SATURDAY, November 24th

DNA Beginners 9 a.m. – noon

This session will be a discussion of your questions. It would be easier if you submit your questions to Emily Aulicino at least a few days before the class. This way, they will not be overlooked or lack time. We’ll address those first. Even if you are not planning to come, send in your questions.

This is the chance to cover your particular issues which could include what tests work for what problems, exploring how to use spreadsheets to help you organize your data, viewing the company websites, and more. Anyone interested in using DNA for genealogy is welcomed.

Time will be provided for additional questions. You are welcome to send me your questions before the meeting. Feel free to email us at dna@gfo.org.

African American Ancestry Group 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

We realize that for November’s meeting will be on Thanksgiving weekend. Because many people will be spending time with family instead of other family historians, rather than have a speaker and program, we will be holding an open-ended help session for the meeting. If you’re stuck in your research, want some advice, or just want to brainstorm, come on by. SIG coordinator Janice Sellers will be there for the entire time and will be happy to talk with you.

If you know of any other people interested in African American genealogy, tell them about the group. You do not have to be a GFO member to participate! For more information, contact us at African_American@gfo.org.

SUNDAY, November 25th

Library Work 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, November 26th

Library Closed to prep for #GivingTuesday.

TUESDAY, November 27th

#GivingTuesday!! 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Come join the fun and give of your time at GFO’s library this Giving Tuesday! We need able-minds and able-bodies.

Don’t forget! Non-members who come to volunteer can earn a free pass to the library so they can research on another day.

We will bring in food to fortify us, so please give a few hours or make a day of it!

SATURDAY, November 17th

Genealogical Problem Solvers 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

GPS is a monthly support group where we help each other find information about a family line. We will learn to do a reasonably exhaustive search and develop research plans. The focus will shift depending on the needs of the group. Several experienced researchers have volunteered to help. Beginners and intermediate researchers are encouraged to submit problems to work on. For more information contact Katie Daly at GPS@gfo.org.

GenTalk 2 – 3 p.m.

Presenter: Tom Hallman, senior reporter for The Oregonian

On March 4, 2018, you may have read “Della’s Lost Letter,” and wondered about the methods Tom used to locate her, and the other principals in the story. Learn how reporters find people for their stories (sound familiar, genealogists?) and get some writing/storytelling tips from a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Tom Hallman Jr., a senior reporter for The Oregonian, was born and raised in Portland and graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in 1977. He’s worked at a car wash, a grocery store, a greyhound race track and was a volunteer at a VA hospital. He won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing.

SUNDAY, November 18th

Library Work 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 – 3 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 – build 1-480 of FTM installed. Facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley. Questions? Email FTM@gfo.org.

French Canada Group 3:30 – 5 p.m.

Sharing stories of our history. Come and join this group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. This group leader is Bob LaMarche. Send him a note at FrCan@gfo.org.

WEDNESDAY, November 21st

Library Closes at 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, November 22nd

Library Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Please note, our Thursday Evening E-News will be sent out on Friday.

FRIDAY, November 9th

Mexican Ancestry Group 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Finding your Hispanic ancestors from Mexico, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California! This Special Interest Group (SIG) pertains specifically to Mexican ancestors from Mexico and the American Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California).

Beginning and intermediate researchers are welcome. Some subjects will include online parish records, Hispanic genealogy societies, Family History Library/FamilySearch.org. Ancestry.com, solving genealogical problems, methodology of organizing your research, etc. Of course this group will also be about sharing our research experiences, and having fun.

If you know of any other people interested in Hispanic genealogy tell them about the up and coming group. They don’t have to be a GFO member to participate.
For questions or comments, please email Vince at sw@gfo.org.

SATURDAY, November 10th

Great Lakes Region 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Duane Funk will talk about the War of 1812, and in particular its effects on the Great Lakes region and our research there. Also, we will check in with our database. After that we will have time for sharing research and brainstorming some possible solutions to your genealogy questions.

Interest in the Great Lakes Region can be broad and diverse, as some ancestors settled and remained there for generations, while others spent a short time there before moving on. The group’s interests include migration, travel, trade, historical events, and research techniques specific to the area. For more information contact Lynn Rossing at GreatLakes@gfo.org.

Writers’ Forum 1 – 3 p.m.

Purpose: This is a peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at writers@gfo.org or 503-916-9410.

Book we are using: Roy Peter Clark’s Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer published by Little, Brown and Company in 2006. Each month we cover a tool. To see what tool we are covering at a particular meeting, please visit our web page here.

SUNDAY, November 11th

Library Work 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.

SATURDAY, November 3rd

Fall Seminar 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Where: Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Dr, Milwaukie, OR 97222 (map)

Presenter: Cyndi Ingle

Registration: By Friday, November 2nd, at noon please, here.

SUNDAY, November 4th

Manuscripts Work Party 9:30 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.

Half-Day Seminar 9:30 a.m. – noon

Where: Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Dr, Milwaukie, OR 97222 (map)

Presenter: Cyndi Ingle

Library Opens at 1 p.m. due to the Sunday Half-Day Seminar session at the Milwaukie Center.

MONDAY, November 5th

Free First Monday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Come visit our research library each first Monday of every month and splurge on all GFO’s wonderful resources for FREE. Explore our online databases like Fold3, Ancestry World Library Edition, Newspapers.com, and many more. Our analog and microfilm collections total some 49,000 items. Don’t miss out!

WEDNESDAY, November 7th

Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon

Legalities of Emigration: Revisit What you Have

Why Did They Leave? Where Did They Go and Why? Historical Context and Timelines.

At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. And if you have been doing genealogy for any length time you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jeanne Quan.

DNA Q& A 1 – 3 p.m.

Lisa McCullough will be available to help answer your DNA questions, whether you are new and just getting started or have more involved questions. Curious? Send Lisa a message at dna_qa@gfo.org, or feel free to just drop by!

SATURDAY, October 27th

DNA Advanced 9 a.m. – noon

Tim Janzen will give a presentation on DNA Painter and creating network diagrams.
Anyone interested in using DNA for genealogy is welcomed. Time will be provided for questions. Download the handout here.

Meetings are held at the GFO Library on the 4th Saturday of January, April, July, and October unless there is a GFO seminar or other scheduling conflict. Remember to ALWAYS check the calendar. Please download, print and bring to class the evaluation form which can be found here.

African American Ancestry Group 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Emily-Jane Dawson, a reference librarian with the Multnomah County Library system, will speak about general genealogical resources available within the library system. One item she will discuss is the three-volume index “Blacks in Selected Newspapers, Censuses and Other Sources” by James de T. Abajian. The index covers publications from the 1880s to about the 1950s.

Also, come meet the group’s new leader, Janice Sellers: “I’ve been researching my family for more than 40 years. I started doing black genealogy research about 15 years ago for extended family members. I have traced three of those family lines back to 1870 censuses and some individuals to 1867 in tax lists, but I have not yet been able to break through the 1865 Emancipation barrier. Since then, I have discovered my own African roots through DNA testing. I haven’t found my own black ancestors yet, but I never give up. I’m in this for the long haul, and I hope to help you advance your research too.”

SUNDAY, October 28th

Library Work Party 9:30 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, October 31st

Early Library Closure!

GFO’s research library will close at 5 p.m. in honor of All Hallows’ Eve. We wish you a very happy and safe Halloween!