Meet the Board: Roxanne Lowe

Sep19 by Roxanne Lowe

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Did you know we have an Executive Committee, six standing committee chairs and three appointed non-elected officers? Who are all these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them.

Roxanne in Havana, Cuba, April 2017

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Roxanne Lowe. Roxanne lives in McCleary (Grays Harbor County) and is WSGS’s web manager, on the blog team. Previously, she served as the Recognition Chair. She has been a member of the WSGS since 2008. She was named as a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2010. She’s a proud, long-time member of the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society, serving as president and newsletter editor of the GHGS Family Tree Searcher newsletter.

Roxanne in 1958

Roxanne was born in Aberdeen, Washington in January 1955, the first child of George and Patricia (Murphy) Ferbrache. She is the great-granddaughter of Patrick Murphy and Mary Donovan who moved to the Chehalis River Valley in the spring of 1888 from New Brunswick, Canada.

Roxanne’s interest in genealogy began as a child. Her paternal grandmother gave her a written family history, loaded with names, dates and locations. It was many years, however, before Roxanne learned enough about genealogy to realize that:

• Ferbrache may be spelled a multitude of ways.
• There may be more than one (or two or 10) Daniel Murphy’s, Lawrence Ryan’s – and even Thomas Ferbrache’s.
• Middle names are not a big deal in her family (Roxanne doesn’t even have one).
• Her descendants moved around – a lot – with little or no regard to leaving a paper trail.
• Whoever wrote that family history was a creative writer.

Patrick Murphy, Roxanne’s great grandfather

Fortunately for Roxanne, she joined the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society who taught her a thing or two about genealogy research. She’s attended many conferences, workshops and seminars – learning something new at each. She’s even traveled to Ireland and New Brunswick, Canada looking for Murphy’s and Ryan’s. Next on her travel wish list is to go to Guernsey in the Channel Islands (with side stops in London and Normandy) to visit her Ferbrache ancestral land.

Roxanne retired a few years ago from the Washington State Auditor’s Office in Olympia. She had previously worked for Governors Gregoire and Locke as a project manager on the welfare program (TANF) and performance measure program (GMAP) . When not searching for her family history, she enjoys scrapbooking, quilting, sewing, machine embroidery and just about every other paper and fabric art. She and her husband Gary have five children and nine adored grandchildren. You can often read about Roxanne’s fun-filled adventures with her grandchildren on her Facebook page.

A few more interesting tidbits about Roxanne:
• Favorite genealogy websites: Ancestry, MyHeritage and Google
• Favorite color: Red
• Favorite dessert: Apple pie
• When asked for one word that described her, she replied, “Busy!”

Now you know a little more about another of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Roxanne say hello and thank her for her service to WSGS.

Kids and Genealogy Event in Hoquiam

Jun17 by Roxanne Lowe

The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society and Hoquiam Library are co-sponsoring a “Kids and Family Genealogy” event on 08 July, 10:30 – noon at the library, 420 7th Street in Hoquiam. Library staff and GHGS members will help kids learn about searching for their ancestors. For more information, visit the library website or contact Info@GraysHarborGenealogy.com.

Grays Harbor Genealogical Society May Meeting

Apr13 by Roxanne Lowe

The next meeting of the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society will feature Jerry Schaefer, a local character known as gunslinger “Doc Shores” in Western reenactment events. Jerry will be changing hats, however, to talk about the Spruce Production Division, a unit of the U.S. Army established in 1917 to produce high-quality Sitka Spruce timber and other products needed to make aircraft for the U.S.’s efforts in World War I. The division had a large impact on logging in the Pacific Northwest. Logging companies adopted working conditions similar to those the division had.

The meeting is Saturday, May 13, 10:00 a.m. at the Hoquiam Library, 420 7th Street, Hoquiam. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email GHGS.

Genealogical Serendipity in Aberdeen

Apr3 by Roxanne Lowe

The “ah ha” moment as captured by photographer Elaine Anderson.

You never know when you’re going to experience one of those stranger-than-fiction “genealogical serendipity” moments that happen ever so often.

While speaking at the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society‘s Spring Workshop recently, professional genealogist Janet Camarata displayed an old Osborne County, Kansas land map of her ancestor Elzy Emmet Curry during her “Mapping an Ancestor” presentation. As she talked about Elzy (who married Ella Adeline Shull in 1890), Patty Olsen, Washington State Genealogical Society Region 4 representative and member of the Lewis County Genealogical Society, exclaimed, “That’s my ancestor, too!” After the initial shock, attendees witnessed the newly discovered cousins finding their common roots through Patty’s husband’s ancestor Ella Adeline, Elzy’s wife.

You never know when or where you’ll meet your long-lost cousin!

Janet Camarata Workshop Coming to Aberdeen

Feb3 by Roxanne Lowe

The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society is hosting a 2-session workshop with Janet O’Conor Camarata on Saturday, 11 Mar at the Museum of History in Aberdeen from 1:00 – 3:15 p.m.

