THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition September 5, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Workshop this Sunday- Newspaper Resources at GFO

There are still a few seats available! Newspapers can provide information about births, deaths, marriages, moves, business, naturalizations, court cases, and more. The GFO provides access to several newspaper subscription sites, plus additional databases. Join GFO’s Janice Sellers for a half-day workshop to get an overview of what is available and techniques to help improve your chances of finding information about your relatives. Janice is a professional genealogist who specializes in forensic, Jewish, Black, and newspaper research. The session will be held in the GFO Library, Sunday, September 8, from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. For more detailed information, download the flyer. Registration is $25.00 for GFO members, $30.00 for non-members.

Register Here

GFO Fall Seminar – Just One Month Away!

It won’t be long until the 2019 GFO Fall Seminar, featuring Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG! This will be an exceptional educational opportunity that we are exited to bring to our membership and the community at large. Dr. Juengling is an Accredited Genealogist® (through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) for Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, and he is certified by the Verband deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen. He is also a German, Dutch, and Scandinavian Research Consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The full-day session on Saturday, October 5th, will be held at the Center for Self Enhancement (3920 N. Kerby Ave., Portland) and will focus on German Research, while the half-day presentation at the GFO Library on Sunday, October 6th, will provide an introduction to Dutch research. Download the flyer for full details. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and register early!

Register Now

Free “First” Monday is here again!

Don’t forget, due to our Labor Day closure, this coming Monday the GFO Library is free to everyone as we will hold our monthly Free First Monday on September 9th. Plus, we’re now open late until 8:00 p.m. that day. Please tell your friends. We’d love to see them.

Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society – September Meeting

Craig Hector, sexton of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Cemetery in The Dalles, will be sharing photos and stories of the IOOF organization and its unique history and values at the Saturday, September 14 meeting of the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society. The meeting will be held from 10:30 a.m.- Noon at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, Oregon. Craig will also be sharing some “cemetery tales” from local IOOF cemteries. A $1.00 donation for room rental is kindly appreciated.

PMUG’s Biannual Event: Fall MacCamp October 11-13

The Portland Macintosh User’s group presents its three-day Fall MacCamp, which offers a solid overview of Apple’s upcoming Operating System updates. There are SO MANY changes in macOS Catalina, iOS 13, plus the introduction of the brand new iPadOS, you really need to prepare before migrating to these exciting new updates. Special Offer: GFO membership saves you the additional $42 PMUG membership fee that is usually added to MacCamp registration for non-members.

Cost: $175.00 for a shared room, or a single for $40 more. Includes all classes, dinner Friday, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. MacCamp is held at Oral Hull Park outside of Sandy Oregon, which features gardens and walking paths to explore throughout the weekend. Bring your laptops and iPads to participate in classes. For questions, more information, or to register, refer to the flyer. It provides complete details as well as a link for the application for the camp.

Survey Results: Natural Disasters

There were only a few responses to our query about other natural disasters that impacted ancestors. Here are a few of the comments we received. My grandmother told me her brother sent her scurrying out the barn door and into the house when a storm came up. He was in the doorway of the barn when lightning struck and he died. He was engaged at the time. My uncle was the victim of a landslide in 1940, but he wasn’t my ancestor. My family, including me, survived Hurricane Eloise in 1975. We but rode out the storm 11 miles from our home, in my father’s automotive garage business, which was in a solidly built concrete building. During the three days we were stuck there, my mother was zapped by lightning once while talking on the phone.

New Survey: Transportation Accidents

You asked for a survey about shipwrecks, train wrecks, and more. So, here it is! Help us wrap up our disaster survey theme with a bang! To learn more about all types of disasters in U.S. history, check out the GenDisaster website.

Take the Survey Now This week at GFO …

Saturday, September 7th Virginia Interest Group 10:00 a.m. – Noon After catching up with everyone’s summer, we will have discussions about Jamestown and the 1619 Project. We will also be planning for future meetings, so come ready to discuss your research goals. For more information see our blog: Virginia Roots and Vines. You can also reach this group’s leaders, Judi Scott and Carol Currency, at virginia@gfo.org. German Interest Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. German Immigration to America in the Mid-1800s (Heidi Mathis) The German Interest Group was formed in the spring of 2011. It is intended to be a source of information and inspiration for anyone with German speaking ancestors. One goal is to provide information on a variety of topics related to Germanic history and migration. We also will provide time for members to share their research journeys and connect with others who may be researching the same region or time period. For questions or more information, contact german@gfo.org. Sunday, September 8th Workshop: Using Subscription Newspaper Websites at the GFO Library 9:30 a.m. – Noon Newspapers can provide information about births, deaths, marriages, moves, business, naturalizations, court cases, and more. The GFO provides access to several newspaper subscription sites, plus additional databases. This class gives an overview of what is available and techniques to help improve your chances of finding information about your relatives. Presenter: Janice Sellers. Registration is required for this event. Monday, September 9th GFO Free Monday We are open free to the public 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 10th Board Meeting 6:10 – 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, September 11th PMUG College 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tonight’s topic: Ten Crucial Questions about macOS * How is the Apple menu used? * How to combat Malware * How do I keep my software up to date? * What does Auto Save do? * Using Dropbox * Where is Keychain Access & Activity Monitor? * What is Disk Utility for? * iCloud around home or out on the web * Can I back up my data in case the computer fails? * Does my computer have Emoji and other symbols? * How can I get other language characters? … And more! Free for GFO Members. Bring your Mac to participate with instruction. If you would like additional information about this class, please email college@pmug.org GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition August 29, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Labor Day Closure Delays Free Monday

Please remember that the GFO Library will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 2. Our usual Free First Monday for the public will be honored one week later on Monday, Sept. 9.

Newspaper Research: Do You Know What GFO Offers?

Newspapers can provide information about births, deaths, marriages, moves, business, naturalizations, court cases, and more. The GFO provides access to several newspaper subscription sites, plus additional databases. Join GFO’s Janice Sellers for a half-day workshop to get an overview of what is available and techniques to help improve your chances of finding information about your relatives. Janice is a professional genealogist who specializes in forensic, Jewish, Black, and newspaper research. The session will be held in the GFO Library, Sunday, September 8, from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. For more detailed information, download the flyer. Registration is $25.00 for GFO members, $30.00 for non-members.

Register Here

Fall Seminar Needs Raffle Donations!

As we prepare for our upcoming Fall Seminar this October, can you help? We need items for our raffle. Do you have anything to donate? If your item is not new, it must be in exceptionally good condition for us to be able to offer it. Suggestions include genealogically-related books, household decorations, carry bags, certificates toward GFO membership or research costs, and computer items. Leave the item(s) at the library reception desk with a donation form noting that it’s a donation for the seminar treasures raffle. At the seminar, tickets are sold for $1 each or 6 for $5, and they are placed in separate paper sacks for each prize, so you win only something you want. Thanks so much!

Jewish Genealogy Presentation

The GFO’s own Janice Sellers will be delivering a presentation entitled “Jewish Genealogy: How Is This Research Different from All Other Research?” at the upcoming September meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State. The meeting will be held beginning at 7:15 p.m. Monday evening, September 9, 2019, at the LDS Factoria Building, 4200 124th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006 Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for all to enjoy the extensive JGSWS Library’s genealogical resources, including free access to the Family History Center computers and genealogical websites! Free Wi-Fi is available. Come early to network with other attendees!

Columbia County Conference Features GFO Speakers

There’s a genealogy conference coming up next month in our own backyard. The St. Helens Public Library is offering a full day of genealogy classes in its Bridges to the Past conference on Saturday, September 21. You can choose from a cavalcade of GFO stars to hear from. Every single speaker is a GFO Member! Kate Eckman offers the keynote address. Laurel Smith teaches four classes, Gerry Lenzen two, and Janice Handsaker and Sue LeBlanc each teach one. Oh, and here’s a really special feature. This conference is entirely free to attend! Registration is limited. Only 80 seats are available. If you would like to attend, you may register here.

Multnomah County Library Class: The Historical Oregonian

The Historical Oregonian is an amazing resource for finding obituaries, death and funeral notices, and even researching your house history. The Multnomah County Library will be offering a class to help you learn the skills and techniques for searching this computer-based archive of local newspaper articles. There will be two offerings of this class. Registration is currently open for the class offering at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at the Central Library Computer Learning Center, 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205. Registration will open September 1, 2019 for a second offering of the class to be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the Library’s Belmont Reading Room, 1038 SE César E. Chávez Boulevard, Portland, OR 97214. Seats are limited and you can register here.

