THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition March 14, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Member Meeting and GenTalk this Saturday, March 16th

Are you a GFO Member? Please join us for the General Membership meeting this Saturday from 2 – 2:15 p.m., immediately followed by our free March GenTalk. At the Membership meeting, find out who’s running for office, nominate someone (with their prior permission), or even throw your hat in the ring.

What’s the GenTalk topic this month? Following American Migrations: The First 100 Years by Tricia Oberndorf From the end of the Revolutionary War through the 19th century, Americans and immigrants moved westward from the eastern seaboard to the interior and ultimately to the far west coast. This presentation will discuss who moved westward, the reasons why they moved, the routes they may have taken, and the things you may discover for them along the way. Tricia Oberndorf has been engaged in genealogy research for 30 years, the last six years professionally. Her research has spanned most of the United States, from the colonial period to the 20th century. Her ancestors were not ones to stay in one place very long, prompting her to learn about U.S. migration. Living in Columbia County, Oregon, she has also become engaged in local history and research there, volunteering with the Columbia County Historical Museum.

GFO Hall of Fame Nominations Needed by May 1st

Please be sure to send your nominations to secretary@gfo.org before May 1st! The Hall of Fame Award is our way of honoring GFO members who have performed outstanding service to the Forum. The award is limited to one person per year, except in the case where a pair of members has worked together or the Board waives the limitation. A nomination may be made by any Forum member and the recipient will be selected from the panel of nominations by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The recipient must have a well-documented history of service, leadership and accomplishment in more than one facet of the Forum over a significant period of time. Please include examples of how this nominee fulfilled all three categories.

This Week’s Survey: Open House!

Our biggest event of the year is a little over a week away. . We’d love to know if you’re planning to attend! Please let us know if we should expect you by taking our survey. Just click on the button below.

Open House Attendance Survey

Handouts for the Open House are available online!

Download the class notes for the presentations you plan to attend. Print them or not depending on your preference. Review them before attending. Bring them with you when you come for the class. Step 1. Visit GFO’s online calendar. View by week for better detail.

Step 2. Scroll to the week of GFO’s Open House.

Step 3. Click on the class you want to attend and click on the link to download.

We hope to see you at many of our upcoming, completely FREE Open House events, beginning in less than 10 days!

GFO’s Irish Special Interest Group is busy this month!

1. The All Ireland Cultural Society (AICS) has a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and invited the GFO to have a table there. As the Irish SIG, we plan to have someone join GFO president, Vince Patton, to help spread the word about our group and extend an invitation to join us in researching our Irish ancestors. * 1. We have a program for our meeting on April 17. Jennefer White contacted us through the GFO website asking for help with a brick wall. She did a very nice job of sharing with us what she knows, and where she has looked for information. Before the April meeting we will share her information. What a great opportunity for us to brainstorm and learn from each other about strategies and resources. Perhaps we can help her breakdown that wall! * 1. At our last meeting Tom O’Brien let us know that he must step down from the Corresponding Secretary position. We are looking for someone to volunteer to take over that position from him. The primary duties are to maintain the email list of members of our group in a computer format. Tom has shared his file with us. Then, when meeting reminders need to go out, or if someone else has an announcement (ex. when we share Jennefer White’s brick wall info), the secretary sends it out to our members. If you might be interested, or have any questions, please let us know by contacting us by email at Irish@gfo.org. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all.

Surplus Books of the Week: 1850 California Census Index

If you know someone with deep California roots back to the Gold Rush era, pass this on! We have not just one, but two copies of this book to spare: Index to the 1850 Census of California. Both were published by Genealogical Publishing Company in 1972 and are in good condition. You can have either one for $24 per book. Contact booksales@gfo.org if interested.

Urgent call for a Webmaster!

Our wonderful GFO Webmaster, Maggie McNair, must step away from this important role. Do you have website experience? We Need You! Fortunately, our website service already provides a stable template so the design is already set, and our CMS is user friendly. However, we have a deep website with many searchable records and we need someone to help keep the site updated. Please contact president@gfo.org if you have the skills and some spare time to offer us. This is a volunteer position. In fact, the GFO is all-volunteer. We have no paid staff of any kind. Thank you, Maggie, for all your work on the website over the last few years!

Amnesty Reminder: Please Return GFO Books

Our recent inventory revealed a troubling statistic: 193 books are missing from our library. Collectively, these are worth thousands of dollars and many cannot be replaced. Might you have one at home that you perhaps forgot to return? Please check your home, car, etc., and help us find our missing books. If you find a GFO book, please return it, no questions asked. If it was checked out, we will waive overdue fees on books returned by March 31st.

This week at GFO .. SATURDAY, March 16th Genealogy Problem Solvers 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. William P Smith, Farmer, Klondike gold prospector, college trustee, acquaintance of President Hubert Hoover, Quaker, and soldier, who were his parents? And, how did a good Quaker wind-up carrying a musket for General Sherman? How was he connected to the Quaker marriage certificate for Benjamin Smith and Elizabeth Pearson found in his granddaughter’s effects? Come find out how the answers to these questions and more were found in War Department records. Beginners and intermediate researchers are encouraged to submit problems to work on. For more information contact Katie Daly at GPS@gfo.org. African American Ancestry Group 12 – 2 p.m. Freedmen’s Bureau records are overlooked by far too many researchers. The records have not been the easiest to work with, but now that they are online and indexed, they can yield a wealth of information more easily. These documents can include marriage dates, children’s birth dates, school records, work contracts, and, most importantly, the name of an applicant’s most recent slave holder. Learn why these records can be key to finding out more about your family. If you know of any other people interested in African American genealogy, tell them about the group. You do not have to be a GFO member to participate! For more information, contact us at African_American@gfo.org. General Membership Meeting 2 – 2:15 p.m. Find out who’s running for office, nominate someone (with their prior permission), throw your hat in the ring, and be on hand for the GenTalk to follow. GenTalk: Following American Migrations: The First 100 Years 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Presenter: Tricia Oberndorf From the end of the Revolutionary War through the 19th century, Americans and immigrants moved westward from the eastern seaboard to the interior and ultimately to the far west coast. This presentation will discuss who moved westward, the reasons why they moved, the routes they may have taken, and the things you may discover for them along the way. Tricia Oberndorf has been engaged in genealogy research for 30 years, the last six years professionally. Her research has spanned most of the United States, from the colonial period to the 20th century. Her ancestors were not ones to stay in one place very long, prompting her to learn about U.S. migration. Living in Columbia County, Oregon, she has also become engaged in local history and research there, volunteering with the Columbia County Historical Museum. SUNDAY, March 17th Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Family Tree Maker Users’ Group 1 – 3 p.m. Join other users who want to work through the 2017 Companion Guide to Family TreeMaker. Bring your laptop with 2017 version of FTM installed and an empty usb thumb drive. Facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley. Send Joyce a question at FTM@gfo.org. French Canada Group 3:30 – 5 p.m. Sharing stories of our history. Come and join this group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. The group leader is Bob LaMarche. Send him a note at FrCan@gfo.org. WEDNESDAY, March 19th Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. And if you have been doing genealogy for any length time you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jean Quan and Sandy Alto, who can both be reached at learnandchat@gfo.org. DNA Q&A 1 – 3 p.m. Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Questions?Please email Lisa at dna_lm@gfo.org. Library Open Late Until 8 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition March 07, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider During inclement weather this winter, please be sure to check our Facebook Page, website, or local TV & Newspaper closure web pages to see if we’re open! Or, call the library at 503-963-1932 to insure someone is here.

