Merry Christmas!!









Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season!


CGGS does not have a meeting or program in December so members can spend time with their families. We will see you on January 11, 2020!
Please consult the schedule here on the blog for upcoming programs for 2020. We are still finalizing  programs for the new year. 






November general meeting and program




Linda Colton will be teaching a class on "DNA: Whys, Hows and What to Do With Your Results".  This class will briefly touch on why testing your DNA is helpful, the various companies and tests available, but mostly the class will focus on what to do with your results and how you can boost your research using DNA cousin matches.  Come and learn how to figure out those hundreds of cousin matches and see the latest awesome tools from the testing companies to help you find more relatives!

November 9, 2019
Downstairs classroom
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center 
10:30am-12:00pm


Come join us!!







Thank You Craig Hector!










Thank you Craig Hector for giving a great program in September
on the IOOF Organization and its cemeteries. 
Everyone enjoyed hearing the history and tales of the cemetery here in The Dalles. 
We learned new things too!   
If you have not been to the cemetery lately, go and visit. 
This time of year its beautiful.

Heritage Brunch Saturday













Our annual Heritage Brunch is Saturday , October 12th at the 
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in the downstairs classroom. 
This has been a hit in the past with members bringing dishes 
from their ancestors heritage homelands. 
Exchanging family stories and recipes is always a treat. 
The brunch starts at 11:00am.  

Plates and utensils provided.

Mid-Summer Messege









Summer is a great time to visit our local museums in the Columbia Gorge and see what they have to offer in your genealogy research. Many museums have not only local history but you may find many clues in other materials within their files to help you. 
Dufur, White Salmon, Lyle, Sherman County, Gilliam County and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Library have a selection of  surname and topic files that are available to browse through. Their are great volunteers to help you too! There are hidden clues in the most unusual places!

Plan a day trip and visit soon!



 Gorge Heritage Museum, Bingen,Washington

Sherman County Museum , Moro, Oregon

Gilliam County Museum, Condon, Oregon

Hood River Historical Museum, Hood River, Oregon

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles, Oregon









 

Happy Summer! Genealogy Vacations?






Now that summer is in full swing, make the most of it and plan a family trip or reunion. No better way to get to know your ancestors!
Family History Daily offers tips on some great geology vacations. 

June meeting and program - Linda Colton - "Tips from the Tech"




RootsTech
2019


What's New!


The CGGS June meeting and program on June 8, 2019 will feature "Tips from the Tech"  with Linda Colton as presenter. Linda is  a family history librarian in the Family History Library in Hood River and will be updating us on the latest genealogy news from RootsTech  and from FamilySearch. 

ATTENTION BEGINNERS!

This is is a extension program for the beginning class that was held in April.  Anyone that attended that class will benefit  greatly by Linda's presentation. 

The meeting and program will begin at 10:30 in the downstairs classroom in the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. 
Public Welcome ! Bring a friend!
      A  $1.00 donation is suggested to offset room rental. 



Have You Seen It?? The Genealogy Squad!











The Genealogy Squad!


Much to see at a new genealogy Facebook page that started last week by Cyndi Engle, 
Blaine Bettinger, Drew Smith and George Morgan ( The Genealogy Guys). 
The reviews are awesome and it's FREE!

The "squad" covers all topics of genealogy and have a huge following in just one week on Facebook. 
Members from all over the world have joined in with questions and comments and a true collaboration has taken place with this fantastic group site.

Join and be amazed of what you can learn!

Happy researching!




 

 


Register now! Registration closes May 11, 2019




Looking forward to a great workshop with
Pam Vestal!

 
Seating limited, register now!
Door Prizes!
Registration form on right side of blog page 






 

GFO Changes Lending Status





The Genealogical Forum Of Oregon announced yesterday that they will no longer be a checkout or lending library'.
The Forum announced on Facebook :
 
"The Genealogical Forum of Oregon has a significant change to announce, one we do not take lightly.

The GFO Library is now a non-circulating research library. We will no longer check out materials.
We need to protect our valuable holdings, and to ensure that all of our materials are available at all times, in the library, for researchers.

There has been an increase in visitors from out of the area who visit us on a research trip. It’s a shame if the item they came in to use is not available.

