THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition February 20, 2020

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Spring Seminar with Karen Stanbary: Solve Puzzles with DNA

DNA has become the hot topic in genealogy and we’re bringing an expert to Portland to help you make sense of it all! Join us for our 2020 Spring Seminar, “Solve Puzzles with DNA,” on April 4 & 5, with nationally-known genetic genealogy author and educator Karen Stanbary, CG®, MA, LCSW.

The Saturday, April 4 classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Portland’s Center for Self Enhancement (SEI). Seats are still available. . Saturday classes include: ▪ Tips to Manage Conversations about Unexpected DNA Results – handle challenging discussions both before and after DNA testing ▪ The DNA You Need – It’s Not Always Who You Think – Results from a 4th cousin once removed you’ve never met may tell you more than another aunt or uncle ▪ Avoiding Common Mistakes When Working with atDNA – Learn common errors in atDNA interpretation and strategies to avoid them ▪ Spit and You Shall Find! Autosomal DNA Identifies a Charming Scoundrel: Walk through research planning, evidence analysis, correlation and proof in a fun case study If you register by Feb. 29, the cost for GFO members for this full day is just $45 and for non-members, $50.

Register Now

The Sunday half-day classes on April 5 will be held at the GFO from 9:30 a.m. – noon. This session is already 3/4 full. Sunday includes two complex case studies demonstrating a wide variety of research strategies at every point in the planning, analysis and correlation process. One unknown parentage case and one distant ancestor case illustrate the integration of evidence from paper and DNA sources to prove genetic relationship conclusions. Early registration price for this half-day is just $25 for GFO members and $30 for non-members. Download the Seminar Flyer for more details. Take advantage of those Early-Bird Registration prices! On March 1, all prices will increase by $5. This is a great opportunity to learn more about solving those genealogy puzzles with the use of DNA.

GFO Open House Brings 42 Free Events in March

Who doesn’t like a free genealogy conference? Save these dates for the 2020 GFO Genealogy Open House: March 13-22. Over these 10 days, the library is free to the public and everyone is invited to all classes. Of particular note: Friday, March 13: Beginners Day Saturday, March 14: DN Day, Sunday, March 15: Software Day Wednesday, March 18: Irish Day & an Evening with Special Guest John Schmal on Mexican Ancestry.

Get the Full Open House Schedule Here

Save your favorite classes on your calendar! No registration required for any events. Just walk in. 42 events in all! It’s like having a free genealogy conference in your own backyard. Join us!

GFO Star Lynn Rossing

Congratulations to our GFO Star of February, Lynn Rossing!

When a call went a few years ago for someone to lead GFO’s Illinois Special Interest Group, Lynn immediately volunteered. She expanded the group’s focus to include all the Great Lakes states and has been presenting topics of interest regularly ever since. Lynn has moved away from Oregon now, but we would like to recognize her for the work she’s done as a SIG leader, and as an Research Assistant. Thank you Lynn!

GFO Needs Your Help: Marketing and Grant Funding

Do you have experience in marketing, finding sponsors, or applying for grants? The GFO is looking for two or more volunteers to lend a hand with these vital functions. The GFO is small nonprofit run entirely by volunteers. To be really blunt, our president is wearing too many hats. He, and we, need help. We’ve long taken pride in being an all-volunteer organization without a single paid staff member. That can make it difficult to spread the word of all that we offer (52,000 holdings, 150 free classes every year, etc!). Marketing entails maintaining our Facebook page, submitting our events to a variety of websites, and producing occasional press releases. It’s time to think a bit bigger; for that we’ll need some grant funding. This is an area where we really need the help of someone with some experience. Or, perhaps you’ve helped find sponsors for small local events. Our seminars could definitely benefit from with help in this area. Please contact Vince Patton at president@gfo.org if you can lend a hand. Together, we can expand knowledge of GFO’s wonderful resources and remain relevant in this modern era.

GFO Member Authors Book about Oregon Pioneers, Donates to GFO

We were so pleased to hear from Phyllis Naish the other day. She finished her book, Westward Ho The Williams: On The “1841 Team” To Oregon, and she’s generously offering to donate 10% of the sale price for any copy that a GFO member or friend buys.

For the GFO to get the donation, you’ll need to send a copy of the receipt to Phyllis at pnaish@aol.com. She asks you to please mention the GFO in the email subject line. The book offers a “daily view of the pioneers on the 1841 wagon train from Missouri to Oregon. It shows how they lived and what they endured through five long months of walking over 2000 miles in the heat and cold.” It’s available on Amazon. Also, please don’t forget to shop via smile.amazon.com and set the GFO to receive a donation each time you shop.

News from the Library

New Digital Content • Boggess Family Association Newsletter • Boggs Newsletter • Diablo Descendants (Contra Costa County, California) • Roots ‘n’ Gold Dust (El Dorado County, California)

New Books • Albion, Washington • Colfax 100 plus • Ernst’s [John Ernst’s family history] • Jacksonville, Oregon: antique town in a modern age • Jacksonville: a living legend • Little Whale Cove and surrounding coastal headlands • Louie Simpson’s North Bend • Murder, morality and madness: women criminals in early Oregon • Railroads of the Columbia River Gorge • Records of the Particular Court of Connecticut, 1639-1663 • Settlers as conquerors: free land policy in Antebellum America • The frontier in American history • The Jesuits in old Oregon, 1840-1940 • The mill in the brush: a biography of Eugene F. Burrill, Oregon logger & lumberman • The Swedes of Oregon • The tall firs: the story of the University of Oregon & the first NCAA basketball championship • The way of duty: a woman and her family in revolutionary America • The Williamite confiscation in Ireland, 1690-1703 • When Silverton was young • Winthrop’s Boston: portrait of a puritan town, 1630-1649

Surplus Book: History of Spokane County

In 1900, Rev. Jonathan Edwards published An Illustrated History of Spokane County, Washington. He assembled a truly impressive tome, running 726 pages. It includes photos and a fold-out map. Edwards writes in a preface, “We have conscientiously avoided indulging in eulogistic references, especially to the living, because we do not believe that to be the province of the historian.”

With a handsome leather cover and gilt page edges, this book as seen better days. Its spine has damage and has been taped in places. However, all the pages feel securely attached and there are no visible marks of any kind inside. We have found other copies of this book selling online for $40 to $190. (Don’t be fooled by newer reprints which are cheaper). Our price to pick up at the GFO: $25 Our price to ship to you: $35 If you’re interested in this first edition of Pacific Northwest history, contact booksales@gfo.org.

Survey Results: Finding Cousins

A whopping 76.3% respondents reported that finding distant cousins has paid off, 15.8% replied “maybe,” and 7.9% said finding cousins reaped no benefits. Here are some of the responses, consolidated and edited for brevity:

Finding distant cousins has been wonderful. I now have a photo of my immigrant great-great-grandparents thanks to one cousin, and multiple photos of another great-great-grandfather from two others. Cousins have also helped me identify unknown people in photos I have. Holy Cow! I have found so many distant cousins! Jim B. contacted me about 1994 because of something I had posted on Rootsweb. We began sharing information which has helped to knocked down some brick walls! Over the years, Jim has sent me copies of his great-grandfather’s notes about his father and a huge package, which included a memoir written by a great-uncle or great-grand uncle, whose father participated in the Oklahoma Land Rush. The memoir went into great detail. I learned more about the Oklahoma Land Rush than I would have reading history books. Best yet, the memoir mentioned Jim’s ancestor coming to Oregon and Washington and visiting his favorite aunt, my great-great-grandmother. Years ago, I made contact with my great-grandmother’s niece. She was in her late 80s then, and she told me that she had a painting hanging on her wall of her grandparents on the day they were married. (That would be the photograph of my great-great-grandparents!) I learned that my 3rd great-grandfather was married twice. This solved a lot of questions when I found what turned out to be additional children.

For sure. Years ago, through the RootsWeb mailing lists, now through DNA. I’ve found cousins in Ireland, England, and Germany. The most recent connection was via DNA that broke through a 20+ year brick wall. I’ve found distant cousins right at the GFO library! I go to meetings every month for the French-Canadian SIG, and we all share common ancestors. The first time I attended, I learned that one woman’s last name is the same as my grandmother’s maiden name. Although that common ancestor was quite a few generations back, I was able to find that we connect in about 18 other places on our pedigree charts. So how has it paid off for me? My distant cousins are my friends! I’ve spent time visiting cousins all over the country. They have helped me break through some very difficult brick walls. Many of them are good friends now … especially my 96-year-old 3rd cousin, twice removed, from Colorado Springs. We learned a great deal of information about their lives and interests and a relevant Family Bible. But mostly we have met a bunch of really neat and interesting people and have become good friends with several.

Corrections to the location of collateral lines. Sharing of photos (both ways) of ancestors. The burial location of 2nd great grandparents. I could go on and on. I met a very distant cousin that sent me a photograph of my 4th great grandfather… wow, just brought tears to my eyes. Even closer cousins who have taken DNA tests at ancestry.com have been beneficial. Some cousin matches go way back to the 1600s. Having a well-established personal family history database is essential to determining how we are all related. I just wish I had more time to spend on this work.

New Survey: Cousin Bait

Having established that finding cousins can be very beneficial, how do you go about finding them? Do you use “cousin bait?” What bait do you use, and has it been successful?