2nd Beginning Genealogy Class Added! Sign Up Now

Our Beginning Genealogy class on March 24th filled up so quickly (and so did the wait list) that we’ve decided to add an additional opportunity to attend—on March 22nd—the day before GFO’s Open House officially begins. Those of you who are registered for March 24th are welcome to change days if Friday would be more convenient to your schedule. We recommend you register for March 22nd first, then cancel your registration on the 24th to open the space to other attendees. Registration closes on March 19th at 11:59 p.m. (23.59 on the 24 hour clock!). After registration closes, please notify Laurel if you cannot attend so someone on the Wait List can be added.

Register, change, or cancel your registration

Notify Laurel if you can’t attend

African American Group Has New Meeting Time

GFO’s African American ancestry group is moving its meetings to a new time slot. Look for them on the third Saturday of each month from Noon to 2 p.m. We welcome everyone who might have African American ancestry themselves or whose ancestors’ lives intersected with Black Americans. All our special interest group meetings are free and open to the public at the GFO Library.

Storm Forces GFO Member to Live Like Her Ancestors

Heavy snow crushed a building on Debra Koehler’s farm. Photo: Debra Koehler. A strong winter storm in Oregon’s southern coast range has forced GFO member Debra Koehler to live like her pioneer ancestors. Debra lives on a farm in near Elkton where she’s likely to be without power for a full month. Heavy snows toppled many large trees causing damage so severe to electric lines that the local co-op says it has to rebuild entire sections on remote hillsides. After eight days without power, Debra and her neighbors landed on the news and the Oregon National Guard responded with additional resources. Debra says it’s like living in the 1920s. She told KGW-TV, “You develop a huge respect for the pioneer ancestors who got through entire winters you know, I’m hoping to get through three weeks without power they got through entire winters.” Access the full story here. Our hearts go out to Debra and all her neighbors.

Big Turnout for Family Tree Maker

We’d like to thank everyone who came to the library to make two Family Tree Maker presentations a tremendous success! On March 6, more than 100 people turned out to hear from the folks behind this popular software. We even got some sneak peeks of features coming in the future. Family Tree Maker graciously offered a few copies of their software to us to give away. Look for those at the raffle table at the Spring Seminar on April 27! Also, don’t forget that the GFO has two Family Tree Maker special interest groups that meet regularly.

Roots Magazine now at GFO

GFO will now have the Irish Roots magazine available at our library for the next two years courtesy of the Irish Special Interest Group (SIG). The group took up a collection recently specifically to make this wonderful donation. GFO’s library now has a full 24-month subscription to the Irish Roots magazine. Thank you to the members of the Irish SIG for their generous donation!

Office Depot Rewards Program Ends for GFO

It is with great reluctance we must end the practice of GFO members giving their Office Depot Rewards benefits to the GFO. In the past, you could give our phone number to make sure we got credit for your purchase. Unfortunately, Office Depot trained all their employees to then look at the account and offer dollars accrued to be used on the spot. As a result, a number of GFO members inadvertently spent our dollars on their personal purchases. Since Office Depot has no way to change the design of their program, we are discontinuing this program which has provided benefits to us in the past.

RootsQuest 2019 in Forest Grove

Clarification Notice… We confirmed from this event’s leaders that no registration is needed to attend. They also do not have a website this year for the event. Questions? Please email rootsquest@solidbluecircle.com.

Come to the GFO table this St. Patrick’s Day!

All the details about Portland’s 78th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration can be found at their website. Be sure to visit the GFO table at this event. We’d love to meet and chat with you about all things Irish!

Surplus Book of the Week Dates Back to 1902

This week the GFO Bookstore features The Official Records of the Oregon Volunteers in the Spanish War and Philippine Insurrection. This original 1902 book was compiled by Brigadier-General C.U. Gantenbein. It is in good condition for its age, though the title page shows separation from the binding. Sale price: $30. Contact booksales@gfo.org if you’d like to buy it.

And the Survey Says…

Last week’s survey asked What was your favorite article in the March 2019 Bulletin. 50% of respondents selected Tracing the Andrew Göltl and Mary Kögel Family as their favorite article in the March Bulletin. Don’t miss out. Read the Bulletin and you can still respond to the reader survey.

Take the Survey Now!

This week at GFO … FRIDAY, March 8th Mexican Ancestry Group 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. This Special Interest Group (SIG) pertains specifically to Mexican ancestors from Mexico and the American Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California). Beginning and intermediate researchers are welcome. Some subjects will include online parish records, Hispanic genealogy societies, Family History Library/FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, solving genealogical problems, methodology of organizing your research, etc. Of course this group will also be about sharing our research experiences, and having fun. If you know of any other people interested in Hispanic genealogy tell them about the up and coming group. They don’t have to be a GFO member to participate. For questions or comments, please email Vince at sw@gfo.org. SATURDAY, March 9th Great Lakes Region 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. We all learned about the Erie Canal back in 6th grade. But what do we know about how it affected the experiences of our Great Lakes Region ancestors? The Canal enticed immigrants, settlers, and workers with the promise of better lives, and interestingly, it transported more than just people and goods. We will also take a quick look at some lesser-known ways to use the Family Search website and have time to share our genealogy brick walls and success stories. If your ancestors were in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Ontario CANADA, or if you just want to hear about this interesting time in US history, you are most welcome. Interest in the Great Lakes Region can be broad and diverse, as some ancestors settled and remained there for generations, while others spent a short time there before moving on. The group’s interests include migration, travel, trade, historical events, and research techniques specific to the area. For more information contact Lynn Rossing at GreatLakes@gfo.org. Writers’ Forum 1 – 3 p.m. This is a peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached writers@gfo.org. SUNDAY, March 10th Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. TUESDAY, March 12th GFO Board Meeting 6:10 p.m. – 8:10 p.m. WEDNESDAY, March 13th Library Open Late Until 8 p.m. PMUG College: Photo Management 6 – 8 p.m. Photo management on the iPad, iTouch, and iPhone. We will examine apps that make editing your photos in iOS a breeze. Many of these are free, including Apple’s versatile Photos program. Also explore apps that are recommended by PMUG members and other consultants. Why dig through the App Store for useful apps when you can choose from our tried and true recommendations. Come join the Portland Mac Users Group for this PMUG College class. Free to GFO and PMUG members. To register: Call 503-228-1779 or email: college@pmug.org.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition February 28, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider During inclement weather this winter, please be sure to check our Facebook Page, website, or local TV & Newspaper closure web pages to see if we’re open! Or, call the library at 503-963-1932 to insure someone is here.

NEW! Free First Monday Hours Extend to 8 O’clock!

We’re making it just a bit easier to see everything the GFO Library has to offer. The First Monday of each month has long been free to everyone. For the next three months, we are extending our hours until 8 p.m. that day so you can come after work or when parking space may be easier to find. So, on March 4th, April 1st, and May 6th, come stay late with us! And please, be sure to share this with friends who are not members of the GFO.

Are you ready for this year’s Open House at GFO?

