Jerald Rogers Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Jerald Rogers of Edmonds, Washington who was selected by the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Jerald has made significant contributions to the success of the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society. As treasurer, he manages the finances, ensuring transparency and stability. He has secured and overseen grants that have bolstered funding and enabled the society to expand their services. Most notable was his work to secure the funding, and assist in the management, of the recently completed Phase I of the Edmonds Tribune-Review digitization project.

Jerald has also taken a hands-on approach in two significant ways regarding SIGS’s library, the Humble House. He has monitored the facilities, ensuring they remain in excellent condition, while liaising with the facility’s owner, the City of Lynnwood, on larger repairs and upkeep tasks. Finally, Jerald serves as a docent lead at the society library, sharing his knowledge and passion with visitors.

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.

You Can File a Claim for Part of 23andMe’s $30 Million Data Breach Settlement Right Now

Reprinted from Eastman’s On-line Genealogy Newsletter, May 13th 2025

Claims are now open for individuals impacted by DNA-tracking company 23andMe’s 2023 data breach, and we’ve got all the details about how to opt in and how much you might be able to get paid.

The San Francisco-based company, which allows people to submit genetic materials and get a snapshot of their ancestry, announced in October 2023 that hackers had accessed customer information in a data breach, but the company didn’t confirm the full extent of the incident until December. Around half of the company’s 14 million people saw their personal information exposed in the leak, which first began in April 2023. 

The lawsuit, filed in January 2024, accused 23andMe of not doing enough to protect its customers. It also accused 23andMe of not notifying certain customers with Chinese or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry that their data was targeted specifically and spread on the dark web. The company opted to settle the suit for $30 million.

“We have executed a settlement agreement for an aggregate cash payment of $30 million to settle all US claims regarding the 2023 credential stuffing security incident,” a 23andMe spokesman told CNET. “We continue to believe this settlement is in the best interest of 23andMe customers, and we look forward to finalizing the agreement.”

Now, a few months on, there’s finally an official method available for you to make your claim and potentially get paid by 23andMe, in some cases as much as $10,000. Keep reading to get all the details you need, and for more, find out why T-Mobile settlement checks have been delayed and see if you’re able to claim a piece of Apple’s Siri privacy settlement.

How many people were affected by the 23andMe data breach?

The settlement could cover roughly 6.9 million 23andMe customers whose data was targeted in the leak. To qualify for the proposed settlement, 23andMe users must also have been a US resident on Aug. 11, 2023.

That 6.9 million number includes around 5.5 million users of 23andMe’s DNA Relatives profiles, which lets users find and connect with genetic relatives. The other 1.4 million people affected by the breach used another service known as Family Tree, which predicts a family tree based on the DNA users share with relatives, 23andMe said.

How much money could you get as part of the 23andMe settlement?

At the top end, 23andMe has said that it will pay out up to $10,000 with an “Extraordinary Claim” to users who can verify that they suffered hardships as a direct result of their information being stolen in the data breach that resulted in unreimbursed costs. This includes costs resulting from “identity fraud or falsified tax returns,” from acquiring physical security systems, or from receiving mental health treatment.

Residents of Alaska, California, Illinois and Oregon who were impacted by the breach can also apply for a payment as part of the proposed settlement, since those states have genetic privacy laws with damages provisions. The payments for these individuals are expected to be around $100, depending on how many people file for them, a settlement document said. 

Also, a smaller subset of affected users whose personal health information was impacted by the breach will be able to apply for a payment of $100.

Infographic credit: Gianmarco Chumbe/CNET; Background image: Jason Doiy/Getty Images

Will the settlement include anything else?

Beyond those payments, 23andMe will also offer impacted users three years of a security monitoring service called Privacy Shield, which filings described as providing “substantial web and dark web monitoring.”

How can I apply for the 23andMe settlement?

In order to file a claim electronically, you can do so using this official online portal from the Kroll Restructuring Administration. An additional online form is available if you would like proof of your claim sent to you.

Potential claimants can also download and print out hard copies of the claim form and proof of claim form if they wish to submit them by mail. If you’re planning to use this method, send your forms to one of the addresses listed on the official claims website. The deadline to make your claim is July 14.

Donna Potter Phillips Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Donna Potter Phillips of Spokane, Washington who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Donna has contributed nearly 50 years of dedication to EWGS. She has held every position on the Board except Treasurer. She has been the driving force for multi-class workshops, an annual Board retreat, keeping scrapbooks and other EWGS materials, the Walking with Ancestors event and the massive Obituary Indexing Project with more than 100,000 records to date.

Donna has written over 40 articles for the EWGS Digital Digest.  She writes weekly Blog articles for EWGS and WSGS. She also volunteers at the library helping the public find their own story.  Her dedication is an inspiration to all of us!

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.

Susan Palmer Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Susan Palmer of Bainbridge Island, Washington who was selected by the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Susan joined the BIGS Board as Director of Programs in April 2022. Selecting topics for and delivering the monthly programs is a major cornerstone of BIGS’ work. Susan jumped in and helped the society move forward with the Zoom platform. She was an essential member of the Hybrid Team to again offer in-person programs. She was instrumental in developing the Zoom registration process. Susan broadened the society’s horizons in the breadth of speakers she engaged, including their first international speaker.

Under her leadership, BIGS was finally able to celebrate its 1st Annual BIGS at the Beach – for members and their families that had been cancelled the previous two years.