The workshop topics will be “Immigration and Naturalization Records” and “Mapping an Ancestor.” Attendees that register before 03 Mar are able to attend a free bonus lecture from 10:00 – 11:30, also at the Museum of History.

More information, including a registration form, visit the GHGS website.

Share Your Passwords

Oct22 by Roxanne Lowe

Pam Hagedorn with her First Citizen certificate, 2008

In this crazy time of electronic computer hacking, it’s exceedingly unusual to be told to share your computer passwords, but that’s what I’m encouraging you to do — for a very good reason.

One year ago, Pam Hagedorn, one of the most treasured members of the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS), passed away suddenly. She had been the society’s long-time Treasurer (and WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2005), managing their monies and membership with the utmost organization and efficiency. After the initial shock of her passing, members knew they needed to update financial accounts so the society’s bills could be paid, dues and donations collected and other financial activities conducted. They soon realized that Pam was the only keeper of all the financial and business records, including passwords to online banking, PayPal and other financial institutions. It was difficult to approach Pam’s grieving husband for access to the records and passwords, but he knew Pam kept meticulous records that the society needed. After some initial confusion, including not realizing all that Pam “just handled,” the society’s financial course got back on track.

The lesson GHGS learned was that no single member of a society (or any organization) should be the sole keeper of passwords, URLs, account numbers, etc. Please share that information with another member or two of your society or purchase password management software. One more suggestion is to have each of your society officers write a step-by-step procedural guide — a lesson for a future “Society Support” blog post.

Fae Jacobs Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

Mar17 by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Fae Douglas Jacobs

Today we’re introducing Fae Douglas Jacobs of Hoquiam, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS). She was recognized for her dependable, committed volunteer efforts.

Ms. Jacobs has been a member of the GHGS since June 2008. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the society, having served in positions of trustee, library chair board member, refreshment chair and co-chair of the obituary committee. She is currently serving her second term as the society’s secretary.

Ms. Jacobs promptly and accurately fulfills her job responsibilities such as record keeping and reports. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with members and the public, volunteering 10-12 hours per month at the society’s research library and participating bi-annually in their “Genealogy Café” held in several Grays Harbor County communities in connection with the Timberland Regional Library system.

Ms. Jacobs is a valued and hard-working member of the GHGS and richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Writing an Obituary Worth Reading — Grays Harbor GS

Feb19 by Roxanne Lowe

How would you like to be remembered? What’s important to you? Writing an obituary means you’re writing about what is most important in your life . . . not about death. Obituaries are a last (and lasting) chance to share with others about your life, accomplishments and family.

You’re invited to the next Grays Harbor Genealogical Society meeting to hear Olympia-area author Martin Kimeldorf talk about his new book “Writing An Obituary Worth Reading, a Guide to Writing a Fulfilling Life-Review.” In addition to talking about changing attitudes toward life and death that affect obituary writing, Mr. Kimeldorf will also share both humorous and serious obituaries. He’ll also answer questions, share writing tips, and autograph his book.

Join us on Saturday, March 12, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at the Hoquiam Timberland library (upstairs meeting room), 420 7th St, Hoquiam. No reservations needed.

For more information, email Info@GraysHarborGenealogy.com.

Bob Edwards Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

Feb17 by Roxanne Lowe

Today we’re introducing Robert “Bob” Edwards of Manchester, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS). He was recognized for his dependability and “sure, we can” attitude.

Robert “Bob” Edwards

Although a member of the GHGS for only three years, Mr. Edwards has already made an impact, serving his second term as a trustee in 2015. He joined the society because of his familial ties to the area, even though he lives more than 90 miles away. Besides attending monthly society meetings, Mr. Edwards makes the 90+-mile journey at least twice a month to work at the society’s research library. His dedication to the library is greatly appreciated by members and the public.

When the society sponsors workshops or other events that require setting up and tearing down, Mr. Edwards is always there to lend a hand.

Mr. Edwards’ experiences and willingness to volunteer and participate in society meetings make him an important asset to the society. For those reasons, he richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

State Archives’ Southwest Regional Property Search Challenge…Answered!

Aug29 by Roxanne Lowe

Patrick Murphy home, Montesano, Washington, circa 1914. Used by permission of the Murphy Family Archives.

In the May 2015 edition of Out of the Archives, Maggie Cogswell, Washington State Archives Assistant Research Archivist in the Southwest Regional Branch, offered to assist with challenging property research within the Southwest Region of the state (Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties). Maggie received a letter from Roxanne Lowe* interested in learning more about her family’s property in Grays Harbor County (pictured here). Always up for a challenge, Maggie started this project in earnest, learning more about the Murphy family from Montesano than she knows about her own!

Follow Maggie’s journey here, and learn about how she used the records in the Washington State Archives to begin a quest to uncover as much information as she could for her researcher. You may just get inspired to research your property!

If you’d like to know more about your home, contact the regional branch that serves your county. Or–“Ask An Archivist!” and they’ll help you get started.

*Roxanne Lowe is a member of the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society, WSGS Recognition Chair and a member of the WSGS Blog Team.

Washington State Genealogical Society Blog

Tag Archives: Grays Harbor Genealogical Society