GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

28 June 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for May 2018, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. Simply scroll down at THIS page and click on the Insider 2018 May issue.

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership?

We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

German Seminar – July 7th, 9:30am – noon, at GFO’s Library

Register Online Today!

Topic: German Church & Civil Records

Learn how to read the old records. This class will detail the strategies that the experts use when reading old records. With a few tricks, some work and perseverance, a person can unlock these old records. We’ll also learn how to tap into the Meyer’s Gazetteer.

Speaker: Fritz Juengling, PhD, AG®

Dr. Juengling received his Bachelor’s degrees in German Studies and Secondary Education at Western Oregon University, his Master’s and Doctorate in Germanic Philology with minors in both English and Linguistics at the University of Minnesota. Germanic Philology is highly specialized, combining languages, linguistics, paleography and history. His graduate degrees required competence in English, German, Medieval Latin and two other modern languages.

He chose Dutch and Norwegian. He also took courses in Old and Middle High German. He is an Accredited Genealogist® for Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Sweden through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, and certified by the Verband deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen. Dr. Juengling is a Research Consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

New GFO Video Features Outgoing President Laurel Smith

GFO VIDEO: Genealogy Books Break Brick Walls

Have you watched the GFO’s newest video?

It’s a quick, one-minute lesson courtesy of our library’s outgoing President Laurel Smith.

“Get off the internet and into the books!” This advice helped Laurel break through one of her family history brick walls in a search for the immigration record of her great-grandmother.

The video is on Facebook and on our YouTube Channel.

Are you ready for so much fun!? Stillaguamish Valley’s NW Genealogy Conference

Click the image above to find out how you can register today!

Family Tree Maker Beginners Group – Schedule Change

Mark Your Calendars!

The Family Tree Maker Beginners Group is moving their upcoming meeting from July 15th to July 22nd.

Whether you are considering a move to Family Tree Maker, just starting to use it, or have been using it for years, you will find value in two special interest groups focused on Family Tree Maker genealogy software.

The Family Tree Maker Beginners Group meets quarterly in January, April, July & October, 1 – 3 pm, at the back of the GFO Library. These sessions are facilitated by Laurel Smith.

Questions? Email FM@gfo.org.

Early Bird Pricing for FGS 2018 Ends July 1st

Click the image above to find out how you can register today!

This week at GFO…

SATURDAY, June 30th

Beginners Boot Camp 9:30am – 6pm

Registration for this event has closed, but we look forward to seeing you at the next Boot Camp tentatively scheduled for September 23rd! Look for more information and early registration later on our website’s “Seminars & Classes” page under the “Learn” menu.

SUNDAY, July 1st

Manuscripts Work Party 9am – 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, July 2nd

Free First Monday 9:30am – 5pm

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

WEDNESDAY, July 4th

Library Holiday Closure
The GFO library will be closed for the 4th of July holiday. We’ll be ready for you again bright and early on Thursday, July 5th, at 9:30am.

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

Jun22 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

21 June 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for May 2018, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. Simply scroll down at THIS page and click on the Insider 2018 May issue.

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

The Family Tree Maker Users’ Group would like to find a person to come talk to them about using “Citations and Source” templates within the Family Tree Maker application. The group has been using MacKiev’s 2017 edition of Family Treemaker.

They’re hoping to have this content explored at either their August, September, or November meetings.

Interested? Email Joyce at FTM@gfo.org.

Continue reading →

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

Jun14 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

14 June 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for May 2018, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. Simply scroll down at THIS page and click on the Insider 2018 May issue.

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

Saturday, June 16th, at GFO is Jam Packed!

“Elementary, my dear Watson!” Genealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) Takes a Case 9:30 – 11:30am

The Challenges: (1) Discover who were the parents and paternal grandparents of Riley Hash, the father of William M. Hash (1876–1937). (2) Is there a connection between Riley Hash and the Revolutionary War veteran William Horton Hash Sr.?

The primary geographical focus: Grayson County, Virginia, and Ashe County, North Carolina.

The resolution to Darrell Gulstrom’s questions will take a most unexpected turn. After resolving the parents and paternal grandparents of Riley Hash, one of his lines will be traced back to a surprising ancestor and the earliest days of settlement in North Carolina and Virginia.

