GRF (Genealogy Refocus Group) has a new beginning!

Yesterday, Wednesday, October 16th, marked the day of the new beginning for GRF. Founded and honcho'd for so long by Sonji Rutan, and wonderfully so, the reins have been turned over to Lynda Keenan. 

Still working with Sonji, Lynda announced, proposed and we discussed changes in the modus operandi of the classes. "From now on," she said, "I want you to share what you know and how you have learned it with others. Each of us has specialized knowledge and we each can help others!" 

Lynda wants to get away from formal presentations and have more group interaction. Several ideas for how to accomplish this were discussed. One thing Lynda did was pass out yellow cards on which each of the 18 in attendance were to write information about themselves "so I can get to know you," Lynda explained. She also had everybody sign up with WHERE and WHO we each are researching, saying she'll create a spreadsheet for all of us to use and benefit from. 

The air was electric with ideas; it was a wonderful afternoon. 

You're on her email list so expect to hear from her sooner than later and, of course, do plan to come to GRF and learn how to "refocus your genealogy."

Genealogical Education..... Opportunity for YOU?

Under the umbrella of EWGS, and in keeping with its mission to provide genealogical education to members and the public, monthly classes are offered at the South Hill branch of the Spokane Public Library. This photo is from yesterday's class where I presented the topic of The Family History Guide. 

The class is held on the first Wednesday of the month, 10:00 to 11:30 and (of course!) is free to attend. The topic for June is yet to be determined so I will ask YOU: what subject do you need to know more about to help you researching your ancestors??

Stay tuned........... 

Up Coming Learning Opportunities from Miriam.

Our EWGS shining star, Miriam Robbins Midkiff, is once again offering knowledge to us in the form of classes through the Continuing Education program here in Spokane. She will teach:

[The military records class has been cancelled.]

Who Do You Think You Are?  - What do you know about your ancestors or your heritage? In this beginning online genealogy class, learn how to start your search, confirm family lore, and use all sorts of records to trace your family tree; prerequisite: a working knowledge of the computer.
Class #L154  --  Tuesdays, May 3, 10, 17, 24,  6:00-8:00pm,  Centerplace, Room 209,  Cost $49

Vital and Cemetery Records - Learn now to use birth, marriage and death and cemetery records for the basis of your genealogy research; discover where to find these documents onsite and online.

Class #L113  --  Tuesday, May 31, 6:00-9:00pm,  Centerplace, Room 209,  Cost $25

Register for any or all of these classes online at http://www.ccs.spokane.edu/Continuing Ed or call (509) 279-6030 (they will ask for a credit card number).

Online Genealogy Classes Available in Spokane Area

If you live in the Spokane area, you are invited to take one or more Online Genealogy Classes from EWGS member, Miriam Robbins Midkiff, available through the Community Colleges of Spokane's Institute for Extended Learning.

The first class is "Finding Your Ancestors in Online Vital and Cemetery Records" (Course L207) and will explain what vital and cemetery records are, why they are useful to family historians, and where to find them on site and online at both free and subscription websites. This class will be held Tuesday, October 5th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the CenterPlace campus, 2426 N. Discovery Way, Spokane Valley, Washingon.

The second class will be "Finding Your Ancestors in American Military Records" (Course L204). Is there a veteran in your family tree or a family story that an ancestor served in the Civil or Revolutionary War? This class will teach you how to locate military records from the present to the American colonial period, and will be held Tuesday, October 26th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, also at the CenterPlace campus.

For both classes, it's important to have a working understanding of the Internet as well as an e-mail address. You may register for either course by calling the IEL at (509) 279-6030 or (800) 845-3324; you can also register online by going to the course webpages here (vital/cemetery) or here (military).

Intermediate Online Genealogy Course

If you live in the Spokane area, Miriam Robbins Midkiff would like to invite you to take her Intermediate Online Genealogy Course, available through the Community Colleges of Spokane's Institute for Extended Learning (IEL). Classes will be held Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 PM for six weeks at the CenterPlace campus, 2426 N. Discovery Way, Spokane Valley, Washington.

