Before 1871, Veterans could only qualify for a pension if they could prove that a war injury prevented them from earning a living. For widows, they had to prove they had married the solider before the end of the war in 1815. After 1871, all veterans and widows could apply provided the solider had served for at least 60 days. After 1878 benefits were further extended to include veterans, widows and their children if the soldier served at least 14 days. Those who served the war effort in capacities other than soldier were also made eligible.
Pension files area wealth of genealogical information, often containing testimony of a comrades and family Bible records.
As with any collection, be sure to check back often for when more records are added.
TOUR TO EXPLORE THE GENEALOGY DEPARTMENT OF THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Thursday, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m.Tour of the Genealogy Department at the Seattle Public Library (with optional research time in the Seattle Room)
Join SGS on Thursday, Nov. 13, at Seattle Public Library’s Central branch for a tour of the Genealogy Department and an optional opportunity to research in the library’s Seattle Room.
SPL genealogical librarian and SGS Board member Mahina Oshie, will guide the tour through SPL’s Genealogy Collection and provide an overview of their resources. SGS and SPL have a long history of collaboration starting 102 years ago.
The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Seattle Room Collection comprises over 50,000 items documenting and exploring the culture and history of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The room is open to researchers by appointment only. This tour will have access for 10 researchers in the afternoon. Attendees wishing to research in the Seattle Room should indicate their interest when registering for the tour and have a pre-planned research focus. Those who do not get a reserved research space in the afternoon (if demand exceeds 10 people) will be given guidance to arrange for a return visit.
The tour begins at 10:30 a.m. at the library, afterward there will be an optional lunch gathering at a nearby food court (a two-block walk).
Pre-registration required. $20 nonmembers ($15 for SGS members).
Library tour limited to 20 people.
Researching in the Seattle Room is limited to 10 people (places allocated on first come, first served basis). Join the Tour photo courtesy Sylvia Yang / Unsplash Second Saturday: Nov. 8, NoonJoin Dr. Janet Few for an exploration of historical occupations—especially those of women—both paid and unpaid. From lacemaking and straw plaiting to other female-dominated roles, she’ll discuss working conditions, tools, and hazards. Though examples are drawn from England, the insights apply broadly to researching women’s work in the past.
Note: This presentation will begin one hour earlier than usual to accommodate Dr. Janet Few, who will be joining us from England.
Dr. Janet Few earned her Ph.D. in Community History and is an experienced family, social and community historian. She has written several books of interest to genealogists and contributes to family history journals. Janet is currently serving as the president of the Family History Federation. She is heavily involved in the work of family history societies and was awarded the Society of Genealogists certificate of recognition in 2020 for her work. Sign Up Today!NEXT MONTH’S SECOND SATURDAY: “Cataloging Digital Images,” presented by Nancy Loe. Sign up separately for this event held Dec. 13. photo of women making lace in Ireland, courtesy Library of Congress FAMILY STORIES COME TO LIFE THROUGH PRESENTATIONSVirtual Sunday: November 16, 1 p.m. Have you ever worried that your family members won’t read your written family history? Giving a presentation can be captivating way to share your research with relatives and gain support of those who can help you!
Join SGS President and family historian, Kathy Weber, Sunday, Nov. 16, as she shares how she transformed her Irish family history research into an engaging presentation for her relatives during a trip to Ireland. She will outline her approach — structuring the talk, incorporating findings, and share their reactions.Register HereANNOUNCING 2025 SGS VOLUNTEER OF SUMMER QUARTER
Molly Tarlofsky, SGS Eastern European SIG Leader and Volunteer The Board of Directors is delighted to recognize Molly Tarlofsky as Volunteer of the Quarter. Tarlofsky joined SGS in late 2024 and has been quick to make an impact. When asked how she got involved so early in her membership, her dynamism was evident. Tarlofsky shared that Eastern European research is a passion for her, and she wasn’t seeing a lot of genealogical discussion happening locally. Upon joining SGS, Tarlofsky became aware of vacancies for a number of special interest groups (SIGs). She wasn’t sure exactly what successful SIG leadership required, but rather than wait on the sidelines, Tarlofsky took the opportunity to head up the Eastern European SIG. She also volunteers with the SGS publicity team and recently joined her first field trip to MOHAI. Molly Tarlofsky Tarlofsky shared her enthusiasm for SGS, its people and work. Her tip – especially to those who may be new to genealogy or the Society, or those who have not yet gotten actively involved: “You don’t need to be a pro. It’s an amazingly accomplished group with experts who are welcoming and helpful regardless of your experience. And if you look, you’ll definitely find someone who shares your interests.”
A self-described learner who truly enjoys digging into problems, Tarlofsky started to look into her ancestors in elementary school, but realized how little immediate family members knew and also how much of Eastern European life had been left behind. Finding time on her hands during the pandemic, she became more seriously involved in her personal genealogical research, reaching out to distant cousins and recognizing how helpful a hands-on approach can be.
Tarlofsky lives in West Seattle with her husband and dog. She relocated to the area about 10 years ago from the East Coast and, not surprisingly, has enjoyed finding new places to explore around the Northwest.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities with SGS. WELCOME OUR NEW VOLUNTEER CHAIR: SCOTT LAING Scott Laing Scott Laing was appointed by the SGS Board to serve as our new Volunteer Chair. Laing has been involved in genealogical research for the past few years and is looking forward to getting more involved with our Society’s activities and connecting with the members. He plans to attend our Beginning Genealogy series to improve his research methodology. His research has led to active participation in the Seattle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Outside of family history work, Laing has had a long career in market research, working for startups as well as larger firms. He has participated as an elected officer on several boards in the Puget Sound Community. He is looking forward to using his skills of strategic planning, program development and effective communications in coordinating our volunteer program.
As a lover of travel and food, Laing is looking forward to combining those interests with his genealogical discoveries. BEHIND THE BOOKS: A CONVERSATION WITH SGS AUTHORS Join us Wednesday, Dec. 10 for an evening of stories, discoveries, and inspiration. Three SGS authors, Susan McKee, Jill Morelli and Carolyn Schott will share their research adventures, writing choices, and creative sparks that shaped their books. Susan McKee (An Irish Life: Selected Poems of William Thomas Brennan) Jill Morelli (Journeys of the Forgotten: The Orphans of Hamilton County, Iowa) Carolyn Schott (Visiting Your Ancestral Town: Walk in the Footsteps of Your Ancestors) Enjoy refreshments, conversation, and time to connect with fellow researchers and writers. This event will be held in-person at the SGS Library, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m.
