SCANNING STATION FOR PATRONS OF SGS

The new scanning station is up and ready for use. There are two new scanners for SGS patrons. One is for high speed scanning via a document feeder and the other is an overhead book scanner. The book scanner has image correction technology which flattens and corrects curve distortion, as well as a point retouch function allowing fingers inadvertently captured in the image during scanning to be removed. Pretty cool.

Bring in your documents or fragile photos for scanning and take advantage of this new equipment. Paul Wade has become our expert on the use of these scanners. He is usually in the Library on Wednesdays and would be glad to help you get started.

GiveBIG IS COMING SOON!

GiveBIG Seattle is a one-day online giving event sponsored by the Seattle Foundation to raise funds for nonprofit organizations serving Greater Seattle. In 2016, SGS received over $4000 via this one-day program!

The Seattle Foundation provides matching funds to encourage donations to SGS and other participating non-profits; last year the matching percentage was 6.3%. Even more impressive, over 80% of SGS donors paid the processing fee charged by the vendor, increasing our receipts even further.

These donations are vitally important to SGS each year, and are an important component of our annual budget.

This year, GiveBIG is Wednesday, May 10, from midnight to midnight. We’ll provide more information as the event gets closer, including easy instructions for donating online.  For more information now, visit www.givebigseattle.org .

NEW FAMILY TREE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
 TO MEET AT SGS

On February 25, Lou Daly gave a presentation at SGS titled “Family Tree on FamilySearch”.  This is a  FREE cloud-based genealogy application developed by the folks at Familysearch.org.

Lou’s introduction received rave reviews from the 15 attendees. So we’ve decided to create a Users Group on this subject that will meet at SGS.

If you are interested in exploring Family Tree on FamilySearch, join us at the SGS Library to find out how simple and yet how intricate this phenomenal new Wiki based Family Tree can be.

As one of the largest databases in the genealogical world, it is a marvelous tool for your research. We will discuss simple and advanced features and have time for questions and problem solving.

The meetings will be held at our SGS library on :
•Saturday, April 8, 10:15 am  – 12:15 pm
•Saturday, May 6,    1:00 pm  –  3:00 pm
•Saturday, June 10, 10:15am  – 12:15 pm

If a weekday evening meeting is better for you, a similar special interest group for Family Tree on Familysearch meets at the Fiske Genealogical Library on the second Wednesday evening of every month (April 12, May 10 and June 14) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Fiske is located at 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle, street level entrance. See http://www.fiskelibrary.org  for directions.

SGS ONLINE CATALOG IS UP-TO-DATE

The online catalog is now up-to-date! The new format is simpler to navigate and use. Members who have tested it call it  “Easy, even for a novice.”  It features a “Book Bin”. Make a selection and place it in the “bin”; then print out this list of what you want to look at on your next visit to the SGS Library.

SAVE THE DATES

Read ‘Em or Weep, Promises and Pitfalls in Newspaper Research,
 Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society,
 6111 – 188th PL. NE,
 Arlington, WA 98223
 Tuesday, April 11, 2017,  1:00 pm

The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be hosting a free presentation entitled Read ‘Em or Weep, Promises and Pitfalls in Newspaper Research.  The presenter will be Mary Kircher Roddy.  Mary is a member of the Puget Sound Association of Professional Genealogists and has written articles for Family Chronicle and Internet Genealogy magazines. Open to society members and the public.

O Canada: Children of a Common Mother
 Heritage Weekend and Genealogy Seminar
 in the Skagit Valley
 Friday thru Sunday, April 21-23, 2017

The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society invites you to enjoy a special heritage weekend.  The O Canada theme is in honor of Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation coming up July 1.

There are activities on Friday evening and Sunday morning to complement the full day seminar on Saturday. Plus, remember the valley will be ablaze in tulip color and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has activities that weekend that your family can enjoy while you attend the Saturday genealogy seminar and Sunday historic Burlington walking tour.

You can find more information, the flyer, and online registration at: SkagitValleyGenealogy.org

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society,
 Spring Seminar featuring Jay Fonkert,
 7809 Tieton Dr,
 Yakima, WA 98908
 Saturday, April 22, 2017   8am – 5pm

Jay Fonkert is one of America’s foremost genealogists.  To register, or read more about his credentials and the seminar, visit the YVGS website www.yvgs.net  and follow the links.

