Memorial Day

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While unofficially marking the start of summer, Memorial Day is a national holiday devoted to honoring American war dead in all conflicts.  Many of us will remember and honor other loved ones.  What could be a more important day for genealogists?

I had the privilege of visiting Arlington National Cemetery last weekend.  Nearly 5000 people are expected to visit on Memorial Day.   American flags will decorate the graves and niches of the 400,000 fallen heroes and their family members resting there. 

Local ceremonies will be held on Monday at Tahoma National Cemetery at 1 pm, at Renton Memorial Park at 1 pm, and at the Auburn Veteran’s Memorial at 11 am. The Kent Historical Society will be open 12:00 – 4:00 pm Monday for a special observance of Memorial Day.

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Reminder:  Military records on My Heritage.com and Fold 3 are free to research today.

I am pleased to announce that MaryLynn Strickland has accepted the position of SKCGS Blog Editor effective June 1.

The Society will maintain a full schedule of activities in June, beginning with the monthly meeting of the Family Tree Maker Users Group Saturday, June 1, from 10:15 – ll:45 am.  This month the group will be revisiting the basics.  When Family Tree Maker 2019 is released later this summer, there will be exciting new features to explore.

The Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, June 4, at 7:00 pm, at Valley Regional Fire Authority, located at 1101 D St NE, Auburn.  All members are welcome, but only Board members may vote.

The Genetic Genealogy/DNA Special Interest Group will study ”Triangulation” at their monthly get-together on Monday, June 10.  They meet at WAPI, 28815 Pacific Hwy. S., Suite 7A, in Federal Way.  For more information, contact Janet Camarata at camarata2@gmail.com or MaryLynn Strickland at mlstrick2@msn.com.

The monthly Research Workshop will be held Friday, June 14, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at the Kent Family History Center, 12817 SE 256th St, Kent.  Experienced researcher, Winona Laird, will be there to help with difficult questions.

Mary Kathryn Kozy will return Saturday, June 15, to give us tips on "Planning A Research Trip."  She has done many of them, so she has a lot of experience to draw from.  She told me recently that her daughter used to take naps under a microfilm reader at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.  The General Meeting will be held at Wesley Lea Hill, 32049 109th Pl SE, Auburn.  Plan to arrive by 9:30 am so that you have time to visit with fellow genealogists.  The meeting will start at 10:00 am with a surprise announcement.  Don’t miss it!

Bring your phone, laptop and/or tablet to the Technology User Group Monday, June 17, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at WAPI, 28815 Pacific Hwy. S., Suite 7A, in Federal Way. MaryLynn Strickland will share “Working with Digital Images."

It was a pleasure to visit with Society member, Roberta Kelly, now an Arizona resident, at the National Genealogical Society Conference in Saint Charles, Missouri, in May.

Looking ahead:  SKCGS will have a booth at Auburn’s 4th of July Festival in Les Gove Park. Our purpose is to promote knowledge of the Society and attract members.  Sign up to help at the June 15, General Meeting.  The event will include entertainment on two stages, an arts and craft area, a car show, book sale, and other activities.  Plan to make it a day with your family!

Save August 24th for the Annual Board Retreat.  It will be a full day of reviewing current activities, planning for the coming year and beyond, and sharing a potluck lunch.  More information will be available as the event draws closer.
                               
Barbara Mattoon


1 "Arlington National Cemetery" by Little Koshka is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Comments

  1. Katie HanzeliMay 27, 2019 at 11:10 AM

    I just read today that the first Memorial Day was 30 May 1868, to commemorate the Civil War dead. I have been thinking of Arlington today and was happy to read this about your visit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ValorieMay 28, 2019 at 1:11 AM

    Very solemn day

    ReplyDelete

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