Questions? Contact education@seagensoc.org JOIN THE NEW TRANSCRIPTION GROUP Do you want to improve your transcription skills? A new special interest group is forming to help you do just that.
The group’s focus will be on transcribing and tagging historical documents, rotating through various federal, state, and local records. The first project will focus on Revolutionary War Pension Records, one of the National Archives’ largest Citizen Archivist missions.
Come learn more about the group and ask questions at the meeting on Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. The group will meet the third Wednesday of each month at the SGS Library. Help shape this new SIG. Contact Betsey Cotter at cotterbetsey@gmail.com to sign up and ask questions
SAVE THE DATE: HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE SGS LIBRARYSaturday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. Join us for our annual in-person holiday celebration in the SGS library at the Good Shepherd Center. This year’s celebration will be Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SGS Library. Bring cookies to share and celebrate the close of the holiday season.SGS LIBRARY NEWSAdopt a Book at the Surplus Book Sale The library has a number of surplus books that are looking for new homes. Come to the SGS Library to peruse the books and name your price. This is a first come-first served opportunity to provide a new home to one of these surplus books.
Lots to Do at Wednesday Evening HoursThe Library is open the third Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Collaborate with SGS members, join the new Transcription SIG which meets in the library during evening hours, peruse the book and map collection or use the Library’s subscription websites — Ancestry, Newspapers.com, Fold 3, Archion, ArkivDigital, FindMyPast or Historygeo. While in the Library, you can also use FamilySearch to images on some of FamilySearch’s locked records.
The Library’s Wednesday evening hours will continue through June 2026. Learn More From a Library TourInterested in learning more about SGS Research Library? Contact the Director of Library (library@seagensoc.org) to schedule a tour. HELP SPL PATRONS RESEARCH THEIR FAMILIES Members Sought for SGS-SPL Pilot ProjectThe SGS Board and the Seattle Public Library have agreed to a pilot project bringing genealogy volunteers to branch libraries. This not only shares our genealogy skills with the public who visit their neighborhood library but also introduces more people to SGS and our Special Interest Groups, classes and Library resources. We need 10-15 volunteers to sit in one of three SPL branch libraries and answer genealogy questions from library patrons. SGS members will work in teams of two people on specific weekday afternoons. You should have at least intermediate level research skills. Training will be provide by SPL staff. Email splvolunteers@seagensoc.org. SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTSGood Shepherd Center, Suite 302 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 206 522-8658 Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday ** 10:00 a.m .- 3:00 p.m. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. NOTE: New starting time!
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join. NOTE: Change of time, this month only.
Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Nov. 8,2025, noon-1:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Women at Work” Presented by Dr. Janet Few. Register here. NOTE: Change of time, this month only.
Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org.
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., MAC Computer SIG, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list.
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. View SGS calendar for details on joining this group.
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025,1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, German SIG (Virtual), Share what you know OR get help with problems in your own research. Register on the SGS website.
Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm, Virtual Sunday: Bringing Family History to Life through Presentations (Virtual), Join SGS President Kathy Weber as she helps you find ways to share your research with relatives. Register here.
Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Transcription SIG, Join this group will be on transcribing and tagging historical documents. To join or learn more, contact Betsey Cotter, at cotterbetsey@gmail.com.
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW! Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Sheyna Watkins at sgsWriteItUpSIG@seagensoc.org.
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., SGS Quarterly Program Planning (Virtual), be a part of SGS’s strategic planning effort, collaborate with the leaders of our education programs (e.g., SIGs, field trips, classes, seminars, discussion groups). Register here.
Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 p.m. Family Tree Maker SIG, Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev. The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance. You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.
Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. NOTE: New starting time!
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Behind the Books: A Conversation with SGS Authors (in person), Join us for an evening of stories, discoveries, and inspiration as SGS authors Susan McKee, Jill Morelli and Carolyn Schott share their research adventures, writing choices, and creative sparks that shaped their books.
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Nov. 8,2025, 1:00 p.m-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Cataloging Digital Images” Presented by Nancy Loe. Register here.
OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND Fiske Library Classes, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Nov. 5: What the Law Put Asunder: Divorce in America with Sara Cochran Nov. 12: Point of Origin: How to Find Your Ancestral Village with Lisa Vogele Nov. 19: What’s New in Genetic Genealogy with Karin Borgerson Learn more and register “Transcribing My Father-in-law’s Journals,” presented by Helen Edwards Olympia Genealogical Society Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m. (virtual)
Helen Edward’s first book, “Dutchy’s Diaries,” is a transcription of journals her father-in-law kept daily up to 1929, providing a compelling first-person perspective on life as a young naval officer and offering valuable insights into naval operations of that era. Learn more and register.
“Translating and Transcribing Documents for Jewish Genealogical Research Using AI,” presented by Thomas MacEntee Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State Monday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m. (virtual)
Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to assist in translating and transcribing a variety of records used for Jewish genealogical research. Learn more and register.
DONATE TO SGS Your donations represent a significant part of the SGS budget. Your continued generosity helps us increase our financial security and expand our services for everyone. We make it easy for you to contribute appreciated stock from your portfolio. Perhaps you’d like a tax write-off before year end? We have a brokerage account established and ready to receive your donation from any firm. For details, write treasurer@seagensoc.org. For questions about our needs and our vision, write president@seagensoc.org.
November 1, 2025
SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!
TIP OF THE WEEK – ARE THERE SPOOKY STORIES IN YOUR TREE?
October is the month of Halloween. Genealogists haunt cemeteries in search clues (join SGS’s Calvary Cemetery tour, see the details above in our feature story), but there are other spooky places to go in search of records of ancestors.
Accusations of witchcraft could lead to court records detailing claims. Although the witchcraft trials in Salem, Mass., are the most famous, there were others including the Hildebrand-Evans Case of 1805 as well as cases in Connecticut and Virginia. Was one of your ancestors connected to one?
Locations also play an important role in family history. Rumors of haunted buildings and other sites have been passed down over the years. Legends about the supernatural are connected to many places right here in Washington state. Did your family live near one of them?
What other spooky stories are in your family tree?
A Talk & Walking Tour of Calvary Cemetery, Oct. 25Join us on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle for a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of one of our region’s most historic Catholic cemeteries.