Continue reading →

GENEALOGICAL Forum’s Thursday Evening E-News

Jun7 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

7 June 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for May 2018, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. Simply scroll down at THIS page and click on the Insider 2018 May issue.

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

Here’s how:

You can financially support the GFO simply by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to the Genealogical Forum of Oregon. You won’t pay more for groceries, but we will get a small donation every time you shop.

Please click HERE and then click on “Re-enroll or link your Rewards Card now” to add the Genealogical Forum of Oregon as your charity to support.

Thank you for helping us meet our rising rent and other expenses!

Saturday, June 16th, at GFO is Jam Packed!

Genealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) Takes One 9:30 – 11:30am

The primary geographical focus: Grayson County, Virginia, and Ashe County, North Carolina.

GFO’s GenTalk 2:30 – 3:30pm

Presenter: Harold Hinds, Ph.D

Topic: The Family Photo Collection and Its Uses in Visualizing Your Personal Family History

Most of us hope to illustrate our personal family histories with family photographs. But what should be collected? Which deserve to be preserved and identified for posterity? What types of photos might you find in typical family albums or shoe boxes? What guidelines might you apply in selecting items from your collection for inclusion in a family memoir? This lecture tackles these important questions.

Harold Hinds, Ph.D., was Distinguished Research Professor of History at the University of Minnesota-Morris, and is the author of several books, including Crafting a Personal Family History: A Guide Plus A Case Study, and A Basic Guide to Genealogical and Family History Resources for Essex County, New York.

Be sure to download the handout for the GenTalk ahead of time right HERE.

Don’t miss GFO’s Annual Meeting at 2pm! We’ll be installing our new board members.

Also don’t miss the Italian Group meeting from Noon – 2pm. A little somethin’ for everyone! Personal research assistance will be provided on your current research problems. Keith Pyeatt facilitates this group.

GFO’s Summer Half-Day German Seminar

You can still REGISTER after June 17th, at the regular price of course, but who doesn’t like an Early Bird Special!?

WHEN? July 7th, 9:30am – noon
WHO? Presenter Fritz Juengling, PhD, AG®
WHAT? Learn the wonders of the Meyers Gazetteer, and learn how to read German Church and Civil Records
WHERE? GFO’s Library (map)

Registration starts HERE! (Sign up online or print the paper registration form and mail it in today.)

Next Friday, June 15th, the freight elevator will be inoperable due to scheduled repairs.

If needed, please plan ahead for freight use on Thursday June 14th. The Ford Building anticipates ability to have the freight elevator up and running again on Saturday June 16th.

Please note, this should NOT impact the regular elevator.

This group’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 20th, at 6pm.

FOCUS: Although all of the island of Ireland is included, our primary focus is the genealogical research of the Republic of Ireland, also known as the Irish Free State, Éire, Ireland, and Southern Ireland. Members of the GFO as well as their guests and any interested members of the public are welcomed to attend the Irish Genealogy SIG. One hour of each two-hour meeting will be spent on presentations about Irish history, genealogy, and resources while the second hour will focus on Irish Brick Wall questions.

Also upcoming is the Celtic Connections Conference, which is co-sponsored by The Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA) & The Irish Genealogical Society International (IGSI). Sign up and all the details are HERE.

Research The Great Irish Famine via UCC’s New Website

Last month at University College Cork, The Great Irish Famine Online was made accessible for online researchers.

“This ground-breaking project allows users to access interactive maps containing detailed information on the impact of the Famine on each of 3,000 civil parishes and 1,600 towns across the island. You can analyse statistics that chart changes in the social, political and economic landscape of Ireland pre- and post-Famine. The statistics are taken from the 1841 and 1851 census….” (read the entire article HERE)

Interact and explore UCC’s The Great Irish Famine Online HERE.

