Unity Day is coming up in Germany, and to mark the occasion, MyHeritage is offering free access to all German historical records from October 2–6, 2025!

Explore the German records for free

It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone with German family history to dig into their roots and make new discoveries. MyHeritage hosts 283 million records across 77 German collections, including vital, church, and emigration records. Some collections from key regions like Prussia, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, and southwestern Germany are exclusive to MyHeritage. 

Join Skagit Valley Genealogical Society Saturday, October 11, 2025, 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for “The Role of Convents and Monasteries in the 15^th-19^th Centuries and How They Affected Our Ancestors” with Milan Pohontsch, President, Federation of Eastern European Family History Societies. Learn about the social and economic impacts of monasteries and how the lives of those that lived and worked on monastic estates differed from peasants under noble rule.  Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing [email protected].

EWGS Fall Seminar: Civil War Research 

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!  

There are many attendees already registered, so don’t miss out!  Go to the website to register now! 

$40 – MEMBERS (attending in person) $50 – NON-MEMBERS (attending in person) $20 – ZOOMERS

Date: October 04, 2025

Time: 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM (Doors open at 8:30)

Location: Southside Community Center – 3151 E 27th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223

 Hybrid-Zoom available for this event 

From Muster Rolls to Family Roles: 

Discovering Civil War Histories Researching Your Civil War Ancestor – by Craig R. Scott

    Oh Yes, I Went to the Front!: Women in the Civil War – by Melanie McComb   

Refugees, Claims, and Pardons: 

Reconciliation during the Reconstruction Era – by Michael L. Strauss

Handouts will be emailed to registered attendees 2-3 days PRIOR to the event. (please print your handouts at home)

In-Person Attendance includes:  lunch, snacks, dessert, coffee, tea, and possibly door prizes!

Deadline for mailing checks is SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 BY 5:00 P.M. 

NOTE:  IF YOU WISH TO REGISTER VIA WRITTEN CHECK: Write your check for the correct amount (see above),

MAIL TO: EWGS 9116 E SPRAGUE AVE., #438   SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206

Cancellation for this event AND TO RECEIVE A FULL REFUND deadline is SEPTEMBER 26TH BY 5:00 P.M.

Exciting new vendors

 Book sale of donated Civil War books and many others!

Free Table

If you feel that you cannot afford the tuition fee for this seminar, please apply for a scholarship.  

Sign in to EWGS as a member. Click on Events and Choose Scholarship Grant Forms.  

Zoom Registration required:      https://tinyurl.com/h8kb39ah 

More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is 

https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org

Wednesday, September 24

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Chasing Claire: The Treasures of Genealogical Travel

Presented by Karin Borgerson

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Learn about how chasing one ancestor can lead to travel across multiple states, new friendships, and literally getting your hands dirty while doing genealogy! Plus tips for making the most of genealogical travel.

Wednesday, October 1     

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Canadian Genealogy

Presented by Jenny Warner

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Learn about the history of Canada, what genealogical records are available, and how to find them.

Wednesday, October 8     

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

AN INTRODUCTION – to Find My Past Records

Presented by Steven W. Morrison

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Findmypast (FMP) is a subscription website and is one of the BIG FIVE genealogical companies. Across the pond, it partners with several family history organizations, major libraries and archives. As a result, some of its British and Irish records are unique, and unavailable on other genealogy websites. Presented in a case study format.

Wednesday, October 15   

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Adoption Meets DNA

Presented by Beth Swartz

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Overview of the availability of Adoption records and the impact of taking a consumer DNA test, which can open doors to finding biological family.

Wednesday, October 22   

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

If These Walls Could Talk – House and Neighborhood Histories

Presented by Mary Kircher Roddy

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

I don’t know of many genealogists who aren’t also historians.  It’s in our natures to be curious of what went on before,  to understand our family’s history – but it’s also interesting to learn more about that place where we spend our daily lives – our homes.  Who was here before me?  How might they have used this home?  What tales did they bring home from their work or school at the end of the day?  Who were their neighbors?  Has my house always looked this way?  Learning about your house and neighborhood can increase your sense of place and help you to connect on a deeper level with that place you call “Home.”

(After Mary’s talk, bring stories of any “hauntings” related to a particular place in your family history!)

Wednesday, October 29   

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Ancestors Calling: Science, Synchronicity and Sources

Presented by Judy Nimer Muhn

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Our ancestors want us to find them!  Using our intuition, developing our luck, creating vision boards and using classic detective techniques, YOU can have their help and do thorough genealogical research.  Learn how to tap into some key scientific principles and hands-on techniques to drive your discoveries.

Wednesday, November 5  

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

What the Law Put Asunder: Divorce in America

Presented by Sara Cochran

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Historically, divorce in the United States was rare, but not unheard of. This class considers changing laws and social attitudes as they relate to marriage and divorce, how those laws and attitudes affect our research and the records, and provides tips for determining if there was a divorce and accessing those records.

Wednesday, November 12

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

Point of Origin: How to Find Your Ancestral Village

Presented by Lisa Vogele

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

Don’t know where overseas your family originated from? This presentation covers a variety of sources to explore to locate your ancestor’s point of origin before arriving in the United States. Examples and strategies will be provided including: resources for locating town of origin, strategies for name changes, tips for boundary changes, and overcoming handwriting & language challenges.

Wednesday, November 19

10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)

What’s New in Genetic Genealogy

Presented by Karin Borgerson

For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org

The landscape of genetic genealogy is always shifting. Explore recent updates from DNA testing companies and third-party tools to make the most of DNA for genealogy.