Six Societies Awarded Supportive Grants

Sep11 by Roxanne Lowe

In a one-time departure from the norm, the WSGS Board of Directors awarded Supportive Grants to six of the societies that applied for grants. In the past, only two grants have been awarded. This year, however, the Board agreed with the reviewers that all six society projects deserved funding. The average amount of each grant was $250. Diane Huckabay, WSGS Education Chair, announced the awards at the Annual Meeting on August 30, 2024.

The grants were awarded to:

Black Genealogy Research Group of Seattle – Two registrations to attend the Family Tree Magazine University Courses. The two attendees will share their knowledge at monthly BGRG meetings.

Clallam County Genealogical Society — Defray some of the costs of speakers for their “Speakers’ Series.”

Jefferson County Genealogical Society – Support publicity for the society’s 40th anniversary celebration. It will also support their speaker from Scotland (on Zoom).

Lower Columbia County Genealogical Society – Print and distribute brochures advertising/ promoting the society, so they can be placed around a variety of local establishments, mostly libraries.

Okanogan County Genealogical Society – Fund a web page that documents Okanogan County cemeteries and the individuals buried in those cemeteries.

Sno-Isle County Genealogical Society – Fund the purchase of audio and visual equipment to support hybrid online and in-person meetings.

For more information about the Supportive Grants, click here.

Clallam County Genealogical Society November Seminar with Judy Russell

Sep7 by Charles Hansen

November 9^th, 2004

An all-day seminar featuring

Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL – The Legal Genealogist

**A Legal Perspective for Genealogists**

Clallam County is hosting a three-part seminar featuring the incomparable Judy G. Russell. She is one of the most popular speakers for Genealogical Societies and National Events. Her unusual lectures reflect her legal background and are always interesting, educational, and fun to listen to.

Schedule and Topics Information:

9:15 – 9:30am Registration Sign-in/Tech Check

9:30 – 9:45am Introductions/ Announcements

9:45-10:45am Session I: Revelers, Hogkillers and Disobedient Children: Early State Laws.

The laws our ancestors lived by tell their own story of life in earlier times, and early state laws from every part of the nation tell the stories of Blue Laws, wild animals, and children needing humbling. Judy will include a look at early Washington State laws.

10:45- 11:00am Break

11:00am – Noon Session II:Landing The Ancestors: Federal and State Land Records

Land records are among the earliest, most complete and most valuable genealogical records and often among the most puzzling. Understanding how land was acquired, measured and recorded under the law is essential to using the records effectively. This is a good introduction to land records overall according to Judy.

Noon – 12:45pm Lunch Break

12:45 – 1:45pm Session III:Landing the Fourths: Proving a Case with Court, Land, and DNA Evidence

The father of Gustavus Boone Robertson (1827 MS-1903 TX) was William M. Robertson (c1795 NC-1864 MS). But who was Gustavus’s mother? No record directly identifies her, but court, land, and DNA evidence combine to prove the case as to the identity of this third great-grandmother and, in doing so, landing the fourths—fourth great-grandparents, that is. (This is a complex case study but can readily be followed by a general audience)

The Seminar will be presented via Zoom so that you may listen to at home, or attend at the CCGS Research Center located at 403 E. 8^th Street in Port Angeles, Washington.

The Zoom pass code and meeting number will be sent to participants via e-mail as soon as payment is received. (See below for cost)

Cost:

$50 for CCGS members $55 for non-CCGS members and at the door

Early Bird Registration begins Tuesday, October 1st . Save $10 off registration fee!

Early Bird Registration ends Tuesday, October 15^th

Prepaid Registration by check or Paypal ends Tuesday, November 5th

For more information, call CCGS Tues-Fri 10am to 4pm, and Saturdays noon to 4pm or visit our website:

Phone: 360-417-5000 Website: www.clallamcogs.org.

Checks should be made out to CCGS. Credit cards can use the Paypal app found on our website.

