Heritage Quest Research Library February 2025 Mapping Your Migrating Ancestors

Mapping Your Migrating Ancestors I found my family but why did they move so much or did the really?
What resources can I use to see where they went? 
What stories are told by following our families across the country?
Do you want to know all this?
You and I have a friend in the library, Tina Beaird. 
What can she teach us today to help us tell our family stories? Tina Beaird is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is a Genealogy & Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library in Plainfield, Illinois. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in Archives/Preservation from Dominican University. 
Tina has won multiple research and digitization grants to preserve & digitize historic documents & photos.  When: Thursday, February 6, 2025
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Where: ZOOM & In-Person

Cost: $20 members
          $25 non-members Sign-Up and Payment for ZOOM:
Go to hqrl.com and go to the HQRL Store.  Be sure to sign in as a member to receive your discount. 

For In-Person (8 only):
Call: 253-863-1806 or come into the library at:
2102 E Main, Ste. 105
Puyallup, WA 98372 Next up Beginning Your Family History
Part A: Getting Started
February 20, 2025 Bonus Opportunity
7 Habits – 7 Months
with DearMYRTLE

 Here’s a second chance the hear DearMYRTLE’s presentation from January 16, 2025 on the 7- Habits of Highly Effective Genealogists. Recording will include MYRT’s presentation, handouts and work-study group discussion.
AVAILABLE until January 31st. 
$20 members / $25 non-members
Link will be sent after payment received.
Copyright © 2025 Heritage Quest Research Library, All rights reserved.
You have told us that you want to receive our news and updates from our library.

Our mailing address is:
Heritage Quest Research Library
2102 East Main Suite 105
Puyallup, WA 98372-3205

Let’s Talk About: Early Traveling Part 1

Recently enjoyed a visual trip through Long Day’s Journey: The Steamboat & Stagecoach Era in the Northwest by Carlos Arnaldo Schwates, published in 1999. What an eye-opener! This book was “a study of transportation in American life, focusing on the era defined by the steamboat and stagecoach.” Boy oh boy did it ever!


The many pictures in the book tell the tale. Here are men in hats, vests and white shirts. Here are women in hats, long skirts with babies and baggage. All are waiting to board a river steamboat heading west. (Pause to imagine this: lots of uncomfortable clothing, no rest rooms or privacy, babies howling, bring all your own food and mud everywhere. Would YOU survive?) Not until the completion of the railroad link in the late 1800s (Great Lakes to Puget Sound) did the trip from east to west become quicker, easier and less dangerous. 


Stagecoach travel was no less daunting by our modern standards. Stage routes did wind from Omaha, Kansas City or St. Joseph and could get you to Salt Lake City, Boise, Helena, Sacramento, Portland or Tacoma. An ad in Denver’s Rocky Mountain News in 1864 proclaimed that taking the overland stage route “would take passengers in quick time and with every convenience offered from Atchison, Kansas, to Salt Lake City in “only” five days. Pause to imagine those five days: Packed elbow to elbow on wooden seats, jostling along in a carriage with bad springs, open windows letting in dust and insects (or rain and snow), dressed in way too many clothes and with other unwashed people, smelly babies and men smoking. Potty stops were spare, with no privacy, and no food or water unless you brought your own. There were frequent stops to help get the coach out of the muddy road ruts. And of course there were Indians and bandits. I won’t speak for you, but I doubt that I would have survived with my sanity intact and my bowels impacted. 


Part Two next time…. “Advice to Passengers.” 

Let’s Talk About: Days of Yore Washday


Don’t we groan when the laundry basket overflows and we’ve no choice but to do the wash? We’ve got it SOOO much easier than our ancestors did!!  This bit was printed in the December 2010 issue of The Bulletin (Eastern Washington Genealogical Society). Enjoy………. and be thankful!

Grandma’s “Receet” for Washington Clothes….. Years ago, a Kentucky grandmother gave a new bride the following directions for washing clothes. It appears below just as it was written and despite the spelling has a bit of philosophy:

1. bild fire in backyard to heet kettle of rain water

2. set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert

3. shave one hole cake lie soap in billin water

4. sort things, make 3 piles. 1puile white, 1 pile cullord, 1 pile work briches and rags (Guess what “rags” meant!!)

5. stir flour in cold water to smooth then thin down with billin water

6. Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, then bile. Rub collord, don’t bile, just rench in starch.

7. take white things out of kettle with broom-stick handle, then rench, blew and starch.