Check out the full 9-day Open House schedule here!

Barbara Rae-Venter. Photo by Brian L. Frank. You have a chance to hear directly from the genetic genealogist who cracked the Golden State Killer case. Barbara Rae-Venter is coming to speak at the GFO during our DNA Days. On Saturday, March 30th, she will talk in the afternoon about DNA genealogy research techniques. On the morning of Sunday, March 31st, she’ll speak about the Golden State Killer case itself. This will be popular so you must register for these limited seats. Registration for Barbara’s sessions opens on Friday, March 1st at 9:00 a.m., at our website. 67 seats are available for each session. Do not wait to sign up. They will fill fast. Many thanks to Emily Aulicino for arranging this rare opportunity. Barbara’s sleuthing has been profiled in the New YorkTimes and she was named one of the 10 People Who Mattered most in 2018 by Nature magazine. Also, Laurel Smith’s all-day Beginning Genealogy class on March 24 requires advance registration. 30 seats are available. This registration also opens Friday, March 1 at 9:00 a.m. at the same web link above.

Have you read GFO’s most recent Bulletin yet?

Inquisitive Bulletin editors want to know … What was your favorite article in the March 2019 Bulletin?

Take the survey now!

If you haven’t looked at the March issue of The Bulletin yet, well, now’s the time! Please click on the link above to cast your vote. Results will be shared in next week’s E-News. If you’re not yet a current GFO member, you can get a free copy of the March issue of The Bulletin, on the house! Simply click the blue button link directly below.

Complimentary issue of The Bulletin, March 2019

New Records at the GFO: Obits from Oregon and West Point

Don’t let the name “Data Extraction” cause your eyes to glaze over. Our dedicated volunteers who perform this task are unlocking records by creating indexes. Without them, it’d be next to impossible to locate the records you need. Our latest records include half a dozen binders and several CDs of obituaries collected in sets. They include: * Oregon Obituaries 1958 – 1962 (newspaper clippings) indexed: Some 1907-1952. * Newspaper Clippings – 1937, 1938, and 1939: Mostly obituaries, but some anniversaries and family reunions. * Southwest Oregon obituaries from 1953-1958. * West Point Assembly obituaries of graduates of USMA: scans from 1968, 1969, 1984, 1986. We’ve been preserving heritage since 1946 and the job never ends. Come check out our perpetually improving collections at the GFO Library.

Featured Book: Cyclopedia of Current History – 1890-91

This week’s surplus book of the week is an original printed in 1892. The Cyclopedia Review of Current History, Vol. I, 1890-91 could provide you valuable historical context for your writing or research in this era. It covers both U.S. and international current events, noting the fifth session of Queen Victoria’s twelfth Parliament, predicting that Russia is ripe for Revolution, and in the U.S., marking the death fo General Tecumseh Sherman. Publication is listed as by The Evening News Association of Detroit, Michigan. This 127-year-old slice of history can be yours for just $20. If interested, email booksales@gfo.org.

RootsQuest 2019 in Forest Grove

You’re invited to the Forest Grove Oregon Stake Family History Conference annual conference! WHEN? March 16th, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. WHERE? This year’s Roots Quest is at 3600 Brooke Street, Forest Grove. WHAT? They have promised to have many wonderful instructors including Crista Cowan – Ancestry Corporate Genealogist. Thank you, Forest Grove, for putting together this wonderful annual event!

Lost & Found Corner

Feeling inexplicably thirsty while simultaneously soaked through from the rain? Please come see one of our Research Assistants at GFO’s library to reclaim your lost items. Some are featured in the image here, while we also have a plethora of other items crying for their homes. If you think you left an item at our library, call the front desk at 503-963-1932, we’ll check the lost & found box for you.

This week at GFO … SATURDAY, March 2nd Virginia Group 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Have you ever wondered if your ancestor was a Mason or Elk or Odd Fellow? Our first hour features guest speakers Dale and Elsie Deatherage who will discuss techniques for researching the records of fraternal organizations. It is an interesting topic that might shed some light on your family’s history. For more information see our blog: “Virginia Roots and Vines.” There will also be time each meeting for discussion, suggestions, and perhaps research on individual research. We’ll also explore the settlement of Kentucky, the Carolinas and Tennessee. Questions? Contact Judi Scott and Carol Surrency at Virginia@gfo.org. German Group 1 – 3 p.m. “Footprints of Your Ancestors” presented by Gerry Lenzen Use a multitude of records and sources to trace your ancestors back to their origins in Europe. The German Interest Group was formed in the spring of 2011. It is intended to be a source of information and inspiration for anyone with German speaking ancestors. One goal is to provide information on a variety of topics related to Germanic history and migration. We also will provide time for members to share their research journeys and connect with others who may be researching the same region or time period. SUNDAY, March 3rd Manuscripts Work Party 9 a.m. – noon Explore our manuscript, personal papers and Bible collection while we organize, scan and create finding aids. Drop by at the time that works for you. Questions? Send a note to manuscripts@gfo.org. MONDAY, March 4th Free First Monday! 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Please note! We’re open late (until 8 p.m.) for this month’s Free First Monday. Stop by after work! Come visit our research library each first Monday of every month and splurge on all GFO’s wonderful resources for FREE. Explore our online databases like Fold3, Ancestry World Library Edition, Newspapers.com, and many more. Our analog and microfilm collections total over 50,000 items. Don’t miss out! WEDNESDAY, March 6th Library Open Late Until 8 p.m. Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon When he skedaddled: Dissolution of marriage in Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia, 1845 – 1875. Presented by Nancy Methany. Dissolution of marriage in 19th century Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia, seemed like a blood sport at times, with barbs flying, blistering accusations, and searing insults. But the legal process to end a marriage can help us a great deal in uncovering valuable evidence of our ancestors with some terrific backstory. Come learn about the laws, records, and customs surrounding the dissolution of marriage in Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia, 1845 – 1875, to help you on your research journey. Questions? Please reach out to Jeanne Quan and Sandy Alto at learnandchat@gfo.org. Family Tree Maker Road Show – 2 Sessions: 1 – 3 p.m. & 4 – 6 p.m. The first session has sold out, but a few seats remain for Session 2. You can also sign up for the Wait List as sessions fill at website just incase seats open up. The folks behind FTM are coming to the GFO library for two, 2-hour interactive presentations! (It’s not just a lecture – plenty of Q&A) Mark Olsen is the Family Tree Maker Ambassador to historical and genealogical societies around the world working to support their members as they use Family Tree Maker.He’ll show new features in Family Tree Maker, moving to its current version and how to get a free update. Also, do you know about FTM’s DNA charting features? Kiara Neilsen teaches classes regarding the use of Family Tree Maker, DNA, and how to use DNA results to further genealogical research. “If you have received your DNA results and are thinking ‘now what?’ Charting Companion 7 is a great place to start. Pierre Clothier is the creator of Charting Companion and will join in with us to show off the amazing DNA edition charts both those tied to your DNA findings and your Family Tree Maker trees.”

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition February 21, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider .

During inclement weather this winter, please be sure to check our Facebook Page or website to see if we’re open! Or, call the library at 503-963-1932 to insure someone is here.

