
Spring has arrived, bringing sunny days, blooming flowers, and a fresh sense of energy. As the season renews everything around us, we’d love for you to bring that same spirit to our organization by volunteering. Take a look at our list of opportunities here and discover how you can make a meaningful impact—your time and support truly make a difference!
Today is the final day to submit nominations for the President and Treasurer positions. Officers are elected for two-year terms beginning June 1, 2025. We’re pleased to have a candidate for Treasurer, but we’re still looking for someone to step up as President. You can find more details about the positions and how to apply on our website at https://www.skcgs.org.
Be in the know! Receive notices for our virtual meetings, as well as the latest genealogy news and tips, by subscribing (free) to the online group at https://skcgs.groups.io
Skcgs.groups.io is the SKCGS online platform for discussion and information sharing:
- we communicate and exchange ideas
- other than your email, you are not required to provide personal information
- you can unsubscribe at any time
PROGRAM UPDATES
- All meetings are online except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at KCLS Auburn, Federal Way, and Renton Highland library branches
- Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
- Online meeting participants need to register for SKCGS Zoom meetings. Upon registration, Zoom will send a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.
APRIL – EARLY MAY 2025 MEETINGS & EVENTS
All meetings are Pacific Time (PT) zone
Register at https://www.skcgs.org for all meetings unless stated otherwise
Tuesday, April 2, 2025
Nominations Close for SKCGS Officer Positions: President and Treasurer
See the SKCGS website for more information.
Friday, April 4, 2025 ⋅ 12:30pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
Topic: “What’s in a Name? Deciphering German Given Names and Nicknames” by presenter Gail Blankenau
Genealogists often focus on surnames, but what happens when multiple ancestor candidates share the same name? German given names can be tricky—many individuals had multiple names but were known by a “Rufname” (call name). Don’t let name confusion derail your research—discover strategies you need to ensure you’re barking up the right tree.
For meeting registration, visit https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/
Saturday, April 5, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT
Family Tree Maker Users Group (online)
Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM.
Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG
Thursday, April 10, 2025 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at Renton Highlands Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
2801 NE 10th Street
Renton WA 98056
Registration not required. In-person event.
Monday, April 14, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (online)
Topic: Using Mitochondrial DNA To Answer Your Research Question
Subscribe to the free SKCGS Genetic-Genealogy email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy
Thursday, April 17, 2025 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
1102 Auburn Way S
Auburn, WA 98002
Registration not required. In-person event.
Thursday, April 17, 2025 ⋅ 2:00pm – 4:00pm PT
Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Federal Way Library (in-person)
Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer
34200 1st Way S
Federal Way, WA 98003
Registration not required. In-person event.
Friday, April 18, 2025, 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Research Workshop (in-person)
For SKCGS members
Kent FamilySearch Center
12817 SE 256th St., Kent, WA
Seating is limited
RSVP REQUIRED to Winona at w.laird@skcgs.org
Saturday, April 19, 2025, 9:30am PT social time; 10am – 11:30am PT program
SKCGS Speaker Series (online)
“FamilySearch 2025: New Tools, New Discoveries” by Debbie Gurtler, AG
Join us as we explore the latest tools and innovations at FamilySearch in 2025. These tools and new features are designed to enhance your family history research and help you to discover, gather, and connect with your family in new and exciting ways.

Debbie Gurtler graduated with honors from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Family History. She has made research trips to Spain, Portugal, Virginia, and North Carolina. She is employed by FamilySearch as the Assistant Director of the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. Fluent in Spanish, she can also read genealogical documents in Portuguese, Italian, and French. Debbie holds five AG® credentials. They are for the United States Mid-South region, Spain, Mexico, Chile, and Portugal.
The program will be recorded for playback by SKCGS Members. Guests welcome!
Monday, April 21, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Tech User Group (online)
Topic: Using All the New Tools for FAN Club Research. Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, and others
Subscribe to the free SKCGS Technical User Group email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG
Monday, April 28, 2025 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT
Genealogy Chat (online)
Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another!
Subscribe to the free SKCGS email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society
Friday, May 2, 2025 ⋅ 12:30pm PT
EGS German Interest Group (online)
Topic: “Tools for Reading German Handwriting” by Dana Palmer, CG, CGL
For meeting registration, visit https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com/
Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT
Family Tree Maker Users Group (online)
Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM.
Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for announcements and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG
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MEMBERSHIP: We welcome guests to our meetings and special interest groups, which are free. Naturally we hope that visitors will want to become members. Support like yours helps us to educate and engage with our community to foster interest in family and local history. You can find more information about membership at our website at https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership.
You are receiving this email because you have attended a SKCGS meeting and indicated you would like to receive periodic notice of events. If you would like to be removed from our list and stop receiving emails from us, send an email to skcgsfriends+unsubscribe@skcgs.org.
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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY