Category Archives: WSGS Programs

WSGS Vice President and Treasurer Nominee Statements

by Roxanne Lowe

LeAnne Koliha of Marysville has been nominated to serve as WSGS Vice President for the 2025-2026 term. Additionally, Frank McLean of Yakima has been nominated for another term as Treasurer. The term of offices is 01 Jan 2025 through 31 Dec 2026.

Online voting for the slate will begin 08 Dec 2024 and run through 15 Dec. All WSGS members will receive an email with a Google link to their anonymous ballot. Members are asked to vote for each position. Write-in nominations are allowed. There is also space for suggestions and comments.

LeAnne’s candidate statement:

LeAnne Kohila

I am excited to be nominated as Vice President of the Washington Society Genealogical Society. I look forward to this opportunity to serve as WSGS continues to find ways to support the local societies and individual genealogists.

I was born in Yakima, Washington, and have spent most of my life on оne side of the mountains or the other. After high school I spent a year as an exchange student living in The Netherlands. I graduated from Central Washington University with a major in special education.

After teaching for nine years, I went back to school myself. I received my law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School in 1985. I retired from the law in 1996. Being retired was boring so I went back into education until 2009.

My husband and I lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 2010 until his health required him to take medical retirement and we returned to the Northwest.

I have been interested in genealogy for years. I have had the good fortune to be able to research my father’s family by visiting the areas of France and Germany where his parents were born. I am member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lady Stirling Chapter in Bothell, and Daughters of the American Colonists, Pilchuck Chapter in Lynnwood, where I am the chapter registrar. I am just finishing a term as vice president of the library for the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society.

Frank’s candidate statement:

I have been a member of WSGS since 1988 and have served in nearly every office, including President and Treasurer. I am currently WSGS Treasurer, as well as chair of the Pioneer Certificate Program and chief reviewer of the Pioneer Pursuit effort. I am also the Buildings and Grounds supervisor at the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society.

Frank McLean

I have a vested interest in seeing the society become a more useful organization to local societies and individual genealogists. Over the years, I have seen a lot of changes in WSGS, but am hoping for more. I am particularly interested in making WSGS an organization that provides value to societies. WSGS is interested in what services and opportunities it can provide. I also hope we can generate interest in expanding individual participation, maybe serving on the board or helping some other way. I would appreciate your support in moving WSGS in a positive direction.

Outstanding Volunteer/Team Nominations Sought

by Roxanne Lowe

It’s that time of year! Time for your society to honor your outstanding volunteers or teams with an Outstanding Volunteer or Team Award. 

  • No later than July 1, 2024: Submit the form and photograph of your honoree(s) to Info@wasgs.org. The narrative (approximately 150 words) should explain the accomplishments of your nominee/team and why you are honoring him/her/them. The photo should be a good quality digital photograph (at least 300 dpi).
  • September 1, 2024: Formal announcement of the recipients will be announced.

A few special notes:

  • Local societies can submit up to two individuals or one teams/projects for special recognition by WSGS. Contact Roxanne Lowe at Info@wasgs.org if you have an extraordinary situation.
  • The Outstanding Volunteer/Team Award program is not a competition – it is locally driven. All nominees from local societies will be honored with an Outstanding Volunteer/Team certificate, but we want these awards to be special, so please don’t nominate your whole society (even though they are outstanding!).
  • Posthumous awards may be considered.
  • If your nominee is camera shy & doesn’t want to have a picture submitted, that’s fine. Also, if you’re unable to snap a picture of your whole team, we’re okay with individual member photos.
  • Nominees may have received an Outstanding Volunteer award previously. Click here for a cumulative list of awardees (alpha by name and by society).
  • Please honor the July 1 timeline for nominations. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work, including reviews, to be done before the announcement on September 1.
  • The nomination form is available here. Please complete one form per person or team.

Additional details and deadlines may be found at the WSGS website here.

Please contact Roxanne Lowe at Info@wasgs.org if you have questions or suggestions.

Nominations for President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement Sought

by Roxanne Lowe

The nomination period for the Washington State Genealogical Society President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is open. Nominations are due by 01 Aug 2024. The announcement will be made 01 Sep 2024.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

The ideal recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement has:

• Exhibited long-term, consistent service in the field of genealogy, family or local history, the genealogical community, records preservation or made an important single contribution in those areas that will endure into the future.
• Demonstrated a high degree of energy, commitment, flexibility, and professional conduct.
• Provided significant support and impact to the local genealogical community time and time again.
• Exhibited personal influence and example to society members and/or the general public with their unselfish service.
• Supported or advanced local or statewide genealogical research.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual, local society or organization, regardless of WSGS membership. Nominees do not have to have been officers in their local societies.

Previous recipients of this prestigious award include:

  • 2015 – Fred Pflugrath, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2016 – Margie Wilson, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
  • 2017 – Joanne Egbert Calhoun, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2018 – Ann Olson, Olympia Genealogical Society
  • 2021 – Helen McGreer Lewis, South King County Genealogical Society (posthumous)
  • 2022 – Jill Morelli. Seattle Genealogical Society
  • 2023 – Karen Mitchell, Clallam County Genealogical Society

Additional information, including the nomination form, is available here. Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please type “President’s Award” in the Subject Line.

Supportive Grant Applications Due July 31

by Roxanne Lowe

Is your local genealogy society interested in financial assistance for a special project or need? Applications for the WSGS Supportive Grants are being accepted through July 31, 2024.

The grants, up to $250 each, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations or fill a need that your society has. The awards do not have to be repaid — they’re yours to support worthy projects. Two grants will be awarded in 2024.

The simple application is only ONE page. The application and additional guidance is available here. For more information, visit our website at https://www.wasgs.org/cpage.php?pt=90.

Contact Outreach@wasgs.org if you have other questions. Please note “Grants” in the Subject Line.

WSGS President and Secretary Nominee Statements

by Roxanne Lowe

Kathleen “Kathy” Weddle Sizer of Granger has been nominated to serve a second two-year term as WSGS President. Additionally, Jill Scott of Yakima has been nominated as Secretary. The term of offices is 01 Jan 2024 through 31 Dec 2025.

Online voting for the slate will begin 22 Jan 2024 and run through 29 Jan 2024. All WSGS members will receive an email with a Google link to their anonymous ballot. Members are asked to vote for each position. Write-in nominations are allowed.

Kathy’s candidate statement

Through the years it has been hard to fill board positions. Many enjoy the benefits of organizations and clubs but few run for office. I am running for president for a second term to fill a need; I enjoy being the “play crew” and not the “actor,” but see the need. I joined Yakima Valley Genealogical Society in 1975 and have served as president, vice-president, secretary and currently treasurer. At the state level, I was appointed membership chair in 2017 and am still in that position and have served as secretary and one term as your president of WSGS.

WSGS has become a clearinghouse for local societies and, as such, is very important to our state. The Pioneer Pursuit contest added 3,696 more names of individuals who lived here before statehood, including those who were indigenous to the area. Check out Chief Sealth’s family history in our Pioneer Pursuit index. I have enjoyed working with our board, but encourage all of you to step outside your box and run for a WSGS office in the future. We meet virtually once a month on the third Tuesday of the month at 2:00 PM and I, as president, like to keep the meeting to an hour.

Jill’s candidate statement

I am thrilled to be nominated to the Washington Society Genealogy Society Board as Secretary. I eagerly anticipate contributing to the betterment of our membership. Here’s a little about me:

I was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After graduating from high school, I moved to Spokane and attended Kinman Business University. I found not only a job, but a husband in Portland while I worked for Pacific Power & Light as an executive secretary. We moved to Klamath Falls where my only child, Alison, was born. Then we moved to Sunnyside for Charlie’s job and retired to Tucson in 1994. In 2000, I moved to Escondido, California to take care of my aging dad.  After his death in 2003, I decided to stay in Southern California and then moved to Yakima in 2017.

I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution – Narcissa Whitman Chapter in Yakima, where I am the immediate Past Honorary Chapter Regent; P.E.O. Chapter FR; Daughters of Utah Pioneers; Huguenot Society; Daughters of the Republic of Texas; U.S. Daughters of 1812; Flagon & Trenchers and a Utah Genealogy Society supporter of their Utah Founding Pioneer program.

Reminder: Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable on Monday

by Roxanne Lowe

Are you interested in learning more about the Pioneer Pursuit? Well, join us for a roundtable presentation on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

We’ll show you what resources are available, how to complete the forms and how the review process works. PLUS, there’ll be plenty of time to get your questions answered. There is no pre-registration. Attendance is limited to 100 participants. The roundtable will be recorded and available on the WSGS website.

Monday, April 24, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82158112359?pwd=ZlJpak1pUjNjTDROcmFjckMxUlljdz09

Meeting ID: 821 5811 2359
Passcode: 840493

Phone: (253) 215-8782,,82158112359#,,,,*840493# 

For more information, visit the Pioneer Pursuit webpage or email Info@wasgs.org.

