Doing Cherokee research??

Resources I collected for Cherokee research and now no longer need; will send them to whoever wants them for postage:

1.       Some Notes on Cherokee and Other Indian Research, by Robert Davis, published in #48, Heritage Quest magazine (long time ago J  )

2.       The Cherokees: Past & Present, An Authentic Guide to the Cherokee People, by J. Ed. Sharpe, 1970, 33-page booklet.

3.       Exploring Your Cherokee Ancestry: A Basic Genealogical Research Guide, by Thomas G. Mooney, 1992, 60 Xeroxed pages.

4.       Oklahoma Genealogical Research, by Mary Metzger O’Brien, 1986, 50-page Xeroxed booklet.

((From Donna243@gmail.com))

UFO in Seattle? Really?

Sorry, do not know the source for this wonderful photo; was just passed on/shared with me.  Did it make you smile?  And don't we need smiles these days?

Snowbound Stagecoach

The people involved in this account came from the following families;  Stephens, Miller, Allphin, McClain, Scott, Mulkey, Riddle, Davis, Glover, Nichols, McDonald, Niles, Jeffries, Moody, Gay, Jagger, Graham, Irvin, James, Wellington, Bolton, Wilson, Thompson, Hogg, Hunter, Stocking, Johnson and others.

"Snowbound Stagecoach" is available from the publisher, Moonglade Press, or from Amazon.

Please DO DO DO answer the 2020 census if you've not already.

This bit was shared with me by Brusan Rhoda-Wells, daughter of long-time EWGS member, Betty Rhoda. Please read and heed. YOU MATTER. 

Date: March 27, 2020 at 11:23 AM
Subject: If you haven't take the time - or haven't receive your invitation in the mail as yet ---- Please take time to complete and submit the 2020 United States Census

https://www.census.gov/library/video/2020/invitation-to-complete-the-2020-census.html

As many of you know - we live pretty much at the end of the road of anywhere in Idaho.  As of today we have not received our "invitation" to complete the 2020 US Census by US mail - or by a visit from a Census Taker at our door.  I suspect we will not have a visit by the Census Taker at our door!

However 95% of us should have received our Invitation to Take the Census in the US mail - or, like me,.....you are awaiting anxiously for the Census Taker to knock on your door.

I loosely call my self a genealogist - however the importance to someone that does family history - family tress, family heritage - the Census is huge.

Consider this - depending upon what the every 10 years Census information provides - is your lineage, in some years where your parents where born, what year you may have immigrated to America, your ability to read or not - if you owned a home or rented, if you had a farm, the amount of your income.... did  you serve in the American Revolution..........the list goes on and on.

I have learned that I had ancestors that came to America through Ellis Island, the man came alone and his wife and 12 children came later.  I have learned that an ancestor came to America and had 4 children with them here - but left 4 children in Ireland.  Imagine that story!

On the other hand - during my professional career - I was able to us the Census' to obtain funding/grants for the various non-profits that I worked with over my career.

This year more than ever - the need to complete the Census is crucial.  Currently -- you and I can view the Census' on line -at no cost through 1940.  Before too long the 1950 Census will be available - and in maybe 70 years the 2020 Census will be available for all to view!.......Let the world know you are here - right now....and that we remain America Proud - America Strong.

Thank you for taking the time.  I think we have been asked to complete the Census by April 1!

Brusan Rhoda-Wells

DNA from 5700-year-old chewing gum? YES!

From the Mar-Apr 2020 issue of Archaeology Magazine:  

Denmark:  DNA embedded in ancient "chewing gum" from the island of Lolland was used to reconstruct the genome of a woman who briefly chomped on it 5,700 years ago. Scientists were able to use the masticated piece of birch pitch to determine aspects of the woman's appearance, diet and health. Her dark skin and hair and blue eyes indicate that she was more closely related to populations in mainland Europe than to Scandinavians of her time."

OHMYGOSH. What do you think of this??

Is Thinking A Lost Art?

The volunteers and I from the EWGS Outreach Committee have been giving a series of presentations to the several Spokane County libraries. This has been quite fun, introducing folks to this wonderful new hobby. Seeing our increased numbers at EWGS meetings has been exciting too.

This is a famous statue by sculptor Rodin called The Thinker. I chose this image today to illustrate a point:  too many folks seem to be coming to our meetings and classes expecting a Magic Pill for Genealogy (at best) or listening for the speaker to address their particular problem (at worst). Sadly, they are hearing without listening.

May I explain? After a full hour's talk and handout of where to go to get genealogy-education-help (EWGS, YouTube, Google, FamilySearch WIKI, etc.) a dear sweet person raised her hand and asked are there any records in New Mexico? She had not made the leap from hearing about a resource to thinking " oh wow, this could help ME!"  She was not (yet?) applying the learning to herself. She was not thinking.

Dear Readers: It's like pills in a bottle. If you don't take what your doctor taught you about, and offered as help to you, the pills won't do you a bit of good. 

Here's your new mantra:  Apply all I learn sitting in genealogy meetings and classes to MY family history problems; the teacher is talking to ME; think about it. 

Where DID all our EWGS Holdings/Books Go?

Where did all our books go?  They went to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City!

Yes, many of us are still lamenting the loss of our genealogy collection...... "our books!!"... but dry your tears. EWGS librarian, Barbara Brazington explained that some 75% of them were already available online and now ALL of them will be available via the Family History Library Catalog at www.familysearch.org. Or you can go to Salt Lake City and visit them on the shelves there. 

But, yes, we still miss them. But, yes, we will adjust. Right?

Spotlight on EWGS member Carol Anderson.

EWGS would be in big trouble without all the energy, help and involvement of Carol Anderson. She helps with the Program Committee, the Outreach Committee and seems to be everywhere, knowing everything and helping everybody. 

Carol and hubby Dennis live in a darling little bungalow on the Spokane South Hill where she has hosted many committee meetings. Her Lemon Scones are to die for. 

Carol was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Her parents, Dorman Westcott hailed from Norfolk, VA, and her mum, Nancy Best, from Newark, NJ. One thing you may not know about her is that she is a Spokane Master Gardner! 

Her maternal lines extend from New Jersey and Pennsylvania back to Poland. Her father's lines from Virginia and New York to England. She says she's been very lucky to have visited Virginia, England and Poland and "I'm planning to do more!" (I know she and Dennis are planning a trip to Iceland; do you have Icelandic ancestors, Carol?)

Ancestry is her most-used genealogy website; her favorite color is purple and favorite dessert? Ice cream! In her words: "I am a nut for DNA research! I am learning how to "paint" my DNA and finding so many cousins!" 

Carol says that the words that best describe her are family-centered. Love it!

Blackboards, anyone?

I had scheduled a promo post for tomorrow's Spring Seminar. I did delete that post because the Seminar has been rescheduled; stay tuned to the EWGSI.org website.  Here's a goodie for you: