Category Archives: Society News

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

KAREN RATHE,
VOLUNTEER OF SUMMER QUARTER

Each quarter, the Seattle Genealogical Society recognizes one member as our Volunteer of the Quarter. Our Volunteer for Summer Quarter 2022 is Karen Rathe. Congratulations to Karen Rathe, Editor of The Journal!

Karen, originally from Portland, Oregon, has been an SGS member for about six years. She volunteered as Vice President for a year. Then as The Journal Editor, she produced the last three issues.

Her professional background has been a huge benefit to SGS. Her talents in creating compelling publications come from her experience teaching journalism for about a decade at The University of Washington and 14 years as copy editor and designer at The Seattle Times. Currently, Karen works part-time for the Puget Sound Business Journal and does occasional stints with Crosscut.com and others.

Karen has enjoyed her involvement with SGS by attending seminars and workshops, where she always comes away with new and helpful information. Also, volunteering for SGS has given her wonderful opportunities to get to know new people and to pick up on genealogy tips. For over half her life, she has been fascinated with uncovering the details of her maternal grandmother’s early life in southwestern Ohio. “My grandmother refused to talk much, so I had to go dig it out much later. Under every rock I overturn, I find a whole new tunnel of mysteries,” she shared.

When Karen isn’t working or sleuthing clues to genealogical mysteries she likes to hike, bicycle, travel and sew. This past year she traveled to Chicago, California and the Canadian Maritimes. Next year’s adventure plans are currently in the works!

RE: NEW HOURS AT SGS 

Dear SGS Library Patrons, 

It has been a challenge for the library to schedule volunteers to consistenly cover the front desk from Monday through Saturday each week. Consequently beginning August 1, 2022, the SGS library will only be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM PDT. 

If you are interested in volunteering at the SGS library, we would love your help. Please let us know at desk@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org. We would love your involvement.
 

SAVE THE DATE

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 

JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 PM unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Monday, Sept 12, 2022 at 7:00 pm. The presentation will be “A Multiracial Jewish Family in Early America” with Laura Arnold Leibman. 

http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

New Hours :  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,  Friday, Saturday
10:00 am – 3:00 pm  PDT** Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers this summer.  

Masks are recommended  inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. 

NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room.  The host must take action to let people into each meeting.  The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.

All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted 

Wednesday, Aug 3 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Tuesday, Aug 9 2022, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Wednesday, Aug 17, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Saturday, Aug 20, 2022, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.

Sunday, Aug 21, 2022,  1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New,  Jill Morelli is the host. Visit the SGS website Calendar for details and updates. Please register in advance. Topic this month is “Solving Family Myths Using the Principles of Logic”. 

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2022, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Wednesday, Aug 31, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

For Members –  to renew online log in at Members Home, go to your Member Profile, and then click the green “Renew Membership” button.   If you’d rather renew by postal mail, click print a membership application and send it together with your dues payment to SGS. Or better yet, stop by the SGS Library and renew in person!
 
Not a member yet? Join online today and enjoy discounted class and Seminar fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases. Find out more about membership at Join SGS.

Take part as SGS enters it 100th Year! 

South King County Genealogical Society August – Early September 2022 Meetings & Events

by Charles Hansen


Some of our regular monthly events are paused for the summer so be sure to check the Program Updates section below for the latest news.   

AUGUST – EARLY SEPTEMBER 2022 MEETINGS & EVENTS

Be in the know! Receive notices for our virtual meetings, as well as the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io

Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online discussion and collaboration arena where:

  • we communicate and share information with each other
  • other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
  • you can unsubscribe at any time

PROGRAM UPDATES

  • The in-person Research Group is cancelled for August
  • EGS German Interest Group is on summer break and will resume September 9, 2022
  • SKCGS monthly General Meetings with featured speakers will resume September 17, 2022
  • August SKCGS Board Meeting is cancelled
  • Genealogy Help (in-person) with SKCGS at the Auburn Library is the 4th Thursday of the month
  • King County Library System online event: “How to Make New Photo Discoveries with Google Images” presented by Lisa Louise Cooke; August 9, 2022, 6:00pm-7:15pm PT; register for event:  https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/62bc9b607a5c6b36000765c8



Saturday, August 6, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT
Family Tree Maker Users Group (virtual)
Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM. Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion.