Railroad Expert Explains Train Dilemmas Near GFO

Fifty-year railroad industry employee Bill Burgel gave an eye-opening presentation at the Ford Food & Drink cafe above the GFO library on Monday about why we see so many trains blocking the roads near the Ford Building. Bill did not speak on behalf of any company, but he’s been intimately involved in rail operations in Portland for years, so he knows the ins and outs of the rail lines and roads. Thirty-six people came out to hear him, including State Representative Rob Nosse and employees of the city of Portland.

GFO President Vince Patton spoke up for our 1088 members, expressing concern about the safety risk of people getting trapped – literally – either on 11th Ave., or in the parking lot, by the stopped trains. Vince says he was “gobsmacked” by a couple of details: Trains leaving the Brooklyn Yard just southeast of the GFO can stretch to 8,000 feet – more than 1.3 miles long. Before a train leaves, a brakeman must do an important safety test at the rear of the train, then walk more than a mile to the front of the train before it can move. Vince says he was dumbfounded to learn that the Union Pacific considers this the most efficient way to operate. Next time you see a train parked for 45 minutes to an hour, there’s a good bet they’re waiting for the brakeman to walk the entire length of the train.

Surplus Book: French Cookery of 1950

Sometimes we receive books that have nothing at all to do with genealogy. Here’s a perfect example. The Home Book of French Cookery by Mme. Germain Carter includes a foreword by T. C. Rapp, British Ambassador to Mexico. Carter wrote this recipe book in 1950, eleven years before Julia Child released her tome on French Cooking. What is most remarkable is that she wrote the bulk of it while a prisoner of war during World War II, exiled to four different internment camps, as Germany controlled her French countryside.

Rapp, who was imprisoned with her, writes, “unbelievably succulent food was produced from the contents of Red Cross parcels (and how sought-after were the occasional American and Canadian parcels with their tin of real butter!)” Read about her remarkable story, and learn the cooking at which she excelled. Recipes include Duck with Orange, Veal Cutlets with White Wine, Potato Croquettes, and Hasty Cake. This 278 book features recipes and suggested menus for all seasons. This book is in sound, sturdy condition, with a few stains on pages and many yellowed edges from age. Someone previously (and oddly) encased the cover in shelf paper. Your price to pickup at the GFO Library: $14 Price to mail it: $19 Contact booksales@gfo.org if you’d like to buy it. (Please don’t just come to the library to get it.)

Survey Results: Fire Survivors

Not many of you reported the impact of fire on your ancestors. Percentages approximate:

5% forest fire 5% major city fire 45% other fire events 45% don’t know But those who responded shared stories of loss and survival. (Responses have been edited for brevity) A Christmas Eve fire broke out in my grandparents’ house while they were babysitting an infant cousin. Everyone survived unharmed and my cousin has a tale for her children and grandchildren. My maternal grandfather lost his first wife and their two infant children to a coal oil explosion/stove fire in 1888. He then married his second wife (my maternal grandmother) in 1895. My great-grandmother’s skirts caught fire while she was cooking … She was badly burned and although it was 1924, they did skin grafts, and these were effective. It is amazing to me that she lived before antibiotics. My great-grandparents had just immigrated from Switzerland. They were living in Bakeoven, Wasco County with their first child. A chimney fire chased them out of the house, and they lost everything. But Aunt Minnie always said, “They saved the most precious thing, me!” Bakeoven, remains today only as a cemetery.

New Survey: Other Natural Disasters

If we haven’t hit on a natural disaster that impacted your ancestors—perhaps this is the week for you: Landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and more.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Sunday, September 1st Library Work Party – Manuscripts 9:00 a.m. – Noon Explore our manuscript, personal papers and Bible collection while we organize, scan and create finding aids. Drop by at the time that works for you. Questions? Send a note to manuscripts@gfo.org. Monday, September 2nd GFO is closed in observance of Labor Day. Our usual Free First Monday for the public will be honored next week on Monday, Sept. 9. Tuesday, September 3rd Italian Ancestry Group 10:00 a.m. – Noon This month’s topic: Find your ancestor’s naturalization records. Your Italian immigrant ancestor’s journey to U.S. citizenship comes alive in U.S. naturalization records. Learn the twists and turns your ancestor navigated when we learn about the naturalization process, what laws governed the application process, and where to find this genealogy gold during the Great Migration of paesani from Italy 1880 – 1924. Instructor: Nancy Bronte Matheny. If you have questions or want more information, email italian@gfo.org. Wednesday, September 4th Learn & Chat 10:00 a.m. – Noon Co-facilitator Sandy Alto aptly named Learn and Chat as a “genealogy self-help” group. We are reconvening after the traditional summer hiatus. Please bring tales of your latest genealogy related adventures and a wish list of subjects to build our calendar. If you have questions or want more information, email learnandchat@gfo.org. DNA Q&A Beyond the Basics 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Emily Aulicino will be joining us and giving her presentation “DNA Led the Way: A Y-DNA Case Study” Do you have Y-DNA matches for which you cannot find the common ancestor(s) even though the genealogy time frame is reasonable? Have you hunted all over the web to find the answer, but are still fighting that brick wall? Learn how several Y-DNA matches were able to find their common ancestor(s) in just one day! You can download the handout here. Lisa McCullough leads this group..Questions? dna_qa@gfo.org GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition August 22, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Newspapers Galore: Do You Know What GFO Offers?

Did you know the GFO offers access to two different databases filled with historic newspapers? We pay for Newspapers.com and Genealogy Bank, both of which would cost you a pretty penny at home. What’s the difference between the two? Here’s a great way to find out how to get the most out of each. Join Janice Sellers for a half-day workshop, Using Subscription Newspaper Websites at the GFO Library. The session will be held in the GFO Library, Sunday, September 8, from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. Click here for more detailed information. Registration is $25.00 for GFO members, $30.00 for non-members.

Register Here

Register for GFO Fall Seminar!

The 2019 GFO Fall Seminar, featuring Fritz Jeungling, Ph.D., AG, will be an exceptional educational opportunity that we are exited to be bringing to our membership and the community at large. Dr. Juengling is an Accredited Genealogist® (through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) for Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, and he is certified by the Verband deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen. He is also a German, Dutch, and Scandinavian Research Consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The full-day session on Saturday, October 5th, will be held at the Center for Self Enhancement (3920 N. Kerby Ave., Portland) and will focus on German Research, while the half-day presentation at the GFO Library on Sunday, October 6th, will provide an introduction to Dutch research. Download the flyer for full details. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and register early!

Register Here

NGS and FGS Announce Intent to Merge

In a historic move, the boards of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announced on August 21st, 2019, their intent to merge. The two organizations, both non-profit leaders in the dynamic genealogy industry, will form one consolidated group that will continue to operate as the National Genealogical Society. Both boards approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this week, and jointly announced the news at the Opening Session of the FGS Family History Conference in Washington, D.C. Leaders of both organizations believe this merger will serve the genealogy community by improving support of both individual members and societies in the pursuit of genealogical excellence. The organizational structure of NGS will be modified to increase functions that support genealogical societies and family organizations. Digitization projects of genealogical importance such as the War of 1812 pensions will continue. The two groups will continue to operate independently while all details of the merger are completed, no later than October 1, 2020. Plans are still in place to hold the annual FSG Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2020. Starting in 2021, the combined organization will hold one conference with four full days of genealogical lectures and a fifth day dedicated to society management topics. We will keep you apprised as plans continue to develop.

BCG to Host Six Free Webinars

The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) will host six free webinars live from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 6 September 2019. The hour-long webinars begin at 11 a.m. U.S. Eastern time (9 a.m. Mountain time, 1500 GMT) and continue throughout the day.

