Why is a newsletter important?

We have been publishing our newsletter now for 42 years. The Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society has been in existence since 1977. Over the years it has become moderate size publication unlike when it was mailed to members "snail-mail". Technology has simplified communication.  

Why is a newsletter important?

Our newsletter is a communication tool to others in the community letting them know we care about preserving their family history as well as preserving historical records and events. 

This year we will be reaching out to 29 institutions and genealogical societies in North America exchanging newsletters and learning from other genealogical sources. 

Our newsletter is free can be download at:

http://community.gorge.net/genealogy/newsletter.html

Having trouble starting you family history?? This is for YOU!

January Program - Preserving Photos and Documents - Carolyn Purcell

Have you come into the possession of family photo heirlooms and precious documents?
Undecided on how to preserve them?

Carolyn Purcell from the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and in partnership with the Oregon Heritage Commission will present a program on preserving  photos and documents . 

 This free lecture will cover subjects of identifying different types of photo processes used throughout history and best practices for handling and storing them, as well as historical documents. 



January 12, 2019
10:30am 
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
(downstairs classroom)
Public Welcome! 

Spring Workshop - Pam Vestal - Heritage Research Library "Books On The Road" May 18, 2019

Our Board of Directors for 2019-2020

Our Board of Directors for the 2019-2020 term are:

Georga Foster - President

Teddy Parkinson-Vice President

Linda Colton - Secretary

Juanita Neitling- Treasure

The society does not meet in December. 

A updated program and meeting schedule for 2019 has been posted. 

Hood River Workshop A Success!!!

 

On October 20, 2019, the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society co-sponsored a genealogy workshop with the Hood River Family History Center in Hood River at the LDS church. 

It was a great success! Sixty-two genealogy researchers from all levels learned  about DNA, social media,researching foreign records and a beginning class was also presented. 

Thank You HR Family History Center for a great day!

 

Annual Cultural Brunch, November 10, 2018

 

Come join us for our annual Cultural Brunch November 10, 2018 at 10:30am the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. This is a festive annual get together sharing our heritage. 

Bring  a dish - Share a heritage! 

A reminder- CGGS does not meet in December so members can be with families during the Christmas season.  

See you in January!

Northwest Author Festival - November 3, 2018

 

Northwest Author FestivalNovember 3, 2018 3:00 PM - 5:00 PMhttp://www.klindtsbooks.com

Oregon’s oldest bookstore is excited to host this annual celebration of authors who live and write here in the Pacific Northwest. This year we will host 12authors, each with a new title to celebrate. From local history to cooking, from children’s picture books to young adult fiction, there will be something for all readers to enjoy.

 Klindt'sBooksellers The Dalles 

Contact: Tina Ontiveros Free and open to the public.Klindt’s Bookstore 541-296-3355
315 E. 2nd Street, The Dalles
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 am– 6:00 pm
Sundays 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
 

Are you a researcher of Miissouri? Missing 1880 Perry County Em. 99 has been found !

Dick Eastman's recent newsletter  provided information on the missing Missouri township census of 1880 for the Perry County emulation District 99. It has been found, apparently misfiled for some decades . 

The 13 pages can be downloaded in PDF form from the Missouri State Secretary of States website at:

https://www.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/census/pages/federal 

Also read Dick's  post on his EOGN website!

https://blog.eogn.com/2018/10/16/13-pages-from-the-missouri-1880-us-census-population-schedule-long-thought-lost-have-been-discovered/

Genetic Genealogy Helps Kidnapped Girl Find Her Indenity

A recent New York Times article reported a girl that had been kidnapped as a baby and now a adult with children of her own discovered a organization that could help her find her true family. After many years of not knowing who she really was she turned to genetic DNA identification through 

DNAadoption.com a non-profit that helps teach adoptee's how to match with prospective family members. 

The complete story is here from the NYT:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/15/science/gedmatch-genetic-sleuthing.html

Article submitted by Juanita Neitling

Whats fueling our quest for "Roots"?

 

What is fueling our quest for "Roots"?

According to Jackie Hogan, professor of sociology at Bradley University, genealogy has taken a huge increase of interest in the last 3 years. Large scale social changes, retirees have more time, and a need for belonging are just some of the reasons listed in her new book 

"Roots Quest: Inside America's Genealogy Boom". 

The book will be available on January 9, 2019 but you can pre-order at your favorite book seller.  