Monday, August 8, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (virtual)
23andMe: Matches and More
This group is for genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Subscribe for meeting invitations and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Monday, August 15, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Technical User Group (virtual)
Digital Organization and File Structure
Resources:
6 Tips for Organizing Your Digital Genealogy Files: https://www.familytreemagazine.com/organization/organizing-digital-genealogy-files/
TUG is for sharing knowledge and learning about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Subscribe for meeting invitations and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG

Monday, August 22, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genealogy Chat (virtual)
Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! For meeting invitations and discussion, join https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society

Thursday, August 25, 2022 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
1102 Auburn Way S
Auburn, WA 98002
Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, email kcls-auburn@kcls.org

Saturday, September 3, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT
Family Tree Maker Users Group (virtual)
Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM. Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion.


——————

MEMBERSHIP:  We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. Regarding our programs, even if and when we can meet again in person, we will continue with some virtual programs. You can find more information about membership at our website at http://skcgs.org/membership.

MyHeritage Photo Tagger

by Charles Hansen

We’re delighted to introduce Photo Tagger, a free new feature on the MyHeritage mobile app that lets you easily tag multiple photos of the same individual in one go. Previously, tagging photos meant reviewing and tagging them one by one, which was time consuming. Photo Tagger makes organizing your family photos easier and accelerates your productivity, enabling you to tag hundreds of photos in minutes. You can still tag your photos individually as before, but Photo Tagger adds convenient and accurate bulk tagging.


Photo Tagger scans the photos that you’ve uploaded to MyHeritage, and groups together the faces believed to belong to the same individual, so you can review and tag them in one tap. Photo Tagger does an excellent job of identifying faces as they change over time, such as from childhood to adulthood, and even spots changes in individual appearance, such as facial hair.

Watch this short video to see Photo Tagger in action:

Introducing Photo Tagger - YouTube

This feature is currently available on the MyHeritage mobile app, and in the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing it for the web as well. If you don’t have the app yet, you can download it for free from the App Store or Google Play.

You can read more about this feature and how it works on our blog. Feel free to use the graphic below and the video when spreading the word!

Photo-tagger

Thanks for all your help and have a great day.

Daniel Horowitz

Genealogy Expert

MyHeritage Ltd., P.O.Box 50, 3 Ariel Sharon Blvd., Or Yehuda, Israel 6037606, Israel, +972-3-6280000

Heritage Quest Research Library Needs Your Feedback

by Charles Hansen
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National Nordic Museum in Seattle Book Talk by Liv Marit Haakenstad

by Charles Hansen

The National Nordic Museum in Seattle is hosting a book talk by noted Norwegian genealogist Liv Marit Haakenstad on August 24 at 6:00pm at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle. Liv Marit will be speaking about her new book: A Guide to Norwegian Genealogy, Emigration and Transmigration. This is an in-person event, more details and registration can be found in this link.https://nordicmuseum.org/events/genealogy-lecture-a-guide-to-norwegian-genealogy-emigration-and-transmigration

Thank you!

Best,

Erik

Erik G. Pihl

Director of Development

National Nordic Museum

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

Early History of SGS

On October 18, 1923, eight local researchers founded the Seattle Genealogical Society. They met in the downtown Seattle law offices of Moore and Higgins. According to the 1924 Seattle City Directory (information gathered in 1923) this was in Room 953 of the Dexter Horton Building, 704 Second Avenue, on the northeast corner of Cherry Street. These offices were the likely site of the original Seattle Genealogical Society, now known as SGS to all those who use it.