The sponsored lecture series is in memory of BCG’s former trustee and vice president, Joy Reisinger, Certified Genealogist Emeritus. The schedule for the lectures and broadcasts is: 11 a.m Eastern time. Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, “Reasonably Exhaustive Research: The First Criteria for Genealogical Proof.” 12:15 p.m. Eastern time. Martha Garrett, PhD, CG, “Finding Immigrants Who ‘Disappeared’: A Research Approach Based on Recognizing and Challenging Assumptions.” 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, “Share and Share Alike: The Rules of Genealogical Privacy.” 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. Karen Stanbary, CG, “Details of New and Modified DNA-Related Standards.” 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. Melinda Henningfield, CG, “How to Write a Case Study that Meets the New Standards for DNA: As Codified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.” 6:00 p.m. Eastern time. Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, “Reconstructing an Entrepreneurial Woman’s Life: From Family Intrigue to Water Rents.” Free registration for the live webinar broadcasts, as well as additional information on speakers and lecture topics, can be found here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. In order to accommodate those who might have schedule conflicts, each webinar can be accessed at no charge for a week after the broadcast.

Learn About Train Operations in Southeast Portland

We all know how freight trains paralyze southeast Portland near the GFO, sometimes multiple times a day. In response, the GFO has donated to a group raising money to study rail solutions. Here’s a chance to learn more from the railroad’s perspective. Bill Burgel spent 50 years in the railroad industry and he knows well the issues specifically related to the streets, rail lines, and rail yard near the GFO. Bill has offered to talk about the factors involved and Ford Food & Drink has offered him its stage as a venue. You can come hear Bill talk at the café just one floor up from the GFO on Monday, August 26 at 6 p.m.

Nominate the Next GFO Star

Did someone at the GFO go out of their way to help you recently when you came in for research? Are you a volunteer who sees another volunteer go above and beyond? Please nominate our next GFO Star! Drop your nomination in the box behind the reception desk or email it to secretary@gfo.org. (Board members are not eligible)

Surplus Book: First Edition: Memoirs from 1863

The Rev. Dr. George W. Bethune wrote a short biography of his mother, Mrs. Joanna (Graham) Bethune, just a year before he died. “Memoirs of Mrs. Joanna Bethune. By her son, The Rev. George W. Bethune, D.D.” was published in 1863 by Harper & Brothers, Publishers in New York. He was described as an “eloquent and distinguished scholar, poet, preacher, and orator… but nothing from his pen will be read with greater admiration than this simple memorial of the mother who taught him to speak.” His tribute to his mother is joined by a 125-page appendix full of his mother’s own writings.

The tales include a sketch of the journey of Joanna’s mother in 1772 before the Revolutionary War, through lands of New York with the help of native tribes and then sailed to Antigua, then to Scotland and then back to New York in 1789. This first edition is a former library book containing library marks and stamps. Tape holes the cover to the spine, and pages inside show some separation. However, all the paper is in fine shape with text as clear and readable as when it was printed 156 years ago. Your price to pickup at the GFO Library: $10 Price to mail it: $15 Contact booksales@gfo.org if you’d like to buy it. (Please don’t just come to the library first to get it.)

Survey Results: Flood Survivors

Last week we asked if your ancestors had dealt with high water or floods. While only a few responded, several shared dramatic stories. 55% of respondents named a flood, 9% named a storm at sea and 41% said they didn’t know. Here are a few of their stories (edited for brevity).

After the great Iowa flood of 1851 carried off most of their stock, the Sunderland family hit the Oregon Trail. Being wary of flooding, they naturally established their new farm on the Columbia Slough. My great aunt and great uncle, an immigrant from Germany, lost their home and farm in Oklahoma Territory when the Canadian River flooded in 1904. Neighbors carried their two young daughters through the waters to safety; my great aunt carried her baby; my great uncle and his son got some of the livestock to higher ground. Mar. 19 / 1905 Mrs Molly St John Dear cousin – lost every-thing I had in the flood except a few dollars and the clothes I had on and my house, the house had no floors in it, and I cobbed it to a mesquite tree when I came out, the house floated, and the cobb was too close to the top and it turned over and every-thing I had floated off down the River or somewhere else, my house goods in the way of furniture, stove, table, dishes, and everything like that, with my trunk and all my clothing, my loss was about $300. – Your cousin Thos Knox

New Survey: Fire!

Were any of your ancestors victim of a fire?

Take our Survey

This week at GFO …

Saturday, August 24th Beginners DNA 9:00 a.m – Noon Using the questions our beginning members raised, this meeting will include a variety of topics: The basic DNA tests Suggestions for determining common ancestors Ancestry’s Dots, Stars, Notes, Shared Matches and ThruLines MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity Spreadsheets Triangulation vs. In Common With Using a spreadsheet to organize the matches for whom you have found common ancestors for all companies A brief view of the Leeds Method and Auto Clustering We should have time for questions and your additional suggestions on the above topics. Please download the handout and review it before attending. Bring it with you! You are welcome to send your questions before the meeting. Email: dna@gfo.org Sunday, August 25th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – Noon We Really Need Your Help This Sunday! We have received several large donations of books and we need to check them against the books we already have. This will involve looking each book up in the online library catalog. If we have the book, the call number is written on a paper inserted into the book, and the book is checked against the one on the shelf. We have several hundred books to check. And we need to do so quickly because there’s another batch in the wings to be done next week. So we need YOUR help! The back door of the library opens at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Wednesday, August 28th GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, August 24th Beginners DNA 9:00 a.m – Noon Using the questions our beginning members raised, this meeting will include a variety of topics: The basic DNA tests Suggestions for determining common ancestors Ancestry’s Dots, Stars, Notes, Shared Matches and ThruLines MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity Spreadsheets Triangulation vs. In Common With Using a spreadsheet to organize the matches for whom you have found common ancestors for all companies A brief view of the Leeds Method and Auto Clustering We should have time for questions and your additional suggestions on the above topics. Please download the handout and review it before attending. Bring it with you! You are welcome to send your questions before the meeting. Email: dna@gfo.org Sunday, August 25th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – Noon We Really Need Your Help This Sunday! We have received several large donations of books and we need to check them against the books we already have. This will involve looking each book up in the online library catalog. If we have the book, the call number is written on a paper inserted into the book, and the book is checked against the one on the shelf. We have several hundred books to check. And we need to do so quickly because there’s another batch in the wings to be done next week. So we need YOUR help! The back door of the library opens at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Wednesday, August 28th GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition August 15, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Free August GenTalk: Women in your Family Tree

“Why don’t I recognize all those names on my DNA match list?” Half of your ancestry comes from women, yet we tend to focus our genealogical searches on men. No wonder those matches are mysterious!

Join Barb Schrag at the GFO Library on Saturday, August 17, at 2:00 p.m. for a fascinating talk focused on the comprehensive genealogy of all of the descendants of your third-great-grandparents. Not only will you begin seeing the relationships, but you’ll be creating the genealogy that future generations can refer to and build on. Barb is a member of the GFO as well as the Clark County Genealogical Society and has given numerous presentations for both organizations. As always, GenTalks are free and open to the public, so, member or not, check out our Calendar page and come spend an hour or so with us!

Newspapers Galore: Do You Know What GFO Offers?

GFO President Vince Patton learned a lesson, a bit belatedly, about historic newspapers. He’d combed Newspapers.com at the GFO and found good material on his great-grandfather before he headed to New Mexico for a genealogy research trip. In Santa Fe, he found the ballot results for his great-grandfather’s election as Attorney General, winning by a razor-thin margin. But only after he came back did he check Genealogy Bank at the GFO, where he found hundreds more articles from small town New Mexico newspapers. It turns out that his great-grandfather ran for the state Supreme Court later, but lost that election. Alas, this information came too late to look for details at the state archives. Vince says he’s learned his lesson. “Newspapers end up in many different databases. Now I need to attend Janice Seller’s Half-Day Seminar on September 8 to make sure I’m getting the most out of the GFO’s newspaper subscription services.” He signed up for the seminar. Have you? The session will be held in the GFO Library, Sunday, September 8, from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. For more detailed information, download the flyer. Registration is $25.00 for GFO members, $30.00 for non-members.

Register Here

GFO Star of the Month: Mark Grafe

The GFO Board unanimously named Mark Grafe as GFO Star of the month! Mark took on the job of layout editor for the Bulletin and has done a wonderful job. Sometimes learning as he goes, Mark has introduced new style to our quarterly journal and new functionality to the electronic version. He works quickly and remains positive even as editors ask repeatedly for revisions. Mark is a joy to work with. Thank you, Mark, we’re lucky to have you!