Take The Survey

This week at GFO … Saturday, February 22nd DNA for Beginners 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This presentation will help testers use a spreadsheet for genetic genealogy at the beginner level and help you use Half-identical Regions to discover the common ancestral couple you share with your DNA matches. Emily will discuss downloading the matches and segment lists from the major DNA testing companies and how to use a spreadsheet to organize the information to connect to a common ancestor. Herb Femling, our local expert on spreadsheets, will answer any questions you have at any level. Download the handout, here. If possible, download your Matches segment lists before class in case you have questions for Emily and Herb. Send questions on spreadsheets at least three days prior to the meeting. Email them to Emily at dna@gfo.org. Sunday, February 23rd An Advanced Excel Workshop Tutorial 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.* Professional genealogist Mary Kircher Roddy, CG® presents a half-day workshop for experienced spreadsheet users who want to learn more tricks to utilize spreadsheets in genealogy. Including incorporating color in worksheets, splitting columns, wrapping text, freezing panes, sorting, filtering, and more. We will discuss work-arounds for date issues in Excel. We’ll also cover importing data from websites including Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and other sites. Participants should bring their fully charged laptops loaded with Excel. *Note this class starts at 9 am sharp, earlier than normal and runs longer than usual to 12:30 p.m. Registration for this event is closed – Workshop is full. Wednesday, February 26th PMUG College: Mac Photos 101 6:00 – 7:55 p.m. To register: Call 503-228-1779; Email: college@pmug.org. Bring your Mac/iPad to participate with instruction. If you would like additional info for attending this class, please email us. Free to GFO and PMUG members. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition February 13, 2020

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Washington Secretary of State Urges Public To Fight Seattle National Archives Closure

A few weeks ago, the GFO strongly objected to the plan to close the National Archives in Seattle. The closure was approved just days after news of the secret proposal leaked out. Now the Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman is also speaking up, and urges everyone to contact lawmakers to fight the closure. Read more here on the secretary’s web page. Find your representative Find your senator All the history of the Pacific Northwest stored in Seattle is set to be divided and shipped away to Kansas City, Missouri, and Riverside, California. So far, no date for this closure has been publicly revealed. We urge you to add your voice to get this terrible decision overturned. In the meantime, northwest tribes are also speaking up against the move. Seattle’s KIRO radio reports the Archives has not answered a single question from the public. “No one from the national NARA offices present at the Seattle facility today would go on the record with KIRO Radio about anything. Period. Like OMB, NARA has not responded substantively to any inquiries from KIRO Radio for weeks.”

Free GenTalk: Intro to Excel for Genealogy

Join us at the GFO this Saturday, February 15, from 2 – 3 p.m. for a hands-on beginner’s tutorial Intro to Excel® for Genealogy. Spreadsheets are a powerful tool for analyzing your genealogical data, organizing your research and presenting your conclusions. But as with any tool, you have to know how to use it to get results. GFO member and Microsoft-certified trainer Kendra Blumberg will get beginners started with Excel and some simple, genealogy-specific spreadsheets. Please bring your laptop with Excel® loaded. Otherwise, a limited number of computers are available for free reservation at gfo.org/computer. Join us at the GFO. GenTalks are free and open to the public.**

Spring Seminar with Karen Stanbary: Solve Puzzles with DNA

DNA has become the hot topic in genealogy and we’re bringing an expert to Portland to help you make sense of it all! Join us for our 2020 Spring Seminar, “Solve Puzzles with DNA,” on April 4 & 5, with nationally-known genetic genealogy author and educator Karen Stanbary, CG®, MA, LCSW.

The Saturday, April 4 classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Portland’s Center for Self Enhancement (SEI). Seats are still available. . Saturday classes include: ▪ Tips to Manage Conversations about Unexpected DNA Results – handle challenging discussions both before and after DNA testing ▪ The DNA You Need – It’s Not Always Who You Think – Results from a 4th cousin once removed you’ve never met may tell you more than another aunt or uncle ▪ Avoiding Common Mistakes When Working with atDNA – Learn common errors in atDNA interpretation and strategies to avoid them ▪ Spit and You Shall Find! Autosomal DNA Identifies a Charming Scoundrel: Walk through research planning, evidence analysis, correlation and proof in a fun case study If you register by Feb. 29, the cost for GFO members for this full day is just $45 and for non-members, $50.

Register Now

The Sunday half-day classes on April 5 will be held at the GFO from 9:30 a.m. – noon. This session is already 3/4 full. Sunday includes two complex case studies demonstrating a wide variety of research strategies at every point in the planning, analysis and correlation process. One unknown parentage case and one distant ancestor case illustrate the integration of evidence from paper and DNA sources to prove genetic relationship conclusions. Early registration price for this half-day is just $25 for GFO members and $30 for non-members. Download the Seminar Flyer for more details. Take advantage of those Early-Bird Registration prices! On March 1, all prices will increase by $5. This is a great opportunity to learn more about solving those genealogy puzzles with the use of DNA.

Live Webinar on Black College Records Features Deborah Abbott

Mark your calendar. Please join us for a live webinar with Deborah Abbott, on Saturday, February 15 at noon at the GFO library. Our African American Ancestry Group is pleased to present Dr. Abbott’s discussion of using manuscript collections at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Deborah A. Abbott, Ph.D is a professional genealogist specializing in Black American research, manuscript collections, and genealogy methods. She serves as a trustee on the Board of the Ohio Genealogical Society, a member of the Cuyahoga County Archives Advisory Board in Cleveland, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Non-Members are welcome! This group is free and open to the public.

GFO Open House Brings 42 Free Events in March

Who doesn’t like a free genealogy conference? Save these dates for the 2020 GFO Genealogy Open House: March 13-22. Over these 10 days, the library is free to the public and everyone is invited to all classes. Of particular note, we have an Evening with Special Guest John Schmal on Mexican Ancestry, a Beginners Day, DNA Day, Software Day, and Irish Day.

Get the Full Open House Schedule Here

Save your favorite classes on your calendar! No registration required for any events. 42 events in all! It’s like having a free genealogy conference in your own backyard. Join us!

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon Features Pam Vestal

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon will feature GFO Member and professional genealogist Pam Vestal at their February Meeting, Sunday, February 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Pam’s presentation, Why They Left, Where They Went, and the Tales Their Journeys Can Reveal, will explore the secrets our ancestors’ migrations and what they can reveal as we track them from place to place, across the ocean, across the country, and even across town. The program is free and doors open at 10:00 a.m. with time for conversation and sharing.

News from the Library

New Digital Content • Kern-Gen (Kern Co., California) • Santa Clara County Connections • Valley Genealogist of Hemet-San Jacinto • The Epistle (Batchelder, Carpenter, and Rice) • Lifeliner (Riverside, California) • Kansas City Genealogist New Books • Adams County, Ohio deeds, 1797-1812 • Confederate military history: a library of Confederate States history • Diamond jubilee, Medina, North Dakota: 1899-1974 • Fish families records and lines • Germans in Wisconsin • History of Jennings County, Indiana • Indian New England before the Mayflower • Little known tales from Oregon history • London’s churches • Magruder’s Maryland colonial abstracts: wills, accounts, and inventories, 1772-1777 • Milford and vicinity sesquicentennial souvenir book, 1830-1980 • Reunion celebration: together with an historical sketch of Peru, Bennington County, Vermont, and its inhabitants from the first settlement of the town • Soap Lake [Washington] • Southern crossing: a history of the American South, 1877-1906 • Tracing your Church of England ancestors: a guide for family and local historians • The captive’s quest for freedom: fugitive slaves, the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law, and the politics of slavery • The city of New York in the year of Washington’s inauguration, 1789 • The Hatfield book • The slave economy of the Old South: selected essays in economic and social history • The Spanish archives of New Mexico: compiled and chronologically arranged with historical, genealogical, geographical, and other annotations, by authority of the State of New Mexico

Surplus Book: 1913 Yearbook From OAC (now Oregon State)

Have a Beaver in the family? They may love this step back into history, back when Oregon State University was known as the Oregon Agricultural College. We have a spare copy of the The Orange from 1913, OAC’s yearbook in truly excellent condition. There is only one half inch of noticeable wear at the top of the spine.

This yearbook runs 366 pages and bears the names of Editor R.A. Blanchard and Manager W.S. Sibray. It includes a message from OAC President William Jasper Rice. Price to pickup at the GFO: $30 Price to ship to you: $37 If you’re interested in this piece of Oregon history, contact booksales@gfo.org

Survey Results: Free Genealogy Websites

Here are the favorite free websites of our readers:

FamilySearch tops the list–for its scope, better indexing, lots of images, deepest resources around, and other reasons. One person cautioned about the family tree, unsourced facts and misinformation.

FamilySearch Community Feed After joining a group, you can upload an image of a foreign language document (even written in impossible to read old German script) and someone will translate it for you – usually within just a couple of hours or maybe overnight. WikiTree (2 people) Because it’s collaborative and there’s a huge emphasis on citing sources for the facts you add. It makes it so much easier to verify information and find the sources yourself for your own records. FindAGrave for the help of the volunteers who take photos. Fultonhistory.com (no reason given) GEDmatch because it has DNA data from different sources. Heritage Quest accessed with Multnomah County Library card.

