Tag Archives: Eastern Washington Genealogical Society

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Smarter Searching by Cyndi Ingle

by Charles Hansen

Saturday, February 3

Smarter Searching: Refining Search Parameters for Genealogists  (EWGS Meetings)

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Hybrid Meeting at The Hive – 2904 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202

Are you still using only the basic search options available on your favorite genealogical research sites? Do you get a lot of less-than-helpful search results? We will explore features and strategies you can use to tighten up the searches and make your online research more productive.

Smarter Searching: Refining Search Parameters for Genealogists by Cyndi Ingle (of Cyndi’s List)

We are meeting at The HIVE, 2904 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202

1:00-3pm, doors open at 12:30

Let’s Talk About…… We’re Stronger Together!

by Donna Phillips

Remember getting rope-burned-hands playing tug-o-war with a rope? And too often neither side “won,” and sometimes one side got pulled into the mud! Remember?

If there is a job to be done, isn’t it better to work together? Nobody’s hands get rope-burned that way! And the job gets done!!

I LIVE IN SPOKANE AND AM AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF EWGS……. AS YOU READ THIS POST, SUBSTITUTE YOUR SOCIETY’S NAME!!!!

I’m aiming today to sorta follow-up on our EWGS January meeting….. dedicated to service…… service to EWGS. Are some of you still on the fence about stepping up to do something for EWGS?

WHY? WHY come/mix/join/support EWGS? Here’s why:

  • EWGS people are “your kind” of people and are your friends.
  • EWGS people will welcome…and listen to…. your discovery-stories!
  • EWGS people have years of combined research knowledge and are always willing to help you. (But you gotta ask.)
  • EWGS meetings are FUN….. prizes, contests, raffles and cookies!
  • EWGS meetings are INFORMATIVE….. the EWGS board strives most diligently to offer programs of worth and interest to us. 
  • EWGS offers multiple learning opportunities…. TAG, Refocus, RootsMagic
  • EWGS offers you a way to give back to the genealogy community through service…… through volunteering to help however you can. The definition of service is, simply put, HELPING.
  • In EWGS, sometimes you’re the helper and other times you’re the helpee. (Don’t look in the dictionary for that word; I made it up. 😌)

Please click to www.EWGSI.org, especially if you’ve not in a while, and check out all that’s offered to YOU. 
And know that EWGS needs you help, big or small.  😁

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society January Luncheon

by Charles Hansen

A very Happy Holiday Season to all of you!  

May you have many joyful memories for 2023.

As we get ready to welcome a New Year,

here is a peek at what we will be doing in January.  

EWGS Annual Luncheon 

Saturday, January 6, 2024

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Hybrid Meeting (in-person or Zoom) at the South Side Community Center –

3151 E 27th Ave, Spokane, WA

If traveling from the west: Take exit 283b Thor/Freya, turn right on Thor and go south up Thor/Ray to 27th.

If traveling from the east: Take exit 283b Thor/Freya, turn left on Thor and go south up Thor/Ray to 27th.

PROGRAM:

“The Joys of Volunteering” by Donna Potter Phillips

Recognition of outgoing and incoming Board, special awards and committees.

Doors open at 12:30 pm

LUNCH MENU:

Clam Chowder and Tomato Basil Bisque Soups, homemade Sourdough bread and salad.

COST

Cost is $35 for in person and $10 for Zoom.

You must pay to attend and it’s very easy this time. No registration form.

Payment may be made online using the STORE menu choice at left on the EWGS website

OR:  you may mail a check to:

     Eastern Washington Genealogical Society
     816 W Francis
     Suite 572
     Spokane, WA 99205

Checks must be mailed by Jan. 2 2024. Online payment must be made by Jan 4, 2024.

If paying by check please include your email address. Zoom login info will be sent out by email by Jan 5.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Frontier Justice and Cookie Exchange

by Charles Hansen

Frontier Justice: Exploring the Territorial Court Case files of Eastern Washington
Saturday, December 2
Frontier Justice: Exploring the Territorial Court Case files of Eastern Washington (EWGS Meetings)
1:00 pm
Shadle Park Library in Person and on ZOOM
Our Dec. speakers will be Dr. Larry Cebula and Tim Harrington

The Washington State Archives is in the process of digitizing and putting online the Territorial Court Case files. These records, dating from 1853 to 1889, is a treasure trove of historical documentation of life in the Washington Territory during its frontier period. Horse thieves and prostitutes, poisoners and pests encountered the legal system of the day. The case files are both a Who’s Who of territorial Washington and a window into the lives of individuals who left no other trace in the historical record. Dr. Larry Cebula and Tim Harrington, will describe the status of the digitization effort and highlight some of the more interesting cases.

Start Time Note: Meeting actually starts at 1:00 pm but all, including Zoom, is open at 12:30 PM. The meeting usually ends around 3:00 pm.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Swedish Research

by Charles Hansen
Sweden ClipArt

You don’t have to be Swedish! 

You will learn so much at our November 4th presentation.  