From Dick Eastman, great online word processors!

From one our favorite online newsletters, Dick Eastman shared a article about online text editors and word processors . There are more than you think and you don;t have to download software!

Read his latest clip on the subject here:

https://blog.eogn.com/2018/10/05/use-a-word-processor-in-the-cloud/

It's family history month!! October Workshop October 20, 2018

 

 It's family history month!

Please join us for the Family History Workshop!

Co-sponsored by the Family History Center and 

Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society 

Gorge Hertiage Museum Special Event Sept 29, 2018

Please join us at the Gorge Heritage Museum for a special remembrance display of the life of Corporal Evan Childs on Saturday, September 29, 2018 from noon to 3:00 PM. The museum is located at 202 East Humboldt, Bingen. That is 1 block east of the NAPA store.
Corp. Richard Evans Childs gave his life for his country on September 29, 1918, in the Battle of Meuse-Argonne, France during WWI. Our local American Legion Post, the Evan Childs Post, is named in his honor.
Evan Childs was a member of the first graduating class from Columbia Union High School in 1912. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. F.O. Childs.
The featured display has the uniform of his younger brother John O. Childs which is currently on loan to the museum from the Childs family. In addition we also have the uniform jacket from Fred Winebarger, Father-in-law of Marilyn Winebarger who also fought in that battle in France.
Admission to the museum is free that day. Please remember we are located in a 108 year old building so there are a number of steps to climb to reach the main gallery.
Come visit your local museum and learn a little bit of our history.

Sept. 8, 2018 General meeting and Program

Dr. Charles B. Brooks

MAKING SENSE OF DR. BROOKS

Early physician in Jacksonville and The Dalles

Presented by Sandy Bisset

 

We are bringing the Dr. Brooks research project to a close with a comprehensive power point presentation, combining information and visuals in a timeline that stretches from New England to Oregon, covering period events and how the Brooks family story is woven into them. In our presentation, we will use research done by Jacksonville Historical Society volunteers, Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society members, and my research on behalf of the William Dick Library at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Historical Museum. Come join us and see an example of what you can accomplish with a combination of enthusiasm, tenacity, creativity and a little luck – and sometimes sketchy information. This is a new format and perspective for this information and whether or not you took part in the research you should enjoy this wrap-up. 

General Meeting starts at 10:30, program to follow. The CGGS meets in the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in the downstairs classroom. A $1.00 donation is suggested to cover room fee. 

The Basalt Cafe will be open for lunch following the program. 

 

Wasco County Historical Society Poker Run

Northwest Genealogy Seminars and Conference Schedule

You can find a list of upcoming conference and seminar schedules for the Northwest on the 

Washington State Genealogical Society"s  blog . They are posted here:

https://wasgs.org/blog/category/2018-seminars-and-conferences/ 

Are your ancestors from Switzerland, Austria or Germany? Oregons Alpenfest!

Enjoy cultural delights of authentic music, dance, food, and beer's from local brewery's at Oregon Alpenfest on Sept 27th at Wallowa Lake, Oregon.Four days of celebration in one of Oregon's  7 wonders. 

For more information:

Oregon"s Alpenfest

Mighty Endeavor- Veterans Memorial and History Preservation Site

Medical Corp- US Army- Morobe, New Guinea, 1945

 

 

 The Mighty Endeavor’s goal is to create a historical account of every WWII veteran from the state, while also providing an online resource for students, teachers and the general public to be used for years to come. (KPTV)

 

It is a mighty endeavor to record the histories and biographies of of our veterans from WWll.  

This is what this new site, a on-profit historical preservation site partnering with the Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Military Museum and the National Archives would like to accomplish. 

It is a site for families, Veterans, and others to preserve the histories and biographies of those who served in World War ll. 

There is help available if you find yourself not comfortable or needing assistance with writing  your memorial or history story.  

Please read more at the links below. 