IrishGenealogy.ie The website has all the RC church records for County Kerry – the ancestral home of my father’s side of family. It also has images for civil records of births, marriages, and deaths for all of Ireland with exception of images of death records before 1877. BTW the website has links to other Irish websites. The Ancestor Hunt for its fabulous links to online newspapers. The Library of Virginia (no reason given)

New Survey: Cousins

We all have lots of distant cousins, found through various means. We’re curious if finding them has been helpful in your genealogical research.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Friday, February 14th 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, solving genealogical problems, organizing your research, etc. Come share research experiences and have fun. Questions or comments to Vince Ramirez at sw@gfo.org. Saturday, February 15th Genealogical Problem Solvers 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Finding your ancestors before 1850 The 1850 US census was the first to enumerate each member of the household by name, making pre-1850 research tricky, particularly for families already moving West. Adding to the challenge, extended family members tended to migrate in groups, with individuals frequently joining households other than those of their nuclear family …or not. Join us as the Genealogy Problem Solvers attempt to locate the parents of a GFO member’s 2nd great- grandfather, Charles McFarland (1815-1898), who was born in Virginia (or West Virginia) and who died in Missouri. Learn the tools researchers use to solve the problem of finding ancestors on the move before 1850. Questions – contact Katy Daly: gps@gfo.org African American Ancestry Group 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Live Webinar on Black College Records Featuring Deborah Abbott. See article above for details. This group is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Janice Sellers african_american@gfo.org. GenTalk: Intro to Excel® for Genealogy 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. See feature article above to join us for our February GenTalk presented by Kendra Blumberg. You may reserve one of the GFO’s PCs for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Note to Library Patrons: The GenTalk will be held in the research area of the library, at the computer tables, and at least 5 of the computers are reserved for event attendees. The stacks and the classroom are of the library will remain open for all other patrons. Sunday, February 16th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – noon We have a special project to work on this Sunday. We received 3 tubs of books and periodicals that have a mildewy odor to them. We don’t want to introduce them to the library. So, we’ll be sorting through them to inventory and reorganize them. Your help is needed. Any time you can share is appreciated. Family Tree Maker Users Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join other users who want to work through the 2019 Companion Guide to Family TreeMaker. Bring your laptop with 2019 or 2017 version of FTM installed. Click here for the full agenda. It also has links to two small files to download to your FTM directory. Click on the ‘more details’ at the bottom left._ Contact the group leaders at ftm@gfo.org. French Canada Group 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Share stories of our history. Come and join this group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. The group leader is Bob LaMarche. FrCan@gfo.org Wednesday, February 19th Learn & Chat 10:00 a.m. – Noon Join us as our “Chat” consisting of lively unplanned discussion as we share successes, frustrations, challenges, tech tips, report on research trips, seminars, conferences and so on. In the next several sessions, our in our “Learn” portion, we will look at the 3 aspects of the Genealogy Proof Standards as set forth in the BCG Genealogical Standards Manual. The goal is to learn together to integrate these standards and methods into our daily routines to become better genealogists, maximize our efficiency, reach more accurate solutions and break down more brick walls. Facilitated by Sandy Alto and Jeanne Quan. Questions? learnandchat@gfo.org DNA Q&A: The Basics 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. This meeting is for those who are just beginning to use DNA testing for genealogy. Each class begins with a presentation of general information about DNA testing. General questions regarding DNA testing are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Lisa McCullough leads this group.. Questions? dna_qa@gfo.org. Irish Interest Group 6:00 – 7:45 p.m. We will hear Patricia Delich’s, “Searching for Great-Great-Grandfather John Spillan.” Patricia’s research has taken numerous twists and turns since she gave us a glimpse of her search at our Oct. 2019 meeting. In our second hour we will examine current challenges, brick walls, obstacles and conflicting sources for your ancestor. Please bring the following information: * Who are you researching? * What information are you seeking? * Where did this person live? * What time period? * What resources have you tried? Contact Irish@gfo.org for more information. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition February 6, 2020

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Great Lakes SIG Ends with Unique Lecture

We’d like to offer our deep thanks to Lynn Rossing for leading our Great Lakes Special Interest Group for several years. Lynn has now stepped down. The next meeting is this Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., where guest speaker Dale Deatherage will discuss Taverns and Inns. He has found records for his ancestors by researching business licenses in the Great Lakes region, and will share his research journey so that we can all do the same. This is a topic with information that likely would be hard to find elsewhere. However, this will be the last meeting until someone steps up to help keep this group active. Would you be willing to facilitate this group dedicated to helping people find ancestors from the Great Lakes region? The group has met on the second Saturday of each month except in July, August, and December, but this can be changed. Please contact our president, Vince Patton, at president@gfo.org if you’d be willing to keep this group alive.

Spring Seminar with Karen Stanbary: Solve Puzzles with DNA

Join us for our 2020 Spring Seminar, “Solve Puzzles with DNA,” on April 4 & 5, to be presented by nationally-known genetic genealogy author and educator Karen Stanbary, CG®, MA, LCSW.

The Saturday, April 4 classes, will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at Portland’s Center for Self Enhancement (SEI). Karen will guide experienced beginners and above in learning how to manage and interpret DNA evidence, then how to incorporate it into existing documentary research and provide guidance on managing conversations about unexpected DNA results. If you register now, the cost for GFO members for this full day is just $45 and for non-members, $50. The Sunday half-day classes on April 5 will be held at the GFO from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. Deepen and expand your intermediate- to advanced-level skills as Karen presents more complex genealogy puzzles requiring more complex DNA evidence analysis. Early registration price for this half-day is just $25 for GFO members and $30 for non-members. Download the Seminar Flyer for more details. Remember, we have Early-Bird Registration prices! On March 1, all prices will increase by $5. This is a great opportunity to learn more about solving those genealogy puzzles with the use of DNA.

Register Now

February Workshop: Advanced Excel for Genealogy

Spreadsheets can be a powerful tool to help you analyze your genealogical data and keep track of your research. They are essential in managing your DNA information, so this is a great class to attend before our big Spring Seminar.

From 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, join BCG Certified Genealogist Mary Kircher Roddy as she presents a hands-on guide for the experienced spreadsheet user using Excel to gain perspective on and to further your genealogy research. For a more complete description, download the seminar flyer. Seating is limited to 30 people! Everyone gets a spot at a table. Participants should bring their (fully charged) laptops pre-loaded with Excel. Mary is an active member of Seattle Genealogical Society, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the National Genealogical Society. She has published articles in Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. The fee is $35.00 for GFO Members and $40.00 for non-members.

Register Now

GFO Open House Brings 42 Free Events in March

It’s time for a genealogy conference in your backyard–one which doesn’t cost a dime! Save these dates for the 2020 GFO Genealogy Open House: March 13-22. Over these 10 days, the library is free to the public and everyone is invited to all classes. Of particular note, we have an Evening with Special Guest John Schmal on Mexican Ancestry, a Beginners Day, DNA Day, Software Day, and Irish Day.

Get the Full Open House Schedule

Save your favorite classes on your calendar! No registration required for any events. 42 events in all! It’s like having a free genealogy conference in your own backyard. Join us!

News from the Library

New Books • An informal history of the German language: with chapters on Dutch and Afrikaans, Frisian and Yiddish • Cheapside before the Great Fire • Divorce records for Washington County, Indiana, 1814-1921 • Early marriages in Indiana • Historical Shaniko tales • History of the Sierra Nevada • Newport, Oregon: 1882-1982: centennial magazine • Pathways to Michigan’s Black heritage • Preceding the Mayflower: the Pilgrims in England and in the Netherlands • Searching for Black Confederates: the Civil War’s most persistent myth • Slavery remembered: a record of twentieth-century slave narratives • Textiles in America 1650-1870: A dictionary based on original documents, prints and paintings, commercial records, American merchants’ papers, shopkeepers’ advertisements, and pattern books with original swatches of cloth • The families of County Donegal, Ireland: over one thousand entries from the archives of the Irish Genealogical Foundation • The guarded gate: bigotry, eugenics, and the law that kept two generations of Jews, Italians, and other European immigrants out of America • The life of Mark Twain: the early years, 1835-1871 • The Minutemen and their world • Time on the cross: economics of American Negro slavery • Time on the cross: evidence and methods, a supplement • When women didn’t count: the chronic mismeasure and marginalization of American women in federal statistics New Digital Content • Bulletin of the California Central Coast Genealogical Society • Genealogical Goldmine (Paradise, California) • Quicksilver Diggin’s (Santa Clara County, California) • San Diego Leaves and Saplings • San Francisco Historical and Genealogy Bulletin • The Sonoma Searcher

U.S. is Hiring Census Workers

Genealogists depend on the census. Some of our ancestors were census enumerators, collecting the information we value so much. Now you can do the same. The Census Bureau is hiring through the first week of March. They are seeking census takers to work flexible hours, earn $18-$20 per hour, and receive paid training. Apply Online: 2020census.gov/jobs For more information or help applying, call 1-855-JOB-2020.

Will You Be Our Valentine?

Shop at smile.amazon.com and AmazonSmile donates to Genealogical Forum Of Oregon at no cost to you!

Surplus Books: Atlas of Muskingum County Ohio

Take a step back in time to 1866 and see what Muskingum County, Ohio looked like 154 years ago. The GFO library is retiring this reprint from 1973 as a nicer copy was donated. Its full title is Atlas of Muskingum Co., Ohio From actual Surveys by and under the direction of F. W. Beers, assisted by Beach Nichols and others. It was published by Beers, Soule & Co. of New York.

As a library copy, it has library marks inside the front and back covers and a label on the spine. Otherwise, it is in excellent condition. Its 48 pages include maps of townships and cities, and it includes some illustrations of prominent buildings at that time.

As an atlas, it’s large, measuring 14“ by 14″. Our price to pickup at the GFO: $28 Price to ship to you: $38 If you’d like to buy it, please email booksales@gfo.org.

Survey Results: Vintage Family Photos

Here are the results of our question about old photos in your collection. Twenty-five percent report having photos that are pre 1860, and 34.4% have photos that date from 1850 to 1860.

We also asked how you dated your photo. Many reported that the images they had were wedding photos—and they had the marriage date. Some used hairstyles and clothing styles, some used children in the image, and others knew the date of death. Here are just a few of the many replies:

• My third great grandmother – a young woman with hair and dress from 1860s. She was born in 1827 and drowned crossing a river in 1883. • It is a photo of my third great-grandfather Ishmael G Smith, taken in Joliet, IL about 1865. The date is from a tax stamp on back of the photo.