FRIDAY, June 8th

Mexican Ancestry Group 11:30am – 1:30pm

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 very 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, June 9th

Great Lakes Region Group 9:30 – 11:30am

The Sizzling Summer of 1901, Google Tips, and More

We will look at the deadly heat wave that took over the Eastern half of the US in the summer of 1901 and affected almost every aspect of peoples’ lives for several weeks. Also, we’ll explore some “cool” ideas for getting more out of our Google searches. In the second hour participants are invited to share their own genealogy research, puzzlers, great finds, and more. Even if your ancestors are not from the Great Lakes Region, you may find something useful at this meeting! Contact Lynn Rossing at greatlakes@gfo.org with any questions.

SUNDAY, June 10th

Maps Work Party 9am – Noon

We are planning to continue working on this project on the second Sunday of the month from 9am until noon, or to whatever time you can spare. Come when you can. Doris Cruickshank is our fearless map project coordinator.

WEDNESDAY, June 13th

Portland Meetup: How Do I Get Started On My Family Tree 5 – 7pm

This meeting is part of the Portland Genealogy Meetup Group. It’s organized by GFO’s new secretary, Geoff Smith. Come on down for a guerrilla guide for those who are just starting — How to get started, how to organize your search. Additional information is available HERE.

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

May25 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

24 May 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for May 2018, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. Simply scroll down at THIS page and click on the Insider 2018 May issue.

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

The Early Bird Gets the Discounts! June 17th Deadline

GFO’s Summer Half-Day German Seminar

You can still REGISTER after June 17th, at the regular price of course, if this message passes you by!

Registration starts HERE! (Sign up online or print the paper registration form and mail it on in today.)

The British are Coming!

Join GFO’s British Interest Group this Saturday, May 26th

WHEN: 1 – 3pm

WHERE: GFO’s Library

TOPICS:

▪	Online news sources.

▪	Calendars, types and history.

▪	Learn how it was possible to cross the English Channel and arrive ten days before you left.

▪	Recent successes.

▪	Brick walls: Yours, if you’ve got one!

▪	And, the snacks of our Ancestors!

All of our SIGs are free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

New Online Indexes at GFO!

Explore from the comfort of your home. The adventure starts HERE.

Three new indexes have been added to our website. All have additional information that may be requested for $5 email copy or $7 paper copy.

Newest Index Items:

▪	West Point obituaries from the West Point Military Academy magazine Assembly. We received six issues as a donation (184 obits).

▪	Portland Birth Ledger 1864-1905, including registered births within the city of Portland entered into a ledger held at Oregon State Vital Records office (over 16,000 births).

▪	Oregon Obituaries II (Clarke’s multi and single obits), including newspaper obits collected by Stanley Clarke and others from Oregon newspapers (over 7,000 obits).

Family Tree Maker Group Schedule Update

GFO’s newest Special Interest Group, Family Tree Maker Group, has moved their initial meeting from June 17th to June 24th, at 1pm at GFO’s library.

What’s the group all about?
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 emptyusb thumb drive.

We’ll organize future sessions and work through Chapter 3 inthe guide. A practice tree will be used so as not to damage your personal tree.

Facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley.

Send a note to FTM@gfo.org for questions or comments.

Thank you to one of our most beloved Research Assistants

Thank you, Shelley Hoffman, one of our longtime Research Assistants, for your many years of volunteering!

Shelley could be found working at GFO’s receptionist desk on the 3rd Sunday of each month. She and her husband are retiring to Montana to be close to their families.

We will miss you terribly, Shelley, but we wish you all the best in your new venture.

“When It Takes A Village: Applying Cluster Research Techniques”

Presented by Emily H. Garber, genealogical lecturer, blogger, and author

WHEN: Monday, June 11th, doors at 6:30pm

WHERE: LDS Factoria Building, 4200 124th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006

WHAT: Sometimes tracking one’s immigrant ancestors tests all one’s research acumen. Identifying a subject ancestor, his/her origins, and parentage; tracking that subject through time; and constructing biographies to place that person in his/her social context is best approached by broadening one’s research to include other family members, associates and neighbors. This presentation by Emily Garber will outline a program for solving genealogical research problems via cluster and collateral research techniques. Topics will include: appropriate application, research planning, commonly used resources and documents, and case studies successfully tracking individuals from Europe to the United States, overcoming name and residential changes and using DNA evidence.

