Author Archives: Roxanne Lowe

Genealogy Center Art Committee Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Genealogy Center Art Committee that was nominated by the Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS). The team was comprised of Linda Hindes, Carol Foss, Consuelo White and Roberta Griset.

Genealogy Center Art Committee

CCGS acquired a large building for the society.  After a lot of repair, cleaning and painting, it was ready for use, but had large blank walls that were not inviting. The Art Committee has filled those walls with framed historic photographs of the North Olympic Peninsula, donated framed art work offered for sale and art works produced by society members. The end result has been a fascinating pictorial study of the area, decorative art works enlivening dull meeting spaces and an opportunity for members to display their talent.  Visitors to the Center always take a slow walk down the corridor of historic photos and comment on how that illustrates a part of the society’s mission to help others discover and understand their past.

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.”

Cindy Fuerst Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Cindy Fuerst

Today we’re introducing Cynthia “Cindy” Fuerst of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Cindy joined YVGS in 1985 “because Cousin Kathy made me do it.” The genealogy bug hit Cindy hard, but she didn’t have to be hospitalized! Cindy volunteered as librarian one day a week and the Thursday night shift at the old YVGS library at First Christian Church in downtown Yakima across from the police department and next door to Shaw & Sons Funeral Home. The night genealogist had to take the money bag over to the night drop box at the funeral home. Such a brave genealogist!  Later, Cindy moved to the coast with husband Kenny and joined the South King County Genealogical Society. During her time there, she was membership chair and greeter while retaining her membership at YVGS. After moving back to Yakima, she started attending meetings again, became a librarian and served two terms as YVGS’s corresponding 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.

Kathy Erlandson Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Kathy Erlandson of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).

Kathy Erlandson

Kathy is completing her third year (2019-2022) as president of the Olympia Genealogical Society.  She served as vice president the two prior years and earlier served as secretary.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the period of her presidency arguably was one of the more difficult periods for OGS and Kathy’s leadership through it was stellar. Like many other organizations, OGS quickly moved from in-person activities to virtual activities including their Spring Seminar, their major event of the year.

Membership at OGS has increased substantially, and they greatly expanded their Special Interest Groups. In short, OGS not only survived this period, they’ve thrived and Kathy’s skills as a “people person” and her ability to bring people together to get stuff done has been a major factor.  Not only has she been a great leader OGS, she always is ready to jump in to help anywhere needed.

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.

Evergreen Cemetery Team Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Evergreen Cemetery Team that was nominated by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society (NeWGS). The team was comprised of Lora Rose, Jayne Evans, and Jim Witham.

NeWGS’s Evergreen Cemetery Team

This amazing team of volunteers has worked diligently to make the area’s pioneer Evergreen Cemetery a thing of beauty while honoring those interred there. They have done everything from clearing brush, picking up pinecones, mowing and weed whacking, repairing damaged stones, and repairing fence. Lora Rose, the team leader, has also spent hours researching each and every burial, posting information to the NeWGS online Evergreen database and responding to inquiries concerning the inhabitants.  Everything accomplished at the cemetery over the past several years is because of this dedicated team and they make NeWGS very appreciative and very proud.

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.”

EWGS Zoom Team Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Zoom Team that was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS). The team was comprised of John Wilson and Carol Anderson.

Carol Anderson
John Wilson

March 2020 was the last in-person meeting for EWGS until April 2022 when in-person meetings resumed. April, May and June 2020 came and went with everything locked down. Then along came Zoom. Carol Anderson and John Wilson were using Zoom to communicate with their families and determined EWGS meetings could be conducted via Zoom. They reached out to the board by walking each person through the Zoom sign-in process and a new meeting format was born. It was a matter of members teaching other members the sign-in process and John posting the directions on the EWGS website.

Other societies disbanded for lack of vision, but EWGS has prospered adding new members. In April 2022, EWGS had their first hybrid meeting all because of the “can do attitude” of Carol and John.

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.”

Norman Dodge Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Norman Dodge of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).

Norman Dodge

Norman has been a member of the Olympia Genealogical Society for decades. He served as president of the society from 2008 – 2011. He has also been one of those all-important background volunteers. When OGS was meeting in person, he helped with setup and takedown at meetings and other events.

Along with his wife Eileen, he has assisted a great many people with their research and finding “lost” information, ancestors, and other relatives at drop-in genealogy sessions held at the Olympia Timberland Library.

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.

Zimmerman and McLean Re-elected

by Roxanne Lowe
Frank McLean
Valorie Cowan Zimmerman

Congratulations are extended to Valorie Cowan Zimmerman and Frank McLean who were re-elected to WSGS Vice President and Treasurer, respectively. Their terms run through Dec. 31, 2024.

Valorie and Frank, and the rest of the WSGS Board, are anticipating a year filled with growth and service to its members. They are particularly excited about the Pioneer Pursuit Contest which is running now through 31 Oct. 2023. For more about the Pioneer Pursuit Contest, click here.

Eileen Dodge Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Eileen Dodge of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).

Eileen Dodge

Eileen served as president of the Olympia Genealogical Society for a number of years. She was membership chair for several years, as well as the newsletter editor. Eileen was in charge of both goodie bags and door prizes for the OGS seminars for many years and she and her husband Norman are there to help with setup and takedown as well at meetings and other events.

Eileen has also been a presenter at the Beginners Workshops for a number of years. Along with Norman, she has assisted a great many people with their research and finding “lost” information, ancestors, and other relatives at drop-in genealogy sessions held at the Olympia Timberland Library.

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.

Digitization of Historic Newspaper Team Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Digitization of Historic Newspapers Team that was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). The team was comprised of Sue Walde, Michele Heiderer, Suzanne Brown, Ruth Caesar, Karen Looney and Sue McNeil.

Left to right: Karen Looney, Sue McNeil, Ruth Caesar, Sue Walde and Michele Heiderer. Pictured separately, Suzanne Brown

Despite COVID-19, SVGS’s Outstanding Volunteers worked with SmallTownPapers, Inc. to digitize 7,770 pages of The Arlington Times historic newspapers (1895 – 1924) from microfilm. The team reviewed every page to ensure each was posted as accurately as possible on the SVGS website. Roughly 500 corrections were discovered, researched and reposted. The newspapers are an essential source of local history of Arlington and the surrounding Stillaguamish Valley benefiting genealogists, historians and local families for posterity. Now the earliest of the historic Arlington Times newspapers (1895-1924) are freely available to the world at www.stillygen.org.

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.”

Cemetery & Obituary Project Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Cemetery and Obituary Project that was nominated by the Mason County Genealogical Society (MCGS).  The team was comprised of Susie Graham, Elizebeth Lawson, Albert Conklin, Roger Newman, Barbara Moore (posthumous), Stan Graham and Sue Sheldon.

During 2017-18, Susie Graham led the Cemetery and Obituary project team that researched over 7,000 obituaries published in the Mason County Journal from 1915 on and identified where these people were buried. She organized the project and recruited volunteers who read each obituary and sorted them by according to the more than 360 cemeteries they were buried in; or if a cemetery wasn’t mentioned, they looked for which of over 150 funeral homes was used. If neither cemetery nor funeral home was mentioned, the researchers went online, looking for relevant information. One team member, Elizebeth Lawson, deserves special mention for creating an invaluable spreadsheet used to track the data. Currently, the 7,000+ obituaries and 11,000+ headstone photos resulting from this work are published online in Archive-in-a-Box, free to the public.

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”