Tintype image courtesy of Laurel Smith • I have a Daguerreotype in a metal frame, of a young woman in period dress. With technology available at the time and clothing and hairstyle I estimate this dates to 1860s, Civil War era. I do not know who it is, but am working on it. • Approximately 1857/58. Ambrotype of my 2nd great-grandparents, James and Martha Smalley, holding their first born, Edna, my great-grandmother, born 1 May 1857. Edna looks to be between 6 and 9 months old in the photo, helping me date it. • Civil War soldier, a great-great-uncle, Andy Miller. A book on the GFO library about his unit noted his death and included a section on the unique uniforms his unit had which matched the photo and help identify him. Photo before July 1863 when he died at Gettysburg. • My oldest photo is of my husband’s grandmother in 1905, age 5. She wrote the date on the back. • Likely early 1860s. Two photos on glass in gold frames, handed down through the family, show my great-great-great aunt and her husband. These are ambrotypes, a form of photography that only lasted one decade into the early 1860s.

General James S. Jackson, photo dated 31 Dec 1861, image credit: Wikipedia • The photo is from Dec 31, 1861. It is of my great-great-grandfather, General James S. Jackson. He was a general on the Union side of the Civil War. He was killed in 1862 in the battle of Gettysburg. I have his actual photo, but there is a copy on Wikipedia. • About 1890. My great-great-grandparents and their first child. I identified my great-great-grandmother because of her uncanny resemblance to one of her daughters and then extrapolated the rest. It also helped that the photo frame indicated it was taken in Kamenets Podolsky, Russia. • I have several daguerreotypes from the 1850s to 1860s of my great-great-grandparents who lived in Massachusetts. They are in the little books and are identified by name, date and place. One is of my great-great-grandmother, Betsy Anne Richmond, who died in 1852. • The oldest photo I have is hand dated on the back from the 1850s of a 3rd great-grandfather, James M Hassler. I also checked the photographer’s insignia on the paper frame with information online showing that photographer was working in the same city and time of this ancestor’s dated photo._

New Survey: Free Genealogy Websites We all love free genealogy websites—what’s your favorite?

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Saturday, February 8th Great Lakes Interest Group 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Guest speaker Dale Deatherage will discuss Taverns and Inns. He has found records for his ancestors by researching business licenses in the Great Lakes region, and will share his research journey so that we can all do the same. For more information contact Lynn Rossing at GreatLakes@gfo.org. Writers’ Forum 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join this peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share their writing with each other. Peggy Baldwin facilitates this group and can be reached at writers@gfo.org. Sunday, February 9th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – noon Prepping periodicals for scanning is on the agenda, and we sure could use 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. Research Assistant Training 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Training for GFO volunteer research assistants focused on procedures, OPALS, and Q&A. Wednesday, February 12th PMUG College: Browsers and Email 6:00-7:55 p.m. To register: Call 503-228-1779; Email: college@pmug.org. Bring your Mac/iPad to participate with instruction. If you would like additional info for attending this class, please email us. Free to GFO and PMUG members. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 30, 2020

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Northwest Loses National Archives in Seattle

The National Archives Seattle. We have a sad update to our top story from one week ago. The National Archives in Seattle is being closed. The public was never offered a single hint this was coming nor any chance to comment. Our Northwest historical records will end up at least 1,000 miles away in Riverside, California, or 1,800 miles away in Kansas City, Missouri, or both. The Seattle Times reported on the decision: “The move comes despite a letter sent Friday to the OMB by all senators from Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Idaho, and eight of the 10 Washington state representatives to Congress. The letter concluded the recommendation to close the archives “was flawed” and should be rejected.” Meanwhile, there may be one last fight over this decision. Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson might sue the Trump administration over the failure to follow legally required procedures. Ferguson says, “It’s the Procedural Act that requires them to take certain procedural steps before they make changes to people’s lives and they simply don’t do it over and over and over again.”

Spring Seminar with Karen Stanbary: Solve Puzzles with DNA

Join us for our 2020 Spring Seminar, “Solve Puzzles with DNA,” on April 4 & 5, to be presented by nationally-known genetic genealogy author and educator Karen Stanbary, CG®, MA, LCSW.

The Saturday, April 4 classes, will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at Portland’s Center for Self Enhancement (SEI). Karen will guide experienced beginners and above in learning how to manage and interpret DNA evidence, then how to incorporate it into existing documentary research and provide guidance on managing conversations about unexpected DNA results. If you register now, the cost for GFO members for this full day is just $45 and for non-members, $50. The Sunday half-day classes on April 5 will be held at the GFO from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. Deepen and expand your intermediate- to advanced-level skills as Karen presents more complex genealogy puzzles requiring more complex DNA evidence analysis. Early registration price for this half-day is just $25 for GFO members and $30 for non-members. Download the Seminar Flyer for more details. Take advantage of those Early-Bird Registration prices! On March 1, all prices will increase by $5. This is a great opportunity to learn more about solving those genealogy puzzles with the use of DNA.

Register Now

February Workshop: Advanced Excel for Genealogy

Spreadsheets can be a powerful tool to help you analyze your genealogical data and keep track of your research; and they are essential in managing your DNA information.

From 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, join BCG Certified Genealogist Mary Kircher Roddy as she presents a hands-on guide for the experienced spreadsheet user using Excel to gain perspective on and to further your genealogy research. For a more complete description, download the seminar flyer. Seating is limited to 30 people! Everyone gets a spot at a table. Participants should bring their (fully charged) laptops pre-loaded with Excel. Mary is an active member of Seattle Genealogical Society, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the National Genealogical Society. She has published articles in Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. For Early-Bird Registration on or before Jan. 31, the fee is $30.00 for GFO Members and $35.00 for non-members. You’ve got until tomorrow before the price increases $5 on Feb. 1.

Register Now

GFO Open House Brings 42 Free Events in March

It’s time for a genealogy conference in your backyard which doesn’t cost a dime! Save these dates for the 2020 GFO Genealogy Open House: March 13-22. Over these 10 days, the library is free to the public and everyone is invited to all classes. Of particular note, we have an Evening with Special Guest John Schmal on Mexican Ancestry, a Beginners Day, DNA Day, Software Day, and Irish Day. Check out the full schedule and save your favorite classes on your calendar. 42 events in all! It’s like having a free genealogy conference in your own backyard. Join us! There are no events that require registration this year.

News from the Library

Does anyone have research to do in Washington County, Indiana? Our most recent donation, listed below, is from the estate of Cindy Holsapple-Boone. Many thanks to her family for their generosity, and the help of her friend Trudie, who sent them cross country to the GFO.

New Books: • [Cemeteries] Washington County, Indiana, Posey Township, 1982, partial list 1983 • Affidavits and consents for persons making application for marriage license in Washington County, Indiana, years 1844-1877 • Bible records (Washington County (Indiana) Historical Society) • Celebrating Salem & Washington County, Indiana, 1814-2014 • Cemeteried [sic]:Franklin Township, Washington County, Indiana • Cemeteries in Pierce Township, Washington County, Indiana • Cemeteries of Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana • Census of Indiana Territory for 1807 • Death records, Washington County, Indiana, 1882-1950 • Divorce records for Washington County, Indiana, 1814-1921 • Early marriages in Indiana • Guardianships, 1820-1859, Washington County, Indiana • Map of Washington County, Indiana: showing the townships, sections, divisions & farm lands … • Obituaries, selected newspapers of Washington County, Indiana • Pioneer pickings, by Horace Heffren • Salem cemeteries, Washington County, Indiana • The Faris family of Washington County, Indiana: a genealogy of the descendants of William Farrie … • Washington County, Indiana Brown Township • Washington County, Indiana Franklin Township cemeteries • Washington County, Indiana Vernon Township cemeteries • Washington County, Indiana, Howard Township cemeteries, 1984 • Washington County, Indiana, Jackson Township cemeteries: copied from obituaries, death records, marriage records, family records, cemetery records, old church records • Washington County, Indiana, Jefferson Township cemeteries. • Washington County, Indiana, Madison Township, 1984: copied from death records, old church records, grave stones, obituaries, mortuary records, marriage records, newspaper items • Washington County, Indiana, Monroe Township cemeteries, 1985: copied from death records, old church records, grave stones, obituaries, mortuary records, marriage records, newspaper items • Washington County, Indiana, Polk Township_

New Digital Files • Alabama heritage: The Alabama Statehood Bicentennial Issue • Cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions of Benton County, Oregon, Index to volumes 1-5 • Genealogy news about our members, for our members (British Columbia Genealogical Society) • Inscriptions in St. Mary’s churchyard, Tickhill, Yorkshire, England • Last leaf (Montana) • Marriage records, Douglas County, Oregon: Book 1 (1852-1871) and Book 2 (1871-1879) • Mountain memories (Page County, Virginia) • Newsletter of Willamette Valley Genealogical Society • Portrait of an English parish church: St Mary the Virgin, Tickhill, Yorkshire • The Beall News • The Headhunter (Redondo Beach, California) • The Root digger (Solano, California) • Willamette Valley Genealogical Society News

Do You Have Professional Genealogy Skills to Offer?

Sometimes finding ancestors is just too daunting to do ourselves. Professional genealogists can help break down brick walls. The GFO lists the names and contact information of such researchers and other professionals on our Professional Resources page. Are you a professional and wish to be included? Some of the professionals have formal certification, some do not. All have experience in various facets of genealogy. You must be an active member of the GFO in good standing to be included. We invite you to submit your name, contact information and credentials to: info@gfo.org.

Surplus Books: Washington History Set of 4

Here’s a fun collection of Pacific Northwest history preserved in four editions of the Washington State Genealogical and Historical Review published in 1983. These four periodicals are retired library copies with a label on each spine. Each is in very good condition.

Featured stories include: Carbonado Mine Explosion December 9, 1899 The Great Seattle Fire June 6, 1889 The Pig That Went To War June 15, 1859 The Great Mount Baker Marathon August 10 & 11, 1911

Our price to pick up this set of four: $40 Price to ship to you: $45 If you’d like to buy these, email booksales@gfo.org.

