A LETTER FROM THE SGS PRESIDENT

To: SGS Genealogical community,
Re: Closure of SGS in the near future

In an abundance of caution, the SGS Library will be closed as follows:

1. The Library will be closed the month of May. The Board will consider that June 2, 2020 is the next possible open date.
2. We will have no programs or group meetings until the end of June, following the Seattle Public Libraries model.
3. Starting June 18, 2020 and subject to modification by the Board or the President, we will allow single individuals to enter the facility if they have SGS work to be accomplished,  but social distancing practices must be maintained, masks worn at all times and hands washed upon entry and frequently. The following are pre-approved for entry: Wright, McGinnis and individual Board members. All others must be pre-approved by the President.
4. The earliest we will schedule desk volunteers is June 16, 2020.
5. The Board will revisit this at our next Board meeting May 11, 2020, but the incoming president has the flexibility to make changes to the above if situations change and are warranted.

With our vulnerable population, it is wise to err on the side of caution. I thank you for your cooperation.

Stay safe!

Jill Morelli, CG
Seattle Genealogical Society, President

SGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE
  Please note the next membership meeting of the Seattle Genealogical Society has been scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2020  from 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm PDT.  This will be a real time, online meeting via Zoom. The room opens at noon and the meeting starts at 12:30 pm. The new SGS officers will be introduced.

Bring a genealogical discovery to share. Below is the Zoom meeting link.

Join the Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81599981851?pwd=ckd2OTZqcThKWVFsejV5VmI2UEtKZz09
STORIES OF OUR FEMALE ANCESTORS – APRIL 2020 
What was life like in Seattle in the 1870’s and 1880’s? Our April contributor, Valarie, writes a local history blog, Wedgwood in Seattle History. She shared the story of Viola Kenyon, an early Seattle homesteader and teacher. Read about Viola here and on Valarie’s blog.

*** REGISTRATION OPEN ***
SGS 2020 Spring Virtual Seminar
with Dr Fritz Juengling: Old European Records
Saturday, May 16, 2020
9:00 am – 1:00 pm PDT      The SGS Spring Seminar has gone virtual! Dr. Fritz Juengling will present a talk via Zoom on “Old European Records Research” including presentations on: 

“Names – Their Origins, Meanings, and Characteristics” – Meanings of given names and the four types of surnames.   

“Historical Events that Affect European Genealogical Research” – Learn about historical events, such as wars and foreign occupation, and their impact on European research.

“The Genealogical Value of Guild Records” – The history, structure, and purpose of guilds.

Zoom space is limited to the first 97 registrants. There are still seats available. 
Cost:  SGS Members $30.00, Non-Members $40.00
Register for Online Seminar

Registration must be submitted before 9:00 pm Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Registrants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting and a Syllabus by email on May 15th.
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP THE MODERN WAY
SGS members, it’s time to renew for 2020-21. We’re experts at exploring the past, but this year let’s take a step into the future. Use the quick and convenient “Renew Membership” button at the SGS website. You can print out an invoice and mail it to SGS with a check. Or, you can pay your dues right then and there with a credit or debit card, the modern way!

Yes, you must first log in to your member account – then your renewal button will be just a click away. If you haven’t tried logging in yet, now is your chance. Go here: Members Home

Remember, you can always email for help to membership@seagensoc.org.

Are you an eNews! reader who hasn’t joined SGS yet? You too can join the modern way! Our membership year runs from June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021. Now is a great time to become a member and obtain a full year of discounted class and event registration fees, free research requests, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases. Annual dues are $40.00 individual, $50.00 dual (two at the same mailing address). Click here: Join SGS
DONATIONS TO SGS 
Just a note, SGS will not be participating in GiveBig Washington 2020 and will instead focus on our annual donation drive around the winter holidays. If you would like to donate now, please go to our website, or mail in your donation. Thank you.

