Category Archives: Z-2016 Past Meetings-Seminars

NW Genealogy Conference — Day 1

by Roxanne Lowe

The theme of the first full day of the Northwest Genealogy Conference in Arlington was “Gathering Your Family’s Story.” Keynoter Claudia Breland, noted author of four books and at least six more in the works, shared her knowledge, experience and advice about:

Claudia Breland sharing her expertise on self-publishing her literary works.

Claudia Breland sharing her expertise on self-publishing.

  • Writing Up Your Research (without using genealogy software). Yes, you really can use your word processing software to write your family’s story!
  • Self-Publishing for the Family Historian. You don’t have to be J.K. Rowling to publish a book.
  • Finding and Using Historic Newspapers (check out her book “Searching for Your Ancestors in Historic Newspapers“).
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Daniel Earl entertained his audience, leaving us dying to hear more!

In between Claudia’s sessions, the 250+ attendees chose two hour-long sessions from a tantalizing list of topics from Secret Societies (fraternal organizations) and Huguenot Records to Census Strategies and Funeral Homes (where they’re dying to meet you!). I couldn’t resist Daniel Earl’s “Funeral Homes and Family History” class and wasn’t disappointed. He filled the room (literally — it was standing room only) with humor and new awareness of the wealth of information to be gleaned from bills of sale, service programs and funeral cards. The other class I chose was “Using Homestead Records to Tell Your Ancestor’s Story” with Michelle Goodrum, a professional genealogist from Mesa, Arizona. I was amazed at the amount of rich information I can get from a land entry case file from the National Archives for my homesteading ancestors. Definitely on my To Do List!

Blogger Roxanne Lowe with professional genealogist Janice Lovelace

Blogger Roxanne Lowe with professional genealogist Janice Lovelace

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Downtown Arlington rolled out the welcome mat for us

A new feature offered at the conference was “Ask the Experts,” a limited number of one-on-one consultations with a member of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. I was lucky enough to meet with Janice Lovelace, an expert in early Ohio records. She was able to focus my efforts to find my 2x great grandfather (Thomas Ferbrache, where are you?), give me promising suggestions for new avenues and specific resources to check.

The end of our day included dinner, shopping and a stroll through historic downtown Arlington. Businesses agreed to stay open later to roll out the welcome mat to NWGC attendees. A great day from dawn to dusk.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GFO1

 

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 17 August 2016

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 go to www.gfo.org/calendar.htm.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for August 2016, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Aug.pdf.

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Are You at the Northwest Genealogy Conference? There’s Still Time!

by Roxanne Lowe
Beth Foulk entertained NWGC attendees at today's free beginner classes.

Beth Foulk entertained NWGC attendees at today’s free beginner classes.

“Wanna talk about dead people?” That’s how featured speaker Beth Foulk kicked off the Northwest Genealogy Conference‘s  entertaining free beginner class (actually three classes!) today. From that opening question (and roomful of chuckles), we were off to 3+ hours of stories, examples, resources, tips, reminders and ah ha’s — everything you could ask for. It didn’t matter how you defined “beginner” — we all learned plenty in Beth’s engaging classes:

  • The Best Tools for Beginning Genealogy Success
  • Secrets of Ten Record Groups
  • If I’d Only Known: Beginning Mistakes, Tips & Tricks to Keep From Tripping Up

The day ended with a fun networking reception at local hot spot Skookum Brewery. What a great way to see old friends and meet new ones.

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If you missed today’s classes, don’t despair. The organizers at the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society are ready for you (Boy — are they ready!). You can still register for the conference (although you’ll need to bring your own meals) — even if you only want to come for one day ($80/day). Just show up at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center in Arlington and be prepared to be educated and entertained.

I’ll post again tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing keynote speaker Claudia Breland’s three presentations, but I’m a little worried about how to choose only two individual classes from the 13 being offered, plus visit the vendors and do a little networking. What a dilemma!

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

Seattle

70th Annual Pacific Northwest
 Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering

Did you catch the Scottish Highland Games the last weekend in July?  About 20 to 30 thousand people attend the games each summer.  It’s a long standing Community Outreach Activity for SGS and a great opportunity for us to connect with people already interested in their heritage. SGS proudly carried the SGS banner in the daily “Parade of the Clans” ceremonies before a grandstand crowd.

