Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.
Today we’re introducing Christine Schomaker of Kenmore, Washington, who was nominated by the Seattle Genealogical Society.
Christine is the Swiss army knife of the Seattle Genealogical Society. Over the past 20 years, Christine has been treasurer, library director, operations director (three times!), and is starting her sixth year as membership director.
She is always willing to help out with just about anything SGS needs done, and has been the de facto SGS registrar for anything that involved registrations, including seminars, SGS’s online courses and managing the over 600 alumni of the Certification Discussion Group.
At the in-person seminars, Christine and her husband Eric were regulars in moving the sales items over to the seminar venue (and back!). She assumed the responsibility of sitting at the sales desk and handled all the monetary transactions.
Having served so much time on the SGS board, Christine is a key part of the society’s corporate memory, which is an important thing to have in these days of transition.
For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award” in the subject line.
JESS RAMEY, VOLUNTEER OF WINTER QUARTER 2023 Each quarter the Seattle Genealogical Society recognizes one member as our Volunteer of the Quarter. Our Volunteer for Winter Quarter 2023 is Jess Ramey.
Jess Ramey has been a member of SGS for twenty-six years and an SGS Library volunteer since 2016. Jess started helping out by sorting all the maps and then progressed to scanning and indexing document collections donated to the library over the years. Currently he is in the process of making those digital collections available on the library’s patron computers. Jess has also served as a Library Trustee and is currently a member of the Material Review Committee. When asked about what he likes about volunteering with SGS Jess said, “I like the feeling that I am contributing to others’ quests for information about their families.”
Jess also appreciates attending SGS events, especially in-person. Pre-pandemic, he attended many of the Spring and Fall seminars and enjoyed the interaction with the other attendees.
Jess’s personal genealogical interest is his family name. Although he has found much research on the Ramey surname, he has not yet been able to make a connection to the family in late 18th century Virginia. Census records indicate his third great-grandfather was born in Virginia in 1783, but he has not been able to confirm this, or identify parents. This is a brick wall he has been attempting to break through for the past thirty years.
When Jess isn’t helping out at SGS or sleuthing genealogical mysteries, he enjoys spending time fishing with his sons. He also volunteers with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program and works as a tax counselor/preparer every February-April tax season.
Congratulations and thank you Jess for all you do for our Society!SGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Upcoming Annual Election to be discussed. Proposed changes to SGS Bylaws will be presented. Slate of nominees for the 2023-24 SGS Board will be presented and additional nominations will be accepted from the floor.
Please register in advance for this meeting on the SGS website Calendar of Events.
Everyone is invited to stay on for the Virtual Sunday presentation directly following this membership meeting. VIRTUAL SUNDAY: SOMEYHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm This month’s presentation is “Finding Treasures in Academic Libraries”. Academic libraries, archives, and special collections are an often overlooked resource for genealogists. These collections, located on (usually) university campuses, will have resources available nowhere else. One’s ancestor does not need to have been a student or faculty member to find value in an academic library. New territory for you? Don’t feel intimidated. Jill Morelli’s excellent advice on the subject will guide you.
Please register in advance for this presentation.
Who wouldn’t want undivided writing time with like-minded genealogists? Consider signing up for the SGS100 Writers’ C(r)amp to be held April 20-23, 2023 at the UW Friday Harbor Laboratories.
Wonderfully located in a nature preserve yet within easy distance to Friday Harbor, we will have 2+ days of undistracted writing time. Whether you are working on a personal project, a portfolio, or an entry for the SGS100 Family History Writing Contest this is an opportunity to start or polish up an existing project. Experts will be there to help. You can find out more and sign up at the SGS Centennial website page
100 years ago: 13 March 1923
“Women Paying for Working” informed the Seattle P-I.
Crouched in between an article regarding “Rum Men Pay Income Taxes” was another an article “Woman Paying For Working” noting that “Nearly one-sixth of the income tax returns being made at the office of the internal revenue collector in the federal building are filled by women.” A fitting article for Women’s History Month.
