Genealogical Forum of Oregon Zoomboree

by Charles Hansen

APRIL 16-18 Genealogy Zoomboree – Making the Invisible Visible

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon celebrates its 75th Anniversary with a multicultural Genealogy Zoomboree, April 16-18.

Four nationally known experts bring us 8 lessons to help you tap online resources from home as you trace your family roots. 

Registration for one, two, three or all four speakers is online at https://gfo.org/zoomboree.

Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL, Board for Certification of Genealogists – 

  • Courthouse Research & Indexes – Find critical genealogical information from your local courthouse.
  • Land Records: Rich Sources for Your Research – Even non-landowners can end up in land and deed records. 

Linda Harms Okazaki, Nikkei Genealogical Society

  • Introduction to Japanese American Research – Japanese American research provides lessons in genealogical research that benefits all genealogists. Custom information for Oregon included.
  • WWII Internment Camps: Japanese, Germans & Italians – Japanese Americans and their families, as well as Americans of other heritage, were considered “enemy aliens,” and imprisoned by the U.S. Government. Learn about internment sites and the records created. 

Sherri Camp, MLS, Past President Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society 

  • African American Research Strategies – Learn key strategies to locate resources and records for information about African American ancestors and family members.
  • A Treasure Trove of Free Websites – Learn how to access free genealogical information while we stay safe at home doing research at our computers.

Michael Lacopo, DVM, Professional Genealogist – 

  • Medical Genealogy: A primer of diseases that killed our ancestors and the epidemics they lived through – Many researchers barely understand the cause of death listed. Know what afflicted your ancestors’ communities, the common diseases, and you’ll learn how they lived.

“I am poor, obscure, plain, and little.”  Researching Invisible Ancestors – If your ancestors had little money, did not buy and sell land, did not leave wills, and did not purchase gravestones, how do you find them? This lecture will show you how!

Improvement of Genetic Groups on MyHeritage

by Charles Hansen

Viewing Genetic Groups of DNA Matches

As part of our continued improvement of Genetic Groups on MyHeritage, you can now compare your Genetic Groups to those of your DNA Matches! Previously, you were able to view the Ethnicity Estimate of your DNA Matches and see which ethnicities you share. Now, you can drill down even further and see which Genetic Groups they belong to, and which ones you have in common. This addition has important genealogical value, and may enable you to narrow down which side of your family a DNA Match comes from. Read more about this exciting new addition in the blog post.  

View_the_Genetic_Groups_of_Your_DNA_Matches

Significant Update to Swedish Historical Records on MyHeritage

We recently added 19.35 million records to our collection of Sweden Household Examination Books. The new records cover the years 1820–1839, and bring the total number of records in this collection to 144.5 million. The records in this collection are the #1 source of information about families and individuals who lived in Sweden in the 19th and 20th centuries. This is great news for all genealogists with Swedish roots, who may now be able to date their family tree back even further and make new discoveries.

Sweden-Household-Examination-Records-Update

You can search the collection now, and read more about it on our blog. 

24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon

You may recall that last year, MyHeritage teamed up with Legacy Family Tree Webinars for a historic event: we hosted the first-ever 24-hour genealogy webinar marathon. It was so successful that we’re doing it again from April 8–9, 2021!

8681_genealogy_conference_Esther_Blog_875x472_biz5

Just like last year, the entire event is free and open to all. The event will include live Q&As and door prizes, and will feature 26 lectures from the world’s top experts on a wide variety of topics relating to family history research and DNA. Visit our blog to learn more, peruse the full lineup of lectures, and register.

Feel free to use the above visuals when sharing these updates with your readers, and let me know if you have any questions!

Enjoy,

Daniel Horowitz Genealogy Expert

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

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society April Seminar

by Charles Hansen

24 April 2021
Genealogical Journeys

Our Speakers will be Jill Morelli and Linda Harms Okazaki.

Jill’s topics: “Push and Pull: Decision-Making of the 19th Century Emigrant” and “Accessing and Using Scandinavian Records.”

Linda’s Topics: “Finding Your Japanese Roots” and “20th Century Immigrants to the West Coast and Hawaii.”

