Category Archives: Z-2017 Past Meetings & Seminars

JEFFERSON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY April Seminar

by Charles Hansen

JEFFERSON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (JCGS)
PO Box 627
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Contact for this press release:  Judy Tough 385-3065 or tough@olympus.net
FOR RELEASE:  April 3 -14

Genealogy Tools for the 21st Century: Facebook and Google
Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS) invites the public to their full-day Seminar comprised of two 1 ½ hour professional programs, Saturday, April 15, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 W. Valley Rd, Chimacum. In addition, JCGS will host Heritage Quest that will be offering for sale a large selection of genealogy books that will help individuals to find the story of their ancestors. Bring your own lunch and a $10.00 donation. <www.wajcgs.org>

Back by popular demand, Master Genealogist, Mary Kathryn Kozy, will make the two presentations. During the morning session, Mary Kathryn will demonstrate how to use Facebook to locate and find unknown cousins and their family research. During the afternoon session she will demonstrate how to use Google to enhance our research efforts. This may well be the only place such information is available.

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

SCANNING STATION FOR PATRONS OF SGS

The new scanning station is up and ready for use. There are two new scanners for SGS patrons. One is for high speed scanning via a document feeder and the other is an overhead book scanner. The book scanner has image correction technology which flattens and corrects curve distortion, as well as a point retouch function allowing fingers inadvertently captured in the image during scanning to be removed. Pretty cool.

Bring in your documents or fragile photos for scanning and take advantage of this new equipment. Paul Wade has become our expert on the use of these scanners. He is usually in the Library on Wednesdays and would be glad to help you get started.

GiveBIG IS COMING SOON!

GiveBIG Seattle is a one-day online giving event sponsored by the Seattle Foundation to raise funds for nonprofit organizations serving Greater Seattle. In 2016, SGS received over $4000 via this one-day program!

The Seattle Foundation provides matching funds to encourage donations to SGS and other participating non-profits; last year the matching percentage was 6.3%. Even more impressive, over 80% of SGS donors paid the processing fee charged by the vendor, increasing our receipts even further.

These donations are vitally important to SGS each year, and are an important component of our annual budget.

This year, GiveBIG is Wednesday, May 10, from midnight to midnight. We’ll provide more information as the event gets closer, including easy instructions for donating online.  For more information now, visit www.givebigseattle.org .

NEW FAMILY TREE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
 TO MEET AT SGS

On February 25, Lou Daly gave a presentation at SGS titled “Family Tree on FamilySearch”.  This is a  FREE cloud-based genealogy application developed by the folks at Familysearch.org.

Lou’s introduction received rave reviews from the 15 attendees. So we’ve decided to create a Users Group on this subject that will meet at SGS.

If you are interested in exploring Family Tree on FamilySearch, join us at the SGS Library to find out how simple and yet how intricate this phenomenal new Wiki based Family Tree can be.

As one of the largest databases in the genealogical world, it is a marvelous tool for your research. We will discuss simple and advanced features and have time for questions and problem solving.

The meetings will be held at our SGS library on :
•Saturday, April 8, 10:15 am  – 12:15 pm
•Saturday, May 6,    1:00 pm  –  3:00 pm
•Saturday, June 10, 10:15am  – 12:15 pm

If a weekday evening meeting is better for you, a similar special interest group for Family Tree on Familysearch meets at the Fiske Genealogical Library on the second Wednesday evening of every month (April 12, May 10 and June 14) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Fiske is located at 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle, street level entrance. See http://www.fiskelibrary.org  for directions.

SGS ONLINE CATALOG IS UP-TO-DATE

The online catalog is now up-to-date! The new format is simpler to navigate and use. Members who have tested it call it  “Easy, even for a novice.”  It features a “Book Bin”. Make a selection and place it in the “bin”; then print out this list of what you want to look at on your next visit to the SGS Library.

SAVE THE DATES

Read ‘Em or Weep, Promises and Pitfalls in Newspaper Research,
 Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society,
 6111 – 188th PL. NE,
 Arlington, WA 98223
 Tuesday, April 11, 2017,  1:00 pm

The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be hosting a free presentation entitled Read ‘Em or Weep, Promises and Pitfalls in Newspaper Research.  The presenter will be Mary Kircher Roddy.  Mary is a member of the Puget Sound Association of Professional Genealogists and has written articles for Family Chronicle and Internet Genealogy magazines. Open to society members and the public.