Clallam County Genealogical Society Ancestry Pro Tools

Sep3 by Charles Hansen

Saturday, September 14^th 9:45 to 11:00

The Clallam Genealogical Society will present Ancestry Pro Tools: Not Just for Professionals by Claudia Breland at their monthly meeting.

Earlier this year Ancestry.com rolled out an additional service called “Pro Tools,” which costs $10 per month. This service includes charts, reports and analysis of your family tree discovering duplicates and errors. And most useful to all those working with DNA, the program will include analyses of your shared matches and how much DNA they share with each other. According to Claudia, “This last one is a game-changer and worth every penny.”

In her presentation, Claudia will share how to use this new and powerful tool.

Claudia Breland is a professional genealogist since 2008, and has been involved with genealogy for 50 years. She has a masters degree in library science. She teaches classes, is a wonderful lecturer, has written several books and articles, and continues her studies in an everchanging world.

All are welcome to hear her presentation. There is no charge for this lecture.

You may join us by watching on Zoom or attending the lecture at the Clallam County Genealogical Society’s Research Center located at 402 E. 8^th street in Port Angeles, Washington.

For more information or to get the Zoom meeting number and passcode, contact CCGS by phone: (360) 417-5000 or by email: askus@clallamcogs.org.

Clallam County Genealogical Society German Immigration Patterns

May17 by Charles Hansen

Saturday, June 8^th at 10:00am, the Clallam County Genealogical Society will welcome Claire Gebben, a noted genealogist. She will appear in person at the KSQM-FM Community Room at 609 West Washington Street, in the Sequim Village Shopping Center, Sequim, WA. Her topic will be German Immigration Patterns.

Since the 19^th Century millions of German-speaking emigrants were leaving Europe for places far and wide, especially North America. Who were they and why did they leave? The answer is complicated. This talk explores waves of emigration in the historical context of wars, religious oppression, weather, economics, and other factors. Presentation also includes a look at the patterns of settlement of German migrants on arrival in North America.

Clair Gebben is a public speaker, teacher, and writer. She specializes in German genealogy, migration patterns and 19^th century history. She has authored award winning novels and memoirs based upon the documented accounts of her ancestors. Her articles have appeared in numerous periodicals. Claire holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts.

Join us at our June 8^th gathering, and meet Claire Gibben. Her books will be available for purchase at that time.

There is no cost to attending the meeting.

The presentation will also be available on Zoom. Call or e-mail the Society for the Zoom codes. (Please arrive or Zoom in at 9:45am.)

Phone: 360-417-5000 e-mail: askus@clallamcogs.org website: www.clallamcogs.org

Clallam County Genealogical Society The Musical Chicago and all that Genealogical Jazz

Apr1 by Charles Hansen

Saturday, May 11th at 9:30 am, the Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS) will host Mike Karsen and his presentation: The Musical Chicago, and all that Genealogical Jazz.

The Broadway musical and Hollywood movie CHICAGO was based on the stories of two real-life women by the name of Belva and Beulah. Just as in the show and movie, these women killed their lovers. By collecting standard genealogical documents Mike Karsen pieces together their lives, and puts their tales into context relating to Chicago history.

A professional speaker from Chicago, Mike Karsen has spoken on family legacy topics locally and nationally, has presented at conferences and authored genealogy articles. He is back with us at Clallam County by popular demand. His approach to genealogy is unique and entertaining as well.

All are invited to hear his presentation via Zoom or by coming to the CCGS Research Center located at 403 E. 8th Street in Port Angeles, WA. To join us with Zoom, contact the Society to obtain the Zoom Meeting number and passcode. Our phone number is 360-417-5000. Our web address is askus@clallamcogs.org. The Research Center is open Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm and on Saturdays noon to 4pm.

There is no cost to attending his wonderful presentation.

Clallam County Genealogical Society February & March 2024 Meetings

Jan20 by Charles Hansen

Saturday, February 10^th at 9:45, the Clallam County Genealogical Society will host a program presented by Mary Roddy. The Hub of the Wheel: How Tracing a Brother with no Children connected Ten Siblings—

A family from Ireland emigrated in a chain migration Scheme to Western Pennsylvania between 1825 and 1845. See how using the standards for researching connected siblings and their descendants and led to their origins in County Tyrone!

