Tri-City Genealogical Society

by Charles Hansen

Wishing all a happier year than yester-year and a suggestion.  With the year 2021 starting with us still semi-isolated, now may be a good time to review published information that helps do genealogical research. A membership in TCGS provides access to the Members-Only Section of the website. In that Section, there are available 52 years and still counting of the Society Bulletins. The Bulletins contain articles of helps for doing research as well as genealogical history and research challenges met by authors. In the last four years, articles related to doing research included those about DNA analysis, general record keeping, Native-American History Research, National Graves Registration, secondary source problems, researching WPA Records, finding Revolutionary War ancestors, The Mayflower Voyage and travelers, and effective searching techniques. Some specific examples focusing on the subject of DNA are:

November 2017: (1) Understanding Your DNA, page 72; (2) Raw DNA Data, page 77; (3) The DNA Painter, page 78; and (4) Leaving Your Own Records of Where You Plan to Go, What You Did, and Your Hopes for the Future, page 78.

July 2018: (1) Researching WPA Records, page 42; (2) How to Better Determine Relationships of DNA Matches, page 50.

November 2020: (1) Next Steps: Organizing Your DNA Matches, page 72; (2) Bulletin Articles about DNA, page 76; (3) Identifying DNA Matches, page 78; and (4) Effective Search Techniques for Genealogy, page 80.

So join Tri-City Genealogical Society,  if you have not already, and be healthy, stay positive, Covid negative, and do research in 2021,

Loren

Lewis County Genealogical Society January Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Lewis County Genealogical Society January 19 Meeting

Tuesday, 19 January 2021, Lewis County Genealogical Society meets at 6:30 via Zoom. Visitors are welcome. Email wa.lcgs@hotmail.com for the link to join.

Janet Camarata will give her new presentation: Understanding DNA Test Results. After receiving your DNA results, questions come quickly. She has answers and suggestions. Learn how to navigate the results and the geographical background maps. Understand ethnicity reports and identify cousin matches. Those new to using DNA and those with experience will benefit from specific guidance for working with DNA reports from Ancestry, Family Tree DNA, 23 and Me, and MyHeritage.

. Janet Camarata needs little introduction, but for those new to her presentations, know you will find an experienced genealogist whose presentations are clear, concise, and well organized. She is a caring, cheerful, interesting person with a positive personality who takes time to make sure everyone is learning. Her handouts are always detailed and comprehensive.

Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week Beginning Genealogy Classes

by Charles Hansen

 TIP OF THE WEEK – EDUCATION FOR BEGINNERS
On the Family History Library Calendar for January 2021, there are numerous educational opportunities for the novice genealogist, or user new to FamilySearch.org. Like FamilySearch itself, these webinars are absolutely free. You are asked to pre-register for each online webinar you’d like to attend. It’s that simple. Here’s a sampling of what’s coming up: 

  • Using the FamilySearch Catalog (Beginner)   –  Mon, Jan 4, 10:00 AM MST
  • The Research Process: An Introduction (Beginner) – Thu, Jan 7, 10:00 AM MST
  • How to Use the Swedish National Archive Website (Beginner) – Sat, Jan 9, 9:00 AM MST
  • Guiando tu educación: Usando el centro de aprendizaje de FamilySearch (Beginner) – Tue, Jan 12, 11:00 AM MST  
  • Introduction to US Military Records (Beginner) – Thu, Jan 21, 10:00 AM MST

Notice all times are listed as MST (Mountain Standard Time). Below is a link to the full January 2021 Calendar. You can register from there. 

https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Library_Classes_and_Webinars

Seattle Genealogical Society News

by Charles Hansen

 HAPPY NEW YEAR AT SGS

  Start out 2021 on the right foot, don’t miss the first Second Saturday Series of the new year, on Saturday, January 9, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.   

