Riveting Conversation at the Genies Meeting

What a great time we had at our monthly Genies meeting last Monday!   Lately we have been having smaller groups and more in-depth conversations.  Just what I envisioned.  A gathering where friends talk about genealogy. 

Our time started with a text from Rick Bell saying “Sorry I will not be able to be there and set up tables and chairs.”  Always a joker, right?  They have been in NC for 30 days and 2 hurricanes.  As for golf…last weekend he met his Chicago guys in French Lick, Indiana and played 5 rounds in 4 days.  I’d say he’s surviving nicely.  We miss you, Rick.

Sylvia has been to the Seattle Public Library and has their Genealogy Resources flyer.  They have online access plus onsite collections of materials from all states and Canadian provinces and general genealogy resources too.  Check it out here:  https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/learning/genealogy

Also they have Genealogy Appointment Hours from 3-5 pm Tuesday through Friday.  Sylvia said it would be an easy all-day field trip to take the Bolt Bus down and come back in the evening.  Interested?  Let us know. 

Sylvia is an adoptee from the British Isles.  Her biggest thrill right now is a new DNA cousin match that confirms her mother’s side and will help her separate all her mom’s DNA matches on Ancestry so she can find matches to her dad.  We all have a wonderful feeling when we confirm who we come from.  Like the way I felt when I matched my mom’s brother and my dad’s brother.  I can’t say how important it is to test the oldest generation of your family.  Keep an eye out for holiday DNA sales coming soon.

On the flip side, a member of our group is having the opposite experience with dad’s dad.  There are strong signals that the first-born child had a different father.  Our conversation led to handling of sensitive information, marriage records, DNA and even Y-DNA.  This one makes us eager to hear what happens next.  Elizabeth was reminded of Bill Griffeth’s book The Stranger in My Genes (at the library).

Cheryl is totally devoted to her new role as a Search Angel.  After hours of research she identified the grandparents of her client/subject/ focus person (what do we call them?) but she could go no further due to lack of obituaries or any official documents.  Is she ready to move on to her next case?  I’m sure she will report again next month.  As an aside, Scott Fisher of Extreme Genes podcast had an interview with McKell Keeney, a woman who trains Search Angels, in this week’s broadcast #255.

Several people went to the Whatcom Genealogical Society meeting last week and reported that the speaker on German genealogy was well-received and will probably be asked to return.  I hope we are gaining some German experts in Whatcom because I will need to research in that area in the future.  Next month’s WGS speakers are:

November 12, 2018 - Elizabeth Joffrion from WWU Center for Pacific Northwest Studies and Jannette Gomes from the Washington State Archives will give a presentation on what is available for genealogists at their facilities.

We are eagerly awaiting news from LivingDNA.  This newer UK DNA testing company is promising matches “this fall”.  Even if it doesn’t come in this soon, it could be amazing.  They are offering to provide your ancestors with just your DNA, gender and birth date. No tree provided by you!  Amazing!  How can they do that?  They must be building a universal tree.  David and I tested there and will be sharing our results as soon they show up. 

Elizabeth is eager to find more information from DNA matches.  She has taken up Peggy’s habit of checking her new Ancestry DNA matches frequently.  Maybe not every day like Peggy was.  We miss you, Peggy.  Note: the new matches are the ones with a blue dot on the left of the Match List.

Personally, David and I had our own field trip to the CroatiaFest at Seattle Center.  In addition to singing and dancing, there was a visit from the Croatian Ambassador to the US, help with legal, real estate, and consular matters, wine tasting, spit cooking, and most important…a nationally-known genealogist Robert Jurin.  Robert and his wife have a Facebook group and lead tours to Croatia.  I participate in his FB group which is a good place to post Croatian questions.  I mention this so you will not overlook online and local ethnic groups that may be helpful to your research.  Also Facebook has a wealth of information for genealogists.  You can search for your surname or location plus the word genealogy.  You can get help with DNA or certain software or websites.  When I am frustrated, this is one place I turn.

We touched on a number of other topics:  breaking news of Elizabeth Warren’s Native American heritage, how slavery has touched some us, Census tips, and more. 

Until next time, mark your calendars for the next Genies Meeting on November 19.