Tag Archives: Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

Meet the Board: Frank McLean

by Roxanne Lowe

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Who are these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them. (Note: a variation of Frank’s story was published in July 2017.)

Frank McLean

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Frank McLean. Frank lives in Yakima and is the WSGS Treasurer and chair of the Pioneer and First Citizen Program. He is also one of the main reviewers of the Pioneer Pursuit submissions. He has been a member of the WSGS since 1986, previously serving as President and Vice President. He was named as a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He’s been a proud member (and past President) of the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society since 1986.

Frank’s high school picture

Frank Leroy McLean was born in Chewelah (Stevens County), Washington in 1937 to Jonathan Cornelius and Margaret Ella (Starz) McLean, the third of six children. After high school, Frank served proudly in the Army for 20-plus years, then worked for 19 years at the U.S. Department of Defense, with a short break in between working in Spokane. In 1958, Frank married Delma Dee Roloff. They have three surviving children and seven grandchildren.

Frank has a special interest and knack in technology and computers. In fact, he manages the WSGS Pioneer and First Citizen certificate database — almost 30,000 strong. For an index of the names, click here.

John Robertson McLean (1847 – 1919). Frank’s grandfather was born in Nova Scotia and moved to St. James, Minnesota in 1870 where he started a church in a boxcar.

Speaking of Germans from Russia…that’s how Frank got his interest in genealogy. No, he doesn’t have German ancestors from Russia, but Delma does. She joined the Central Washington chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Society in 1985 and Frank tagged along as “driver, cemetery walker and microfilm cranker.” From there, his interest grew. His ancestors hail from Germany, Nova Scotia,  Maine and Minnesota. Frank’s grandfather, John Robertson McLean (pictured at left) was born in Nova Scotia, but moved to St. James, Minnesota in 1870. While there, he started a church in a boxcar. Frank and his family attended the 125th anniversary of the church, where they were given a copy of the picture that hangs in the church. There is also a miniature replica of the boxcar on the lawn in front of the church.

Frank likes the research part of the genealogical search, but he’s not as thrilled with the documentation part. He also prefers his hard-copy paper charts and lists over paperless research.

A few more interesting tidbits about Frank:
• Favorite genealogy website: Family Search
• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite dessert: Lemon Cream Pie

Now you know a little more about another of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Frank, say hello and thank him for his service to WSGS.

YVGS Website Team Named One of 2022’s Outstanding Teams

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 the YVGS Zoom Team that was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS). The team was comprised of Judy Jones Schuster and Richard Kyle.

Richard Kyle

Richard was a librarian, a program presenter and sets up seminars and workshops. He also registered YVGS as an affiliate library with the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.  He served as a librarian at the LDS library in Yakima many years and, when they shut down, was instrumental in acquiring their microfilms and fiche for YVGS’s library.  He serves as YVGS’s vice president and webmaster.

Judy Jones Schuster

Judy currently serves as president (for the second time) and was vice president. She has also been the society’s program chair and presents programs for their meetings. She worked many hours at Indian John Hill rest stop serving coffee to raise funds. Judy was YVGS’s bulletin editor from 2006 to 2021 and teaches bi-annual genealogy classes and currently works on obituaries for scanning. 

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.”

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Spring Seminar

by Charles Hansen

Y.V.G.S. Spring Seminar

Location:  Y.V.G.S. Library, 1901 So. 12th Ave, Union Gap, WA 98903

Telephone: (509) 248-1328 

website: www.yvgs.net

Cost: $15.00 Form on website.

Featuring: Richard Kyle

The classes will be focusing on the importance of immigration and land papers.

Friday, April 7, 2023 – 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Prejudice, Bias, Discrimination and Class Elitism and it’s effect on Colonial Immigration to the U.S.

Saturday, April 8, 2023 Morning 9:00 to 11:30am

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Free Land – A History of Free Land for Immigrants and Settlers from Colonial to Modern Times.

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Break and Snacks (coffee, tea and water provided).

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Lands Records – Why you need them for your research and a basic tutorial on how to use them.

Florance Nelson 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 Florance Irene McDonald Nelson of Buena, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Florance Nelson

Florance joined YVGS around 2005 when she retired and moved to the Yakima Valley.  Always willing to help, she was appointed historian of the society in 2012 and served as such ever since. This is a job requiring her to maintain the society’s scrapbooks of events, photos, etc.

She has been involved in many aspects of YVGS and is a staff volunteer librarian devoting every Friday and one Saturday a month at the library. She helps with the hospitality committee and assists in publicity for the society.  She shows up for every fundraiser and can work circles around many of the members.

Florance took over as temporary corresponding secretary in 2019 for an ill member and was elected to that position this year.  Members like Florance keep YVGS strong. 

