Tag Archives: Northeast Washington Genealogical Society

Jim Witham Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Jim Witham of Colville, Washington, who was nominated by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society.

Jim Witham

Jim has been a longtime member of NeWGS and is always ready to help where needed. Much of that need has been with the maintenance of Evergreen Cemetery in Stevens County. He has spent countless hours mowing and helping with general maintenance of the cemetery. He has also served as the society’s publicity chairman for many years, picks up the mail on a regular basis and is the society’s resident audio/visual go-to guy at their seminars.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Barbara McGill Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Barb McGill

Today we’re introducing Barbara McGill of Usk, Washington, who was nominated by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society (NeWGS).

Barb is currently serving as NeWGS’s vice president. She jumped into the position full-speed ahead! One of the main responsibilities of the vice president is to line up the society’s monthly programs and she has done an outstanding job. Even through the pandemic, Barb managed to provide interesting and informative classes each and every month, adapting to the virtual world to present them.

Although admittedly not a computer whiz, she also agreed to maintain the events page on NeWGS’s website.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.

Evergreen Cemetery Team Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Evergreen Cemetery Team that was nominated by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society (NeWGS). The team was comprised of Lora Rose, Jayne Evans, and Jim Witham.

NeWGS’s Evergreen Cemetery Team

This amazing team of volunteers has worked diligently to make the area’s pioneer Evergreen Cemetery a thing of beauty while honoring those interred there. They have done everything from clearing brush, picking up pinecones, mowing and weed whacking, repairing damaged stones, and repairing fence. Lora Rose, the team leader, has also spent hours researching each and every burial, posting information to the NeWGS online Evergreen database and responding to inquiries concerning the inhabitants.  Everything accomplished at the cemetery over the past several years is because of this dedicated team and they make NeWGS very appreciative and very proud.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award.”

Norma Yost Awarded 2017 Outstanding Volunteer Honor

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 500 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 weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2017 award recipients and learn why they received the 2017 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Norma Yost

Today we’re introducing Norma Yost of Colville, Washington, who was nominated by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society (NeWGS). She was recognized for her dedication to the preservation of a local pioneer cemetery.

Since joining in 2014, Ms. Yost has been involved in the clean-up and maintenance of Evergreen Cemetery in Colville, a local pioneer cemetery established in 1868. She is a favorite speaker at NeWGS meetings, and has been a member of the board of directors serving as member-at-large and currently as librarian. As librarian, Ms. Yost has used her talents to design outstanding displays for National Family History Month. She is also a gifted seamstress and has personalized NeWGS vests by embroidering their names on them.

Ms. Yost is a respected and diligent member of the NeWGS. Her accomplishments and dedication illustrate that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2017 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, Interim Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Northeast Washington Genealogical Society Civil War Tombstone Dedication

by Charles Hansen

On Saturday, July 1st, NeWGS held a very special dedication ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery in Colville to honor and memorialize the burials of four American Civil War veterans. Extensive research by our Evergreen Cemetery Chairperson, Lora Rose, had turned up four Civil War soldiers who are definitely buried in Evergreen but the exact location is unknown since they have no headstones.With the assistance of our local monument maker, Colville Monument Works, a new headstone was created honoring those four soldiers. Emceeing the ceremony to dedicate that stone was Gordy Struve, a member of NeWGS and Sons of the Union Veterans of the CivilWar. Also participating in the ceremony were the Washington CivilWar Association, Artillery Division, and Boy Scout Troop #921. General Ulysses S. Grant (aka Don McConnell) was even in attendance. The stone was placed in the plot already dedicated to honoring our CivilWar soldiers highlighted by the Corse monument originally erected in 1912 through donations by the local school children.

Meet the Board: Donna Potter Phillips

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.

Donna Potter Phillips

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Donna Potter Phillips. Donna lives in Spokane and is WSGS’s Vice President, Communication Chair, on the Blog Team, and Region 7 Representative for Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens Counties. She also served as WSGS Vice President a number of years ago. She is a proud member of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society where she has been president (twice!), program chair, newsletter editor and held “jack of all” jobs. She is currently EWGS’s Federation of Genealogical Societies’ representative and Education chair.

Besides being a member of WSGS (since 1984) and EWGS, Donna is a member of the Mayflower Society, DAR, St. Clair County (Illinois) Genealogical Society, National Genealogical Society, Whitman County Genealogical Society and the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society. In addition, Donna was named a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2008 and 2014. That’s a lot of genealogy, but that’s what Donna does!

Donna, age 5

Donna Ruth Potter was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Francis Harold and June Magdalen (Gurney) Potter. She was named for the heroine Lady Dona in Daphne Du Maurier’s 1941 novel “Frenchman’s Creek.”

Donna and her husband John are the proud parents of three, grandparents of eight and great-grandparents of 2-3/4 great-granddaughters.

Donna’s been interested in genealogy for more than 40 years – since she first learned she was a direct descendant of Englishman William Bradford of the Mayflower. She got “hooked” in 1971, joined EWGS in 1976 and has been researching, sharing, educating and promoting genealogy ever since. One of her favorite experiences was going with her son Benjamin and his son Austin to Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane to see a B-52 bomber jet on display. According to the serial number on the plane, it was one Donna’s father flew as an Aircraft Commander in the U.S. Air Force. Such serendipity! And speaking of “serendipity,” Donna publishes a weekly feature on the WSGS Blog called “Friday Serendipity” – assorted musings to entertain one and all. She also publishes “Monday Mystery,” “Tuesday Trivia,” and “Wednesday Nostalgia.”

