Tag Archives: Clark County Genealogical Society

Elinor Perlich Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Elinor Perlich of Vancouver, Washington, who was nominated by the Clark County Genealogical Society (CCGS). She was recognized for her quiet leadership, knowledge, and dedicated volunteer efforts.

Elinor Perlich

Elinor Perlich

Ms. Perlich has served long and faithfully as head librarian, overseeing daily operation of CCGS’s library. During several intervals when the society had no library director, Ms. Perlich assumed most of those responsibilities as well. She has been responsible for acquisition of materials, overseen periodic inventories of the library collection, helped train a corps of volunteer librarians, worked closely with the volunteer cataloger, and performed other tasks needed to keep the library running smoothly. She is a member of the library committee and has served as the committee chair.

Ms. Perlich has for many years quietly and effectively done her job, neither expecting nor wanting any special recognition. Those special qualityies and dedication prove that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

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

Clark County Genealogical Society Classes

by Charles Hansen

SPRING CCGS CLASSES

NEW DATE FOR LEAPING THE POND – April 28; see below.

FREE BEGINNING CLASSES
Getting Started Tracing Your Family Tree with Larry Dean Saturday, May 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. This class will be held in the CCGS Education Center.

REGULAR CLASSES
All regular classes will be held in the CCGS Education Center, 715 Grand Blvd, Vancouver, WA. Fee for each class: $12.00 members, $15.00 Non-Members. Fee can be paid with registration or at the door. Exact cash amount or check at the door is appreciated. Although walk-ins won’t be turned away, if you want to take a class, please register at least a week in advance. Classes with insufficient registration one week in advance will be cancelled. Those registered will be notified and any fee paid will be refunded. To register for a class, see the registration form on the website http://ccgs-wa.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d43d7894b8591a05db4fa440b&id=5f249b4781&e=b278fc7627

Leaping the Pond: strategies for locating your ancestors pre-America Tuesday, April 28th, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Instructor: Brian Runyan
Sooner or later we’re all going to discover ancestors who did not originate in North America. As comfortable as we might get researching in the good ol’ U S of A, it’s a whole different ballgame when we try to “cross the pond”, any pond. How they get here? From where did they sail? Where did they live prior to setting sail? Brian will take us through some strategies for answering these questions. Brian started “doing” genealogy back in the “lick a stamp and pray” days of the 1970s. After a 40 year hiatus, he picked it up with a vengeance in 2012. Wow, talk about future shock! He says, “I got more done in the first three months than I had been able to accomplish in six years, previously”. Brian is currently serving as the Chair of the Education Committee at CCGS.

INTRODUCTION TO GENEALOGY CLASS IN BATTLE GROUND
Battle Ground Fort Vancouver Regional Library at 6:30pm, June 22nd. They are located at 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground, WA. Instructor: Brian Runyan
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 11:00am, CCGS Annex. Discussion to follow
Using Legacy with Specialized Studies – Legacy is for more than your family history by Tessa Keough
Specialized studies take many forms – whether it is a one-name (surname) study, a one-place (location) study, or a cemetery, church or school survey. These projects often have us “reinventing the wheel” as we try to come up with a method for entering and using our data. Why reinvent the wheel when you can use Legacy? Join Tessa Keough as she shows you how she uses Legacy for more than her family history. We will discuss some tips and suggestions for using Legacy’s well-known and lesser-known features with your specialized studies and projects. Whether you are simply thinking about a project, have just gotten started, or are taking a second look at your approach and software, there will be something for everyone.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015, 11:00am, CCGS Annex. Discussion to follow
Genealogy 101, a 3-Session Course iLegacy Webinar: Beginning Genealogy – Part 2 by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen
Session 2 – Using Compiled Sources. There are many opportunities to view what has been researched before. Some of those collections include compiled genealogies and heritage books, and online compilations. We will look at some ways to discover if the previous research is credible and can aid in our own family history research.

Friday, May 8, 2015, 11:00am, CCGS Annex. Discussion to follow
Legacy Webinar: After You’re Gone – Future-Proofing Your Genealogy Research (for annual/monthly webinar subscribers) by Thomas MacEntee
Have you ever considered what will happen to your years of genealogy research once you’re gone? Learn how to ensure that your hard work carries on. Through a combination of planning, common sense, and new technologies, we’ll review how to create an action plan for preserving your genealogy research.

Dolly Merrick Honored as Outstanding Volunteer in 2014

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 400 outstanding volunteers, 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 2014 award recipients and learn why they received the 2014 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Dolores “Dolly” Kies Merrick of Vancouver, Washington who was nominated by the Clark County Genealogical Society (CCGS). She was recognized for her support of the goals and operation of the CCGS.

Dolly Merrick

Ms. Merrick has been an active member of the CCGS for over seven years. She is the immediate past Vice President and served previously as its Treasurer. In 2014 she served on the CCGS library committee, was a member of the CCGS seminars committee, and a volunteer librarian. Additionally, using her graphic skills, she created storefront window displays that brought people to the society’s education programs to promote membership.