O Canada: Children of a Common Mother
 Heritage Weekend and Genealogy Seminar
 in the Skagit Valley
 Friday thru Sunday, April 21-23, 2017

The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society invites you to enjoy a special heritage weekend.  The O Canada theme is in honor of Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation coming up July 1.

There are activities on Friday evening and Sunday morning to complement the full day seminar on Saturday. Plus, remember the valley will be ablaze in tulip color and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has activities that weekend that your family can enjoy while you attend the Saturday genealogy seminar and Sunday historic Burlington walking tour.

You can find more information, the flyer, and online registration at: SkagitValleyGenealogy.org

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society,
 Spring Seminar featuring Jay Fonkert,
 7809 Tieton Dr,
 Yakima, WA 98908
 Saturday, April 22, 2017   8am – 5pm

Jay Fonkert is one of America’s foremost genealogists.  To register, or read more about his credentials and the seminar, visit the YVGS website www.yvgs.net  and follow the links.

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society –  Spring Seminar
 La Quinta Inn and Suites,
 1425 East 27th St,
 Tacoma, WA
 April 28-29, 2017

Speaker will be  The Legal Genealogist,  Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL and the emcee will be Cyndi Ingle. Some of the topics will be :

•No Vitals? No Problem! — Building a Family through Circumstantial Evidence

•When Worlds Collide: Resolving Conflicts in Genealogical Records

•Don’t Forget the Ladies — A Genealogist’s Guide to Women and the Law

•Beyond X and Y: The Promise and Pitfalls of Autosomal DNA Testing

Additional Information available on the TPCGS website at: http://www.tpcgs.org/seminar.html

Seattle Genealogical Society Spring Seminar,
 Voices from the Past with Lisa Alzo,
 Fairview Christian Church
 844 NE 78th St
 Seattle, WA
 Saturday, May 20, 2017   9am – 4pm

Doors open at 8am – welcome at 9am. Did you receive the brochure in the mail? Registration and further information also available online at seattlegenealogicalsociety.org

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes, and corrections.  Programs may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather. The library will close May 27-29 for Memorial Day weekend.

APRIL

Saturday, April 1, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, David Robert, leader

Tuesday, April 4, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Saturday, April 8,  10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree on FamilySearch, new special interest users group led by Lou Daly exploring FamilySearch’s Family Tree application.  See feature article above in this issue.

Saturday, April 8,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Family Tree Maker Users Group, members helping one another with FTM, led by Reiley Kidd and Betty Ravenholt

Sunday, April 9, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, Led by Cary Bright with first hour on a specific topic, and the second hour open for sharing DNA issues with focus on GenomeMate Pro.

Saturday, April 15, 10:15am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth who will present “Who are the Scots-Irish?”

Saturday, April 15, 1:00 pm  – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth who will present “What is Prussia and Who are the Prussians?”

Sunday, April 16,  EASTER , library will be closed.

Tuesday, April 18, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Wednesday, April 19, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Mac SIG Meeting,  Jointly sponsored by SGS, Fiske, and dBug, this group meets quarterly on the third Wednesday of every third month at the Fiske Genealogical Library in Madison Park, 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle. Meetings are open to the public and will address topics and resources helpful for those using MacIntosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy program. Meetings are free, but donations to Fiske for use of the premises are appreciated.

MAY

Tuesday, May 2, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Saturday, May 6, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, David Robert, leader
Saturday, May 6, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Family Tree Interest Group, Lou Daly, leader of this new special interest group exploring all the features of the tool Family Tree on FamilySearch

Sunday, May 7, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, Led by Cary Bright with first hour on a specific topic, and the second hour open for sharing DNA issues with focus on GenomeMate Pro.

Saturday, May 13, 10:15am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth, an open session on Irish research using old and new resources

Saturday, May 13, 1:00 pm  – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth, an open session on German research using old and new resources

Tuesday, May 16, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Friday, May 19, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, Beginning Genealogy, Want to learn how to get your genealogy project going? Linda Fitzgerald, a past president of SGS,  will be presenting her “Beginning Genealogy Class”. Add it to your calendar.  Invite a friend.

