Kathy Sizer and Jill Scott Elected to WSGS Board

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

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

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

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

New Banner Photos Wanted

Fort Worden Beach
Photo by Donna Potter Phillips

Have you noticed the Blog banner changes every time you visit? The photos are submitted by readers like you — and Donna Potter Phillips of Spokane (& “Let’s Talk About” trivia author). 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.

WSGS Annual Meeting — Thursday, Aug. 31

Don’t forget that you’re invited to the WSGS’s annual meeting! Thursday, August 31, 2023, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Here’s the Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85164040192?pwd=ejZhaG9yaGE4MzZ3bDNnaTA1ZmVZUT09

Meeting ID: 851 6404 0192
Passcode: 816294

Via phone: (253)205-0468,,85164040192#,,,,*816294# US

The agenda will include the announcement of the 2023 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients, as well as the recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. We’ll also talk a little about the WSGS, Pioneer Pursuit and how to get involved.

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

Applications for Historic Cemetery Capital Grant Program Open Sept. 1

The State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation has $500,000 to support the Historic Cemetery Grant Program.

Historic cemeteries benefit the public by preserving outstanding examples of the state’s historical heritage, enabling historic cemeteries to continue to serve their communities, and honoring the military veterans buried within them. As such, this program will award grants up to $50,000 to support historic cemeteries with construction, renovation, or rehabilitation projects that preserve the historic character, features, and materials of the cemetery, or that maintain or improve the functions of the cemetery.

The Historic Cemetery Grant Program is supported by funding from the Washington State Legislature. The grant program is housed within the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) and managed under contract by the Washington Trust.

A few key dates to keep in mind:

Applications open on September 1, 2023
Applications close on October 31, 2023
All applicants will be notified in December 2023
Grant contracts will be drafted in January 2024
Grant-supported projects must be completed by June 30, 2025

To participate in this program, cemeteries must:
Contain five (5) or more burials
Have at least one burial over 50 years old
Be located within Washington State

For more information about this grant opportunity, interested applicants can visit the website here: preservewa.org/cemeterygrants/.

For guidance on the application process, interested applicants can view this Application Walkthrough video: https://youtu.be/t16DMDNrNbg.

Reminder: WSGS Annual Meeting – August 31, 2023

Don’t forget that you’re invited to the WSGS’s annual meeting! Thursday, August 31, 2023, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Here’s the Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85164040192?pwd=ejZhaG9yaGE4MzZ3bDNnaTA1ZmVZUT09

Meeting ID: 851 6404 0192
Passcode: 816294

Via phone: (253)205-0468,,85164040192#,,,,*816294# US

The agenda will include the announcement of the 2023 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients, as well as the recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. We’ll also talk a little about the WSGS, Pioneer Pursuit and how to get involved.

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

You’re Invited to WSGS’s Annual Meeting

You’re invited to the WSGS’s annual meeting! Thursday, August 31, 2023, 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/85164040192?pwd=ejZhaG9yaGE4MzZ3bDNnaTA1ZmVZUT09

Meeting ID: 851 6404 0192
Passcode: 816294

Via phone: (253)205-0468,,85164040192#,,,,*816294# US

One of our most exciting agenda items will be the announcement of the 2023 Outstanding Volunteer and Team recipients! We’ll also talk a little about the WSGS, our programs and services and how to get involved.

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

Sustaining Societies

Sustaining Societies

For years there has been periodic emphasis on “growth of our genealogical societies.” While we always welcome new members, we must not overlook another important task–sustaining the function of our existing societies.

Successful societies have established a mission such as that of SKCGS:

  • Stimulate interest in genealogy and aid individual members in compiling their family records
  • Seek genealogical and historical knowledge
  • Preserve and perpetuate the records of our ancestors
  • Promote the preservation of public and private genealogical materials

While the mission may be tailored to fit the needs of its members by time and location, one thing remains constant–who is sustaining the operation of the society?  Does the society meet the needs of its members?  Who is working behind the scenes to to accomplish that goal?  How do leaders, members and newcomers contribute?

SKCGS works toward our purpose through monthly meetings featuring knowledgeable speakers on a range of topics in the field of family history and genealogical research.  We have an Education Committee who plan an annual program, seek speakers and negotiate contractual details.

Who is on the Education Committee?

We have user groups and special interest groups for assistance with genealogical software, technology and DNA/genetic genealogy. We have this weekly blog with timely articles of interest.

Who is responsible for producing these outlets of information?

 During the Covid pandemic we developed a very successful virtual program and have gained wonderful friends and members throughout the world. The Membership Committee maintains the current database, welcoming new members and sending gentle reminders for renewals.

Who is serving on the Membership Committee?

I can go on by listing the other committees and individuals who operate SKCGS–Publicity, Outreach, Resources, Librarian, Webmaster, etc.  The point is, it takes many individuals to bring you a sustaining and healthy society.

And that is a crucial point, that the society must be able to sustain itself. It is a fact that our membership are an aging population. While our interests may not wane, our physical abilities do become diminished.  We need capable helpers to start filling in.


It is the responsibility of a leader to recruit and train their replacement.  But, in a virtual world such as we have now, how do we find willing volunteers?  How do we get to know people? We still have telephone service. Leaders–look at the membership database and call people. Find someone you haven’t “seen” recently and renew an acquaintance. Or contact a new person to find out if they have a special need–or a special skill.

Your new contact may not be ready to take on a major volunteer role but perhaps would be willing to do a one time job or a small recurring job. Many people are just waiting to be asked to help. They may already be thinking about some way to help the society; they just need a suggestion.

And, new person, please don’t be shy.  If you see a way to help the society please speak up to any of the group leaders with a question or suggestion.  You will not be stepping on any toes by offering to help.

* images courtesy of Pixabay

MaryLynn Strickland

Published with permission from South King County Genealogical Society