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society –  Spring Seminar
 La Quinta Inn and Suites,
 1425 East 27th St,
 Tacoma, WA
 April 28-29, 2017

Speaker will be  The Legal Genealogist,  Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL and the emcee will be Cyndi Ingle. Some of the topics will be :

•No Vitals? No Problem! — Building a Family through Circumstantial Evidence

•When Worlds Collide: Resolving Conflicts in Genealogical Records

•Don’t Forget the Ladies — A Genealogist’s Guide to Women and the Law

•Beyond X and Y: The Promise and Pitfalls of Autosomal DNA Testing

Additional Information available on the TPCGS website at: http://www.tpcgs.org/seminar.html

Seattle Genealogical Society Spring Seminar,
 Voices from the Past with Lisa Alzo,
 Fairview Christian Church
 844 NE 78th St
 Seattle, WA
 Saturday, May 20, 2017   9am – 4pm

Doors open at 8am – welcome at 9am. Did you receive the brochure in the mail? Registration and further information also available online at seattlegenealogicalsociety.org

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. The library will close May 27-29 for Memorial Day weekend.

APRIL

Saturday, April 1, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, David Robert, leader

Tuesday, April 4, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Saturday, April 8,  10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Family Tree on FamilySearch, new special interest users group led by Lou Daly exploring FamilySearch’s Family Tree application.  See feature article above in this issue.

Saturday, April 8,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Family Tree Maker Users Group, members helping one another with FTM, led by Reiley Kidd and Betty Ravenholt

Sunday, April 9, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, Led by Cary Bright with first hour on a specific topic, and the second hour open for sharing DNA issues with focus on GenomeMate Pro.

Saturday, April 15, 10:15am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth who will present “Who are the Scots-Irish?”

Saturday, April 15, 1:00 pm  – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth who will present “What is Prussia and Who are the Prussians?”

Sunday, April 16,  EASTER , library will be closed.

Tuesday, April 18, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Wednesday, April 19, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Mac SIG Meeting,  Jointly sponsored by SGS, Fiske, and dBug, this group meets quarterly on the third Wednesday of every third month at the Fiske Genealogical Library in Madison Park, 1644 43rd Ave E, Seattle. Meetings are open to the public and will address topics and resources helpful for those using MacIntosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy program. Meetings are free, but donations to Fiske for use of the premises are appreciated.

MAY

Tuesday, May 2, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Saturday, May 6, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, David Robert, leader
Saturday, May 6, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Family Tree Interest Group, Lou Daly, leader of this new special interest group exploring all the features of the tool Family Tree on FamilySearch

Sunday, May 7, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, Led by Cary Bright with first hour on a specific topic, and the second hour open for sharing DNA issues with focus on GenomeMate Pro.

Saturday, May 13, 10:15am – 12:15 pm, Irish Interest Group, with Jean Roth, an open session on Irish research using old and new resources

Saturday, May 13, 1:00 pm  – 3:00 pm, German Interest Group, with Jean Roth, an open session on German research using old and new resources

Tuesday, May 16, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Friday, May 19, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, Beginning Genealogy, Want to learn how to get your genealogy project going? Linda Fitzgerald, a past president of SGS,  will be presenting her “Beginning Genealogy Class”. Add it to your calendar.  Invite a friend.

Saturday, May 20, 9:00 am  – 4:00 pm, SGS Spring Seminar “Voices from the Past”, featuring: Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A., is a freelance writer, instructor, and internationally recognized lecturer. At Fairview Christian School, 844 NE 78th Street,Seattle, WA  Doors open at 8:00 a.m. – Welcome at 9:00 a.m.

 ACCESS THEIR IRISH RECORDS FOR FREE
 MARCH 13-17

Here’s a St Patrick’s Day gift from findmypast.  Explore and access millions of Irish family history records for free from March 13 through 5:00 pm PDT on Friday, March 17. You will need to go through a simple registration process that merely entails providing an email address and setting up a password.

Census records, parish records, travel and migration records, and court registers are just some of the data available. findmypast has the largest collection of Irish records available anywhere online.

You might want to start by reading their blog article  “A Complete Beginner’s Guide to findmypast’s Irish Records”.  If you are interested, sign up for the free webinar with Irish genealogy expert, Fiona Fitzsimmons.  It’s scheduled for 9:00 am PDT on Thursday, March 16 and it includes a live question and answer session.

To get started here’s the url to findmypast :

http://www.findmypast.com/explore-your-irish-ancestry/

SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Remember the Spring Membership meeting is this Saturday, March 18, 1:30-3:00 pm. Hope to see you there. Following the business meeting, Lisa Oberg and Jill Morelli will present “Rootless: A Retrospective Look at America’s Fascination with its Ancestry”.

