July 4th Menu-Newspaper Ad

Last month when I was a guest in Muriel's home in Mount Vernon, Washington, she had a collection of old newspapers there that were her father's. I could not resist paging through them!

Sedro-Woolley is a small town near Mount Vernon (which, by the by, was named for the Virginia home of George Washington.... way out west, 3000 miles away...go figure). Reading the paper from that town for 29 Jun 1939, the grocery ad headline proclaimed:  "Everything you need for the 4th of July!" And then the items were posted with their prices:

Zee napkins, 5 cents;  pickles, 2-6oz jars, 15 cents;  marshmallows, #1 bag, 10 cents;  peanut butter, #1 1/2 jar, 21 cents;  Hormel Spam, 25 cents;  cantaloupe, 3 for 25 cents;  tomatoes, #3 for 25 cents;  lemons, 12 for 23 cents;  #10 of new potatoes, 17 cents;  cucumbers, each 5 cents;  watermelon, 2 1/2 cents per pound; and PorknBeans, 2-#1 cans, 9 cents.

Certainly the prices made me laugh, but then I looked again at what the items were.......... what do you buy for your July 4th BBQing and feasting? Not "Hormel Spam," I'd bet!

A inspirational note of trivia from my hostess, Muriel:  "Stick a geranium in your hat and smile;  pain in life is inevitable but misery is optional."  I agree, do you?

The Washington Pioneer and First Citizens Certificates

The Washington Pioneer and First Citizens Certificates

    The Pioneer Certificate project was begun to celebrate the centennial of Washington statehood in 1989. The initial certificates were issued to applicants who could prove their ancestors were in Washington Territory prior to its admission to the Union. These descendants' names, are printed in a three volume set of books entitled Washington Pioneers. Since the last book was printed more people have applied and so a CD was made with all the people that applied. Also the index of all the names is on the WSGS website.
    Pioneer Certificates are still being issued to descendants that can prove that their ancestor was in Washington by November 11, 1889. First Citizens certificates are available to descendants of those that arrived before December 31, 1900.
    To  obtain Either of these certificates, an applicant must prove that their ancestor was within the borders of present-day Washington State before the specified date. Some suggestions for how you can proceed follow.
Proving Your Ancestor in Washington
    After you have searched home sources for deeds, bibles, marriage certificates, letters, etc. that will show your ancestor's presence and your own line of descent, you can begin to look at other resources in county records or in libraries.
    A good place to begin is the website maintained by the Washington State Genealogical Society.
( http://www.wasgs.org ) Click on Pioneer Certificates for the application for the certificates. Another project is the Washington State Genealogical Resource Guide. Click on Washington Research and then Resource Guides. The Resource Guides provide a brief background on each county along with listing of sources for each county. Also listed on this website are local genealogical societies throughout the state. Many societies have their own websites with more resources (such as cemetery, marriage, and census records) for that county. Click on Washington Research for a list of libraries, societies, etc. where you can find info. Most of these are linked to the named source.
    A particularly useful site is the Washington State Digital Archives (http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/home ) , a project by the Secretary of State. Here you can search the digital archives by name or county. Included in this collection are over 35 million records: census (territorial census are especially useful to prove residence prior to statehood), land, and other early records such as the Election Returns from Washington Territory's First Election in 1854 and Frontier Justice. They also have marriage records and early city directories. They are adding new materials all the time so be sure to check back often, and check the Secretary of State website for other and new projects.
    Early local newspapers are a place to look when your ancestors do not show up in county records. The Washington State Library has the most complete collection of state newspapers but each local library will probably have the ones for their area. The Territorial Newspaper Index is available on microfilm in many libraries and archives branches. The State Digital Archives also has a complete collection of territorial censuses online as well as many early city directories, and other sources. Here is a website for Online Historic Newspapers and Directories: https://sites.google.com/site/onlinenewspapersite/Home
    Universities have specialized resources in their archives and libraries that may contain information not found in any other location. So do the federal (Seattle NARA branch) and state archives branches have unique items.
    Most public libraries and historical societies maintain pamphlet files and other materials on people and events from their own local area. These may even be original Records such as diaries and journals that are not indexed or listed anywhere. If you cannot travel to the area, check with the local genealogical society or library to see if someone in the area will do your research for a nominal fee or even free. These institutions also may have an index to the local newspaper or histories. Often there are free or inexpensive workshops on how to find material in the local area sponsored by genealogical societies, libraries, museums or historical groups.
     Do not let the fact that you do not have a computer or are inexperienced at using the online resources. Libraries everywhere have internet access and may even subscribe to specialized databases such as Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest online. Many have staff that are very knowledgeable and can provide you with expert guidance. Your local Family Search Center also subscribes to all the popular paid databases.
    Joining a local genealogical or historical society in the area where you live or one where  your ancestor resided may lead you to other resources and paths for locating information. You may discover a wealth of material that will make your ancestor “come alive” or even develop an interest in the history of the region where your ancestor lived or in genealogy. This could lead to a hobby that you enjoy or a volunteer activity to preserve and share materials.