Family Tree Maker Brings Road Show to GFO

We’ve got great news for anyone who uses or is thinking about using Family Tree Maker (FTM) software. The folks behind FTM are coming to the GFO library for a 2-hour interactive presentation on Wednesday, March 6th from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is Free but Requires Registration in case seats run out. Mark Olsen is the Family Tree Maker Ambassador to historical and genealogical societies around the world, working to support their members as they use Family Tree Maker. He’ll show new features in Family Tree Maker, how to move to its current version, and how to get a free update.

Register for Free FTM Road Show

Also, do you know about FTM’s DNA charting features? Kiara Neilsen teaches classes regarding the use of Family Tree Maker DNA, and how to use DNA results to further genealogical research. “If you have received your DNA results and thought, ‘Now what?’ Charting Companion 7 is a great place to start. Pierre Clothier is the creator of Charting Companion and will join in with us in a live webcast to show off the amazing DNA edition charts both those tied to your DNA findings and your Family Tree Maker trees.” Plus, a little birdie tells us that you might find some discounts available. Registration is open now!

GFO Stars: Trysta Notestine and Emily Mercer

Left: Trysta Notestine | Right: Emily Mercer

Aspiring Archivists at GFO The newest GFO Stars are interns who have been working with the Manuscripts Committee this past year. Trysta came to GFO in 2016 and helped complete the processing of our Jesuale Special Collection. Over the last few months, she developed a policy and procedures guide for GFO’s found-artifacts, which was adopted by the board last month. Emily came to GFO last summer. She completed digitizing the recently donated Stiles Collection and helped with other special projects. Both Trysta and Emily represented GFO at the October 5th Oregon Historical Society Affiliates Summit. They also spearheaded GFO’s participation at this year’s Oregon Archives Crawl. We are so lucky to have their expertise and endless enthusiasm in bolstering GFO’s visibility and professionalism among our local and state-wide history and research repositories. Thank you for all you do for GFO!

Amnesty for Returning GFO Books

Our recent inventory revealed a troubling statistic: 199 books are missing from our library. Collectively, these are worth thousands of dollars and many cannot be replaced. Might you have one at home that you perhaps forgot to return? Please check your home, car, etc., and help us find our missing books. If you find a GFO book, please return it, no questions asked. If it was checked out, we will waive overdue fees on books returned by March 31st.

The Ultimate Beginning Genealogy Class – March 24th

Learn how to get started and how to stay on the right path during Beginners Day at the GFO Open House. The GFO’s dynamic Laurel Smith offers Beginning Genealogy, a full day FREE class on Sunday March 24th, starting at 9:30 a. m. Seats are gonna be going-going-gone at this event, so be sure to register beginning March 1st at 9 a.m.! You’ll hear about the wealth of resources available to truly advance your family history research. You MUST register online before March 20th to attend. This event is part of GFO’s Annual Free Open House! Check our website for updates.

Don’t Miss Barbara Rae-Venter at GFO’s March 2019 Open House!

Photograph by Brian L. Frank You’ve probably already heard GFO has another wonderful Open House planned for next month. But are you absolutely prepared? Did you realize you have the chance to hear from the genetic genealogist who cracked the Golden State Killer case? But you must register to hear her free session. Barbara Rae-Venter is coming to speak at the GFO during our DNA Days! On Saturday, March 30th, Rae-Venter will talk in the afternoon about DNA genealogy research techniques. On the morning of Sunday, March 31st, she’ll speak about the Golden State Killer case itself. Many thanks to Emily Aulicino for arranging this rare opportunity. Barbara’s sleuthing has been profiled in the New York Times, and she was named one of the 10 People Who Mattered most in 2018 by Nature magazine. This will be so popular you must register as the seats will be limited and they’ll be going fast! Registration opens on Friday, March 1 at 9 a.m., at GFO’s website.

New OPB Documentary on Oregon’s Black Pioneers was Shot Partly at the GFO

Save the date and set your DVR. When you watch the new documentary by Oregon Public Broadcasting, see if you notice the GFO library in the background during an interview. OPB’s release on the new program notes: OPB will premiere a new historical documentary on February 25th called “Oregon’s Black Pioneers,” which explores the largely unknown history of African-Americans who have helped shape the state. This half-hour Oregon Experience documentary explores the many stories of black pioneers, including that of Markus Lopeus, the earliest-known person of African descent in the state. He was a sailor who arrived at Tillamook Bay in 1788 with merchant sea captain Robert Gray. It is documented that Lopeus died during a dispute with local Native Americans. In the 1840s, the region’s provisional government forbid slavery while also banning black people from settling in the area. When Oregon became a state in 1859, it was the only state admitted to the union with an exclusion law in its constitution. That law remained until voters removed it in 1926, while the original racist language stayed on the books until 2002. “Oregon’s Black Pioneers” premieres on OPB TV Monday, February 25th at 9 p.m. and will be available to watch online at the same time at opb.org/blackpioneers. We were pleased to host Oregon Experience for a small part of this project.

Immediate Opening: We Need a Webmaster!

We learned this week that our wonderful GFO Webmaster, Maggie McNair, must step away from this important role. Do you have website experience? We Need You! Fortunately, our website service already provides a stable template so the design is already set, and our CMS is user friendly. However, we have a deep website with many searchable records and we need someone to help keep the site updated. Please contact president@gfo.org if you have the skills and some spare time to offer us. This is a volunteer position. In fact, the GFO is all-volunteer. We have no paid staff of any kind. Maggie, we’re going to miss you!

This week at GFO … SATURDAY, February 23rd DNA Beginners 9 a.m. – noon Topic: Identifying Family Patterns and Contacting Matches This meeting’s presentation by Emily Aulicino will briefly cover the three major tests (Y-DNA, mtDNA, and atDNA) and then will show you what action to take regarding your matches. The focus will be on preparing for your matches, identifying the patters with your matches, and then some tips on contacting those matches. Please download the handout here. This is a beginning DNA presentation, but anyone is welcome. Genetic Genealogy is the most accurate tool a genealogist has. If you are prepared to discover whether your genealogical paper trail is accurate, and if you are willing to take some time outside of our meetings to reinforce what you learn at each session, the GFO Beginners DNA Interest Group is for you. You are welcome to email any questions for Emily to dna_ea@gfo.org before the meeting. African American Ancestry Group 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Focus: Researching African American ancestry Meetings: Monthly on the 4th Saturday of the month at 12:30 p.m. Janice Sellers sends this note: “During January’s remote presentation from Nicka Smith, she discovered that most of the attendees did not know about the genealogy site FamilySearch.org, and she highly recommended that we try to correct that, so this month I will be giving a talk about the site. One of its greatest strengths is that it is totally free to use, with a wealth of records and other material helpful to researchers. For those who were unable to attend Nicka’s presentation, or who simply want to hear it again, she has made it available to us at on Youtube. I will have additional copies of Nicka’s handout available at this month’s meeting.” If you know of any other people interested in African American genealogy, please be sure they know about this amazing group! You do not have to be a GFO member to participate. For more information, contact us at african_american@gfo.org. British Group 1 – 3 p.m. For this meeting, we’ll discuss online and news sources, recent successes, brick walls you might be struggling with. Judith Leppert will also spend time explaining the ins and outs of the FindMyPast website! Questions? Email the group leaders at uk@gfo.org. Please note, GFO’s Library will close after 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 23rd, for the above-noted Special Interest Group sessions. SUNDAY, February 24th Find the Story, Write the Story: Half-Day Seminar 9:30 a.m. – noon Presenter: Professional Genealogist Pam Vestal Teasing Out the Hidden Story Behind the Genealogical Facts Our ancestors were real people with passions, problems, loves, and controversies, but the bare facts of genealogy, those important names, dates, and places, don’t give us much sense of who these people were or what their lives were like. Learn to dig deeply into the genealogical details to breathe life into your ancestors’ stories. How to Write Ancestral Stories Even Your Relatives Will Want to Read Creating a captivating ancestral tale from genealogical facts is like turning fish eggs into caviar: the facts don’t change, but the way you describe them makes all the difference. With good research, thoughtful planning, and a dash of ingenuity, we can create engaging genealogical stories designed to entice even seemingly disinterested readers. Pam Vestal entered the field of genealogy after a 21-year career as a professional writer. She does genealogical research for clients, has articles published in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and lectures up and down the West Coast. WEDNESDAY, February 27th – Library Open Late Until 8 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition February 14, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider During inclement weather this winter, please be sure to check our Facebook Page or website to see if we’re open! Or, call the library at 503-963-1932 to insure someone is here.

