Tag Archives: Stillaguamish Valley Gen Society

Elizabeth Dalton Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

by Roxanne Lowe

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 Elizabeth Dalton of Camano Island, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS).

Elizabeth Dalton

Elizabeth began as a volunteer with SVGS in its early days, as a member of the Publications Committee, by serving as an indexer for some of the society’s earliest published books. In between indexing projects, she wrote articles and fillers for the newsletter “The Stillaguamish Star,” as well as performing editor-in-chief duties. More recently, she functioned as vice president of the library for a time during the pandemic.  Currently, she is working on organizing a large collection of donated materials from the Camwood Genealogy Workshop.

In Elizabeth’s opinion, the three most important things to remember when doing genealogy research are “… accuracy, accuracy, and accuracy.” She adds, “We need to prove the accuracy of every record used in our research to the best of our ability.”

Elizabeth was born in Seattle and currently lives on Camano Island in Island County. She has been an SVGS lifetime member since 2015.

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

Ruth Caesar Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Volunteers

by Roxanne Lowe

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.

Ruth Caesar

Today we’re introducing Ruth Caesar of Arlington, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS).

During the last two years of pandemic lockdowns, mandates and uncertainty, Ruth has been the “glue” that has held the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society and Library together. Along with fulfilling her own duties as society president, she has taken on many tasks that others have been unable to perform. During discussions considering “boxing up the books and shutting down the library,” Ruth continued to advocate for maintaining our community presence, which has been successfully accomplished. She was also able to work with the City of Arlington to secure rent relief during the lockdown as well as continuing to lead fundraising efforts which have been instrumental in paying for necessary services.

The SVGS library is now back open, welcoming staff and visitors and the business of the society is being conducted as before, thanks to Ruth’s leadership and commitment.

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.

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Voting Records

by Charles Hansen

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

Join us on Election Day!

Presentation: Voting Records: Genealogy’s Best Kept Secret and SVGS monthly meeting

Tuesday November 8, 2022,,1:00 PM Pacific

Zoom Meeting: Society Library or Virtually

Online via Zoom, via phone, and in-person at the SVGS Library 6111 188 PL NE, Arlington.


The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society is now providing monthly meetings at the library and via Zoom. Pam Vestal will be speaking virtually at our November 8th meeting. Our business meeting will follow the presentation.


Pam’s topic: Voting Records: Genealogy’s Best Kept Secret

Looking for a date of birth or death? When and where your ancestor became a citizen? Where he disappeared to or where he came from? Voting records may have the answer. These often-overlooked gems can be packed with genealogical information, and you won’t believe what they can tell us about our ancestors!


Pam’s Bio:

Pam is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and has been a speaker for the Federation of Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, our own Northwest Genealogy Conference and many others. She is the owner of Generations Genealogy, LLC and can be found on her website at www.generationsgen.com.

You are invited to watch free (donations to the society are always appreciated) Zoom presentation at the society library located at 6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, Washington. If you prefer to watch virtually, a Zoom link to join the meeting using your computer or by phone can be found on our website.
www.stillygen.org

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Intro to U.S. Church Records

by Charles Hansen

Intro to U.S. Church Records: Why We Care Where Grandma Went to Church and SVGS monthly meeting

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

Tuesday October 11, 2022,,1:00 PM Pacific

Zoom Meeting: Society Library or Virtually

Online via Zoom, via phone, and in-person at the SVGS Library 6111 188 PL NE, Arlington,


The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society is now providing monthly meetings at the library and via Zoom. Sunny Morton will be speaking virtually at our October 11th meeting. Our business meeting will follow the presentation
Sunny’s topic: Intro to U.S. Church Records: Why We Care Where Grandma Went to Church
U.S. church records of many denominations can reveal ancestors’ vital events, family relationships, overseas birthplaces and other residences and religious lives. From the co-author of the acclaimed book How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, learn what these records may look like, how to identify an ancestral church, locate extant records and access them.
Bio:
Sunny Jane Morton is an internationally-known genealogy speaker and award-winning writer and editor. She is a longtime Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine; Contributing Editor and Content Manager for YourDNAGuide.com; frequent contributor to FamilySearch’s blog; and past Editor of Ohio Genealogy News. She has twice received prestigious awards from the National Genealogical Society, most recently for her book How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, co-authored with Harold Henderson.