“Women Paying for Work,” Seattle Post Intelligencer, 13 March 1923. p. 11, col 5.
* Watch each eNews! issue for “100 years ago”, our new anecdotal series. We will be running it for the duration of 2023, our centennial year.
SAVE THE DATE
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, usually 2nd Monday meetings usually 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 PM unless noted otherwise.
Check out all the activities that will be available for Irish Week. Check it out at the SGS Calendar of Events and the Irish Heritage Club : https://irishclub.org/irish-week-2023/
Note: Irish Genealogy Workshop on March 18, 2023, was canceled, but there is a St Patrick’s Day dinner event.
International German Genealogy Partnership 2023 Conference, June 9-11, 2023 Fort Wayne, Indiana
This is a conference not to be missed by anyone doing German genealogy research anywhere in the world. Attend in person or online. For more info and registration visit: https://iggp.org
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 206 522-8658
New Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm ** Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers. *** The elevator in the Good Shepherd Center will be out of service for the next several weeks.
Masks are recommended inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. 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.
NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room. The host must take action to let people into each meeting. The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.
All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
Friday, March 17, 2023, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Family Tree Maker SIG, the FTM by Software MacKiev user’s group meets via Zoom on the 3rd Friday of each month. If you would like to attend and are not on the SIG e-mail distribution list, please send an e-mail to egsgenealogyhelper@yahoo.com no later than Thursday, March 16th to request the meeting link.
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, IRISH SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, German SIG, with Carolyn Schott See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 12:30 pm-1:00 pm, SGS General Membership Meeting, SGS members, mark your calendar. Topics: what’s new at SGS and bylaw changes.
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Jill Morelli is the usual host. Topic is Finding Treasures in Academic Libraries.
Monday, March 20, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Monday, March 27, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, 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.
Saturday, April 1, 2023, 10:15 am- 12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG, with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com
Sunday, April 2, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, 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@gmail.com to join.
Monday, April 3, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Saturday, April 8, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Second Saturday: Western Overland Trails, with Steven W Morrison, Following the Seven T’s. Please register in advance.
Monday, April 10, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Monday, April 10, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Board of Directors Meeting at SGS (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. Remember SGS has several board positions open. We need to fill them. Maybe you have the skills and the time.
Monday, April 10, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.com
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, 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.
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, IRISH SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, German SIG, with Carolyn Schott See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Monday, April 17, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Friday, April 21, 2023, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Family Tree Maker SIG, the FTM by Software MacKiev user’s group meets via Zoom on the 3rd Friday of each month. If you would like to attend and are not on the SIG e-mail distribution list, please send an e-mail to egsgenealogyhelper@yahoo.com no later than Thursday, April 20th to request the meeting ld.
Monday, April 24, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, 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.
Saturday, April 29, 2023, 10:00 am-12:30 pm, DNA SIG, 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@gmail.com to join.
Genealogists and family historians, your help is needed to save access to historical immigration records!
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a substantial fee hike to access millions of historical immigration records held exclusively by its genealogy program. This could effect you so it is really important that you post your comments and write to your Senators and Representative.
The comment deadline is now March 13th so please submit your comments by then. Please share this deadline with your networks, too. Encourage them to comment and contact their Senators and Representative. If genealogists don’t comment, USCIS will think we don’t care how long it takes to get records or how much it costs.