The Insider needs you!

We’re looking for stories for the October 2019 Insider issue at this time, and we need your help. Please email insider@gfo.org by September 1st to get your news and items of interest into October’s issue. What we’re looking for: genealogy and history centric articles, tips, resources, ideas, serendipity stories, techniques, events, call for GFO volunteers, etc. Again, submissions are due by September 1st, please. Images and text should please include permissions details so we can publish in good conscience.

Oregon City wants to party like it’s 1844

As the ending point of the Oregon Trail, the Oregon City community is marking this historic year with celebrations and unique activities commemorating the dreamers, risk-takers, and those who gambled everything for a new life. Mark your calendars, this party only happens every 175 years! Saturday August 24th, 10 a.m. – 9:15 p.m. End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive & Visitor Information Center 1726 Washington St., Oregon City, OR 97045. You can find more details here.

Shop, Help GFO, Pay Nothing Extra!

Are you doing back to school shopping for kids or grandkids? You can help us a the GFO while you shop at Fred Meyer.

All you have to do is click here and select the Genealogical Forum of Oregon as the charity you’d like to help. Link your Rewards Card to the GFO and then Fred Meyer makes a donation to us based on your shopping. Everything is automatic after you register your card. Best of all, it does not affect the prices you pay. Please register your card today and help us to provide genealogy resources to northern Oregon and southwest Washington.

Surplus Book: Mohawk Valley History

If you have New York roots, our surplus book of the week may be just right to add context to how your ancestors lived. Mohawk Valley: Its Legends and Its History captures colonial history of the earliest settlers to this region sandwiched between the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains. Our copy is a first edition, hardcover copy from a library, written by W. Max Reid and published in 1901 by G. P. Putnam’s Sons The Knickerbocker Press. It is filled with dozens of marvelous photos of the region.

Overall, the book is in average to good condition. The core is sound, pages bear some library stamps and the spine seems strong. However, some pages at the beginning and end of the book are cracked and a few have separated from the binding. Due to those defects, we are pricing well below the market for a first edition hard cover copy.

Your price to pickup at the GFO Library: $15 Price to mail it: $22 Contact booksales@gfo.org if you’d like to buy it. (Please don’t just come to the library to get it.)

Survey Results: Extreme Heat and Drought

Responses to last week’s survey were pretty lackluster. Perhaps we can attribute it to our ancestors taking hot spells in stride—not the stuff that family stories are made of. Two people indicate that their parents suffered major difficulties due to hot spells or drought, and two people said that their grandparents were the ones impacted. All other respondents marked that they did not know. And for the first time, no one shared any stories. Undaunted, we move on to our next disaster, and while we hope your family has not suffered, we also hope for more responses.

New Survey: Water, Water Everywhere

This week we’re asking about water-related disasters: floods, tsunamis, and storms at sea. Take our survey and share your family story, if you like.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Saturday, August 17th African American Ancestry Group 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Stephen Hanks, who has spoken to our group previously, will return with new results of his research. The title for his talk is “Tracing Your African American Roots to 1619 and Free Persons of Color.” He will discuss how to trace your roots to free persons of color and to descendants of the Africans in America prior to the establishment of chattel slavery. This talk will be of special interest to those who have taken DNA tests. He will also discuss the work of genealogist Paul Heinigg. Stephen is the author of “Akee Tree: A Descendant’s Search for His Slave Ancestors on the Eskridge Plantations.” For more information, contact us at african_american@gfo.org. GenTalk: Another Look at the Women in Your Family Tree 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join GFO’s Barb Schrag for to learn more about the women in your family tree can help you learn how DNA surname matches may fit into your family history. See full description above. GenTalks are free and open to the public. Sunday, August 18th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – Noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Family Tree Maker® Users Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join other users who want to work through the 2017 Companion Guide to Family TreeMaker.® Bring your laptop with 2017 version of FTM installed and an empty USB thumb drive. Facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley. FTM@gfo.org Tuesday, August 20th Beginners Boot Camp 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Note: Registration closed – event is full. Laurel Smith presents a day of beginning genealogy. There will be sessions about the census, vital records, immigration and naturalization, discussions about genealogy software and database use, organizing your research and more — all geared toward beginners. Those registered should bring a sack lunch so the discussion can continue while we eat. Wednesday, August 21st Irish Interest Group 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Our first hour will be a presentation by Kate O’Hara titled “Coaxing Info Out of a Victorian Photo Album.“ In our second hour we will address members’ brick wall issues. If you would like the group to discuss your brick wall, please bring the following information with you to the meeting: ▪ The name of your ancestor, ▪ Dates or time period, ▪ Location, ▪ What resources you have already tried, ▪ What type of information you are seeking. We will get to as many brick walls as time allows. Contact Irish@gfo.org for more information. Note: New Program Coordinator Needed for the Irish Interest Group Current Coordinator, Barbara Schrag, will be stepping down. Barbara has done a wonderful job finding interesting speakers for our meetings and will be missed. We are looking for a volunteer to fill this position staring with our February 2020 meeting. Please contact Karen Hubbard at our August meeting or at irish@gfo.org if you are interested or have questions. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition August 8, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Free August GenTalk: Women in your Family Tree

“Why don’t I recognize all those names on my DNA match list?” Half of your ancestry comes from women, yet we tend to focus our genealogical searches on men. No wonder those matches are mysterious!

Join Barb Schrag here at the GFO Library on Saturday, August 17, at 2:00 p.m. for a fascinating talk focused on the comprehensive genealogy, of all of the descendants of your third great grandparents. Not only will you begin seeing the relationships, but you’ll be creating the genealogy that future generations can refer to and build on. Barb is a member of the GFO as well as the Clark County Genealogical Society and has given numerous presentations for both organizations. As always, GenTalks are free and open to the public, so, member or not, check out our Calendar page and come spend an hour or so with us!

Register for GFO Fall Seminar!

The 2019 GFO Fall Seminar, featuring Fritz Jeungling, Ph.D., AG, will be an exceptional educational opportunity that we are exited to be bringing to our membership and the community at large. Dr. Juengling is an Accredited Genealogist® (through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) for Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, and he is certified by the Verband deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen. He is also a German, Dutch, and Scandinavian Research Consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The full-day session on Saturday, October 5th, will be held at the Center for Self Enhancement (3920 N. Kerby Ave., Portland) and will focus on German Research, while the half-day presentation at the GFO Library on Sunday, October 6th, will provide an introduction to Dutch research. Download the flyer for full details. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and register early!

Register Here

Beginners’ Boot Camp is almost here!!

On Tuesday, August 20, join Laurel Smith for a full day of beginning genealogy from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the GFO Library. There will be sessions about the census, vital records, discussions about genealogy software and database use, organizing your research, using Ancestry.com, and more — all geared toward beginners — but basic computer skills are a prerequisite. All communications are done via email, and you must be able to download and print the class notes. Bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a beverage so you can keep going as the class does. Registration closes on August 16. GFO members may attend for free, non-members $20.

Register Here

Big Donation Will Help All GFO Members

The LDS Stake in Boring, Oregon, donated 15 boxes of books to the GFO this week. We’d like to thank the Mount Hood Family History Center for a sizable donation this week. The LDS Stake brought us 15 boxes of books. Apparently they’re scanning as much as they can and discarding the physical copies. The GFO welcomes donations like these. Our collections committee reviews the genealogical value of all donations. Those that meet our criteria will join the shelves. This is a good time to remind you how we differ from historical societies. We don’t park donations in a back room. Museums often have more than they can display at once. The GFO operates an active research library. Our goal is to get all our holdings out in the library so you’ll have access to everything. Of course, since we’re all-volunteer, it takes time to process all our donations. But once they’re sorted, cataloged and labeled, you will find them!

Don’t Forget, We’re Cool!

How do I love thee, GFO? Let me count the ways. Air conditioning, air conditioning, air conditioning. Another great reason to visit our research library this summer!

Does Your Family Have a Story About Women Fighting to Vote?

Photo: Library of Congress Next year marks the 100th anniversary of a watershed year in women’s rights in the U.S. On August 18, 1920, Congress ratified the 19th amendment to the U.S. constitution, finally giving women a right to vote. Did your ancestors play a role in the suffrage movement? Did any of your ancestors fight against giving women a voice? We’d like to hear from you. The Bulletin would like to publish stories next year about suffrage and we’d welcome your submissions. Please contact bulletin@gfo.org.