Saturday, November 4 Researching Swedish Records by Pam Duce Researching Swedish Records by Pam Duce  12:30 pm to 3:00 pm Shadle Library in person and on Zoom Sweden has extensive records dating back centuries that are available at no cost.  Records not only include birth, marriage, and death but also yearly household records, moving records, estate records, military records, and more.In this overview of Swedish research, we will discuss overcoming perceived barriers, learning opportunities, and accessing records.  Even if you don’t have Swedish ancestors, some of these techniques may help you with other foreign language research.  Bring a friend and explore what is possible in Swedish Research.Be sure to print your handouts before you arrive.The handouts and the Zoom link will be available the day prior to the presentation on the EWGSi.org website. 

Free Table:

Besides books, I have about a dozen cd’s of records for Family Tree Maker.

As always, please take any useful genealogy items home with you and feel free to bring items you no longer use…someone may find treasure in them.    Jeanne Coe

Start your Christmas Shopping Early!

We will once again be taking part in the Toys 4 Tots/Gold Star Mother’s Campaign.

(More on this at the November meeting.)

And Don’t Forget a couple dollars for raffles!

There are some good ones!

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society October Seminar DNA

by Charles Hansen

DNA 

You’ve seen it in the news…now learn how it’s done!

EWGS FALL SEMINAR

Saturday, October 7

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Southside Senior & Community Center –

3151 E 27th Ave., Spokane, WA 99223

For more information

and to Register go to our website:

EWGSi.org

Book Sale/Auction

Vendors

Door Prizes Galore

Yummy Lunch

If you need a DNA refresher, these are a few suggested by our speakers. 

FamilyHistory “DNA and Genealogy: The Basics”

Amy Johnson Crow “What you NEED to Know About DNA Testing for Genealogy“

CeCe Moore “CeCe Moore Explains How Genetic Genealogy Works”

FamilySearch (Diahan Southard) – Understanding Your DNA Ethnicity Results

Family History Fanatics – DNA Clustering vs Triangulation | What’s the Difference in Genetic Genealogy?

If you are in need of financial assistance to attend this seminar,

please see our website under the “Member’s Only” tab.

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Tracing Italian Ancestors

by Charles Hansen

Here’s hoping that you all had a wonderful summer!

It’s almost September and soon we will be meeting friends to enjoy our passion together: Genealogy! 

(please read through this whole message…there may be some info that you need to know.)

Saturday, September 9

Tracing Italian Ancestors: Uncovering Origins and Understanding the Records

12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Shadle Library in person and on Zoom

Our speaker, Michele Jeglum invites you on a journey to uncover your Italian roots and learn essential strategies for tracing the lives of your Italian ancestors. We will examine ways to find your immigrants hometown in Italy and delve into the various types of records held in these towns. Learn how to interpret these documents, extract valuable information, and navigate potential challenges.

Please print your sylabus before you arrive; it will be posted on the EWGSi website the day prior to the presentation. 

Free Table:   From Jeanne Coe:   

“I will be putting out a variety of publications.  People may take what they want and return them at another meeting for others to use or keep them if they wish.  They may also bring their “old” or unwanted publications for others to take. There really is no “old” genealogy materials as the information is still useful.  Each meeting will have different free materials.”

(Please note: there will NOT be a free table at the October Seminar) 

October Seminar Book Auction: 

This will be a silent auction of genealogy-related books.

(October 7th…see website for futher info on the seminar)

Please bring your book donations to the September meeting so that we have time to process them prior to October.   

(Book donations may include genealogy, history, cultures, maps, or other resouces that might be useful in researching genealogy.)   

Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Oklahoma

by Charles Hansen

,

Don’t miss the final episode of our Heartland Series!  

Oklahoma!

Saturday, June 3

“Researching Oklahoma Ancestors 

12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Hybrid Meeting (In-person at Shadle Library and by Zoom)

Speaker: Jim Ike

Oklahoma has been a lot of things to a lot of people over the years.  To some it was a place they were taken, to some it was a place for hope, to some it was a place of despair, to others it is their home.  I hope to show what Oklahoma was and has become and for what ever reason your ancestors passed this way, what we have to offer to you to find out about them.

Eastern Washington Genealogical

by Charles Hansen

Saturday, May 6

Researching Kansas Ancestors  

12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Hybrid (join us in person or by Zoom)  Meeting at Shadle Park Library, Spokane, WA

KANSAS

Guest Speaker Lauri Jean Swett

Whether your ancestors came to Kansas to stay, they spent a generation or two, or were just passing through, their footprints can be found in Kansas’ records. They came for many reasons including the issue of slavery, trails west, the Homestead Act, and the railroads.  Learn the nuances of researching in the Sunflower State.

Social Time: 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm

Meeting begins at 1:00 p.m.

Jennilyn Weight Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Jennilyn Weight of Spokane, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society.

Jennilyn Weight

Jennilyn has been a vibrant, enthusiastic member of EWGS. She volunteered as membership chairperson immediately. Through the years, and especially during our pandemic, Jennilyn focused on personally keeping members apprised about the changes the society was making to keep in touch with other members.  Most importantly, she kept them coming back! Her time spent calling and talking with members that had not renewed was an integral part of keeping EWGS’s membership active and the society vitally alive for the past two years. As membership chair, she encouraged several new members to become involved with other committees. 

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.