Tag Archives: Eastside Genealogical Society

German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society

by Charles Hansen

When: Friday, May 5th, 2023 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PT

Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/3k3af4cb       

Topic: “19th Century Germany”

The 19th century represents the period of greatest emigration out of Germany, and it is therefore a time of great interest for many German-American family historians. This talk will address, among other things, the topics of geography, politics, and religion in the context of how they affect the genealogist’s search for family information and how that information can be interpreted.

Presenter: Richard Haberstroh 

Mr. Haberstroh is an accredited genealogist who has been involved in German genealogical research in both the United States and Germany since 1984. A frequent genealogy lecturer, Richard has published a number of genealogical articles, including his family’s genealogy and short articles for the newsletter of the German Genealogy Group, of which he is a founding member. He is also the author of the book The German Churches of Metropolitan New York: A Research Guide, published by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. 

More information: Visitors are always welcome.  Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

Janet Stroebel 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 Janet Stroebel of Indianapolis, Indiana, who was nominated by the Eastside Genealogical Society.

Janet Stroebel

Janet joined EGS in 2013 and has quietly but strongly supported the society from day one. Being an organized, detail-oriented person (which makes her a great researcher in the genealogical field), Janet has stepped up to help the organization grow and diversify.  She has served on the EGS board both as the secretary and the treasurer, thus making her part of the idea sharing, planning, and expanding reach of EGS.

Often behind the scenes, Janet sees needs and acts on them. When the leader of the Family Tree Maker SIG moved from the area, Janet accepted leadership of the group.  As the society’s help desk efforts often included questions on using Ancestry, Janet volunteered to host a Q&A Ancestry help session monthly at the public library.  As COVID restricted activities, Janet went online with her Ancestry help desk activities. 

Bringing EGS forward into the social media world, Janet established their Facebook group and acted as its administrator. Again, without fanfare, she moderated the Facebook page, posted announcements, and shared information.  In so many ways, from supporting the computer SIG, to being the NGS representative for EGS, to amending the bylaws to conform to recent changes in the state law governing non-profit organizations, Janet has helped EGS grow and embrace change. She has been an outstanding example to all.

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.

German Interest Group of the East Side Genealogical Society April 2023 Meeting

by Charles Hansen

When: Friday, April 7, 2023 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PT

Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yck8upj6    

Topic: “Researching the Eastern European German Diaspora”

This presentation focuses on the populations of Germans in Eastern Europe which reached more than 18 million people scattered in former German communities. Their settlement area was roughly bounded by the Oder-Neisse River (West), the Ural Mountains (in the East), the Baltic Sea (in the North) to Turkey (in the South).  Major former German Provinces of Ostpreußen, Westpreußen, Schlesien, Pommern, Memelland, Litauen, Sudetenland will be included.

Presenter: Mark Rabideau

Mark Rabideau has more than 20 years’ experience researching genealogy. His website is ManyRoads, one the internet’s largest privately owned and managed repositories of Prussian genealogy source information (biased towards West Prussia, East Prussia, and Pomerania). The archives include maps, source documents, histories, guidance, and photographs. He has created and maintains one of the internet’s most robust Prussian (Germany, Poland, and Shoah) research support pages. He is the author of hundreds of genealogy articles. More is available online at ManyRoads (https://www.many-roads.com/ )

More information: Visitors are always welcome.  Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

Dorothy Pretare 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 months, 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 Dorothy Pretare of Renton, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS).

Dorothy Pretare

Having been a member of EGS since 2003, Dorothy came to her first meeting as a beginning genealogist. Now, almost 20 years later, she has grown both as a researcher and a valued member of the society.   

Shortly after joining EGS, Dorothy also joined the German Interest Group (GIG) and has remained active in both EGS and the GIG. She served on the EGS board for about 12 years as the publicity chair. Her untiring efforts to spread information about EGS meetings and genealogy in general have earned her the respect of her colleagues. 

Stepping down from the EGS board, only to step up to the leadership of the GIG in 2016, Dorothy continues to serve the members and the community.  Under her leadership and despite COVID restrictions and meetings moving to Zoom only, the GIG has continued strong and even grown in membership. Dorothy encourages the GIG attendees to join EGS and leads by example through attending the EGS meetings herself regularly. 

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.

Celia McNay 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 months, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Celia McNay

Today we’re introducing Celia McNay of North Bend, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS).

Celia has served for four years (2016-2020) as the president of the EGS, and continues to be the driving force behind the recruitment of new members. She also has fostered closer relationships with other local, regional and national genealogical societies and organizations and participated in outreach meetings with the public at large.

She spearheaded the digitization of the paper records of the EGS including newsletters and minutes so that the society’s history is both preserved and accessible for the future.

Celia organized highly successful week-long research trips to the Family History Library in Salt Lake for EGS members in 2018 and 2019. Only COVID prevented a third such research trip in 2020.