SAVE THE DATE Spring 2020 SGS Seminar
with Fritz Juengling: Old European Records Research
Saturday, May 16, 2020 *** Online Event ***
9:00 am – 1:00 pm PDT   Mr Juengling is the German, Dutch and Scandinavian Research Specialist at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. This will be an online, virtual seminar  Register for Online SeminarSGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS   Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes,  and corrections. 
MAY
*** In consideration of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, the SGS Library is closed for the month of May and all SGS in-person events for May have been canceled, postponed, or replaced with an online event.
Stay home – stay healthy – but stay engaged by attending one of our live, online events! 

Date: Friday, May 1, 2020
Time: 12:30 pm PDT

Webinar: Friedrich Christian Eiler: Scoundrel, Bigamist, and More 
Presenter: Jill Morelli

Not all our ancestors are fine upstanding citizens, but Friedrich challenged all parameters of exemplary citizenship. But, who was Friedrich Eiler? The ability to combine fragments of identity to form a single individual is an important skill. This case study illustrates the techniques used to identify the unknown!

The Eastside Germanic SIG of the Eastside Genealogical Society has invited SGS members and friends to join in this event.   
  No pre-registration required. Meeting live, online via Zoom.

Follow this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/978964694?
pwd=T0pQenI5YnhIWTZsRHkxQjJZbDBYQT09

After entering the link, use this password: 367866
Meeting ID: 978 964 694



Saturday, May 9, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm PDT

Second Saturday Series : “1890-1920 – The Progressive Era and Women’s Rights”
Presenter: Heidi Mair

A wide range of social movements arose across the U.S. from 1890 – 1920, a period known as the Progressive Era. Progressive reformers sought to end political corruption, improve the lives of individuals and increase government intervention to protect citizens. How did the Progressive Era impact women in their communities, including your ancestors?

Meeting live, online via Zoom.

Follow this link to join in: https://zoom.us/j/811505083



Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm PDT

Online class : “How to Write Your Family History”
Presenter: Jill Morelli 

It is said that after three generations our ancestral stories are lost. What stories do you have of your grandparents, your parents or yourself that should be shared? Let’s talk about writing those stories. I am a big proponent of “small bites”, i.e. writing the short vignettes first.    Meeting live, online via Zoom. There will be plenty of time for Q & A. 

Follow this link to join in: https://zoom.us/j/653218845    

SGS MEMBERS – VOTE!

The annual election is upon us. SGS Members, check your email for your SGS 2020 Election letter, sent April 1, 2020. It has all the information you’ll need to vote for the officers and directors who will lead the society during 2020-21. If you can’t find your election letter, go to the SGS website Members Home area and log in. Look for the link “SGS 2020 Election – Vote!”. All ballots must be submitted by April 30th, 8:00 pm. Thank you to the SGS Election Committee, Bruce Finlayson and Kim Waggie, who will compile and report the results.    

ROBERT K LYNCH (1937-2020)
Our sincere condolences to the family of Robert “Bob” Lynch. We were sad to hear he passed away in Seattle on March 13, 2020 from Parkinson’s Disease. Bob was a long time SGS member and a former SGS board member. He and his wife, Sue, lived in View Ridge for over 50 years. Bob was a CPA and an avid amateur photographer. In retirement, he began to study his family history and genealogy.

You can read Bob’s full obituary and sign the guest book at: 
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=robert-keith-lynch&pid=195876624&fhid=23423

MORE ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
  SGS has added two online learning opportunities to our list of upcoming events. Jill Morelli is presenting “Friedrich Christian Eiler: Building an Identity from Scan Clues” on May 1, 2020, and Heidi Mair will be presenting “1890-1920 – The Progressive Era and Women’s Rights” on May 9,2020. Everyone is invited. Please join in. Here’s the details of their presentations.   

SGS is generously offering assistance and the use of our Zoom account for a one time webinar to the Eastside Germanic SIG of the Eastside Genealogical Society and in exchange they are inviting SGS members and friends to join them for this event.  