GFO’s February GenTalk: Google Searching Computer Lab

When: Saturday, February 16th, at 2 p.m. Where: GFO Research Library Presenters: Kristin Parks & Joann Taylor The best way to learn to use a computer is to use a computer. This GenTalk Computer Lab will start from the beginning with Google search engine queries for online genealogy research, by walking you through the process, click by click. Whether you have a Mac or PC, Kristin (Mac) and Joann (PC) will be there to help you. If you have a laptop of your own, please bring it! If you do not, then sign up to use one at the GFO. GenTalks are free and open to everyone, but the number of GFO computers is limited, so please register online to use one. Kristin Parks and Joann Taylor are members of the GFO, and both volunteer as Research Assistants and as researchers for the GPS SIG. Joann is a researcher for the GFO Look-Up Service, and Kristin is the Education Committee Chair. Both attend numerous educational seminars and conferences and are holders of the Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University’s Center for Professional Education. Click here to reserve a GFO computer for this free and public event.

February Brings Faster Internet to GFO!

This month, GFO is upgrading our internet connection to take advantage of the new fiber-optic connection that was installed at the Ford building last fall. Our bandwidth capacity will double to 100 Mbps. Even better, latency decreases–this is the delay time it takes to get a network packet from GFO across the internet to the final server. We are not close to using our current capacity, so the primary benefit is reliability. Patrons using any of the databases that we offer at the library will experience a smoother search experience with fewer hesitations.

NEW! Free First Monday Hours Extended to 8 O’clock!

We’re making it just a bit easier to see everything the GFO Library has to offer. The First Monday of each month has long been free to everyone. For the next three months, we are extending our hours until 8 p.m. that day so you can come after work or when parking space may be easier to find. So, on March 4th, April 1st, and May 6th, come stay late with us! And please, be sure to share this with friends who are not members of the GFO.

GFO’s Most Valuable Surplus Books Date Back to 1889

Featured Book of the Week: History of Pacific Northwest Oregon and Washington, Volumes One and Two are the GFO Bookstore’s most valuable surplus books. Volume One is in remarkably good condition for a book printed in 1889 with perfectly intact spine, and clean pages which have not faded. Both the front and the back covers have a blemish and worn corners. This copy was a gift to Berte Reeder “Given by his Mama,” November 8th, 1892. “Be sure to read them,” she wrote on the inscription page. See history through the eyes of your ancestors in this book described as “Embracing an account of the original discoveries on the Pacific Coast of North America.” We’ve seen comparable copies of this book for sale online from $500 to $1200. Our price is $375. Volume Two has pages which are in excellent shape but the spine and binding are severely damaged. It’s available for $50. If you buy the exceptional Volume One, we’ll include Volume Two at half off for a total of $400. BONUS: Guess what? We actually have a second full set of these books; these also have poor spines and binding but the pages are in great shape. This Set #2 is available for $100. To buy these books, contact booksales@gfo.org All book sales support the daily operations, keeping the GFO library open daily.

Our Newest Records: Newspaper Clippings of Marriages & Obituaries

Did you know the GFO is constantly adding new records to our collections and our website to help you with your research? Many volunteers work from home or at the GFO scanning obituaries from newspapers and other newspaper articles which have been donated over the years. They include marriage reports from the 1930s, Oregon obituaries from the 1950s to 1990s, and West Point obituaries from about 1944-1987. You can find indexes on our website. If you locate a person you care about, the website has a form to send us a request for a copy of the actual clipping. Or, come into the library and find it in the books and CDs we have compiled of these clippings.

These are the newest indexes we’ve put online: Newspaper Clippings Oregon Obituaries Oregon Obituaries II West Point Obituaries This is a continuing process as we receive more clipped articles and full newspapers. So, check our website regularly. We’re adding more records all the time!

The Norway Project Calls for Crowdsourced Assistance

The Norway Cemetery Association Board has given its blessing for “The Norway Project.” The project is working to create an online searchable database of those buried at the Norway Cemetery, located at Norway, Coos County, Oregon. There are 5,000 grave sites at the Norway Cemetery; however, Find A Grave has only 3,300 listed. The Norway Project’s goal is to have all 5,000 grave sites listed and available for researchers. Currently, information about those buried at the Norway Cemetery is being housed in a 4×6 notebook. As part of the Norway Project’s effort to make the burial information more accessible, a new website has been made available at the project’s website. The site may be searched without registering, but please note that volunteers must register to help out on the project. Family members may also register to add information about their loved ones buried at Norway Cemetery. The Norway Project needs your help to enter data on the new website. This will be a long-term effort. GFO member Darrell Gulstrom is the project coordinator. To register as a volunteer or as a family member, email Darrell at ddgulstrom@yahoo.com. Gulstrom said he hopes for many volunteers to help in this effort. “It is long overdue,” he says.

