Latest News For Members
Out-of-Area Events
JUNE MEETING FOR MEMBERS AND GUESTS
MONDAY, JUNE 10 at 2:00 p.m. — a hybrid meeting
“How the Homestead Act Shaped My Family . . . and Maybe Yours”
with Cyndi Ingle
The Homestead Act of 1862 populated the American West. Learn about how it worked, and where to find the records, and what your homesteader ancestor’s life might have been like.
In person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee
and via Zoom.
Topic: WAGS General June Meeting Zoom Link
Time: Jun 10, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84870282001?pwd=TTlOMkN0L2FoMWRod0E3bHlYNW5ydz09
Meeting ID: 848 7028 2001
Passcode: WAGSJune
May Meeting for Members and Guests
Monday, May 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
“Not Who He Once Was: Tips For Finding Your Name-Changing Ancestor”
Genealogy educator Mary Kircher Roddy will present what’s possibly the ultimate brick-wall-bashing concept: name-changing! Perhaps your ancestor just disappeared–or else they seem to have no background at all. A name-change might be the culprit.
Monday, May 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
In person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee
Or via Zoom:
Topic: WAGs May General Meeting Zoom Link
Time: May 13, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89987693577?pwd=dmt2V1NVYzA5REc3N2UvMUpqdFFlUT09
Meeting ID: 899 8769 3577
Passcode: MayWAGs
April Meeting for Members and Guests
Monday, April 8, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Our Quaker Ancestors: Their History and the Records They Left
The Quakers were among the earliest settlers in North America, and generally, earliest in any newly-opened territory. And they were amazing record-keepers. We’ll learn their history and how to find the rich records they left behind. Annette Burke Lyttle will be our presenter.
This will be a hybrid meeting. Come in-person to the FamilySearch Center at 667 10th Street Northeast in East Wenatchee. Or join us via Zoom:
Topic: WAGS April General Zoom Meeting
Time: Apr 8, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89141746016?pwd=bEtGSWYxS0N5TlVTY2JzRDZsZlFDZz09
Meeting ID: 891 4174 6016
Passcode: 122460
March Meeting for Members and Guests
Monday, March 11
Join us on Monday March 11 at 2:00 p.m. to hear about the historic documents waiting for you at the Chelan County Courthouse. Erin Fonville of the Assessor’s Office will demonstrate all the different ways to search their historic records.
In-person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE in East Wenatchee–also via Zoom. Zoom information:
Topic: WAGs General Meeting Zoom LInk
Time: Mar 11, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84811742592?pwd=R3dCL1lRK01UY1RZQVg5eGY5TGFsUT09
Meeting ID: 848 1174 2592
Passcode: March
February Meeting for Members and Guests
February 12, 2024 —
Monday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom and in person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee: “The Railroad Built the Pacific Northwest,” with Mary Horabik, educator at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie.
Zoom information:
Topic: WAGS General Meeting – Feb
Time: Feb 12, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82184240026?pwd=eFRiaUFpZ0NzSWZZL3hsN0RDT1Bmdz09
Meeting ID: 821 8424 0026
Passcode: February
January Meeting for Members and Guests
Monday, January 8 at 2:00 p.m.
via Zoom and in person at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee
The Quest for Your English Ancestors by Claire Brisson-Banks
Zoom information and speaker’s handout will be posted soon.
Happy Holidays from WAGS!
We’re now entering into holiday mode–no membership meetings until January 8, 2024.
We’ll be sending you more information about the GiveNCW Fundraiser (it starts on Thanksgiving Day). Remember, the welcome mat is out at the WAGS Library (corner of Mission and Yakima in the Museum Annex building) on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. See you at the library, or at the meeting in January.
November Meeting for Members and Guests
November 13, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the FamilySearch Center, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee; and via Zoom:
Topic: WAGS November General Meeting Zoom Link
Time: Nov 13, 2023 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81021074458?pwd=cVY1WHR4dHA4ejV4QTFkK04venhLQT09
Meeting ID: 810 2107 4458
Passcode: November
“Beyond the Records: Putting Flesh on the Bones of Your Civil War Ancestor” by Annette Burke Lyttle
This program is in honor of the late Fred Pflugrath, who gathered burial information on Civil War veterans throughout Eastern Washington.
It’s never been so easy to find facts about your Civil War ancestor. But how can we reconstruct their experiences? This presentation will show you how to fill in the blanks between the facts, allowing you to tell your ancestors’ stories of the war.
German Interest Group of the Eastside Genealogical Society Swiss Essentials Locating Church Records
Zoom Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yfyrt6yw
More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is
Skagit Valley Genealogical Society Washington State Library Family History Resources
You can’t keep a good library down! Join SVGS on Saturday February 14, 2026, at 1pm at the Burlington Public Library for “Washington State Library Family History Resources” with librarian Crystal Hicks. From historic newspapers and local city directories to maps and tribal histories, the Washington State Library has materials to aid you in your family history research. Come learn how we can still access these materials despite the library’s closure to the general public due to budget cuts. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing [email protected].
Eastside Genealogical Society Finding Females in Naturalization Records
The zoom link:
Networking and announcements at 6:30 pm Pacific; program at 7:00 pm
Via Zoom—https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82046663133
Eastern Washington Genealogical Society FamilySearch: Tools, Tricks, and Tech Connections
Plug In to FamilySearch: Tools, Tricks, and Tech Connections
Presented by our very own: Margie Beldin
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced researcher, you will learn new things today!
Margie will discuss Family Search tools and explore FamilySearch features and activities that you may not be aware of. Printable charts and research helpers, as well as games and interactive activities that make family history fun. You’ll discover new ways to research, share your findings, and involve your relatives of all ages.
Date: February 07, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM to 03:00 PM
Location: THE HIVE 2904 E Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99202
Zoom link and Program Handouts will be available on the website the day prior to the event. (EWGSi.org)
Raffles
$50/50$
Coffee and Cookies
Free Table
Please remember that EWGS Ways & Means is always accepting items for future
Book Sales and Auctions, so bring them with you!
Heritage Quest Research Library – The Genealogy Roll-up: Essential Shortcuts Every Genealogist Needs
| Thursday, February 5, 2026 Jennifer Patterson Dondero Every genealogist can aspire to do great genealogy. But how do you find the time for all those “things” you’ve been told you should be doing: planning, logging, note-taking, analyzing, and reporting? There’s one shortcut you need and it’s so easy to get started! Click Here to Sign-up Jennifer Patterson Dondero has been an avid genealogist for over 30 years, and a professional genealogist since 2005. Her specialties include southern research, DNA, and technology for genealogy. She lives with her husband and two children in Georgia, where she enjoys researching, writing fiction and nonfiction, reading mystery novels, and clogging. Click Here to See All of Our 2026 Classes! Visit our blog for great tips & hints exploring your family story! HQRL.com /Classes & Events / Contact |
| Heritage Quest Research Library | 2102 East Main Ave Suite 105 | Puyallup, WA 98372 US |
Fiske Genealogical Library Winter 2026 Virtual Classes
Here is the information for the first six of our Winter 2026 virtual classes
Happy New Year!
Kenneth V. Peterson
Education Coordinator
Fiske Genealogical Library
Wednesday, January 7
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
Travel Your Tree: Walking in Your Ancestors’ Footsteps
Presented by Lisa Vogele
For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org
Explore the world of family history travel beyond the confines of television shows like
Finding Your Roots. Discover how you can personally trace your ancestors’ paths,
whether it’s visiting battlefields where your forebears fought, exploring ancestral
villages, or connecting with distant relatives. Join us to uncover expert tips for
planning your journey and forging meaningful connections along the way.
Wednesday, January 14
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
How to Leave Your Genealogy
Presented by Lisa S. Gorell
For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org
What will happen to all your genealogy research, both in paper form or as digital files, when you pass on? You might have a relative that will continue the research, or you might be able to donate it to a library or an historical society. Now is the time to make a plan to increase the chance that your work is saved for future generations.
Wednesday, January 21
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
Organizing for Genealogy
Presented by Susan McKee
For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org
Successful organization starts with organizing ourselves. Over the course of four sessions we will look at why and how we research, building the foundation of an effective personal organizational system. Questions about who, what, where, and when we research clarify how best to apply our time, energy, and resources. This enables us to create and maintain a system of organization that best supports our needs as we engage in genealogical research.
Wednesday, January 28
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
AI for Genealogy Research – Best Practices
Presented by Claire Smith
For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org
Find out how to use powerful new AI tools to work more effectively on your genealogy research without compromising the quality of your work. Learn how to use AI for cross-document querying, indexing, and analysis, translating / transcribing documents, enhancing images and photos, and more.
Wednesday, February 4
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
Where Does This Go? Organizing Your Genealogy Gems
Presented by Sara Cochran
For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org
Whether you’re just starting to climb the family tree or you’re an experienced researcher, come learn practical tips to organize your genealogy treasures and create an easy-to-maintain system that lasts!
Wednesday, February 11
10:00 am to 11:15 am Pacific Time – Fiske Genealogical Library, Seattle (Virtual Class)
Browsing & Clustering with MyHeritage DNA Tools
Presented by Beth Swartz
For links to join the meeting and get class notes, select https://fiskelibrary.org
Examine how the DNA Tools in MyHeritage currently work, in preparation for the new features coming in RootsTech 2026.