The main case study to be used in this evening’s program tracks a previously unknown woman who arrived at Ellis Island with Emily’s great grandfather. Emily uses her research skills to identify this unknown woman’s kinship relationship to their family and to find out if there ever was a relationship.

See all of the JGSWS’s monthly programs at their website HERE.

This week at GFO…

SATURDAY, May 26th

DNA Beginners 9am – noon

Ancestry and MyHeritage – The class will tackle some major aspects of both AncestryDNA and MyHeritage to help you enhance your testing experience. As MyHeritage accepts autosomal tests from all the major companies, if you have tested, upload your raw data to the company before coming to class. It is always wise to be in more than one company’s database.

Finding common ancestors with your AncestryDNA test results can be difficult with few responses from matches, missing or locked pedigree charts, and no chromosome browser. We will explore a few methods to help you navigate AncestryDNA’s website to work around some of these obstacles.

MyHeritage might be the “new kid on the block”, but they are moving quickly to become a front runner in the autosomal DNA testing field. We will explore the new features that make it a company worth using.

All classes are free and anyone is welcomed. You do not have to be a member of GFO. Bring a friend or family member and your questions regarding autosomal DNA. Please download the handouts and the evaluation feedback for class here.

Genetic Genealogy is the most accurate tool a genealogist has. If you are prepared to discover whether your genealogical paper trail is accurate, and if you are willing to take some time outside of our meetings to reinforce what you learn at each session, the GFO Beginners DNA Interest Group is for you. You are welcome to send me your questions before the meeting. Email: dna_ea@gfo.org.

British Group 1 – 3pm

Researching in the British Isles, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Scots-Irish. We try to have speakers who provide interesting experiences or online databases for research in these countries. One hour of the two hour meeting is devoted to Brick Wall questions. See above for details about this Saturday’s class!

SUNDAY, May 27th

Library Work Party 9am – 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, while others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there.

MONDAY, May 28th

Memorial Day Closure The GFO library will be closed in honor of Memorial Day. Hope to see you again bright and early on Tuesday, May 29th, from 9:30am!

GENEALOGICAL Forum’s Thursday Evening E-News

May18 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

17 May 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for May 2018, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. NOTE: The Insider issues are now located under the “Learn” > “Our Publications” menu at www.gfo.org.

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

We’re still recruiting for a Managing Editor for our quarterly Bulletin publication AND for some Membership Volunteers.

We need your help to keep GFO going strong.

Also, we need an Assistant for our Membership Committee Chair. Have a couple of hours to spare each month? Please help us keep membership records up to date. Training provided.

Email volunteer@gfo.org if interested!

Ellie Dir – Endowment Committee

GFO would like to thank Ellie for all her many many years of graciously serving on our Endowment Committee. Your contributions have been immeasurable and we can’t thank you enough, Ellie! You will be truly missed. We wish you all the joys in the world in your retirement!

Please email either president@gfo.org or endowment@gfo.org if you are interested in helping the Endowment Committee. The seat Ellie is leaving requires attendance and participation at the Endowment Committee’s quarterly meetings.

Tom O’Brien – Genealogy Problem Solvers Extraordinaire

We would like to also thank Tom O’Brien for his faithful and tireless work over the last 2 1/2 years as one of our Genealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) experts.

The group will not be the same without you, Tom! Thank you so much for all you’ve done to make this Special Interest Group such a wonderful success.

Early Bird Registration ends after June 17th

Don’t miss out on this super amazing Half-Day German Research Seminar at GFO Library.

Registration starts HERE! (Sign up online or print the paper registration form and mail it on in today.)

GFO’s May STAR – Mac McGarvin

GFO’s jack-of-all trades has done it again.

Mac took it upon himself to build and install more than five hundred new shelves for our books.

The existing metals shelves were too short and didn’t provide adequate support for the size and number of books we store.

So he made wooden shelf inserts, custom-cut and assembled to fit over the existing shelves. This instantly gave us deeper shelves. Our books and the GFO are once again in better shape thanks to Mac’s vigilant care.

Thank you, Mac, for all you do for GFO!

Click to Watch Preview

Season 10 starts Monday, May 21st!!

This season’s lineup looks amazing, from Jon Cryer to Hilary Duff.