Our guide will be Marty Murphy, Superintendent of Calvary Cemetery, who will share insights from his decades of cemetery management. This special program combines a fascinating talk with a guided walking tour, covering:
The History of Calvary Cemetery and other Catholic cemeteries in the Seattle area
The Evolution of Grave Markers and what they reveal about cultural and religious traditions
Genealogy in Cemeteries—how to access and use cemetery records in your family history research
A Superintendent’s Perspective—stories and experiences from caring for this historic Seattle site
Whether you’re the family historian or simply curious about Seattle’s past, this event offers a unique chance to connect with the people and stories that shaped our community’s history.
Don’t miss this meaningful blend of history, heritage, and personal storytelling—right here in Seattle’s historic Calvary Cemetery.
Optional lunch gathering to follow at University Village location nearby.
Pre-registration required. $15 and $10 for SGS members. Limited to 25 people.
stock photo of a cemetery courtesy Rodion Kutsaiev / Unsplash GET READY FOR SGS FALL SEMINAR
Focus to Be Using DNA and AI
Join SGS and Blaine Bettinger, “The Genetic Genealogist,” Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 11–12 for an exciting weekend of learning. The four sessions will be spread out over two days to maximize your learning. The seminar runs Saturday morning Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon and picks up again on Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Using Autosomal DNA for 18th and 19th Century Mysteries
Sprinters, Caffeine Addicts, and Daredevils! Understanding DNA-Based Traits
Are You Doing Everything?
Presentations will be recorded and available (only) to registrants for a limited time.
Dr. Blaine Bettinger is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence and the use of artificial intelligence for genealogical research. He is the author of the long-running blog, The Genetic Genealogist and frequently gives presentations and webinars to educate others about the use of DNA and artificial intelligence.
photos courtesy Francis Odeyemi, Kamila Maciejewska and Maud Beauregard / Unsplash STILL TIME TO JOIN BEGINNING GENEALOGY CLASS
Classes Begin Oct. 15 and 16
Motivated to learn more about your family’s story? Want to learn how DNA can help? SGS will be offering a new beginning Genealogy class in October. This online course will give you the tools to succeed in your research.
Four weekly online sessions are included with a fifth, optional session in person at the SGS library. The class covers how to successfully conduct, organize, and record research for your genealogy. How to begin? How to evaluate evidence? What are the best sources? Where are the records–online and off? What can DNA tell us?
Start your journey on a foundation of good habits and best practices. Participation will help you develop great genealogy skills. The course finishes with a list of favorite sources for additional learning and an optional meet-up with a personal research session at the SGS library.
photos courtesy Paola Aguilar and Florida Memory / Unsplash and Library of Congress
SGS MEMBERS ENJOY MOHAI TOURSGS field trips returned with gusto this month following our summer break. Our tour of the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) on South Lake Union, led by Ian Siporin, was stimulating, engaging, and just plain fun!
Our group met for lunch beforehand on the outdoor terrace of the museum café. We chatted about genealogy and family history in the Washington area, back into the time when it was still a territory. This relaxing social time before our tour was such a bonus to our visit. These in-person interactions are precious opportunities to connect with Society members.
The tour itself was enjoyably interactive. Our guide encouraged us to share our stories and knowledge alongside the history and information he provided. It was an excellent opportunity for those with roots in Washington to offer perspectives and additional context from their family research.
Many thanks to all who attended and a big thank you to Ian and the MOHAI for the excellent tour.
SGS has more exciting tours planned. See the feature article above for information about the upcoming Calvary Cemetery Tour.
DISCOVER THE STORIES OF JEWISH FAMILIES IN SEATTLE’S GILDED AGE
Virtual Sunday: Oct. 19, 1 p.m.
Join us for a special presentation by local author, Karen Treiger, whose book Standing on the Crack: The Legacy of Five Jewish Families from Seattle’s Gilded Age was published in August. Blending Pacific Northwest history with deeply personal family narratives, Karen traces the journeys of her ancestors who immigrated from Europe to Seattle and Portland between 1874 and 1913.
Karen was born in Seattle and educated at Barnard College and New York University Law School — where she was editor-in-chief of NYU Law Review. She has been named to the Jewish Book Council Author’s Network, the Seattle Holocaust Center for Humanity Speaker’s Bureau, and served on the University of Washington Advisory Council for the Extension Writing Program.
New Subscription Website for Swedish Records Now Available for Patrons
SGS now offers access to ArkivDigital. ArkivDigital is Sweden’s largest and most extensive online archive of original Swedish records. The website is available to use on a patron computer in the SGS library.
Insights Await in Unique SGS Databases
King County Court Case Index: This is an index of over 1.7 million King County court case records for the period 1881-1980. The index was compiled from title searches conducted by the Chicago Title Insurance Company. These searches were generally for probate, name changes, or changes in marital status involving a change in property ownership.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Membership Cards: This is a database of approximately 26,000 original membership cards from 2 Seattle area VFW posts. A typical membership card provides information as shown on the following example:
Approximately 5,600 of these membership cards are available to members on the SGS website.
To request a look-up in the King County Court Case index or the additional 20,000 VFW Cards, contact research@seagensoc.org. The look-up is free to members. For non-members, the look-up fee is $15 per surname. EXPLORING WOMEN’S WORK
Second Saturday: Nov. 8, Noon
Join Dr. Janet Few for an exploration of historical occupations—especially those of women—both paid and unpaid. From lace making and straw plaiting to other female-dominated roles, she’ll discuss working conditions, tools, and hazards. Though examples are drawn from England, the insights apply broadly to researching women’s work in the past.
Note: This presentation will begin one hour earlier than usual to accommodate Dr. Janet Few, who will be joining us from England.
Dr. Janet Few earned her Ph.D. in Community History and is an experienced family, social and community historian. She has written several books of interest to genealogists and contributes to family history journals. Janet is currently serving as the president of the Family History Federation. She is heavily involved in the work of family history societies and was awarded the Society of Genealogists certificate of recognition in 2020 for her work.
Members Sought for SGS-SPL Pilot ProjectThe SGS Board and the Seattle Public Library have agreed to a pilot project bringing genealogy volunteers to branch libraries. This not only shares our genealogy skills with the public who visit their neighborhood library but also introduces more people to SGS and our Special Interest Groups, classes and Library resources. We need 10-15 volunteers to sit in one of three SPL branch libraries and answer genealogy questions from library patrons. SGS members will work in teams of two people on specific weekday afternoons. You should have at least intermediate level research skills. Training will be provide by SPL staff. Email
Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting.
