G&FH Alumni 2007 Summer Picnic

Saturday, August 18, 4 p.m. to dusk
Luther Burbank Park
Picnic Area C
2040 84th Avenue Southeast
Mercer Island, Washington

Put your fun hat on and join us for the annual family-friendly G&FH Alumni 2007 Summer Picnic! This is a great opportunity for all of us to have a little fun and relax with our fellow colleagues as well as any family or friends that you may wish to bring.

The picnic will be held at Luther Burbank Park, Area C on Mercer Island. There are seven picnic tables and three barbeques (bring your own charcoal) and there are bathrooms very near the area. There is no shelter but it is quite lovely and shaded by trees. For those folks who are interested in swimming there is a public swim beach near our picnic area with lifeguards on duty.

This is a potluck so everyone is encouraged to bring their favorite dish to share. Everyone is on their own for hamburgers, hotdogs, etc. Also, please bring your own dinnerware and condiments. Please bring your favorite research books, latest projects or materials for sharing with others.

There is a fairly significant reservation fee and the volunteers have determined that $5 per alumni member should be sufficient to cover it. Please be prepared at the picnic to reimburse Janice Campbell-Stout.

Area C in south end of the park near the public swim beach. The South Parking Lot is a little closer to Area C than the North Parking Lot. You can get driving directions and download a map here.

If you have any questions, please email Janice Campbell-Stout.

Hope to see you all there!

Submitted by: Janice Campbell-Stout

“Genealogists Don't Get No Respect!”

Why Genealogy Is Bunk - Smithsonian Magazine

The July 2007 issue of the Smithsonian Magazine has published an article that has created quite a stir in the genealogical community. Titled “The Family Tree, Pruned – Its lure is powerful – but genealogy is meaningless, relatively - By Richard Conniff.

Mr. Conniff’s biography states that he offers completely original presentations — explorations of human behavior that alternate between the hilarious and the insightful.

You decide if Mr. Conniff’s article is hilarious, insightful, or just plain bunk. You will have to buy the magazine or read it at your local library, though, as it is not online. When you’ve read the article, take our online poll and view the results.



You might also like to read what some online genealogy blogs think of the article:

Chris Dunham's The Genealogue

Randy Seaver’s Genea-Musings

Michael John Neill's Genealogy Site - “Genealogy Is Bunk” Is Bunk

As for me, I’ll go with Rodney Dangerfield by saying – “Genealogists Don't Get No Respect!”

No Place To Run To Baby, No Place To Hide!

Just when you thought the one place you would be safe from temptation of the edible sort was the public library, the Seattle Central Library changes all that.

Starting this month, Seattle-based Chocolati will operate a coffee cart in The Norcliffe Foundation Living Room on Level 3 of the Central Library. The cart will offer a variety of coffee drinks, hot chocolate, baked goods and sandwiches. The company also will provide its own high-quality, hand-made chocolate goods.


I really really need to go to this event on June 13, but I'm not sure I can avoid the chocolate cart when it calls my name.

:: Event - Author Readings/Lectures

:: Where - *Central Library

:: Level, RoomLevel 1, Microsoft Auditorium

:: Full Description - KUOW Public Radio's Marcie Sillman talks with award-winning Northwest writers about the influence of the West in their work.

-- Kathleen Alcalá's latest is "The Desert Remembers My Name: On Family and Writing.

-- A Sudden Country," Karen Fisher's debut novel, tells a love story set on the Oregon Trail of 1847.

-- Linked poems in the voices of pioneer women and children form Jana Harris's "We Never Speak of It: Idaho-Wyoming Poems, 1889-1900.

-- In Kirby Larson's Newbery Honor book, "Hattie Big Sky," a strong young woman homesteader tries to prove up on her uncle's Montana claim,

Presented with The Elliott Bay Book Co. Books will be available for purchase and signing.Library events and programs are free and everyone is welcome. Tickets or reservations are not required. Parking in the Central Library garage will be available for a $5 special event rate. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

:: Contact - Central Library 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian

Genealogy: Databases and the Internet at the Seattle Central Library

Learn how to use the electronic databases and Internet resources found on the Seattle Public Library's Web site to search for your ancestors from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 7.

Two online subscription databases, HeritageQuest and AncestryPlus, are the focus of this workshop.

Everyone is welcome. Registration is required. Please call (206) 386-4636 to register. This tour will meet at the Reference Desk on Level 9. Parking for one to two hours in the Central Library parking garage will be available for $6.

June Calendar of Events

Saturday 2 June
"Dating and Identifying Old Photographs" - Karen Wallace Steely of The Past Matters
Shoreline Public Library at 345 NE 175th, Shoreline
Lecture begins at 10.00am. Admission is free.
Visit Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists for more information.