This course will cover using Internet resources to research military, naturalization and immigration, court, and land records, as well as explore various genealogy websites such as Footnote, WorldVitalRecords, GenealogyBank, and HeritageQuest. Taking my beginning course is recommended; however, if you are comfortable researching vital, cemetery, and census records, have a working knowledge of the Internet, as well as an e-mail address, you are welcome to sign up for this course.

You may register for this course (L116) by calling the IEL at (509) 279-6030 or (800) 845-3324; you can also register online by going to the course webpage here.

Donna's Fall Genealogy Classes Schedule

After our wonderful conference, if your head still has time for some learning, the Seniors' Program will be offering classes from Donna Potter Phillips at the Mirabeau Center. Here is the roster of her classes:

M215 - Sep 18: Tombstones & Cemeteries

M216 - Sep 25: Set Up Your Own Google Reader

M217 - Oct 2: Military Records Online: 1775 to Present

M218 - Oct 9: FamilySearch: Enlarged, Expanded & Wonderful

M219 - Oct 16 to Oct 30 (3 Friday classes): Genealogy: Starting New Or Starting Over

This last, a three-session class, will help you pick a research project and take you through some Internet resources to help solve the problem.

All classes are on Fridays, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Cost is minimal. Watch for these classes listed in the Seniors' Program brochure which will arrive in your mailbox shortly. Then call to register or register online. Hope to see you there!

Genealogy Classes for Seniors in the Spokane Area

Donna Potter Phillips will be offering four classes this spring as part of the Spokane's Senior Program. Each class is on a Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at CenterPlace at Mirabeau, and costs $9.00. Register at 533-8010. Classes will be canceled if there are not enough registered.

Class #M215 - March 20 - Leave a Legacy, Not a Mess

Class #M216 - March 27 - Where is the Book with My Family in It?

Class #M217 - April 24 - FamilySearch Indexing: Paying it Forward

Class #M218 - May 1 - 50 Ways to Document a Death

View Larger Map

Genealogy Classes in Spokane, Winter & Spring 2009

Here are the Winter & Spring 2009 classes that Miriam and I will be teaching:

Using the Internet To Find Your Family's History: BEGINNING. "Learn to use the newest, best, easiest and more fruitful genealogy websites to find your ancestors. A basic, working knowledge of both the computer and the Internet is helpful for this entry-level class. Handouts included." Class M215, Jan 30 to Mar 6, Fridays, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, $27. Class held in the CenterPlace, Mirabeau Center. (Donna's class)

Using the Internet To Find Your Family's History: ADVANCED. "Come to class prepared to work on one of your family lines and explore the best websites to "hatch, match and dispatch" your ancestors. Expect to complete homework! Register early so Donna can contact you to discuss your project family. Handouts included." Class M216, Jan 30 to Mar 6, Fridays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, $27. CenterPlace, Mirabeau Center. (Donna's class)

***** I would not recommend that you think to take both of these classes concurrently. The morning class is an entry-level class while the afternoon class is for the more comfortable researcher.

Genealogy Online: Intermediate. "Genealogy continues to gain devoted followers seeking their family history. The intermediate class is a great opportunity to expand your search and explore family records including land, military, court and immigration. The class takes an in-depth look at major genealogy subscription websites. Prerequisite: Beginning genealogy class and a working knowledge of the computer." Class L110, Feb 24 to Mar 31, Tuesdays, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, $54. CenterPlace, Mirabeau Center. (Miriam's class)

*** The above classes are a series of classes. The ones listed below are one-time classes, and are Donna's classes:

Genealogy: Leaving A Legacy, Not A Mess, Class M215, March 20, Friday, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, $9.00, CenterPlace.

Genealogy: Where Is The Book With My Family In It?, Class M216, March 27th, Friday, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, $9.00, CenterPlace.

Genealogy: FamilySearch Indexing...Paying It Forward, Class M217, April 24, Friday, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, $9.00, CenterPlace.