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.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society What to Look for On the Flip Side of your Records

by Charles Hansen

Y.V.G.S. General Meeting

Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Judy Schuster will speak on: “On The Flip Side”

Judy will cover what to look for on the back side of records

or additional pages that may not be apparent at first glance.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 So. 12th Ave

Union Gap, WA  98903

Telephone: (509) 248-1328

email: yvgs@yvgs.net

Website: https://yvgs.net

Meet the Board: Kathy Sizer

by Roxanne Lowe

Do you know who’s running the show at the Washington State Genealogical Society? Who are these people? In the coming months, we’ll introduce them to you, so you can say “hi” the next time you see them. (Note: a variation of Kathy’s story was published in October 2017.)

Kathy and her 2nd cousins, once removed in England.

In today’s “Meet the Board” series, we’re introducing you to Kathy Sizer. Kathy lives in Granger (Yakima County) and is WSGS’s President. She has been a member of the WSGS since 2011. She is also a member of the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society where she has been president, vice president, recording secretary, hospitality chair and current treasurer.

Kathleen Louise was born in Oakland, California in 1951 to August Edward and Vivian Jane (Washburn) Weddle. Her mother liked the name Kathleen (as did approximately one million other mothers at the time), but when she told her husband, he said he did too as his former fiance’s name was Kathleen. Horrified, Kathy’s mother said they needed to pick another name, to which her husband replied, “I didn’t marry her. I married YOU, didn’t I?” 

Kathy’s interest in genealogy began when her grandmother Edith Clarke Washburn and her sister Avice Ramos Clarke were discussing family history when Kathy was in the 4th grade. That discussion sparked Kathy’s interest. Later, after college, Kathy found a handwritten family history her grandmother had done and that really secured her lifelong passion.

Kathy with her cousin Diana Walcom at their great grandfather John Clarkes’ home in Gargrave England.
Kathy and cousin Diana Walcom in England during Diana’s first trip to see the family home.

Even though her DNA ancestry says she’s only 36 percent English, Kathy’s ancestors come from England, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scotland, Arabic and Ireland. She has been lucky enough to travel to England and Scotland to see where her grandmother’s family was from.  A genealogist’s work is never done!

Kathy has quite a few interesting characters in her ancestry. Her distant grandmother, Sarah Lord Wilson of Andover, Massachusetts, and daughter Sarah Wilson Preston (also Kathy’s grandmother) were imprisoned for witchcraft, but released when the community began to realize the awful practice of imprisoning (or worse) was wrong. Kathy also has a great grandmother, Marie R. Cornioley, who was governess to Louis Comfort Tiffany, the famous glass maker. And what about John Billington, her distant grandfather, who came over on the Mayflower and was the first man in the Plymouth Colony to hang for killing a man? True story.

When not searching for her ancestors, Kathy enjoys gardening, travel and reading. She  has four grown children and seven grandchildren. “Her two sons are adopted from India and have done their DNA and have English and Irish blood (Queen Victoria and her British Empire most likely came into play).”

A few more interesting tidbits about Kathy:

  • Favorite genealogy websites: Ancestry, Family Search, Nantucket Historical Association and Newspapers.com. 
  • Favorite color: Green, of course, as Kathy’s ancestry takes her to England and her DNA shows she’s 17 percent Irish
  • Favorite dessert: Eclairs, pumpkin pie and homemade oatmeal raisin cookies
  • When asked for one word that described her, she replied, “bookish.”

Now you know a little more about another of the WSGS Board members. The next time you see Kathy say hello and thank her for her service to WSGS.

Cindy Fuerst 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.

Cindy Fuerst

Today we’re introducing Cynthia “Cindy” Fuerst of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Cindy joined YVGS in 1985 “because Cousin Kathy made me do it.” The genealogy bug hit Cindy hard, but she didn’t have to be hospitalized! Cindy volunteered as librarian one day a week and the Thursday night shift at the old YVGS library at First Christian Church in downtown Yakima across from the police department and next door to Shaw & Sons Funeral Home. The night genealogist had to take the money bag over to the night drop box at the funeral home. Such a brave genealogist!  Later, Cindy moved to the coast with husband Kenny and joined the South King County Genealogical Society. During her time there, she was membership chair and greeter while retaining her membership at YVGS. After moving back to Yakima, she started attending meetings again, became a librarian and served two terms as YVGS’s corresponding secretary.

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.

Richard Adams Named One of 2022 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 weeks, 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 Richard Adams of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Richard joined YVGS in 1985. He is an invaluable member wearing many hats. He worked as part of the team serving coffee to travelers at Indian John Hill rest area on I-90 many years and for ten years he has set up and staffed the raffle table at YVGS’s general meetings and sets up their coffee bar. He helps with the transportation of goods from two local churches back to YVGS’s lot in preparation for two yard sales held each year, selling items and with cleanup after each sale. Richard researched and obtained quotes on prices and had a new sound system installed in the YVGS library. Since 2003, Richard has cleaned YVGS’s restrooms every week with his wife Carla. When the maintenance committee needs extra help, Richard is right there.

Richard is a highly valued member of YVGS, and richly deserves this recognition.