TIP OF THE WEEK – “HERITAGE FROM THE HEARTLAND” SERIES
The Eastern Washington Genealogical Society has been running a webinar series on research in the Heartland of America. There are 4 webinars left; they are hybrid, meaning you can attend in person or online virtual. They will take place:
March 4, 2023 : Michigan April 1, 2023 : Ohio, Minnesota, and Iowa May 6, 2023 : Kansas June 3, 2023 : Oklahoma
Interested in finding out more, visit their website: https://ewgsi.org
SGS SPRING SEMINAR 2023 IS ALMOST HERE! REGISTER TODAY!!We are excited to have Diana Elder, AGⓇ, and Nicole Dyer, authors of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and its companion volume, Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence, and hosts of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast, for our seminar. They will present 4 lectures over 2 days: Friday evening, March 10, 5-8pm Saturday morning, March 11, 9am-noon. Program includes– Objectives, Analysis, and Locality Research Research Planning, Source Citations, Research Logs, & Written Conclusions Organizing DNA Results Using DNA to Solve a Family History Mystery Registration link HERE.
Presentations will be recorded and available (only) to registrants for a limited time. Registration fee: Full Seminar – $55.00 (SGS Members – $45.00) PLEASE HELP! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR IRISH WEEK!SGS will have our usual information booth during Irish Festal at Seattle Center on Saturday, March 11, 2023 and Sunday, March 12, 2023. The booth will operate from noon to 6:00 pm both days. This outreach activity helps SGS obtain it’s annual 4Culture grant funding. Volunteers are desperately needed to man the booth for two hour shifts and answer simple Irish genealogy questions. Especially critical is from 1-2:00pm each day while Jean needs to be away from the booth giving lectures.
If you can help out, please call or text Jean Roth at 206-510-5202. She may also be reached by email: jeanroth44@gmail.com.
Irish Festal is really fun with musical performances, step-dancing, Irish genealogy and history, craft goods, and more. So come contribute 2 hours of volunteer work and play before or after.
100 years ago: 28 February 1923
’U’ Psychologists Probe Brains of Freshmen Class” informed the Seattle P-I.
The article explains that in the past, psychological tests were voluntary, with few opting to take them. However, this year psychological tests of freshmen were compulsory. With the information gathered, the psychologists intend to classify the schools according to intelligence. The article also explains that last years’ test results showed law school students below the average and pharmacists at the bottom.
“ ‘U’ Psychologists Prober Brains of Freshmen Class,” Seattle Post Intelligencer, 28 February 1923. p. 6, col 7.
* Watch each eNews! issue for “100 years ago”, our new anecdotal series. We will be running it for the duration of 2023, our centennial year.
ELSEWHERE
Late notice, but there is a class at the Poulsbo Historical Society tomorrow: Wednesday, Mar. 1 1:00PM Community Room, Poulsbo Library History LIVE! Myths, Legends and Lies – The Danger of Family History Research Guest Speaker: Michael Lee Stills of Missing Roots Genealogy More info: https://poulsbohistory.com/
Early Bird Registration for the International German Genealogy Partnership 2023 Conference, June 9-11, closes on March 3. For more info visit: https://iggp.org
Registration opens for IGHR 2023 on March 4th. Some classes fill quickly. For more info visit: https://ighr.gagensociety.org
SAVE THE DATE
Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State, usually 2nd Monday meetings usually 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
JGSWS meets on the second Monday of each month, from Sept-June. Doors open at 6:30 PM unless noted otherwise. Next program, March 13, “Researching Jewish Families in America: Synagogue Record as a Genealogical Resource”, with Ellen Kowitt.
Check out all the activities that will be available for Irish Week. Check it out at the SGS Calendar of Events and the Irish Heritage Club : https://irishclub.org/irish-week-2023/
Note: Irish Genealogy Workshop on March 18, 2023, was canceled, but there is a St Patrick’s Day dinner event.
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Good Shepherd Center, Suite 302 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 206 522-8658
New Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm ** Please call ahead to make sure our library will be open. We are short on front desk volunteers. *** The elevator in the Good Shepherd Center will be out of service for the next several weeks.
Masks are recommended inside the Good Shepherd Center. Due to COVID the events listed below continue to be virtual, online via Zoom. 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.