See the full list HERE and don’t miss out on all the celebrity genealogy magic!

BOOK REVIEWERS NEEDED:

The GFO has an agreement with a few genealogy book publishers. In exchange for providing us with free books, we agree to provide them with reviews of the material. Recently, the donated books have begun to pile up. Please help us get caught up (and stay caught up) on this project that benefits the GFO library. And you may find the most amazing books in the process!

1.	Dobson, David. Scottish Trade With Colonial Charleston.

2.	Dunn, Richard, Editor. Warwick County, Virginia. Court Records in Transcription 1782-1843.

3.	Roberts, Gary Boyd. The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants to the American Colonies, Quebec, or the United States. Volume I and II.

If you can help, please contact Joan Galles at bookreviews@gfo.org, or call her on Fridays at the GFO, 503-963-1932.

On May 25th – 27th, at the historic Fort Vancouver, the Clark County Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar will feature NEHGS Chief Genealogist, David Allen Lambert, who will speak on three genealogical research topics.

· May 25, 7 – 9:30pm…Casual gala reception will be held on Friday evening at the Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks.

· May 26, 8am – 3pm…Lambert’s three educational sessions will take place at the Historic Red Cross Building.

· May 27, 10am – 3pm…CCGS research library and education center at nearby 717 Grand Boulevard will be open and available for research and tour meeting place for the local Pioneer Cemetery.

For more information and to register, click HERE.

SATURDAY, May 19th

Genealogy Problem Solvers 9:30 – 11:30am

Another of GFO’s members has submitted a genealogical puzzle for our experts to try and solve!

This time, however, our inquiring member has offered GFO a $500 donation prize if the Genealogy Problem Solvers can crack the case!

Join us for this free presentation on May 19th, and marvel at the research wonders of experts Harold Hinds, Kristin Parks, Duane Funk, and Tom O’Brien.

Italian Group Noon – 2pm

Italian Research, Without Knowing the Language – Researching your Italian roots can be fun and rewarding. Italy is rich in genealogy and family history resources. This presentation provides a brief overview of Italian geography, major historical events that affected record keeping, and where to find the records. This will give you a foundation for searching Italian records. Facilitated by Keith Pyeatt.

Gen Talk – My Cuban Cousins 2 – 3pm

Finding and Following the Paths of My Cuban Cousins: “I was always told that I had cousins who had immigrated to Cuba, but no one could remember their names or even which branch of the family they were from. And Cuba is a difficult country to research. As more records have become available online, I was able to uncover enough clues to find and contact some of my Cuban cousins. In the summer of 2015, I traveled to Cuba to see what traces I could find of my family there.” Presentation by Janice Sellers.

SUNDAY, May 20th

Library Work Party 9am – Noon

Family Tree Maker Users’ Group 1 – 3pm

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. We’ll organize future sessions and work through Chapter 3 in the guide. A practice tree will be used so as not to damage your personal tree. Facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley. Interested or have questions? Email Joyce at FTM@gfo.org.

French Canada Group 3:30 – 5pm

Sharing stories of our history. Come and join this new group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. The group leader is Bob LaMarche.

WEDNESDAY, May 23

Open Late The GFO library remains open every Wednesday evening until 8pm.

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

May12 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

10 May 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

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

The election for GFO’s Board has concluded and the votes have been counted.
* Vince Patton is the new President.
* Geoff Smith will be Secretary.
* Anne Wheeler returns as Director at Large.
* Marti Dell is the Endowment Committee Chair.

The new term for these officers begins July 1.

Another of GFO’s members has submitted a genealogical puzzle for our experts to try and solve!

This time, however, our inquiring member has offered GFO a $500 donation prize if the Genealogy Problem Solvers can crack the case!

Join us for this free presentation on May 19th, and marvel at the research wonders of experts Harold Hinds, Kristin Parks, Duane Funk, and Tom O’Brien.

Will the problem solvers be able to demolish the brick wall? Will GFO get the $500 donation?

Attend the GPS meeting on Saturday, May 19th at 9:30am to find out!

The next Mexican Ancestry meeting will consist of finding records of border crossings, people from Mexico entering into the U.S. through entry ports such as Eagle Pass and El Paso Texas, Nogales, Arizona, San Isidro, California, and many others.