Survey Results: Your Learning Style

Respondents had a lot to share about how they learn best. Reading in a book and hands-on workshop topped the list with one-on-one training and live presentations not far behind. Many indicated that a combination was best. Here are a few of the comments: • If it’s technology then a hands-on workshop is better for me. For genealogy I’ve found the online reading the best. • I teach adults and know about the four learning styles – very important that instructors understand how all students learn so that he/she can offer training that fits everyone.

• The advantage of an in-person lecture is being able to ask questions of the person you’re learning from while they’re fresh in your mind. • I’m a visual and kinesthetic learner. I learn best when seeing and doing—-not by just listening! Reading online is ok but reading it in a book makes it easier to go back to an example or reread an explanation without so much fumbling with the computer version. Also you can use post it note tabs to mark things that are important to you to be able to find [it] fast. • Learning depends on the topic. Some require reading, research; others hands on. • Too much rambling can turn me off and I may miss something important. Taking notes is also important as a means of learning. • I usually learn best by reading a paper or book (or online). But classes can be good too depending on the speaker/teacher. • I learn best when I have to teach something or explain it to another. Then it “sticks” and I don’t forget it.

New Survey: Vintage Family Photos This week’s survey asks about the oldest photo in your family history collection, what it is of, how old it is, and how you dated the image.

Take the Survey Now

Our Privacy Policy: No Sharing

The GFO never shares your information. Period. Our website uses cookies to function but not to collect information about you. How’s that for a succinct privacy policy?

This week at GFO … Saturday, February 1st Virginia Group 10:00 a.m. – Noon Topic: The Natchez Trace. Those of us with ancestors in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and more, may have ancestors who floated their goods down the Mississippi to sell, or fought with Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Maybe they fought in the Civil War battle of Shiloh, or were early settlers in Tennessee or Mississippi. If so, the Natchez Trace may have played a part in your family history. But even if it didn’t, this short-lived rough road played an important role in the settlement and growth of the United States. We’re going to talk about the “Kaintucks,” the Native Americans, the soldiers, a mysterious death that is still being debated today, and even the bandits along the Trace. And show photographs that might entice you to take a trip through history yourself. For more information see our blog: “Virginia Roots and Vines.” German Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join us as we provide information and inspiration for anyone with German speaking ancestors. We touch 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. Send questions to german@gfo.org. Sunday, February 2nd Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – noon Come and help us preserve the periodicals! We’ll be working to prepare periodicals for scanning and doing some scanning too! 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. Monday, February 3rd Free to Non-Members All Day A great time to sample our resources. Tuesday, February 4th Italian Group10:00 – 11:30 a.m. The Italian group is dedicated to promoting Italian family history and genealogy through education using nationally-recognized genealogical standards and practices. If you have any questions, feel free to contact facilitator Stephanie Silenti at italian@gfo.org. Wednesday, February 5th Learn & Chat 10:00 a. m. – Noon Join our “genealogy self-help” group. Please bring tales of your latest genealogy related adventures and a wish list of subjects to build our calendar. Facilitators: Jeanne Quan and Sandy Alto. learnandchat@gfo.org DNA Q&A: Beyond the Basics1:00 – 3:00 p.m. This meeting is for those who have already taken a DNA test, understand the results and have begun to use the results in expanding your family tree. The meetings begin with a presentation or discussion regarding current changes in DNA testing, different DNA testing tools and analysis methods. General questions are welcome at the end of each planned discussion. Lisa McCullough leads this group.. Questions? dna_qa@gfo.org. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 16, 2020

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Spring Seminar with Karen Stanbary: Solve Puzzles with DNA

Join us for our 2020 Spring Seminar, “Solve Puzzles with DNA,” on April 4 & 5, to be presented by nationally-recognized genetic genealogy author and educator Karen Stanbary, CG®, MA, LCSW. The Saturday, April 4 classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at Portland’s Center for Self Enhancement (SEI). Karen will guide experienced beginners and above in learning how to manage and interpret DNA evidence, then how to incorporate it into existing documentary research. As a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Karen will also provide guidance on managing conversations about unexpected DNA results. If you register now, the cost for GFO members for this full day is just $45 and for non-members, $50. The Sunday half-day classes on April 5 will be held at the GFO from 9:30 a.m. – noon. Deepen and expand your intermediate- to advanced-level skills as Karen presents more complex genealogy puzzles requiring more complex DNA evidence analysis. Early registration price for this half-day is just $25 for GFO members and $30 for non-members. Download the Seminar Flyer for more details. Take advantage of those Early-Bird Registration prices! On March 1, all prices will increase by $5. This is a great opportunity to learn more about solving those genealogy puzzles with the use of DNA.

Register Now

February Workshop: Advanced Excel for Genealogy

Spreadsheets can be a powerful tool to help you analyze your genealogical data and keep track of your research; and they are essential in managing your DNA information. From 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, join BCG Certified Genealogist, Mary Kircher Roddy, as she presents a hands-on guide for the experienced spreadsheet user using Excel to gain perspective on and to further your genealogy research. For a more complete description, download the seminar flyer. Seating is limited to 30 people! Everyone gets a spot at a table. Participants should bring their (fully charged) laptops pre-loaded with Excel. A frequent lecturer in the Seattle area, as well occasionally farther afield, Mary is an active member of Seattle Genealogical Society, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the National Genealogical Society. She has published articles in Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. For Early-Bird Registration on or before Jan. 31, the fee is $30.00 for GFO Members and $35.00 for non-members. The price increases $5 on Feb. 1.

Register Now

GenTalk: A Few Seats Still Available!

Come hear our panel of experts this Saturday, Jan. 18 from 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. as they present GFO’s January GenTalk, DNA and Genealogy for Crime Solving. Portland Police Bureau Detective Brendan McGuire, genetic genealogists Dr. Tim Janzen and Emily Aulicino, and crime victim advocate Laurel Smith will all be on hand to discuss various issues including the ethics of using DNA for law enforcement, the viewpoint of the victim and their family, the suspect’s privacy, what crimes should be allowed to use DNA, your choices and rights regarding your DNA, and the future of using DNA for law enforcement. We expect a lively discussion, so bring your questions! This event is free and open to the public, but online pre-registration is required. 4 seats have opened up, so register quickly to claim yours: gfo.org/DNApanel. The handout was updated yesterday, so if you downloaded it on Tuesday, please download the revised handout here.

People who are registered MUST arrive before 2:10 p.m. to claim your seat, because at 2:10 p.m. we will start giving away open seats to those on the wait list. Late arrivals will not be seated if there are no open chairs.

Register Now

Family Tree Maker (FTM) Questions: Yes or No?

___ I have FTM but haven’t installed it. ___ I’ve installed FTM but haven’t used it. ___ I have a tree on Ancestry I want to get into FTM. ___ I’ve got my tree in FTM but I need help. If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then plan to attend the FTM Beginners Meeting on Sunday, January 19th from 1-3 p.m. at the GFO. Laurel Smith will show you how to get off to a great start with this amazing family tree software program.

Look What’s Coming Soon

Webinar viewings are coming to the GFO on Monday mornings. Kristin Parks, education chair and Monday morning RA, has volunteered to set this up so anyone can come in to watch some of the latest free webinars from Legacy Family Tree Webinars. They’ll likely start about 11 am. More details to follow!

News from the Library

Here’s what’s new this week: New Digital Records: ▪ Ashley Addenda Annual ▪ Ashleys of America ▪ Ball Beginnings ▪ Barner Family Newsletter ▪ Bell Family Newsletter ▪ Bensonian ▪ Berry Bulletin ▪ Bishop Families in America ▪ Blauvelt News ▪ Blois Voice ▪ Johnson County [Kansas] Genealogist New Books: ▪ Deeds of Franklin County, Georgia, 1784-1826 ▪ Dictionary of German names ▪ German dialects: phonology and morphology, with selected texts ▪ The German language ▪ Irish famine immigrants in the state of Vermont: gravestone inscriptions ▪ One hundred fifty years in Pike County, Alabama, 1821-1971 ▪ The promise of the New South: life after Reconstruction ▪ The slaves’ war: the Civil War in the words of former slaves ▪ Trans-Appalachian frontier: people, societies, and institutions, 1775-1850 ▪ The way we lived in North Carolina

Do You Have Professional Genealogy Skills to Offer?

Sometimes finding ancestors is just too daunting to do ourselves. Professional genealogists can help break down brick walls. Or perhaps you need help organizing your research or using your database program. The GFO lists the names and contact information of those who can help on our Professional Resources page. Some of the professionals have formal certification, some do not. All have experience in various facets of genealogy. Are you a professional and wish to be included? You must be an active member of the GFO in good standing to be included. We invite you to submit your name, contact information and credentials to: info@gfo.org.

Surplus Book: Glassell Family of Scotland and Virginia

Here is a truly rare book you can own. 129 years ago, the Reverend Horace Edwin Hayden published a positively enormous volume called The Genealogy of the Glassell Family of Scotland and Virginia; also of the families of Ball, Brown, Bryan, Conway, Daniel, Ewell, Holladay, Lewis, Littlepage, Moncure, Peyton, Robinson, Scott, Taylor, Wallace, and others, of Virginia and Maryland.

This book runs 758 pages including the index and appendix. Rev. Hayden writes that it took “eight years of careful preparation.” This is a work of its era where the author glorifies the soldiers of the Confederacy in the U.S. Civil War. Ours is a rare book from 1891 which is in acceptable condition.

It is a retired library copy with crumbling paper edges, library marks, and some handwriting in the front and back. The binding is taped to hold the cover, while the pages inside are sound. Someone years ago pasted a newspaper article inside the front cover about the first settlers. 322 years before. Our price to pickup: $70 Our price to ship: $80 If you’d like to buy this piece of history, email booksales@gfo.org.