8. spread tee towels on grass

9. hang old rags on fence

10. pour rench water on flour bed

11. turn tubs upside down

12. go put on clean dress, smooth hair with side combs, brew cup of set, set and rest and rock a spell and count blessins. 

When we see movie or TV shows with our ancestors in snowy white SHEETS, I always think “how did they ever…..!” 

Let’s Talk About: Family Tree W&M..?


Would you be interested in knowing of a One-Stop-Shopping Place for genealogy research???? WELL, it’s here! Almost, anyway. 

Family Tree is not just a magazine that you find on many news stands. (Although the magazine is well worth the price, it is surely is cheaper by subscription.)

Family Tree offers:

* A really, really helpful bi-monthly magazine both in print and e-edition. 

*A website with a hundred “clicks” to check out!

* A long list of FREE resources, forms, guides and E-books.

* A long list of Cheat Sheets for help with various websites (Like The Big Four).

*A long list of country-centric guides.

*A long list of (paid) 13 courses to teach you “more better.”

*A YouTube channel offering free tutorials…like Finding Ancestors Who Worked on the Railroad.

* A list of 15 Cheat Sheets one can order (like for Ancestry, Find My Past, My Heritage, Jewish Genealogy, Adoption, Scandinavian, Scottish plus Civil War Genealogy and US Census Genealogy (plus packages of several).

I most enthusiastically urge you to take a cold January winter day or afternoon and click to www.FamilyTreeMagazine.com. With soft background music, and a warm drink nearby, you’re in for a learning treat, I guarantee it!

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA SIG

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group

Tuesday, January 28 at 7:00 pm via Zoom

We will discuss the DNA company Living DNA, their offerings, and take a virtual tour of the website.

 Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: TPCGS DNA Special Interest Group Meeting

Every month on the Fourth Tue beginning at 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqdeyrrz0iEtx-c_J3gNfcI8mebT1zajLo/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTkvGdWTuBGPRpwQB4joZ-nzmCFHj7dF0RzaKXNUTAX1H7pPN7BLQcLR

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82725316888?pwd=MDc3UEZrUVJNbmxmK2ZORmw5YzdDdz09

Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888

Passcode: 811780

One tap mobile

+12532050468,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US

+12532158782,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location

+1 253 205 0468 US

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888

Passcode: 811780

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kIKCyZLQy

Grays Harbor Genealogical Society Genealogy Cafe March 8,2024

🌟 Don’t Miss Out on Genealogy Café with the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society! 🌟

📅 DATE: March 8, 2025

🕐 TIME: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 VENUE: Timberland Libraries in Hoquiam (420 7th Street, Hoquiam, WA 98550)

and Aberdeen (121 East Market Street, Aberdeen, WA 98520

🔍 Dive into your roots and discover the hidden treasures of your family history at the Genealogy Café hosted by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society in partnership with the Timberland Libraries in Hoquiam and Aberdeen. This event is open to all! Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to connect with experienced genealogists from the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society.

🌟 Ignite your curiosity and journey through time to unravel the mysteries of your lineage and heritage. Whether you’re new to genealogy or a seasoned family historian, this event welcomes everyone eager to explore their roots.

🌟 Delve into local resources and uncover valuable insights with personalized assistance using the library’s online tools. This is a unique chance to enhance your genealogical knowledge and make meaningful discoveries about your family’s past.

🌟 Are you ready to uncover the stories hidden within your family tree? Join us at the Genealogy Café for a free event where you can drop in anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Be sure to secure your spot early as it’s first-come, first-served!

Heritage Quest Research Library February 2025 Classes

Mapping Your Migrating Ancestors I found my family but why did they move so much or did the really?
What resources can I use to see where they went? 
What stories are told by following our families across the country?
Do you want to know all this?
You and I have a friend in the library, Tina Beaird. 
What can she teach us today to help us tell our family stories? Tina Beaird is the owner of Tamarack Genealogy and is a Genealogy & Local History Librarian at the Plainfield Public Library in Plainfield, Illinois. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in Archives/Preservation from Dominican University. 
Tina has won multiple research and digitization grants to preserve & digitize historic documents & photos.  When: Thursday, February 6, 2025
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Where: ZOOM & In-Person

Cost: $20 members
          $25 non-members Sign-Up and Payment for ZOOM:
Go to hqrl.com and go to the HQRL Store.  Be sure to sign in as a member to receive your discount. 