This week at GFO …

SATURDAY, February 16th Genealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. While an ancestor named John Brown may pose obvious challenges, one would think Wiley Wingo was a strictly unique name. This Saturday’s Problem Solvers presentation will demonstrate the value of establishing a Detailed Timeline to tackle the problem of multiple persons with identical names. Join us Saturday at 9:30 AM to learn how this technique can help you in organizing your research. For more information contact Katie Daly at GPS@gfo.org. GenTalk: Google Searching Computer Lab 2 – 3 p.m. Have you ever watched someone do something amazing on the computer, but when you tried it yourself it somehow just didn’t work? Or maybe you didn’t even try because it seemed like teaching calculus to a panda bear. What we’d like to do at our February GenTalk is practice doing some of those amazing things until you can do it yourself. This GenTalk Computer Lab will teach attendees how to utilize Google searches for online genealogy research. If you have a laptop of your own, please bring it! If you do not, then please sign up to use one at the GFO. GenTalks are free and open to everyone, but the number of GFO computers is limited, so please CLICK HERE to register online to use one. SUNDAY, February 17th Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Family Tree Maker Users’ Group Join other users who want to work through the 2017 Companion Guide to Family TreeMaker. Please bring your laptop with 2017 version of FTM installed and an empty usb thumb drive. This group is facilitated by Joyce Grant-Worley. Please send questions to FTM@gfo.org. French Canada Group 3:30 – 5 p.m. Sharing stories of our history. Come and join this group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. The group leader is Bob LaMarche and can be contacted at FrCan@gfo.org. WEDNESDAY, February 20th Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon The group’s very own Lori Washburn will present her often requested approach to Scanning, Archiving, Photos and Documents. Lori’s work is meticulous and she’s generous to share! At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. And if you have been doing genealogy for any length time you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitators Jean Quan can be contacted at LearnandChat@gfo.org. DNA Q&A 1 – 3 p.m. Lisa McCullough leads a discussion on various DNA related subjects, with each meeting focused on a particular subject. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Questions? Message Lisa at dna_lm@gfo.org. Irish Group 6 – 8 p.m. Mike Dalton will share information on the following topics: Tithe Applotments of 1823 to 1837 were the first rateable valuations of Ireland of arable lands that could contribute to support of a minister. Survey of all of Ireland began in 1844 under the leadership of Dublin based Sir Richard Griffith. It is officially named: General Valuation of Rateable Property in Ireland. The Griffith’s Valuations published from 1848 to 1864 for each of the 32 counties are a census substitute of householders who owned or leased homes and lands. They are not a population census count of those who lived in the household. The listed occupier may have been your ancestor or his father, his widowed mother or his father in-law. We shall also dedicate some time to assist members with research questions they may have. If you are struggling with your Irish heritage research please bring what you know and formulate a question regarding what you would like to learn or email in advance to Irish@gfo.org. The Irish group meets on the third Wednesday of the even months February,April, June, August, and October (there will be no meeting in December). Contact Irish@gfo.org for more information.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition February 7, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider During inclement weather this winter, lease be sure to check our Facebook Page or website to see if we’re open! Or, call the library at 503-963-1932 to insure someone is here.

GFO is Proud to Offer Black History Resources

This Black History Month, we’d like to remind you that GFO has dozens of books to help with your African American ancestral research. 80% of genealogical information still has not been digitized. It’s always worth exploring what’s on the bookshelves. Our holdings include: * Black history: a guide to civilian records in the National Archives * List of free Black heads of families in the first census of the United States, 1790 By National Archives Record Service * The African-American century: How Black Americans have shaped our country * An index of African Americans identified in selected records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands We’ve added more African American titles to our collection in just the last year, so if you haven’t been in for awhile, come see what’s new!

Explore Fold3’s Black History Collection for Free this Month

In recognition of Black History Month, Fold3 is making the records in its Black History Collection available for free through the end of February. Whether you’re searching for your ancestors or looking for primary documents to help with other research, the Black History Collection gives you access to more than a million documents, records, and photos that help to capture the African-American experience during five eras of American history: Slavery, The Civil War, Reconstruction & Jim Crow Laws, World War I & II, and the Civil Rights Movement. See all their wonderful resources in this collection here!

Join GFO’s Great Lakes Special Interest Group this Saturday!

“Lockport, Erie Canal” — by W. H. Bartlett, 1838 Erie Canal Opened the West to Settlement We all learned about the Erie Canal back in 6th grade. But what do we know about how it affected the experiences of our Great Lakes Region ancestors? The Canal enticed immigrants, settlers, and workers with the promise of better lives, and interestingly, it transported more than just people and goods. Come join GFO’s Great Lakes Special Interest Group this Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. as they discuss the importance of this historic canal on our ancestors. All Special Interest Group meetings at the GFO Library are free and open to the public.

PMUG College Teaches iOS for iPhone, iPad and iTouch

The Portland Mac Users Group returns to the GFO for another of its college classes on Wednesday, February 13th, 6 to 8 p.m. This class will look at the operating system our popular mobile Apple devices rely upon. • Learn how to arrange and manage your apps on your iPhone and iPad. • Tour the Settings utility to customize how your device works. • Learn how debug and reset your device when problems arise. • Oversee your data usage to control programs that continue GPS tracking in the background. • Find hidden functions in the iOS system that can enhance your use of these devices. All PMUG classes are free for GFO and PMUG members. To register: call 503-228-1779 or email college@pmug.org.

FTDNA Works With FBI, Apologizes for not Telling Customers

The big news in Genealogy circles last week was Family Tree DNA’s admission to BuzzFeed News that it was working with the FBI to match DNA from crime scenes against its database of more than two million records. BuzzFeed’s article states that “the cooperation with Family Tree DNA and the FBI marks the first time a private firm has agreed to voluntarily allow law enforcement access to its database.” Law enforcement has found genetic genealogy has helped to unlock cold cases which might never have been solved. Blogs, news sites and the GFO’s Facebook page lit up with concerns about privacy and the company’s lack of notification to customers. Bennett Greenspan, founder of FamilyTree DNA, wrote to customers a few days after the first stories hit, stating: “I am genuinely sorry for not having handled our communications with you as we should have. We’ve received an incredible amount of support from those of you who believe this is an opportunity for honest, law-abiding citizens to help catch bad guys and bring closure to devastated families.” The highly respected Legal Genealogist, Judy G. Russell, wrote two blog posts saying she was “gobsmacked” by the revelations and expressed disappointment in the company’s reply. She called out FTDNA for falsely implying that people who care about privacy don’t care about catching criminals. “Honest, law-abiding citizens who want bad guys to be caught can come down on either side of the police-access-to-genealogical-DNA-databases debates — and nobody, but nobody, should try to shame them into going along with something they truly don’t believe in by manipulative name calling. It’s a logical fallacy,” wrote Russell. This is a debate which will continue.

New Norwegian Resource: Folkebladet Newspaper

Augsburg University’s Lindell Library in Minnesota has recently completed a large digitization project of Folkebladet, a Norwegian newspaper that ran from 1877 to 1952. Considered the official newspaper of the Lutheran Free Church, the paper is an unparalleled resource for historians, genealogists, or anyone who is interested in reading Norwegian-American accounts from the past. Access it at their website here! You can search the text of the newspapers or browse by date. Librarian Stewart Van Cleve is eager to help you if you have questions. You can reach him at vanclev1@augsburg.edu.

This week at GFO …

FRIDAY, February 8th Mexican Ancestry Group Due to illness, this meeting is cancelled this week. For questions about future meetings, please email Vince at sw@gfo.org. SATURDAY, February 9th Great Lakes Region Group 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. We all learned about the Erie Canal back in 6th grade. But what do we know about how it affected the experiences of our Great Lakes Region ancestors? The Canal enticed immigrants, settlers, and workers with the promise of better lives, and interestingly, it transported more than just people and goods. We will also take a quick look at some lesser-known ways to use the Family Search website and have time to share our genealogy brick walls and success stories. If your ancestors were in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Ontario, Canada, or if you just want to hear about this interesting time in US history, you are most welcome. Writers’ Forum 1 – 3 p.m. This is a peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at peggyrbaldwin@gmail.com or 503-916-9410. SUNDAY, February 10th Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. WEDNESDAY, February 13th PMUG College: iOS for iPhone, iPad, iTouch 6 – 8 p.m. • Learn how to arrange and manage your apps on your iPhone and iPad. • Tour the Settings utility to customize how your device works. • Learn how debug and reset your device when problems arise. • Oversee your data usage to control programs that continue GPS tracking in the background. • Find hidden functions in the iOS system that can enhance your use of these devices. To register: call 503-228-1779 or email: college@pmug.org. Bring your Mac to participate with instruction. If you would like additional information for attending this class, please email the group’s leaders at college@pmug.org. (Note, updates may be sent for interruption of services due to weather etc. Check the GFO Facebook page and the GFO website for weather closure notices.)