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow............

Sharing some summer fun with you today. This photo of pink roses to me clearly illustrates the concept of born-living-dying......... the rose buds, blooms and dies. It's the natural, inevitable and unavoidable circle of life. We see that often in our flowers, don't we?

Have you taken interesting photos in your garden? Might can you apply that image to genealogy? If so, please share it with me to share with all of EWGS!

There are no EWGS meetings until September 6th. Hope you're using some of your summer time to work on your family history.

Whitman Co Gen Soc Might Just Have "The" Book

This was shared with me by Monica Peters of WCGS: 

The Whitman County Genealogical Society has completed an inventory list for their library holdings!.  We are indebted to our WCGS librarian, Janet Damm, for her tireless efforts and many hours of work to complete this project.  Others have helped over the years to complete this project, but we wish to give a special thank you to longtime member, Elizabeth Graves Gabe, for her time, energy and financial support of this project.  We hope you enjoy seeing what is available at our library and that you will be able to come and visit us some Wednesday morning, 9 AM - 12 Noon.  We share these holdings with you as part of the celebration of our 30th year as a society!  Enjoy!

The Whitman Co Gen Soc keeps their library in a downstairs room in the Gladdish Community Center in Pullman, Washington. This is a short 90 minute drive south from Spokane. If you find "your book" listed in the WCGS Holdings Book, it might be worth your time to drive down for the day. (Get yourself some Cougar Gold cheese while you're there.)  Below are pages 1 and 2 of that list........ click to their website for the complete list. 

LIBRARY HOLDINGS LIST 

 Whitman County  Genealogical Society ,  Box 393,  Pullman, WA 99163-0393 

Library located in Gladish Community & Cultural Center,  Rm. 103A, 115 NW State St.  Pullman, WA 

Use of the library is free, and it is open to the general public on Wednesday mornings  (except holidays) from 9:00am-Noon. Staffed by knowledgeable volunteers ready to  help you. Visit our website:  http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wawcgs 

Completed in 2013 by Janet Margolis Damm in time for our 30th Anniversary. Thank you to many other members through the years who have contributed to this project. 

