Programs presented in 2012 - 2013

Monday September 10th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speakers: GSSWI Members
Program: Review of Current Research and DVD Discussion

In addition to a review of current member research, there will be an encore presentation of a Laura Sparr DVD made at one of her previous programs. The DVD will be paused at several points for general discussion.

The previously scheduled program had to be cancelled due to a family emergency encountered by the speaker. The program will be rescheduled for presentation later in the year.

As always, annual membership fees are payable at the September meeting.

Monday October 8th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Mahina Oshie
Program: Fakes, Frauds and Forgeries

Why would anyone commit Genealogical Fraud? Genealogy is one of the most popular pastimes in the world so there are lots of potential victims and lots of money to be made. Learn about historic scams and their contemporary counterparts, including commercial fakery and subtle forgeries.

Mahina Oshie has been a librarian since 2006, working at the Phoenix and Seattle Public Libraries. In 2011, she joined the Special Collections Department at the Seattle Public Library as a Librarian in Genealogy where she also teaches classes on "Beginning Your Family History". Mahina earned a B.A. in English at the University of Puget Sound, an M.L.I.S. at the University of Washington, and a certificate in Genealogy & Family History from the University of Washington.

Monday November 12th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Eric Stroschein
Program: Strategies for Finding the Immigrants

Finding the origin of an immigrant ancestor can be one of the most difficult problems genealogists face.  This presentation will explore some of the basic and intermediate strategies for identifying such origins.

Eric Stroschein is a professional forensic genealogist who owns, with his wife, Generations Detective, a genealogical research firm.   Eric is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical Speakers Guild, National Genealogical Society and speaks frequently on a variety of subjects. He is the current Education Chair for the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society and co-chairs a committee of the Puget Sound Association of Professional Genealogists which examines genealogical education in the state and the Pacific Northwest. Eric has attended numerous genealogical institute courses and has earned certificates in Professional Genealogy, Advanced Research and Correlation, Technical and Genealogical Writing, National Archives, Advanced Swedish and Advanced Irish Research. Eric currently has a project that is correcting the history of the Confederate Submarine Hunley and he has discovered the only known living descendants of a crew member. 

Monday December 10th, Holiday Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Laura Sparr
Program: Digital Imaging Workshop

At a previous December meeting, Laura presented an outstanding workshop on document data extraction. This year, she continues this tradition with an interactive program on digital imaging. Laura is one of the society's favorite speakers and the program is sure to be interesting and instructive.

In addition to Laura's program, this will be our annual Holiday potluck luncheon.  Please bring a salad, entree or dessert sufficient to serve eight people.

Monday January 14th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Doreen Johnson
Program: Tax Records in Genealogical Research

Though presented by Doreen, this program was prepared jointly by Doreen Johnson and Beverly Bakos.

Vanderpool Gormley has it absolutely right when she says “The census taker might have missed your ancestors, but the taxman seldom did.” There is much to be gained from researching tax records, from simply placing your ancestor in a specific place at a specific time to determining their overall wealth. This talk will discuss some of the many ways tax records can help fill in information about your ancestors and demonstrate some of the many types of tax records available.

Bev started researching her family in the 1970's while living in Ohio but took a break to rear her children after relocating to California and did not resume researching again until 1990. After retiring as an educational administrator, she moved to Whidbey Island five years ago and says she loves the island and its wonderful community spirit. Bev says she finds the quality of GSSWI to be outstanding because members provide great support and friendship to each other, and the society offers so many opportunities to continue learning how to develop better research skills.

Bev says she became interested in tax lists when she was searching for the first name of her 6th great grandmother and finally discovered what it was when she found her cited as a widow on a tax list from the 1700's. To her great surprise, she also found named on that list, one of their sons whom she did not even know existed. She will always recall that moment when she unexpectedly found such valuable information. Tax lists have ever since been a tool she always uses in her research, whenever and wherever they are available.

Doreen moved to Whidbey Island in 2001 after retiring from ‘the telephone company’ in Seattle. She has been researching her ancestors ever since after her interest was piqued by some family photographs. She’s been a member of GSSWI for 10 years and says she owes much to the society and it’s members for providing speakers and classes that provide a wealth of knowledge and experience to build on. From GSSWI's point of view, Doreen is known as someone who will step up to any task presented to her.

Monday February 11th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Delores Davis
Program: Writing the Stories of YOUR Life

Delores Davis, a native of Chicago, Ill. came to Seattle to pursue her education. 

Now she's a retired social worker, with over 30 years’ experience in the field, including 20 years at the Univ. of Washington Hospital as a Medical social worker and Associate Professor in the School of Social Work. 

She became interested in Genealogy and writing family history after her husband died leaving her with children between the ages of 6 and 13, who lacked knowledge about their father and his extended family. 

After retirement from the University hospital, she started teaching computer skills to seniors through SeniorNet of Puget Sound and later other Community centers in the Greater Puget Sound area. In 2000 she created and taught the still on-going class “Writing Your Life Story”. 

Beginning in 2004, Delores started presenting seminars on the subject at locations including the “Family History Expo of the Latter Day Saints,” “African American Family History Workshop”, ”Washington State Genealogy Conference” and several other local community groups. 

Mother of 6, grandmother of 19, Delores has created several books for her family. She has been featured in articles in “Seattle Woman” and “Nostalgia” magazines. 

Monday March 11th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Laura Sparr
Program: Truth and Consequences of Genealogical Research

With this program, Laura again brings us her valuable insight and experience in genealogical Research. 

Her programs are always useful and a definite learning experience. Please plan to attend and expand your genealogical expertise. 

Special thanks are due to Laura for helping us so many times this year!

Monday April 8th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Eric Stroschein
Program: The New Family Search

Eric Stroschein, who in November presented a program on immigrant research, is a professional forensic genealogist.  

His subject in this program is an examination and discussion of the new Family Search facilities and software available at the LDS site. Since there have been many questions about the new Family Search, this should be a very useful program for the GSSWI membership.  Come and enhance your RCQ (Research Competence Quotient).

Monday May 13th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Ginny Sharp Sommarstrom
Program: Tearing Down Brick Walls: Broadening your Research Sources to include Acquaintances, Neighbors and Extended Family. 

Have you run into a brick wall in your research? Tried following siblings and extended family? Still stumped? The next step is to FAN out to Friends/Family (even further extended), Acquaintances and Neighbors. Come learn how to find them and see, through examples, how they can help your research.

Attend and learn from a highly respected genealogist.

Monday June 10th: Monthly Program, 1:00 p.m.

Speaker:  Gary Zimmerman
Program: The War of 1812

Gary Zimmerman has long been one of GSSWI's favorite speakers and his programs are always fact-filled, entertaining and educational. 

Gary's background includes previous academic positions at Antioch College and his current position as curator of the Fiske Genealogical Library. Don't miss his program!