All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. NOTE: New starting time!
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 11–12, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., SGS 2025 Fall Seminar with Blaine Bettinger, Join SGS for a four seminars focused on using DNA to solve family mysteries. Register now.
Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., NEW-ish! Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., SGS Library Evening Hours, Come by and join host, Lisa Oberg, for a quiet, comfortable place to work on your genealogy research. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Sheyna Watkins at sgsWriteItUpSIG@seagensoc.org.
Friday, Oct. 19, 2025, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 p.m. Family Tree Maker SIG, Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev. The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance. You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. View SGS calendar for details on joining this group.
Saturday, Oct 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, German SIG (Virtual), Share what you know OR get help with problems in your own research. Register on the SGS website.
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Scandinavian Interest Group SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestral research. Swedish research with examples of researching on Arkivdigital ($) and Riksarkivet (free). Register here. NOTE: Change of date this month only.
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm, Virtual Sunday: Jewish Families in Seattle, 1874–1913 (Virtual), Join Karen Treiger as she traces her ancestors who immigrated from Europe to Seattle and Portland between 1874 and 1913. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Mexican SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Indigenous North American, Spanish, Cuban, and Hispanic genealogical research. Email Diane Hughes-Hart at SGSMexSIG@seagensoc.org to join.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., DNA SIG, Join our quarterly meetings to discover what’s new in genetic genealogy and learn more about select, in-depth topics. Email SGSDNASIG@seagensoc.org to join.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, 1:00 p.m., Calvary Cemetery Tour (Field Trips), Discover the Stories Beneath the Stones: A Talk & Walking Tour of Calvary Cemetery. Registration fee: $15 (SGS Members $10). Register here.
Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Thursday, Oct. 30 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Eastern European SIG, Learn about researching family history from the Balkans to the Baltics and in between. For more information email sgseasterneuropesig@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list
. NOTE: New starting time!
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website.
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Nov. 8,2025, noon-1:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “Women at Work” Presented by Dr. Janet Few. Register here.M
Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., NEW-ish! Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org.
OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND
Fiske Library Classes, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Oct. 8: An Introduction – to Find My Past Records with Steven W. Morrison
Oct. 15: Adoption Meets DNA with Beth Swartz
Oct. 22: If These Walls Could Talk – House and Neighborhood Histories with Mary Kircher Roddy
Oct. 29: Ancestors Calling: Science, Synchronicity and Sources with Judy Nimer Muhn
Nov. 5: What the Law Put Asunder: Divorce in America with Sara Cochran
Nov. 12: Point of Origin: How to Find Your Ancestral Village with Lisa Vogele
Nov. 19: What’s New in Genetic Genealogy with Karin Borgerson
“Western Trails Following the Seven Ts,” presented by Steven W. Morrison Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society Saturday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. (virtual)
This presentation explores the historical significance, unique challenges, and enduring legacies of the Oregon, California, Mormon, Santa Fe, Old Spanish, Bozeman, and Pony Express trails, revealing how they shaped the nation’s expansion and the lives of those who dared to traverse them. Learn more and register here.“
“Hiding in Plain Sight: Finding Elusive Ancestors with FamilySearch’s Full-Text Search,” presented by Julia A. Anderson Genealogical Forum of Oregon Saturday, October 18, 2:30 p.m. (virtual)
FamilySearch’s powerful new Full-Text Search tool is unlocking billions of previously unsearchable records – revealing names, places, and stories hidden deep within digitized documents. In this class, you’ll learn how to use this groundbreaking feature to uncover ancestors who’ve slipped through the cracks. Discover smart search strategies, see real-life examples, and leave with practical tips to apply to your own research. Learn more and register.
“Finding Ancestors in the 19th Century Russian Revizskie skazki,” presented by Hal Bookbinder Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State Monday, October 13, 7 p.m. (virtual)
The Russian Revizskie skazki can be a gold mine in finding information about our ancestors. “Revizskie skazki” literally means “revision tales,” though we generally refer to them as “revision lists.” While censuses only provide information on people currently alive, revision lists include “tales” about the men who died or moved away since the prior revision list. Presenter Hal Bookbinder will provide an overview of the periodic revision lists and demonstrate how he was able to use the 1850 and 1858 ones to identify ancestors, including those who lived earlier, and even to creatively use the information to get back an extra generation or two where no records exist. Learn more and register.
* to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page and click the green renew membership button.
DONATE TO SGS
Your donations represent a significant part of the SGS budget. Your continued generosity helps us increase our financial security and expand our services for everyone. We make it easy for you to contribute appreciated stock from your portfolio. Perhaps you’d like a tax write-off before year end? We have a brokerage account established and ready to receive your donation from any firm. For details, write treasurer@seagensoc.org. For questions about our needs and our vision, write president@seagensoc.org.
TIP OF THE WEEK – LEGACY FAMILY TREE WEBINARS FREE GENEALOGY CONFERENCE
As a part of Legacy Family Tree Webinars’ annual online Genealogical conference, they will be offering 19 free seminars each Wednesday in September. Topics include:
Eight Little-used Published German Sources
12 Ways to Use Gravestone Clues to Grow Your Family Tree
Manage large writing projects through optimistic start, muddled middle, and triumphant finish
Research Treasures from W.P.A.
How to write a genealogical crime mystery story
School Censuses: What, When and Where
Learn more, register and see the full list of seminars.
Join SGS Today
to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page and click the green renew membership button. September 1, 2025
SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!
WHAT MYSTERIES MIGHT DNA OR AI HELP YOU SOLVE?This Year’s Speaker, Blaine Bettinger, is a professional Genealogist Specializing in Using DNA and AI Join SGS and Blaine Bettinger Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 11–12 for an exciting weekend of learning. The four sessions will be spread out over two days to maximize your learning
The seminar runs Saturday morning Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon and picks up again on Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. DNA-Based Relationship Estimators & Analyzers [NEW] Using Autosomal DNA for 18th and 19th Century Mysteries Sprinters, Caffeine Addicts, and Daredevils! Understanding DNA-Based Traits Are You Doing Everything? Presentations will be recorded and available (only) to registrants for a limited time.
