The German Interest Group of The Eastside GenealogicalSociety (EGS)meeting

When: Friday, March 6, 2020 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm

(Doors open at 12:10 pm for networking)

Where:  Relief Society Room of the Latter-day Saints Church

             10675 NE 20^th St, Bellevue, WA 98004.     

Topic: “Friedrich Christian Eiler: Scoundrel, Bigamist and More” – Not all our ancestors are fine upstanding citizens, but Friedrich challenged all parameters of exemplary citizenship. But, who was Friedrich Eiler? The ability to combine fragments of identity to form a single individual is an important skill. This case study illustrates the techniques used to identify the unknown! 

Presenter:  Jill Morelli, cg^® lectures about her Midwestern, northern German and Scandinavian ancestors nationwide with a focus on intermediate and advanced methodologies, and unique records sets. After obtaining her credential as a Certified Genealogist, she began an online course sharing her experiences and demystifying the process of certification to all who are interested in going “on the clock.” She is presently the president of the Seattle Genealogical Society and a member of many others.

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

The German Interest Group

of The Eastside GenealogicalSociety (EGS)meeting

When: Friday, February 7, 2020 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm

(Doors open at 12:10 for networking)

Where: Relief Society Room of the Latter-day Saints Church

10675 NE 20^th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Topic: “More German Church and Civil Record Tips” – This presentation will enhance our prior programs with additional tips for 1) locating the German records in the United States and elsewhere, 2) reading the old German handwriting in those records and 3) translating the German words into English.

Presenter:  Dorothy Pretare started collecting family history in 1995 and is active in 2 local genealogical societies, leader of the EGS German Interest Group and a member of 3 societies in Minnesota.  In 2008, she visited her ancestral villages in old East Germany and present-day Poland.

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

The German Interest Group

of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS)meeting

When: Friday, January 3, 2020 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm

(Doors open at 12:10 for networking)

Where: Relief Society Room of the Latter-day Saints Church

10675 NE 20^th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Topic: “German Immigration Patterns Prior to the Revolutionary War” – There were 3 waves of German immigrants to America prior to the Revolutionary war.  He will emphasize the 3^rd wave of immigrants, those coming from 1717 to 1775. It’ll include where they came from and why plus where they went.  He will also cover why most did not come to America but went to Eastern Europe.  Much of his material is drawn from Hopeful Journeys, German Immigration, Settlement and Political Culture in Colonial America from the late 1600’s to the start of the Revolutionary war.

Presenter:  Bill Frisinger – His ancestor Ludwig Friderich Freysinger immigrated to Philadelphia in 1754.  The ship and where most of its immigrants came from are well documented but no one has any documentation of where in Europe he came from although most “know” where.  It is just that they are almost certainly wrong.  It is this puzzle that drew him into genealogy.  Later when he received a copy of a journal passed down on his maternal side, he began a more formal study of his ancestors.

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

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

When: Friday, November 1, 2019, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm

(Doors open at 12:10 pm for networking)

Where:  Relief Society Room of the Latter-day Saints Church

             10675 NE 20^th St, Bellevue, WA 98004.     

Topic: “Alsace Emigrations and Records” – A number of factors compelled emigrations not only from Alsace but also Lorraine, the Rhineland and Southwest Germany during the 18th and 19th centuries. Where did they go and why? This presentation will discuss those factors, however, the primary focus will be on Alsace and the records available.

Presenter: Melanie Matway became interested in genealogy as a teen asking her grandfather questions about family history when he spent a winter at their home in Southern California. Her interest renewed when she learned that church records for his family and other European ancestors had finally been microfilmed. In the last 10 years, Melanie has become the family genealogist and enjoys sharing what she has learned with other interested family members.