Ms. Merrick accepted her leadership role in CCGS during a period of recovery from a decline in society membership. Enticing members to accept leadership positions was particularly difficult, but Ms. Merrick applied her rare gift of enthusiasm and clear thinking through collegial management and a positive attitude, creating the cohesive and productive team that leads the society today.

Ms. Merrick is an exemplary member of the CCGS and richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

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

Clark County Genealogical Society Spring Classes

by Charles Hansen

SPRING CCGS CLASSES

FREE BEGINNING CLASSES
Getting Started Tracing Your Family Tree with Larry Dean Tuesday, May 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. This class will be held in the CCGS Education Center.

REGULAR CLASSES
All regular classes will be held in the CCGS Education Center, 715 Grand Blvd, Vancouver, WA. Fee for each class: $12.00 members, $15.00 Non-Members.  Fee can be paid with registration or at the door. Exact cash amount or check at the door is appreciated.  Although walk-ins won’t be turned away, if you want to take a class, please register at least a week in advance. Classes with insufficient registration one week in advance will be cancelled.  Those registered will be notified and any fee paid will be refunded.  To register for a class, see the registration form on the website http://ccgs-wa.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d43d7894b8591a05db4fa440b&id=ceca5d30ee&e=b278fc7627

Get Your Ducks in a Row: Genealogical Housekeeping, 201
Tuesday, March 3rd, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Instructor: Jane Germann
Still tearing your hair out over the piles and stacks of paper? Know your cousin emailed you Aunt Stella’s obituary but it’s lost on your computer somewhere? Jane will show you some easy and painless (almost) ways to keep track of your genealogical files.  Jane has been a member of CCGS since 1984.  She has been a mainstay of education, teaching classes from introductory to courthouse research to publishing and everything in between.  A vigorous researcher, Jane leaves no stone unturned, except cemetery headstones.  Those she leaves standing.

Obituaries and Newspapers: Windows to the Past
Tuesday, March 17th, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Instructor: Lethene Parks
Obituaries can be jam-packed with relationship information often listing the living and the dead relatives and their connection to the deceased.  Knowing how and where to access these valuable pieces of your family history can seem a bit daunting, not to mention confusing. Historically, newspapers published items of community interest as well as the latest calamity. How thrilling to read that your ggrandfather returned to the Willamette Valley after a sojourn to mining country east of the mountains.  You didn’t see that on any ten year census snapshot! But how do I find them?  Lethene to the rescue!!  Our treasure, Lethene Parks, has been a serious genealogist for over fifty years.  She loves sharing her knowledge with everyone.  Her passion for scholarly research is surpassed only by the thrill of the hunt.  Lethene currently serves as the CCGS President.

City Directories and Area Histories: Tuesday, March 31st, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Instructor: Elsie Deatheridge
Isn’t it a thrill to see your ancestor’s name in print?  Directories make them just a little more real as you track their household as well as their employment from year to year.  Area histories were very commonly published in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s as barely disguised promotion pieces for developing towns and cities.  But, they also contain great background information and the occasional surprise as you find your ancestor profiled.  Elsie will entertain us with some interesting finds and help in ferreting out your location.  Elsie was born in Colville, WA, and graduated from Inchelium High school.  She earned a BS in secondary education and  a Masters in Adult Education, both from WSU Pullman.  Elsie has attended many week-long courses at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and is a frequent participant in national genealogy conferences.

What’s New in Family Search? LOTS! Tuesday, April 7th, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Instructor: Alice Allen
Family Search is a major go-to site for genealogical research. In addition to continuously adding searchable records, Family Search is constantly improving how we access those records.  Alice is a “power user” of Family Search and will share her insights as to how to make this site “dance” for you.  Alice Allen has been doing genealogical research off and on since 1968 (raising six children was her main focus).  When she got her first computer in 1995, genealogy and family history became a passion.  She became a member of the USGenWeb Project in 1996 and was thus privileged to be a part of the beginning of online genealogy research.  She has been a CCGS member since 1998 and is involved in many other community and social activities.

Leaping the Pond:  strategies for locating your ancestors pre-America Tuesday, April 21st, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Instructor: Brian Runyan
Sooner or later we’re all going to discover ancestors who did not originate in North America.  As comfortable as we might get researching in the good ol’ U S of A, it’s a whole different ballgame when we try to “cross the pond”, any pond.  How they get here?  From where did they sail?  Where did they live prior to setting sail?  Brian will take us through some strategies for answering these questions.  Brian started “doing” genealogy back in the “lick a stamp and pray” days of the 1970s.  After a 40 year hiatus, he picked it up with a vengeance in 2012.  Wow, talk about future shock!  He says, “I got more done in the first three months than I had been able to accomplish in six years, previously”.  Brian is currently serving as the Chair of the Education Committee at CCGS.