Dr. Blaine Bettinger is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence and the use of artificial intelligence for genealogical research. He is the author of the long-running blog, The Genetic Genealogist and frequently gives presentations and webinars to educate others about the use of DNA and artificial intelligence.Sign Up Now!photos courtesy Francis Odeyemi, Kamila Maciejewska and Maud Beauregard / UnsplashTOUR THE MOHAI ATRIUM WITH SGSAfter a summer break, SGS field trips return with a tour of the atrium at the Museum of History and Industry. Join SGS at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 for this exciting look at Seattle’s history.
A museum guide will utilize several of the largest artifacts in the atrium to trace some of the tensions and contradictions of expansion and industry in Seattle. This includes a focus on the experiences of working people as the city rapidly grew in the late 19th and 20th centuries.There are 5 stops on the tour with several handouts used as tools for discussion and investigation. The guide will share facts about the artifacts, engage in storytelling, and also have discussion questions for the group. This will be a conversational and active tour, rather than simply lecture based.
Additionally, the tour will include an overview of the kinds of materials in the MOHAI library and collections, as well how to book research time at the library and access online collections.
Optional lunch at noon at the Lakefront Pavilion (the museum café, which is to the left of the admissions desk, past the museum store). Bring your own lunch or purchase from the café’s menu.
Registration fee: $30 non-members (SGS Members $20)
Limited to 25 participants, so sign up now.Join the TourFOCUS OF SECOND SATURDAY TO BE GERMAN IMMIGRANTSSecond Saturday: Sept 13, 1 p.m.We are excited to welcome back Kimball Carter, CG®, for the opening session of our fall Second Saturday speaker series. Join on Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. as Kimball guides attendees in discovering the places of origin of their German immigrant ancestors. Using U.S. and German records, Kimball will demonstrate practical strategies with case studies that will help advance your research.Kimball Carter, CG® has more than 45 years of family history research experience. A retired graphic artist and creative director, he now volunteers at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, helping patrons with German ancestry, identifying immigrant hometowns, and Colonial American research. Sign Up Today!Come Early for the Membership Meeting There will be a membership meeting just before the Second Saturday presentation on Sept. 13 at 12:30 p.m. Learn about the America 250 writing contest, updates on our new website and more.photos courtesy Roman Kraft / Unsplash, Library of Congress, David Rumsey Map Collection, David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford Libraries and location icon created by kmg design / FlaticonWSGS HONORS SGS’S CEIL ROGERSCecellia Rogers The Washington State Genealogical Society named Cecellia Rogers one of their outstanding volunteers of 2025. This award honors individuals and teams who contribute to Washington State’s local genealogical societies. The announcement was made on Aug. 21, at the WSGS Annual Meeting. Seventeen local society members and two teams were recognized. The volunteers and teams were praised for their commitment and energies to promote their local societies, family history and cooperation in their local communities.
Rogers has been researching her family history for more than 50 years. She joined SGS in 2017 soon after moving to the Seattle area and has served SGS in various leadership roles over the years including Director of Volunteers and Director of Education. Rogers leads four of SGS’s special interest groups including Brags & Bricks, Tech Tuesdays, Ancestry Users and the FamilySearch groups. In addition to her leadership roles she works behind the scenes updating SGS’s website calendar of events and the society’s Zoom and Vimeo accounts.
SGS President Kathy Weber applauded Roger’s contributions. “I am so grateful for Ceil’s dedication to SGS. Under her 3+ years as our Director of Education, we started recording many presentations so our members could watch them later and we greatly expanded our SIG offerings.”
Rogers is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.HELP SPL PATRONS RESEARCH THEIR FAMILIESVolunteers Sought for SGS-SPL Pilot ProjectThe SGS Board and the Seattle Public Library have agreed to a pilot project bringing genealogy volunteers to branch libraries. This not only shares our genealogy skills with the public who visit their neighborhood library but also introduces more people to SGS and our Special Interest Groups, classes and Library resources. We need 10-15 volunteers to sit in one of three SPL branch libraries and answer genealogy questions from library patrons. SGS volunteers will work in teams of two people on specific weekday afternoons. You should have at least intermediate level research skills. Training will be provide by SPL staff. Email splvolunteers@seagensoc.org.
NEW BEGINNING GENEALOGY CLASS STARTS IN OCTOBERMotivated to learn more about your family’s story? Want to learn how DNA can help? SGS will be offering a new beginning Genealogy class in October. This online course will give you the tools to succeed in your research.
Four weekly online sessions are included with a fifth, optional session in person at the SGS library. The class covers how to successfully conduct, organize, and record research for your genealogy. How to begin? How to evaluate evidence? What are the best sources? Where are the records–online and off? What can DNA tell us?
Start your journey on a foundation of good habits and best practices. Participation will help you develop great genealogy skills. The course finishes with a list of favorite sources for additional learning and an optional meet-up with a personal research session at the SGS library.
There are two options for class time: Morning class: Wednesdays, Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, 10:00-11:30 p.m. Evening class: Thursdays, Oct. 16, 23, 30 and Nov. 6, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Weeks 1 – 4 will meet virtually and consist of lecture, discussion, and workshop for one-and-a-half-hours each session.
Week 5 (optional) includes a library tour and one-on-one research assistance.
There is a limit of 20 people per class. Class fee $80 (SGS members $60).Join the ClassJOURNEY BACK IN TIME TO THE YUKON GOLD RUSHVirtual Sunday: Sept 21, 1 p.m.SGS’s Virtual Sunday presentation will take attendees back to the days of the Klondike Gold Rush in Canada’s Yukon territory. Local author Steve Lundin will share the compelling true story of two Ivy League friends who left Cornell Law School in 1898 in pursuit of gold. Based on the experiences of Lundin’s grandfather, Mark Odell, and his college friend Ellis Aldridge, this tale follows their harrowing journey to the gold fields—through illness, hardship, homesickness, and the long, dark winter of 1898–99 in a remote cabin near Fort Selkirk on the Yukon River. Steve Lundin is a retired attorney, historian, and author with a passion for uncovering and preserving the stories of the past. His most recent book brings personal insight and scholarly depth to the exploration of the Yukon Gold Rush.Register Here
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTSGood Shepherd Center, Suite 302 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 206 522-8658Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday ** 10:00 a.m .- 3:00 p.m. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting. All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW-ish! Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Sept 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. NOTE: New starting time!
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., NEW! Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., MAC Computer SIG, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list.
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m., General Membership Meeting, Update on SGS activities and results of the election of SGS officers. The meeting will be followed by the postponed Second Saturday presentation (see entry below). Register here.
Saturday, Sept. 14,2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Second Saturday, “German Immigrants” Presented by Kimball Carter, CG. Register here.
Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., SGS Library Evening Hours, Come by and join host, Lisa Oberg, for a quiet, comfortable place to work on your genealogy research. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Sheyna Watkins at sgsWriteItUpSIG@seagensoc.org.
Friday, Sept 19, 2025, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 p.m. Family Tree Maker SIG, Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev. The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance. You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Irish SIG (Virtual), with Susan McKee. Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. View SGS calendar for details on joining this group.
Sunday, Sept 21, 2023, 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm, Virtual Sunday: Something Old, Something New, Yukon Gold Rush (Virtual), with Steve Lundin. Join us for the compelling true story of Lundin’s grandfather as he journeyed to the gold fields of the Yukon. Register here.
Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Mexican SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Indigenous North American, Spanish, Cuban, and Hispanic genealogical research. Email Diane Hughes-Hart at SGSMexSIG@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. NOTE: New starting time!
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW-ish! Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 11–12, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., SGS 2025 Fall Seminar with Blaine Bettinger, Join SGS for a four seminars focused on using DNA to solve family mysteries. Register now.
OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYOND “Help! Part 3.25 – I Got My Y-DNA & mtDNA Results…What Do I Do Now?” Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, Monday, September 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m. (meeting opens at 6:30 p.m.)
Join JGSWS for an interesting and practical webinar on how to use mtDNA and Y-DNA in genealogy research. Gil Bardige will help attendees understand DNA results and matches at a beginner and intermediate level. This session will be especially useful for people who have tested at Family Tree DNA. Bardige will also recommend which tests to take and whether to upgrade an older test. Learn more and register.
“Probate Records: Wills and a Whole Lot More.” North Carolina Genealogical Society Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PDT
Join the North Carolina Genealogical Society and Annette Burke Lyttle, CG® for this free online session focusing on estate records. Learn more and register.“Researching Oregon Trail Ancestors” Olympia Genealogical Society Thursday, September 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
From 1840 to 1869, more than 50,000 people traveled to Oregon on the Oregon Trail. Join Dawn Carlile as she covers resources for researching people and their lives as they made the trek. Learn more.
“Genealogy Week” The Rogue Valley Genealogical Society Monday, Sept. 22 – Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
TIP OF THE WEEK – THIS AUGUST IS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WWII: RESEARCH YOUR PACIFIC THEATER ANCESTORSBy Kate Penney Howard
World War II ended on August 15, 1945. We now call this day “Victory over Japan Day.” This day began the journey of millions of servicemen and servicewomen home to start the families many of us descend from.
Unlike the European Theater, where forces generally worked in divisions within one branch, in the Pacific Theater, military branches began working together. The Army and Navy (and their Air Forces) and the Marines and Coast Guard all played crucial roles, creating diverse record types scattered across different repositories.
We should also remember that hundreds of thousands of American and Canadian troops were positioned for “Operation Downfall” — the planned invasion of Japan. These preparations created extensive records, even though the invasion never occurred.
Key Record Types for Pacific Theater Research: Unit histories and war diaries Medical records from Pacific hospitals Prisoner of war documentation Occupation duty records (1945-1952) Transport ship passenger lists The Pacific Theater’s geography created unique documentation. Island-hopping campaigns meant servicemen often served in multiple locations, each generating separate records. Military postal service records can help track movements between islands.
The Pacific Theater affected the Home Front too. West Coast defense installations, aircraft manufacturing, and shipbuilding created a need for workers. People from all over the country relocated to work in defense plants, particularly in California, Washington, and British Columbia.
Some servicemen married overseas, creating international family connections. Others spent extended periods in military hospitals, creating detailed medical records that might mention family health history.
Research Strategy: Identify your ancestor’s specific unit and theater movements Research ship manifests for Pacific crossings Check veteran administration records for post-war benefits Look for local newspaper coverage of homecomings Consider interviewing surviving family members about stories August 1945 also began the massive demobilization effort. Discharge papers, final pay records, and veteran benefit applications provide detailed personal information often missing from wartime records.
Special Considerations:
Did you know that in 2022, Reclaim the Records won their FOIA lawsuit against the VA? This means that, even if your ancestor’s original personnel file was burned during the 1973 NARA fire, the VA may have records for you. These could include birth, marriage, and death records, medical and pension documents, employment details, home purchase information, education transcripts, and military details. The GI Bill enabled college education and home ownership, generating educational and property records. Many veterans used VA benefits, creating extensive medical documentation. Join SGS Today * to renew your membership: log in on the Members Home page and click the green renew membership button.
August 1, 2025
SGS eNews! comes out the first of every month. contact eNews!
Focus of Presentation to be German ImmigrantsWe are excited to welcome back Kimball Carter, CG®, for the opening session of our fall Second Saturday speaker series. Kimball will guide attendees in discovering the places of origin of their German immigrant ancestors. Using U.S. and German records, Kimball will demonstrate practical strategies with case studies that will help advance your research.
Members Can Access Past Presentations on the SGS Website Although our popular Second Saturdays and Virtual Sundays have been on summer hiatus, many past presenations are available on the SGS website members pages.Kimball Carter, CG® has more than 45 years of family history research experience. A retired graphic artist and creative director, he now volunteers at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, helping patrons with German ancestry, identifying immigrant hometowns, and Colonial American research.
Come Early for the Membership Meeting There will be a membership meeting just before the Second Saturday presentation on Sept. 13 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The tentative agenda will include information regarding the America 250 writing contest and updates on our new website.
photos courtesy Roman Kraft / Unsplash, Library of Congress, David Rumsey Map Collection, David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford Libraries and location icon created by kmg design / Flaticon
CYBELE O’BRIEN NAMED 2025 SGS VOLUNTEER FOR SPRING QUARTER
Cybele O’Brien Cybele O’Brien has been nominated as our Spring Quarter Volunteer for 2025. This award considers volunteer activities performed during the months of April, May, and June, but O’Brien has been supporting our Society throughout this past year. When she began her role of Secretary in February 2024, she had little guidance as to the scope of the job. She quickly learned how to document the business of the board with her accurate and comprehensive minutes. This requires preparation as well as finalization of the document each month.
O’Brien also assisted the Director of Technology in moving documents onto a new shared drive and improving the organization of its files. She has maintained the digital Bi-laws and Policy Manuals which have replaced binders kept in the library. O’Brien has been timely in her role of managing societal communications including writing numerous thank-you letters and distributing daily Society emails. The Board is grateful for all her work this past year and unanimously nominated her for this recognition.