 

Project Mighty Endeavor 

 

Veteran's Legacies 

 

Historical Newspapers - Fulton History Site

 

The New York Public Library site offers many historical newspapers that were published between
1795 and 2007. A free database and link to the Fulton History site to where you will find thousands of digitized newspapers including small rural newspapers and bulletins.. These are great for finding information like deaths, estates, advertising, and local social write ups.  
The Mosier Bulletin, from Mosier Oregon is one small newspaper that can be viewed in a PDF form , years from 1909-1919.  Other newspapers here are generally helpful with news being printed from "out west" or post war articles. New York newspapers had articles about local citizens visiting relatives with pictures. You can find the link to the Fulton History site here:

https://www.nypl.org/collections/articles-databases/fulton-history-old-new-york-state-historical-newspapers 

"Rescued Photos" Helping reunite family photos with their families

Whether it is a family history project or a hobby, a great deal of  time and love is put into finding the families of lost photos and memorabilia. Recently a large number of genealogy and family history sites on the internet have posted photos found in antique stores, flea markets, yard sales ect., trying to find their rightful families to return them. Sometimes lost for decades due to unforeseen circumstances,  the families precious treasures have found there way to parts unknown and to the worst place..the dump. 

Old Photos Found is a website that preserves lost photos and posts them with the families history and sometimes genealogical information. The websites owner and her mother have collected hundreds of photos from antique stores and other businesses and have researched them and posted them on a website for families to claim. They boast a 41% success rate in finding the families. Presumably, the photos have names or other identity  related information on them, the photographer is also researched to help locate the source of the photo. 

One of the photo collections are from The Dalles,,Oregon featuring the August Renken family farms. This farm is now owned by Omeg Orchards.  

Maybe you family is there!

 The website can be viewed here:

Old Photos Found

"Tips From The Tech" Recap

Linda Colton presented a informative program "Tips from the Tech" on Saturday, June 9th at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Linda attended RootsTech in Salt Lake City in February. She gave highlights of her trip and also brought back some great research ideas and techniques. 

Present was guest Patty Olsen from the Washington State Genealogical Society who traveled from Chehalis, Washington spend a day with us. CGGS is also a member of the WSGS having Klickitat and Skamania counties included for our membership.  

June General Meeting and Program

The June meeting and program for the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society will be June 9, 2018 at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center starting at 10:30 am. 

June's program will be "Tips from RootsTech" presented by Linda Colton. 

Linda is a long standing member of CGGS and attended RootsTech in February in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

She will be giving a overview of what was presented and highlights of her trip. 

Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering, preserving and sharing our heritage. 

CGGS  meets the second Saturday of each month at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center at 5000 Discovery Drive in The Dalles, Oregon. 

CGGS membership comprises residents of  Wasco, Sherman, Hood River, Klickitat and Skamania Counties. 

Public is always welcome - Bring a friend!

A suggested $1.00 donation to cover room rental costs.


 CGGS does not meet in July or August - Summer Break!

Ancestry searching errors explained ......

Ancestry

 

If you have had this problem in the past few weeks, you are not alone. It isn't your browser or your genealogy program or any setting that you can adjust. Ancestry issued a explanation on their Facebook page on May 11th. The problem is site wide and you will experience error in various places. Use the card catalog and search individual databases for a work around.

 

Hopefully this get resolved soon.  

50 FREE sites to search right now!!!

Family History Daily

 

Family History Daily posted a great research link page for all levels of research.  

Great site, pour a cuppa and enjoy a afternoon !

They also have a digital newsletter, sign up for notifications.

https://familyhistorydaily.com/genealogy-resources/50-free-genealogy-sites/

 

Yakima Valley Genealogical Library Visit

Members Fred Henchell, Audrey Crader, Kathy Orfall, Georga Foster and DAR Registrant  Emma Jean Smith and two new applicant researchers met at he Yakima Valley Genealogical Library in

 Union Gap on May 12 to tour the library and meet with the YVGS volunteers. They were met by Susan Boatright and her husband Don who explained in the workings of the library and the YVGS. 

Frank McLean gave a tour of the facility and explained the holdings and materials available to researchers. The society has 258 members and a vast number of regular volunteers that work at the library.  The library is one of the most complete genealogical  libraries in the pacific northwest and is 7200 Square feet in size along with a lounge area, kitchen and research tools consisting of   computers, microfiche, newspapers and maps. It also has a large selection of DAR material for DAR researchers and a large section of donated family history books and manuscripts . 

A database of their inventory can be viewed at their website under Library>Catalog. 

The public is always welcome and for inquiries and questions you can contact the library at the address below. 

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
1901 S. 12th Ave.
Union Gap, WA 98903-1256

Telephone

(509) 248-1328

Wasco County 2018 Pioneer Luncheon and Meeting

Wasco Country Pioneer Association held their annual meeting and lunch on May 5, 2018 at the Ft. Dalles Readiness Center.