Saturday, May 20, 9:00 am  – 4:00 pm, SGS Spring Seminar “Voices from the Past”, featuring: Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A., is a freelance writer, instructor, and internationally recognized lecturer. At Fairview Christian School, 844 NE 78th Street,Seattle, WA  Doors open at 8:00 a.m. – Welcome at 9:00 a.m.

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society April Meeting

by Charles Hansen

 

On Tuesday, April 11th at 1 pm, The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be hosting a free presentation entitled Read ‘Em or Weep, Promises and Pitfalls in Newspaper Research.  Our presenter will be Mary Kircher Roddy.  Mary is a member of the Puget Sound Association of Professional Genealogists and has written articles for Family Chronicle and Internet Genealogy magazines. This presentation will be held at the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society, 6111 – 188th PL. NE, Arlington, WA 98223 and  is open to society members and the public.
We hope to see you there!
 

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society O Canada Seminar

by Charles Hansen

Greetings from the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society,
It is time to register for a different kind of genealogy seminar — an entire Heritage Weekend — that includes a Friday evening celebration of Canada’s 150th Anniversary with a keynote program by Canadian genealogy expert, Dave Obee, then on Saturday for the seminar, US genealogy expert Mary Kathyrn Kozy joins Mr. Obee for more Canadian/US immigration research, and the weekend is capped off on Sunday with a living history tour of Burlington by Burlington’s first school teacher!

This will be a special opportunity to meet our friends, cousins and family historian neighbors across the border and around Washington State.
We look forward to seeing you on the weekend of April 21-23 for a unique Canadian genealogy weekend!

O Canada!: CHILDREN OF A COMMON MOTHER
Heritage Weekend & Genealogy Seminar:
Fri- Sun, April 21-23
presented by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society

Reception Celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary
with Keynote Program by Canadian genealogy expert Dave Obee
(Optional & included free with Seminar Registration)
Friday, April 21, 7:00-9:00pm
Burlington Community Center
1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington, WA
_________________________________

O Canada! Genealogy Seminar
Sat., April 22, 8am – 4pm
1st United Methodist Church
1607 E. Division, Mount Vernon, WA
___________________________________

Historic Walking Tour of Burlington
led by a costumed living history interpreter
(Optional & included free with Seminar Registration)
Sun., April 23, 10am – Noon
Burlington Chamber of Commerce
520 E. Fairhaven Avenue,. Burlington, WA

Conveniently register online with PayPal via: skagitvalleygenealogy.org
or print out and mail in with your check with the attached registration form.

Early registration discount ends April 10, 2017
Questions? genealogy0715@gmail.com
O Canada 2017 registration and bios
See you for a fun and informative Canadian heritage weekend in the beautiful Skagit Valley at tulip time!

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society April Meeting

by Charles Hansen

For Immediate Publication

The Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) will meet Friday, April 21, 2017, at the LDS church on Bainbridge Island, 8677 Madison Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon.  Guest speaker, Karen Sipe from the Fiske Genealogical Library in Seattle, will be speaking on “Petticoats and Dowries – Women.”   Free to members, a $5.00 donation is suggested for nonmembers.  For more information go to http://www.bigenealogy.org, or call 206-842-4978.

Sylvia H. Nelson

Publicity and Public Relations Director

Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society

Clark County Genealogical Society Upcoming Meetings

by Charles Hansen


THIS WEEK AT CCGS
Tuesday, 10am – general meeting (see below)
Wednesday, 11am – webinar (see below)
SPRING CLASSES AT CCGS
Fee Classes – $12 for members, $15 for non-members

Researching in the Virginias, instructor Elsie Deatherage
Tuesday, April 4, 10am-12n
As one of this country’s earliest colonies, Virginia has seen many changes in laws and how vital records have been kept in its 400 year history. Learn how to locate and use order and minute books, land records, chancery court and tax records to connect family members.