Genealogy: 50 Ways To Document A Death, Class M218, May 1, Friday, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, $9.00, CenterPlace.

To register for any of these classes, call 279-6030 or register online at http://www.iel.spokane.edu/registration.

Two Free "Getting Started on Your Genealogy" Classes by EWGS Offered This Tuesday

Is this something you, a family member, or friend would be interested in?

In celebration of National Family History Month, the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society is offering FREE Getting Started on Your Genealogy classes throughout the month of October. These classes will introduce people to pedigree charts, family group sheets and research through the Internet and the Library's collection. The classes are offered in the Downtown Library computer lab every Tuesday in October at two different times: 11 AM or 6:30 PM. Attend one or a few to reinforce what you learn.

Space is limited in these hands-on classes; to sign up, call the genealogy desk at (509) 444-5357 on Tuesdays (10 AM - 6 PM) or Saturdays (10 AM - 4PM).

Two Free "Getting Started on Your Genealogy" Classes by EWGS Offered This Tuesday

Is this something you, a family member, or friend would be interested in?

In celebration of National Family History Month, the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society is offering FREE Getting Started on Your Genealogy classes throughout the month of October. These classes will introduce people to pedigree charts, family group sheets and research through the Internet and the Library's collection. The classes are offered in the Downtown Library computer lab every Tuesday in October at two different times: 11 AM or 6:30 PM. Attend one or a few to reinforce what you learn.

Space is limited in these hands-on classes; to sign up, call the genealogy desk at (509) 444-5357 on Tuesdays (10 AM - 6 PM) or Saturdays (10 AM - 4PM).

Two Free "Getting Started on Your Genealogy" Classes by EWGS Offered This Tuesday

Is this something you, a family member, or friend would be interested in?

In celebration of National Family History Month, the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society is offering FREE Getting Started on Your Genealogy classes throughout the month of October. These classes will introduce people to pedigree charts, family group sheets and research through the Internet and the Library's collection. The classes are offered in the Downtown Library computer lab (second floor) every Tuesday in October at two different times: 11 AM or 6:30 PM. Attend one or a few to reinforce what you learn.

Space is limited in these hands-on classes; to sign up, call the genealogy desk at (509) 444-5357 on Tuesdays (10 AM - 6 PM) or Saturdays (10 AM - 4PM).

Free "Getting Started on Your Genealogy" Classes by EWGS Offered at Spokane Public Library

In celebration of National Family History Month, the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society is offering FREE Getting Started on Your Genealogy classes throughout the month of October. These classes will introduce people to pedigree charts, family group sheets and research through the Internet and the Library's collection. The classes are offered in the Downtown Library computer lab every Tuesday in October at two different times: 11 AM or 6:30 PM. Attend one or a few to reinforce what you learn.

Space is limited in these hands-on classes; to sign up, call the genealogy desk at (509) 444-5357 on Tuesdays (10 AM - 6 PM) or Saturdays (10 AM - 4PM). For more information please visit the genealogy area at the Downtown Library on Tuesdays or Saturdays or visit http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~waewgs/.

Genealogy Classes Offered Locally

Are you interested in taking a genealogy class? Here are a couple being offered through the Community Colleges of Spokane's Community Education and Senior Programs. They are both held at CenterPlace at Mirabeau Park, 2426 N. Discovery Place (across the street from the Valley YMCA). Both classes require a basic working knowledge of computers and the Internet.

Donna Potter Phillips will be teaching a Seniors Only class "Using the Internet to Find Your Family's History" on Friday mornings from 10:00 AM to noon, October 10 - November 21 (class will not meet on November 14). The course number is M215 and cost is $32. Call 533-4756 to register, or register online here.

Miriam Robbins Midkiff will be teaching a Beginning Genealogy Online class on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, October 7 - 28. The course number is L109 and cost is $41. Call 279-6000 to register, or register online here.

If you know an individual or group who is offering genealogy, heritage, or local history classes that you would like to see featured here, please e-mail the information to us and we will be glad to highlight it on this blog.