Webinar: Friedrich Christian Eiler: Building an Identity from Scant Clues
Presenter: Jill Morelli
Date: Friday, 1 May 2020 
Time: 12:30 pm PDT

We all have them–those individuals who came from nowhere, interacted with our ancestor and then disappeared. Learn how to build an identity for this German emigrant starting with his one piece of evidence that was wrong. 
  No pre-registration required. Just follow this link: https://zoom.us/j/978964694

Second Saturday Series : “1890-1920 – The Progressive Era and Women’s Rights”
Presenter: Heidi Mair
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

A wide range of social movements arose across the U.S. from 1890 – 1920, a period known as the Progressive Era. Progressive reformers sought to end political corruption, improve the lives of individuals and increase government intervention to protect citizens. How did the Progressive Era impact women in their communities, including your ancestors?

The women’s suffrage movement was part of this wave of Progressive Era reforms culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment on August 18th, 1920. And prominent suffragettes led progressive-era causes that impacted women. Discover the fascinating lives and accomplishments of local and nationally known suffragists.

Now meeting online via Zoom.

Follow this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/811505083

This lecture is part of the Seattle Genealogical Society’s lecture and workshop series: Women’s Suffrage in your Family History. We thank the Washington State Historical Society for their grant in support of our project. For more information, see https://www.suffrage100wa.com/

SAVE THE DATESpring 2020 SGS Seminar
with Fritz Juengling,
Fairview Christian School,
844 NE 78th St,
Seattle, WA
Saturday, May 16, 2020 *** Canceled ***   Mr Juengling is the German, Dutch and Scandinavian Research Specialist at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.    SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS   Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes,  and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather. 

APRIL
*** In consideration of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, the SGS Library is closed for the month of April and all SGS in-person events for April have been canceled or postponed. 
Stay home – stay healthy – but stay engaged by attending one of our online events! 

Dancing with the Spanish Lady: 
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918  
(Online Class and Discussion)
Thursday, April 23, 2020 
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Follow this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/491608500

Here’s a timely topic to be presented by Lisa Oberg. 

Schools canceled, closed theaters and churches, social distancing… all of these public health measures in effect today were used to help combat the influenza pandemic of 1918.
MAY
** See details at the top of this eNews! for the webinar scheduled for May 1st and for the Second Saturday Series presentation for May 9th.   
     

COMING TO YOU IN APRIL

  While the SGS Library may be closed for the month of April, the dedicated volunteers at Seattle Genealogical Society have put together an array of online programs to help keep you engaged. Why not join Heidi Mair, Jill Morelli, and Lisa Oberg for their online presentations – each presentation will be followed by a discussion period.  And don’t forget the online Coffee Klatch and SGS Membership Meeting on April 11, 2020. Hope to “see” you all there. Just Zoom in. Here are the details for each of April’s online events. 

Discovering Amelia: 
The Story of a Pennsylvania Dutch Woman, 1854-1931  
(Online Class and Discussion)
Thursday, April 2, 2020 
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Follow this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/664765827

Join Heidi Mair for an online presentation summarizing the search for her maternal great-grandmother. 

Topics include:
Major events and changes during Amelia’s lifetime  included the Civil War, technological advances from the telephone to the sewing machine, World War I, labor unions, prohibition and more. How did these changes affect life in small town America?

Who are the Pennsylvania Dutch and what are some of the challenges researching their records?
Genealogical research spanning more than 30 years – what worked and what didn’t? 
Read the story of Heidi’s search in  Discovering Amelia.

This 50-minute presentation will be followed with a discussion period. 

Coffee Klatch and Membership Meeting  
(Online Special Event)
Saturday, April 11, 2020
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Follow this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/305340772
  This is an informal and “virtual” meet up. We will review the past year as well as look at upcoming events. The conversation starter is “What online resource have you found particularly helpful?” It does not have to be about genealogy, but you get a gold star if it is!  

