Please join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 1pm for the first of our Spring Series, Diseases Our Ancestors Faced and How Those Illnesses Changed Our World with Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP. Have you ever come across a death record listing “Brain Fever,” “Consumption,” “Grippe,” and wondered what those illnesses are? In this presentation, Dr. Gardner brings together his medical background with his passion for genealogy. Topics include death records, life expectancy and the major illnesses that changed the course of history. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.

What’s the next best thing to March Madness? AI and Genealogy with Dave Obee, March 8, 2025 at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library presented by the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society! Dave will bring us up to date on how artificial intelligence programs are changing genealogical research (have you tried ChatGPT or FamilySearch “full text” search?), and how we can best use them. If you can’t make it to the Burlington Public Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.

Please join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1pm for the last of our Winter Series, AI and Genealogy with Dave Obee, author, journalist, and genealogist. Dave has written a dozen books and has given more than 700 presentations at genealogy and history conferences. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com.

Sharpen your pencils! Do your keyboard finger exercises! Don’t miss the second of our Winter Series, Writing Your Life Story with Annette Burke Lyttle, CG, of Heritage Detective, Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1pm,presented by Skagit Valley Genealogical Society. Learn how effectively organizing your time and research leads to success in writing your family history. Come in person to the Burlington Public library or join us by Zoom, email genealogy0715@gmail.com to request a Zoom link.

Please join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1pm for the second of our Winter Series, Writing Your Life Story with Annette Burke Lyttle, CG of Heritage Detective. Annette speaks on a variety of genealogical topics at the national, state and local levels and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing genealogy0715@gmail.com. We hope this program will be of interest to your members.

We apologize for the unexpected change and disappointment. But Christine Cohen’s presentation promises to be very informative and helpful for our

family research.

ITEM 2:  SVGS’ Weekly Digest Communications Chair, Barbara Johnson, is experiencing some unexpected health issues. We most importantly want Barb to get her helpful rest and recover ASAP so she can return to sharing her wit and wisdom with us on Mondays each week. So, two things please note:

1. There may not be an SVGS Weekly Digest this Monday, Sept 9th. That will be up to how Barb is feeling. We all understand and wish her Get Well Soon.

2. RE: Monthly Meeting Zoom Link: Either Barb or I have typically been the ones to email you as an SVGS member the ZOOM Link for the 2nd Saturday Monthly Meetings. Well, this month (September only) I am out-of town and out of reach of cell tower range in the wilderness on vacation and Barb is working on her health recovery. So, please make a note in your EMAIL INBOX and SPAM folder for the Saturday, Sept. 14 Monthly Meeting ZOOM LInk to be sent from SVGS Board MemberGeorge Ridgeway. His email address is:  georgewayjr@gmail.com. 

Please keep a lookout for that email with the Zoom link so you don’t miss the meeting. 

Sorry for the program change at this late date. “Life is what happens while you are making other plans” as John Lennon once said. How true!

I hope you enjoyed a lovely summer break, got lots of genealogy research in during the hiatus and that you will come join us on Saturday, Sept 14 for an interesting and educational program. AND….don’t forget to come join the fun and research help offered on the Genealogy Interest Group on 2nd Tuesdays of the Month from 11am-1pm at the Burlington Public Library (we will either be in the conference room or Gentry Room. So come look for us)

See you in October!