Our SGS volunteers helped attendees with their questions.   We had Scottish, Scots-Irish and Irish books from our library available for people to reference.  We even got the children involved collecting smiley face stickers for their “Children’s Passport” and for their parents we had a genealogy for children handout with a lineage chart. Jean Roth gave a talk on Scottish and Scots-Irish Genealogical Society Research in the Heritage Tent.

Jean Roth and Pat Younie organized our volunteers.  A special “Thank you” to Jim Ryan & Richard Ambur for setting up our double booth and displays. And of course “thank you”  to all the volunteers including Tom & Kathi Hamilton, Steven & Gloria Morrison, Bill & Annette Dwyer, Joan Kelday, Nancy Martin, Elizabeth Howie, Carol Boyer, Karen Portzer, Linda Luedke, and David Rimmer. Also joining us was Nancy Spieker of the Irish Heritage Club.

Are you often missing updates from your favorite genealogy bloggers, societies, and educators because you’ve only subscribed to them via Facebook? Facebook filters and presents content based on a nontransparent algorithm. This can omit updates which you want to receive.

Subscribe to your favorite content producer’s RSS feeds using Feedly.com, and see everything sequentially. Feedly’s motto is, “More signal, less noise”. And it’s true! It’s available for mobile devices and via the web, and comes in feature-rich free and pro versions. You can creating collections, set keyword alerts, and even have the ability to subscribe to YouTube channels. Feedly keeps track of what you’ve read, saves your favorite feed items, and helps you to share them with friends by connecting to social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

If you try Feedly from the web, once logged in, press the “Discover and Follow” button and enter genealogy in the search. You’ll see options to follow Ancestry Blog, Dear MYRTLE, Genealogy Insider, Geneabloggers, The Legal Genealogist and much more!

But don’t abandon Facebook just yet. Facebook’s power lies in its ability to help people communicate with one another. Subscribing to Facebook Groups, as opposed to just liking Pages, allows you to join into communities that share your interests and that contain active people who wish to collaborate. For example, are you interested in delving deep into DNA? Check out the group DNA Detectives moderated by CeCe Moore. And if you’re seeking help with using Family Tree Maker, there’s an active group where users mentor one another.

BACK FROM SUMMER BREAK

After a summer break the Scandinavian, Irish, and German Special Interest Groups will return to their regular time slots in September.  The Scandinavian group meets on the 2nd Sunday of the month and the Irish and German groups meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

Karen Knudson has returned from her trip to Norway and Sweden and can’t wait to share her stories with the Scandinavian group. She plans that for the first hour of the next meeting with the second hour reserved for discussion and Q&A.

And don’t forget about the new Family Tree Maker Help Sessions scheduled to begin on August 27th; there was a write up on it in the last issue of the eNews! Considering all the users of FTM, this should be a popular addition to the educational opportunities available to you at SGS.

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
 

Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE.  Please check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections.  Programs may be canceled or postponed due to inclement weather.  The SGS Library will be closed Labor Day Weekend, September 3rd and 4th.

AUGUST

Tuesday, August 16, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology, Bring your laptop or mobile device, visit with other members and learn from each other while working on your family history. Discuss current projects, hardware, software, organizing data, and technology trends in genealogy.

Saturday, August 20,   10:00 am – 12:30 pm, SGS DNA Special Interest Group, meets at Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall at the corner of 35th Ave NE & NE 80th St.  Join us to learn about new discoveries in DNA testing.  To be added to their email list, contact sgsdnasig@gmail.com

Tuesday, August 23, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology

Saturday, August 27,   10:15 am – 12:15 pm,   Family Tree Maker Help Session, Reiley Kidd and Betty Ravenholt, leaders.  See last issue of eNews! for detailed specifics.  What would you like to learn about FTM?

Tuesday, August 30, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday, September 6, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology, Bring your laptop or mobile device, visit with other members and learn from each other while working on your family history. Discuss current projects, hardware, software, organizing data, and technology trends in genealogy.

Sunday, September 11,  1:30 pm – 3:30pm, Scandinavian SIG, this meeting leader, Karen Knudson, will talk about her trip to Norway & Sweden followed by discussion and Q&A.

