It’s Almost Showtime in Vancouver

Seminar chair Marcia Grubb and CCGS President Brian Runyan share a moment.

So much to see and do! And you can still join us!

Roger Newman (right) shares stories about his Hudson Bay Company ancestor.

For many of us, the Clark County Genealogical Society Spring Seminar festivities began today (Friday) with a reception at the Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks. A spectacular building constructed in 1904, the Artillery Barracks was originally built as a place to house soldiers who were trained to go into combat with cannons and other mounted guns. Tonight, however, it was the location of the Hudson Bay Company Gala Reception. It was our opportunity to meet keynote speaker David Allen Lambert, chief genealogist with the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, as well as new and old friends. So great to put faces to my email pals from Clark County.

One of the embroidered panels of the Vancouver Tapestry.

Before the reception, I had the opportunity to marvel at the Fort Vancouver Tapestry on exhibit at the CCGS Annex, 717 Grand Blvd., Vancouver. This exquisite textile will be on display through Monday, May 28. The tapestry was completed over a six-year period (1999 – 2005), using over 100,000 hours of volunteer effort. The 70 panels, stitched by 57 talented embroiderers, depicts the history and growth of the American West all the way to the banks of the mighty Columbia. The tapestry is 108 feet long and has more than 22 miles of woolen yarn. Check out the plaid shirts in the picture on the left — amazing!

You can still register for the seminar. Just show up at the Historic Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St, Vancouver. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. You don’t want to miss it — and you’ll get to hear the announcement of the WSGS recognition award winners during the lunch hour. A day packed with learning and fellowship.

Meet Us in Vancouver

David Allen Lambert

We’re hoping to see you on Saturday (May 26, 2018) at the Clark County Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar — and WSGS Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony! There’s still time to register for the seminar at the CCGS library (until Friday) or register at the seminar on Saturday morning at the Historic Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Rd., Vancouver. Click here for more details about the seminar and other activities.

David Allen Lambert, the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s chief genealogist, will be the featured speaker at Saturday’s seminar.  David’s topics include 1) World War 1 Military; 2) Great Migration Era settler research; and 3) Probate & Deed Records research.

During the lunch hour, WSGS will present its Outstanding Volunteer and Team awards, Outstanding Communication, Outstanding Project, President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Innovative Grants.

 

 

 

Don’t Miss the Fort Vancouver Tapestry

A section of the Fort Vancouver Tapestry

For those attending the Clark County Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar, don’t miss viewing the Fort Vancouver Tapestry on exhibit at the CCGS Annex, 717 Grand Blvd., Vancouver. This exquisite textile will be on display from Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28.

The tapestry was completed over a six-year period (1999 – 2005), using over 100,000 hours of volunteer effort. The 70 panels, stitched by 57 talented embroiderers, depicts the history and growth of the American West all the way to the banks of the mighty Columbia. The tapestry is 108 feet long and has more than 22 miles of woolen yarn.

An amazing work of art not to be missed.

Join us in Vancouver

Momentum is building for a fabulous and meaningful weekend full of genealogical as well as historical events! Register now for the Clark County Genealogical Society‘s Spring Seminar with David Allen Lambert from the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Registration info here.

And there’s more!

  • The Washington State Genealogical Society will be presenting their awards during the seminar’s lunch hour on Saturday.
  • An 1833-35 Hudson Bay Company (HBC) descendant is attending the HCB Gala Reception Friday evening and he has stories.
  • The Ft. Vancouver Tapestry will be showing at the CCGS Library Annex for 5 Full Days (24th-28th).
  • There’s a walking Cemetery Tour is scheduled for Sunday (meet up at Library).

David Allen Lambert Coming to Vancouver — You Should, Too!

Register now for the Clark County Genealogical Society‘s Spring Seminar on Saturday, May 26. An added bonus to the day is the Washington State Genealogical Society’s Recognition Event during the lunch hour. Registration information and form are available here.