On Donna’s ever-growing genealogy To Do List:
• Get all her genealogy research and information in order in case…well, you know.
• Upload her photos to www.Forever.com.
• Put her family tree on Ancestry, FamilySearch and MyHeritage.
• Make sure her list of contacts and passwords are updated.

When Donna’s not doing genealogy, she enjoys gardening (both inside and out), reading, rock collecting, taking educational classes and travel, including her ancestral homelands: Germany, England and Wales. She’s also a devoted dachshund lover!

A few more interesting tidbits about Donna:
• Favorite genealogy sites: Ancestry, FamilySearch and the Washington Digital Archives
• Favorite color: red
• Favorite dessert: Anything chocolate
• Word or phrase that describes her: Outspokenly energetic!

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

NE Washington Genealogical Society Civil War Headstone Dedication

by Charles Hansen

Evergreen Cemetery

Headstone Dedication Ceremony

Saturday, July 1, 2017

1:00 PM

(Located on Aladdin Road about 1 mile north of Highway 20)

Honoring four American Civil War veterans whose burial locations are unknown

Genealogy can sometimes produce a great “who dunnit.” Stevens County auditor’s records have been an indexing/scanning project of the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society for many years. Over the winter of 2015, a couple of shining stars emerged that had been waiting for us to find.

Amongst the neat little boxes tied with cotton string was a letter to the Stevens County Commissioners asking them to appropriate funds and issue a warrant to D. J. Zent for a burial plot at Evergreen Cemetery for all old veterans (dated April 13, 1899, Colville, Washington). He states: “As a veteran of the late war I with others have had the care during the sickness and death of George B. Williams an ex-soldier of the Civil War and a member of the 12th Michigan Cavalry – and after his death I contracted for a lot in the cemetery near Colville known as the Evergreen Cemetery agreeing to pay therefore – The lot contains room for 20 graves – and the price to be paid is ten ($10) dollars.”

Further research shows the commissioners approved the appropriation and issued a warrant at the next Commissioners meeting in April, 1899, thereby the County owned the plot for old soldiers to be buried in. Evergreen Cemetery has many unmarked graves but George B. Williams was not listed in our enumeration of the interments. After 18 months of extensive research, we are no closer to identifying George B. Williams other than to say he served and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery. The research also unearthed three other men who are Civil War Veterans with grave sites of unknown location. These veterans are William Aldridge, Dennis Huntley, Jr and James (Benjamin) Moore.

On Saturday, July 1, 2017 a memorial dedication ceremony honoring these veterans will begin at 1:00 pm at Evergreen Cemetery located on Aladdin Road about 1 mile north of Highway 20. Included in the program is Gordy Struve (Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War) emcee, Boy Scout Troop #921 presenting the colors, Pastor Dave McCue (Colville Community Church) offering the blessings, Colville High School trumpeters playing “Taps” and NeWGS members Gary Sheehan, Lora Rose and Jim Witham laying wreaths and a rose. Also attending is Major Gary Michie and his reenactors of the Washington Civil War Association displaying artillery. The community is invited to attend.

Northeast Washington Genealogical Society Fall Seminar

by Charles Hansen

NeWGS 2017 Fall Seminar

A Day with Dollarhide
Saturday – September 16, 2017
To be held at the Ambulance Shack
      at the north end of Colville (just east of the Roundabout)
Saturday, September 16th the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society will be holding their 36th annual Fall Seminar at the “Ambulance Shack” located at the North Roundabout in Colville.
The featured presenter will be William Dollarhide; renowned genealogy lecturer and author. He has been in pursuit of his family origins since 1971 and involved professionally with genealogy since 1980. He has written over 120 published magazine articles relating to genealogical research; has developed several software systems for genealogy; and he is the author of over 30 books, including Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920, one of the best-selling genealogy books of all time
Topics for our workshop include:
  American Migration Routes, 1750-1800

 Using Deeds to Trace the Trails of Your Ancestors

 You Know About Census Records But What About Census Substitutes?

 Civil War Genealogy

 

Mr. Dollarhides numerous books will be available for purchase during breaks and lunch.

Mark your calendars now! You don’t want to miss this one. In fact, why not bring a friend? Remember you don’t have to be a member to attend.
Registration is at 8:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Lunch is included. The Registration Form is attached below. Please contact Karen Struve at 509-690-8380 should you have questions.
Download: NeWGS Fall Seminar Registration Form

Northeast Washington Genealogical Society Fall Seminar

by Charles Hansen

Saturday, September 16th the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society will be holding their 29th annual Fall Seminar at the “Ambulance Shack” located at the North Roundabout in Colville.
The featured presenter will be William Dollarhide; renowned genealogy lecturer and author. He has been in pursuit of his family origins since 1971 and involved professionally with genealogy since 1980. He has written over 120 published magazine articles relating to genealogical research; has developed several software systems for genealogy; and he is the author of over 30 books, including Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920, one of the best-selling genealogy books of all time
Topics for our workshop include:
  American Migration Routes, 1750-1800

 Using Deeds to Trace the Trails of Your Ancestors

 You Know About Census Records But What About Census Substitutes?

 Civil War Genealogy

Mr. Dollarhides numerous books will be available for purchase during breaks and lunch.

Mark your calendar now! You don’t want to miss this one. In fact, why not bring a friend? Remember you don’t have to be a member to attend.
Registration is at 8:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 9:00 a.m. For more details please visit our website at www.newsg.org or call Karen Struve at 509-690-8380.