CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRISTINE SCHOMAKER, SGS VOLUNTEER OF WINTER QUARTER
It has been a long time coming to celebrate this longtime member and volunteer. Christine Schomaker joined SGS in 1997 and immediately became a Desk Volunteer, which grew to a weekly gig in 2001 when she had her first Board position. For the last 17 years (give or take a few) she has served the Board in many roles including: Director of Operations, Treasure, Director of Library and most recently, Director of Membership, which was moved to a Chair position outside of Board duties. That move finally allowed her to be nominated and accepted by the Board.
Christine Schomaker continues managing the responsibilities of maintaining membership the same as before keeping track and maintaining the membership roster. She can explain a lot about the statistics upon request. At any in-person event during membership renewal time, it isn’t unusual to see her sliding a letter opener through an envelope to collect new membership dues or renewal payments that still come through the USPS mail.
It’s safe to say, her hand goes up whenever help is needed. She has helped chair committees, assists with publishing, mailing, or emailing the SGS Journal (formerly Bulletin), as well as newsletters, syllabi, and publicity fliers. At one time she also managed the fundraising book sales at in-person SGS Seminars.
Schomaker served as Webmaster for the first SGS website and continues to assist in maintaining and improving what is now the third edition website. She is also a loyal Desk Volunteer nearly every Tuesday and serves as Class and Event Registrar which can keep her busy before, during and after Seminars and classes.
When asked what she enjoys about volunteering with SGS Schomaker said, “Serving on the Board has given me the opportunity to get to know and learn from many dedicated and long-term SGS members and I like having a hand in planning programs to benefit all of us on our genealogical journeys.”
In the 27 years of membership and participation, Schomaker has also gained experience and knowledge attending Second Saturday programs. “I like the camaraderie of in-person activities, open houses and SGS Seminars,” and “there are all the online Special Interest Groups, so convenient to attend. I’m a member of several and I try to squeeze in as many as I can.”
Christine’s own family research is focused on finding parents for Overton Harris (c1785-c1818) of Albemarle Co, Virginia and identifying the origins of John Chittum/Cheatham (c1737-1834) of Rockbridge Co Virginia. Requests for information about these men and their families has led to Tennessee, North Carolina, and now Maryland. Original records and newspaper articles have yielded many small discoveries but Schomaker is still searching for that breakthrough document.
Her other interests include: Birding, Botany, Astronomy, Wordle, and Sudoku.
Schomaker began sharing a dual SGS membership with her husband, Eric in 2005. They have 3 adult children and recently traveled to California to celebrate a grandson’s first birthday.
SECOND SATURDAY:
LOOK AT HOUSE HISTORIES
Have you ever wondered about the history behind a building or property? Join us for an informative presentation where Midori Okazaki, Archivist from the Puget Sound Regional Archives, will guide us through the process of uncovering the stories behind the walls.
From historical records to architectural clues, this session will provide insight into how you can trace the history of a building, whether it’s a family home or local landmark with an intriguing past. Learn how to use maps, deeds, censuses, and other resources to paint a full picture of a property’s historical significance.
images courtesy Library of Congress and
Ian MacDonald, Ismael Paramo, Ahmed Muntasir and Steven Cordes /Unsplash
ANCESTOR ART PROJECT
| image courtesy Sheyna Watkins Once living memory of a person fades, paper records are often all that remains of their life. SGS eNews editor Sheyna Watkins made this image of her great grandmother that she never knew using the documents about her. Although a photograph of her was used as a reference, this image includes no photograph. Watkins used Adobe Photoshop to make this montage, but this same project can also be done by cutting and gluing photocopied and printed out records. Try it yourself, or adapt it as an activity for kids. Start by outlining the clothing, hair, head and eyes … (trace from a photo if you need to). Next, cutout the parts from the drawing and use them as a pattern to cutout parts of the documents to make your montage. Glue the pieces on a separate piece of paper to make the finished portrait. SAVE THE DATE Fiske Genealogical Library Classes Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. • Nov. 6 — “Missing: Reward! Locating Widows, Spinsters, and Bachelors” with Sara Cochran • Nov. 13 — “Finding Treasures in NewspaperArchive” with Mary Kircher Roddy • Nov. 20 — “MyMaps: Create a Map of Your Family’s Migration West” with Janet O’Conor Camarata For more information see the Fiske Library website. Ten Steps to Writing and Publishing Your Family History American Ancestor of New England Historic Genealogical Society Thursday, Nov. 14, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Writing and publishing your genealogy is a fantastic way to preserve your family history for future generations and to share it with others. Join American Ancestors Vice President of Publishing, Sharon Inglis, as she discusses her top tips for writing and publishing your family history. Family Tree Maker SIG Eastside Genealogical Society Nov. 15, 2024, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 p.m. Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev. The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance. You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting. 2024 GFO Virtual Fall Seminar Genealogical Forum of Oregon Eastside Genealogical Society Friday, Nov. 1 through Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 GFO has announced there 2024 Fall Seminar. It will feature a feast of DNA topics. Genetic Genealogist Paul Woodbury will discuss using DNA to solve genealogical questions. Friday evening will be a beginner session, with Saturday devoted to intermediate and advanced techniques. For more information visit the GFO’s website. SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 206 522-8658Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday ** 10:00 a.m .- 3:00 p.m. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, 10:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com Sunday, Nov. 3, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join. Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. Remember the new Zoom link started this month. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, 11:00 a.m., SGS Tour of NW African American Museum (Field Trips), we invite you to join us there on a guided tour to learn more about Black heritage, including how African Americans got to the Pacific Northwest. Register here by Nov. 4. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, 1:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Walls That Talk: How to Research the History of Your House,” Presented by Midori Ozaki. From historical records to architectural clues, this session will provide insight into how you can trace the history of a building, whether it’s a family home or local landmark with an intriguing past. Register here. Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. Remember the new Zoom link started this month.Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link. Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact SGS Director of Education (education@seagensoc.org). Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. Wednesday, Nov 13 2024, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., MAC Computer SIG, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. View SGS calendar for details on joining this group. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, German SIG (Virtual), Share what you know OR get help with problems in your own research. Topic this month: German Emigration Records. Register on the SGS website. Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. Remember the new Zoom link started this month.Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., “Pass It On” Writers’ Group, Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. Please note: The Writers’ Group is at the maximum number of participants and is not currently accepting any new members. Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. Remember the new Zoom link started this month.Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help. Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join. Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. Remember the new Zoom link started this month.Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, 10:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com. Join SGS Today* to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page and click the green renew membership button. November 1, 2024 SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews! forward this email to a friend |
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Tina Beaird is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is a Genealogy & Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Library in Plainfield, IL. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in Archives/Preservation from Dominican University. Tina has won multiple research and digitization grants to preserve and digitize historic documents and photographs. 