Clark County and their partners have organized a weekend-long event, packed with a wide variety of activities. The Saturday seminar key speaker will be David Allen Lambert. Serving as chief genealogist for the venerable New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), David’s seminar topics include 1) World War 1 Military; 2) Great Migration Era settler research; and 3) Probate & Deed Records research.

Friday, May 25
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

As an honored guest at the Hudson Bay Company Gala Reception Friday evening, David Allen Lambert will be sharing his genealogical gems; seemingly small finds that lead to amazing stories. CCGS is collaborating with Friends of Fort Vancouver to bring some of the wonderful Fort interpreters as guests. The Hudson Bay Company Gala Reception will be held at the Artillery Barracks of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 600 Hathaway Rd. in Vancouver.

Saturday, May 26
8:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The seminar includes three lectures from David Allen Lambert, NEHGS chief genealogist. Additionally, the Washington State Genealogical Society will announce their annual recognition awards. The event will be at  the Historic Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Street in Vancouver.

Sunday, May 27
10:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Clark County Genealogical Society will host a library open house at 715 Grand Blvd, Vancouver. A guided cemetery tour is also planned; brochures will be available for other self-guided tours.

Before and During Memorial Weekend

For 5 days before and during Memorial Weekend, The Fort Vancouver Tapestry will be displayed at the CCGS Library. Completed in 2005, this historic community project required 57 skilled stitchery workers contributing 100,000 hours over 5 plus years.

Accommodations

For out-of-towners, the Hilton Hotel offered special rates. The CCGS group reservation code is CCG. Click here for the special rate.

Register Now for Clark County Spring Seminar and WSGS Recognition Event

The WSGS Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, which includes the announcement of the Outstanding Volunteer and Team awards, Outstanding Communication and Project awards,  WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and Innovative Grant winners, will be Saturday, May 26, 2018 during the lunch period of Clark County Genealogical Society‘s Spring Seminar. The seminar and awards event will be held at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver.

David Allen Lambert

The seminar’s featured speaker will be David Allen Lambert, New England Historic Genealogical Society‘s chief genealogist. His seminar topics include:

  • World War 1 Military
  • Great Migration Era settler research
  • Probate & Deed Records research

CCGS has planned other events during the weekend, including:

  • Hudson Bay Company Gala Reception on Friday night. David will be the honored guest and will share his genealogical gems: seemingly small finds that led to amazing stories.
  • A guided Cemetery Tour is proposed for Sunday. There will also be brochures for other local self-guided tours available at the CCGS Library.
  • For the five days before and during Memorial Weekend, The Fort Vancouver Tapestry will be displayed at the CCGS Library. Completed in 2005, this historic community project required 57 skilled stitchery workers contributing 100,000 hours over more than five years.  For more information, visit http://www.fortvancouvertapestry.com.

For out-of-towners, the Hilton Hotel is offering special rates.  The Hilton’s web access page is:  http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/P/PDXVAHH-CCG-20180525/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG. Be sure to  mention the CCGS group reservation code CCG.

The CCGS Spring Seminar flyer, including a registration form, can be downloaded by clicking on REGISTRATION FORM seminar 2018 or visit the CCGS website.

Clark County Genealogical Society April Meetings

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF ANCESTRY CLASS

Tues, Apr 10, 2018: 10 am-Noon

CCGS Education Center

Are you frustrated by your search results in Ancestry? Do you feel like there are untapped record resources you aren’t able to find? Expert genealogist Elsie Deatherage will show you how to find some of the less popular databases by changing the way you search. Feel free to bring your computer device so that you can follow along. The CCGS Library provides free wireless internet! Advance registration requested as classes with insufficient attendance may be cancelled. Fee for each class $12/members, $15/Non-Members.

 

GEORGIA: GATEWAY TO WESTWARD EXPANSION

Wed, Apr 11, 2018: 5 – 6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

Georgia holds a critical place in the history of the expansion of the United States west. Learn the common mistakes that can stall your Georgia research. In this Legacy Family Tree webinar, you’ll learn about repositories, history and collections unique to the state to get your family history adventure off on the right foot.