The eight founding members were Alexander Craig Dermond, Eleanor M. Freeman, Elizabeth A. Hubbart, Susan M. Keppel, Lida R. McKercher, Harry Denton Moore, Alice V. Robinson, and George E. Tilton. Their purpose was to form an active genealogical society and to begin a library collection available for Pacific Northwest researchers.The original SGS constitution, statement of purpose and the bylaws were modeled after those of the California Genealogical Society, founded in 1898 in San Francisco. President Harry Moore read aloud a letter from the California society. Its wording, adapted by the Seattle Genealogical Society, declared the new Society’s purpose of being: “To collect, preserve, disseminate information on genealogy and Washington local history; to assist its members in tracing their ancestry; to ascertain the location and condition of various public and private records which are or may become accessible to students of genealogy and American History; to aid in investigation of this nature by combining the efforts and resources of its members; to seek to direct public attention to the value of complete and exact records; and to emphasize the necessity of unremitting care in their collection and preservation.”

Fifty-nine interested researchers met on December 10, 1923 in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium in the downtown Arctic Building, Third Avenue and Cherry Street. Reverend Ambrose Bailey of the First Baptist Church spoke on “Why Trace Your Ancestry?” This was the first general meeting of the newly organized Seattle Genealogical Society and at that meeting 21 more members joined SGS.

SGS membership has increased from the original 8 members to over 1200 members at our peak and now we have over 500 members. We have seen membership dues rise from $1 to the current $40 for an individual membership. Next year we will be 100 years old so watch for news about celebrating our centennial. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

SGS is  having trouble getting the front desk covered for a few days this summer so we ask you to  Please call before coming in to ensure we will be open that day:  (206) 522-8658

SGS depends on volunteers and there are several volunteer positions open. We still need new members for the Archives Committee. We can always use front desk volunteers. Visit our page on open volunteer positions at SGS: 
https://seagensoc.org/cpage.php?pt=18

 FROM OUR FRIENDS TO THE NORTH 


The Surrey Libraries Family have two FREE online Eastern Europe research programs coming up in August and you are invited to join in.   

Tuesday, August 16, 2022  10-11:30am PDT, Eastern Europe Border Changes 

Tuesday, August 30, 2022  10-11:30am PDT, Online Polish Records 

Free. Registration is required. To register, email familyhistory@surrey.ca or call 604-598-7327. A notice for these two programs was posted in Washington State Genealogical Society’s BLOG. The WSGS BLOG is a good way to stay on top of what’s happening at the various genealogical societies all around the Northwest. Here’s the link if you’d like to subscribe to the WSGS BLOG: 
https://wasgs.org/blog/subscription-form-2/

RENEW OR JOIN SGS

For Members –  to renew online log in at Members Home, go to your Member Profile, and then click the green “Renew Membership” button.   If you’d rather renew by postal mail, click print a membership application and send it together with your dues payment to SGS. Or better yet, stop by the SGS Library and renew in person!
 
Not a member yet? Join online today and enjoy discounted class and Seminar fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases. Find out more about membership at Join SGS.

Take part as SGS enters it 100th Year! 

SAVE THE DATE

Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games &
Clan Gathering, 
Enumclaw Expo Center, 
Enumclaw, WA 
Friday, July 22, 2022 – Sunday, July 24, 2022

Mark your calendar and show up for plenty of fun at the 75th Annual Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering.  For full details visit: 
https://www.sshga.org/daily-event-schedule/

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
2nd Monday meetings
usually 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST

JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 PM unless noted otherwise. The next meeting is Monday, Sept 12, 2022 at 7:00 pm. The presentation will be “A Multiracial Jewish Family in Early America” with Laura Arnold Leibman. 

http://www.jgsws.org/meetings.php

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302
4649 Sunnyside Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206 522-8658

New Hours : Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
10:00 am – 3:00 pm ** Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers this summer.  

Masks are recommended  inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. 

NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room.  The host must take action to let people into each meeting.  The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.

All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted 

Saturday, July 16, 2022, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.

