Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

Pioneer Pursuit Contest Winner: Ralph Brown

by Roxanne Lowe

Wholehearted congratulations are extended to Ralph Brown from Bothell (Snohomish County). Ralph contributed an amazing 1,285 individuals to the Pioneer Pursuit Contest. Although the contest portion of Pioneer Pursuit ended 31 Oct 2024, Ralph is continuing to submit names, sources and associated stories of individuals, mostly in southwest Washington, who were in Washington Territory on or before statehood on 11 Nov 1889.

Although he now lives in Snohomish County, Ralph grew up in Underwood, an unincorporated community on the Columbia River in Skamania County. He went to school just up the river in White Salmon (Klickitat County).  

Ralph and his wife Ruth had three children of their own and adopted another. He was a missile technician in the Navy, then a long career with Pacific Northwest Bell. 

Trike Trips Lead to Discoveries

After he retired, Ralph spent the next ten years researching his wife’s and his families and got heavily involved in Find a Grave. In a wild and crazy decision, Ralph decided to buy a three-wheeled trike – without even knowing how to ride a motorcycle! Undaunted, Ralph and Ruth soon put more than 200,000 miles on that trike, traveling to all the local cemeteries in Klickitat and Skamania Counties taking pictures and satisfying photo requests for Find A Grave. 

Because of his ardent work on Find a Grave, Ralph decided to document all the pioneers in the Underwood Cemetery. One thing led to another and his interest soon mushroomed to document all the other small cemeteries in the area.

Pioneer Pursuit to the Rescue

Over the years, Ralph carefully documented Klickitat and Skamania Counties’ local history with a vast amount of research, documents, photographs, newspaper articles and interviews. But he needed to find a home all that research.

Fortunately for Washington State researchers, WSGS came up with the Pioneer Pursuit program – an effort to document every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before statehood on 11 Nov 1889.

Ralph is a dedicated Facebook contributor, managing a group with over 2,000 followers. One of his followers, Bo/Casey Gleason had already submitted the Creviston pioneer family to Pioneer Pursuit. When Bo realized a connection with Ralph’s Gilmer family, they hooked up.

Continuing to Pursue Pioneers – and Quilting

Ralph still hasn’t stopped identifying territorial settlers and submitting them to Pioneer Pursuit. He’s also researching local logging, utilities and transportation histories and he hasn’t forgotten about schoolhouses and post offices.

But he’s also spending more time with his quilting longarm. Yes, Ralph is a quilter – supporting Ruth’s passion for creating intricate quilts, such as “Labyrinth Walk” shown here. “I can see me spending the rest of my life identifying people, but I have to get my passion aligned with my wife’s — which is quilting.”

According to Ralph, “There is a slogan for us motorcycle riders, “Too many roads, not enough time” and that applies to genealogy as well:  “Too many territorial settlers, not enough time” and “too much history to uncover and not enough time to document.”  

Congratulations, Ralph, for submitting 1,285 individuals to the Pioneer Pursuit. If anyone is interested in following your lead and participating in Pioneer Pursuit, visit our website here.

Genealogical Societies Support Patriot Week

by Roxanne Lowe

Volunteers from the Grays Harbor and North Beach Genealogical Societies are hosting Genealogy Cafe’s during Patriot Week from April 23 – 25, 2024, in Ocean Shores. Patriot Week is sponsored by the Washington State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Volunteers will be available by appointment. The sessions will be at the libraries in Ocean Shores and Hoquiam. See the flyer for details.

More information about SAR’s Patriot Week, including a list of events, is available here.

Jan WellsMinzel Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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. Over the last year, you were introduced to each of the 2023 award recipients and learned why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Jan WellsMinzel of Shelton, Washington, who were nominated by the Mason County Genealogical Society (MCGS).

To assist visitors seeking information about their Civil War ancestors in Mason County, MCGS in partnership with Mason County Historical Society Museum (MCHS) decided to assemble the vital records of Civil War veterans residing in Mason County as identified in the 1890 U.S. Veteran’s Census. Jan took on researching and writing a narrative page for more than 33 veterans. Her narratives are well written and contain the vital records required for sound genealogical practices.

Jan has completed 90 percent of the Civil War veterans that Mason County is tracking. The society is building a three-ring binder containing Jan’s narratives with headstone photos for use at the MCHS Museum.  Jan also recognized our newsletter editor needed help when she was ill and immediately pitched in to assist the editor and keep the newsletter on schedule. Jan’s super power is she recognizes when help is needed and acts.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Kerry McHugh Upton Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Kerry McHugh Upton of Olympia, Washington, who were nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).

For 20 years, Kerry has been a strong leader and encouraging member of OGS. She has served as president and secretary, and assisted on committees and teams planning the annual seminars, retreats and other special events. In 2019, she organized a number of special interest groups, which are still going strong.

Kerry established OGS’s first Facebook page. She initiated recording of monthly programs, posting them for member viewing on the website. Then, in 2020, when OGS learned that their seminar had to be cancelled because of the pandemic and social isolation, Kerry worked tirelessly to choreograph their first virtual seminar, in just one month’s time, cementing her place as a member of the newly formed tech team. Today, she is helping plan how to hybridize future meetings to be both physical and virtual.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

SVGS Hybrid Meeting Research Team Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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. Over the past year, were were introduced to each of the 2023 award recipients and learned why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the SVGS’s Hybrid Meeting Research Team who were selected by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS) as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Bill Radock, Bob Hendricks, George Ridgeway, Stephen Hutchens, Linda Duffield, Alice Bowden, Rene Vance, Margie Wilson and Rachel Lunden.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, SVGS attracted many new members far beyond their region due to moving their meetings to Zoom. It became apparent that SVGS needed to move to a hybrid meeting experience post-pandemic so no members would be excluded. This was the society’s way of continuing to engage and educate both local and remote members, so they were equally honored as members.