CATALOG # TITLE AUTHOR
974.7 10,000 Vital Records of Eastern NY Bowman, Fred Q.
979.739 ne 100 Years of Colton Washington Nelson, Lorrie B.
977.8 1300 Missing MO Marr. Rec. from Newspapers 1812-53 Wilson, Wilson, & Stanley
974.7 1850 Fed. Census Index: NY, Westchester Co. Kent, David L. and others
979.7 st 1870 Fed. Census, WA Terr. Stillaguamish Valley Gen. Soc.
979.739 co 1876 to 1976 On the Corner of Mill & Canyon Colfax United Methodist
979.739 tr 1880 Census of Whitman Co. WA Terr., Index to Tri-City Genealogical Society
979.739 co 1880 Census WA Terr. & Prod. of Agriculture Cochran, Donn & Robert King
974.1 1881 British Census LDS
979.739 1883 Whitman Co. Terr. Census
979.7 wa 1883-1910 School Census for Walla Walla County Walla Walla Gen. Soc. Members
979.739 1885 Whitman Co. Terr. Census
979.739 tw 1887 Military Census, Whitman Co WA Terr. Twin Rivers Genealogy Soc.
979.739 tw 1887 Whitman Co. Military Census Twin Rivers Gen. Soc.
979.739 1887 Whitman Co. Terr. Census
979.739 1890 Civil War Vets & Widows
979.739 ca 1895 Whitman Co WA Plat Map Book Index Cammack, Rai
979.739 ro 1895 Whitman Co Washington Plat Map Book Roberts & Fuller
929 na 1900 Federal Population Census: A Catalog of Microfilm National Archives Trust Fund
979.7 ca 1906-07 School Census for Walla Walla Co. Cady, Barbara Sawey
929 na 1910 Federal Population Census (The) National Archives Trust Fund Board
979.739 1910 Whitman Co. Census
979.739 wh 1910 Whitman Co. WA Plat Map & Index WCGS
929 na 1920 Federal Population Census: Catalog of Microfilm National Archives Trust Fund
929 ki ABC's of Amer. Gen. (The) Kirkham, E. Kay
929.2 ad Adams Family (The) Adams, James Truslow
977.2 sp Adm. Rec.: Indianapolis Asylum for Friendless Colored Spears, Jean E. & Dorothy Paul
929 be Advanced Genealogical Research Bennett, Archibald F.
973 an AIS Census Index: Pre-1790 Ancestry
976.1 Alabama Vital Records: Marriages 1808-1920 Ancestry
975.601 Alamance County, North Carolina Euliss, Elinor Samons
979.8 Alaska the Big Land Adams, Ben
979.739 ha Albion School Days Harrison, Dee
929.2 co Ambrose N. Cox, Sr., Desc. 1772-1972 Cox, Elza B.
929.2 cl Amer. Anc. of Clark-Morton & Tayman-Millar-Adams Fam Spoden, Muriel Millar Clark
929.11 do Amer. Vital Rec. from Gentleman's Magazine Dobson, David
16.929 American and British Genealogy & Heraldry Filby, P. William
NW Fiction American Diaries Duey, Kathleen
979.739 bi American Heritage & Rural Community (The) Bishop, Donald H.
periodical American Historical Society of Germans from Russia AHSGR
970.1 American Indians: A Select Catalog National Archives & Records Administration
973 wh American Vignettes White, John I.
periodical An Index To The Work Papers AHSGR
947 sp An Intro. to Russian Hist. & Culture Spector, Ivar
929.2 gu Anc. & Relatives of F. Gumm & F. Smith Gumm, Elisabeth
979.7 ta Ancestor Exchange 1981-84 Tacoma-Pierce Co. Gen. Soc.
979.7 ea Ancestor Records Eastern WA Gen. Soc.
929 wi Ancestors Willard, Jim & Terry
929.2 ha Ancestors of Hall & Gallaher & Desc. Hall, George Ernest
929.2 wo Ancestry of John L. Woods Woods, John Lucius
929.2 an Anderson Kindred & Related Families, My Skidmore, Lois Anderson
929.2 ho Anna Jane Holden her Ancestors & Desc. Newcomb, Viettia Alberta
975.255 Anne Arundel Gentry Newman, Harry Wright
979.7 st Archeology in Washington Stallard, Bruce
929.2 kr Arms of Krupp (The) Manchester, William

929.2 ar Armstrong Ancestry: A Genealogy of Descendants (An) Armstrong, John Edward

Whitman County Genealogical Society Marks 30 Years

A 30th anniversary celebration was held by Whitman County Genealogical Society in Pullman, Washington on Sunday, June 8, 2014. Approximately 50 people attended to feast on gourmet desserts, including a cake inscribed with the WCGS logo. The logo was designed by Randall Johnson, a Whitman County native, who also designed the Washington State College (later University) logo. Special recognition was given to Cornerstone members who made extra contributions when WCGS began. Their names were read and are inscribed on a plaque which hangs in the WCGS library. Former and present WCGS board members were introduced.

Board members from early days of WCGS:  Front Row, L. to R.:  Linda Scott Lilles (1st WCGS President and co-founder of the group); Sheli Stoner Carroll; Kaye Straight (co-founder of the group); and Kirsten Johnson Straight (co-founder of the group).  Back Row, L. to R.:  Celesta Bennett Dailey, Monica Bartlett Peters, Janet Margolis Damm, and Judy Standar McMurray.

Jean Innerarity (co-founder of the group) could not attend. Linda, Kaye, Kirsten, Monica and Judy are also Cornerstone members of the group. Monica is the only continuous board member since the group's inception in October 1984.

Current WCGS Board members:  L. to R.:  Marge Muir, Judy McMurray, Janet Damm, Cindy Rice, Sue Kreikemeier (President), Monica Peters, and Mary Simonsen.

The program featured Russ Wheelhouse, owner of Antiques by Russ in Moscow, Idaho, who did a mini-Antiques Roadshow. People brought items for Russ to appraise, figure out what they were, and/or where they could sell them.