Mary Roddy is an author, coach, and lecturer. She has published many articles in known Genealogical Magazines, and has provided lectures to Societies and National Conferences.

All are invited to watch the presentation via Zoom or by attending at the Clallam County Genealogical Society’s Research Center located at 403 E. 8^th Street, Port Angeles, WA. To obtain the Zoom meeting number and passcode, contact the Society: 360-417-5000 or askus@clallamcogs.org.

There is no charge to Claire Smith announcement

On Saturday, March 9^th, the Clallam County Genealogical Society will present Claire Smith. Her topic will be Shaking Loose the Clues: Using Timelines to Organize Your Research.

Claire Smith is a certified professional genealogist. She always provides a very well organized, and interesting presentation that includes a gift of humor and supporting examples.

In Shaking Loose the Clues: Using Timelines to Organize Your Research, she will demonstrate how to organize the information you already have, Identify Gaps and determine what records you need to advance your research projects. She will offer examples of adding historical context, parallel timelines, tracking FANS, tracking migration and resolving conflicting information.

The Program will be available to the public via Zoom or at the Clallam County Genealogical Society’s Research Center located at 403 E. 8^th Street, Port Angeles. One can obtain the Zoom meeting number and passcode by either calling the center at 360-417-5000 or by email request: askus@clallamcogs.org.

More information may be available at our website: www/clallamcogs.org.

There is no charge to join us watching this outstanding presentation.

Let’s Talk About….. Clallam Co Gen Soc & Cattle Brands

Jan12 by Donna Phillips

The Clallam County (Washington) courthouse, built in 1914, in Port Angeles, is surely one of the most picturesque courthouses in America. I remember being in that building years ago and the women’s restroom stalls had pink marble walls!

The Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS) was founded in 1981. In 2020, the group purchased a newer and larger building ……… which they desperately needed to house their library of 3000 books, periodicals and microfilms. If you’re thinking of a trip to Port Angeles, and want to visit their library, know that their entire catalog is accessible online: www.clallamcogs.org.

CCGS also maintains offers an index to the 500 Pioneer Family files…… pioneers who were in Clallam County prior to Washington statehood in 1889.

The Fall 1988 issue of their society’s periodical (no longer published), there was a great article originally found in a 1945 issue of The Genealogy Magazine of New Jersey. The title was “The Use of Livestock Brands and Earmarks in Genealogy.”

The article states: “The system of marking the ears of cattle and hogs was used in the early days just as cattle brands are employed in the West today. In colonial times, livestock were often allowed to roam freely on the village green. When evening came, the marks were necessary to separate which animals belonged to which owner. The registration of marks was kept by the village clerk and later by the county auditor.

“Such registrations were continued well into the 20th century when vast herds of cattle and sheep roamed the vast acreage of public lands in the West.”

I know that the Eastern Washington Branch of our Washington State Archives has brand books for our state. I’ve looked up the registered brand for hubby’s uncle and VIOLA, there it was. If your Pacific Northwest ancestor had roaming livestock, it’s quite likely that he had a brand and that that brand (or ear mark) was legally registered.

Clallam County Genealogical Society DNA- Centi What; Morgan Who; Working with DNA Results

Dec17 by Charles Hansen

The Clallam County Genealogical Society is beginning it’s Speaker’ Series Saturday, January 13 beginning at 10:10. Beth Swarz will present a lecture on DNA – Centi What; Morgan Who…Working with DNA Results.

Beth has specialized in helping solve unknown parent/family connections through DNA and creating, building & researching family trees.

She presently is President of Moreno Valley Genealogical Society; a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy; National Genealogical Society; and Family Search Center Staff and is involved in several other Societies.

All are invited to watch this interesting presentation, by either by coming to the CCGS Research Center or via Zoom. There is no cost to attend.