Packed with a full house, the association served a ham and salmon lunch followed by their annual meeting, election of officers and a program presented by Cal McDermid on Fort Dalles. 

Pioneers of the year were Joann Brewer and John Lindell.

Virtual Genealogical Society - A true gem for todays researcher and societies

With so many challenges our genealogical societies have today with cost, time, attendance, ect., this is a breath of fresh air for those members who can't always have the choice of attending a genealogical society meeting. For societies it is compliment to their group having a alternative source in which to present a program, chat, discuss and brainstorm with others. This news release will tell you about this great resource that was put together by several world wide genealogists, lecturers and and well known members in the genealogy community. 

This is not a non-profit but a world wide organization that works with individuals and local societies to keep informed and to expand their interests. The society is forming "chapters" in states and anyone can join a chapter to volunteer or promote their society interests.

You can visit their site and read all about it. 

http://virtualgensoc.com/ 

Membership is now open and the National Geneaogical Society is offering a special price for membership now until May 6, 2018. 

a $10.00.. membership fee !! That A YEAR! 

Normal membership is $20.00 a year.

GFO Fall Seminar 2018

Mark your calendar for the Genealogical Forum Of Oregon's annual fall seminar on November 3-4 2018.  

This years program will be presented by one of genealogies top 5 website providers Cyndi Ingle of Cyndi's List. 

https://www.cyndislist.com/

A genealogist for more than 33 years, and owner and webmaster of Cyndi's List , a author of 3 books and a lecturer and  member of several genealogical societies. Cyndi's website provides more than 300,000 links to genealogical resources for genealogical research.

Registration for the seminar have not yet been released so check frequently with GFO website for registration and attendance forms. 

www.gfo.org

Can you help?? Gorge Heritage Museum

We received this query from the Gorge Heritage Museum in Bingen, Washington asking for help from gorge societies and history researchers:

This is the list of names we have identified and confirmed are currently located at the Pioneer Cemetery (graveyard in early newspaper articles). These people passed from 1878 to about 1906. We believe that others are most likely also buried there. We only currently have one primary source (newspaper clipping) for those names and they are not included at this time.


Our history project for the Gorge Heritage Museum is to get volunteers to select one name and help us do the research, with backup documentation for their findings. As a fund raiser for the Gorge Heritage Museum we will be presenting six or seven of these individuals in a "Cemetery Tales" at the Pioneer Cemetery the first weekend of June 2019, which will be the same weekend as Springfest next year. Our goal is to be able to do all of the individuals buried there over the next few years. The person doing the research will have the first opportunity to be the actor at the cemetery tales. By doing the research they would most likely have a stronger connection to that individual. If they decline we will try to get another person (actor) to do the part.


I don't know if anyone from the genealogical society has ancestors buried there.


Our long range goal is to present these findings in a published book, also a fund raiser for GHM, and to educate the public this is an early graveyard of White Salmon's founders, not just a place to take your dog to "do his business."


Most of our assistance will come via email but we may have a meeting or two over the next year at the museum in Bingen. The color coding is so you can see where we got our information. Remember some of it may contradict other sources. We are in the process of obtaining digitized copies of the files at the Bethel Congregational Church which was where the cemetery was originally connected.

We can be reached at ghm@gorge.net.

All Names Combined - Bethel files,  Find a Grave on line,  Gorge Heritage Museum files

Anderson, Anne

Church, George S. hardware person per obit

Church, Mary A.

Clarkson, Charles

Cooke, James Harrison

Dawson, Syrena or Sarina b. 1831 d. 1887

Dunn, Harvey brother of Mary Dunn Mansfield, nephew of Jenny Jewett

Wesley Evans

Everhart, John W.

Ferguson, W. J.

Gillsthap

Groshong, Katie M.

Groshong, Lloyd C.

Hansen, Reinert B.

Hendryx, Bethewel Nathan

Jacobsen

Johnston, John

Knutson Graves had an early jewelry store in White Salmon for many years several family members of mixed ancestry, Native American.

Lauterbach, Emil
Lauterbach, John Father of Rudolph (Rudolf)

Lauterbach, Margarethe Mother of Rudolph

Locke, Amy Frances Dark

Locke, Amy Elizabeth

McCoy, Wm H headstone moved to IOOF on Snowden RD 1994

Palmer, Cornellius J.

Plasket, Chas.