For more information please visit our website at http://tpcgs.org/seminar.html

International German Genealogy Partnership Early Bird Discount

by Charles Hansen
International German Genealogy Partnership
Hello German genealogists,

It’s March 24, and that means there is officially only one week left to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount for German Genealogy conference. Are you registered yet? The Early-Bird pricing expires Wednesday, March 31st. 
Register Now
Jetzt Registrieren
With eight Live! lectures and over 50 OnDemand lectures you won’t want to miss, this conference will advance your German genealogy in ways you never knew possible. Special Connections rooms are another conference highlight, allowing you to chat with genealogists from around the world with similar research interests. Will you be there?
We have been busy on our conference blog! Check out the latest posts and videos here:  Meet All 8 Marquee Speakers in One Video Meet Speaker Kim Ashford It’s Getting Easier to Be Genetically German – The Latest Updates! by Diahan Southard  The Pursuit of Happiness and the Migration Experience von Wolfgang Grams Meet Speaker Camille Andrus
Check Out the Conference Program
Konferenz Programm anzeigen
Can’t wait to see you this summer!

Register for Focus on Societies at NGS

by Charles Hansen
Register for Focus on Societies

Are you on the board of your local genealogical society? Or do you know someone who serves on the board of a genealogical society? If so, be sure to share the news that NGS is hosting an extraordinary day of learning and networking on Friday, 21 May 2021. Focus on Societies is a virtual event exclusively for society leaders and key volunteers. Registration is only $35 per person. For $100, five of your organization’s leaders can attend; that’s just $20 each.
Jill Morelli will kick off the all-day event with ideas and new opportunities based on the challenges and lessons learned during the pandemic. Then society leaders can choose from four lectures during three separate breakout sessions on communications, events, and going virtual:
Communications to Members Finding Good Material for Society Newsletters Focused Learning and Collaboration: Special Interest Groups in Your Genealogical Society Website and Social Media Communications and Content Strategies for Societies Using Your Genealogical Society’s Email List to Nurture and Grow Your Society Managing Events Society Management—Volunteer Motivations: Getting and Keeping Your Volunteers A Walk Among the Tombstones: Preparing for and Presenting a Cemetery Tour Event Management Intro for Local Genealogy Societies Grow Your Society with Quality Events Going Virtual! Online Meetings: Helping Your Society Move into a Virtual World Don’t Reinvent the Wheel: Use the TxSGS Preservation Capture System for Your Society’s Digitization Going Virtual with the Next Generation: Involving Younger People in Virtual Meetings Digital Marketing for the Modern Society Society leaders won’t want to miss Society Shout Out, when we’ll share the best ideas from genealogy societies across the country. Be sure to fill out an online form to hear your society mentioned during the event.
Cheri Hudson Passey will conclude the program with an update on how NGS is supporting societies after its merger with FGS including plans for new benefits and initiatives.

Join us in May for Focus on Societies!
Register for Focus on Societies
To learn more about the NGS 2021 Virtual Family History Conference’s weeklong events, 17-21 May, visit the conference website and
download a copy of the program brochure.

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

IRISH WEEK

As many of you know, SGS has had a booth at the annual Seattle Irish Heritage Club’s Irish Week festivities. This year the event has gone virtual, as have most all events, but SGS will still be part of the program. 

The Seattle Irish Heritage Club has made a video covering all things Irish in the Emerald City and its environs to be shown on their website. One segment in this video discusses SGS’s involvement with the Irish Heritage Club, and with the local Irish community. The link on their website will go “live” on Saint Patrick’s Day (when else?), and will be available for viewing thereafter. We will post a link to that video on the SGS website after it goes live. Erin go bragh!

For more information on Irish Week in Seattle.  Go to : 
www.irishweek.org 


 SGS Members – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Time and time again you have heard how important volunteers are to our organization. If you missed the SGS membership meeting on Saturday, March 13, 2021, you may not know we have multiple board positions open. Elections are not far off. Please consider helping the Society. Here are the openings and a brief description for each:   

  • Vice President assists the President in the performance of Presidential duties and assumes them in the absence of the President or upon the inability of the President to serve. The Vice President is also responsible for community relations and long-range planning.
  • Secretary records all activities, maintaining record integrity and security; official notifications by the Society, and Society correspondence.
  • Director of Publications is responsible for the entire production process and content of all Society print and media.
  • Director of Volunteers recruits and manages all Society volunteers.

Board members take an active role in managing the affairs of the Society by participating in monthly board meetings and overseeing the programs specific to their position. 

Board meetings are currently held on the second Monday of each month. Right now the board meetings are virtual, and you will always have the option to attend a board meeting virtually.  

