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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing Kerry McHugh Upton of Olympia, Washington, who were nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).
For 20 years, Kerry has been a strong leader and encouraging member of OGS. She has served as president and secretary, and assisted on committees and teams planning the annual seminars, retreats and other special events. In 2019, she organized a number of special interest groups, which are still going strong.
Kerry established OGS’s first Facebook page. She initiated recording of monthly programs, posting them for member viewing on the website. Then, in 2020, when OGS learned that their seminar had to be cancelled because of the pandemic and social isolation, Kerry worked tirelessly to choreograph their first virtual seminar, in just one month’s time, cementing her place as a member of the newly formed tech team. Today, she is helping plan how to hybridize future meetings to be both physical and virtual.
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.
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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing Bob Monn of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).
Joining OGS in 2015, Bob accepted the position of membership lead in 2017. Not only tracking membership and dues, he quickly began suggesting ways to improve the processes of joining and renewing membership and ways to attract new members.
In 2018, Bob took leadership in building OGS a comprehensive new website, adding new features such as a membership directory, access to the library directory, electronic registration for events, and PayPal for payments and contributions. He has been persistent in leading OGS to make use of new technologies to improve and streamline many operations, clearly teaching and gently leading those stuck in old methods and practices.
Working quietly behind the scenes, Bob’s contributions benefit the work of secretary, treasurer, board, newsletter team, publicist, program team, special interest groups, and every aspect of society business practices. With humor and professionalism, he helps OGS to better serve its members and community.
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.
Where There Is – or Isn’t – a Will — Where there’s a will, there’s a probate. And often when there isn’t a will, there’s still a probate. Understanding the process and finding the records created when our ancestors died can help break through those brick walls.
Property Rights and Wrongs – African-Americans at the Courthouse — From being treated as property to having their children and their property stolen by those who used the law against the freedmen, African Americans’ experience at the courthouse had only one bright spot: it created records for the genealogist-descendants of enslaved and enslavers alike.
Linking the Generations with Court and Land Records — It’s the single biggest issue genealogists face: how do we connect one generation to the next with evidence we can rely on? Vital records are excellent documentation, but they often don’t exist for the time and place we’re researching. That’s when we have to find workarounds to make sure we’re not simply putting people into family lines because they share the same names. Using court and land records, we can often find the evidence we need to link the generations accurately.
“Don’t Forget the Ladies” – A Genealogist’s Guide to Women and the Law — In early America, women were all too often the people who just weren’t there: not in the records, not in the censuses, not on juries, not in the voting booth. The common law relegated women to “protected” – second-class – status, and understanding how they were treated under the law provides clues to finding their identities today.
Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogist®, is a genealogist with a law degree who provides expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history intersect. An internationally-known lecturer and award-winning writer, she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist® and Certified Genealogical Lecturer℠ from the Board for Certification of Genealogists®. Her blog is at https://www.legalgenealogist.com.
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 Kathy Erlandson of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).
Kathy Erlandson
Kathy is completing her third year (2019-2022) as president of the Olympia Genealogical Society. She served as vice president the two prior years and earlier served as secretary.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the period of her presidency arguably was one of the more difficult periods for OGS and Kathy’s leadership through it was stellar. Like many other organizations, OGS quickly moved from in-person activities to virtual activities including their Spring Seminar, their major event of the year.
Membership at OGS has increased substantially, and they greatly expanded their Special Interest Groups. In short, OGS not only survived this period, they’ve thrived and Kathy’s skills as a “people person” and her ability to bring people together to get stuff done has been a major factor. Not only has she been a great leader OGS, she always is ready to jump in to help anywhere needed.
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.
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 Norman Dodge of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).
Norman Dodge
Norman has been a member of the Olympia Genealogical Society for decades. He served as president of the society from 2008 – 2011. He has also been one of those all-important background volunteers. When OGS was meeting in person, he helped with setup and takedown at meetings and other events.
Along with his wife Eileen, he has assisted a great many people with their research and finding “lost” information, ancestors, and other relatives at drop-in genealogy sessions held at the Olympia Timberland Library.
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.
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 Eileen Dodge of Olympia, Washington, who was nominated by the Olympia Genealogical Society (OGS).
Eileen Dodge
Eileen served as president of the Olympia Genealogical Society for a number of years. She was membership chair for several years, as well as the newsletter editor. Eileen was in charge of both goodie bags and door prizes for the OGS seminars for many years and she and her husband Norman are there to help with setup and takedown as well at meetings and other events.
Eileen has also been a presenter at the Beginners Workshops for a number of years. Along with Norman, she has assisted a great many people with their research and finding “lost” information, ancestors, and other relatives at drop-in genealogy sessions held at the Olympia Timberland Library.
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.
What?: October Olympia Genealogical Society Monthly Member Meeting
When?: Thursday, Oct 14th, 7:00pm
Where?: virtual via Zoom link available on the OGS website: olygensoc.org
Why?: We all have a story and sharing with others may lead to new discoveries. Come share your family lore or maybe you have ghost story or two to share. Members and those interested in genealogy are welcome to attend. Questions about becoming a member: membership@olygensoc.org. Thank you, Mandy StahreOGS – Publicity chair
Olympia Genealogical Society’s March meeting on March 11 will be a LIVE WEBINAR with Thomas MacEntee presenting Genealogy Tech Talk. You may submit questions (concise! specific issues!) before Friday, March 5 at https://forms.gle/sRidycHQP6jP5g4w9
Thank-you JOYCE OGDEN/ PUBLICITY
=======================================================================
Joyce T. Ogden
jtogden@comcast.net
Olympia Genealogical Society member Joyce Ogden lived in a house in Brockport NY for 20 years where the backyard ended at the Erie Canal, but she had no idea then that there was a personal family connection. As she later discovered, however, she had THREE ancestors who had died in the canal in different years and in different circumstances. This presentation will include color photos, black-and-white photos, genealogy charts, a map or two, and newspaper clippings. It may bore you with some spreadsheets, but it will send you out with historical Erie Canal music.
This virtual presentation via ZOOM will be given at Olympia Genealogical Society’s monthly meeting on Thursday, February 11 at 7 pm. Access our website at https://OlyGenSoc.org and look for directions there.
“Academic Archives and How to Use Them in Your Research” is the title of the Olympia Genealogical Society’s December 10 Virtual meeting. Mark O’English and Gayle O’Hara from the Washington State University will give us a look at the types of materials held in archives and special collections at colleges and universities, what you can expect to find there, and how to find materials around the region and the country useful to your genealogy. They will share relevant collections, examples from genealogy researchers they’ve aided, and tools for identifying and locating resources. We’ll learn how academic special collections can help, both in today’s complex outbreak times and when we return to “normal.” To access the virtual meeting, log onto our website https://OlyGenSoc.org a few minutes before 7 pm on Thursday, Dec. 10 and follow the entrance code given. Questions, info@OlyGenSoc.org Thank-you JOYCE OGDEN, Publicity
=======================================================================
Joyce T. Ogden
jtogden@comcast.net
You are free to copy articles to any non-commercial web site or message board or printed publication you wish. Don’t bother to ask permission, just do it.