This award recognizes the time O’Brien spent in Zoom and in-person sessions training the incoming secretary. She shared her knowledge as well as numerous tips learned through experience. Her updated job description has served as a road map during this transition.
O’Brien joined the Society in the 2020-2021 membership year. She is an avid family historian and enjoys traveling. We hope that she finds some time this summer to make new genealogical discoveries.
NEW CLASS TO HELP YOU WRITE AS YOU RESEARCH Got a brick wall? Join past SGS president Jill Morelli and she beta tests a new workshop: Write As You Research. This class will provide a methodology for identifying possible solutions to brick walls. Writing genealogical problems accumulates all known information in one place, aids identifying gaps and overlaps, and provides a written report for future readers. Get started writing more! This workshop provides a format for genealogical reports.
Save the date: August 20, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Registration fee: TBD (discount for SGS Members) Registration opening SOON!
STATE LIBRARY CLOSURE: NOW WHAT?The Washington State Library in Tumwater closed to the public on July 1 due to a lack of state funding. This means there is limited access to the library’s genealogical material for researchers.Leslie Vogel of SGS’s Pacific Northwest SIG shared these tips for researchers at the July meeting and agreed to share them with eNews.
How to Access WSL RecordsContact the Library: Patrons can still email askalibrarian@sos.wa.gov (which probably will not be a genealogist) or leave a voicemail at 360-704-5221 and within one week they will answer your questions.
Interlibrary Loan: Some items can be accessed via interlibrary loan to local libraries. Access information through their online catalog to determine if the item is available.
Books: Many of the books in the rare and special collections, territorial materials, northwest collection, genealogical collection and reference materials can not be accessed through inter-library loan.
Newspapers on Microfilm may be borrowed but only a few local libraries have a microfilm reader available to view them. The only library in the Seattle Public Library with a microfilm reader is the downtown central library!!!
Newspapers via InterLibrary Loan: The Washington State Library serves as the depository “for newspapers published in the state of Washington thus providing a central location for a valuable historical record.” [RCW 27.04.045] The WSL has 6,500 newspaper titles on 50,000 reels of microfilm from 1850s to present. They had four microfilm readers onsite.
Northwest Digital Heritage Site (WA and OR): This site supports libraries museums and communities with their digital collections. They are a partner of WSL, Oregon Heritage Commission, State Library of Oregon
Michelle Chiachiere SGS member Michelle Chiachiere was recently informed by the Board for Certification of Genealogists that her portfolio was to the standards required for receipt of the credential Certified Genealogist. This rigorous credentialing process requires the submission of multiple examples of her work and is peer-reviewed by at least three judges. As well as being a member of SGS, Chiachiere is also a member of the Puget Sound chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and graduate of SGS’s Certification Discussion Group. Chiachiere takes clients and can be found at her website.
THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL IS COMING! THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL IS COMING!
Next year, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America! State and national planning is already underway. Seattle Genealogical Society will be sponsoring a writing contest, My American Story, and more details about that will be shared in the coming months. But, that’s just one way we want to celebrate this milestone. If you are interested in volunteering to be a judge for the writing contest, assist with brainstorming or planning events, or have programing ideas please contact Lisa Oberg, SGS Vice President at vicepresident@seagensoc.org.
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTSGood Shepherd Center, Suite 302 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 206 522-8658
Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links, registration, or for last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Be advised you may need to register in advance to join a meeting.
All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW-ish! Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website
Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., NEW! Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org.
Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.
Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-noon, “Pass It On” Writers’ Group, Create your family history and share with others in an effort to improve your writing. This group is currently accepting new members. Send queries to SGSPassItOn@seagensoc.org.
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., SGS Library Evening Hours, Come by and join host, Lisa Oberg, for a quiet, comfortable place to work on your genealogy research. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Write As You Research! (Beta Offering), Join Jill Morelli as she provides a methodology for outlining problems and identifying a solutions. This workshop provides a format for all of your genealogical reports. Cost: TBD, registration opening soon
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Sheyna Watkins at sgsWriteItUpSIG@seagensoc.org.
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., SGS Quarterly Program Planning (Virtual), be a part of SGS’s strategic planning effort, collaborate with the leaders of our education programs (e.g., SIGs, field trips, classes, seminars, discussion groups). Register here.
Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Mexican SIG (Virtual), Share information and discuss Indigenous North American, Spanish, Cuban, and Hispanic genealogical research. Email Diane Hughes-Hart at SGSMexSIG@seagensoc.org to join.
Thursday, Aug.28 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Eastern European SIG, Learn about researching family history from the Balkans to the Baltics and in between. For more information email sgseasterneuropesig@seagensoc.org.
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., NEW-ish! Organizing for Genealogy SIG, Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey. Contact Susan McKee at sgsOrganizingsig@seagensoc.org to join.
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Interest Group (Virtual), Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research. Register on the SGS website
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG (Virtual), explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research Email SGSAISIG@seagensoc.org.
Saturday, Sept 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., FamilySearch SIG, Discover the many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email SGSFamilySearchSIG@seagensoc.org to join the mailing list. NOTE: New starting time!
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., DNA Workshop, with Cary Bright and Craig Gowens. To participate you need to be on the SGS DNA Interest Group email list. Contact Cary Bright at sgsdnasig@seagensoc.org to join.
Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. See SGS Calendar for more information.
Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., SGS Board of Directors Meeting (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. SGS is an all volunteer organization. Please be involved. Members must sign in to website to see Zoom link.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tech Tuesday (Virtual), informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Bring us your problem; we’ll try to help.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., NEW! Ancestry Users SIG (Virtual), The Ancestry Users Special Interest Group is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Email SGSAncestrySIG@seagensoc.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., MAC Computer SIG, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. A link to login will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. If you would like to join, send an email to macusersig@seagensoc.org to be added to the email list.
Thursday, Sept 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Publishing SIG, Participate in writing and publishing the SGS Journal twice a year. Email SGSPubSIG@seagensoc.org.NO AUGUST MEETINGS FOR …
The following groups/meetings will not be held in August. • Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy SIG • SGS Board of Directors Meeting • Irish SIGOUR NEIGHBORS AND BEYONDEast European Family History Conference Foundation for East European Family History Studies Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, 7:30 a.m.
