South King County Genealogical Society’s February News and Activities

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White River Valley Museum

Our soggy Puget Sound weather may have you seeking a warm, dry indoor activity. If so, I recommend a visit to the White River Valley Museum. It is conveniently located adjacent to the Auburn Public Library. You might even combine a research trip to the genealogy section of the Library with a visit to the museum.

 This small museum features high-quality exhibits including one about the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (the original settlers of this region), a replica of a 1915 Japanese farmhouse and an exhibit about downtown Auburn in the 1920s.  The museum also features an extensive oral history collection and over 13,000 photographs.[1]  Several historic newspapers of the area are available to search online, and the extensive library of books and newspapers is open to researchers.[2]

Family Tree Maker User Group

Back across the parking lot to the KCLS Library, the FamilyTree Maker Users Group will meet there Saturday, February 1, from 10:15 – 11:45 am.  Contact Winona Laird at vice-president@skcgs.org for more information. 

Ancestry.com available FREE

Did you know that if you do not have a subscription to Ancestry.com, you can access it with your King County Library card on your personal device at any King County Library. There are many other databases you might find useful in your research as well. I urge you to take advantage of this benefit. “Use it, or lose it”.

SKCGS Board of Directors Meet

Tuesday, February 4, the Board of Directors will meet at the Valley Regional Fire Authority, 1101 D St NE, Auburn, at 7:00 pm.  All members are welcome and urged to attend, but only Board Members may vote.  These meetings are where you really learn what makes SKCGS tick.  You might even learn about something you would be interested in helping with. 

Genetic Genealogy/DNA Group

The Genetic Genealogy/DNA Group has scheduled a workshop session on using Ancestry.com’s ThruLines™. If you have tested with Ancestry and have a family tree linked to your test, bring your laptop, and be sure to remember your password to log in at Ancestry. We will help you look for ancestors using ThruLines. The workshop will be held at WAPI, 28815 Pacific Hwy S., Suite 7A, Federal Way from 1 – 3 pm.

Midori Okazaki presents A Glimpse of the Archives

On Saturday, February 15, Midori Okazaki, Archivist at the Puget Sound Regional Archives returns for an encore presentation at Wesley Lea Hill from 9:30 – noon. It will be a good refresher on the use of archives for those of us who have heard her before, and information you can use, for those who have not.
Puget Sound Regional Archives

 Following Midori’s presentation, Valorie Zimmerman will present a 15-minute hands-on workshop on the use and benefits of Twitter for genealogy.

Technology User Group (TUG)

Practice all you have learned on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, because Monday afternoon MaryLynn Strickland will share how to use Randy Majors’ AncestorSearch on Google Search and time permitting, some of his other tools.  This gathering will also be at WAPI.  Thank you MaryLynn for making this resource available for our special interest groups. 

2020 Goals

I have received several comments about my 2020 Goals post last December.  

 Here is an update: Bingo! I have found a clue to the identity of the parents of Almira Tyler. More analysis and research are needed , but the results so far are very promising. Like many of you, I have always resisted looking at online trees, but I gave it a try and that is where I found the clue.  

 I have read four chapters of The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy. It is not always easy going, but I recommend it for anyone who is serious about genealogy. The goal of reading a journal article each week fell by the wayside after the second one.  I have not yet done a chapter of Mastering Genealogical Documentation, but I have a week to go in January, and I have been busy writing genealogical documentation. 

Nomination Committee

As announced at the January meeting, the Nominations Committee is actively seeking candidates for the offices of Vice President and Secretary. Contact MaryLynn or Michele Lyons if you are willing to serve.  

 Thank you to Joy Etienne for joining the Education Committee!

 Happy Hunting!

 Barbara Mattoon
SKCGS President

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[1] wrvmuseum.pastperfectonline.com

[2] wrvmuseum.org/newspaper-search

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