NOTICE: SGS has imposed more security on our Zoom meetings. Some meetings will begin with a waiting room. The host must take action to let people into each meeting. The host will try to open the waiting room about 10 minutes ahead of time. Please be patient.
All times listed are Pacific Time unless otherwise noted
Saturday, March 4, 2023, 10:15 am- 12:15 pm, FamilySearch SIG, with Lou Daly. Discover many ways to use the FamilySearch website in your research. Meeting includes instruction and time for Q&A. Email Lou to get on the email list: loudaly@nwlink.com
Sunday, March 5, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, 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@gmail.com to join.
Monday, March 6, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, MAC Computer SIG, Co-chaired by Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick. Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske. Meetings address topics and resources for Macintosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion genealogy software program. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of alternating months. 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.
Friday, March 10, 2023, 5:00 pm-8:00 pm, SGS SPRING SEMINAR, Day 1, (Virtual), with Diana Elder, AGⓇ, and Nicole Dyer, authors of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and its companion volume, Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence, and hosts of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast, will present 4 lectures over 2 days: Friday evening, 5-8, and Saturday morning, 9-noon. Registration required.
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, SGS SPRING SEMINAR, Day 2, (Virtual), with Diana Elder, AGⓇ, and Nicole Dyer,
Monday, March 13, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Monday, March 13, 2023, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, Board of Directors Meeting at SGS (Virtual), All SGS members are welcome to attend. Remember SGS has several board positions open. We need to fill them. Maybe you have the skills and time.
Monday, March 13, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Write It Up! SIG (Virtual), Join this group to share and discuss writing projects, resources, and ideas. To join or learn more, contact Alaine Keisling at keisling@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, 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.
Friday, March 17, 2023, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Family Tree Maker SIG, the FTM by Software MacKiev user’s group meets via Zoom on the 3rd Friday of each month. If you would like to attend and are not on the SIG e-mail distribution list, please send an e-mail to egsgenealogyhelper@yahoo.com no later than Thursday, March 16th to request the meeting link.
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, IRISH SIG, with Susan McKee and Jim Ryan. See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, German SIG, with Carolyn Schott See the SGS website Calendar of Events for further information. Notice there is a new Zoom link.
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 12:30 pm-1:00 pm, SGS General Membership Meeting, SGS members, mark your calendar. Topics: what’s new at SGS and bylaw changes.
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New, Jill Morelli is the usual host. Topic TBD.
Monday, March 20, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Monday, March 27, 2023, 10:00 am-11:30 am, 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.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 10:00 am-11:00 am, 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.
Consider this unique opportunity! Celebrate SGS’s Centennial with a community of family history writers in a beautiful, tranquil setting. Sound good to you? Then please click on the link below to fill out a short form to let us know you are interested. We’ll get back to you with details as they develop. SGS members will receive a reduced price. https://forms.gle/rikL9v4BLk92d3Fs
SAVE THE DATES FOR THESE OTHER SGS CENTENNIAL YEAR ACTIVITIES
SGS Spring Seminar, 10-11 March, registration is open now!
SGS100 Writers’ C(r)amp: 20-23 April 2023, fill out the interest form
SGS100 Family History Writing Contest open. See this month’s issue of the SGS Journal
SGS100 Summer Preservation Seminar: Denise Levenich, Mark the date: 17-18 June.
SGS100 1923 Ice Cream Social: Meridian Park; date TBD
SGS100 culminating event: 20 October 2023, Dunn Garden
TIP OF THE WEEK – IMAGE ONLY RECORDS ON FAMILYSEARCH
A large percentage of FamilySearch records are not indexed. Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 1:00 pm, for our “Virtual Sundays: Something Old, Something New”, Jill Morelli will teach you how to navigate the image only records on FamilySearch. Preregistration is required. Visit our SGS website for registration.
You are free to copy articles to any non-commercial web site or message board or printed publication you wish. Don’t bother to ask permission, just do it.
