Category Archives: Administrative

Don’t Forget to Vote for WSGS Officers

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS members are encouraged to cast their ballot for Vice President and Treasurer by 11:59 p.m., 15 Dec 2024. An email with a Google Forms link was sent on 08 Dec. to your email of record. If you did not receive the email, please email Info@wasgs.org.

Even though LeAnne Koliha and Frank McLean are running unopposed (Vice President and Treasurer respectively), we view your vote as a vote of support for WSGS. There is also an opportunity in the ballot to make suggestions or ideas to support the society. We are reading every comment.

If you want to know more about LeAnne or Frank, read this blog post.

Nominations Sought for Vice President & Treasurer

by Roxanne Lowe

Are you interested in being part of the WSGS Board of Directors? The positions of vice president and treasurer are up for election and we are seeking nominations. The nomination period will close on 15 Nov 2024.

The vice president position provides support to the president. In the case that the president is unable to preside over a meeting or event, the vice president would be required to step in and take his/her place. The vice president also acts as a liaison between the societies and the WSGS president and board, helping to facilitate communications between the board and the societies.

The treasurer manages WSGS financial matters under the direction of the president, executive committee and board of directors.

The two-year terms are from 01 Jan 2025 through 31 Dec 2026. More information on the positions’ duties and responsibilities is available here.

Being a member of the WSGS Board is an excellent opportunity to involve yourself in a statewide organization designed to support local societies and individuals interested in the educational and historical value of genealogical research. And besides that — it’s fun and interesting!

If you’re interested in this opportunity or have questions, please contact WSGS President Kathy Sizer.

2024 WSGS Presidents Award Winner

by Charles Hansen

Roxanne Lowe Named President’s Award Recipient

WSGS President Kathleen Sizer is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement: Roxanne Lowe of Grays Harbor Genealogical Society. The announcement was made at the WSGS Annual Meeting on 30 Aug 2024.

Created in 2015, 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 award is not given every year as it is based on merit and accomplishments. This year, to avoid any conflict of interest, an individual from outside WSGS with professional experience assessing proposals, evaluated the submissions. As you’ll see from reading about Roxanne’s dedication, she is worthy of this recognition.

Roxanne Ferbrache Lowe

Roxanne has been described as energetic, enthusiastic, a cheerleader and a positive influence to members of the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS), as well as the Washington State Genealogical Society (WSGS) and the Washington Presidents’ Council.

Roxanne has been a member of GHGS since 2006. At one of her first meetings, she volunteered to be the newsletter editor and now, more than 100 issues later, she’s still the editor. She also served as president from 2019 – 2023, shepherding the society through the COVID-19 pandemic shut-down and transitioning to hybrid meetings. She similarly led the effort to recover from the 2018 devastating fire that destroyed the Aberdeen Museum of History where GHGS’s research library was housed. She is currently volunteering at the Museum’s warehouse where post-fire artifacts and new donations are being inventoried for a future museum which will also house the GHGS.

Roxanne’s commitment to the genealogy community doesn’t just stay in Grays Harbor. She joined WSGS in 2008 and has served on the WSGS Board of Directors as Recognition and Special Awards Chair and now as Webmaster. She also became an early member of the newly formed Washington Presidents’ Council. She has volunteered frequently to make presentations to community groups and help with one-on-one research.

Roxanne will receive a personalized pen/pencil set. Her name will be added to the perpetual plaque for display at GHGS for the next year.

More about the award

If you want to know more about the qualities needed for this prestigious award, click here. Previous recipients are listed here.

You’re Invited to WSGS’s Annual Meeting

by Roxanne Lowe

You’re invited to the WSGS’s annual meeting! Friday, August 30, 2024, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

In compliance with Washington’s Nonprofit Corporation Act (24.03A), we’re holding our annual meeting.

Here’s the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89375006911?pwd=ohQLJAEtE26bfgGtBIDOVCRbn3hP0F.1

Meeting ID: 893 7500 6911
Passcode: 547652
Via phone: (253) 205-0468,,89375006911#,,,,*547652# US

The agenda will include the announcement of the 2024 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients, President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Supportive Grant awards. We’ll also talk about Pioneer Pursuit, featuring Ralph Brown (who submitted 1,285 pioneers) and Le Anne Koliha (who specialized in Native American research). You’ll also learn more about our Pioneer Pursuit Push to 5,000!