For new members or genealogy beginners, notice on Sunday, March 19 from 1:15pm-5:00 pm, a Beginning Genealogy Class will be led by Linda Fitzgerald, a Past President of SGS, and it is open to all.

Continue reading →

LAURIE CLARK,
 VOLUNTEER OF THE WINTER QUARTER

The Board of Directors has named SGS member Laurie Clark as our Volunteer of the Quarter.  Laurie is a graphic artist who lives in North Bend. Now retired, she is part of a collective of artists and as such part owner and volunteer in a gallery in Snoqualmie where her artwork is displayed.

On the SGS Volunteer Interest Sheet she filled out, Laurie indicated she would be available to help with graphic arts projects. So when our technology expert Lisa Chan took on the task of finding some way  to freshen up our tried and true, but a bit dated looking Seattle Genealogical Society logo, she turned to Laurie.   The logo appears on virtually all our publications, flyers, and stationary and SGS members felt the old logo lacked the desired sharpness. An update was in order.

Laurie produced a work of art for us. The project included her actually redrawing the tree in the logo, selecting a new font for the motto, and slightly changing the shape of the shield outline.  She spent dozens of hours creating a sleek new look. The society is deeply grateful she was able to beautifully the logo, but still remain true to the original, traditional design; the familiar symbol of our association.

Laurie’s genealogical interest is more in the history involved in her family tree.  She is a DAR Registrar and a member of the Colonial Dames.  Part of her line stems from William Penn and the Quakers who arrived with him. She recently became a member of the Royal Order of the Crown of Charlemagne; this requires about 27 generations of proof.

Our deepest gratitude to Laurie Clark for her artistic contribution which will grace our publications and documents for many years to come!

“ROOTLESS”  IN SEATTLE
 AT THE SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Lisa Oberg and Jill Morelli will present “Rootless: A Retrospective Look at America’s Fascination with its Ancestry” for the membership meeting, at SGS on March 18th at 1:30. The program will follow the business meeting.

“Rootless” was first presented at the Popular Culture Association/Association of Culture in America conference in 2015, an academic conference focusing on social history. It examines trends related to family history and the popularity of genealogy, then and now.  Explore what’s behind the motivations and underlying the trends; there are some surprising results.

Remember to mark your calendars for the Spring Membership meeting, Saturday, March 18, 1:30-3:00pm. Hope to see you then.

SAVE THE DATES

Ulster Historical Foundation – USA Tour – Lecture,
Pierce County Libraries, Administrative Center Library,
3005 112th St E,
Tacoma, WA 98446
 Sunday, March 5, 1:00pm–5:00pm

Tel 253-548-3425 or 316-300-3383 (mobile)
Register online: www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar.aspx?id=281
www.facebook.com/events/618976198289299

The Ulster Historical Foundation is a research and publishing agency based in Belfast, N.Ireland which uses its knowledge to help those looking for their Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors. They are conducting a USA Lecture Tour during the month of March  and fortunately this includes a stop in Tacoma on March 5. Hosted by the Pierce County Library System,  the lecture is free of charge, but registration is required.

Whether you are just beginning your Irish research or have been at it for years, you won’t want to miss this workshop. Learn how to get the most out of Irish resources and records, gain strategies for breaking down brick walls, and grasp important historical context that may help fill in gaps in your research.

IRISH WEEK 2017
 SEATTLE CENTER
 Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12

Kicks off with the Seattle St Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday,  followed by two days of Irish Festival and activities. Isn’t everyone Irish on  St Patrick’s Day?  Join in the fun. Stop by the SGS booth.  Parade route and more info at :

http://irishclub.org/irish-week/

ALL DAY  IRISH GENEALOGY WORKSHOP,
 Luther Memorial Lutheran Church,
130th & Greenwood Ave N,
Seattle, WA
 Saturday, March 25th

Sponsored by the Irish Heritage Club with help from the SGS Irish Interest Group. Speakers are Steve W. Morrison and Jean A. Roth. The schedule and registration are on the Irish Heritage Club Website at www.irishclub.org

For more information contact Jean A. Roth at  jeanaroth@juno.com

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.

MARCH

Saturday, March 4, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, David Robert, leader

Sunday, March 5, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, DNA Workshop, Led by Cary Bright

Tuesday, March 7, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Saturday, March 11,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Family Tree Maker Users Group, members helping one another with FTM, led by Reiley Kidd and Betty Ravenholt; email Reiley at secretary@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org  for more info.

Sunday, March 12, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Scandinavian  Interest Group, Karen Knudson, facilitator. Program this week will include a 42 minute video  about the history, farms, communities, clerical districts and counties of Norway by Jerry Paulson.