For In-Person (8 only):
Call: 253-863-1806 or come into the library at:
2102 E Main, Ste. 105
Puyallup, WA 98372 Coming Soon

Beginning Your Family History
Part A: Getting Started
February 20, 2025 Bonus Opportunity
7 Habits – 7 Months
with DearMYRTLE

 Here’s a second chance the hear DearMYRTLE’s presentation from January 16, 2025 on the 7- Habits of Highly Effective Genealogists. Recording will include MYRT’s presentation, handouts and work-study group discussion.
AVAILABLE until January 31st. 
$20 members / $25 non-members
Link will be sent after payment received.


Copyright © 2025 Heritage Quest Research Library, All rights reserved.
You have told us that you want to receive our news and updates from our library.

Our mailing address is:
Heritage Quest Research Library
2102 East Main
Suite 105
Puyallup, WA 98372-3205

Let’s Talk About: Washington Beans!

Did you know that Washington bean farmers grow a dozen different kinds of edible beans??    These are: Black beans, Cranberry beans, Dark Red Kidney beans, Garbanzo beans, Great Northern beans, Navy beans, Orca beans, Pinto beans, Rojo Chiquito beans, Small Red beans, White Kidney beans and Yellow beans. 

Did Orca beans catch your eye? These are “an heirloom variety from Mexico but very rare in the U.S. Most often used in thick soups or with rice. Named after the Orca whale.” 

I learned this reading about Central Bean in Quincy, Washington. This family-owned business has been providing dry beans for more than 30 years. From their website one can order #5 bags of most of their varieties for $5.00 plus shipping. For $15 you can order a “Simply Beans” cookbook. 

I urge you to visit their website simply for self-education. All those types listed above are described. Beans are planted in the spring when the ground warms up and are harvested within 90 to 120 days. Harvesting is August through October. When the beans arrive at the elevator for processing and packaging, they are tested to determine moisture content, percentage of damaged beans and foreign material…. After testing the beans are cleaned. Central Bean uses a sophisticated method to accomplish this to ensure a quality product to be shipped throughout the world. 

Their website, www.CentralBean.com, even offers three pages of how to store, soak and cook beans. (“Don’t over-soak; beans soaked longer than 12 hours can absorb too much water…”) 

And this last, “Dry beans are the richest source of vegetable protein available. Combining beans with a small amount of animal protein (meat, cheese, egg) or small amount of grain (corn, wheat, rice) will create a complete protein….” 

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Where in the World

Where in the World?!? 

Pin Your Ancestors Down with Google Maps and Google Earth 

Saturday, February 1

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

THE HIVE, 2904 E Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA

DOORS OPEN AT 12:30 P.M. for Social time (please come early to help set up)

Presented by Cyndi Ingle (Cyndi’s List) 

  • Class description:
    Google Maps and Google Earth provide two wonderful sources for geographical assistance in tracking your ancestors and pinning them down for your research. Combined with other mapping resources online we will demonstrate how using these Google tools can give you a visual aid for your research. Follow migration paths, historical routes, and your own family’s path, marking them on the maps with information, photos and documentation.
  • Door Code is: 648264#
  • Handouts will be on the EWGSi website the day before this presentation. (Please print them at home.)
  • Zoom link will be on the EWGSi website the day prior the the presentation.
  • Free Table
  • Raffles
  • 50/50 Contest

Please remember to bring any donations you might have for the April Book Sale or the October Auction.  Paula Davis will accept donations at any meeting.  

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat How are we doing?

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Genealogy Chat
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

Please join us and let’s chat!

Discussion starter topic: How are we doing?
We have made some changes over the last year, sent out a member survey, changed the Newsletter to monthly, added another Special Interest Group, and changed the location of our monthly Educational meeting. Please attend and share your thoughts about these changes and any suggestions for things you would like to see added or changed.

This is a monthly opportunity to connect with others and talk about anything and everything genealogical. The value of this meeting increases with the participation of each person that attends and contributes to the conversations. This is your chance to celebrate the breaking down of a brick wall in your research or ask questions of others that can help you find records or relatives. Everyone, members, and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.

Date & Time: Every month on the Third Tue, from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM Pacific Time

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMldOCprTsqGtSoVglOBTElUaBRgTq5IEgI/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvpjgjG9eVsBmHRpwEGojCXevztmJfjbdukyniDw9xVib6A-NgALVLAY35

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87839130000?pwd=dGdHY2wrZ0d1bDNRTEQ4Uk15OVk0Zz09

Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000
Passcode: 836216

One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US
+12532158782,,87839130000#,,,,*836216# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 878 3913 0000
Passcode: 836216
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdesX0el3t