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 31, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

What’s New at GFO?

What do Saxe Gotha Neighbors, North Carolina Wills, Lithuanian Jewish Communities, and Mayflower Source Records have in common? They’re all among 21 of our recent acquisitions. Our library committee regularly evaluates donated books, books available for trade, and those we might wish to purchase to enhance certain areas of our collection. Be sure to check out our “New Books” shelves to see the latest additions to the GFO Library.

GFO Stars: Endowment Committee

Marti Dell, Anita Lustenberger, Doug Henne, and Marty Krauter (left to right) Our newest GFO Stars are Marti Dell, Anita Lustenberger, Doug Henne, and Marty Krauter. All of the members of GFO’s Endowment Committee have served multiple terms. As part of their service, the Endowment Committee has done a wonderful job of managing GFO’s assets and growing the investments. For your many years of service and your continued stewardship, we thank you!

Seminar: Genetic Genealogy in Practice

Our friends at the Olympia Genealogical Society invite you to their 2019 Spring Seminar featuring genetic genealogist Blaine Bettinger. The seminar will be held on Saturday, March 30 in Olympia, Washington. Topics include: * Using Autosomal DNA for 18th and 19th Century Mysteries * Using Third Party Tools to Analyze Your Autosomal DNA * The Danger of Distant Matches * Mapping Your Chromosomes Using DNA Painter For more information go to the Olympia Genealogical Society website at https://olygensoc.org.

Only Surviving Arabic Slave Narrative in U.S. Digitized by Library of Congress

We know that a handful of slaves in the 1800s wrote autobiographies of their experience. Only one was written in Arabic in the U.S. and is known to survive to this day. According to Smithsonian Magazine, that Arabic memoir of a slave sold in Charleston, South Carolina, is now fully digitized and available at the Library of Congress. “Omar Ibn Said was leading a prosperous life in West Africa at the turn of the 19th century, devoting himself to scholarly pursuits and the study of Islam, when he was captured, carted across the globe, and sold as a slave in Charleston, South Carolina.” After being in America for 50 years, Said died in 1864, one year before slavery was legally abolished. “To have [the manuscript] preserved at the Library of Congress and made available to everyday people and researchers across the world will make this collection an irreplaceable tool for research on Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries,” says Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, one that she predicts will further “shed light on the history of American slavery.”

Womens’ Hats Could Help You Decipher Old Family Photos

Do any women in your old family photos wear hats? The Minnesota Historical Society has archived 717 hat styles that could help you figure out when the picture was taken. Hat tip to genealogy blogger Gail Dever for writing about this. You can read her full story here. Dever notes, “The hats range from straw hats worn in the 1860s to pink pussy hats women wore during women’s marches in 2017.” The society doesn’t have a page set up to find just hats, but they did provide this link with filters that will take you to a display of this hat collection.

This week at GFO …

SATURDAY, February 2nd Virginia Group 10 a.m. – noon From Institutes to Webinars: Genealogy Education Join us for a discussion of educational opportunities to enhance your genealogical experience. We all know that genealogy is much more than adding names and dates to a list, but organizing, interpreting, and analyzing the information we find can be a challenge. There are educational opportunities to enhance any level of experience, and in all price ranges, including no cost. We’ll explore many of those opportunities, and have people available who have taken advantage of many of them to answer any question you might have. For more information see our blog: “Virginia Roots and Vines” Questions? Email the facilitators, Judi Scott and Carol Surrency, at Virginia@gfo.org. German Group 1 – 3 p.m. Speaker: Emily Aulicino Topic: How she was able to trace her ancestors back to the 1500s. Index: A. German 16 states: #2 Bavaria B. Valentine’s Day German recipes C. Online heritage books / Ortsfamilienbücher D. Update on the 2020 census E. Conferences, etc. SUNDAY, February 3rd Manuscripts Work Party 9 a.m. – noon Explore our manuscript, personal papers, and Bible collection while we organize, scan, and create finding aids. Drop by at the time that works for you. Questions? Send a note to manuscripts@gfo.org. MONDAY, February 4th Free First Monday! 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come visit our research library each first Monday of every month and splurge on all GFO’s wonderful resources for FREE. Explore our online databases like Fold3, Ancestry World Library Edition, Newspapers.com, and many more. Our analog and microfilm collections total over 50,000 items. Don’t miss out! WEDNESDAY, February 6th Learn & Chat 10 a.m. – noon At Learn & Chat some of the learning comes from speakers with particular expertise, but most of it comes from the sharing of experiences and knowledge of attendees who have developed methods that work for them. And if you have been doing genealogy for any length time, you have likely experienced the wonderful moments of exhilaration, the successes that you then share with others and that drive you to continue researching. Unfortunately, those times can be few and far between. Join us to talk about your genealogy questions and help provide support to others. Facilitated by Jeanne Quan and Sandy Alto. DNA Q&A 1 – 3 p.m. Lisa McCullough will be available to help answer your DNA questions, whether you are new and just getting started or have more involved questions. Questions? Send a note to the group’s leader at dna_qa@gfo.org.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 24, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

BlackProGen Host Speaks to GFO Saturday, Jan. 26

Genealogist and BlackProGen host Nicka Smith. Photo Courtesy Nicka Smith. The Genealogical Forum of Oregon is pleased to welcome BlackProGen host Nicka Smith to its next African American Ancestry Group meeting on Saturday, January 26 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. She will appear in a remote presentation from her home base of Tennessee, and her topic will be “The Future of African American Genealogy.” Smith is a professional photographer, speaker, and documentarian with more than 20 years of experience as a genealogist. She is the host of BlackProGen Live, a web show focused on people of color genealogy and family history. With rapid digitization of crucial record sets to the explosion of DNA testing, the landscape of African American genealogy and family history research is constantly evolving. Attendees can discover why these advancements are key for all types of genealogy and how they can help break down years-long barriers in personal research efforts. The meeting is free and open to the public at the GFO Library in the basement of the historic Ford Building at S.E. 11th Ave. & Division in Portland.

Golden State Killer Sleuth is Coming to the GFO!

Barbara Rae-Venter. Photo by Brian L. Frank. We have exciting news for this year’s Open House! You have a chance to hear directly from the genetic genealogist who cracked the Golden State Killer case. Barbara Rae-Venter is coming to speak at the GFO during our DNA Days. On Saturday, March 30th, she will talk in the afternoon about DNA genealogy research techniques. On the morning of Sunday, March 31st, she’ll speak about the Golden State Killer case itself. Many thanks to Emily Aulicino for arranging this rare opportunity. Barbara’s sleuthing has been profiled in the New YorkTimes and she was named one of the 10 People Who Mattered most in 2018 by Nature magazine. This will be popular so you must register for these limited seats. Registration opens on Friday, March 1st at 9:00 a.m., at our website.