In this presentation, Carolyn Schott, will be following  the footsteps of the Billigmeier family, who left the Pfalz region after the “Year Without a Summer” to immigrate to Russia in search of a better life. After years of peaceful prosperity in the Beresan (Odessa) area, the fate of two branches of the family diverged. One branch went to Bessarabia and then on to homestead in North Dakota. The branch that remained in the Odessa region had their farms seized and collectivized, suffered during the famine genocide, and finally faced arrest and execution. Some family members were exiled to Kyrgyzstan.

The presentation blends historical events and the story of a specific family. It will also review the documents that were used to re-create the lives of this family, from church records. to local histories, to copies of KGB/NKVD files.

Carolyn Schott has researched her German ancestors for 20 years. She’s a founder of the Black Sea German Research Community, a former board member of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society, and author of the book, “Visiting Your Ancestral Town.”  

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY
  As some of you may have heard, the owner of the company that hosts our SGS website, EasyNetSites.com (ENS), has run into legal problems. The result is that ENS will only be hosting websites through the end of June 2021 (at best).  Our Webmaster, Ann Wright, has formed a small team to identify a new host and plan a transition of our website to the new host. If you, or someone you know, has experience with current website technology and would be interested in consulting on this effort, please contact Ann at webmaster@seagensoc.org.

David Rimmer,
Director of Technology

SAVE THE DATE“A Post-Holocaust Genealogical and Family History Journey:
From the USA to Ukraine”, Jewish  Genealogical Society of Washington State,
Bellevue, WA
Monday, January 11, 2021 
6:00 PM PST

Notice the time is earlier than normal. Visit their website for final info and to get the meeting id. 
https://www.jgsws.org

RootsTech Connect 2021 (Virtual),
hosted by FamilySearch International
February 25-27, 2021

This 2021 virtual conference is free. They do ask that you register. Something for everyone, no matter your age or experience:

  • Genealogy Classes
  • Food and Cultural Demonstrations
  • Mind-break Activities, Exercise and Relaxation
  • Travel and World Heritage 

Visit the website for more info and registration. 
http://www.rootstech.org/?lang=eng
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.  


Saturday, Jan 2, 2021,  10:15 am – 12:15 pm, FamilySearch Interest Group with Lou Daly, Discover the many ways to use Family Tree and 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

Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021, 11:00 am-12:30 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, Jan 9, 2021,  10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree Maker Users Group, Learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker 2017 by Software MacKiev™ . Want to join this SIG? Email operations@seagensoc.org. Chaired by Rob Sexton.
Saturday, Jan 9, 2021,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Second Saturday Series:”From Church Archives to KBG”, presenter will be Carolyn Schott founder of the Black Sea German Research Community 

Sunday, Jan 10, 2021,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group, chaired by Karen Knudson, Share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestral research.

Tuesday, Jan 12, 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, Jan 13, 2021, 11:00 am-12:30 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, Jan 13, 2021, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer Interest Group (Virtual),  Chaired by Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick, these meetings address topics and resources helpful for those using MacIntosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion program in their genealogy research. The link to logon will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. People wishing to attend should email dhettrick@earthlink.net to be added to the mailing list.  

Wednesday, Jan 20, 2021, 11:00 am-12:30 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. 

Tuesday, Jan 26, 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, Jan 27, 2021, 11:00 am-12:30 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, Jan 30, 2021,  10:00 am – 12:30 pm, SGS DNA Interest Group workshop , will be meeting via Zoom.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 along with the pdf handout.

MyHeritage Year in Review

by Charles Hansen

Throughout an exceedingly difficult year, family history became an increasingly important outlet for people and helped them remain connected to their loved ones. At MyHeritage we worked hard to fill that need by developing new features, adding historical records, and giving back to the community. Read more about what we did in 2020 in our year in review blog post: https://blog.myheritage.com/2020/12/2020-myheritage-year-in-review/   Please feel free to share the link to the blog post, and the following info graphic, with your followers.

2020 Year in Review

I wish you and your family the best for this coming 2021!

Happy New Year!