Sunday, July 17, 2022,  1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New,  Jill Morelli is the host. Visit the SGS website Calendar for details and updates. Please register in advance. Topic this month is “150 Years of Burned Records: Parents for Elna Johansdotter”. 

Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Wednesday, Aug 3 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Tuesday, Aug 9 2022, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Wednesday, Aug 17, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Saturday, Aug 20, 2022, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, Irish SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.

Sunday, Aug 21, 2022,  1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New,  Jill Morelli is the host. Visit the SGS website Calendar for details and updates. Please register in advance. Topic this month is “Solving Family Myths Using the Principles of Logic”. 

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2022, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. 

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Wednesday, Aug 31, 2022, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.

Clark County Genealogical Society Granny in the Gallery

by Charles Hansen

Put a Granny in the Gallery

The Clark County Genealogical Society is seeking submissions for their Gallery of Grandmothers by August 15 in celebration of their 50th anniversary celebration. People can submit a photo of a current or past grandmother from anywhere or any era. Each photo should include up to 500 words about the ancestor, including such items such as name, dates of birth and death, birthplace, where and how they lived, what they did, favorite memory, and perhaps some personal characteristics. Digital images and descriptions can be emailed to marcia@ccgswa.org. You may also drop photo copies (up to 5”x7”) off at the CCGS Library, 3205 NE 52nd Street, Vancouver, WA 98663. The library is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 50th anniversary celebration will be held on August 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come dressed like the early ‘70’s and have a grilled hot dog. This is a great time for those interested in ancestry research to explore the library and its sources, participate in some fun activities, and chat with genealogy experts. For more information, visit https://www.ccgs-wa.org.

(Note: I have a 1930s-era photos of my grandmother taken 1) on the streets of either Vancouver or Portland and, 2) at a fair, probably Clark County. The family grew up in Felida, LaCenter, and Woodland. Let me know if you’re interested.)

——-

Hello!

We certainly appreciated the your help when we were seeking family of the original founders. We’re still seeking them but this is our latest effort for the 50 year celebration. Please let me know if you have any questions or wish to talk to anyone!

Thank you,

Kay Cooke

CCGS Publicity Volunteer

360-952-0025

Heritage Quest Research Library Don’t Build Brick Walls

by Charles Hansen
Jill Morelli, CG is a writer, lecturer and co-founder of Applied Genealogy Institute, providing practicum-based educational opportunities for intermediate and advanced genealogists.  In 2017, she founded the Certification Discussion Group, an online series discussing her certification journey, which demystifies the process for applicants and other interested individuals.  She lectures nationally and has written articles for National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Swedish American Genealogist, and many others.  Jill is past president of Seattle Genealogical Society, co-chair of SGS Centennial 2023 and also a member of many genealogical societies.
Don’t Build Your Own Brick Walls Who doesn’t have genealogical brick walls, those intractable problems that we cannot seem to get beyond? 
Other than extant records, the brick wall is probably of your own making.  We all explore the various ways we make our own brick walls and strategies for successfully breaking through them.  
This will take some hard work, but you can demolish that wall.   When:          July 21, 2022          11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where:         ZOOM
Cost:            Members $20          Non-members $25
Deadline for sign-up:     July 18, 2022 Sign-up and payment
Come in to HQRL
1007 Main Street, Sumner, WA
or 
Call: 253-863-1806
or
go to hqrl.com
Members must sign in and go to the HQRL Store to receive the discount. 

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society Researching Your Ancestral Places

by Charles Hansen

On Friday, July 15, 2022

at 10AM at the Bainbridge Public Library and on Zoom,

Claire Smith will present: “Researching Your Ancestral Places”

Learn how to build place guides, find resources to research the history, geography and culture in the time and places your ancestors lived. Find out where to find historic maps, boundary changes, information about local history, and more.

It’s free, and the public is most welcome! Come by the Bainbridge Public Library prepared to mask or pick up your Zoom link at our website, on July 14, the day before the meeting, at http://www.bigenealogy.org under “Events.”