Latest News For Members
Out-of-Area Events
MARCH MEETING FOR MEMBERS and GUESTS
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
A Voyage Through Time
by Susie Wickman
Let’s visit the incredible world of historical ships that carried our ancestors! We’ll look at ship histories, including the innovations that made sea travel safer and faster, and even blueprints and interiors. Learn about tracking ship arrivals and departures with ship mail and newspapers. It will be a fascinating journey.
In person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee, or via Zoom
Topic: WAGS March General Meeting Zoom Link
Time: Mar 10, 2025 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83095006911?pwd=m5vzgVA1i998dlnA5HFMRgCRF7To4b.1
Meeting ID: 830 9500 6911
Passcode: March
FEBRUARY MEETING FOR MEMBERS and GUESTS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
General Land Office: Get the Most Out of the BLM-GLO Website
by Lisa Gorrell
Whether your ancestor obtained land from the federal government in the public land states, or even if they didn’t, you’ll benefit from this presentation on the General Land Office website.
In person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee or via Zoom.
Topic: WAGS General Mtg Zoom Link
Time: Feb 10, 2025 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87405234522?pwd=N1RVbFxbnwE6xfpAlktnk4aeA4kBEe.1
Meeting ID: 874 0523 4522
Passcode: FebWAGSMtg
JANUARY MEETING FOR MEMBERS and GUESTS
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Breaking Down Brick Walls with DNA
by Kate Penney Howard, genetic genealogist
Perhaps DNA can help you with those pesky blanks in your family tree–strange names or no names; immigrants with odd or non-existent information; people who just show up! When traditional genealogical techniques fail to give us an answer, we can turn to DNA to find more opportunities to discover clues.
Topic: WAGS General Meeting Zoom LInk
Time: Jan 13, 2025 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88156085836?pwd=IGcFc8082x8vkAslyxz9OxzjvCa0JF.1
Meeting ID: 881 5608 5836
Passcode: January
Or arrive in person at the FamilySearch Center at 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee
“Name Your Price” Book Sale
Start your Christmas shopping today! WAGS is offering you some of our extra books. Shop with WAGS and pretend you’re in a game show called “Name Your Price!” Claim as many of these books (they were part of our Checkout collection) by naming your price and coming into the WAGS Library on December 14, 17 or 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. to collect your books. This is a first come/first served opportunity. Don’t delay!
NO DECEMBER MEETING!
Let’s all take an end-of-the-year break and recharge with family and friends.
On Monday, January 13, 2025 we’ll gather again to hear genetic genealogist Kate Penney Howard present “Breaking Down Brick Walls with DNA.”
NOVEMBER MEETING FOR MEMBERS and GUESTS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2024 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
The Great War and Its Stories:
Researching Your WWI Soldier
by Jill Morelli
Seattle-based genealogy educator Jill Morelli will tell us what records survive from World War I, and where to find them. Let’s look at our WWI soldiers through the lens of the available online and in-state repositories.
This will be a hybrid meeting. For an in-person experience, come to the FamilySearch Center at 667 10th Street NE in East Wenatchee. You may also attend via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83006828680?pwd=gBs32mls0GPJDXm8ajZldLAp310Zn0.1
Meeting ID: 830 0682 8680
Passcode: November
OCTOBER MEETING FOR WAGS MEMBERS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2024 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
“Future Capital Projects at the Museum”
A conversation with WVMCC Executive Director Marriah Thornock
This presentation is prepared specifically for WAGS members–to give us the latest news on how the museum’s remodeling plans are taking shape, and to allow us to ask all of our logistical questions on how the WAGS Library will be affected.
This will be a hybrid meeting. Marriah will be in person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee.
Zoom will also be available:
Topic: WAGS October General Meeting – Members Only
Time: Oct 14, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85236160487?pwd=4nfa8gpWGi00iw3jaVTMVEEaoolrwI.1
Meeting ID: 852 3616 0487
Passcode: October
SEPTEMBER MEETING FOR MEMBERS AND GUESTS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
“Finally Get Organized: Conquer the Clutter Using Your Natural Learning Style”
by Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal
This will be a hybrid meeting. Meet in person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE in East Wenatchee, or via Zoom:
Topic: WAGS September General Mtg Zoom Info
Time: Sep 9, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82124904792?pwd=aQr13KObNwXwgHY2aWXPOI32KSgnyZ.1
Meeting ID: 821 2490 4792
Passcode: September
Come and learn about different organizing strategies AND a little about yourself! Knowing how you learn will point you to the most effective way to sort out your genealogy research.
Heritage Quest Research Library – Researching in German Church Records
Explore the Exceptional Genealogy Classes at HQRL! Join us online via Zoom or in person at HQRL and connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts who share your curiosity and drive—together, we can explore the fascinating world of family history! JOIN US for our next class on August 6, 2026!Don’t miss out, sign up today!![]() CLICK HERE to register for this class! Visit our blog for great tips & hints exploring your family story! Click Here to See All of Our 2026 Classes! |
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society DNA Special Interest Group Meeting
Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Discussion group focused on various topics regarding the use of DNA testing in genealogy.
Prior to this meeting we will watch the webinar Cousins, Clusters, and Clues: Using MyHeritage DNA for Your Genealogical Mysteries available for free on Legacy Family Tree Webinars at:
https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/cousins-clusters-and-clues-using-myheritage-dna-for-your-genealogical-mysteries
Calendar reminder: TPCGS DNA Special Interest Group Meeting
Every month on the Fourth Tuesday beginning at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82725316888?pwd=MDc3UEZrUVJNbmxmK2ZORmw5YzdDdz09
Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888
Passcode: 811780
One tap mobile:
+12532050468,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US
+12532158782,,82725316888#,,,,*811780# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location:
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 827 2531 6888
Passcode: 811780
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kIKCyZLQy
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society – FamilySearch Full-Text Search – Your Golden Path to Ancestral Discovery
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Monthly Educational Meeting
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, starting at 6:00 pm
This month’s presentation: Free RootsTech 2026 video presented by David Ouimette titled FamilySearch Full-Text Search – Your Golden Path to Ancestral Discovery.
“In this session, we show how FamilySearch applies generative AI to read historical handwriting and produce complete transcripts of billions of pages of historical manuscripts in a variety languages and scripts. We describe how FamilySearch identifies names, dates, and places in the text distilled from these documents. We then demonstrate techniques for searching the resulting full text by keyword, name, date, and place. We show how to leverage filter and search features in tandem so that you can readily find the records that reveal your ancestors and tell their stories. Sponsored by FamilySearch”
This month’s meeting will be Zoom Only until we can find a new physical location to meet in person.
Attend virtually via Zoom:
Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqduGpqjgsHtBNs9zc8CGna6R-KHlcz5so/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGuqToiG9CWth2DRpwAB4j4WevwiHZdgrd_sgy8GSMLQST4N7Rwf5lXHNvK
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718143644?pwd=S0FjYU5acVVKbDEyamdXWWZVekFjdz09
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507
One tap mobile
+12532050468,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US
+12532158782,,86718143644#,,,,*630507# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 1814 3644
Passcode: 630507
Heritage Quest Research Library – Norwegians in America
Thursday, July 23
HQRL Class
Norwegians in America
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Heritage Quest Research Library (Classroom & Zoom)
Join Eleanor Brinsko to learn about Norwegian immigrant ports of entrance, newspapers, Norwegian settlements in America and strategies to track
your ancestors.
Register in the HQRL Store, $20+tax and $25+tax for non-members.
HQRL classroom in-person (limit of 8 persons) or via zoom – a zoom link will be sent to your email 1-2 days before the class along with any handouts. see flyer
10 Million Names on ABC Airs July 6, 2026

