Tag Archives: Grays Harbor Genealogical Society

Grays Harbor Genealogical Society May Meeting

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

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

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

by Roxanne Lowe
Pam Hagedorn with her First Citizen certificate, 2008

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

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

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

by Roxanne Lowe

Logo_New_edited-1How 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

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.

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

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!

by Roxanne Lowe
MurphyHouse

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.

 

Marlene Payne Honored as Outstanding Volunteer in 2014

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 400 outstanding volunteers, 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 2014 award recipients and learn why they received the 2014 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Marlene Whiteman Payne of Elma, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS). She was recognized for her dedication in identifying and preserving historical documents of importance and value related to families and locations in Grays Harbor County, Washington.

Marlene Payne

Marlene Payne

Ms. Payne has been tireless in her efforts to collect Grays Harbor records, generously donating her research and documents to the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society’s research library. To date, the GHGS library holds more than 200 volumes of records, donated by Ms. Payne, including funeral records, cemetery records, birth and death certificates, especially focused on East Grays Harbor County.

Ms. Payne is the GHGS’s behind-the-scenes archivist. For all she researched, preserved and donated, she 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.