Olympia, An Origin Story by Chris Staudinger
What was Olympia before it was our state’s capital? How did it rise to power, and how was it betrayed? These questions and more will be answered in this virtual tour of historic Olympia. Chris Staudinger, operator of  Pretty Gritty Tours in Tacoma, will tell the history of downtown Olympia’s bumpy beginnings, taking us down its streets and alleys and showing us cool things to do in downtown Olympia’s historic district. You’ll hear the tales of the indigenous hunters, railroad tycoons, brew masters, lawmakers, and artists that called Olympia home.  Olympia Genealogical Society virtual meeting, Thursday, November 12, 7:00 pm   events@OlyGenSoc.org  or 360-754-6230

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Joyce T. Ogden 
 jtogden@comcast.net

October is the month of colder weather, hot cider and Halloween! In preparation for the holiday, we have asked OGS member Jerri McCoy to talk to us about “The Witches of Salem.” We of the twenty-first century are aware that witches do not fly across the sky on brooms, but in 1692 charity and mercy – and plain good sense – were all cast aside in persecution of suspected witches in colonial Massachusetts. The witch hunt would swell and burn through Salem Village and neighboring towns. How were witches identified? What happened to them?  And who were those who were executed that terrible year?  Come learn a little bit about them and their meddling neighbors at our virtual meeting, Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m.  https://OlyGenSoc.org

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Joyce T. Ogden 
 jtogden@comcast.net

OLYMPIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY GOES VIRTUAL IN REPONSE TO COVID-19
On March 11, in the interest of protecting the high-risk population we serve, the OGS Executive Committee cancelled face-to-face gatherings of the Society until such time as this threat has passed.
In late May, the OGS Board decided to conduct all OGS general meetings for the 2020/2021 program year virtually via Zoom.
The regular September meeting will be on Thursday, September 10 at 7 pm.  Join us by connecting to the Society’s website at https://www.OlyGenSoc.org.
Participants who have not used Zoom are encouraged to view the video “Joining a Zoom Call for the First Time” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9isp3qPeQ0E

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Joyce T. Ogden 
 jtogden@comcast.net

Due to coronavirus situation, Olympia Genealogical Society has cancelled all future meetings, including our Spring Seminar on March 28.  Check our website for developments   www.OlyGenSoc.org
Joyce Ogden, Publicity =======================

Olympia Genealogical Society’s March meeting will feature OGS member Dee Bright and her talk “Who is Dorothy Bright?” Dee’s mother Dorothy was born in 1909, adopted as an infant, but did not know she was adopted until she was an adult. Dee will tell us about the steps she has taken to search for her mother’s birth parents – her progress, successes, and failures.  Join us on Thursday, March 12 at 7 pm at Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 152.   2000 Lakeridge DR SW, Olympia WA. 360-349-2493
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Joyce T. Ogden
jtogden@comcast.net

Thursday, January 9

Monthly General Membership Meeting  (General Membership Meeting)

7:00 pm Thurston County Courthouse, Bldg 1, Rm 152

Program: Godfrey and Merry Ellis, longtime researchers, will discuss online search strategies and resources for English research.

Olympia Genealogical Society’s December meeting will be ” DNA Redux.” Using DNA for genealogy is no longer the “new thing” and we should all have some knowledge about it. At our December 12 meeting, we will get a crash refresher course about DNA— what it is, how to test it and what it can, and can’t, tell us about our ancestors. Our presenter is longtime OGS member, Carol Ballard, who also leads the genealogy and DNA efforts at Panorama. Please join us for our 7:00 pm meeting and presentation at Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 152. Info, 360-349-2493 or www.OlyGenSoc.org.

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Joyce T. Ogden
jtogden@comcast.net

“Fun with Maps and Land Research” is the title of Olympia Genealogical Society’s November program. Tracy Rebstock from the Washington State Archives will talk to us about maps – an underutilized tool when doing genealogy or historical research.  We will learn about the many different types of maps you can use, how to use them and what resources can be found in the State Archives in Olympia. Tracy will also provide some records tips and tricks to use when doing land research…and she’ll throw in some stories along the way. Join us on Thursday, November 14, 7 pm, at Thurston County Courthouse, Bldg 1, Room 152.

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Joyce T. Ogden
jtogden@comcast.net