The German Interest Group of The Eastside GenealogicalSociety (EGS) will meet on Friday, April 5, 2019, from 1 to 3 pm in the Primary Room of the Latter-day Saints Church at 10675 NE 20^th St, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45 pm for networking. Enter through the double wooden doors on the right side of the Chapel. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.   

Topic: “Google Tools for German Research” – Google is known for general web searching. It has several additional features specifically helpful for German Research, e.g. searching images, maps, online books, YouTube videos and translation tools unfamiliar to many of us. If you have a certificate from a foreign country, Google can help translate it. If you want to read a newspaper from the last century, check Google for availability. Can’t find where you ancestor lived? Google maps will help locate the place and can show what it looks like today. Want to read county histories or a biography of an ancestor? Check Google books. Google tools beyond basic search can make the life of genealogists easier and more interesting. 

Presenter:  Janet Camarata is a genealogical seminar presenter, educator and trainer in genealogy societies, libraries, retirement centers and senior centers across Washington and supported genealogy by volunteering in a variety of ways – presenter, educator, newsletter editor, program coordinator, publicity and past-president of South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS).  She is also an instructor of a year-long, 6-week series of classes, “Genealogy: Discovering Your Ancestors” at Pierce College and Puget Sound Genealogical Society that addresses both topics – genealogy and technology support research in today’s world. Janet is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, a graduate of the University of Washington Genealogy and Family History program, and a master’s degree from Antioch University.   

For more information about our Group, kindly visit our website at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/  .  

The German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) will meet on Friday, March 1, 2019, from 1 to 3 pm in the Primary Room of the Latter-day Saints Church at 10675 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45 pm for networking. Enter through the double wooden doors on the right side of the Chapel. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.



Topic: German Immigration Patterns – Since the 17th century, millions of German-speaking emigrants were leaving Europe for places far and wide, especially North America. Who were they? Why did they leave? The answer? It’s complicated. This talk explores waves of emigration in historical context, for reasons of war, religion, politics, weather, economics and other factors. Talk also takes a look at patterns of settlement of German-Americans once they arrived in North America, and its far-reaching effects today.

Presenter: Claire Gebben is the author of the historical novel The Last Blacksmiths (Coffeetown Press, 2014) based on the true story of her German immigrant ancestors. Her family memoir about writing family history, How We Survive Here: Families Across Time, was just published in November 2018. Her articles on blacksmithing, German Separatists, immigration and genealogy have appeared in German Life, Family Chronicle, and other publications. More info about her: http://clairegebben.com.

For more information about our Group, kindly visit our website at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

The German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) will meet on Friday, February 1, 2019, from 1 to 3 pm in the Primary Room of the Latter-day Saints Church at 10675 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45 pm for networking. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.



Topic: “Using the Online Catalogs for the University of Washington Suzzallo & Allen Libraries” –  Learn to use the advanced search functions of the card catalogs in preparation for our field trip to Suzzallo & Allen Libraries in March. Learn to develop quality search terms, access research guides and the university wi-fi network, obtain a copy card or use printing services and asking for assistance from the librarian.

Presenter:  Janet Camarata is a genealogist with over 30 years’ experience. She is a seminar presenter, educator and trainer in genealogy societies, libraries, retirement centers and senior centers across Washington and supported genealogy by volunteering in a variety of ways – presenter, educator, newsletter editor, program coordinator, publicity and past-president of South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS).   She currently leads the SKCGS Technology User Group designed to address the technical needs of genealogists in the today’s world of online and offline genealogical research. She is also an instructor of a year-long, 6-week series of classes, Genealogy: Discovering Your Ancestors at Pierce College and Puget Sound Genealogical Society that addresses both topics – genealogy and technology support research in today’s world. Janet is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, a graduate of the University of Washington Genealogy and Family History program.  She has a B.A. (Education) degree from Central Washington University and a master’s degree from Antioch University.  She also taught within The Boeing Company and at the University of Phoenix.

For more information, kindly visit our website at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/  .

The German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) will meet on Friday, January 4, 2019, from 1 to 3 pm in the Relief Society Room of the Latter-day Saints Church at 10675 NE 20thSt, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45 pm for networking. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.
Topic:  “A Research Experience in the Rheinpfalz region in Germany” – Carol Stromberg will share her research story in discovering more about her Schwarzwalder family, wine growers in Rheinpfalz region in southwestern Germany. She will share her approach to her research, her travel to Germany and include her experiences meeting with her cousins and fellow genealogy researchers, her visit to the regional archives and photos of her ancestor’s home and workplace.
Presenter:  Carol Stromberg is a local genealogist who has been a member of EGS for 10-15 years. She became interested in genealogy in 1996 when she was planning a trip to Germany. Starting with two pieces of paper containing family information, she wrote directly to Germany asking questions and requesting documents. She loves learning about her ancestors and their stories. Her presentation is the results of her latest trip to Germany in 2018.


For more information, kindly visit our website at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/  .