You are invited to watch free (donations to the society are always appreciated) Zoom presentation at the society library located at 6111 188 PL NE, Arlington, Washington. If you prefer to watch virtually, a Zoom link to join the meeting using your computer or by phone can be found on our website.
www.stillygen.org

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be hosting Daniel Earl

by Charles Hansen

The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be hosting Daniel Earl via ZOOM on Feb. 8- Tuesday at 1PM the

Tuesday, February 8 Going Wayback: Using the Internet Archives in Your Research  (Virtual Meetings) 1:00 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society is now providing monthly meetings via Zoom. Daniel Earl will be speaking at our February 8th meeting. Our business meeting and board meeting will follow the presentation. A Zoom link to join the meeting using your computer can be found below. The option to join the meeting by phone is also available.   Daniel’s topic: Going Wayback: Using the Internet Archives in Your Research

More Information

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Hosting Daniel Earl

by Charles Hansen

The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be hosting Daniel Earl via ZOOM on Feb. 8- Tuesday at 1PM the

Tuesday, February 8 Going Wayback: Using the Internet Archives in Your Research  (Virtual Meetings) 1:00 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society is now providing monthly meetings via Zoom. Daniel Earl will be speaking at our February 8th meeting. Our business meeting and board meeting will follow the presentation. A Zoom link to join the meeting using your computer can be found below. The option to join the meeting by phone is also available.   Daniel’s topic: Going Wayback: Using the Internet Archives in Your Research

More Information

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society February Meeting

by Charles Hansen
The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will host Richard Hanks (President of the Stanwood Area Historical Area) who will present “The Parentage and Personality of Abraham Lincoln”. Mr. Hanks is related to Lincoln through his Mother Nancy Hanks Lincoln. The meeting is February 11th at 1PM at the society library located at 6111-188th Pl. NE, Arlington, Washington.

Contact photo

NWGC 2019 is Here!

by Roxanne Lowe

The Northwest Genealogy Conference is one of the region’s best learning and networking opportunities. I look forward to it all year and today didn’t disappoint! In case you hadn’t heard, the conference, in its sixth year, is August 14 – 17, 2019, at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School.

Angie Bush showing Julie Miller from Olympia how to maximize her DNA matches on AncestryDNA.

The afternoon began for many taking advantage of Janet O’Conor Camarata’s free beginning class. I saw more than beginners in the class — there’s always something new to learn or relearn in the world of genealogy. There were also three “advanced workshops” offered: Connecting DNA Matches with Angie Bush, Family History Writing with Lisa Alzo and Disaster Proofing Your Research with Sara Cochran. There was a lot of buzz about all three classes.

Daniel Earl and Michael Strauss enjoyed Wednesday evening’s Meet and Greet

The evening closed with a “Meet and Greet” taco bar at the Gleneagle Golf Course. What a great way to see old friends and make new ones.

Tomorrow we’ll be treated to three DNA-related plenary sessions with Angie Bush and “Making the Most from Your Public Library” with Jennifer Foreman. In addition to Angie’s and Jennifer’s presentations, we’ll also have to choose just two classes from the ten offered — everything from death, dying and burial customs to finding ancestors without the 1890 census. In combing through the 170-page syllabus, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to choose!

If you aren’t one of the 250+ people who have already registered for the conference, don’t despair! You can register at the door for one day, two days or all three! You can’t register online anymore (and meals are not available for on-site registrants), but show up at the door and the uber-efficient volunteers from conference host Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will get you set up. Just show up early! Doors open at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at 7:30 a.m.

I’m excited, full of energy and enthusiasm! More tomorrow…

Day 3 at the Northwest Genealogy Conference

by Roxanne Lowe

How time flies when you’re having fun! The last day of the Northwest Genealogy Conference was again filled with classes, networking, book sales, vendors and amazing discoveries.

Our keynote speaker for the day was Beth Foulk, whose energetic style entertained us with tales from colonial immigration to the importance of the crossroads state of Missouri to the battle for bounty lands. My “extra” class was Rich Venezia‘s “Emerald Isle Express: Researching Irish Ancestors.” He gave me some new resources and encouragement in finding my Irish ancestors. My hopes spring eternal that I’ll find ol’ Patrick Murphy (no middle name) and Lawrence Ryan (also no middle name and the son of a string of like-named men).

Stilly President Ruth Caesar with conference co-chairs Phil and Lisa Bartlow

I can’t heap enough praise on the amazing volunteers from conference hosts Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society. Did you know it takes approximately 2,500 hours to ensure the success of this conference — and it shows! I look forward to it every year. In fact, I’ve already marked my calendar for next year’s conference: August 14 – 17, 2019. Michael Strauss and Thomas MacEntee have already jumped on board to headline two of the days.