Family Pictures USA Explores Our Shared History

HOST THOMAS ALLEN HARRIS IN DETROIT WITH PAUL WASSERMAN Digital Diaspora Family Reunion LLC

There’s a good chance you have saved family photos. Do you know the stories behind the relatives pictured? Here’s a program on PBS you might find interesting. Family Pictures, USA is a new PBS series exploring American cities, towns and rural communities through the lens of the family photo album. “Family photos of everyday milestones — marriage, childhood, a new car, a growing business — provide a visual portal through which to examine the roots, surprising connections and provocative parallels that shed light on our collective past and our shared future.” It airs on OPB Tuesday, August 13 at 8 p.m. Watch the trailer here.

Rare Books Reminder: Oregon Masonic Lodge to 1851

Did you know that the GFO holds 170 original Oregon Masonic Lodge books? They contain the Mason’s proceedings of their annual conventions from 1851 to 1998. If one of your ancestors served in this fraternal organization, their names may well appear in one of these many compilations.

The Masons diligently tracked and published the names of people who joined, left, and died. Sometimes elaborate memorial tributes appeared for certain members. These Masonic books are in the rare books section of the GFO Library. Ask an RA to show you. We have indexed the following information contained in the proceedings: a biography, a portrait/phototype, the death of a member since the last convention, and memorial plates. A member’s name may have variations within the same book and have been noted.

Survey Results: Extreme Cold and Winter Weather

The survey results are in. Blizzards won out as the most reported cold weather disaster with 48%. Here are a few of the comments.

▪ Two little girls, Eda and Mathilda Westphalen, died on 12 January 1888 on their way home from school during an unexpected snowstorm in Dodge County, Nebraska. They have a large cemetery monument erected after children collected money to remember the sisters. Thirteen-year-old Eda had wrapped her own coat around her eight-year-old sister to no avail. The local paper published a poem. ▪ My grandfather went bankrupt when he lost an entire herd of cattle in a blizzard. ▪ My 4G-grandmother, Marie Dorion, escaped the war party of Indians who killed her husband and some other members of the Hunt expedition on the Snake River in 1813. She took her two young boys into the Blue Mts., built a snow cave and smoked horse meat to survive. They crawled down the mountains and were taken in by friendly Walla Wallas two months later. ▪ My great-great-grandfather died of complications from pneumonia in 1884. He was called to jury duty in Marion County in February when it was very cold and there was deep snow. He developed a severe cold in the first week. Rather than seeking an excuse, he continued to serve and developed severe pneumonia which led to his death in March. He was only 59 years old.

New Survey: Hot as Blue Blazes

We continue our theme of disastrous events and how they affected our ancestors. This week, we’re inquiring about hot weather and drought.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Sunday, August 11th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – Noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Tuesday, August 13th GFO Board Meeting 6:10 – 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, August 14th Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition July 25, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Beginners’ Boot Camp is back!

On Tuesday, August 20, join Laurel Smith for a full day of beginning genealogy from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the GFO Library. There will be sessions about the census, vital records, discussions about genealogy software and database use, organizing your research, using Ancestry.com, and more — all geared toward beginners — but basic computer skills are a prerequisite. All communications are done via email, and you must be able to download and print the class notes. Bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a beverage so you can keep going as the class does. GFO members may attend for free, non-members $20.

Register Here

September Half-Day Seminar Registration Now Open!

Newspapers can provide information about births, deaths, marriages, moves, business, naturalizations, court cases, and more. The GFO provides access to several newspaper subscription sites, plus additional databases. Join GFO’s Janice Sellers for a half-day workshop to get an overview of what is available and techniques to help improve your chances of finding information about your relatives. Janice is a professional genealogist who specializes in forensic, Jewish, Black, and newspaper research. The session will be held in the GFO Library, Sunday, September 8, from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. For more detailed information, download the flyer. Registration is $25.00 for GFO members, $30.00 for non-members. Register before August 12 and save $5.00!

Register Here

Where Are You? We Took a Look

To all of you E-News readers who are members of the GFO, thank you for your support! We were curious where all our members live. Google Maps made it easy see at a glance. We enjoyed seeing the results and thought you might too. The big picture: you’re all over the U.S.!

Naturally, at lot more of you live in the Portland area. We zoomed in and found a pretty even distribution around the metro area.

Freebie Reminder!

Don’t forget, the GFO Library is free to everyone on the First Monday of each month. That’s next Monday, August 5. Plus, we’re now open late until 8pm that day. Please tell your friends.

The Virtual Genealogical Association is announcing open registration for its upcoming 2019 Virtual Genealogy Conference being held online Friday, November 1 – Sunday November 3. The cost is $59 USD for VGA members and $79 USD for non-members. You also have an option to join the VGA for $20 USD/year to get member benefits along with the discounted conference registration.

▪ Registrants will have access to the recordings and handouts for all sessions until May 3, 2020. Watch any time, any place, on any device. ▪ Socialize and network with fellow attendees during the conference via a private Facebook group. ▪ Conference is held via GoToWebinar. All registrants will receive an emailed link. ▪ Closed captioning via Rev.com will be added to recordings of all sessions and will be made available to registrants within 7 days of the live broadcast. ▪ Full refund if cancellation request is received before October 18; no refund after October 18, 2019. There are a number of well-known speakers this year, including Judy G. Russell, Blaine Bettinger, Nicka Smith, and many others – refer to the conference schedule for more details. This is a great way to attend a genealogy conference without any expensive travel!

Surplus Book: Own History Printed When President Lincoln Was Still Alive

Here’s your chance to own some rare history: a first edition book that lists President Abraham Lincoln, and former presidents Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan as still alive. The United States Register, or Blue Book for 1864, was printed one year before Lincoln’s assassination. It includes lists of federal officials, military leaders, the U.S. Census of 1860 in city populations, and many more statistics of the era.

You’ll find lists of the sitting members of Congress feature large gaps. Every southern state is shown without any representatives or senators at all. They were part of the Confederacy and this was the height of the Civil War. In the census pages, you’ll find Oregon included once, but not Portland. It lists Eugene City having a population of 2,500. This was five years after Oregon’s statehood.

This surplus book shows wear. It’s spine is damaged and frayed. Yet none of the pages are loose and all are crisp and clear. A few library stamps are found inside, but no other markings. Also, an originally enclosed map is missing. Due to its rarity, the price is higher than many of our surplus books, but not exorbitant, due to the condition of its cover. We’re selling this book on eBay with a starting price of $99. If you’re interested, click here to bid before the auction expires in one week.

Survey Results: The Impact of Storms

The survey results are in, and the results are pretty evenly split as to whether respondents’ ancestors were affected by a hurricane, cyclone, or tornado:

Yes 39.4% No 27.3% Don’t know 33.3% Here are a few of the stories we received:

▪ My great-great-grandparents married in Boston, then moved to Le Mars, Iowa, in 1882. On June 14, 1885, a tornado struck the town and their house was moved “5 feet off the foundation.” It was said to be the main reason that they moved to Los Angeles in 1889, where I was born many years later! ▪ A cyclone on 21 Sep 1894 ripped through Cylinder, Iowa, killing my great-great-grandmother’s brother Alex, plus his wife and one child. Alex had actually purchased tornado insurance two years before. Court documents show total losses at $1210. One young son, Owen, survived. My great-great-grandmother, Bridget, then took in Owen and became his guardian, 20 years after she gave birth to her last child. Bridget had to file court reports adding up everything she spent on Owen each year until he became an adult. ▪ No, but the relatives back in Wisconsin thought the whole family had died in the Galveston Hurricane.

