As we approach American250! celebrations cumulating on July 4, 2026, Washington State Genealogical Society has launched a special blog feature to honor the legacy of those who shaped our nation’s history. This new feature invites members to share their personal connections to the American Revolution by spotlighting their patriot relatives.  We are still accepting your stories of your Revolutionary ancestor.  Keep them coming!

How It Works

Members are encouraged to submit an article (250 words or less) that highlights a patriot ancestor. Each submission should include:

• A Description of the Patriot’s Service: Share the story of your ancestor’s role in the American Revolution. Whether they served in the military, contributed to the cause on the home front, or played a unique part in the founding of our nation, every story adds to the rich tapestry of American history.
• Relevant Photos and Maps: Visuals bring history to life. You can include photographs of heirlooms, portraits, documents, or maps that help illustrate your ancestor’s journey and contributions.
• Your Connection to the Patriot: Explain how you are related to your patriot ancestor. This personal touch not only honors your family’s legacy but also inspires others to explore their own connections to history.

Why Participate?

By sharing your story, you help preserve the memory of those who fought for independence and ensure their sacrifices are remembered for generations to come. Your article will become part of a collective celebration, connecting members across the state through shared heritage and pride.

How to Submit

To participate, simply write your article following the guidelines above and submit it as a Word (.doc or .docx) document to Charles Hansen at [email protected].  Photos should be inserted into the Word document.

The speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s June 11^th, 2026, zoom meeting will be Sara Cochran. Her topic is Reward! Locating Widows, Spinsters and Bachelors.

Virtual meeting doors will open at 9:30 am

Speaker’s program will begin at 10:00 am

The public is invited to attend

Please consider joining our society for $20/yr.

For a link to join the meeting or to join the society contact [email protected] 24hrs prior to the event

This Memorial Day, MyHeritage is opening free access to all 213 million U.S. military historical records from May 22–26, 2026. As the United States celebrates its 250th year, it’s a meaningful time to explore the stories, service, and sacrifices of the ancestors who helped shape the nation across generations of military history.

Search U.S. Military Records for Free 

The free access includes 286 collections spanning early American conflicts through modern wars, including major additions from the past year such as World War II enlistment and draft registration records and navy muster rolls.

Date: May 14, 2026Time: 07:00 PM to 08:30 PM Location: Zoom or in-person

May 2026 General Meeting

Billie Stone Fogarty: Researching American Indian Ancestry

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia, WA.

A link to the 7:00 pm Zoom meeting (starts at 6:30 pm for social time) will be posted here on the day of the meeting. Non-members are welcome to attend. A recording of the meeting will be made available to OGS members.

PROGRAM:

You may have heard the family legend about American Indian ancestry but how do you find the facts? Use these important steps to unlock the keys to discovering your Native American ancestry.

SPEAKER:

Billie Stone Fogarty, a professional genealogist since 1979, has taught genealogical skills to audiences of all ages on all levels from local through national and international both in person and virtually. She is founder and co-creator with Matt McCormack of a learning retreat for professional genealogists called Gen-Stock. She also, along with Dr. David McDonald, created the Genealogy Symposium, an intensive, state library & archives-based genealogy methods program based on the theme “Thinking Genealogically”. The inaugural Genealogy Symposium was hosted by the Oklahoma State Archives and the Oklahoma Historical Society of which Billie has been a statewide-elected Board member since 2007. She is the founder and principal of the family history research firm, HeritageTrackers, based in Oklahoma City, OK.

Supporting family historians in the South Puget Sound since 1974

PO Box 1313, Olympia, WA 98507-1313, USA

[email protected]