Official record keeping began in 1906 and information taken at the port of entry varied from state to state. We’ll take a look at what records are available through the Family Search website.

These records also tie in with naturalization records for Mexican Americans. Within the naturalization records is a wealth of detailed information such as the port of entry, place of birth, last foreign residence, and more.

The Genealogical Society of Hispanic America – Southern California has a four volume set of books for sale through its website, “Naturalizations of Mexican Americans” by John P. Schmal. Over 1,200 extractions are included in these four volumes. The leader of this free Special Interest Group will bring Volume 1 to share with the group.

Questions? Send a note to the group leader, Vince Ramirez at sw@gfo.org.

This is important. The current Editor is finishing up her last Bulletin.
We need your help to keep the Bulletin publishing.

As with every organization, we are soon to lose some of our most valuable volunteers to retirement.

We’re currently in need of a Managing Editor for our quarterly publication, The Bulletin. The good news is, we have a substantial stockpile of articles so this will give the next Editor a big help before they begin.
Also, we need an assistant for our Membership Committee Chair. Have a couple of hours to spare each month? Please help us keep membership records up to date. Training provided.

Email volunteer@gfo.org if interested!

Read all about how a group of Oregon students and other citizens helped the State Archivists preserve the state’s constitutional document.

This completely inspiring article, complete with pictures and videos, can be read and experienced HERE.

Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery needs enthusiastic volunteers for this upcoming event.

Saturday, May 12th, 2018 is Oregon Cemetery Clean Up Day.

They need as many volunteers as possible to help spruce up Lone Fir for spring as part of this state-wide eﬀort!

The shift runs from 10:00am to noon, and the duties include picking up debris and weeding around headstones. Tools, training, and snacks will be provided.

The more hands we have the more fun! This is a cooperative project between Friends of Lone Fir, METRO, and SOLVE.

To sign up for this opportunity please ﬁll out the form here.

FRIDAY, May 11th

Mexican Ancestry Group 11:30am – 1:30pm

This meeting of the Mexican Ancestry group will consist of finding records of border crossings, people from Mexico entering into the U.S. through entry ports such as Eagle Pass and El Paso Texas, Nogales Arizona, San Ysidro California, and many other ports.

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, May 12th

Great Lakes Region Group 9:30 – 11:30am

At this meeting, we will look at the Ohio River as a major regional transit corridor. At this meeting, Judi Scott’s recent presentation on orphan trains, a genealogy visit to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and ancestor’s puzzling move from Bohemia to Minnesota. You are invited to bring stories about your family and research in the Great Lakes Region. Questions? Contact Lynn at GreatLakes@gfo.org.

Writers’ Forum 1 – 3pm

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 peggyrbaldwin@gmail.com or 503-916-9410.

SUNDAY, May 13th

Maps Work Party 9am – Noon

We are planning to continue working on on our collection of maps on the second Sunday of the month from 9:00am until noon or whenever. Come when you can. Doris Cruickshank is our map project coordinator.

WEDNESDAY, May 16th

Learn & Chat 10am – Noon

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 Jean Quan.

DNA Q&A 1 – 3pm

Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Questions? Send a note to Lisa McCull at dna_lm@gfo.org.

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

May5 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

3 May 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

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

Continue reading →

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

Apr27 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

26 April 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for April 2018, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy HERE. NOTE: The Insider issues are now located under the “Learn” > “Our Publications” menu at www.gfo.org.

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

Ballots were included in the April 2018 Insider!

Member Ballots for GFO’s Elections must be received by May 7th, by 5pm.

President

2-year term

▪	Vince Patton, as our esteemed Laurel Smith will be stepping down at the end of June 2018

▪	Write-In Candidate

Secretary

2-year term

▪	Geoff Smith, as LauraDenise White will be completing her term at the end of June 2018

▪	Write-In Candidate

Director-At-Large

one position, 2-year term

▪	Anne Wheeler (Incumbent)

▪	Write-In Candidate

Endowment Committee

one position

▪	Marti Dell (Incumbent)

▪	Write-In Candidate

Continue reading →

GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News

Apr21 by Charles Hansen

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

19 April 2018

For more information visit www.gfo.org, contact us at info@gfo.org, or call our library at 503-963-1932. We love hearing from you!