More than 60 sessions will be presented in 8 tracks: Polish, Russian, Germans from Eastern Europe, German, Austro-Hungarian, Jewish, DNA and General Eastern European. Early-bird rates available until July 7. Get more informataion and register.
Family Tree Maker SIG Eastside Genealogical Society Friday, Aug 15, 2025, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join Eastside Genealogical Society and SGS to learn and share tips and tricks for using Family Tree Maker by Software MacKiev. The meetings open about 15 minutes in advance. You can join and/or leave whenever you have to, and you may email your question(s) in advance or bring them up during the meeting.
“Summer Seminar 2025: Researching Your German Roots” The Genealogical Forum of Oregon and the German American Society of Portland Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, 10:30 a.m. At the German American Society of Portland, 5626 NE Alameda St., Portland, Oregon
Join us for a full-day seminar on researching German records with Katherine Schober, founder of Germanology Unlocked. This in-person seminar is oriented to researchers at the beginner and intermediate level of experience with German records. Get more information and register (early bird pricing ends today).
The dates have been set for this year’s “largest folk festival in the Northwest.”A full schedule along with a listing of the venues, food & drink, activities, as well as ticket information can now be found online.“Genealogy Week” The Rogue Valley Genealogical Society Monday, Sept. 22 – Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
What are you doing for your genealogy this summer? Here are few ideas. Join our Vice President at the SGS Library tomorrow (6pm, Wed July 16) for research! Sign into seagensoc.org as a member and watch one of the great recorded videos of a presentation you missed? Visit a cemetery or a historical society you’ve never been to before. Renew your SGS membership because your forgot to a few months ago? Talk to your elders or cousins to add family details to what you already know. Join our SGS Facebook Networking group for questions and conversation? Spend a few hours organizing your files? Review our Special Interest Groups and join a new one? I just finished a big genealogy project and am planning a new one. I will research my second great grandfather’s brother, who was one of Seattle’s earliest inhabitants. He had no children who lived to adulthood, so he has no direct descendants to tell his story.
We have some surprises for you that we are working on at SGS. For one, our SGS logo at the top of this message may be new to you. This logo lost its gold years ago due to concerns over the costs of yellow ink. The Board is re-introducing it because there is no ink to purchase for delivering this message!
Have a great genealogy-filled summer!
Kathy Weber President of the Board president@seagensoc.org
TIP OF THE WEEK – PLANNING FOR A RESEARCH TRIP? FIND LOCAL MUSEUMS AND SOCIETIES BEFORE YOU VISIT
Local museums and societies give prospective about an area and its history, even if they don’t mention your ancestor by name. You never know what you might find helpful.Past SGS president Jim Secan recently found this jewel in Pittsburgh, Penn. He had this to share with eNews about his genealogy research in there.”If you have genealogy interests in Pittsburgh, Penn., and environs be sure to include the Thomas & Katherine Detre Library & Archives located at the Heinz History Center in downtown Pittsburgh. This beautiful research library, founded in 1879, has a large number of collections of photos, maps, records, and much more covering Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Western Pennsylvania. Even if you cannot visit it in person, their researchers will answer email requests for help as well. If you are in Pittsburgh both the Detre Library, which has no admission fee, and the Heinz Museum, which does have a fee, are worth a visit.”.The Thomas & Katherine Detre Library & Archives in Pittsburgh, Penn.
photo courtesy Jim Secan
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Second Saturday: Nov. 8, NoonJoin Dr. Janet Few for an exploration of historical occupations—especially those of women—both paid and unpaid. From lacemaking and straw plaiting to other female-dominated roles, she’ll discuss working conditions, tools, and hazards. Though examples are drawn from England, the insights apply broadly to researching women’s work in the past. 
Molly Tarlofsky Tarlofsky shared her enthusiasm for SGS, its people and work. Her tip – especially to those who may be new to genealogy or the Society, or those who have not yet gotten actively involved: “You don’t need to be a pro. It’s an amazingly accomplished group with experts who are welcoming and helpful regardless of your experience. And if you look, you’ll definitely find someone who shares your interests.”
Scott Laing Scott Laing was appointed by the SGS Board to serve as our new Volunteer Chair. Laing has been involved in genealogical research for the past few years and is looking forward to getting more involved with our Society’s activities and connecting with the members. He plans to attend our Beginning Genealogy series to improve his research methodology. His research has led to active participation in the Seattle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
DISCOVER THE STORIES OF JEWISH FAMILIES IN SEATTLE’S GILDED AGE
WHAT MYSTERIES MIGHT DNA OR AI HELP YOU SOLVE?This Year’s Speaker, Blaine Bettinger, is a professional Genealogist Specializing in Using DNA and AI
FOCUS OF SECOND SATURDAY TO BE GERMAN IMMIGRANTSSecond Saturday: Sept 13, 1 p.m.We are excited to welcome back Kimball Carter, CG®, for the opening session of our fall Second Saturday speaker series. Join on Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. as Kimball guides attendees in discovering the places of origin of their German immigrant ancestors. Using U.S. and German records, Kimball will demonstrate practical strategies with case studies that will help advance your research.Kimball Carter, CG® has more than 45 years of family history research experience. A retired graphic artist and creative director, he now volunteers at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, helping patrons with German ancestry, identifying immigrant hometowns, and Colonial American research. 
Cecellia Rogers The Washington State Genealogical Society named Cecellia Rogers one of their outstanding volunteers of 2025. This award honors individuals and teams who contribute to Washington State’s local genealogical societies. The announcement was made on Aug. 21, at the WSGS Annual Meeting. Seventeen local society members and two teams were recognized. The volunteers and teams were praised for their commitment and energies to promote their local societies, family history and cooperation in their local communities.
SGS’s Virtual Sunday presentation will take attendees back to the days of the Klondike Gold Rush in Canada’s Yukon territory. Local author Steve Lundin will share the compelling true story of two Ivy League friends who left Cornell Law School in 1898 in pursuit of gold. Based on the experiences of Lundin’s grandfather, Mark Odell, and his college friend Ellis Aldridge, this tale follows their harrowing journey to the gold fields—through illness, hardship, homesickness, and the long, dark winter of 1898–99 in a remote cabin near Fort Selkirk on the Yukon River. Steve Lundin is a retired attorney, historian, and author with a passion for uncovering and preserving the stories of the past. His most recent book brings personal insight and scholarly depth to the exploration of the Yukon Gold Rush.
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The Thomas & Katherine Detre Library & Archives in Pittsburgh, Penn.