Saturday 2 June SOLD OUT
MOHAI Puget Sound Gardens - From Wilderness to Landscape - Kathy Mendelson
Historic Garden Tour: Volunteer Park: Beauty by Historic Design
Volunteer Park (South Entrance) at 14th Avenue East and East Prospect Street, Seattle
Program runs from 10.00am – 12.00noon
Visit Volunteer Park, the crown jewel of Seattle’s famed Olmsted parks, and uncover many of the park’s historic features, including a collection of heritage trees, the conservatory, remnants of Seattle parks’ first nursery, heirloom plants, and more.
MOHAI members $12 - General public $15. Advance tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.
Visit MOHAI for more information.

Saturday 2 June
SKCGS Task Force Planning Meeting
Kent Library at 212 2nd Avenue N. Kent
Meeting runs from 10.30am to 1.00pm.
Visit South King County Genealogical Society for more information.

Saturday 2 June
MOHAI First Saturday Family Program “Native Vision” – Living Voices
McCurdy Park at 2700 24th Ave. E, Seattle
Program runs from 11.00am – 12.00noon
Kids free with adult admission.
Visit Living Voices and MOHAI for more information.

Tuesday 5 June
SKCGS Board Meeting
Greater Kent Historical Society (Bereiter House) at 855 E Smith Street, Kent
Meeting runs from 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Visit South King County Genealogical Society for more information.

Wednesday 6 June
Getting the Most out of Indexes - Betty Kay Anderson
Fiske Genealogical Foundation and Library (FGF) at 1644 43RD Ave E, Seattle
Class runs from 10am to 12noon. Admission is $5 or $30 per quarter.
An annual library card with educational privileges is $75.
Visit Fiske Library for more information.

Wednesday 6 June
STATE FOCUS GROUP: NEBRASKA - Millie Saunto. Experiences during the dust bowl years in NE. If you have any questions for Millie please submit them in advance to SGSPresident@gmail.com and join the group for a fascinating presentation.
SGS Library/Office at 6200 Sand Point Way N.E. #101, Seattle (Across from NARA)
Class runs from 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Admission is free.
Visit Seattle Genealogical Society Calendar of Events for more information.

Wednesday 6 June
Out to Lunch Bunch
Newport Bay Restaurant at 17920 So Ctr. Parkway, Tukwila.
Lunch at 1.00pm
Everyone is welcome to join this group.
For additional information please check the WA-SKGS-L mailing list.
Please e-mail or call Jean Fisher at 425-413-6953 if have any questions.
Please let Betty Jasbec know if you plan to come. We need to let the restaurant know how many to plan for. E-mail or call Betty at 253-631-0640.
Visit South King County Genealogical Society for more information.

Thursday 7 June
MOHAI First Thursday
McCurdy Park at 2700 24th Ave. E, Seattle
Hours 10:00am - 8:00pm
Enjoy free admission and extended hours on First Thursday!
Visit MOHAI for more information.

Thursday 7 June
SKCGS The Legacy Users Group
Church of Latter-Day Saints at 24419-94th Ave. So., Kent
Meeting runs 10.30am to 12noon.
Visit South King County Genealogical Society for more information.

Thursday 7 June
MAC Computer Interest Group - The Mac Group members meeting is open to all; bring your laptop and your questions.
dBug Resource Center, 9620 Stone Avenue North, Suite 202, Seattle
Meeting runs from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Admission is free.
Visit Seattle Genealogical Society Calendar of Events for more information.
dBug Macintosh Downtown Business User Group.

Saturday 9 June
Taking care of your "HERITAGE" items - The curator of Ryan House in Sumner will give tips on how to preserve and care for those family treasures.
Heritage Quest Research Library (HQRL) at 909 Main St. Suite 5, Sumner
Class runs from 9.00am to 11.00am. Admission is $10.
Visit Heritage Quest Research Library for more information.

Saturday 9 June SOLD OUT
MOHAI Puget Sound Gardens From Wilderness to Landscape - Kathy Mendelson
Historic Garden Tour: Kubota Gardens: Reinventing the Art of Japanese Gardens
Meet at garden gate located next to the parking lot. For driving directions, visit: http://www.kubota.org/directions.htm
Program runs from 10.00am – 12.00noon
Fujitaro Kubota, a master landscaper, came to Seattle from Japan, and later established his Kubota Gardening Company in 1923. He pioneered a new garden style, one that applied Japanese traditions to Northwest landscapes. The best of his designs used sophisticated plant combinations, rocks, streams, ponds, and borrowed scenery to create elegant landscapes. This tour will explore the Kubota Garden and its historical origins. It will also reveal how Kubota’s vision influenced mid-century gardens from ordinary backyards to estate gardens, including the Bloedel Reserve and Dunn Gardens.
MOHAI members $12, General public $15. Advance tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.
Visit MOHAI for more information.