For a complete GFO CALENDAR click here.

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

Saturday, April 21st, 9:30 – 11:30am

The challenge this month for our Genealogy Problem Solvers group has been submitted by Julie Ramos, convener of GFO’s Afro-American SIG. Its a classic Black family genealogical problem: identifying ancestral parents and siblings in the period following the Civil War, and then extending the family history back into slavery. Many of the sources are key not just to Black family research, but to any family before and after the US Civil War. As always, those who attend will have an opportunity to ask their own Brick Wall question on any subject, time period, etc., and if the resolution requires an extended response, it could be the challenge for a future meeting

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.

Come out to hear professional genealogist Leslie Brinkley Lawson as she discusses best practices in forensic genealogy research.

WHAT? Locating People In The Last Century
WHEN? Saturday, April 21st, 2 – 3pm
WHERE? GFO’s Library in the Multi-Purpose Room
HOW? Free & Open to the Public

Do you find it easier to find a person in 1880 than in 1980? If your answer is “yes,” then this is the presentation for you. Learn the skills you need to find those missing people in the 20th century…how to reassemble their lives; figure out where they went and where their children are today. We’ll touch on databases available on the internet, as well as other reference sources.

Virginia Special Interest Group Meeting

Saturday, May 5th, at 10am
Virginia Genealogy Trivia Quiz

Come to our May meeting and test your knowledge of Virginia history and research. See just how much you know and where there are gaps in your knowledge.

We will have a list of questions taken from past meeting presentations. Then we will devote the remainder of our time for sharing and give everyone a chance to talk about their research problems, to ask questions, to share a new discovery, or a research technique or record group.

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Great Lakes Region Special Interest Group

Saturday May 12th, 9:30 am at GFO’s Library

We will look at the Ohio River as a major regional transit corridor, Judi Scott’s recent presentation on orphan trains, a genealogy visit to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and an ancestor’s puzzling move from Bohemia to Minnesota. You are invited to bring stories about your family and research in the Great Lakes Region. Questions? Contact Lynn at GreatLakes@gfo.org.

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Enrique Hurtado de Mendoza Collection of Cuban Genealogy

New online database!

Florida International University (FIU) has recently made its Enrique Hurtado de Mendoza Collection available online for free.

An article by FIU News calls this database the “Cuban equivalent of Ancestry.com.“

The database online includes an extensive set of family trees, civil records, and sacramental documents.

We definitely recommend checking out this resource as you prepare for the May 19th GFO GenTalk, My Cuban Cousins.

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GFO’s May GenTalk is coming up!

Saturday, May 19th, 2pm Presenter: Janice Sellers

Janice Sellers says, “I was always told that I had cousins who had immigrated to Cuba, but no one could remember their names or even which branch of the family they were from. And Cuba is a difficult country to research. As more records have become available online, I was able to uncover enough clues to find and contact some of my Cuban cousins. In the summer of 2015, I traveled to Cuba to see what traces I could find of my family there.”

Janice is a professional genealogist who specializes in forensic, Jewish, black and newspaper research. She has presented numerous talks to diverse audiences at local, regional, state, and national events.

Come learn all you ever wanted to know about tracing your Cuban ancestors.

All GFO’s GenTalks are Free and Open to the Public!

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GFO’s DNA Beginners Class

Saturday, May 26th, 9am – noon at GFO’s Library

The class will tackle some major aspects of both AncestryDNA and MyHeritage to help you enhance your testing experience. As MyHeritage accepts autosomal tests from all the major companies, if you have tested, upload your raw data to the company before coming to class. It is always wise to be in more than one company’s database.

All classes are free and anyone is welcomed. Please download the handouts and the evaluation feedback for class (available on the GFO calendar).

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Clark County Spring Seminar

Friday – Sunday, May 25th – 27th
Registration Form

During an event-filled weekend, the Saturday seminar key speaker will be David Allen Lambert. Serving as chief genealogist for the venerable New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), David’s seminar topics include:
1) World War I Military;
2) Great Migration Era settler research; and
3) Probate & Deed Records research.