GFO Library Remains Free for All Federal Workers

The record setting government shutdown continues, and so does our offer to federal employees who are getting no pay. You are welcome to come and use the GFO Library FREE as long as this shutdown lasts. You may have extra time on your hands; feel free to come tap all the resources the GFO has to offer, including 50,000 holdings and access to subscription databases that would cost you an arm and a leg at home. Please show your government employment I.D. at our reception desk for free admission.

We Love a Success Story

If you know about our Boot Camp for Beginners, you know there are virtually no breaks and only a half hour for lunch at the most. Yet one recent participant managed to parlay that short break into a successful search at the GFO library. Patricia emailed this marvelous note to us: “I decided to do a little research on my 2nd great maternal grandmother. I’ve being focusing on her husband for the last number of months, so I thought I would peek in and see what I could find about her. They were the ones who first immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland. I not only found her baptismal record, which was wonderful, but what we always love to find is bonus information. I now have her parents names! So happy!” You never know what you’ll find tucked away in the GFO’s vast collection!

Fred Meyer/GFO Rewards: A Small Change

We’d like to thank everyone who has registered their Fred Meyer Rewards cards to benefit the Genealogical Forum of Oregon. You generate regular donations without paying any more for groceries. Fred Meyer has made a small change to our account number. If you’d like to do your part, be sure to link your card to Genealogical Forum of Oregon, Account #PB444. Community Rewards is easy to use, The more you shop, the more money the GFO earns!

Library Tours Available in Person … and on Video!

Did you know we offer free group tours of the GFO Library? If you know people who’d like to learn all we have to share, please have them contact tours@gfo.org. Or, if you have 15 free seconds, you can just click over to our YouTube Channel for our Fastest Library Tour Ever! (The personal tour is far better, and your group gets four hours of time to research after the tour!)

This week at GFO …

SATURDAY, January 26th DNA Advanced Group 9 a.m. – noon Tim Janzen will speak on merging duplicates in master match list spreadsheets, GEDmatch, and phasing. Each topic will be about 1 hour on each. Jef Treece will do about a half hour on GEDmatch, and Tim will do the other half. Library Closes Early 12:45 p.m. (to allow multiple Special Interest Groups) African American Ancestry Group 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. We will enjoy a remote presentation from Nicka Smith, a professional photographer, speaker, and documentarian with more than 20 years of experience as a genealogist. She is the host of BlackProGen Live, a Web show focused on people of color genealogy and family history. She will speak on “The Future of African American Genealogy.” (Full note above.) British Ancestry Group 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. At this meeting we will discuss online sources. Tom O’Brian will explain the ins and outs of the FamilySearch website, and we can help with your brick walls. The focus of this group is on researching in the British Isles: England, Wales, Scotland, and Scots-Irish. SUNDAY, January 27th Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. WEDNESDAY, January 30th Library Open late to 8 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 17, 2019

Curious about the status of your GFO Membership? We’d love to have you as a GFO Member!

For more information visit www.gfo.org. Contact us at info@gfo.org or 503-963-1932. Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Free GFO Library Use for All Federal Workers

Are you a federal worker getting no pay during the government shutdown? You are welcome to come and use the GFO Library FREE as long as this shutdown lasts. You may have extra time on your hands; feel free to come tap all the resources the GFO has to offer, including 50,000 holdings and access to subscription databases that would cost you an arm and a leg at home. Please show your government employment I.D. at our reception desk for free admission.

Spring Seminar Registration Now Open!

You’ve seen him on TV on Oprah’s Roots and Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates. Now come hear him in person for a day and a half of superb genealogy lessons. We are thrilled to be able to bring professional genealogist and Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association Tony Burroughs to Portland for our Spring Seminar April 26th and 27th. In a special promotion, we have cut the usual seminar price in half. It costs just $25 to attend the first day and $15 the second.

Register Now

Important Reminder about FamilySearch

We’re thrilled to be a FamilySearch Affiliate Library now. However, to be able to use FamilySearch at the GFO, you must bring your own login name and password. It’s free. FamilySearch does not charge for this service, but it does require each researcher to use their own login and password to access these additional resources at its Affiliate Libraries.

Board Fills Vacancy

We are delighted to welcome Joyce Grant-Worley to the GFO Board of Directors and sad to say goodbye to Anne Wheeler. Anne has had to step away from her work on GFO’s board for personal reasons. While she’s not able to serve as Director-at-Large any longer, Anne will continue to help our library team, serving indispensably in GFO’s many ongoing projects. We will miss Anne on the board and want to extend our thanks to her for her dedication and hard work. Joyce attends many of the Special Interest Groups and jumped in to lead the new Family Tree Maker Users’ Group. She’s also involved with the Portland Mac Users Group (PMUG) College which is now holding regular Apple computer classes at the GFO. Welcome to the board, Joyce!

Bookstore Feature of the Week: Teddy Roosevelt’s Series

If these books by Teddy Roosevelt were inscribed by the author, they’d be worth $23,000! Alas, they are not. So this set of five can be yours for just $50! Before he was President of the United States, Roosevelt wrote his The Winning of the West series. These are 1905 reprints of his 1889 books, featuring suede-like spines. This set includes Volumes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 (4 is missing). Titles include The Spread of English Speaking Peoples, In the Current of the Revolution, The War in the North West, St. Clair and Wayne, and Louisiana and Aaron Burr. To buy these books, contact booksales@gfo.org. There are hundreds more historic volumes available in the GFO Bookstore. Also be sure to check our $2 and $10 surplus book shelves at the front of the library.

Find the Story, Write the Story: Half-Day Seminar Join professional genealogist Pam Vestal for a half-day seminar at the GFO on Sunday, February 24th from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Topics: Teasing Out the Hidden Story Behind the Genealogical Facts. Learn to dig deeply into the genealogical details and to breathe life into your ancestors’ stories. How to Write Ancestral Stories Even Your Relatives Will Want to Read. With good research, thoughtful planning, and a dash of ingenuity, you can create engaging genealogical stories designed to entice even seemingly disinterested readers. Register online now!

Bonus Donations to GFO for Magazines Purchased This Month

We’re excited to announce another bonus donation opportunity for Genealogical Forum Of Oregon Inc. Through January 31, 2019, AmazonSmile will donate 15% the purchase price of new print magazine subscriptions. Click here for details. You can help us all year long by shopping from smile.amazon.com after you choose the Genealogical Forum of Oregon to benefit from your purchases. Amazon makes a small donation each time but charges you nothing extra.

This week at GFO …

SUNDAY, January 20th Library Work Party 9 a.m. – noon There’s another work party at the GFO library today for those of you who can come. There’s lots to do and we’d love to have your help. Doors open at 9 and work usually wraps up around noon. Some people come for just an hour or so; others work the full time. You are welcome to do either. Any time you can share is valuable. Hope to see you there. Family Tree Maker for Beginners 1 – 3 p.m. This is a beginners’ class for Family Tree Maker users and for those considering a purchase. It will be repeated on a quarterly basis. French Canada Group 3:30 – 5 p.m. This month’s topic will be our “gateway” ancestor or ancestors, those who were the first to arrive in New France and/or Acadia, and whose ancestral line has come down to us. Also, members will discuss family associations and organizations as reunion and genealogical resources. Come and join this group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. The group leader is Bob LaMarche. Send questions to FrCan@gfo.org. WEDNESDAY, January 23rd Library Open late to 8 p.m.