Survey Results: On the Road Again?

It looks like most of our respondents will be taking one or more trips this year, with most going to U.S. locations, followed by Europe, and then Canada.

And it’s good to know that many of you are going to dig into regional archives and advancing your education. We’d love to hear about the archives after your trip.

Here are just a few of the many comments we received: ▪ Genealogy Pre-conference at the American Library Association Sponsored by ProQuest. ▪ In September we will be attending the 400th Celebration of the Mayflower arrival in Plymouth MA. ▪ Have traveled to Northern England a few times over the last 10 years and passed through Leeds via train. Well, as luck would have it–3 yrs ago I found ancestors of my Grandmother Webster’s line! So this time I will be staying and visiting the addresses his documents have noted and hopefully finding more info. Very excited! ▪ Travel to RootsTech, IAJGS, and a teacher institute in Mobile, Alabama. ▪ It’s time to finally go to Ireland to see where my great-great-grandparents came from and find records available only there. ▪ Going to the Association for Gravestone Studies annual conference, June 23-28, 2020, this year in Austin, Texas. ▪ RootsTech and National Genealogy Society Conferences, both in Salt Lake City, so in addition to learning more, a chance to do some research too! ▪ I plan a return trip to central Wisconsin after a successful trip last September. ▪ Hoping to crash through a wall!

New Survey: Family History Library in Salt Lake City This week’s survey, that asks you about use of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, was one of the suggestions we received from our readers.

Take the Survey

This week at GFO … Saturday, January 18th Genealogy Problem Solvers No meeting this month. African American Group 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. This will be one of our quarterly “Bring Your Own Brick Wall” help sessions. Bring your problems, questions, and documents (copies, please, no originals if at all possible), and we will brainstorm to come up with information and suggestions that can direct your next steps and may help you solve some of your family mysteries. We will keep each person to one question until everyone has had an opportunity. Questions: african_american@gfo.org. GenTalk: DNA and Genealogy for Crime Solving 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. Act Quickly! Only Four Seats Available. Come hear firsthand about this trend from a panel of experts, including Portland Police Detective Brendan McGuire, genetic genealogists Dr. Tim Janzen and Emily Aulicino, and crime victim advocate Laurel Smith. See detailed description above for information on topics, downloading revised handouts, and registration. This event is free and open to the public, but online pre-registration is required. Sunday, January 19th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – noon We’ll be prepping periodicals for scanning and doing some scanning too. 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 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Held quarterly, this is a beginning class for Family Tree Maker users and for those considering a purchase. Questions? Or if you have Family Tree Maker topics you’d like covered, email Joyce and Laurel at FTM@gfo.org. French Canada Group 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Share stories of our history. Come and join this group to learn more about French Canadian ancestry and Acadia. The group leader is Bob LaMarche. FrCan@gfo.org. Wednesday, January 22nd PMUG College: Mac Basics 6:00 – 7:55 p.m. Come learn the 10 Basic things you need to know about a Mac and the latest operating system. To register: Call 503-228-1779; Email: college@pmug.org. Bring your Mac/iPad to participate with instruction. If you would like additional info for attending this class, please email us. Free to GFO and PMUG memberrs. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 9, 2020

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

You Did It! Thank You!

We can’t thank you enough! We made our fundraising goal! Our volunteer who processes donations found another $989 in checks in the mail this week. That is just enough to put us $173 over our $28,500 goal.

This helps tremendously to handle some unexpected cost increases that came in late last year. We are so grateful to all of you!

Spring Seminar with Karen Stanbary: Solve Puzzles with DNA

Registration is now underway for our 2020 Spring Seminar, “Solve Puzzles with DNA,” on April 4 & 5, to be presented by national genetic genealogy author and educator Karen Stanbary, CG®, MA, LCSW. The Saturday, April 4 classes, will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at Portland’s Center for Self Enhancement (SEI). Karen will guide experienced beginners and above in learning how to manage and interpret DNA evidence, then how to incorporate it into existing documentary research. As a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Karen will also provide guidance on managing conversations about unexpected DNA results. If you register now, the cost for GFO members for this full day is just $45 and for non-members, $50. The Sunday half-day classes on April 5 will be held at the GFO from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. Deepen and expand your intermediate- to advanced-level skills as Karen presents more complex genealogy puzzles requiring more complex DNA evidence analysis. Early registration price for this half-day is just $25 for GFO members and $30 for non-members. Download the Seminar Flyer for more details. Take advantage of those Early-Bird Registration prices! On March 1, all prices will increase by $5. This is a great opportunity to learn more about solving those genealogy puzzles with the use of DNA.

Register Now

February Workshop: Advanced Excel for Genealogy

Spreadsheets can be a powerful tool to help you in analyzing your genealogical data and keeping track of your research; and they are essential in managing your DNA information. From 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, join BCG Certified Genealogist, Mary Kircher Roddy, as she presents a hands-on guide for the experienced spreadsheet user using Excel to gain perspective on and to further your genealogy research. For a more complete description, download the seminar flyer. Seating is limited to 30 people! Everyone gets a spot at a table. Participants should bring their (fully charged) laptops pre-loaded with Excel. A frequent lecturer in the Seattle area, as well occasionally farther afield, Mary is an active member of Seattle Genealogical Society, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the National Genealogical Society. She has published articles in Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. For Early-Bird Registration on or before Jan. 31, the fee is $30.00 for GFO Members and $35.00 for non-members. The price increases $5 on Feb. 1.

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A Project in Need of Help

We are looking for an extremely detail-oriented person to create a complete archive copy of GFO’s Bulletin. We currently have shelf copies of our journal, going back to the 1950s, and we have an archive file of “original” unbound material. The problem: There are pages in the bound copies that are not in the archive file, and we’ve discovered that there are pages that are missing from both. What’s needed: One master copy that includes all pages we have and a list of missing pages. The deadline for competing that list: May 15, 2020. We have a volunteer going to Salt Lake City in May who will look at copies of the Bulletin held by the Family History Library to see if the missing pages can be found and copied. This would be a perfect job for two people to do together because it is challenging to turn and compare the pages in both without an extra pair of hands. The job must be done at the GFO but can be done on your schedule. If this sounds like a project you’d be willing to tackle, please contact Laurel at library@gfo.org.

News from the Library:What’s New in Digital Files

Family history periodicals: • Arthur Family Newsletter • Ballew Family Journal • Beatty Clearinghouse • Bell-A-Peal • Bilyeu Blood Lines • Bilyeu By You

Society Periodicals: • Root Cellar Preserves, Sacramento Genealogical Society • Cariboo Notes, Quesnel Branch, British Columbia Genealogical Society • The Arkansas Family Historian, Arkansas Genealogical Society • The Pioneer, Douglas County (Kansas) Genealogical Society • Digital Digest, Eastern Washington Genealogical Society • Skagit Valley Genealogical Society Summer Journal • The Berkshire Family Historian, (replaces Berkshire Genealogist) Berkshire Family History Association

New books (each followed by its call number: Glozier, Matthew. The Huguenot soldiers of William of Orange and the “Glorious Revolution” of 1688: the lions of Judah . Brighton [England] Portland, Or, Sussex Academic Press, 2002. 941 .Ethnic Hug Mil-Yr 1685-1688 Childs, John. The British army of William III, 1689-1702. Manchester, Manchester University Press, 1987. 941 .Mil-Yr 1698-1702 Army Chil O’Laughlin , Michael C. Families of Co. Clare, Ireland: from the earlist times to the 20th century : family surnames with locations & origins, including Old Irish, English and Anglo-norman settlers and settlements. Kansas City, MO, Irish Genealogical Society, 1996. 942.6 Clare .Biog Surn OLau An historical, environmental and cultural atlas of County Donegal. Cork, Ireland, Cork University Press, 2013. 942.6 Done .Hist-Au MacL Rosenthal, Caitlin. Accounting for slavery: masters and management. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 2018. 970 .Ethnic Black Slav Econ Rose Jarvis, Michael. In the eye of all trade: Bermuda, Bermudians, and the maritime Atlantic world, 1680-1783. Chapel Hill, Published for the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, Williamsburg, Virginia, by the University of North Carolina Press, 2010. 972.99 .Bus Marine 16 80-1783 Jarv Bolster, W. Jeffrey. Black jacks: African American seamen in the age of sail. Cambridge, Mass, Harvard University Press, 1997. 973 .Ethnic Black Marine Bols Hitt, Michael D. Charged with treason: ordeal of 400 mill workers during military operations in Roswell, Georgia, 1864-1865. Monroe, N.Y, Library Research Associates, 1992. 975.85 Fult Rosw .Mil-Yr 1864-1865 Hitt Wise, Erma (Clement). Pioneering days in Oregon. New York, Vantage Press, 1955. 979.55 .Biog Clem Wise Speidel, Bill. Sons of the profits, or, There’s no business like grow business: the Seattle story, 1851-1901. 979.75 King Seat .Hist-Yr 1851-1901

Surplus Book: 1918 Jefferson High School Yearbook

Step back in Portland, Oregon history with the Jefferson High School Spectrum from 1918. This is a yearbook to commemorate what was called then as the June Class. This edition, coming as it did at the end of World War I, includes a list of Jefferson students serving in the military and their branch. These old yearbooks are filled with advertisements from that era, as well as photos of class members and several pages of “prophecies” for many class members.

The cover of this 103 page yearbook is ratty on the edges, but the spine is sound and all pages inside are clean and in good condition. Our price to pickup: $20 Price to ship to you: $25 If you’d like this book, please contact booksales@gfo.org.

Survey Results:

Of those who responded (only 35) most report that they like the survey. And we got some great ideas for future surveys.