New Survey: Surviving the Cold

Among the replies to last week’s survey were several that encouraged us to ask about other disasters—and so we will. This week, we’re asking about disasters related to the cold—snow, ice, and hail.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Saturday, August 3rd German Ancestry Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. DNA – presenter Heidi Mathis – How is ethnicity determined from DNA – How reliable are ethnicity results (“Recall vs Precision”) – Brief History of Population Dynamics in “Germany” – How well do these tests work for German-Americans – Best Tests for German-Americans – Case Studies For more information or questions about this group, please contact the facilitators, Mike Fernandez and Tia Cobb at German@gfo.org. Sunday, August 4th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – Noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Monday, August 5th Free First Monday 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. GFO Library open to non-members for free, come early–stay late. Tuesday, August 6th Italian Ancestry Group 10:00 a.m. – Noon This month’s topic: How to find your immigrant ancestor’s ship! Your immigrant ancestor’s ship and the passenger list it created usher in a new wealth of information from which to uncover more great puzzle pieces about your Italian family heritage. In this lecture, we’ll focus on the Great Migration of paesani from Italy 1880 – 1924, when 4 million Italians immigrated to the United States, leaving us the 5th largest ethnic group in America. We’ll review a brief history of Italian migration and relevant U.S. immigration laws, dissect components of the U. S. passenger list to help you better understand the magnificent clues awaiting you, and learn valuable tools for locating and searching them. Instructor: Nancy Bronte Matheny, MLIS, MBA. If you have questions or want more information, email italian@gfo.org. Wednesday, August 7th Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition July 25, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

September Half-Day Seminar Registration Now Open!

Newspapers can provide information about births, deaths, marriages, moves, business, naturalizations, court cases, and more. The GFO provides access to several newspaper subscription sites, plus additional databases. Join GFO’s Janice Selllers for a half-day workshop for an overview of what is available and techniques to help improve your chances of finding information about your relatives. Janice is a professional genealogist who specializes in forensic, Jewish, Black, and newspaper research. The session will be held in the GFO Library, Sunday, Sept. 8, from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. For more detailed information, download the flyer. Registration is $25.00 for GFO members, $30.00 for non-members. Register before Aug. 12 and save $5.00!

Register Here

Mark your Calendar for the GFO Fall Seminar!

The 2019 GFO Fall Seminar, featuring Fritz Jeungling, Ph.D., AG, will be an exceptional educational opportunity that we are exited to be bringing to our membership and the community at large. Dr. Juengling is an Accredited Genealogist® (through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) for Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, and he is certified by the Verband deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen. He is also a German, Dutch, and Scandinavian Research Consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The full-day session on Saturday, October 5th, will be held at the Center for Self Enhancement (3920 N. Kerby Ave., Portland) and will focus on German Research, while the half-day presentation at the GFO Library on Sunday, October 6th, will provide an introduction to Dutch research. Download the flyer for full details. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and register early!

Register Here

Beginners’ Boot Camp Returns

On Tuesday, August 20, join Laurel Smith for a full day of beginning genealogy from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the GFO Library. There will be sessions about the census, vital records, discussions about genealogy software and database use, organizing your research, using Ancestry.com, and more — all geared toward beginners — but basic computer skills are a prerequisite. All communications are done via email, and you must be able to download and print the class notes. Bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a beverage so you can keep going as the class does. GFO members may attend for free, non-members $20.

Register Here

Summer DNA eConference

Join the GFO’s own DNA group leader, Emily Aulicino, one of the featured speakers at Family History Fanatics’ second annual Summer of DNA eConference coming up on Friday, August 9th.

Featured this year: Daniel Horowitz – Theory of Family Relativity and Other MyHeritage Tools Donna Rutherford – Testing Family Members: Why and Who to Choose Emily Aulicino – atDNA: Verify, Correct, Expand Leah Larkin – When Your Tree Is a Banyan: Working with Endogamy and DNA The live online sessions will begin at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, August 9th. Live Chat will permit questions during the presentations as well as participation in a fifth-hour panel discussion where questions about any of the topics or anything else related to DNA and genetic genealogy may be asked. Sessions will be recorded and available to all registered attendees for 30 days after the eConference. Early bird registration is only $19.99 until July 31st. Regular registration price is $24.99 after July 31st. Learn more at the website and register today.

Online Registration Deadline approaching for 2019 FGS Conference

The Federation of Genealogical Societies 2019 FGS National Family History Conference is coming up soon at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC, August 21-24. In cooperation with sponsoring local societies, corporate sponsors, and partner organizations, the FGS 2019 conference program offers a new full four-day format jam-packed with topics of interest to every genealogist from beginner to expert. If you are making last minute plans to attend, note that Online Conference Registration for this event closes on August 2, 2019. Mailed in registrations must be postmarked by July 29, 2019. Registrations will be accepted on-site at the Omni Shoreham Hotel starting Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at 3:00 p.m.

Surplus Book: Let Portland History Rub You the Right Way

Here’s a fun piece of Portland History that most people walk right over. In 1983, C.A. Gossett traveled Portland, knelt on corner after corner and made rubbings of the builders names and construction dates stamped into Portland’s sidewalks between 1900 and 1930. He writes, “These “sidewalk signatures” are part of the historic character of many neighborhoods and business districts in Portland.”

Portland’s Historic Sidewalk Signatures” is a 79 page paperback book. Our surplus copy is in excellent condition, with a previous owner’s book plate on a front page. There are no other markings in the book. Our price: $10 if you pickup at the GFO. $14 if we mail it to you. Contact booksales@gfo.org if you’d like to buy it. (Please don’t just come to the library first to get it.)

Survey Results: Genealogy Myths

Wrapping up our series on genealogical myths, 62.5% of respondents reported believing, at one time or another, that the courthouse burned, and all the records are gone. “All” is where this belief turns to myth. The internet has many sites that refute common myths. We even have a page on the GFO website, courtesy of Dick Eastman. Genealogy Myths: Real, Fool’s Gold, or Both?

In our survey, more than one answer could be selected. 62.5% The courthouse burned (or flooded, was destroyed) and all the records are gone. 18.8% Hey look, it’s our family crest! 14.6% Our ancestors came over on the Mayflower. 10.4% Our family always spelled the name as … 10.4% Source citations are just for professionals. 10.4% Three brothers came to America. One went north, one went south and the third went west … 6.3% A town in England, (or Norway, Germany, etc.) is named for our family. 6.3% All the records you need to do your family history are online. 4.2% It’s in print. It must be true! 4.2% Our ancestor was a stowaway on a ship. 4.2% Our ancestor was burned at the stake as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. 4.2% We have the same surname—so we have to be related.

New Survey: The Impact of Storms

This week, we’re asking about a specific type of natural disaster. Were your ancestors ever affected by a tornado, cyclone, or hurricane? Take the survey now.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Saturday, July 27th DNA Advanced Group 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tim Janzen’s topic: “Auto-clustering Autosomal DNA Tools used for Genealogical Research”. The handout can be downloaded here. Emily Aulicino’s topic: a discussion among attendees on various aspects of law enforcement using DNA. This will include the views of various people affected by major crimes, the ethics, the law, what your choices are regarding your test, etc. We welcome your opinion in an orderly discussion. Hopefully, for those of you who are on the fence about the topic or are concerned regarding your DNA test, this will help you realize what is happening and what you can and cannot do about your DNA. If you would like more information about this group or have questions, please contact the facilitators at dna@gfo.org. Sunday, July 28th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Wednesday, July 31st Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition July 18, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

GFO Fall Seminar Registration Now Open!

GFO is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2019 GFO Fall Seminar, featuring Fritz Jeungling, Ph.D., AG. He is an Accredited Genealogist® (through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) for Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, and he is certified by the Verband deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen. The full-day session on Saturday, October 5th, will be held at the Center for Self Enhancement (3920 N. Kerby Ave., Portland) and will focus on German Research, while the half-day presentation at the GFO Library on Sunday, October 6th, will provide an introduction to Dutch research. Download the flyer for full details. Dr. Juengling is also a German, Dutch, and Scandinavian Research Consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, and GFO is excited to bring this exceptional educational opportunity to our members and the community at large. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and register early!

Register Here

Beginners’ Boot Camp Returns

On Tuesday, August 20, join Laurel Smith for a full day of beginning genealogy from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the GFO Library. There will be sessions about the census, vital records, discussions about genealogy software and database use, organizing your research, using Ancestry.com, and more — all geared toward beginners — but basic computer skills are a prerequisite. All communications are done via email, and you must be able to download and print the class notes. Bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a beverage so you can keep going as the class does. GFO members may attend for free, non-members $20.

