Tag Archives: Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society

Janice Weihs Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 next month, you will be introduced to each of the 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Janice Weihs of Tacoma, Washington, who was nominated by the Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society (TPCGS). She was recognized for her dedicated and committed volunteer efforts. Janice’s husband Frank was an Outstanding Volunteer from TPCGS in 2010.

Janice Weihs with husband Frank

Janice Weihs with husband Frank

Mrs. Weihs has been a member of TPCGS since at least 1994. She initiated the society’s newsletter in 2006, and continued to serve as editor until the fall of   2014. She also began serving on the library committee in 2010. While on the library committee, she consulted with the staff of the Tacoma Public Library to determine what resources would best augment the library’s genealogy collection. She then purchased the resources from funds donated by society members. Mrs. Weihs also helped with extracting the 1892 Pierce County Auditor’s Census and the Tacoma and Pierce County death records from 1884 to 1907.

Although their active participation has become limited in the past few years due to health issues, Mr. and Mrs. Weihs have continued to support the society. The couple was recently named lifetime members of TPCGS.

Mrs. Weihs is a valued and hard-working member of the TPCGS, and illustrates that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

 

Register for WSGS Conference NOW

by Roxanne Lowe

You don’t want to miss it, so register NOW — before June 11 — for the Washington State Genealogical Society Conference on June 18, 2016. The conference’s featured speaker is Paula Stuart-Warren, GG, FMGS, FUGA. Presentations include:

Paula Stuart Warren

Paula Stuart Warren

  • Your Anytime Library: Success in the Virtual Stacks
  • Railroad Records and Railroad History: Methods for Tracking
  • Untrod Ground: Sources You May Not Have Encountered
  • Controlling Chaos: Organizing Your Genealogical Material
The conference will be at the La Quinta Inn and Suites, 1425 East 27th St. in Tacoma and is hosted by the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society. Registration is $50 if postmarked by June 11, 2016. Postmarks after June 11, add $5 late fee. Walk-in registration is also available, although lunch availability cannot be guaranteed.
 
For registration and more information, visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society website here.

Tacoma-Pierce County Gen Society Newsflash

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting at Bates Technical College, South Campus, Tuesday, May 10, 2016

 

Tacoma Pierce GS

 

Do you have a brick wall that you need help with?  Dusty Gorman will lead a brainstorming session that will hopefully help give you another idea on where to look.  Join us at 6 and to get some help, or to help someone with their brick wall.

 

Then after a short business meeting, Jean Fisher will be presenting an overview of how to use Find My Past, Tacoma Public Library’s newest online genealogy resource, thanks to the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society! Find My Past provides access to an ever-expanding collection of over 2 billion historical records. With especially strong in coverage in Ireland, England and Scotland, it also includes thousands of records from Canada and the United States.  You’ll find parish and census records, vital records, military records, and enhanced access to PERSI (the PERiodical Source Index). I’ll also demonstrate how to create a free account to save your research and build a family tree. Find My Past is available for free in-library use at all Tacoma Public Library locations through the generous support of the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society.

TPCGS monthly meetings are held September – May at Bates Technical College, South Campus, Building E, 2201 South 78th St., Tacoma.  Meetings are from 6pm – 9pm.  In between the two talks, there will be a short business meeting along with a social time and light refreshments.  Find more information at www.tpcgs.org

 

Time Running Out to Register for Meet & Greet

by Roxanne Lowe

If you’re thinking you’d like to attend the WSGS Pre-Conference Meet and Greet with Paula Stuart-Warren (check out her blog!)  and Cyndi Ingle (creator of Cyndi’s List), you better get registered ASAP. The Friday night (17 Jun) Meet and Greet (which includes a dessert buffet) is limited to the first 50 registrants, $10 each, and as of 12 Apr, there were only 14 spots left!!! Pre-registration is required.

 

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Time Running Out to Reserve Your Room at WSGS Conference

by Roxanne Lowe

The Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is hard at work on the upcoming WSGS Conference — June 17 and 18, 2016 at the La Quinta Inn and Suites, 1425 East 27th St, Tacoma, WA. A limited number of rooms are available at a special conference rate. Unreserved rooms will be released SOON! Call the La Quinta at (253) 383-0146 to book your room now.