Susan developed a very useful planning document, providing speaker and topic information for programs well into the future. This is an effective tool in communicating with the board and the communications team’s use. Susan worked quietly, efficiently, reliably and collaboratively to deliver excellent program results.

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.

Lynne Oliver Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Lynne Oliver of Bellingham, Washington who was selected by the Whatcom Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

With her experience serving on other boards, Lynne has brought relevant experience to her role as treasurer that directly benefits WGS. She does a fantastic job of keeping the society running in a fiscally sound manner and is always willing to jump in and volunteer with other society projects.

In addition to her role as treasurer, Lynne has spent a great deal of time revising the society’s bylaws and presenting the suggested changes to the board for their input.

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.

Access BRILS for Thrills!

Have you heard of Reclaim The Records? If not, you should.  According to their website, Reclaim The Records (RTR) is an activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and journalists that works to identify important genealogical record sets that are not online anywhere and not broadly available to the public. They use state Freedom of Information (FOIA) laws to force government agencies and archives to hand over copies of these records to the public, which RTR’s digitizes and puts online for free use. 

In 2018, RTR filed a FOIA suit for the Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) database against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. After numerous rejections and denials over the years, RTR finally won their lawsuit in 2020 and the records were handed over in 2022.

What is BRILS?

It’s possibly the largest public dataset of deceased U.S veterans, ever, with more than 18 million names, covering veterans who served from the late nineteenth century up through mid-2020. The Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) database was originally created and maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It provides an index to basic biographical information on more than 18 million deceased American veterans who received some sort of veterans benefits in their lifetime, including health care, disability or life insurance policies, educational benefits (the GI Bill), mortgage assistance (VA loans), and more. The BIRLS database includes people who served in all branches of the U.S. military, including some branches that no longer exist, such as the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) and the Army Air Corps, as well as a few associated non-military groups and government agencies, such as NOAA. It even includes files for some non-US nationals, including veterans of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Scouts and Guerillas, who served prior to and during the Second World War.

How Do I Request Information?

RTR built and launched a searchable database for the materials to help people to get files from the government for their relatives and research interests. The records are now online and searchable at BIRLS.org. The site even includes a free Freedom of Information (FOIA) filing system to make it easier to request the records.

Writer’s note: I filed a FOIA request on behalf of my late father (Navy & Coast Guard) on 30 Mar 2025. I’m eagerly awaiting whatever is in his file. It was easy to request and I’m hoping for results in the next few weeks.



23andMe Bankruptcy Information

By now, you’ve probably heard that 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025. As the company maneuvers through the bankruptcy process, including trying to find a buyer, customers may want to check out the following articles.

What the 23andMe Bankruptcy Means for your Data and Genealogy with Amy Johnson Crow (March 2025)

https://genealogybargains.com/turmoil-at-23andme/  with Thomas MacEntee (March 2025)

April 29, 2025 update: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/23andme-will-have-court-appointed-overseer-genetic-data-bankruptcy-2025-04-29/

Kelly Martin Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Kelly Martin of Spokane, Washington who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society as its recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Even though Kelly has been a member of EWGS for only two years, she has jumped right in on a number of different activities. She has been a gene helper in the library, and even substituted for others that were not able to attend their shift. Her knowledge of North Idaho sources has been invaluable to people coming to the library researching that area.

Kelly has started an Irish special interest group, whose goal is to discuss resources and tools to aid Irish genealogical research. She also was one of the participants in the recent “Walking with Ancestors” event. Kelly has been an enthusiastic researcher on the well-known Best family in the library. She portrayed Emily and Edward Best. (Best Road in Spokane Valley was named for them.)

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.

JCGS Research Center Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the JCGS Research Center who was selected by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Pam Wilson, Dave Sachi, Eileen Martin, Harlean Hamilton, Marge Samuelson, Mary Stolaas, Pam Stinson, Cathy Beatty-O’Shea, Kathie Wilkinson, Geri Eekhoff, Elaine Raymond, Ada Kornmeyer, Bobbee Davidson, Sue Atkin, Gene Nelson and Kathy Pool.

This group of volunteers remained actively staffing the JCGS research center in person throughout the COVID era from July 2021 thru January 2023. They have endured Zoom meetings, administrative changes in procedures, snafus with technology, and wearing masks while meeting researchers in person.

This group was formed by the JCGS board asking for volunteers to staff the research center. The project has been long-term, starting after the library re-opened to in-person research in July 2021 and especially through January 2023.

Most of this group is still currently staffing the research center.

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.

EWGS Audio-Visual Team Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Teams in 2024

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 2024 award recipients and learn why they received they received a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the EWGS Audio-Visual Team who was selected by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society as their recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award. The team is composed of Dan Cotton, Julie Roesnoff, Ron Marvin, John Wilson and Duane Beck.

The Audio-Visual team is responsible for the storage, transport, maintenance, inventory, and set-up / take-down of equipment. They are also responsible for ensuring audio and visual capabilities for attendees and presenters of EWGS meetings and seminars for those attending in person and on Zoom.

The team was created in 2020 when in-person meetings could not be held. When regular meetings resumed, they continued to provide the services needed for hybrid meetings.

Members of this team spend countless hours making sure the meetings are available to all and record them for later viewing. They have had to adjust to varied set-up conditions at different locations, and they have worked to resolve any technical difficulties that arose.

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.