Register Here

GFO Star: Joann Taylor

Hi there, President Vince Patton here. I’m hijacking this section of the E-News from regular editor Joann Taylor so we can shine the spotlight on her. The Board of Directors has selected Joann as our GFO Star of the Month! You may have seen her at our reception desk or in the research area helping patrons with their searches. Recently she came to the rescue when all our computers ground to a halt. She rebooted our network and the computers, getting the library back in action. Joann wears many hats for the GFO. She compiles this weekly E-News you receive. She has dived in to help with research for our Genealogy Problem Solvers group, particularly with her deep knowledge of Irish genealogy. Joann also volunteers on our Research Team, finding answers to questions sent in from people around the world. Plus, she co-taught a recent Gen-Talk on getting the most from Google Searching. A fellow research assistant nominated her saying, “Joann is amazing!” We agree!

Fall Seminar Needs Raffle Donations

We’re getting ready for the Fall Seminar on German and Dutch research. Can you help? We need items for our raffle. Do you have anything to donate? If your item is not new, it must be in exceptionally good condition for us to be able to offer it. Suggestions include genealogically related books, household decorations, carry bags, certificates toward GFO membership or research costs, and computer items. Leave the item(s) at the library reception desk with a donation form noting that it’s a donation for the seminar treasures raffle. At the seminar, tickets are sold for $1 each or 6 for $5, and they are placed in separate paper sacks for each prize, so you win only something you want. Thanks so much!

The GFO’s own DNA group leader Emily Aulicino is one of the featured speakers at Family History Fanatics’ second annual A Summer of DNA eConference coming up on Friday, August 9th. Last year’s eConference was very successful and had great attendance. This year’s speakers will be talking about the following: Daniel Horowitz – Theory of Family Relativity and Other MyHeritage Tools Donna Rutherford – Testing Family Members: Why and Who to Choose Emily Aulicino – atDNA: Verify, Correct, Expand Leah Larkin – When Your Tree Is a Banyan: Working with Endogamy and DNA The live online sessions will begin at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, August 9th. This event is sponsored by MyHeritage who will be giving away 4 DNA kits during the presentations. It will be possible to ask questions during the presentations using live chat. For those who can’t watch the live sessions, they will be recorded and available to all registered attendees for 30 days after the eConference. As with past events there will be a fifth-hour panel discussion where you can ask questions about any of the topics or anything else related to DNA and genetic genealogy. Early bird registration is only $19.99 until July 31st. Regular registration price is $24.99 after July 31st. Learn more at the website and register today.

Get Some Beaver History: OSU Yearbooks From ’20s to ’50s

The GFO has an extensive collection of Pacific Northwest yearbooks. Did you know we sometimes have more than one copy? That’s why we have nine copies of the The Beaver from Oregon State University available on our surplus book shelves. We have yearbooks from the following years: 1920, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1927, 1949, 1953, 1954 and 1958. Each yearbook costs only $10. If you’re interested in buying one or more, come in to the GFO and check out our $10 shelves at the front of the library.

GFO Supports Moving Trains

What’s the second worst part of coming to the GFO? (We know parking is number one.) The trains! Those freight trains can inch back and forth or even just park on the tracks for an hour. This blocks traffic and traps anyone who’s parked in the lot behind the Ford Building where our library sits. The Albina Rail Relocation Project is picking up steam in its efforts to fund a study on how to get Union Pacific to move rail yards out of Portland’s Albina and Brooklyn neighborhoods. Studies are expensive: $25,000. The effort has received endorsements for its efforts from Metro and the mayor of Portland. To pay for the needed study, nearly $8,000 has been raised so far, and neighborhood associations nearby have chipped in. The tracks or the roads need to be raised or lowered, or the rail yards need to be moved out of the area entirely. The GFO Board shares your frustration about the impact of the trains near our library, so we’re going to lend our support too. We have donated $200 to the study and sent a letter expressing our emphatic support.

Survey Results: Ellis Island Name Change Myth

One of the most prevalent myths in genealogy is the tale of names being changed by immigration agents at Ellis Island. Last week our survey asked if your family had a story of a name change at Ellis Island. 87% of you said No. 13% said Yes.

A few replies: “Not only do I not have that myth in my family (thank goodness!), my maternal grandmother actually knew and told me her father’s original name from when he immigrated.” “Spelling of names changed but due to phonics and ancestors unable to write.” “Actually, it is true. Mr & Mrs Kjemphol of Sykkelven in Norway became Mr & Mrs Pederson early in the 20th century.” If you want to learn more about the myth, here’s a terrific article, Debunking the Ellis Island Myth. But wait! Here’s a story about a name that was changed (but it really wasn’t!) Why Your Family Name Was Not Changed at Ellis Island (and One That Was).

New Survey: Genealogy Myths

Our surveys have examined two of the most widespread genealogy myths in the last two weeks. This week’s survey lists some additional genealogy myths. We’d like you know if you were ever a believer.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Saturday, July 20th African American Group 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. “Bring Your Own Brick Wall.” Bring your problems, questions, and documents (copies, please, no originals), and we will brainstorm to come up with information and suggestions that can direct your next steps and may help you solve some of your family mysteries. For more information, contact us at african_american@gfo.org. Sunday, July 21st Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Family Tree Maker for Beginners 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. This is a beginning class for Family Tree Maker users and for those considering a purchase. It will be repeated quarterly. Questions? Or if you have Family Tree Maker topics you’d like covered, email Joyce and Laurel at FTM@gfo.org. Wednesday, July 24th Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition July 11, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Meet Your Board for 2019-2020

The new members of the GFO Board of Directors took office this month and held their first meeting this week. Our board functions differently from most non-profits. Since we don’t have a single paid employee, many of these board members chair the departments that keep the library open and operating. They coordinate volunteers, process memberships, schedule classes and seminars and get the physical work done of collecting, numbering and labeling books. If you see them, please give them a thank you!

Front Row: Director-at-Large Julie Ramos, Treasurer Erin Randall, Purchasing, Research, Data Extraction, and Publishing Chair Loretta Welsh, Director at-Large Joyce Grant-Worley, Education Chair Kristin Parks, and Membership Chair Jane McGarvin. Back Row: President Vince Patton, Vice President Marti Dell, Library Chair Laurel Smith, Secretary Geoff Smith, Technology Chair Richard Crockett, and Manuscripts and Insider Co-Chair LauraDenise White.

Last Chance to Register for Half-Day Workshop This Sunday

Adding Historical Context: A Hands-On Approach “The census says my ancestor was a floor welfare worker. I guess he had some sort of welfare-related job.” “How odd – my Ukrainian family immigrated directly from Europe to Saskatchewan. I thought they arrived in New York City and eventually moved west.” Adding historical context to our genealogical research makes it richer, more interesting, and helps to explain some of the changes in our families. Join GFO’s Kate Eakman, Sunday, July 14 from 9:30 a.m. – Noon for a half-day of learning about how to add historical context to your genealogical research to make it richer and more interesting. In this workshop you will: ▪ Practice identifying items, events, and topics ripe for historical research. ▪ Once the questions have been asked, learn how to find the answers. ▪ Discuss how to add this new-found information to one’s family’s history.

Register Now

Amazon Prime Days Draw Near: Remember to Support GFO!

You can help the GFO financially every time you shop on Amazon, especially during the upcoming Prime Days sales on July 15 and 16! Simply register the Genealogical Forum of Oregon as your non-profit of choice. We’ll then get a small donation for every purchase you make! It does not raise the price you pay.

Be sure to use smile.amazon.com/ch/93-6026015 each time you start shopping. Save that bookmark!

A Summer of DNA eConference

The GFO’s own DNA group leader Emily Aulicino is one of the featured speakers at Family History Fanatics’ 2nd annual A Summer of DNA eConference coming up on Friday, August 9th. Last year’s eConference was very successful and had great attendance. This year’s speakers will be talking about the following: Daniel Horowitz – Theory of Family Relativity and Other MyHeritage Tools Donna Rutherford – Testing Family Members: Why and Who to Choose Emily Aulicino – atDNA: Verify, Correct, Expand Leah Larkin – When Your Tree Is a Banyan: Working with Endogamy and DNA The live online sessions will begin at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, August 9th. It will be possible to ask questions during the presentations using live chat. This event is sponsored by MyHeritage who will be giving away 4 DNA kits during the presentations. For those who can’t watch the live sessions, they will be recorded and available to all registered attendees for 30 days after the eConference. As with past events there will be a 5th hour panel discussion where you can ask questions about any of the topics or anything else related to DNA and genetic genealogy. Early bird registration is only $19.99 until July 31st. Regular registration price is $24.99 after July 31st. Learn more at the website and register today.

