Hello IGGP friends and followers, Having marking its first 10 years as a partnership at the recent conference in June, the IGGP board has decided to take stock before moving forward on two important efforts: a 2027 conference and the future of a partner newsletter. For more information, and to provide your feedback as a follower of IGGP, please open the current edition of the Partner Zeitung. There you will find a link to a survey on a 2027 international conference. Or just use this link: 2027 conference survey link The Partner Zeitung will be on hiatus after this edition as the partnership evaluates new ways of sharing information about IGGP activities. We will continue to use this method of contacting you with developments. So as a reminder, you can use the link below to manage your subscription or unsubscribe. Thank you.
Our mailing address is: International German Genealogy Partnership 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100 c/o Minnesota Genealogy Center Mendota Heights, MN 55120-1367
Save the dates! 2025 is in the books but the best is yet to come. Join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society for our upcoming 2026 Winter Speakers Series with programs in January, February and March. Until then, Happy Holidays to you all from SVGS.
Our monthly PSGS Program this month will be “No OMPF? No Problem!” with Sara Cochran.
Join us on Wed, Nov 19 at 1pm (PT).
This will be hybrid. Join us in person at the Sylvan Way Library or on Zoom. No cost and open to the public. The Zoom link will be posted the day before on our website (psgsociety.org) and our Facebook page.
Researching 20th Century veterans is especially difficult as a fire destroyed millions of Official Military Personnel Files in 1973. This program will look at other ways to find the stories of the WWI and WWII veterans in our families.
The Challenge of World War II Military Research and Records
For many of us, the story of a World War II veteran— whether a parent, a grandparent, an uncle, or an aunt—is a significant and moving chapter in our family history. But the search for details can often be frustrating and discouraging. We know they served, but finding the records that bring their story to life can feel like searching for a needle in a historical haystack.
The biggest roadblock is the catastrophic fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO, in 1973, which destroyed millions of Official Military Personnel Files. By necessity, genealogists have learned to search other ways to reconstruct their ancestor’s records. Some other sources include; Draft Registrations, Morning Reports, Submarine War Patrol Reports, and Missing Air Crew Reports.
On Friday, November 21st at 10:00, Michael L. Strauss will be presenting, via Zoom, World War II Military Research and Records. This lecture focuses on sources and strategies to reconstruct those records most affected by the fire.
Michael L. Strauss is a professional genealogist and a military historian. He has a B.A. in history with a concentration on the Civil War and an M.A. in military history. He has lectured extensively and authored multiple publications.
You are invited to join us! No membership necessary. Go to the BIGS website to register and receive the Zoom link: bigenealogy.org/events.
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting Tuesday, November 11, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm We will begin with our annual Business meeting to elect Officers for the 2026-2027 term and vote on a motion from the Board regarding a donation to the Veteran Bounty Land Records Capital Campaign led by the National Genealogical Society.
This month’s presentation: After the business meeting is concluded we will have a presentation by Nancy Thaut talking about her trips to the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake city and how to prepare before your first visit.
This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who is able to attend in person at our new meeting location:
University Place Library 3609 Market PL W. University Place, WA 98466 and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.
Attend virtually via Zoom: Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Kathie Webber. This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation
Kathie’s topic: Creating A Virtual Cemetery One Kathie’s favorite things about studying her family history has been learning where her ancestors have been buried. Twenty years ago she discovered an online tool called findagrave.com. This website and the accompanying app have enabled her to organize and expand her cemetery research. She will share with everyone the many things she has taken advantage of using Find a Grave, as well as other options that are available.
Bio:
I’ve been doing genealogy for over 40 years. I’ve researched in Washington State, Massachusetts, California, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ireland. My favorite notable ways to research include visiting cemeteries, family history centers, online research, Facebook groups, and travel.
There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.
DIG – DNA Special Interest Group
Also join us at the SVGS library on the third Thursday of the month from 1-3pmfor our DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives, discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.
All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.
If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please sen an email info@stillygen.org
Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.
New England Interest Group
The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) that meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month is now hybrid!
If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly Zoom invitations.
Please join us for Tri-City Genealogical Society’s November General meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12. We will be electing a new board for 2026 and need to have a quorum from the membership. Also, the proposed budget for 2026 will be presented and voted on. After the formalities we will be having an interactive presentation where everyone is encouraged to participate. For people on Zoom the opportunity will be made to share their screen if so desired. See flyer above for details.
Time: Nov 12, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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