If you’d like to volunteer, or you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to : volunteers@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org * SAVE THE DATE *
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, 
“The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe”, 
Monday, April 12, 2021, 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm,

The speaker will be Hal Bookbinder. Registration is required. Visit their website for details. 

http://jgsws.org 


The Rogue Valley Genealogical Society, 
“Research Like a Pro” virtual seminar,
April 24, 2021 10:00 am – 4:00 pm PDT

Author of Research Like A Pro, A Genealogist’s Guide, Diana Elder, will present morning classes outlining steps to develop a research plan and organizing what research you have using solid methodology. In the afternoon, learn about the types of probate records created at the death of your ancestor and what tax records reveal. This is a virtual seminar using Zoom.  

Registration is now open. For more details, or to register, visit :
www.rvgslibrary.org 

Seattle Genealogical Society Spring Seminar,
with Paul Miner
May 15. 2021, 9:00am – 3:00pm 

This seminar will be virtual online. Paul specializes in British Isles research. Hope to “see” you there. Details to follow.  

Southern California Genealogical Society,
Jamboree 2021, 
June 11-12, 2021 

There is lots going on at SCGS in June : multiple conferences, Genetic Genealogy, June 4-5, and Jamboree 2021, June 11-12,  plus mid-week special events, June 7-10. Too much to mention here. All of it virtual, online this year. Check out their website to learn more about it. 

https://genealogyjamboree.com 

The International German Genealogy Partnership presents,a
“Researching Together Worldwide / Weltweit Gemeinsam Forschen”, 
the first ever International German Genealogy Virtual Conference, 
July 17-24, 2021

Is German genealogy one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2021? If so, be sure to mark your calendars for July 17-24, 2021. The IGGP Conference, which only takes place every two years, is your chance to take a deep dive into all things German genealogy – and learn from the experts themselves. This year, the conference will be virtual, which means you can tune in from anywhere in the world!

Don’t miss the “Early Bird Special” price. To learn more about this event, sign up for the conference newsletter on their website:

https://iggp.org  

SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*

In consideration of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, the SGS Library is closed until further notice and SGS in-person events have been replaced with online events.
** Go to the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule.  
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 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, March 23, 2021, 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 welcomed. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 pm, 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, March 27, 2021,  10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA Interest Group, with Cary Bright & Craig Gowens, to be included you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list.
Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join. Link to be sent to the email group prior to the meeting with the pdf handou
Saturday, April 3, 2021,  10:15 am – 12:15 pm, FamilySearch Interest Group with Lou Daly, Discover the many ways to use FamilySearch. At each meeting a different aspect of the website will be featured. There will be time for Q & A.  Want to join the mailing list? Email Lou: loudaly@nwlink.com

Sunday, April 4, 2021,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, To be included you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at SGSDNASIG@gmail.com to join.  

Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 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 welcomed. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.

Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 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, April 10, 2021,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Series:”Digging Up New Dirt – Unearthing the ‘Real’ New England Immigrant”, presenter will be Steve Morrison

Sunday, April 11, 2021,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group ,  chaired by Karen Knudson, share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestor research 

Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 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, April 20, 2021, 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 welcomed. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 pm, 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, April 28, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 pm, 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.       

TIP OF THE WEEK –
IRISH RECORDS FOR FREE   From March 11–18, 2021,  MyHeritage  is opening all Irish records to the public for free for the entire week. Don’t miss your chance to delve into the historical records and find new information about your Irish ancestors.   

2021 Heartland Family History Conference

by Charles Hansen

Greetings to all of our friends and colleagues!  We want to let everyone know about our 2021 Heartland Family History Conference, which will begin May 7-8.  

We will be hosting a virtual event again this year, with two days of “live” programming on May 7-8, followed by 90 days of on-demand access to recorded content, our virtual exhibit hall, and participant networking opportunities.  Our featured speaker this year is Billie Stone Fogarty, who will be presenting four sessions.  In addition, we will be offering more than 30 breakout sessions, presented by regional, national and international speakers.  We also have some fun new networking and social activities planned.  More details and registration information can be found on our conference website, https://heartlandfhc.org.   

A conference brochure and registration form can be downloaded here. 

We would like to ask your help in spreading the word and promoting our event – please feel free to share this information widely.  We think that it is shaping up to be a great conference, one that your members and constituents won’t want to miss! 

We Thank You for your assistance,

                  The Heartland Family History Conference planning team

Topeka Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 4048
Topeka, Kansas 66604-0048
US