As an honored guest at the Seminar’s Hudson Bay Company Gala Reception Friday evening, David will share his genealogical gems, including some seemingly small finds that led to amazing stories. Clark County Genealogical Society is collaborating with Friends of Fort Vancouver to bring some of the wonderful Fort interpreters as guests.

Seminar seating is limited to 150 people.

Don’t delay! Sign up today!

SATURDAY, April 21st

Genealogy Problem Solvers 9:30 – 11:30am

The GPS group tackles a classic Black family genealogy problem. See the full description at the top of this E-News.

Italian Interest Group Noon – 2pm

Resources When You Need Help – When you need research assistance, where can you turn? Learn useful resources to further your research, whether in the United States or in Italy. Facilitated by Keith Pyeatt.

Mission Statement – The Italian Special Interest Group is dedicated to promoting Italian family history and genealogy through education of members and the public in methodologies of sound genealogical research and providing the necessary tools and expertise to be successful.

GenTalk – Getting from “Then” to “Now”: Locating People in the Last Century 2 – 3pm

Presenter: Leslie Brinkley Lawson, FGC

SUNDAY, April 22nd

Library Work Party 9am – Noon
Please Volunteer Some of Your Time!

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.

Heraldry/Coats of Arms Workshop 1 – 3pm

Sponsored by the Willamette Chapter Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century.

Free and Open to the Public. Click here for flyer.

Join us to explore Heraldry and the proper use of British Coats of Arms.

How are they regulated? Who is eligible for a Coat of Arms?

Learn how to locate your Gateway ancestor, the key to connecting with your ancestors in the nobility in Europe. What are the most accepted sources of lineage information.

The GFO has many great sources!

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

28 June 2018

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership?

We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

Topic: German Church & Civil Records

Speaker: Fritz Juengling, PhD, AG®

Have you watched the GFO’s newest video?

The video is on Facebook and on our YouTube Channel.

Are you ready for so much fun!? Stillaguamish Valley’s NW Genealogy Conference

Click the image above to find out how you can register today!

Mark Your Calendars!

Questions? Email FM@gfo.org.

Click the image above to find out how you can register today!

SATURDAY, June 30th

SUNDAY, July 1st

MONDAY, July 2nd

WEDNESDAY, July 4th

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

21 June 2018

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

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

14 June 2018

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

Italians, Annual Meeting, GPS, and Family Photos!

Saturday, June 16th, at GFO is Jam Packed!

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

7 June 2018

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

Here’s how:

Thank you for helping us meet our rising rent and other expenses!

Saturday, June 16th, at GFO is Jam Packed!

GFO’s Summer Half-Day German Seminar

Ford Building Freight Elevator

Please note, this should NOT impact the regular elevator.

This group’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 20th, at 6pm.

Research The Great Irish Famine via UCC’s New Website

Interact and explore UCC’s The Great Irish Famine Online HERE.

FRIDAY, June 8th

SATURDAY, June 9th

SUNDAY, June 10th

WEDNESDAY, June 13th

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

24 May 2018

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

GFO’s Summer Half-Day German Seminar

The British are Coming!

Join GFO’s British Interest Group this Saturday, May 26th

All of our SIGs are free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

Explore from the comfort of your home. The adventure starts HERE.

Thank you to one of our most beloved Research Assistants

We will miss you terribly, Shelley, but we wish you all the best in your new venture.

“When It Takes A Village: Applying Cluster Research Techniques”

See all of the JGSWS’s monthly programs at their website HERE.

SATURDAY, May 26th

SUNDAY, May 27th

MONDAY, May 28th

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s

Thursday Evening

E-News, Edition

17 May 2018

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

Help Wanted? Yes! Bulletin Editor & Membership Assistant

Email volunteer@gfo.org if interested!

Thank You for All the Years of Service!

Ellie Dir – Endowment Committee

Tom O’Brien – Genealogy Problem Solvers Extraordinaire

Early Bird Registration ends after June 17th

GFO’s May STAR – Mac McGarvin

Season 10 starts Monday, May 21st!!

Gotta Catch ‘Em All? Just a Few Books Left…