Tuesday, September 13, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Hosted by Lisa Chan, SGS Director of Technology

Saturday, September 17, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, Leader: Jean A. Roth

Saturday, September 17,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm,  German Interest Group, Leader: Jean A. Roth

SAVE THE DATES

August 17th-20th
Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society 2016 Northwest Genealogy Conference
Byrnes Performing Arts Center, Arlington, WA
August 17th is The Beginner Genealogy Free Day with classes geared for those new to genealogy.  For more details on this conference and registration go to:
http://stillygen.org/cpage.php?pt=50
SGS members Janice Lovelace and Mary Kircher Roddy are presenting at this conference.

September 23rd-25th
The Kelowna & District Genealogical Society’s  (KDGS)
“Harvest Your Family Tree”  Conference 2016
Kelowna, BC, Canada
More info and registration at: www.kdgsconference2016.blogspot.ca
SGS member Mary Kircher Roddy is also speaking at this conference.

September 23rd-24th, 2016
Ancestry Days in Washington State
Greater Tacoma Convention Center
1500 Broadway
Tacoma, WA 98402

The Office of the Secretary of State and the Washington State Historical Society are partnering with Ancestry to bring a very special genealogical event to the Pacific Northwest. Ancestry Day in Washington will be held in Tacoma on Saturday, September 24, and is expected to attract more than 1,000 family historians. Whether you are a new subscriber to Ancestry, an experienced genealogist, or just interested in finding out what genealogy is all about, this is the event for you!  Activities on September 23 will be held at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma and will include access to the museum and special presentations on outstanding genealogical resources in Washington.  On Saturday, September 24, Ancestry will take center stage at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. They will be bringing their expertise, engaging speakers, door prizes, and Ancestry DNA kits to purchase. There also will be vendors from around the state sharing their products and ideas.
Registration opens in late July.  Stay tuned for more information.  For more details, see:

Ancestry Day Coming Soon!

October 15, 2016
SGS Fall Seminar, featuring author Emily Aulicino, well-known expert on DNA and genealogy. More details to follow soon.

Heritage Quest Research Library Upcoming Classes

by Charles Hansen

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Upcoming Classes at HQRL

August, 2016

Like us on Facebook!

Mark your calendars! It’s a busy month at HQRL!

As a courtesy, please do not wear perfume or strong cologne.

 

August 16th, Tuesday 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., $15.00

Getting Started with Legacy Family Tree with Jim Johnson Jim will explain how to set up your family file and how to input your information properly. If you have Legacy installed on a laptop, you are invited to bring it and follow along with the lesson.

August 22nd, Monday 1:00 -3:00 P.M., $15.00

Researching Land Records with Carolyn Harkness

“…beginning at the old oak tree, on the banks of the Salix Creek, thence southwest 45 degrees, 30 chains to the big rock……” Carolyn will describe various land records and where to find them, including the Metes and Bounds System of the original colonies. She will provide protractors whereby students will plat a land description. She will also discuss the Rectangular Survey system, which is the primary survey method in the United States. Join us for this learning experience!

August 30th, Tuesday 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., $15.00

Roots Magic (A repeat) with Dee Haviland Fournier Join Dee for a Beginner’s Class in Roots Magic. If you are thinking about buying Roots Magic or have the software and don’t know where to begin this class will help you get started. It is focused on the Main Menu and the Tool Bar. We will cover as much as time allows. If you have the program loaded on your laptop, you might want to bring it with you.

*3 ways to sign-up:*

1. In person at HQRL, 1007 S. Main St., Sumner, WA. The sign-up notebook is at the

Front Desk.

2. E-mail *HQRLinfo@gmail.com <HQRLinfo@gmail.com>* – provide name, telephone

number and your HQRL membership number, if you are a member.

3. Telephone HQRL at 253-863-1806 between 10:00 am – 4 pm, Monday through

Saturday. Provide your name, telephone number and HQRL membership number, if

you are a member.

