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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Do you want to broadcast information about your local society, workshop, genealogical tip, or a research query? Just send it to the WSGS Blog and WSGS Meetings and Events! You can reach hundreds of genealogists from around the state. Just email a Word document, text file, PDF or graphic to WSGSBlog@wasgs.org and WebManager@wasgs.org and we’ll do the rest!
We’re always looking to publicize local events and workshops, feature stories, updates from your society, and other genealogical information that might be of interest to our many subscribers and viewers.
We hope to hear from you soon! And don’t forget to encourage your Society members to subscribe to the Blog for the most up-to-date information from around the state.
You may manage your subscription options from your profile.
Jan. 10, 2023: All Nonprofit Annual Report, Formation and Reinstatement filings are back online. We are continuing to process documents in the order they were received, and there will be delays. If your documents were recently submitted, please disregard any automated late notices while we update all records on the website. Please do not resubmit. On Dec. 19, 2022, all Annual Report forms were replaced with instruction sheets, and Annual Reports should be filed online via the Corporations and Charities Filings System. If you have any questions concerning this matter or need to request a form, please let us know by using one of the methods available on the Contact Us page. To log into CCFS, please be sure to refresh and/or remove browser cache before you log in. System requires you to reset your password every 120 days, please follow the prompted steps to reset your password.
2. /blog/2022/07/19/washington-state-non-profit-handbook/ Glad to see this is one of the top posts of 2022, so every non profit can have their own handbook.
3. /blog/2022/10/31/wsgs-announces-pioneer-pursuit-contest/ Lets hope this generates a huge database that can help future genealogists.
19. /blog/2022/08/20/lets-talk-about-heritage-from-the-heartland/ This is a blog post talking about a series of short seminars on research in the Mid West for EWGS
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.
You are free to copy articles to any non-commercial web site or message board or printed publication you wish. Don’t bother to ask permission, just do it.