| Tonight, watch the premiere of the 30-minute ABC News special “American Story: The Hands That Built the White House,” which features a groundbreaking research discovery made by the 10 Million Names team at American Ancestors! Host Robin Roberts will uncover the extraordinary human story behind one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks: the White House. In a genealogical breakthrough years in the making, Roberts and American Ancestors staff will sit down with the first confirmed living descendants of an enslaved individual who helped build it. Don’t miss this exciting event! Here’s when and how to watch the show: Monday, July 6 ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis, 7 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PCT A short version of the special will stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. ABC News Live, 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. PCT Premiere of the full 30-minute segment! The full 30-minute special streams on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. Learn more about 10 Million Names at https://10millionnames.org/abc |


Seattle Genealogical Society – America 250 Writing Contest


base image by Colin O’Brien / Unsplash montage by Sheyna Watkins
HOW WAS YOUR FAMILY IMPACTED
BY MOMENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY?In 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — on July 4, 1776. In celebration of the America 250 milestone SGS is sponsoring a writing contest.
The theme is “My Story is America’s Story.” The history of America is interwoven with the unique and diverse narratives of all those who have lived here. Entries are invited which tell the story of your family, individuals in your community, an event in history, an immigrant movement or some other aspect of personal experiences against the backdrop of America’s story. The theme is as broad as the 250-year history of our country!
Several prizes will be awarded, including $250 for the first place winner.
Submissions are due September 1. All entries meeting the guidelines (detailed on the website) will be considered. Entries will be judged on their relevance to the theme, writing style and clarity, and research accuracy. Winning entries will be published in the Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society. Winners will be chosen by a jury made up of SGS members. Honorable mentions will be published in the Journal at the discretion of the editor. Please contact Lisa Oberg at [email protected] with any questions.
See the website for details about the style guidelines and submission rules.

Explore the Exceptional Genealogy Classes at HQRL! Join us online via Zoom or in person at HQRL and connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts who share your curiosity and drive—together, we can explore the fascinating world of family history! 