Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Spring Seminar April 13, 2024

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 S. 12th Avenue

Union Gap, WA 98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Email: yvgs@yvgs.net

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

Spring Seminar

Saturday, April 13, 2024

9:00am – 4:00pm Lunch and snacks are included. 

Location: Y.V.G.S. Library with Registration at 8:30am

Speaker: Nationally recognized, Christine Cohen

Subject: A Full Day Dedicated to Finding Your Ancestors. 

Christine will be speaking on the following topics: Immigration Ports of Entry. Naturalization and Citizenship Records. Researching Union Civil War Veterans. Cousin Baiting & Cousin Stalking.

The Registration form is online at www.yvgs.net  Click on Society News.  Spring Seminar. Advanced Registration before April 7th. $40.00. Onsite April 13th Registration 8:30am to 9:00am. $45.00. No Refunds of Registration fee after April 7th.

Kathleen Sizer Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Kathleen Weddle Sizer of Granger, Washington, who were nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Kathy joined YVGS in 1975 and served the public coffee at Indian John Hill Rest Area on I-90 in fundraising.  She has been a librarian since the 1980s and served as vice-president, president, secretary and currently as treasurer of the society. She is also a jack-of-all-trades volunteering in hospitality, yard sales, mowing the lawn, helping clean the library and the past two years has been on the bylaws and standing rules committee updating the society’s rules to match the new State regulations.

Kathy is the current president of WSGS. She has also served WSGS as membership chair since 2017 and past 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.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Spring Seminar

“Y.V.G.S. Spring Seminar”

Saturday, April 13th The Seminar will be held at the Y.V.G.S. library.8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch and snacks are included.The day of the Seminar, the Y.V.G.S. Library will be closed.

The Registration form is online at www.yvgs.net Click on Society News.  Spring Seminar announced. “Forms are also available in the library.”

Advanced Registration before April 7th. $40.00. Onsite April 13th Registration 8:30am to 9:00am. $45.00.

No Refunds of Registration fee after April 7th.

Nationally recognized speaker Christine Cohen, from California, on a variety of genealogical topics.  She is focusing her presentation on “A Full Day Dedicated to Finding Your Ancestors.”

  • Immigration Ports of Entry
  • Naturalization and Citizenship Records
  • Grand Army of the Republic – Researching your Union Civil War Veterans
  • Cousin Baiting & Cousin Stalking

 Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 S. 12th Avenue

Union Gap, WA 98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Email: yvgs@yvgs.net

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society U.S. Draft Records of the Civil War, WW1 & 2

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

General Meeting

Saturday, March 2, 2024

10:00 a.m. 

Y.V.G.S. Library

Speaker: Ruth Anglin

Subject: U.S. Draft Records

Ruth will be giving a presentation on the information you will find in the U.S. Draft Records of the Civil War, World War 1 & 2. Come and find how beneficial Draft Records are to your ancestry.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 S. 12th Avenue

Union Gap, WA 98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Email: yvgs@yvgs.net

Linda Swank Lantis Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Linda Swank Lantis of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

In 2005, Linda became a member of YVGS and has been an invaluable member ever since.

A semi-annual yard sale is the library’s primary fundraiser and Linda organizes the donated items along with Patricia Hert.  Linda schedules volunteer workers and the food donated during the week for the workers.  During Covid, Linda and Patricia kept the grounds around the library presentable by mowing the lawn, pulling and spraying weeds.

Linda served as past secretary of YVGS and has been an active librarian. This past spring, because of her experience, workmanship and excellent leadership, Linda was elected head librarian delegating librarians, training and keeping up with the abundance of donated books in a timely manner.

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.

Russell Kruse Named One of WSGS’s Outstanding Volunteers in 2023

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 2023 award recipients and learn why they received the 2023 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Russell Kruse of Yakima, Washington, who was nominated by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society (YVGS).

Russell became interested in genealogy and became a member of YVGS in 2011.  He actively volunteers when a maintenance issue arises.

Russell has been very active in multiple activities working on the semi-annual yard sale with other members transporting discarded items from church yard sales to the YVGS storage garage and setting up, selling and cleaning up at the end of the sale.  Russell oversees the recycling project for the YVGS library loading up the recyclable items each week and hauling them to the recycler — an invaluable task. 