Puget Sound Genealogical Society Conferences and Seminars

by Charles Hansen

PugetSound

Puget Sound Genealogical Society is having their bi-annual seminar “A Day of Discovery” on Saturday, September 24, at the Poulsbo Community Church on Saturday, September 24th from 8:30am to 3:30pm.  The featured presenter is Thomas MacEntee, a well-known and popular speaker from Chicago, Illinois.  He will be presenting four topics: Internet Archive: A Gold Mine for Genealogists; Managing the Genealogy Data Monster; Mapping Your Genealogy: From A to Z and In-Between; and Successful Collateral and Cluster Searching. The registration fee is $40.00 for PSGS members and $45.00 for non-members.  The late registration fee after September 15th is an additional $5.00.  Registration fee includes a light lunch, morning and afternoon snacks and a chance to win one of more than 20 genealogy-related door prizes. There will also be a raffle of more than $500 of technology-related items. Tickets are only $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.  Jim Johnson will also bring lots of research goodies from the Heritage Quest Research Library’s Bookstore. More information, or to download the brochure and registration form, go to the PSGS website:  www.pusogensoc.org/psgs/seminar2016.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News

by Charles Hansen

GFO1

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Wednesday Evening E-News 10 August 2016

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 go to www.gfo.org/calendar.htm.

Also, if you missed your free copy of our monthly Insider for August 2016, you’re in luck because we saved you a copy at http://www.gfo.org/insider/16-Aug.pdf.

***

It Only TAKES ONE to Make a WHALE of a Difference!

Whale

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More Details about Ancestry Day Sept 23-24

by Charles Hansen

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$15 – $35
TICKETS
Ancestry Day in Washington State
By: Ancestry, Office of the Secretary of State: Washington State Archives, Washington State Library, Legacy Washington, and the Washington State Historical Society.
Join Ancestry, Washington State Archives, Washington State Library, Legacy Washington and the Washington State Historical Society as they present Ancestry Day in Washington State, Sept. 23-24.

Both novice and experienced genealogists are welcome at this event.  Registration for the Ancestry Day on Saturday, Sept. 24 is $35 and includes admission to all Saturday classes presented by Ancestry.  Lunch tickets can be purchased for an additional $15, which includes a box lunch and the lunch speaker.

Special presentations will be offered by the Washington State Historical Society and the Washington State History Museum on Friday, Sept. 23, for $15.  These are limited to the first 225 participants who register for Saturday.

Kittitas County Genealogical Society Upcoming Meetings

by Charles Hansen

KCGS_logo

Genealogy Annual Potluck Picnic

Sunday Aug 14 at 4 pm at home of Mary and Lew Christensen, 60 Moe Road, at corner of Moe&Tjossem Rds.  Please bring something to share – a salad, fruit, meat, a side dish or dessert.  Hosts will furnish beverages and table service.  Come enjoy this time of fellowship with others in our society.

Guests are WELCOME!

 

No Sept 2016 meeting because of Labor Day and Rodeo-County Fair conflict

 

Our October 3, 2016 7pm meeting will have a program related to DNA-genealogy, by our member Judy Clayton.

 

Our November 7, 2016  7pm meeting will have a program on special censuses, such as Mortality schedules of the US federal censuses, by our member Erik Bakke.

(& Mon Dec 5 is Christmas dinner 208 NRubySt)

Annual Christmas Dinner by the Methodists:

Monday Dec 5th at 6 pm at Methodist Church 208 N. Ruby St Ellensburg, for members and guests who pay about 2 weeks ahead of time.

 

Monday before Thanksgiving, November 21 is the final deadline to sign up.

 

Make check to KCGS and mail to 413 N. Main St, Suite L, Ellensburg WA 98926

 

Frenchtown Historical Foundation Rendezvous

by Charles Hansen
Rivers
My name is Sarah Hurlburt and I am the secretary of the Frenchtown Historical Foundation in Walla Walla, WA (frenchtownwa.org).
The Frenchtown Historic Site, which we maintain, interprets the history of a 19th-century mixed community of French Canadian and native American families in the Walla Walla valley. The site includes the original sites of the St. Rose of Lima Mission and the St. Rose Mission Cemetery, as well as a key location for the historic Battle of Walla Walla, also known as the Battle of Frenchtown. 
We will be holding our annual Rendezvous on October 8, 2016, and we have some really interesting keynote speakers this year. Would you be willing to share the attached flyer with your organization, or post it on your bulletin board?
Many thanks,
Sarah Hurlburt