 

SCANDINAVIAN ROOTS FOCUS GROUP

Thu, Apr 12, 2018: 10-11:30am

CCGS Education Center

If you want to discover your Scandinavian roots, attend this monthly meeting and learn how to conduct your research. Speaker Kay Cooke will discuss how she identified her Swedish ancestors by discovering name changes, scouring the internet, searching parish records, and befriending Swedish genealogists. She connected with cousins and walked in her Nordic ancestors’ footsteps. The focus group meets regularly on the second Thursday of the month, September-May. Members and non-members are welcome.

 

RESEARCHING YOUR OREGON ANCESTORS

Fri, Apr 13, 2018: 11 am-12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

This Legacy Family Tree webinar is perfect if your ancestors made Oregon their new home. You’ll learn at least a dozen solid research tips along with a bit of history, the best websites to find information, and the places to include if you plan a research trip across the Columbia River to the Beaver State.

 

BETTER TOGETHER: MAKING YOUR CASE WITH DOCUMENTS AND DNA

Tues, Apr 17, 2018: 5-6:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

The genealogical proof standard requires reasonably exhaustive research in solving ancestral-identity problems. DNA evidence is now often part of that research. Even the best DNA evidence must be combined with some traditional research. This Legacy Family Tree webinar will show different ways that genealogical problems have been solved by integrating DNA evidence with the paper trail.

 

LINCOLN’S LAWS AND THE RECORDS OF WAR

Apr 18, 2018: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

President Abraham Lincoln’s General Order 100 – “Instructions for the Government of Armies … in the Field” – revolutionized the laws of war. Discover how this directive created new records for genealogists to research in this Legacy Family Tree webinar.

 

GET THE MOST FROM THE MYHERITAGE SEARCH ENGINE FOR HISTORICAL RECORDS

Tues, Apr 24, 2018: 11 am – 12:30 pm

CCGS Education Center

MyHeritage SuperSearch™ is a versatile tool for beginners and advanced genealogists alike. In this webinar, you will learn how to leverage this search engine and the more than 8.5 billion historical records it includes to expand your family history research.

 

GENEALOGY ENTHUSIASTS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Tue, Apr 24, 2018:  7-9 pm

CCGS Education Center

Fur Trade at Fort Vancouver and the Village

National Park Service Pacific West Region’s historical archaeologist, Dr. Doug Wilson, will talk about the inhabitants of both the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Fort Vancouver and the adjacent Village.  Most of the villagers were involved in the Fort’s fur trapping and trading industry, but they did not leave any written records. Wilson will discuss the lives of the diverse people at both the Fort and Village based on the historical records and artifacts.

VERIFYING INFORMATION YOU FIND ONLINE

Wed, Apr 25, 2018: 11 am – 12:30 pm

When genealogists stumble into brick walls and other challenging genealogical puzzles, they look anywhere for clues that can help build their family tree. These can include online trees and other information with unknown sources. This Legacy Family Tree webinar will demonstrate how to verify the information as true or not.

 

 

“The good things you do and throw in the river of life, will be returned to you in the desert of life.” Sa’adi

Bea Ritter Awarded 2017 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 500 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2017 award recipients and learn why they received the 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Bea Ritter

Today we’re introducing Beatrice “Bea” Ritter of Vancouver, Washington, who was nominated by the Clark County Genealogical Society (CCGS). She was recognized for commitment to the satisfaction of the society’s members.

The Clark County Genealogical Society has been greatly improved by the efforts of long-time member Bea Ritter. She joined the CCGS in 1998 and has served in various leadership capacities since then. Over the past four years she has ably served as the society’s vice president. In 2015, the position of membership chair became vacant and Ms. Ritter graciously volunteered to fill in. Her efforts immediately resulted in a significant increase in member retention and new member satisfaction.

The strength of the Clark County Genealogical Society rises and falls with its membership and Ms. Ritter has made a mighty contribution to the society’s well-being. As such, she greatly deserved being a 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Interim Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.