Daniel Horowitz
Genealogy Expert

MyHeritage Ltd., P.O.Box 50, 3 Ariel Sharon Blvd., Or Yehuda 60250, Israel 60250, Israel, +972-3-6280000

Rogue Valley Genealogical Society Civil War Classes

by Charles Hansen

Happy New Year! January 8, the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society hosts the first of two virtual classes, “Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?” Renown genealogist and speaker, Brian Rhinehart, will show participants how to discover if their ancestor participated in the Civil War. Attached is a photo of Brian. We would appreciate it if you will share this with your members, and possibly post on your website and in your newsletter.

Thank you for your support! If you need more information, please contact Pat Jenkins at 541-415-0465, or pjenkins2364@gmail.com.

Pamela Sasseen, Publicity & Public Relations

Rogue Valley Genealogical Society

psasseen1@charter.net

541-608-8091

********************************************

Do you know if your ancestor was in the Civil War?

Brian Rhinehart, graduate of Boston University’s Certificate in Genealogy Research course, and professional genealogist and speaker, is a direct descendent of six Civil War soldiers. He specializes in Civil War, and War of 1812, records at the National Archives in Washington DC. January 8, Brian will teach the first of two classes on researching Civil War records, “Was My Ancestor in the Civil War?” It is possible, as about 9% of the US population fought in the Civil War in the 1860s. In this class, Brian will share tips on how to determine if your ancestor was in the Civil War, using (mostly) free resources.

January 8, 1:30-3:00pm, $20 for non-members, $10 for members. To register for this virtual presentation, go to https://rvgslibrary.org/FormPage.asp?FormID=10. Once you’ve completed your registration, you will receive an email the day before the presentation with your Zoom link.

Happy New Year

by Charles Hansen
Postcard from my grandmother Anna Hansen’s postcard collection, the back is just addressed to Anna Hansen Sebeka Minn, but no stamp or postal cancellation, they moved to Columbus Montana just after the 1910 census so this card is probably from 1910

Happy New Year

Been an interesting year, never had to post so many seminar and meeting cancellations, but eventually we learned to have our meetings online on Zoom, Web-ex, Google and even Facebook. That allowed us to join meetings in other states without travel, motels, parking and traffic. The only bad part was we all miss meeting our friends in person. Lets hope we can get back together in 2021, but still have the ability to listen in to seminars a long way from our homes. We are learning to work together in ways we never dreamed we could so lets expand that and help all the Washington genealogical societies. I also post a lot of seminars on the WSGS Facebook Page, because it goes out immediately not once a week like the WSGS Blog, check it out.

I have been asked how am I doing by a lot of people, and I am doing fine, I like peace and quiet and do not like crowds, my favorite volunteer job was doing research in a quiet archive, and I got to do that for eight years at the county courthouse in the auditors archives. That ended when all the records were digitized and the originals were moved to the Washington State Regional Archive in Cheney Washington. They then moved the Law Library in the space that used to have the auditors records.

I am also a volunteer with Scribe and by the end of the year I will have digitized 92,000 names in 2020 and 370,000 names since they started counting, but that was many years after I had started. At first we got a 3.5 inch floppy disk and paper copies to digitize records.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society January Luncheon

by Charles Hansen

Saturday, January 9, 2021 Annual Luncheon and Officer Installation (EWGS Meetings) 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Meeting via Zoom
We will have a “virtual” luncheon, meaning prepare your own favorite dish for lunch and why not include a fun beverage 😉 We will acknowledge past presidents and install new officers for 2021.


Janice Fritsch, PLCGS will present on the Civil War
Bio: What began as the task of completing a family tree for a family reunion turned into a lifelong passion. Over 25 years ago Janice Fritsch began her genealogical journey with her mother, sister Lynda Keenan, and her twelve year old daughter. It has been quite a journey taking her places she had not anticipated.
Her experiences include: ​
Serving as the president of the Illinois State Genealogical Society 2010-2012
Served as a board member of the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2011-2016
Formed “It’s Relative”, a research/lecturing business with Jane Haldeman
Certification from National Institute of Genealogical Studies in American Records & Methodology in Aug 2009
Hundreds of research road trips throughout the U.S and Ireland
Days spent in cemeteries, libraries and archives