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 “Townships”

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

General Meeting

Saturday, February 3, 2024

10:00 a.m. 

Y.V.G.S. Library

Speaker: Richard Kyle

Subject: Townships

Richard will be giving a presentation on “Townships”. Come and find out about the different types of townships and where to find them.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 S. 12th Avenue

Union Gap, WA 98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Email: yvgs@yvgs.net

WSGS President and Secretary Nominee Statements

Kathleen “Kathy” Weddle Sizer of Granger has been nominated to serve a second two-year term as WSGS President. Additionally, Jill Scott of Yakima has been nominated as Secretary. The term of offices is 01 Jan 2024 through 31 Dec 2025.

Online voting for the slate will begin 22 Jan 2024 and run through 29 Jan 2024. All WSGS members will receive an email with a Google link to their anonymous ballot. Members are asked to vote for each position. Write-in nominations are allowed.

Kathy’s candidate statement

Through the years it has been hard to fill board positions. Many enjoy the benefits of organizations and clubs but few run for office. I am running for president for a second term to fill a need; I enjoy being the “play crew” and not the “actor,” but see the need. I joined Yakima Valley Genealogical Society in 1975 and have served as president, vice-president, secretary and currently treasurer. At the state level, I was appointed membership chair in 2017 and am still in that position and have served as secretary and one term as your president of WSGS.

WSGS has become a clearinghouse for local societies and, as such, is very important to our state. The Pioneer Pursuit contest added 3,696 more names of individuals who lived here before statehood, including those who were indigenous to the area. Check out Chief Sealth’s family history in our Pioneer Pursuit index. I have enjoyed working with our board, but encourage all of you to step outside your box and run for a WSGS office in the future. We meet virtually once a month on the third Tuesday of the month at 2:00 PM and I, as president, like to keep the meeting to an hour.

Jill’s candidate statement

I am thrilled to be nominated to the Washington Society Genealogy Society Board as Secretary. I eagerly anticipate contributing to the betterment of our membership. Here’s a little about me:

I was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After graduating from high school, I moved to Spokane and attended Kinman Business University. I found not only a job, but a husband in Portland while I worked for Pacific Power & Light as an executive secretary. We moved to Klamath Falls where my only child, Alison, was born. Then we moved to Sunnyside for Charlie’s job and retired to Tucson in 1994. In 2000, I moved to Escondido, California to take care of my aging dad.  After his death in 2003, I decided to stay in Southern California and then moved to Yakima in 2017.

I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution – Narcissa Whitman Chapter in Yakima, where I am the immediate Past Honorary Chapter Regent; P.E.O. Chapter FR; Daughters of Utah Pioneers; Huguenot Society; Daughters of the Republic of Texas; U.S. Daughters of 1812; Flagon & Trenchers and a Utah Genealogy Society supporter of their Utah Founding Pioneer program.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Immigration Records

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

General Meeting

Saturday, January 6, 2024

10:00 p.m. 

Y.V.G.S. Library

Speaker: Head Librarian Linda Lantis

Subject: Immigration Records

Linda will be giving a presentation on “Immigration Records.” 

Come and learn about what information you will find in the 

hundreds of books in the library. How immigration records 

will help with your research.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 S. 12th Avenue

Union Gap, WA 98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Email: yvgs@yvgs.net

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Women’s History

Saturday, October 28th will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.All day Seminar (9:00am – 3:45pm).

Registration is $45.00 Lunch included.

No Refund of Registration fee after October 22.

The day of the Seminar, the Y.V.G.S. Library will be closed.

The Registration form is on line at www.yvgs.net Click on Society News. Fall Seminar announced.Forms are available in the library”.

Nationally known and respected author, researcher and instructor Gena Philibert-Ortega is focusing her presentation on “Women’s History.”

Unsung Heroes: Women’s Contributions During WW1.

Rediscovering Female Ancestors through Historical Newspapers.

Learning more about American Female Ancestors Prior to 1850.

Tracing Her Legacy: 20 Records that Document Female Ancestors in the Colonial Period to the 20th Century.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

1901 So. 12th Ave.

Union Gap, WA  98903

Phone: (509) 248-1328

Website: https://yvgs.net