Rankin, Mary Anne Purser

Sisson, John P

Sisson, Hannah (wife)

Swan, George

Swan, Mary A.

Warner, James – boy baby @ Pioneer Cemetery

Waters, Spencer

Willets, Sgt. William

Williams, Emerson P.

Williams, Lydia A.

Wyers, Ida

Ziegler, Harry F.

Ziegler, Monroe Allen





Thank You to anyone that can offer any information!

Dr. Charles B. Brooks - A Case Study Recap

In January, our volunteer librarian at the William Dick Library in the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and a long time member of CGGS,  Sandy Bisset,   presented a query to our society from a historical group from the Southern Oregon Historical Society. This query was put forward to the members to research and on March 14th the findings of the research were reviewed and combined in a research summery. The project is still ongoing, some of the questions queried were still not answered and are still up for further research. Anither program in October hopefully will reveal the unanswered questions . The research project was enjoyed in those who chose to take part.   

Images: Jim Bull

Champoeg State Heritage Area Celebrates Founders Day May 5

Champoeg State Heritage Area will host living history actors, a replica historic townsite and other family-friendly activities for the annual Founders' Day celebration on Saturday, May 5. This year marks the 175th anniversary of the 1843 vote held in Champoeg that established the first provisional government west of the Mississippi River. The free event runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities will include a reenacted fur trappers' camp, replica historic townsite with building facades, tradesmen demonstrating 19th century techniques and a post office with souvenir post cards. A 1 p.m. ceremony to honor the original May 1843 voters will feature distinguished speakers, a mock vote and a rifle salute. The afternoon concludes with a live stage coach run delivering the souvenir post cards to the St. Paul post office.

Founders' Day celebrates a vote held in Champoeg by local settlers on May 2, 1843. A large group gathered that day to decide the future of the Oregon territory. After a spirited debate, a slim majority voted "aye" to form Oregon's first provisional government, laying the groundwork for Oregon's statehood in 1859. Founders' Day has been held annually at Champoeg since 1901.

Event parking at Champoeg State Heritage Area will be free. Light refreshments will be available after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. ceremony. For more information visit oregonstateparks.org or call

503-678-1251.

Image:  Map of the administrative districts of the en:Provisional Government of Oregon, as of 1843. Source=Horner, John B. (1919). ''Oregon: Her History, Her Great Men, Her Literature''.

"Unlock Your Past" event review

In March, CGGS along with the White Salmon Library presented a beginning genealogy event at the White Salmon Library. Carol Fritsch and Robin Karvonen from the Fort Vancouver  library gave a slide presentation on how to begin your genealogy research. It was great coordination of two of our members, Fred Henchell , Diane Barkhimer and WS librarian Ruth Shafer. 

Images: Diane Barkhimer

Upcoming genealogy event in White Salmon

The CGGS is once again co-sponsoring a genealogy event along with the White Salmon Library and the Ft. Vancouver Library District. 

This is a beginners event with librarians from the Ft. Vancouver district and members of the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society. 

Genealogy 101

Come , Learn, enjoy!

All ages and levels are welcome!

April Meeting and Program - Case study of Dr. Charles B. Brooks

Our April meeting and program will be on the 14th at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in the downstairs classroom. Sandy Bisset will present a case study on Dr. Charles B. Brooks. This case study actually began last year when several historical societies and queries led to a collaboration project with the members of the CGGS. Sandy has given out "clues" since the January meeting to the members and we have made a group effort to answer the query questions. 

This has been a fun project and a great program format to expand our researching skills. 

Members are to bring their computers, notes and finished material. This will be a all day program event so bring lunches and beverages also.

Image:Southern Oregon Historical Society

 

White Salmon Library Event " Climb Your Family Tree" Recap

 

Display by Fred Henchel and Diane Barkhimer 

 

 

 The White Salmon Library and the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society co-sponsored a family

genealogy event on Saturday March 3, 2018. The purpose for the event was to promote family history research and to gather interest in Genealogy to all ages. We certainly accomplished it with both children and seniors wanting to start their genealogy journey. Ruth Shafer, librarian, Diane Barkhimer and Fred Henchel from CGGS put together a great presentation of displays and work areas for the event. A second event is planned on March 31, 2018, Unlock Your Past, a beginning genealogy lecture with representatives from the Fort Vancouver Library and members of the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society will begin at 2pm. The display will be at the library through the month of March.