We hope you join us! If you want more information, email Info@wasgs.org.

New Banner Photos Wanted

by Roxanne Lowe

Have you noticed the Blog banner changes every time you visit? The photos are submitted by readers like you — and Jill Morelli of Seattle and Donna Potter Phillips of Spokane. We’re always looking for scenic photos of our beautiful state for the rotating photo gallery on the blog banner.

Guidelines for the photos are few:
•Landscapes, landmarks, and scenery photos are preferred. If, however, you have a perfect photo that includes people, please obtain their permission to post the photo.
•Photo must have been taken in Washington State (this is the Washington State Genealogical Society blog, after all!).
•Photos should be horizontal as they will be cropped to 1100 x 250 pixels. If in doubt, send it to us & we’ll figure it out.
•You may submit as many photos as you want.
•Final decisions on suitable photos will be made by the awesome WSGS Blog Team.
•There’s no prize if your photo is chosen – just the satisfaction that your photo is being showcased on a blog viewed more than 1,000 enthusiastic genealogists.
•There’s no firm deadline to submit photos, just keep ‘em coming. We want to rotate lots of photos to keep the blog fresh.

To submit your photo, please email the image (jpg only, please); what, where, when, and by whom the photo was taken to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org.

Got questions? Email the blog team at WSGSBlog@wasgs.org.

Kathy Sizer and Jill Scott Elected to WSGS Board

by Roxanne Lowe

Congratulations are extended to Kathy Sizer and Jill Scott who were elected recently as WSGS President and Secretary, respectively. Their terms run through Dec. 31, 2025. Kathy will be serving her second two-year term, while Jill is new to the Board. Jill’s election was unanimous and Kathy’s was almost unanimous — one write-in vote for Cynthia Fuerst of Yakima.

Kathy and Jill, and the rest of the WSGS Board, are anticipating a year filled with growth and service to its members. WSGS members are invited to attend (virtually) the monthly board meetings which are the third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. The minutes of each meeting are available in the Members’ Area of the website.

For more information about participating in WSGS, email Info@wasgs.org.

WSGS Secretary Nomination Period Extended

by Roxanne Lowe

The nomination period for the WSGS Secretary position has been extended to January 10, 2024. Current Secretary Roxanne Lowe’s term expires on December 31, 2023 and she has decided not to run for reelection. Current president Kathleen Sizer has been nominated for another two-year term and is running unopposed.

Elections will be conducted online in mid-January. The term of office is January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

The secretary serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. The secretary records the minutes at the society’s monthly board meetings, usually virtually. More information on the position’s duties and responsibilities is available here.

A strong organization is only as strong as its leaders. We encourage you to consider volunteering your time and talent to steer WSGS into a value-added organization. To nominate yourself or someone else or if you want more information, contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Nominations” in the subject line.

Happy New Year

by Charles Hansen

I want to wish everyone here a Happy New Year.

Hope you break through your brick wall, find relatives you never knew existed, volunteer at your local genealogical society or library. Note WSGS is looking for a new Secretary for 2024.

This is a postcard from Ella Frances (Dillingham) DeRemer first cousin to Anna M. (Dillingham) Hansen my grandmother. This postcard is from my uncle Leigh E. Hansen’s postcard collection, and he was born November 30, 1913 one month before this postcard was mailed.

It’s Time to be Part of WSGS

by Roxanne Lowe

Have you renewed your WSGS dues? If you have, thank you — we’re glad you’re still with us!

If you haven’t renewed, we’ve made it easy! You can do everything online by clicking on the Members Only tab on the left navigation bar on any page of the WSGS website, then going to “Profile.” From there, click on the green “Renew Membership” button and follow the prompts. Easy peasy!

If you aren’t a member of the WSGS yet, it’s just as easy: click on “Join/New Member” on the left navigation bar. It’s only $12 per year (January – December).

Of course, if you’d rather use the mail, that’s okay, too — just mail your membership form to:

Washington State Genealogical Society
Kathy Sizer, Membership Chair
1901 S. 12th Avenue
Union Gap, WA 98903