Saturday 9 June
Immigration and Naturalization
NARA-Pacific Alaska Region at 6125 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle
Learn the sources and methods for finding immigration and United States citizenship records. Covers online sources as well as the good old "paper trail" methods. Find out how to connect an immigrant with his homeland.
Class runs from 10.00am to 12.30pm. Admission is $10.
Visit NARA's Pacific Alaska Region for more information.

Saturday 9 June
Computer Interest Group: GenSmarts Genealogical Research Tool" - Tim Dooley and Dave Ault
Lake City Branch of the Seattle Public Library, 12501 28th Ave. NE, Seattle
Class runs from 10.30am - 12.30pm. Admission is free.
Visit Seattle Genealogical Society Calendar of Events for more information.

Saturday 9 June
Methods for Finding and Using NARA Records
NARA-Pacific Alaska Region at 6125 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle
Learn the organization and retrieval methods for original documents, microfilmed records and digital documents (online) at NARA. Ways of using these valuable documents will be demonstrated as well. For genealogists, classroom teachers, home-schooler's, and writers... anyone needing to know more about our records.
Class runs from 1.30pm to 4.00pm. Admission is $10.
Visit NARA's Pacific Alaska Region for more information.

Sunday 10 June
Duwamish Tribe - 1st Annual Gala Dinner and Art Auction
MOHAI at McCurdy Park at 2700 24th Ave. E, Seattle
Event runs from 4.30pm – 8.30pm
Performances with Gene Tagaban, the Little Big Band, and T’ilishubdub, a silent auction of art, and full Duwamish dinner. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com or 800-838-3006 for reception only or full feast. Proceeds support the Duwamish tribe.
Visit MOHAI for more information.

Monday 11 June
"Opportunities for Genealogy Research in the JGSWS Library," - Rabbi Doug Slotnick
Stroum Jewish Community Center, Auditorium at 3801 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island
Class time 7.00pm. Admission is free for JGSWS members, $5 for nonmembers.
Visit Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State (JGSWS) for more information.

Wednesday 13 June
Vital records at State Level on the Web - Charlotte Kennedy
Fiske Genealogical Foundation and Library (FGF) at 1644 43RD Ave E, Seattle
Class runs from 10.00am to 12noon. Admission is $5 or $30 per quarter.
An annual library card with educational privileges is $75.
Visit Fiske Library for more information.

Thursday 14 June
SKCGS TMG Users Group
Algona-Pacific Library at 255 Ellingson Rd, Pacific
Meeting runs 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Note location change for this meeting.
Visit South King County Genealogical Society for more information.

Thursday 14 June
“Using Interlibrary Loans for Genealogical Research” - John LaMont, Genealogy Librarian
Bellevue Regional Library at 1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue
Meeting at 7.00pm. Supply table opens at 6.30pm.
Visit Eastside Genealogical Society for more information.

Saturday 16 June
SKCGS Interlibrary Loan and PERSI – Seattle Public Library
First Baptist Church of Kent at 11420 SE 248th St, Kent
Meeting runs from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
Visit South King County Genealogical Society for more information.

Saturday 16 June
SGS Annual Membership Meeting - SGS Library
SGS Library/Office at 6200 Sand Point Way N.E. #101, Seattle (Across from NARA)
Meeting begins at 1.00pm.
Recognition of SGS volunteers, installation of Officers and Directors for the coming year, and a thank you to those who are leaving the board. As a special treat a 30-minute video will be shown that documents the Great Seattle Fire in June of 1889, including interviews with two eyewitnesses to the fire which really bring history to life!
Visit Seattle Genealogical Society Calendar of Events for more information.

Tuesday 19 June
SKCGS Computer Interest Group
Auburn Library at 1102 Auburn Way S., Auburn
Meeting runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Visit South King County Genealogical Society for more information.

Monday 25 June
SKCGS Heritage Photo Interest Group
Auburn Fire Department at 1101 D St NE, Auburn
Meeting runs from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Admission is free.
Visit South King County Genealogical Society for more information.

Saturday 30 June
Good Old Summertime
MOHAI at McCurdy Park at 2700 24th Ave. E, Seattle
Event runs from 11.00am – 3.00pm
Celebrate summertime with MOHAI! Bring the family and enjoy antique-fire truck rides, sack races, a pie eating contest, a Dixieland band, bubbles, folk toys and whistles and much more! ALL FREE! Including museum admission.
Visit MOHAI for more information.