Latest News For Members
Out-of-Area Events
June Membership Meeting
Monday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m.
This will be a hybrid meeting: Both via Zoom and in-person at the Douglas PUD Auditorium, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee.
Don’t say, “My ancestor was just a farmer!” Unlike today, farmers were a majority of the population only a couple centuries ago. What special records did they leave us–where shall we look online or in repositories to find them? Our guide is Jean Wilcox Hibben, a Southern California-based teacher and researcher. She blogs at www.circlemending.org.
Topic: WAGS June General Meeting – Zoom Link
Time: Jun 13, 2022 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87569689082?pwd=Qmo0eUQ0NGFiak1YVTlzNWhWZkRaUT09
Meeting ID: 875 6968 9082
Passcode: June
May Membership Meeting
Monday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m.
This is a hybrid meeting–both on Zoom and at the Douglas PUD Auditorium, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee
Look at Your Family in a Whole New Way: With a Mind Map by Diana Elder.
People have been searching for ways to diagram their thought processes since the third century! The system was popularized in 1974 on a BBC television series. Since then, the concept of visualizing data–“mapping out” your ideas–has been refined and computerized. We’ll learn what mind mapping entails and the latest web applications for it. Diana Elder is a Utah-based professional genealogist. She has authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide, and co-authored its companion, Research Like a Pro with DNA. She and her daughter host a genealogy podcast and maintain the website FamilyLocket.com.
Monday afternoon, May 9, 2022, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom and in-person at the Douglas PUD Auditorium, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee
Topic: WAGS General May Zoom Meeting
Time: May 9, 2022 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88579028003?pwd=RUM1cDBWaWhiZ0lPcXJFa1g0R1VLQT09
Meeting ID: 885 7902 8003
Passcode: May
Speaker’s Handout
April Membership Meeting – Rootless: America’s Fascination with its Ancestry
Monday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m.
This zoom presentation by Jill Morelli will explore the attitudes and issues associated with genealogy throughout our country’s history. We’ll get an overview of what happened in the past, and then consider some predictions for the future. Jill Morelli is a writer, lecturer, genealogy educator, and past president of the Seattle Genealogical Society.
Monday afternoon, April 11, 2022 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Topic: WAGS General Meeting – April
Time: Apr 11, 2022 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84180912594?pwd=Z2ZYL2hzVCt1NnJBb2pVbEh4WEtsZz09
Meeting ID: 841 8091 2594
Passcode: April
Speaker’s Handout
March Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 9, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. via Zoom
Topic: WAGS Board Meeting
Time: Mar 9, 2022 09:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82709514458?pwd=dHhYaThnVWhkYStXMXVSR2xuL3U2Zz09
Meeting ID: 827 0951 4458
Passcode: Board
March Membership Meeting
Monday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m.
Are You Ready for the 1950 Census? by Thomas MacEntee
For many of us boomers, this will be the first census where we make an appearance! Chicago-based genealogist and educator, Thomas MacEntee, will familiarize us with the new census and describe how it differs from previous counts. It will take time to get it indexed, but Thomas will show us ways to access the information in spite of that.
Topic: WAGS General Meeting – March
Time: Mar 14, 2022 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85110664643?pwd=Q3kxNmFsR2pCWWtsL2g3TUgvNDlpUT09
Meeting ID: 851 1066 4643
Passcode: Census
February Membership Meeting–February 14, 2022
Join us for a Zoom meeting, as Sara Cochran (researcher and educator from Southern California) brings us “My DNA brought me to the forest, but where are all the trees?” She’ll give us new techniques for figuring out relationships when your DNA matches don’t have family trees yet, or haven’t attached them (Ancestry.com results system).
Topic: WAGS General Meeting – Feb
Time: Feb 14, 2022 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86546823310?pwd=REc0UG1tYXlzMU5SOEd1MWpuZ2ViUT09
Meeting ID: 865 4682 3310
Passcode: Wags
February 9, 2022 WAGS Board Meeting
Diane Gundersen is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: WAGS Board Zoom Meeting
Time: Feb 9, 2022 09:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85933885205?pwd=eDQ1T1lVRWJBTWt6VE4vWkZ6dVBDUT09
Meeting ID: 859 3388 5205
Passcode: Board
Ancestry Price Increase Coming Soon!
Take advantage of one last chance to save on a 6-month membership. Sale valid through today, January 10–then it goes away.
Go to www.genealogybargains.com to read all about it (this is Thomas MacEntee’s site).
