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!