learn the difference between the record search vs the image search vs the new full text search. Then learn why the full text search may make Ancestry obsolete.
Did a branch of your family suddenly head north to Canada during the Revolutionary War? You just might have just found a United Empire Loyalist ancestor! Join SVGS Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for “United Empire Loyalists” the Colonists loyal to the King with Brian McConnell. Brian is a Canadian Author, Genealogist and Historian. Come learn about the Colonists that opposed the American Revolution and resettled north of the border in Canada. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing info@skagitvalleygenealogy.org.
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG Meeting
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm virtual via Zoom
This month we will be watching and discussing Part 3 of the video “Legacy Family Tree for Complete Beginners“. If you are just starting with Legacy Family Tree or haven’t used it for a while this should be a helpful video and discussion for you.
This is our monthly meeting to share tips & tricks, problems & solutions. Sometimes we will watch videos or share our screens to aid in learning more about using Legacy Family Tree software.
Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the learning. If you are just thinking about trying Legacy for the first time, you’ve been using it for a year or two or you are an old pro with many years of experience using Legacy this is the group for you.
We look forward to meeting with you, every month on the First Tuesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
OGS will be hosting its annual virtual seminar, Decoding Your Ancestors: The Tech Edition, on Saturday, February 4, 2026, live online from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Our speaker, Cyndi Ingle (of CyndisList.com fame), will be speaking about using technology as a research tool in genealogy. We will have four one-hour sessions covering digital libraries and archives; collaborating with genealogists online; using Google Maps and Earth to pin your ancestors down; and becoming your own digital archivist to preserve your research.
Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s
January 8th 2026 zoom meeting is Angela Packer McGhie. Her topic is Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence.
Please note time change
Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am
Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am
Public is invited to attend
Please consider joining our society for $20/yr.
For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event
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