South King County Genealogical Society November 2025

by Charles Hansen

November to Early December 2025 with South King County Genealogical Society 

Be in the know! Receive notices for our virtual meetings, as well as the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io

 Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online discussion and collaboration arena where:

  • we communicate and share information with each other
  • other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
  • you can unsubscribe at any time

PROGRAM UPDATES

  • All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at the Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland Libraries
  • Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
  • Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Register at our website skcgs.org. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.


 NOVEMBER – EARLY DECEMBER 2024 MEETINGS & EVENTS

Saturday 1 November, 10–2am: Family Tree Maker Users Group  (Online). Topic: Question & Answer.  

Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Tuesday 4 November, 6:30pm: SKCGS Board Meeting (Online). All SKCGS Members are invited; write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link.

Friday 7 November, 12:30–2:30pm: German Interest Group (Online, EGS). 

Topic: Civil Marriage in Germany in the 19th Century. 

Presenter Roland Geiger discusses civil marriages in Germany using examples to illustrate the content of the records and the information that can be gleaned from them. Register: https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/meetings

Monday 10 November,⋅1–2pm: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online). 

Topic: Analyzing Your DNA Matches when the Site Tools Aren’t Helping. Let’s share tactics and ideas. 

Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Wednesday 12 November, 2–3pm: WikiTree User Group (Online). 

Topic: How to Add Categories to profiles & Why You Want to. Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. 

Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG.

Thursday 13 November,11am–1pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (In-person). No registration required.

Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 2801 NE 10th Street, Renton WA

Saturday 15 November,10am: SKCGS Speaker Series (Online). 9:30am– 10am: Social time;sign in early to chat. 10am: Featured speaker presentation:  Mags Gaulden presents “WikiTree’s DNA Features, With A Splash of mitoYDNA.org“

Mags co-leads the DNA integrators team at WikiTree, a collaborative global family tree. Working to improve DNA functionality on WikiTree and integrations with outside sites, she has helped to make WikiTree and its DNA features accessible and available to all collaborative genealogists.

As a sought-after international speaker and workshop coordinator, Mags continues to share her expertise on various topics related to genetic genealogy and family history research. Her talks are known for their easy flow of technical terminology and knowledge, combined with a down-home, relaxed, humorous style that connects with audiences.

She is a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy, among other organizations. Her passion for family history and her expertise in genetics and genealogy have helped many people uncover their family histories and connect with their roots.

Mags Gaulden is a genetic genealogist based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She has dedicated decades to researching family histories and exploring the role of genetics in genealogy. Born and raised in the United States, Mags developed an early interest in family history and genealogy. She started researching her family tree, which led her to discover the power of genetic testing in genealogy.

Mags is the founder of Grandma’s Genes in Ottawa and mitoYDNA.org, a free and accessible Y and mitochondrial DNA database for the genealogy community. The non-profit organization is a 501(c) 3 based in Maryland.

Monday 17 November, 1–2pm: Tech Users Group (Online). 

Topic: How to add & use browser extensions for genealogy. 

Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG

Thursday 20 November, 11am–1pm: Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (In-person). No registration required.

Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA.

Thursday 20 November, 2–4pm. Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Main Library (In-person). No registration required.

Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer: 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way, WA

Monday 24 November, 1–2pm: Genealogy Chat (Online). Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. 

We have no agenda; we just like one another!

Tuesday 2 December, 6:30pm (Online) SKCGS Board Meeting if necessary. All SKCGS Members are invited; write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link.

Friday 5 December, 12:30–2:30: German Interest Group (Online, EGS). Anette Isaacs presents “Frohe Weihnachten: Unwrapping the Charms of German Christmas Traditions.” Discover the rich history and cultural significance of Christmas customs and holiday treats. 

Register:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DpxnmOaKRpuxVYX0I8UHzw. More at https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/

Saturday 6 December, 10am–noon, Family Tree Maker User Group (Online). 

Topic: Question & Answer. 

Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Monday 8 December, 1–2pm, Genetic Genealogy / DNA Interest Group (Online).

Topic: Ancestry’s Custom Clusters. See 

Introducing Custom Clusters: A Smarter Way to Find “Matches That Matter & Struggles with Smithville

Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Wednesday 10 December,⋅2–3:pm: WikiTree User Group (Online). 

Topic: Wikitree Projects, taking Collaboration to the Next Level. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Projects. 

Wikitree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. 