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

The German Interest Group

of The Eastside GenealogicalSociety (EGS)meeting

When: Friday, October 4, 2019, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm

(Doors open at 12:10 for networking)

Where: Relief Society Room of the Latter-day Saints Church

10675 NE 20^th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Topic: “Professional Time-Saving Research Tips” – Most of us have limited time and limited money. Saving time in working with records provides more time for research and reading. To save time, consider the tools we use, e.g. keyboard short-cuts and smart phone scanners. Consider our approach to research, to include going online before going off-line, keeping a research diary/journal as we research. Consider how to stay organized by building research lists and timelines. Learn a few of my professional time-savers that don’t cut corners.

Presenter: Janet Camarata is a genealogist with over 30 years’ experience. She currently leads the SKCGS Technology User Group and the SKCGS Genetic Genealogy/DNA Discussion Group and is a member of EGS, SKCGS as Director of Education, KCGS as newsletter editor and SVGS and presenter at the Northwest Genealogical Conference. She is currently a member of the GIG German Interest Group program committee. Janet is a graduate of the University of Washington Genealogy and Family History program.  She has a B.A. (Education) degree from Central Washington University and a master’s degree from Antioch University. 

German Interest Group URL

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



When: Friday, September 6, 2019, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm

(Doors open at 12:15 pm for networking)



Where:  Primary Room of the Latter-day Saints Church

             10675 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98004.


Topic: Genealogical Benefits of Facebook – Facebook can provide expertise, knowledge, and genealogical assistance on many facets to support your research. We will explore those benefits and demonstrate how to find the right pages or groups for your specific area of interest, and how to effectively access and search within groups, pages and your saved posts. Many of the examples address researching Germans from Russia.

Presenter: Marilyn Mullins Schunke – As a graduate of University of Washington’s Genealogy & Family History Certificate Program, Marilyn volunteered at Heritage Quest Research Library as a Board member, Education Coordinator and Volunteer Librarian. Technology is her forte and she presented Windows 10 and Digital Organization classes. She is a member of several local, state and national genealogy organizations. Marilyn will be presenting this same program at Concordia University’s Center for Volga German Studies in November.

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings. For more information about our Group, kindly visit our website at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/  .

The German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) will meet



When:  Friday, June 7, 2019, from 1 to 3 pm (Doors open at 12:40 for networking)

Where: Primary Room of the Latter-day Saints Church

             10675 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98004


Topic:  Four Corners – An opportunity for members to ask questions and receive assistance when using Ancestry, FamilySearch, Facebook and Google websites.  Four tables will be set up with a computer and internet connection at each.  Bring your questions and problems to the appropriate table(s) for answers and solutions.  Feel free to move at any time among any of the tables.   Our meeting time will be used to address as many questions as possible.

Presenters: Janet Camarata for Ancestry, Melanie Matway for FamilySearch, Marilyn Schunke for Facebook and Dorothy Pretare for Google.

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

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

Topic: Facebook: It’s not just for “Friends” – Much can be learned using Facebook for genealogy. We will investigate some WHYs, WHATs and HOWs regarding Facebook usage. I will show several examples of WHY I use Facebook for genealogy and WHY you might want to do so also. WHAT is available for genealogists on Facebook is found in the ultimate listing of genealogy Facebook pages. We will look at the list and show HOW to ensure you find the ones of potential interest to you. I’ve also found that WHAT is available on Facebook is birth, wedding, and death dates of family members which I did not previously have recorded. We will investigate HOW to use the various options available within Facebook: searching for a group, joining a group, searching within a group, saving posts to your own collection folders, accessing those saved posts when you are ready to process them, and many more. Join us to learn the benefits of using Facebook…a great tool for genealogists. You might learn a few computer usage tips along the way.

Presenter:  Marilyn Mullins Schunke – As a graduate of University of Washington’s Genealogy & Family History Certificate Program, Marilyn volunteered at Heritage Quest Research Library as a Board member, Education Coordinator and Volunteer Librarian. Technology is her forte and she presented Windows 10 and Digital Organization classes and served, and continues to serve, as Technical Assistant in Janet O’Conor Camarata’s genealogy courses at Pierce College. She is a member of several local, state and national genealogy organizations.

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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