TIP OF THE WEEK –
NEED CONTEXT? TRY A NEWSPAPER

When you run into a word or term you don’t understand that you believe is related to the time and place your ancestors lived, but you can’t tell the meaning, try searching their local newspaper if it is available. Often some local terms, expressions and even details about policies don’t make it into history books or even Google. Here are a few examples of things that provide context that you can find in the local paper that may not be available elsewhere: the details of the state pension rules, usages of local expressions, when a community opened their poor farm, or the name of a school or church and when it opened.

TIP OF THE WEEK –
SEATTLE CENTER CULTURAL FESTIVALS
At Seattle Center, under the theme “Where the World Gathers”, 24 free cultural festivals are scheduled for 2023. A fun, learning experience for the entire family. Coming up in June and July are:

• June 3-4 Pagdiriwag Philippine Festival
• June 24 Seattle Iranian Festival
• July 8 Polish Festival Seattle
• July 14-16 Festival Sundiata Black Arts Festival

For a complete list of festivals and to learn more, visit:
https://seattlecenter.com/events/featured-events/festal

TIP OF THE WEEK –
SGS  Book Procurement Program

When SGS moved to its new location in the Good Shepherd Center, a team of volunteers, led by the Library Trustees, curated our existing collection to focus on the Pacific Northwest. In that process they discovered that we had several incomplete sets of books and many underrepresented counties. The SGS Librarian submitted to the Board of Trustee’s a request for funding, which was granted. With a purchasing plan in place, the Trustees have been active in procuring these volumes as they become available. 

If you would like to support this effort, please consider a donation to the Society. If you have book(s) in your personal library which might supplement our Pacific Northwest collection, please first contact Director of Library at library@seagensoc.org. Thanks!

TIP OF THE WEEK – DO YOU REMEMBER THIS ELEPHIND TIP?

Elephind, is a the Search Engine for Historical Newspapers. Many genealogist love the Library of Congress –  Chronicling America – historical, digitized newspapers website, but have you heard of Elephind.com? Their goal is to search all the world’s digitized, historical newspapers from one place at one time; it’s similar to the idea behind Travelocity.com with the airline industry.

Elephind currently is at over 200 million items from over 4,300 newspaper titles worldwide. That is far more than what you will find at Chronicling America.  In fact, Chronicling America is one of the sites Elephind has covered. Also like Chronicling America, Elephind is adding volume almost daily.

At the website for elephind,  start with the Search Tips.

The “proximity search” is particularly useful.  An example, using this syntax  “Jane Doe”~4 in Search will find for you : 

•Jane Doe
•Jane E Doe
•Jane Elizabeth Doe
•Elizabeth Jane Smith, nee Doe

But it will exclude something like “Jane and Sally found a young, frightened doe in the woods”.

Elephind.com will be a good addition to your arsenal of historical newspapers websites and someday it might become the only one you will ever need.

Visit: https://elephind.com

TIP OF THE WEEK –
THIS NEW BOOK IS GREAT!

By Lisa White, SGS Director of Publiations

Recently I had the pleasure of reading Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy by Genealogy Guys Podcast co-host Drew Smith.Coincidently it came to me at a very appropriate time. Lately I have been involved in many discussions about how best to get started in genealogy. This book addresses this question wonderfully.

Directed towards beginning genealogists, this book provides an upbeat and clear guide to the steps involved in doing good genealogical research. The main focus is on United States records, but there is also a chapter devoted to research outside of the U.S. such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The chapter on DNA testing is especially good as it provides the basics for understanding types of DNA and how testing can help us with our projects.

Even if you are a seasoned genealogist, I recommend that you read this book. In genealogy, as in most things, there is always something to learn, and I came away rejuvenated with so many ideas and insights. I can’t wait to put some of these suggestions to work, especially in regards to organizing my digital files. Some of the tips can even save you money!

To help start or boost your research, you can get your copy at:  
https://www.genealogical.com
 

TIP OF THE WEEK –
SGS 2023 SPRING SEMINAR
 RECORDING

DID YOU MISS THE SGS 2023 SPRING SEMINAR?

The seminar has concluded, but you may still “Learn to Research Like a Pro” with Diana Elder AGⓇ and Nicole Dyer! Register for access to view the recorded seminar presentations, which will be available until Monday, April 10, 2023. 

Register for the SGS 2023 Spring Seminar

TIP OF THE WEEK –
“HERITAGE FROM THE HEARTLAND” SERIES

The Eastern Washington Genealogical Society has been running a webinar series on research in the Heartland of America. There are 4 webinars left; they are hybrid, meaning you can attend in person or online virtual. They will take place:

March 4, 2023 : Michigan
April 1, 2023   : Ohio, Minnesota, and Iowa
May 6, 2023    : Kansas
June 3, 2023   : Oklahoma 

Interested in finding out more, visit their website: 
https://ewgsi.org

Once there follow the tab to Upcoming Events.