Here are a few responses to the question and some feedback about the survey: If you were doing the survey, what question(s) would you ask?

• Not about volunteer events but bona fide genealogical or research topics. • To keep it interesting, I would suggest doing it quarterly instead of more often. • Honestly, I really love the survey because it reflects the connections we have to our ancestors and each other. I think you do a great job coming up with the questions. Thank you for the time and work you put into it. • Of course my mind just went blank.

New Survey: Hitting the Road? Do your genealogy plans this year include travel? Might you be going to a conference or traveling to an archive? Tell us more in this week’s survey.

Take The Survey

This week at GFO … Saturday, January 11th Great Lakes Region Group 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. We welcome guest speaker Duane Funk who will discuss European Ports, Shipping Lines and Ships. A common question genealogists ask is: Exactly how did my ancestor get from Britain or Europe to North America? We will go beyond researching passenger lists and look at the ports themselves, the ships they served, and what the crossing was like. We look forward to gaining a new and richer understanding of the experiences of our immigrant ancestors. Questions? Contact us at greatlakes@gfo.org. Writer’s Forum 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join this 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 writers@gfo.org. Sunday, January 12th Library Work Party 9:00 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, January 14th GFO Board Meeting 6:10 – 8:10 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend. Wednesday, January 15th Learn & Chat 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The “Chat” portion of Learn & Chat has always been a lively unplanned discussion where we share successes, frustrations, challenges, tech tips, report on research trips, seminars, conferences and so on. The “Learn” portion goes back to the basics of genealogy. In the next several sessions we will be looking at the 3 aspects of the Genealogy Proof Standards as set forth by the Board for Certification of Genealogists in the “BCG Genealogical Standards Manual”. Join us to talk about your genealogy, support others and hopefully learn something new. Facilitated by Sandy Alto and Jeanne Quan. Send questions to: learnandchat@gfo.org. GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m.

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition January 2, 2020

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

2020: The Year of DNA

What’s the number one topic in genealogy circles? It’s got to be DNA. We’re learning so much more than many of us ever expected. If you want to know more than just a ballpark estimate of where your ancestors came from, it can get a bit complicated. On April 4 and 5, GFO is bringing the accomplished genetic genealogy educator Karen Stanbary in for our two-day Spring Seminar. To get the most out of her lectures, we’re offering you a chance to bone up on DNA basics and relevant tools between now and then! Jan. 25: DNA Advanced Group with Tim Janzen – 9 a.m. to Noon Feb. 5 & Mar. 4: DNA Beyond the Basics with Lisa McCullough – 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 19: DNA The Basics with Lisa McCullough – 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 22: DNA Beginners with Emily Aulicino – 9 a.m. to Noon Feb. 23: Workshop: Excel for Genealogy with Mary Kircher Roddy – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Paid registration required.) March 14: DNA Day at GFO Open House – Five classes to choose from. March 18: Jumpstart Your DNA Discoveries with Lisa McCullough – 1 to 3 p.m. March 22: Excel Spreadsheet Basics with Kendra Blumberg – 9:30 to 10:30 a.m Except for the Feb. 23 workshop, all classes are free and open to the public. Drop in and join us!

Honored Collections Get Recognition

The GFO Library depends on far more than financial donations. We owe a great debt of gratitude for the library’s 52,000 holdings to donors too. Two people in particular gave us absolutely enormous donations of books focused on specific geographic areas. Now, we are giving them the recognition they deserve in the stacks themselves. Merrill Mosher donated a vast portion of our Virginia holdings, and we would not have such an extensive collection of French Canada resources without George T. Brown. Look for signs on our shelves paying tribute to these distinguished donors.

Free Monday Reminder

Don’t forget, the GFO Library is free to everyone on the First Monday of each month. Our first Free Monday of the new year is Monday, January 6th.

Save the Dates for GFO’s Genealogy Open House

Mark your calendars! The GFO brings back its biggest event of the year March 13 through 22. The library is free every day, and we’re offering 42 free classes during this 10-day run! It’s like having a genealogy conference in your own backyard. And it doesn’t cost a dime! There are too many classes to list here, but they’re all on our website. Here are some highlights: • An Evening with Guest Speaker John Schmal on Mexican Ancestry • Beginners Day • DNA Day • Software Day • Irish Day • Full Library Access Save time to come learn about your favorite topics. And do us a favor, please tell a friend!

GFO Open House 2020

News from the Library: Digitized Society Periodicals

The library team has been working for the last few months to make our periodicals more user friendly. We’ve created digital files so that you can search every word in the publications when you visit the library. Each digitized periodical will have an icon to indicate it is an ePublication. Here are society journals we’ve done so far:

• Boulder Genealogical Society Quarterly (Colorado) • Circuit Rider (Sangamon County, Illinois) • Diggers Digest (Sutter & Yuba Counties, California) • Ohio Cross Road of Our Nation • Petticoat Gazette 1957-1959 (Seward, Alaska newspaper) • Redwood Researcher(Northern California) • Roots and Leaves (Eastern Nebraska) • Santa Maria Valley Genealogical Society Quarterly • The Genie (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas)

Want to help? Send a message to library@gfo.org or come to the Sunday work parties on January 12, 19, and/or 26. As a team, we’ll be prepping more items for scanning and doing some scanning too.

CGGS January Meeting

The Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society will meet from 10:30 a.m. – Noon on January 11, 2020 in the downstairs classroom at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. This months program will be the “Individual Research Assistance” project, where members collaborate with other members to solve their research dead ends or brick walls. The project will run both January and February. Members are encouraged to bring their laptops and their research data. A short business meeting will begin at 10:30 followed by the beginning of our research assistance project. There is no admission charge to the Discovery Center for attending our meetings. A $1.00 donation is appreciated to cover room rental. In case of inclement weather please call the Discovery Center at 541.296.8600 after 9:00 a.m. for cancellation information.

From Petticoats to Poodle Skirts: A Historical Fashion Tea

The West Linn Historical Society and the Friends of McLean House Park and House are again presenting this historical fashion show and tea event, “From Petticoats to Poodle Skirts: A Historical Fashion Tea,” on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the McLean House; West Linn, Oregon. Tea begins at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets will be on sale SOON. We are letting you know early since both seatings sold out quickly last year. If you are interested, check the WLHS website frequently to ensure your ticket.

Surplus Chart: Kings & Queens of Great Britain

We have an unusual bit of surplus historical fun to offer this week. “The Kings and Queens of Great Britain” is a large genealogical chart showing royal descent and relationships. It is a reprint of a chart that was published in 1776 by Crown

Publishers and is arranged to read through the centuries from left to right. Our copy of this chart is nearly perfect and quite framable! It’s dimensions after unfolding measure roughly 34“ by 48”.

Our price to pickup: $35 Price to ship to you: $40 If you’re interested, contact booksales@gfo.org.

Survey Results: New Year’s Resolutions

Last week, we asked you about New Year’s resolutions. Of those who responded, 49.1% said they were making a resolution, 27.3% were not, and 13.6% were undecided. Writing and sharing family history research were mentioned most often, as well as the desire to get organized.

Here are a few of the responses: • Learn the genealogy program on my computer. • Start writing the history for relatives! • Saving spare nickels to apply for a passport and use it to research “over there.” • Try to get my DNA data organized and my genealogy papers too. • Complete 3 more books relating to early Oregon ancestors, with one including such people as the first mail express rider, the first ferry owner in Oregon City, and the couple who donated the first cemetery for Hillsboro.

• Finish and submit all the projects required for BCG certification portfolio. • I’d love to build my grandmother’s tree to 5 generations and make her a poster by her birthday in May! • Send old photos and letters to “closer” descendants – from 50 to 125 year old items. My grandmother saved it all!

New Survey: We’re Curious!

Of course we are—we wouldn’t be asking all these questions if we weren’t. But seriously, we want to know if you like our weekly survey or not. And we’re giving you a chance to tell us what questions you’d ask if you were writing the survey each week.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Saturday, January 4th Virginia Group 10:00 a.m – Noon Colonial Migration Roots: For many of us, our genealogy story includes at least one tale of traveling a well-trodden path to make a better life. From the Wilderness Road to the Oregon Trail, numerous waves of migration have swept across the continent. To understand our ancestors, we need to understand the reasons that fueled their migration. This month we will look at various early migration routes and some of the reasons they were traveled. For more information see our blog: Virginia Roots and Vines. Contact Judi Scott and Carol Currency, at virginia@gfo.org with questions. German Group 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. To lead off our meeting, Christina Rainer will talk about the genealogy courses she is taking online. For our second topic, we ask you to bring a New Year’s genealogy resolution and let’s see if we can help each other “solve it.” If you would like more information about this group or have questions, please contact Mike Fernandez and Tia Cobb at german@gfo.org. Sunday, January 5th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – noon Come on in and lend a hand. First Sunday is dedicated to the work of the Manuscripts Committee. 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, January 6th First Monday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. GFO Library open to non-members for free. Tuesday, January 7th Italian Ancestry Group 10:00-11:30 a.m. The Italian group is dedicated to promoting Italian family history and genealogy through education using nationally-recognized genealogical standards and practices. If you have any questions, feel free to contact facilitator Stephanie Silenti at italian@gfo.org. Wednesday, January 8th GFO Library Open Late to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 9th Beginner’s Boot Camp 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. -This Event is now SOLD OUT–

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition December 26, 2019

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Genealogy Boot Camp for Beginners — only 1 seat left!

This popular class is nearly sold out! The next Boot Camp won’t be until Saturday, May 30. Class is geared for beginners and computer skills are a prerequisite.

All communications are done via email, and you must be able to download and print the class notes. GFO members may attend for free, non-members $20.