To obtain the Zoom meeting number and codes, email the Society at askus@clallamcogs.org or phone us at 360-417-5000. We are at the Research Center Tuesday-Friday, 10am to 4pm and on Saturdays noon to 4pm. The research center is located at 403 8th Street in Port Angeles, on the corner of 8th Street and Peabody.

Everyone is invited to visit and do research at our Research Center during open hours at no cost. We share our data bases, computers, and library materials with the public. If you visit Clallam County, do stop and see us.

Karen Mitchell Presented with President’s Award

Nov6 by Roxanne Lowe

Karen Mitchell, the 2023 recipient of the WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement, received her engraved pen/pencil set recently. Karen is a founding member of the Clallam County Genealogical Society and has never let up on her dedication to the society. CCGS will display the perpetual plaque for the next year.

For more about Karen, read this blog post. Congratulations, Karen and CCGS!

Meet the Board: Virginia Majewski

Nov4 by Roxanne Lowe

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Who are these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you hear from them. (Note: This is an updated version of Ginny’s story, first published in January 2017.)

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Virginia Majewski from Sequim. Virginia, more familiarly known to us as Ginny, is WSGS’s past President. Her dedication to WSGS is longstanding and worked many years to make it more relevant and helpful to local societies. Besides being WSGS president from 2017 – 2021, she previously served as WSGS’s Secretary, Region 3 Representative and Vice President.

Undoubtedly, one of Ginny’s greatest WSGS legacies will be her brainchild — the Pioneer Pursuit program. The effort encourages genealogists and history enthusiasts to document every man, woman and child in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. To date, more than 3,500 individuals have been documented and verified as living in the territory before statehood. Ginny is very excited about the response the program has received. Although the contest element ended on October 31, 2023, Ginny encourages everyone to “keep sending in your families!”

Virginia Ann was born in Yakima to Wesley Roy and Nancy Jane (Grabill) Forney. She is a proud 4th generation Washingtonian and descendant of the Pioneer family of John C. Forney and his wife Kate H. Ebersold. Ginny’s name was handed down through her mother’s family – great grandmother, great aunts and aunts – even though Ginny’s dad maintains he picked out her name.

Ginny is a graduate of Quincy High School in Quincy, Washington (Grant County) and Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane. She is married to Moe, her husband of 36 years. She is the mother of four grown children and, most importantly, grandmother of eight, ages 23 – 7. She retired from her career of 42 years as an Obstetrical Nurse in 2013. She is active in her church and manages its annual holiday bazaar, selling all hand crafted items.

Ginny has been involved in genealogy for more than 20 years. It all started with a couple of boxes of “junk” from her grandparent’s estate. She was bitten by the genealogy bug and it became one of her life’s passions. Her maternal and paternal lines go back to exiled Mennonites in Switzerland. In 2000, she took a three-week genealogical tour of Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands – following the path of her exiled ancestors.

Virginia holds a Certification in Advanced Genealogical Studies in both American Records and Methodology from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies in Toronto, Canada. Currently, she is the Treasurer of Clallam County Genealogical Society after having served as its president for a number of terms. She is also a member of a variety of genealogical and historical groups. She loves to do genealogical traveling and giving educational presentations to genealogy groups..

When asked what she finds most interesting about genealogy, Ginny muses about a bigamist, unknown illegitimate cousins, a civil war hero and many more interesting characters!

A few more interesting tidbits about Ginny:

Her favorite color is turquoise.
Her favorite dessert is a Cream Puff Cake.
She urges anyone searching for their ancestors to use FamilySearch.org – an amazing resource available to everyone.
Besides genealogy, Ginny’s other life passions are quilting, reading, gardening and travel – oh, and don’t forget those grandchildren!
When asked what word describes her, Ginny laughs and asks if “genie-nut” is a word. We think it is when it pertains to Ginny!

Now you know a little more about one of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Ginny, say hello and thank her for her service to the WSGS.

Washington State Genealogical Society Blog

Tag Archives: Clallam County Genealogical Society