How to accomplish creating these meetings and overcoming the complexities of the technology involved the creation of a “Think Tank” to come up with a solution. Thanks to this team of volunteers SVGS has moved to a hybrid-meeting format, retained its remote members, brought back local “non-Zoom” members, and continued to attract new members. SVGS’s survival and continued ability to provide access to educational and enriching programs is due to the Hybrid Meeting Research Team’s dedicated efforts and vision for a positive and productive future of SVGS.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Beth Snyder Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Beth Snyder of Bellevue, Washington, who were nominated by the Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS).

Beth joined EGS in 2015. In 2016, she was named the SIG coordinator and joined the EGS board. She immediately focused on improving communications between the individual SIGs, the board and the general membership.

In 2019 as co-chair of the program committee, Beth worked to find new program topics and coordinated closely with the Bellevue Regional Library (BRL), our partner organization, to find program topics that would be of interest to EGS members as well as supporting existing library themes. In 2020 as EGS transitioned to using Zoom for its meetings, Beth quickly capitalized on Zoom’s greatly expanded inventory of available program topics that were less expensive and offered more flexible scheduling than in-person presentations.

In 2023 in addition to her role as program chair, Beth began publishing an electronic “Occasional Newsletter” which is intended to improve communications within EGS.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Outstanding Volunteer/Team Nominations Sought

by Roxanne Lowe

It’s that time of year! Time for your society to honor your outstanding volunteers or teams with an Outstanding Volunteer or Team Award. 

  • No later than July 1, 2024: Submit the form and photograph of your honoree(s) to Info@wasgs.org. The narrative (approximately 150 words) should explain the accomplishments of your nominee/team and why you are honoring him/her/them. The photo should be a good quality digital photograph (at least 300 dpi).
  • September 1, 2024: Formal announcement of the recipients will be announced.

A few special notes:

  • Local societies can submit up to two individuals or one teams/projects for special recognition by WSGS. Contact Roxanne Lowe at Info@wasgs.org if you have an extraordinary situation.
  • The Outstanding Volunteer/Team Award program is not a competition – it is locally driven. All nominees from local societies will be honored with an Outstanding Volunteer/Team certificate, but we want these awards to be special, so please don’t nominate your whole society (even though they are outstanding!).
  • Posthumous awards may be considered.
  • If your nominee is camera shy & doesn’t want to have a picture submitted, that’s fine. Also, if you’re unable to snap a picture of your whole team, we’re okay with individual member photos.
  • Nominees may have received an Outstanding Volunteer award previously. Click here for a cumulative list of awardees (alpha by name and by society).
  • Please honor the July 1 timeline for nominations. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work, including reviews, to be done before the announcement on September 1.
  • The nomination form is available here. Please complete one form per person or team.

Additional details and deadlines may be found at the WSGS website here.

Please contact Roxanne Lowe at Info@wasgs.org if you have questions or suggestions.

Kathleen Sizer Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Kathleen Weddle Sizer of Granger, Washington, who were nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Kathy joined YVGS in 1975 and served the public coffee at Indian John Hill Rest Area on I-90 in fundraising.  She has been a librarian since the 1980s and served as vice-president, president, secretary and currently as treasurer of the society. She is also a jack-of-all-trades volunteering in hospitality, yard sales, mowing the lawn, helping clean the library and the past two years has been on the bylaws and standing rules committee updating the society’s rules to match the new State regulations.

Kathy is the current president of WSGS. She has also served WSGS as membership chair since 2017 and past secretary. 

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Nominations for President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement Sought

by Roxanne Lowe

The nomination period for the Washington State Genealogical Society President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is open. Nominations are due by 01 Aug 2024. The announcement will be made 01 Sep 2024.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

The ideal recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement has:

• Exhibited long-term, consistent service in the field of genealogy, family or local history, the genealogical community, records preservation or made an important single contribution in those areas that will endure into the future.
• Demonstrated a high degree of energy, commitment, flexibility, and professional conduct.
• Provided significant support and impact to the local genealogical community time and time again.
• Exhibited personal influence and example to society members and/or the general public with their unselfish service.
• Supported or advanced local or statewide genealogical research.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual, local society or organization, regardless of WSGS membership. Nominees do not have to have been officers in their local societies.

Previous recipients of this prestigious award include:

  • 2015 – Fred Pflugrath, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2016 – Margie Wilson, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
  • 2017 – Joanne Egbert Calhoun, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2018 – Ann Olson, Olympia Genealogical Society
  • 2021 – Helen McGreer Lewis, South King County Genealogical Society (posthumous)
  • 2022 – Jill Morelli. Seattle Genealogical Society
  • 2023 – Karen Mitchell, Clallam County Genealogical Society

Additional information, including the nomination form, is available here. Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please type “President’s Award” in the Subject Line.

Mardi Scott Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Mardi Scott of Wenatchee, Washington, who were nominated by the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society (WAGS).

Mardi has been creating eye-catching bulletin boards for the WAGS Library since 2017. They are inviting and bright, often illustrating a solution to a genealogy problem; sometimes highlighting items from the monthly newsletter; or going wherever her curiosity leads her. In February 2023, she did a delightful board commemorating what would have been her late mother’s 100th birthday. Her work helps make the WAGS Library a welcoming and vibrant place.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.