Here, closer to home, Celia has been a speaker in both genealogical workshops and genealogy classes for the Bellevue Regional Library both in person and later on Zoom. She continues to serve actively in the society as a member of the nomination committee and the membership committee chair. Celia is very personable and a dedicated genealogist, generous with her time and always willing to assist others. Not surprisingly she is active in her local FHC as well. She is an outstanding volunteer with a special grace and a smile.

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.

Italian Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society

by Charles Hansen

The EGS (Eastside Genealogical Society)and the Italian Interest Group (IIG) are presenting FREE 2-Part Italian Genealogy Lectures. See the attached PDF flyer which includes an active hyperlink to the Zoom meeting invitation request form.

  • Part 1: Beginning Italian Research on Thursday, 09-February-2023 at 7:00 PM, Zoom meeting
  • Part 2: Italian Records–Reading and Translating on Saturday, 15-April-2023 at 1:30 PM, Zoom meeting.

Part 2: Italian Records–Reading and Translating

This lecture offers many examples of the more prominent records for genealogy in Italy and how to read them and translate them.

German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society

by Charles Hansen

The German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) meeting.

When: Friday, March 3, 2023 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm PT  (2 hours earlier)

Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/2trmcmbd   

Topic: “Introduction to CompGen Website and Databases”

Dr. Georg Fertig, Chairman of The Computer Genealogy Society (CompGen), will join us at 10:30 AM, PT, from Germany, to give us an introduction to the organization’s website. He will describe the databases available, and show how to use them – in English, of course.

Presenter: Dr. Georg Fertig

Dr. Georg Fertig is a professor of economic and social history at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in Halle (Saale), Germany. In addition, he is involved in several historical and genealogical groups including serving as chairman of the Working Group on Historical Demography and chairman of The Computer Genealogy Society (CompGen). His most recent book, co-edited with Sandro Guzzi-Heeb, on “Genealogien”, includes contributions in German and English and is available at https://journals.univie.ac.at/index.php/rhy/issue/view/602/203/ .

More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/    

German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society

by Charles Hansen

The German Interest Group

of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS)meeting

When: Friday, February 3, 2023 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PT

Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/2s4azks3

Topic: “How to get Research Help at FamilySearch.org – with emphasis on Germanic research

Come discover what free research help is available at FamilySearch.org. This class will demonstrate how to access and use several FamilySearch resources designed to help you work through your genealogical challenges. Regardless of your research experience or ability, these resources can help you break through the brick walls found in every family tree.

Presenter: Becky Adamson

Becky graduated from BYU-Idaho with an AAS degree in Family History. She is currently enrolled at Strathclyde University, where she has earned her Certificate in Genealogical, Paleographic & Heraldic Studies and is pursuing her Diploma and Masters in the same field of study. She has a passion for United States and British research and is accredited through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen®) in Scotland research. She is currently working towards her accreditation in the Upper South, United States region. Becky is a Research Specialist on the VIP Hosting and Research Services team at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society Get Organized by Letting Software do the Work

by Charles Hansen

The German Interest Group

of The Eastside GenealogicalSociety (EGS)meeting

When: Friday, January 6, 2023 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PT

Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/w4xnrtw7

Topic: “Start the New Year Right – get organized by letting software do the work.”

Is your genealogy research organized and easy to manage? If you’re like most of us, you could use some help getting this done. Several EGS-GIG members will demo free software that can help turn your piles and files into easily stored and retrievable data. Learn great ways to track everything from citations to collections, research management to photo organizing and many other useful tools.

Presenters: The presenters will include Leslee Dunlap, Wilson Royer and Melinda McRae. All are active genealogists and love finding new computer tools to assist their work.

More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society German Christmas Traditions

by Charles Hansen

When: Friday, December 2, 2022 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm PT

Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/4ywscar2

Topic: “Beyond the Nutcracker: German Christmas Traditions“

The decorated tree, the song “Silent Night,” the story of The Nutcracker and more are contributions to Christmas in the U.S. by German immigrants of the 18th and 19th centuries. Other vibrant, lovely traditions have been lost in translation but continue in Germany today. Talk includes a handout with recipes, links to music, history and more.

Speaker: Claire Gebben

She is the author of the award-winning memoir How We Survive Here: Families Across Time (2018) about the discovery of old letters in an attic in Germany written by her ancestors, letters that propel her on a transatlantic quest to learn the truth and write about their lives. Her historical novel The Last of the Blacksmiths (2014) is based on the true story of German Michael Harm, who immigrates to America in 1857 to apprentice as a blacksmith and pursue the American dream. Ms. Gebben gives presentations on genealogy, history, and writing at numerous venues. Her articles on German genealogy and history appear in the Seattle Genealogical Society Newsletter, Northwest Prime Time, German Life magazine and elsewhere. More at http://clairegebben.com

More information: Visitors are always welcome.  Our website is https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/

We will require registration for each meeting. If you prefer using the long URL for Registration rather than the short one above, it’s  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsfu-trj0vG9NNobUkwXRvDei-wujsWHY-