Timelines and Analysis, instructor Lethene Parks
Tuesday, April 25, 10am-12n
You’ve been hot on the trail of an illusive ancestor. You’ve gathered quite a bit of information about them. But, what does it all mean? Organizing all these disparate “facts” into a timeline and subjecting them to critical analysis will help you make sense of it.

Family Search Strategies, instructor Alice Allen
Tuesday, May 2, 10am-12n
Family Search is a major go-to site for genealogical research. In addition to continuously adding searchable records, Family Search is constantly improving how we access those records. Alice is a “power user” of Family Search and will share her insights as to how to make the site “dance” for you.

Getting Started Tracing Your Ancestors, instructor Brian Runyan   FREE
Thursday May 11, 7pm – 9pm, CCGS Annex
This class will get you started researching your family tree.  Topics include collecting information from the family, family group sheets, pedigree charts, genealogy database programs and best practices for research.

Getting Started with Your Norwegian Research, instructor Kathy Solheim
Tuesday, May 16, 10am-12n
This class will guide the researcher through the process of searching for key ancestral information in FamilySearch, then locating and interpreting the original Norwegian parish records in Digitalarkivet.

CCGS GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday, March 28, 10am
“Reflections on Researching A Personal Family History” will be presented by Harold E. Hinds, Jr, Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus of History, presently retired and living in Portland, Oregon, where he volunteers at the Genealogical Forum of Oregon. For many years, he taught an annual course on Genealogy and Family History at the University of Minnesota–Morris. He is the author or editor of 26 volumes on genealogy and family history.
–The presentation will focus on the following: –What Story Should I Tell: the Scope and Design of the Project –Finding Sufficient Information to Justify a Book-Length Personal Family History –It Takes a Village –Getting Organized, So You Can Find the Information You’ve Collected –You Can’t Wish Upon a Star –When One Should Publish

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CCGS MEMBERS

Due to increasing costs the CCGS Board of Directors is recommending an increase to the annual dues of $5. We recommend the membership approve this increase to take effect when individual and joint memberships are renewed. New members would pay the new rate of $35 for individual and $45 for joint memberships beginning 1 July 2017. Voting on this proposed dues increase will take place at the March 28th General Meeting.

UPCOMING WEBINARS
Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 11:00am, CCGS Annex.  Discussion to follow
Introduction to Quaker Genealogy Research by Craig Scott, MA, CG, FUGA
This lecture examines how Quakers created records at the various types of meetings, be they Yearly, Quarterly or Monthly. It examines the types of records, their value to a researcher and where they can be found.

Tuesday, April 5, 2017, 5:00pm, CCGS Annex.  Discussion to follow
Preserve, Share, and Search Your Digital Pictures with Google Photos by Geoff Rasmussen
Got digital images? Get an in-depth look into Google’s newest photo service – Google Photos. Learn best practices for managing, sharing, searching, enhancing, and preserving your digital photos. Learn how to access your collections via your computer, smart phone, or tablet.

Puget Sound Genealogical Society April Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Puget Sound Genealogical Society
Tuesday April 4, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
at Kitsap Regional Library. 1301 Sylvan Way, Bremerton
The Scots-Irish: Settlers in the Wilderness with Janet Camarata
Learn how the Scots-Irish contributed to our country and
the sources available to genealogists researching their
Scots-Irish heritage.
Registration is required: call Genealogical Center
(360)475-9172
Thanks Jackie Horton, Publicity Chairperson

Family Search Webinars for April

by Charles Hansen

 

Salt Lake City, Utah (21 March 2017), April is a great month to take a free family history class or webinar taught by specialists through the world reknowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Attend in person or online. Beginner or intermediate skill level, we bet you’ll find something of interest. British, Portuguese, Finnish, Scottish, French, Chinese, Dutch, and US records-related classes are on tap. Take the introductory DNA class to help understand all the genetic genealogy excitement. And there are quite a few classes about how to get the most out of all the features and content on FamilySearch.org.  Mark your calendars for events you want to join so you don’t forget. Find and easily share this release online in the FamilySearch Newsroom.
Online classes offered in the schedule below are noted as “Webinars”. Webinar attendees need to click on the link next to the class title to attend the online class on the scheduled date and time. Those attending the Library in-person need to simply go to the room noted. Invite family and friends. All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST). No registration is required.