Local Seminar This Week: Finding Your Ancestral Gold

Author Laurence Overmire will present a 2-hour genealogy workshop, entitled, “Finding Your Ancestral Gold,” on Saturday, July 13, from 10:00 a.m. – Noon at Lake Oswego’s Lakewood Center for the Arts. This presentation is based on Laurence’s latest book, Digging for Ancestral Gold and will focus on the steps to get you started on searching for your ancestral heritage. Cost is $40 and a few seats are still available. Call ahead 503-635-3901 to register. If you miss the event this weekend, Overmire returns to give the same workshop at the same location on September 14.

SLIG Registration Time is Here!

The Utah Genealogical Association will open registration on July 13 for both of its premiere educational events for 2020 which feature high-intermediate to advanced education for genealogists. The 25th Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) will be held January 12-17, 2020, featuring 16 in-depth, week-long classes, including courses on methodology, standards, regional or ethnic group research, and research tools like DNA. All courses assume a working knowledge at an intermediate level or above. Registration for this event opens at 8:00 a.m. PDT The SLIG Academy for Professionals, held January 20-24, 2020, will feature 7 professional-level topical classes in the areas of business, speaking, writing, forensics, and project management. All courses are designed for professionals working in the genealogical industry or those who are seeking to become professionals. Registration for this event opens at 1:00 p.m. PDT. Classes fill up fast. To learn more about how to register, consult the SLIG Registration FAQ.

Surplus Books of the Week: 12th to 16th Century Irish Pedigrees

In 1892 John O’Hart published his Fifth Edition of Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of The Irish Nation. In it, he compiled so many Irish genealogies, the publisher had to break it into two volumes. The first volume covers Irish family genealogies in the 12th century, including chapters on “English Invasion,” and “Cromwellian Devastation.” The second covers families in Ireland from the 12th to the end of the 16the centuries. This set was reprinted in 1989 with 896 pages in Volume I and 948 pages in Volume II.

John O’Hart is described as, “Associate in Arts, Queens’ University in Ireland; Fellow of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland; Member of the Harleian Society, London; Author of ‘Irish Landed Gentry When Cromwell Came to Ireland,’ etc.” The pages in both books are in fine shape, with no marks and a sturdy binding. The back cover of Volume I has water damage. Volume II is fine. Prices online for these books range from $76 to $144 a piece. Our price for this set two: $86 if you pick up at the GFO. $98 if we mail it to you. If interested, please email booksales@gfo.org. (Please contact them first; don’t just show up at the library to purchase.)

Survey Results: Majority Say Tales of Native American Ancestors Not True

One of the most enduring myths in genealogy are family stories claiming prior Native American Ancestry. 77% of last week’s respondents said their families had such a story. Nearly 53% say their research showed those tales were not true. 29% say it is true. About 18% say they still don’t know.

Responses included: “My grandmother always claimed we had a Cherokee ancestor. Family tree research and DNA tests prove it was a myth.” “I knew I had Indian ancestry on my mom’s side, but was surprised to find that I’m equally as Indian from my dad’s side!” “All the descendants of the ancestor in question had blue eyes, for one thing, and the DNA results for me and nieces show no hint of such ancestry. It’s always possible that somebody had a brother who married an Indian woman, but I’ve found no evidence. Sigh.” You can read all our respondents’ comments here.

As the myth of being descended from a Cherokee princess persists, many of us do have Native American heritage. Many do not. Here’s a video from Ancestry Academy with some sound advice. In addition, this article contains some good ideas for running down any of your family stories.

New Survey: Ellis Island

One of genealogy’s most prevalent myths is that of immigrant names being changed at Ellis Island. We’re curious if this fable is part of your family story.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Sunday, July 14th Half-Day Workshop: Adding Historical Context 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Kate Eakman will present her half-day seminar, “Adding Historical Context to Your Genealogy Research – A Hands-on Approach.” Registration required. Wednesday, July 17th Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition June 27, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Half-Day Workshop: Adding Historical Context

Adding Historical Context: A Hands-On Approach Join GFO’s Kate Eakman July 14 from 9:30 a.m. – Noon for a half-day of learning about how to add historical context to your genealogical research to make it richer and more interesting. In this workshop you will: ▪ Practice identifying items, events, and topics ripe for historical research. ▪ Once the questions have been asked, learn how to find the answers. ▪ Discuss how to add this new-found information to one’s family’s history. Take advantage of Early Bird pricing. Register by June 30 and save $5.00!

Register Now

Local Screening of Film of Genealogical Interest

Peace of the City Film series in partnership with Northwest Film Center and NW Documentary, are extending an invitation to the staff, board, and any patrons of the GFO to the season opener of their summer documentary series. The film, entitled Thank You for Coming will be screened on Tuesday, July 9th from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. at Whitsell Auditorium in the Portland Art Museum. This film documents filmmaker Sara Lamm’s personal journey to find her biological father after learning, as an adult, that she was donor-conceived. The film prominently features the deep and rewarding genealogical work that ultimately leads Sara to her sperm donor. Sara herself will be coming from LA to Portland to present the film on the evening of July 9. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the film’s trailer here.

Surplus Book of the Week: Sons of the American Revolution Register

On this July 4th, here’s how you can own some history of American independence. A National Register of the Society Sons of the American Revolution was published 117 years ago. This 1902 volume compiles information from state SAR societies which could not afford to publish on their own. As the forward states, “While it is no wise a complete history of the Society or its aims, it does contain the entire list of the membership of the National Society to December 31, 1901, including deceased members, with their line of descent from their Revolutionary ancestors. This alone will make this work a valuable one, and it will be used as a standard book of reference for many years to come.”

This surplus book feels like history in your hands. It features a single gilt edge on the top in gold, ragged page edges and a damaged cover which has been taped back together. The pages themselves are as dark, crisp and readable as the day they were printed. Photos intersperse this 1035 page tome. A previous owner’s bookplate and a few library stamps on pages in the front and back. All other pages are free of any markings. Our price: $30 if you pick up at the GFO $40 if we mail it to you If interested, please email booksales@gfo.org. (Please contact them first; don’t just show up at the library to purchase.)

Survey Results: Family Scandals are Often True

Last week we asked if you had a family story about a scandal or black sheep. 3/4 of you say, “Yes!” And of those, nearly 83% say your research proved the scandal really did happen!

You shared stories of cattle thieves, domestic abusers, two murderers, several bigamists, and out of wedlock births (a scandal by the standards of a century ago.) One reader’s great uncle killed two people on Pikes Peak in 1892; he later died in prison. We received more replies than we can include here. Read them all here.

If you haven’t found a scandal, black sheep, or skeleton lurking in your family closet yet, you haven’t been researching long enough. We’re all descended from people and none of us are perfect. If you are having trouble embracing your less-than-perfect ancestors and worry about balancing historical truth with sensitivity, here are a couple of articles that you may find helpful: Scandal! Dealing With Skeletons In Your Family Tree and Keeping It Secret: Revealing the Secrets in Your Family History.

New Survey: Native American Heritage

One of the most common family stories is that of having Native American heritage. If this story runs in your family, please take our survey now.

Take the Survey

Support the GFO when you Shop Amazon Prime Days!

Did you know you can help the GFO financially every time you shop on Amazon, especially during the upcoming Prime Days sales on July 15 and 16?

Be sure to use smile.amazon.com/ch/93-6026015 each time you start shopping. Save that bookmark! Register the Genealogical Forum of Oregon as your non-profit of choice. We’ll then get a small donation for every purchase you make! It does not raise the price you pay.

This week at GFO …

Saturday, July 6th German Interest Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The topic / das Thema: feed back from the international German Genealogy Partnership (IGGP) conference in Sacramento last month. Five members attended the week long conference. Some of them will share their experiences, what they learned at some of the lectures, and more. Questions may be sent to German@gfo.org. Sunday, July 7th Library Work Party 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Explore our manuscript, personal papers and Bible collection while we organize, scan and create finding aids. Drop by at the time that works for you. Questions? Send a note to manuscripts@gfo.org. Tuesday, July 9th Board Meeting 6:10 – 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 10th Open Late to 8:00 p.m.