Using the Parish and Census Records of Scandinavia  
(Online Class and Discussion)
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 
7:00 pm PDT   SGS is helping the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society put on their first Zoom,  webinar style online event in April and to reciprocate TPCGS is inviting SGS members and friends to attend. While the event is free, registration is required. If you plan to attend, please register by sending an email to  tpcgs3@gmail.com Let them know you are an SGS member. A link will be sent to those who register.  

Jill Morelli, SGS president and CG, will speak on Scandinavian records. Don’t know the language? No problem! She will review the parish records and census records for the three Scandinavian countries and explain how they work together to give you an amazing amount of information.  

Dancing with the Spanish Lady: 
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918  
(Online Class and Discussion)
Thursday, April 23
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Follow this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/491608500

Here’s a timely topic to be presented by Lisa Oberg. 

Schools canceled, closed theaters and churches, social distancing… all of these public health measures in effect today were used to help combat the influenza pandemic of 1918. Lisa will share how influenza affected Seattle and the country in 1918. Just as today’s pandemic is impacting all of our lives, 1918’s influenza affected the lives of our ancestors. After the presentation, we will share stories of the impact of the flu on our ancestors and how we’re getting along, too!

I, for one,  know my own 29 year old, great grandfather was among the more than 200,000 US citizens that died from this influenza in October of 1918.  
STORIES OF OUR FEMALE ANCESTORS – MARCH 2020 
Read Mary Watkinson McRae’s diary of her week-long journey aboard the newly constructed Northern Railroad from Portland, Oregon to Ontario in 1884. Mary’s mother Jane had traveled with her family to Oregon from Missouri along the Oregon Trail in 1852. That trip took most families four to six months to complete. In just 30 years the continental train system transformed not only travel, but the lives or our ancestors. Thanks to this month’s contributor, Mary Ellen McRae for sharing her grandmother’s diary with us.

https://seagensoc.org/upload/menu/Mary_McRae.pdf     

VOLUNTEERS TO TRANSCRIBE
CITY OF SEATTLE RECORDS NEEDED
Jeanie Fisher, reference archivist at Seattle Municipal Archives, would like everyone to know about their online crowdsourcing project to transcribe early handwritten City of Seattle Records.

Anyone who can read handwriting is welcome to join in! The project encourages participants to discover and index names and other information in the documents, making them more easily accessible to everyone. Early petitions, letters, claims, and reports – these documents contain nuggets of gold for genealogists researching Seattle-area ancestors. 

If you have some free time and are interested in helping out, the project is available here: https://fromthepage.com/sma-archives

Create a free account, pick a document, start reading, and transcribe what you see. It’s that simple.       SGS NEW ACQUISITIONS for MARCH 2020
Nebraska:  Illustrated History of Nebraska: A History of Nebraska from the Earliest Explorations of the Trans-Mississippi Region with Steel Engravings, Photogravures, Copper Plates, Maps and Tables. Volume 1 and Volume 2  (in the Rare Books Section)

Family Collection:  Morris Collection — William A Morris and Andrew J Morris  

West Seattle High School:  West Seattle Chinook Newspaper Volume XXIX Number 27 –  May 3, 1945   

SAVE THE DATE

Spring 2020 SGS Seminar
with Fritz Juengling,
Fairview Christian School,
844 NE 78th St,
Seattle, WA
Saturday, May 16, 2020 *** Canceled ***   Mr Juengling is the German, Dutch and Scandinavian Research Specialist at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.    SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS   Unless otherwise indicated all programs will be at the SGS Library, 6200 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle. Check the SGS Web Site for additions, changes,  and corrections. Programs may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather.  APRIL
*** In consideration of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, the SGS Library is closed for the month of April and all SGS in-person events for April have been canceled or postponed. Stay tuned or check the SGS Website for library status updates. 
Stay home – stay healthy – but stay engaged by attending the online events highlighted in this issue of the eNews!