Some of the accomplishments of WCGS throughout these years: continual research to help people find their Whitman County roots; publication in 2014 of a library holdings book; maintaining a library in Pullman in the Gladish Community Center which is shared with Whitman County Historical Society, working in partnership with them; establishing an endowment fund through Inland Northwest Community Foundation in honor of former WCGS member and researcher Dorothy Sevier Matson (1920-2002), who made a substantial financial gift to the society; presenting a scholarship each spring to a Pullman High School senior with the funds earned from the Matson endowment, and engraving a plaque which hangs in our library with the recipient's name; publication of many books of Whitman County records throughout the years; publication of a WCGS newsletter six times per year.

Big hand claps, kudos and congratulations, WCGS! Your 30 years of service to the genealogy community in your area is a wonderful accomplishment. May you have 30 more years! 

Susan Faulkner's Grandma WAS A Pig Farmer...... So She Told EWGS

Susan Davis Faulkner came to EWGS from Tri-Cities to share a wonderful program with us at the June 7th EWGS meeting. She taught us how to use the Non-Population Schedules to give us a fuller picture of our ancestor's life and times.

The data on any given Non-Population schedule (and there are several) may be scanty but properly "massaged" (Susan's word) much can be learned. She explained how she took the time to compare her ancestor's (whatever) with that ancestor's neighbors and could see that her ancestor was way ahead or way behind, was way above or way below, the average in that area. Her grandmother, the pig farmer, produced way, way more butter than any of her neighbors, for instance. Is that trivia worth knowing?

Susan will be repeating her presentation at the August 15-16 conference of the Washington State Genealogy Society. If you missed hearing her at the EWGS meeting, do plan to take in her session at the WSGS conference. You will see these "useless" schedules in a whole new light.

Genealogy in 2024??

David Rencher (who has a long string of initials after his name and who IS one to be listened to) had a great article in the April-June 2013 issue of the NGS Magazine. The title of his article was, "Where will the field of genealogy be in 2024?"  I was surprised...... you might be surprised.... at what he's thinking. If you only read ONE of his thoughts, please read the "Genealogical Societies" one. 

Online Family Trees  --  "many (Online Family Trees) have trust issues with the quality of the content found therein.... but before you dismiss online trees as completely worthless, it may be worthwhile to consider using them as the initial framework that still needs detail and sources to become a legitimate work.... Family trees will continue to mature into an environment similar to Wikipedia with constant additions, improvements to the data accuracy, valid attachments of source images, and community insistence on well-sourced information."  In other words, online family trees are here to stay and will only become better in all ways.

Cloud Computing  --  "these online trees will continue to grow, making them a significant repository of source-backed conclusions..... it is a realistic possibility that with cloud computing the online tree environment will coalesce into a "single tree" environment that everyone shares." In other words, we are already doing genealogy on the cloud (we're using FamilySearch and Ancestry, right?) and we will be doing more and more of the same.

Social Media  --  "social media will be a big part of extended families working together around the world on their genealogy....virtual family organizations will flourish through the use of both social media and mobile technology." In other words, we might as well get with it sooner than later.

Genealogical Societies  --  "societies will be increasingly pressured to adapt to an interconnected world or fail.....societies do not need to go out of existence; rather the should adapt to the strengths of what they can provide to the consumer.... a society's greatest strength is knowledge of a particular locality, set of records, ethnicity or lineage.... how a society creates the experience around the consumer interacting with this knowledge will separate the successful society from those that disband and go out of existence."  In other words, the "old timers" will lament that "their" society isn't what it used to be, but the future dictates that the "new timers" must have their way; technology demands change. 

Mobile Devices  --  "within the next decade, everything will go mobile...period........ the youth will be the driving force of creating the shift from the decades-old dependency on desktops, laptops, formal meetings, and lectures, to accomplishing more through the use of social media and mobile technology." In other words, the old Dick Tracey watch band radio is here!

DNA Technology  --  "DNA technology will become standard for conducting the business of governments and uniquely identifying individuals..... DNA testing will continue to grow, increasing the accuracy and ensuring the soundness of accurate lineages."  In other words, you might as well acquire a basic understanding of DNA for that methodology is here to stay.

David made several more good points in the article but summed up his thoughts in this conclusion:  "New possibilities that we can barely imagine today will be invented and applied to genealogy. These technologies will facilitate, but not replace sound genealogical research."

I add my voice to his, "I can hardly wait!"

David Rencher will be the primary speaker at our 2015 WSGS conference in Ellensburg on 27 June 2015. Plan to come spend the day with a most entertaining educator!