Spokane County Deed Index Online

A while back I got an E-Mail about a program in Portland Oregon called Discover Your House History. I said that is easy here since the Spokane County Deed index is online, so I went to check this house I live in which was my parents house before me and when I typed in my dad's name up came the deed for the house and his military discharge also. I was heading for the courthouse today so I stopped to get a copy. Cost for the military discharge, free and they certified it also for free, but I did have to sign I was a relative.  Most copies are a dollar and extra to have it certified. Thanks to the staff in the auditors office.

Happy Year End and Happy New Year !!

How many times have we said, "Oh, what I'd give for one diary entry....one letter...one card...one page....written by my great-great grandmother!!"

I have a great-grandchild due in June 2016. It's not likely that in 2036 (when he/she is 20) that I'll be up to telling stories about my life. 

Permission to speak boldly? NEITHER WILL YOU.

But today I can write those stories about my life and by so doing will be leaving a real legacy for her/him. 

Permission to speak boldly? PERHAPS YOU DON'T CARE WHETHER YOUR GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN KNOW WHO YOU WERE?? It's your decision. 

Perhaps your New Year's Resolution or New Year's Goal might-oughta-should be to start writing the history of you.....for them?

Here's a great list of ideas to get you started...thinking back across the year 2015:

1.  What did you do this year that you had never done before?

2.  What was the smartest decision you made this year?

3.  What was the biggest risk you took?

4.  What new things did you discover about yourself?

5.  What are you most grateful for this past year?

6.  What was your biggest achievement of the year?

7.  What do you wish you had done more of?

8.  What do you wish you had done less of?

Happy Year End & Happy New Year from Donna. 

Serendipity: A Genealogist's Christmas Eve

Genealogist's Christmas Eve 'Twas the night before Christmas When all through the house Not a creature was stirring, Not even my spouse.    The dining room table with clutter was spread With pedigree charts and with letters which said... "Too bad about the data for which you wrote; Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."    Stacks of old copies of wills and such Were proof that my work had become too much. Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.    And I at my table was ready to drop From work on my album with photos to crop. Christmas was here, and such was my lot That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.    Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills, I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills, While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers, I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.    While I was thus musing about my sad plight, A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright. Away to the window I flew in a flash, Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.    When what with my wondering eyes should appear, But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer. Up to the house top the reindeer they flew, With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.    And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs. As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash, Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!    "Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck, And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!) Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.    He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk). Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy: When I'd been too busy for even one toy.    He spied my research on the table all spread "A genealogist!" He cried!  (My face was all red!) "Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned, As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.    I gazed with amusement--the cover it read Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead. "I know what it's like as a genealogy bug." He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.    "While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry, I do some research in the North Pole Library! A special treat I am thus able to bring, To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."    "Now off you go to your bed for a rest, I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess." As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee, I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.    While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle, To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle. And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight, "Family history is Fun!  Merry Christmas!  Goodnight!" --Author Unknown -- The earliest attribution found for this particular poem is for Gibbs Publishing House of Toledo, Ohio, which published it as a Christmas Card. Some Web sites attribute the poem to Dora Mills c. 2001, but it has been around since at least 1988. Dora Mills does appear to have written at least one poem based on Clement Moore's poem, titled A Christmas Incident which appeared in the Ash Tree Echo in January 1983.

What you Missed December 5th 2015 EWGS Meeting

Saturday turned out to be a nice day, a little cold, but sunny. The symphony has their annual fund raiser in River Park Square Christmas Tree Elegance where they raffle off donated trees along with all the trimmings and a whole group of prizes.

This one had the whole home playground equipment for the kids.

The huge Christmas Tree in the River Park Square lobby.

This photo and most following is memorabilia from members military ancestors.

 

These two above are from a gold star mother.

Then Dani Lee and Doug gave out the prize for finding the scanner in the Digital Digest.

Christmas Treats brought in by the wonderful cooks.

KSPS Volunteer Mary Rush

EWGS was at KSPS doing the pledge breaks, Sunday the 29th of November, and we had a wonderful volunteer Mary Rush. Fast forward a couple of days and the KSPS Newsletter has an article on Mary Rush, so I asked permission to post the copy of the article. Thanks KSPS.