And while you’re thinking about it, don’t forget to register for the conference! Paula Stuart-Warren! We are so lucky to have this amazing expert! Check out her blog at GenealogybyPaula.com.

And if you want to start the conference off right, register for the Friday evening Meet-and-Greet with Paula and Cyndi Ingle (creator of Cyndi’s List). The Meet and Greet (which includes a dessert buffet) is limited to the first 50 registrants, $10 each. Pre-registration is required.

Tacoma Pierce County Gen Society Newsflash

by Charles Hansen

Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting at Bates Technical College, South Campus, Tuesday, April 12, 2016

The monthly meeting will start at 6pm with George Snyder talking to us about

Source Evaluation, Report Brief; the organization & benefit of record keeping when researching on the internet. Examples and template provided at the following link:

http://www.gwsweb.org/GP/Links/Handouts.html

Then after a short business meeting, Mary Kozy will help us to understand autosomal DNA  with her talk on

Can You Help Me Find My Cousins? Using Autosomal DNA

DNA testing has become an important tool in the family historian’s toolkit. Autosomal DNA testing has become very popular and, with the addition of new individuals to the major companies’ databases every day, a major resource. In this session, you will learn what autosomal DNA is, what it can tell you, and how you can use it to potentially break through brick walls and solve genealogical mysteries!

Mary Kathryn Kozy has been researching for over 35 years and in many different areas. She has served in multiple positions in societies on the local & state level. Mary is currently the Secretary of the Jewish Genealogical Society of WA State and speaks to many groups in the area. She completed her second bachelor’s degree, in Information Technology and Systems, in 2013 and is currently enrolled in the ProGen program with an eye toward certification.

 

TPCGS monthly meetings are held September – May at Bates Technical College, South Campus, Building E, 2201 South 78th St., Tacoma.  Meetings are from 6pm – 9pm.  In between the two talks, there will be a short business meeting along with a social time and light refreshments.  Find more information at www.tpcgs.org

 

 

 

Warren Fisk Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

by Roxanne Lowe

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 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 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Warren Fisk of Lakebay, Washington, who was nominated by the Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society (TPCGS). He was recognized for his support, encouragement, and assistance to the society.

Warren Fisk

Warren Fisk

Mr. Fisk has been a member of Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society since 2002. He served as president from 2010 through 2013. Before becoming president, Mr. Fisk was the society treasurer from 2006 to 2009, moving from paper records to a computer format, which made them much easier to manage and understand.

Mr. Fisk has co-chaired TPCGS’s annual seminar since 2010, assuming the lead in finding the location and making sure the logistical details were addressed to ensure a successful event for all.

Mr. Fisk’s attention to detail even includes making certain there are refreshments at each society meeting, a much appreciated addition.

A dedicated, long-time volunteer, Mr. Fisk continues to be a respected and diligent member of the TPCGS, and richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Tacoma-Pierce County GS Meeting on Tuesday

by Roxanne Lowe

Join the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society (TPCGS) at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Bates Technical College, South Campus, Building E, 2201 South 78th St., Tacoma.

Creating Genealogy Citations:  Dusty Gorman will be talking about creating proper genealogy citations.

After a short business meeting, Mike Saunders will talk about “Your Records and the Washington State Archives.” Regional Archivist Mike Saunders will speak about the State Archives, including an overview of the responsibilities, services and collections of the State Archives, its branches in Olympia, Bellevue, Bellingham, Cheney, Ellensburg and the State’s online Digital Archives. The presentation will also include examples of documents that researchers can find, information on how they can be used and exciting opportunities for volunteers.

Mike Saunders has 40 years of experience in public archives and records management in Washington State. He has BA in history from Washington State University and a Graduate Certificate in Records Management and Archival Administration from Western Washington University. The Washington State Archives is the Division of the Office of the Secretary of State that provides public records management services to state and local government agencies, and preserves archival collections from those agencies for public use.

TPCGS’s monthly meetings are held September – May at Bates Technical College, South Campus, Building E, 2201 South 78th St., Tacoma. Meetings are from 6pm – 9pm. In between the two talks, there is a short business meeting along with a social time and light refreshments. Find more information at www.tpcgs.org