Register for Boot Camp

News from the Library: We’re Digitizing Periodicals

Look for this logo in our catalog for searchable digital periodicals. We’ve got a big improvement to announce! Until now, you’ve had to go through periodicals issue by issue and page by page in hope of finding something relevant. Now, you’ll be able to use a computer to search for any word or name in a decade’s worth of periodicals! We’re creating digital files that you can access when you visit the library. Each digitized periodical will have an icon in the catalog to indicate it is an ePublication. Here are the family history newsletters we’ve done so far:

▪ Adams Addenda ▪ A Day to Remember (Aday) ▪ Agnewsletter ▪ The Alden Letter ▪ Alee’s All Around ▪ Alexander Agenda ▪ Alton-Allton-Aulton Family Association Newsletter ▪ The Anderson Album ▪ Babb Family Association News and Notes ▪ Backenstoss Family Association of America ▪ Baker Family Newsletter ▪ Baldwin By-Lines ▪ Francis Ball Bulletin ▪ Barnard Lines ▪ Barnett Banner ▪ Barrett Branches ▪ Canfield Family Association Newsletter

Want to help? Send a message to library@gfo.org or come to the work party on Sunday January 29. As a team, we’ll be prepping more items for scanning–and the work will probably go on all day. So, if afternoon is better for you–here’s your chance to help.

Is a Train Blocking 11th? New Website Can Tell You

We’ve all long been frustrated with Union Pacific trains blocking SE 11th Ave. near the GFO for up to an hour. There’s nothing to be done about the trains, but now you can get a heads up if the trains are there. Save this website: https://isatrainblocking11th.com

Screenshot from website of isatrainblocking11th.com It’ll tell you if a train is currently blocking the tracks and for how long the blockage has lasted. A team from DevelopmentNow “used AI/machine learning, vision processing, predictive heuristics, and off-the-shelf hardware to build a cloud-based prototype of this application. After a bit of tweaking and testing, the application tells us with reasonable accuracy whether a train is blocking the intersection outside our window.“

Shhhhhhh, We’re Researching

Have you noticed what’s not in the GFO Library any more? Screeching chairs! We found some better chair glides that don’t make such a racket on the concrete floors. They may wear down faster and have to be replaced, but we think it’s worth it. Several members have already commented they like how quiet the chairs are.

Surplus Book: Willamette Valley History

Here’s a fun book for the Oregon history aficionado in your family. Robert Carlton Clark published History of the Willamette Valley Oregon in 1927. He covers geography, boundary disputes, early settlement, pioneer life, the Pony Express and railroads, politics, and more.

It’s a large volume filling 888 pages, complete with a thorough index and pages of photos. This book is in sound shape with a great binding. However, as a former library book, it contains marks on some pages. Elsewhere we’ve seen this book for sale for $70.

Our price for pick up at the GFO: $40 Our price to ship to you: $48 Please contact booksales@gfo.org if you’re interested.

Survey Results: Giving the Gift of Genealogy

Seventy percent of the people who responded are giving genealogy-related gifts this year. Here are some of the replies:

A y-DNA test for one brother, and an autosomal for the other . Trying to find their grandfather thru dna. A 23andMe test kit destined for a friend interested in knowing more about his paternal and maternal lines (the y-DNA and mtDNA haplogroup designations are included in the 23andMe ancestry test). And for another friend searching for an unknown grandparent: a Family Tree DNA “Family Finder” (autosomal) test kit.

Photographs and family trees I have already gifted an electronic copy of over 300 pictures from my deceased husband’s family to cousins of his that most have never seen.

I have given of my time to help others break down brick walls and learn how to use resources new to them. Then I helped someone who had forty years of pedigree charts and family group sheets in paper form only create a database. Hoping to convince that person of the usefulness of having a personal database. We also scanned a book of family photographs to be able to share copies with other family members.

A Civil War publication Our Cards – playing cards with pictures, vital statistics and other facts of 52 ancestors. I am gifting family and some genealogy research groups (including GFO) a copy of the 1841 Missouri to Oregon book once the copyright office approves the copyright.

New Survey: New Year’s Resolutions

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions about our genealogy. “This year I’ll get organized,” or “This year I’ll break through my brick wall.” What about you? Are you making any resolutions?

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Sunday, December 29th Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m Come on by, any time this Sunday. We’ll be prepping periodicals for scanning and doing some scanning too! Tuesday, December 31st Library Closed: New Year’s Eve Wednesday, January 1st Library Closed: New Years Day

THE GENEALOGICAL FORUM’s Thursday Evening E-News Edition December 19, 2019

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

gfo.org | 503-963-1932 | info@gfo.org Be sure to check the complete GFO CALENDAR. Also, don’t miss the current issue of The Forum Insider

Your Tax-Deductible Dollars Help Support the GFO

Thank you! We are a bit more than halfway to our fundraising goal! There is still time to make your tax-deductible, end-of-year donation to support the GFO’s mission and to give a gift that helps us preserve heritage to share with future generations.

Give Now to Our Annual Appeal

We have a Gold Star rating with GuideStar. Plus, there are ways to help maximize your chartiable giving. The GFO belongs to the Oregon Cultural Trust. Also, your employer may provide matching donations, especially through Benevity. The GFO opens it’s doors to all. We offer so many benefits to those who visit the library, search our website, or preserve their family history with us. Your support is crucial and so very appreciated.

Spring Seminar Update: New DNA Speaker

You may remember that, in October, we announced that Blaine Bettinger would be our speaker at our next Spring Seminar. Last month, Blaine contacted us apologizing profusely. He’d double-booked himself and could not come to Portland after all. Naturally, we were disappointed. But, we know how important DNA has become in genealogy, and wanted to keep this important topic. We were thrilled to learn that an exceptionally accomplished DNA expert is available. We’re proud to announce that Certified Genealogist® Karen Stanbary is coming to speak April 4 and 5 to help you Solve Your Puzzles with DNA.

Karen is an author and national lecturer focusing on using genetic evidence correlated with documentary evidence to solve genealogical brick walls. Her genealogical practice specializes in Midwestern U.S., Chicago, and Mexican research as well as complex problem-solving, unknown parentage, and DNA analysis. She is a coordinator and faculty member at GRIP, IGHR, and SLIG. She received the NGSQ Award for Excellence for her complex evidence case study incorporating traditional documentary research and autosomal DNA analysis in the June 2016 issue of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Registration for our GFO Spring Seminar opens on December 21. Be sure to get your seat early!

Genealogy Boot Camp for Beginners is Filling Up

Start 2020 off with a bang! If your goal is to start researching, get back to your research, organize what you’ve found, or just pick up a few good tips, then plan to join Laurel Smith on Thursday, January 9 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at the GFO for a day of beginning genealogy.

Basic computer skills are a prerequisite. All communications are done via email, and you must be able to download and print the class notes. Bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a beverage so you can keep going as the class does. GFO members may attend for free, non-members $20.

Register for Boot Camp

December Star: Kendra Blumberg

Kendra Blumberg is an organizational marvel. In her first year at the GFO, she helped us land a record number of donations for our spring raffle. This fall, she stepped in again to schedule speakers for the next Open House. In a whirl of efficiency, she filled most of the slots in just two weeks. Watch for her to teach some computer classes here soon too! Thank you, Kendra!

Your Last Minute Gifts Can Mean Cash for the GFO

Remember that when you shop for the holidays at AmazonSmile, each purchase nets a small donation for the Genealogical Forum Of Oregon, with no impact on the price you pay! It is a great way to tackle your last minute holiday shopping while helping the GFO. As of November 2019, the GFO has received over $820 from AmazonSmile! Every little bit counts.

New Tables Save Your Knees and Our Backs

We hope you like the new tables in our GFO classroom. You won’t whack your knees any more on the leg supports, because the cross bars are at the rear of each table. Also, these tables are super light weight. That makes it easier for us to move them around when we need to rearrange the table formations.

Surplus Book: Oregonian’s Handbook of 1894

We’ve got a unique piece of Oregon history available. The Oregonian’s Handbook of the Pacific Northwest was published as a hardcover book by The Oregonian newspaper in 1894. The “Handbook” describes itself as containing “a mass of interesting matter on the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Western Montana as well as extended mention of British Columbia and Alaska.” What follows are 631 pages of articles and

illustrations of life in this part of the country before the turn of the 20th Century. Take a step back in time by owning this piece of history. We’ve found this book for sale for $125 elsewhere. Our version is in good shape, still well bound, but has light damage on the

cover, on the title page, and has a few marks inside. Our price to pickup at the GFO: $70 Our price to ship to you: $78 Please contact booksales@gfo.org if you’re interested.

Survey Results: Holiday Genealogy Gifts

Results from last week: About 75% of last week’s respondents indicated that their wish list contained genealogy items. Here are some of the replies:

An Ancestry DNA kit for my sister (who’s not interested in genealogy). I bought it as a gift for myself. I just hope she takes it because I haven’t asked her yet! Back issues of the Virginia Genealogist by Dorman. I don’t make a list, I just gift myself what I want. My latest purchase was RootsMagic 8. I’m looking forward to it’s release.

Finding the son my aunt gave up for adoption in 1945. That the copyright office approves the book I submitted about the 1841 wagon train so it can be made available to all the people who have been asking for it.

Scholarship to GRIP. Travel to New England. The gift of memberships. Books! Time to visit where my ancestors lived.

And the survey editor thanks Juli for sending the spinach casserole recipe!

New Survey: Giving the Gift of Genealogy

This week, we’re asking if you are giving any genealogy-related gifts to others this holiday season.

Take the Survey Now

This week at GFO …

Saturday, December 21st No GenTalk this month Sunday, December 22nd Library Work Party 9:00 a.m. – Noon There’s always 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, December 24th GFO Closed – Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 25th GFO Closed – Christmas Day