Saturday, March 18, 1:30 pm – 12:15 pm, SGS Spring Membership Meeting, business meeting will be followed by Lisa Oberg and Jill Morelli presenting “Rootless: A Retrospective Look at America’s Fascination with its Ancestry”

Tuesday, March 21,  12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy. Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Saturday, March 25, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, DNA SIG, The group meets quarterly at the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church.  For more information contact SGSDNASIG@gmail.com. Co-chaired by Cary Bright and Herb McDaniel.

Sunday, March 26, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, “Making Sense of the US Census Records”, What can the genealogist learn from the data of the U.S. censuses from 1790-1940? What is included and why do we care? This session will also cover some special census schedules, including slave, mortality and agricultural schedules. This session takes an in-depth look at the value of census data and how to analyze the information.
Presenter: Janice Lovelace, BU Certificate in Genealogical Research; G&FHC (U of WA). Janice is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogist.

APRIL

Saturday, April 1, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm, Canadian SIG, David Robert, leader

Tuesday, April 4, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, Technology Tuesday, Bring your laptop or mobile device, and enjoy discussions centered around technology and genealogy – software, genetic genealogy, internet research and more.  Hosted by Lisa Chan.

Saturday, April 8,  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Family Tree Maker Users Group, members helping one another with FTM, led by Reiley Kidd and Betty Ravenholt; email Reiley at secretary@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org  for more info.

VERDA R. HANSBERRY
August 19, 1919 – February 5, 2017

A life member of the Seattle Genealogical Society, Verda Romayne Hansberry, died on February 5, 2017, in Seattle. Verda, a librarian by profession, worked at the  Seattle Public Library for much of her career.  She worked in the Mobile Outreach Department, headed the the Circulation Department, and ultimately was Deputy City Librarian in charge of the Central Branch, as well as acting City Librarian in 1975. She also was president of the Washington Library Association in the early 1980s and was active on committees of the American Library Association.

Verda was the driving force in publishing three genealogy books about her father’s family, her mother’s family, and her husband’s ancestors. She is survived by her two sons, Russ (Kitty) Hansberry of Keller, Texas, and Doug (Patti) Hansberry of Beaverton, Oregon, and by her daughter, Anne Hansberry of Seattle, Washington.

A celebration of her life took place on February 10th. The family requests any donations in her memory should be made to the Seattle Genealogical Society or the Seattle Public Library Foundation.

You can read her full obituary or sign the guest book at:

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Verda-Hansberry&lc=4176&pid=184018647&uuid=3874a665-00db-48b0-a8ff-e983a37dd290

“Tracking Down Granddad” at SGS Library

Joyce Lindsey O’Keefe recently wrote a complimentary story about her experience at the SGS Library and the help she received from volunteers, Christine Shomaker and Jean Roth. This story was published in the February edition of  the local magazine, Northwest Prime Time.  The magazine can be found at King County Library locations as well as on-line. Check it out at :

http://northwestprimetime.com/news/2017/jan/29/tracking-down-granddad

Thank you, Joyce.  We appreciate the recognition.

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NEW PULL DOWN SCREEN INSTALLED

The new large pull down screen has been professionally installed at the SGS library. Many thanks to Sellen Construction and their guys, Dean and Roland, for their generosity and time. Our own “vertically challenged” Jean Roth commented, “It’s so easy to reach and operate.  I usually have a problem with that”.

BOARD CERTIFICATION DISCUSSION GROUP
 TO BEGIN MEETING

Fourteen individuals signed up for the Board Certification Discussion Group. Jill Morelli will lead the group and share her certification process experiences with everyone.  Since last month she has been notified that the Board for Certification of Genealogists has conferred upon her the title of Certified Genealogist. Congratulations, Jill. The group will begin meeting in February via Google Hangout.

COMING UP – SAVE THE DATES

O Canada: Children of a Common Mother
 Heritage Weekend and Genealogy Seminar
 in the Skagit Valley
 Friday thru Sunday, April 21-23, 2017

The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society invites you to enjoy a special heritage weekend. The O Canada theme is in honor of Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation coming up July 1.

There are activities on Friday evening and Sunday morning to complement the full day seminar on Saturday. Plus, remember the valley will be ablaze in tulip color and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has activities that weekend that your family can enjoy while you attend the Saturday genealogy seminar and Sunday historic Burlington walking tour.

You can find more information, the flyer, and online registration at:

www.SkagitValleyGenealogy.org

Continue reading →