Seattle Genealogical Society Tip of the Week War of 1812 Records Available Now
The National Archives has added more records to its pension collection for the War of 1812 (National Archives Identifier 564415). Files for veterans and widows from the surnames A — Laughlin are now available online.
Before 1871, Veterans could only qualify for a pension if they could prove that a war injury prevented them from earning a living. For widows, they had to prove they had married the solider before the end of the war in 1815. After 1871, all veterans and widows could apply provided the solider had served for at least 60 days. After 1878 benefits were further extended to include veterans, widows and their children if the soldier served at least 14 days. Those who served the war effort in capacities other than soldier were also made eligible.
Pension files area wealth of genealogical information, often containing testimony of a comrades and family Bible records.
As with any collection, be sure to check back often for when more records are added.
Puget Sound Genealogical Society “No OMPH? No Problem!”
Our monthly PSGS Program this month will be “No OMPF? No Problem!” with Sara Cochran.
Join us on Wed, Nov 19 at 1pm (PT).
This will be hybrid. Join us in person at the Sylvan Way Library or on Zoom. No cost and open to the public. The Zoom link will be posted the day before on our website (psgsociety.org) and our Facebook page.
Researching 20th Century veterans is especially difficult as a fire destroyed millions of Official Military Personnel Files in 1973. This program will look at other ways to find the stories of the WWI and WWII veterans in our families.
Polish Genealogical Society of America “Ask a Polish Researcher”
The Polish Genealogical Society of America is hosting its next quarterly webinar on November 16th at 2pm Central Time. The topic is “Ask a Polish Genealogy Researcher.” A flyer is attached – feel free to distribute to your networks.
Our presenter, Aleksander Zawilski, is a researcher and tour guide with Polish Origins. He will answer your questions about researching Polish genealogy.
What questions do you have about:
– What are…? Where do I find…? How do I…?
– Who can I ask about…? Why is it difficult to…?
– What helpful questions will others ask?
If you would like to submit your questions in advance, please do so before October 30th and send to: [email protected]
This webinar is free for PGSA members (please log in to get your discount) and non-members pay $15.
Register here: https://pgsa.org/product-category/webinars/
PGSA memberships start at $25: https://pgsa.org/membership2021/
MyHeritage Offers Free Access to Death Records
This Halloween, MyHeritage is offering free access to over 1.5 billion death, burial, cemetery, and obituary records from October 30 through November 2, 2025.
These records are rich with genealogical details, such as names, places, dates, and family connections, and can open doors to new family history breakthroughs. Since last Halloween, 18 collections in this category have been added or updated, making the chances of finding something new even better.
Heritage Quest Research Library – Inspiring the Next Generation of Genealogists
 Inspiring the Next Generation of Genealogists November 6, 2025 11am to 12pm PDT LEARN MORE HERE! |
| COMING SOON! Our genealogy classes for 2026 are exciting! Be on the lookout for the schedule to land in your inbox so you can start signing up! |
| Heritage Quest Research Library 2102 East Main Avenue, Suite 105 Puyallup, WA 98372 (253) 863-1806 |
Changing the way you use FamilySearch…
Ultimate Guide to
Mastering FamilySearch
By Dana Ann Palmer, CG®, CGL®
Pre-Release Offer: $29.95 $24.95
eBook available now – print coming soon!
Discover the secrets to finding your family history from one of genealogy’s most sought-after educators.
For years, Dana Ann Palmer has filled large conference rooms to standing-room-only capacity—teaching thousands how to discover ancestors others miss. Now, in her long-awaited Ultimate Guide to Mastering FamilySearch, Dana brings her vaunted methods and award-winning instruction straight to your workplace desk.
Why This eBook Matters 
FamilySearch is one of the most powerful (and free) genealogy tools in the world—but its vast collection and frequent updates can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Dana’s new guide walks you step-by-step through the exact methods she’s perfected over nearly three decades of professional research and teaching.
Inside the Ultimate Guide
- Master Every Corner of FamilySearch: Historical records, the Catalog, images, full-text searches, and the Research Wiki.
- Learn Dana’s Proven Search Strategies: The same tips and tricks that have helped thousands break through “brick walls.”
- Preserve Your Legacy: How to use the FamilySearch TREE and MEMORIES features to safeguard family photos and heirlooms.
- Access Hard-to-Find Collections: U.S. Federal and state censuses, vital and church records (including international), foreign-language tools, and handwriting guides.
Whether you’re brand new to genealogy, stuck at a dead end, or an experienced researcher, the Ultimate Guide to Mastering FamilySearch gives you the confidence and know-how to find your family.