Category Archives: Administrative

Most Read Posts of 2021

by Charles Hansen

Well another year gone. I have listed the top ten most read posts from 2021. Number one does not surprise me as many Washington genealogical societies were using the Easy Net Site. Number two has amazed me every year since 2015, and it pops up every so often as a weekly top ten most read post. I am glad to see Scribe and Roots Tech are on the list. Small Town Newspapers and Donation Land Claims are good posts. Cindi is always a top draw so not surprised she made the top ten. The Wenatchee seminar on the Central Regional Branch Archives was the only genealogical society monthly meeting to make the top ten. I was also glad the post I did on the IRS Form 990-n made the top ten as that form is very important to make sure your society keeps the non profit status it worked so hard to get.

  1. https://wasgs.org/blog/2020/12/15/please-read-if-your-society-uses-an-easy-net-site/
  2. https://wasgs.org/blog/2015/06/04/university-of-washington-genealogy-class/
  3. https://wasgs.org/blog/category/2021-seminars-conferences/
  4. https://wasgs.org/blog/2021/06/23/scribe/
  5. https://wasgs.org/blog/2021/02/16/the-road-to-roots-tech/
  6. https://wasgs.org/blog/2021/02/17/seattle-genealogical-society-tip-of-the-week-small-town-newspapers/
  7. https://wasgs.org/blog/2021/08/02/historic-washington-donation-land-claims-at-gfo/
  8. https://wasgs.org/blog/2021/09/21/heritage-quest-research-library-presents-cindi-ingle/
  9. https://wasgs.org/blog/2021/08/04/wenatchee-area-genealogical-society-central-regional-branch-archives/
  10. https://wasgs.org/blog/2021/02/24/form-990-n/

Don’t Forget to Vote for WSGS Officers

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS members are encouraged to cast their ballot for President and Secretary by 11:59 p.m., 24 Dec 2021. An email with the SurveyMonkey link was sent on 16 Dec. to your email of record. If you did not receive the email, please email Info@wasgs.org.

Even though Kathy Sizer and Roxanne Lowe are running unopposed (President and Secretary 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 Kathy or Roxanne, read this blog post.

WSGS President & Secretary Nominee Statements

by Roxanne Lowe

Kathleen “Kathy” Weddle Sizer of Granger has been nominated to serve as WSGS President. To learn more about Kathy, click here.

Additionally, Roxanne Ferbrache Lowe of McCleary has been nominated as Secretary. To learn more about Roxanne, click here. The term of offices is 01 Jan 2022 through 31 Dec 2023.

Online voting for the slate will begin 17 Dec 2021 and run through 24 Dec. All WSGS members will receive an email with a SurveyMonkey link to their anonymous ballot. Members are asked to vote for each position. Write-in nominations are allowed.

Kathy’s statement:

Through the years it has been harder and harder to fill board positions.  Many enjoy the benefits of organizations and clubs but few find the time to run for office.  I am running for President to fill a need; I enjoy being the “play crew” and not the “actor” but see the need.

Washington State Genealogical Society has been a driving force for many years and can be for many more.  Our focus has gone from helping form societies and hosting seminars with noteworthy speakers to being a clearinghouse promoting our many great societies here in our state and helping them to advertise their seminars, workshops and meetings.  I and others have attended events other societies have put on over the years due to the fact that WSGS has promoted these events for the local societies.  I wish to see this continue as each society has something to offer all of us and WSGS has made it easy for me as well as you to find events and attend those that will benefit genealogical research.

WSGS not only promotes local societies but has financially helped local societies through various grants and one-time gifts through the dues our loyal members have paid.  Thank you members!

WSGS is embarking on updating the Pioneer Files for Washington State, an ambitious project but a boon for those with early families to our state.  Let’s keep Washington State Genealogical Society relevant!

Roxanne’s statement:

I am a proud member of the Washington State Genealogical Society. Although the last few years have seen many changes and a few up’s and down’s, I believe the society is still relevant and supportive of local societies around the state.

We know the way we do business is changing. I will always be a strong advocate of local societies, but see a valuable role for a statewide umbrella, providing financial support, special programs, advocacy, recognition and/or communication.

Every organization is only as strong as its leadership and members. WSGS is listening to you, whether you’re in a local society or not. We want to support you in ways that are value-added to you.

I appreciate your support in being elected Secretary of the Washington State Genealogical Society.

Deadline for Supportive Grant Application is Oct. 31

by Roxanne Lowe

Societies: The application deadline for WSGS’s new Supportive Grant is Sunday, October 31. Societies are urged and encouraged to submit applications for one of the two $250 grants designed to fill a societal need or support a special project.

The simple application is only one page and is available here. There is also additional guidance on the program. For more information, visit our website at http://www.wasgs.org/cpage.php?pt=49.

Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please note “Supportive Grant” in the Subject Line. The winners will be announced on November 11, 2021.

WSGS Supportive Grant Deadline — October 31

by Roxanne Lowe

It’s not a trick — only a treat. The deadline for WSGS Supportive Grant applications is October 31.

WSGS is awarding two $250 Supportive Grants to local genealogical societies for special projects or purchases. The grants are designed to fill a need or support a special project of WSGS-member societies and organizations.

The simple application is only one page and is available here. There is also additional guidance on the program. For more information, visit our website at http://www.wasgs.org/cpage.php?pt=49.

Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please note “Awards” in the Subject Line.

Supportive Grants Are Waiting For You

by Roxanne Lowe

If your local genealogy society needs financial assistance for a special project or purchase, consider applying for a WSGS Supportive Grant. Applications are being accepted through October 31, 2021.

The grants, up to $250 each, are designed to fill a need or support a special project of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Ideas are limited only by societies’ creativity. Some ideas include:

  • Equipment, such as video camera, microphone, tripod, mixing board, or screen, as your society moves to hybrid meetings.
  • Purchase of furniture, equipment, books, magazines or other publications/ subscriptions for an existing or new society library.
  • Locating, inventorying, restoring and/or preserving a local cemetery.
  • Hosting a special event, presentation, or workshop.
  • Purchasing genealogical-related software, scanner, projector, peripherals or other equipment or technology.
  • Developing a project serving special populations, e.g. senior citizens, children/teens, tribal members, ethnic organizations, etc..
  • Restoring and/or preservation of photos or original documents.
  • Identifying and unifying old photos, Bibles, quilts, letters or other significant memorabilia with family members, museums, or other good homes.
  • Creation of a website, blog or other communication tool.
  • Publication of local history or narratives.

The awards do not have to be repaid — they’re yours to support worthy projects. Two grants will be awarded in 2021.

The simple application is only ONE page and is available here. There is also additional guidance on the program. For more information, visit our website at http://www.wasgs.org/cpage.php?pt=49.

Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please note “Awards” in the Subject Line.

Ginny Majewski Announces She’s Not Running For WSGS President

by Roxanne Lowe

Virginia “Ginny” Majewski has announced she will not seek another term as president of the Washington State Genealogical Society. President since January 2017, Ginny feels it’s time to pass the gavel to someone else.

In a recent interview, Ginny was asked her proudest accomplishments in her five-year tenure. She replied:

Finding ways to help genealogical societies in Washington State through these difficult times. I am very proud of the financial support we provided to all of the genealogy societies during the Covid epidemic. Although WSGS could not give much to each society, in total we distributed over $10,000 to 40+ societies. I would like to think it helped keep some of our societies alive.

Also, I was honored to work with DSHS and with the IJGS and FGS to keep access to vital records in Washington State open for genealogists. Although we did not get everything we wanted, we were able to maintain access rather than have vital records be totally closed for 50-100 years. That process took over a year of conference calls and legislative interactions, but was worthwhile in the long run.

When asked where she hoped WSGS would go in the future, she expressed her optimism:

WSGS has found its niche. We are here to help genealogical societies and be a conduit for genealogical information. My hope for the future is that WSGS will be THE go-to place when searching for genealogical resources, information and activities in Washington State. I would like to see our website become more interactive and our blog have more contributions and highlight society events. I would also love to see us find a way to honor our wonderful society volunteers again.

If you think Ginny is going to end her presidency quietly, you’re wrong. Her parting comment was “I am looking forward to announcing WSGS’s plans for honoring our Pioneer ancestors next month.” We’re looking forward to that!

If you’d like to read more about Ginny, check out this “Meet the Board” article.

The WSGS Board is looking for members to serve on a nominating committee. If you’re interested in this very important short-term opportunity, please email the Board at Info@wasgs.org and type “Nominating Committee” in the subject line.

Form 990-N

by Charles Hansen
Simple 990
Hello there, this is a simple reminder that you may now file your annual Form 990-N form for Your Genealogical Society
Paper airplane image If you are not responsible for filing the Form 990-N for YOUR GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, please forward this email to the appropriate party. Refresh
If you already filed, please disregard this email. Paper airplane image The IRS e-file system began processing business returns for the 2020 tax year on January 8th, 2021.

New Blog Banner Photos Posted

by Roxanne Lowe

Have you noticed the Blog banner changes every time you visit? The photos are submitted by readers like you — and Trish Hackett Nicola and Sue Schack Jensen and Jo-Anne Huber.

Horses in Vantage. Photo by Trish Hackett Nicola.

Thank you, Trish, Sue and Jo-Anne, for your contributions.

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!).
•Photo will be cropped to 1100 x 250 pixels, so keep that in mind. 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 by hundreds of 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.