Expansive Borders in Washington Territory

by Roxanne Lowe

If you’re thinking about researching a Washington Pioneer for the Pioneer Pursuit Contest, don’t forget that from 1860 – 1863 the borders of Washington Territory extended as far east as Missoula, Montana and as far south as the Idaho/Utah border. Anyone living in that territory during that time is considered eligible to be a Washington Pioneer.

If you need more information about the Pioneer Pursuit Contest, visit our web page. Or join us on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. for a Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable discussion. You’ll learn about the resources available, how to complete the forms and the review process. There’ll also be plenty of time to get your questions answered. For the Zoom link, click here.

Source: SC 1, Historic Maps Collection https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/finders/sc001.htm at Washington State University Libraries’ Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC) https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc

Nominations for President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement Sought

by Roxanne Lowe

The nomination period for the Washington State Genealogical Society President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is open. Nominations are due by 01 Aug 2023. The announcement will be made 01 Sep 2023.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations.

The ideal recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement has:

• Exhibited long-term, consistent service in the field of genealogy, family or local history, the genealogical community, records preservation or made an important single contribution in those areas that will endure into the future.
• Demonstrated a high degree of energy, commitment, flexibility, and professional conduct.
• Provided significant support and impact to the local genealogical community time and time again.
• Exhibited personal influence and example to society members and/or the general public with their unselfish service.
• Supported or advanced local or statewide genealogical research.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual, local society or organization, regardless of WSGS membership. Nominees do not have to have been officers in their local societies.

Previous recipients of this prestigious award include:

  • 2015 – Fred Pflugrath, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2016 – Margie Wilson, Skagit Valley Genealogical Society
  • 2017 – Joanne Egbert Calhoun, Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society
  • 2018 – Ann Olson, Olympia Genealogical Society
  • 2021 – Helen McGreer Lewis, South King County Genealogical Society (posthumous)
  • 2022 – Jill Morelli. Seattle Genealogical Society

Additional information, including the nomination form, is available here. Questions should be directed to Info@wasgs.org. Please type “President’s Award” in the Subject Line.

Outstanding Volunteer/Team Nominations Sought

by Roxanne Lowe

It’s that time of year! Time for your society to honor your outstanding volunteers or teams with an Outstanding Volunteer or Team Award. 

  • No later than July 1, 2023: Submit the form and photograph of your honoree(s) to Info@wasgs.org. The narrative (approximately 150 words) should explain the accomplishments of your nominee/team and why you are honoring him/her/them. The photo should be a good quality digital photograph (at least 300 dpi).
  • September 1, 2023: Formal announcement of the recipients will be announced.

A few special notes:

  • Local societies can submit up to two individuals or one teams/projects for special recognition by WSGS.
  • The Outstanding Volunteer/Team Award program is not a competition – it is locally driven. All nominees from local societies will be honored with an Outstanding Volunteer/Team certificate, but we want these awards to be special, so please don’t nominate your whole society (even though they are outstanding!).
  • Posthumous awards may be considered.
  • If your nominee is camera shy & doesn’t want to have a picture submitted, that’s fine. Also, if you’re unable to snap a picture of your whole team, we’re okay with individual member photos.
  • Nominees may have received an Outstanding Volunteer award previously. Click here for a cumulative list of awardees (alpha by name and by society).
  • Please honor the July 1 timeline for nominations. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work, including reviews, to be done before the announcement on September 1.
  • The nomination form is attached. Please complete one form per person or team.

Additional details and deadlines may be found at the WSGS website here.

Please contact Roxanne Lowe at Info@wasgs.org if you have questions or suggestions.

Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable Scheduled for April 24, 2023

by Roxanne Lowe

WSGS is sponsoring a roundtable presentation to inform genealogists and genealogical societies about the Washington Pioneer Pursuit Contest. The contest is designed to document family histories for every man, woman and child who lived in Washington Territory on or before Statehood was declared on November 11, 1889. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the contest, including what resources are available, how to complete the forms and the review process, join us. There’ll also be plenty of time to get your questions answered. There is no pre-registration. Attendance is limited to 100 participants. The roundtable will be recorded and available on the WSGS website.

Monday, April 24, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82158112359?pwd=ZlJpak1pUjNjTDROcmFjckMxUlljdz09

Meeting ID: 821 5811 2359
Passcode: 840493

Phone: (253) 215-8782,,82158112359#,,,,*840493# 

For more information, visit the Pioneer Pursuit webpage or email Info@wasgs.org.