Subscribe to our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG 

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SKCGS Speaker Series: Monthly on the third Saturday, 10am. Featured speakers: 

  • November 15, 2025: Mags Gaulden: “WikiTree’s DNA Features, With A Splash of mitoYDNA.org”
  • January 17, 2026: Mary Kircher Roddy: “Putting Your Learning to Work: Getting the Most From an Educational Opportunity”
  • February 21, 2026: Robyn N. Smith: “Cluster Research: Using Other People to Find Your People”
  • March 21, 2026: Winona Laird: “Publish Your Story using AI and Kindle Direct Publishing”
  • April 18, 2026: Robbie Johnson: “Writing for Relatives 101-–From Research to Family History” 
  • May 16, 2026 Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal: “Research at the library…without leaving home!”
  • 20 June 2026:  Steven Morrison “Digging Up New Dirt: Part 1 Unearthing the Real New England Immigrant” AND Part 2 “Finding, Proving and Publishing”

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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting November 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm
We will begin with our annual Business meeting to elect Officers for the 2026-2027 term and vote on a motion from the Board regarding a donation to the Veteran Bounty Land Records Capital Campaign led by the National Genealogical Society.

This month’s presentation: After the business meeting is concluded we will have a presentation by Nancy Thaut talking about her trips to the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake city and how to prepare before your first visit.

This meeting will be hybrid and we encourage everyone who is able to attend in person at our new meeting location:

University Place Library
3609 Market PL W.
University Place, WA 98466
and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

One tap mobile
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location

        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFbCNTY39

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History November 2025

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Writing Family History
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom

The Writing Family History Special Interest Group (WFH-SIG) supports TPCGS members in documenting, writing, and preserving their family histories—formally or informally. Monthly meetings will provide a mix of presentations, writing exercises, and peer reviews to help members make progress in their projects.

Meeting invite with links in file attached below

Date & Time: Every month on the Second Wednesday, starting at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMoc-2qqDMjHNXnACfWJ0dop_pMeQXMRoYM/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqz8uGNKduR-GRpwEGY-gLOrwplxEgo1lkj7GBRd5Mgf5Jt1SH7dOKPXi

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87544268961?pwd=oNtdztP51tePuSn3bt45J3wuxnGXzl.1
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639

One tap mobile:
+12532158782,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US (Tacoma)
+12532050468,,87544268961#,,,,*328639# US

Dial by your location:
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
Meeting ID: 875 4426 8961
Passcode: 328639
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kclCP1SsOV

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI

by Charles Hansen

THOMAS MacENTEE

GENEALOGIST, AUTHOR, BLOGGER

Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI

Speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s

November 13th Zoom meeting

Virtual meeting doors will open at 6:30 pm

The speaker’s program will begin at 7:00 pm

The public is invited to attend however, non-members will not have access to the handout as per speaker’s request

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr. 

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society Creating a Virtual Cemetery

by Charles Hansen

Stillaquamish Valley Genealogical Society

Monthly Business Meeting & Presentation

Creating a Virtual Cemetery

Tuesday, November 11th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library

6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, WA

Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Kathie Webber. This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation

Kathie’s topic: Creating A Virtual Cemetery One Kathie’s favorite things about studying her family history has been learning where her ancestors have been buried. Twenty years ago she discovered an online tool called findagrave.com. This website and the accompanying app have enabled her to organize and expand her cemetery research. She will share with everyone the many things she has taken advantage of using Find a Grave, as well as other options that are available.

Bio: 

I’ve been doing genealogy for over 40 years. I’ve researched in Washington State, Massachusetts, California, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ireland. My favorite notable ways to research include visiting cemeteries, family history centers, online research, Facebook groups, and travel.

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

DIG – DNA Special Interest Group

Also join us at the SVGS library on the third Thursday of the month from 1-3pmfor our DNA Special Interest Group (DIG). This group works together to develop a better understanding of DNA techniques and strategies for finding relatives, discuss and review new DNA developments and tools and help members with their research problems.

All DNA skill levels are welcome to attend.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for this group, please sen an email info@stillygen.org

Also, if you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for the DIG group, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the DIG email list.

New England Interest Group

The SVGS New England Interest Group (includes New York and Pennsylvania) that meets at the SVGS Library on the first Tuesday of the month is now hybrid!

If you have not joined us yet and would like to receive emails in the future for this group or wish to attend via Zoom, please send an email to info@stillygen.org and request to be added to the New England Interest Group email list and receive monthly Zoom invitations.

For more information visit stillygen.org

Tri-Cities Genealogical Society From Homeland To Home: Ancestral Holiday Traditions

by Charles Hansen

  Please join us for Tri-City Genealogical Society’s November General meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12.  We will be electing a new board for 2026 and need to have a quorum from the membership.  Also, the proposed budget for 2026 will be presented and voted on.  After the formalities we will be having an interactive presentation where everyone is encouraged to participate.  For people on Zoom the opportunity will be made to share their screen if so desired.  See flyer above for details.

Time: Nov 12, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83248129787?pwd=r0AndQAeVkHB2B5oraUOGLO6xazY1V.1

Meeting ID: 832 4812 9787

Passcode: 664352

Let’s Talk About: FamilyTree Magazine!

by Donna Phillips


FamilyTree Magazine is my go-to-tutorial these days for holding-in-my-hands genealogy learning. I like “real” books; I like “real” magazines. If you do too, FT is for you!

For example, in the July-August 2025 issue there were articles on these topics:

  • Ancestry.com has a digitized book collection! This includes local histories, directories, memoirs and more. Click to www.ancestry.com/search/collections/catalog and then search by title or keyword. (This is NOT a link; copy and paste it.) 
  • Annual list of 101 Best Genealogy Websites; marked if free or pay and whether first time on the list or was on previous lists. What a glorious guide!
  • “Signs of Life” was an article offering to “re-energize your efforts for strategies to access vital records.”
  • I’ve read where most men in the late 19th century belonged to a Masonic lodge. Our ancestors were joiners and not just for the comradeship but for financial support to each others’ families in times of trouble. So likely YOUR ancestor belonged to some fraternal organization. This article lists the basics of searching for such records.
  • Sunny Jane Morton is a regular (and top notch!) contributor to Family Tree Magazine. Her article in this issue on how to really evaluate and use the millions of new records’ hints that are appearing on the major genealogy websites all the time. She offers 12 good tips on understanding this resource. 
  • DNA Ethnicity Estimates. This was the back page article by DNA expert, Diahan Southard. The submitted question was “why do my DNA ethnicity estimates keep changing?” How come last year my test showed I was 25% Swedish and this year it says I’m only 15%? What gives? Diahan wrote: “Think of it like this: When trying to match a paint color, you’ll have a harder time with just THREE paint swatches than if you had 300. That’s exactly what’s happening with DNA testing. DNA testing companies are constantly expanding their reference panels (their paint swatches, if you will) to give you more accurate results.” 

Let’s Talk About: The FamilySearch WIKI

by Donna Phillips

As of few weeks ago, when I crafted this post, there were 150,162 articles under this Resource Guide on the FamilySearch.org website.  So what is the Wiki anyway?

The Research Wiki is a tree, online genealogical guide that lists websites and resources to help you find your ancestors from countries around the world. The Wiki is a community project where anyone can contribute.

What can you find on the Wiki?

  • Genealogical databases and online resources 
  • Genealogy research strategy and guidance
  • Explanation of genealogy record types and their uses
  • Locality pages for countries, states, counties and parishes with relevant resources.
  • Topic pages about genealogy, such as Organize Your Genealogy, or Gazetteers.

Pro tips for navigating the Wiki:

  • Don’t search by name; individuals are NOT listed in the Wiki but you will find links to databases or other resources that may contain the information you seek.
  • Do search by location; search by location, smallest to largest (parish/town, county, state, country). 
  • Do check for pertinent records in each jurisdiction. 

Recommendations:

  • For the country, or state, and/or county of your interest, consider printing out those pages for better study; keep them in your research notebook. 
  • Do check for specific topics: Land records, Military Records, Church Records, Emigration, Immigration, etc. Such sites give you an overview while a locality search gives you specifics to that locale. 
  • When you learn the European (or other) country of your ancestors’ origins, go to that country and print out/really study that material……. your own personal self-help guide.

The bestest advice I can give you today is to grab a hot or cold drink, set a timer for a full hour, and go explore the FamilySearch Wiki! That’s the “bestest” way to learn how to really utilize this fantastic FREE resource. 

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG November 2025 Meeting

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Legacy Family Tree SIG Meeting
Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm virtual via Zoom

This month we will be watching and discussing Part 1 of the video “Legacy Family Tree for Complete Beginners”. If you are just getting started with Legacy Family Tree or haven’t used it for a while this should be a helpful video and discussion for you.

This is our monthly meeting to share tips & tricks, problems & solutions. Sometimes we will watch videos or share our screens to aid in learning more about using Legacy Family Tree software.

Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the learning. If you are just thinking about trying Legacy for the first time, you’ve been using it for a year or two or you are an old pro with many years of experience using Legacy this is the group for you.

We look forward to meeting with you, every month on the First Tuesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Download: Meeting invite with Links

Meeting Invite with Links in file attached below:

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

Monthly Calendar Reminder: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYpfuyuqDovHNwtBgxtQjWKOjDQ8k5Q9bPD/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqjIvHNKUtR-PRpwQBor4Z-7wpn5Ygo1KiD3iGzRiaDTdGehmA-p0RemJ

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82495661568?pwd=dy85YmluVzF5aEU4SzFTcTUrVDlTUT09

Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568
Passcode: 715731

One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,82495661568#,,,,*715731# US
+12532158782,,82495661568#,,,,*715731# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location:
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 824 9566 1568
Passcode: 715731

Find your local number:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcphK19I1E