It also turned out we were out of step with most other genealogy libraries, which hold everything in reserve. 

In the grand scheme, only 10% of our holdings were available to be checked out, so this change will not affect the vast majority of the research materials you rely on.
Any materials currently checked out must be returned by their due date. No renewals or extensions will be granted.

The Library Committee deliberated this carefully, over many months, before recommending this change."

Photo Archives Updated At The Columbia Gorge Discover Center









The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center has added thousands of new photos to the photo archives including photos from the Wasco County Pioneer Association archives. 
There is now over 17,000 photos centering on Wasco County and the Columbia Gorge area. 
Photos from notable photographers like  Benjamin Gifford and B.C. Markham,  journalists 
George Lindsey and selections from Elite and Bolton Studios in The Dalles have been added as well as the photo archive from the Wasco County Pioneer Association. 










Cemetery Tales Project - Gorge Heritage Museum









Graveyard Tales

Have you ever wandered around White Salmon and stumbled on the old Pioneer Cemetery located just north of Bethel Congregational Church and west of the Seventh Day Adventist Church? The small graveyard is cared for by the City of White Salmon after SDS Lumber Company cleaned up the area, placed the fence around the park, added signage and relocated the headstones to an area where they could be viewed and respected. Do you know the history behind the tomb stones? 
 
Now you have the opportunity to learn about the many souls laid to rest in that Graveyard.
The West Klickitat County Historical Society, an all-volunteer organization, is looking for a few people wanting to learn more about our local history. We need assistance with cast and production personnel to help us share the stories of the early residents to our area. Wonderful volunteers have been researching the many individuals buried here from 1882 – 1920. We have a civil war veteran, 1903 Husum Postmaster, a school teacher, people who died from drowning in the rivers or logging accidents while working the logs in the White Salmon River and several who died from diseases we no longer consider a threat.
Some of the names of the individuals are Cooke, Groshong, Hansen, Hendrix, Lauterbach, Purser, Rankin, Thompson, Locke, Willets, Williams, Wyers, Ziegler and the Knutson family.
Do you have family history to share with us about these individuals? Would you like to play their story?

Our actors will portray first person monologues that tell the story of these early Klickitat County residents. Many of them arrived here before Washington was even a state.
Do you have experience in script writing, checking our primary research, or producing a small event? We could use your help. The production will be a fund raiser for the Gorge Heritage Museum May 30 – June 1, 2019 in the evening.

To reach us email the museum at ghm@gorge.net. This can be monitored from our homes and we will get back to you in a timely manner. Enrich your knowledge of local history and have a great time learning some fun facts about the early history of White Salmon and the surrounding area.

Submitted by Etta Hepner- GHM

Museum of Hood River recap










CGGS members met at the History Museum Of Hood River County on Saturday March 9 and enjoyed a tour and discussion in the newly renovated museum.
Volunteers guided members to history and resources the museum provides for research, a extensive record library plus a publication library is located at the museum as is the Hood river Historical Society.    
For more information on research services and to volunteer, contact the library at :


Email:





Beginners Class April 13, 2019 !





Having trouble getting started with your family history?
HAVE NO FEAR!
This class will help you get started with confidence and provide you with helpful tips and information to begin your genealogical journey. 
The class is FREE and open to the public.








In Memoriam - James "Jim" Bull






Jim Bull



“It is with deep sadness to share that James Reed Bull, 79, is resting in peace as of Friday, January 25, 2019.

The team at Providence Critical Care unit in Portland, Ore. provided personal comfort and support to our family, helping us get through such a difficult time.

Jim was born on December 19, 1939 to George R. Bull, Jr. and Helen A Curtis in Buffalo, New York.
He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in forestry in 1961.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pauline Bull; daughter, Carol, (and husband, Ron) Schmid and family, Chris, Cindy, Bryan & Jace; daughter, Robin Bull and grandson, Joshua Dutra; son, Gary Bull and granddaughter, Nicole (and husband, Ryan) Gray, great grandchildren, Sophia and Konner and Nicole’s sister, Jennifer Meyer; brother, Richard “Dick” C. Bull of Napa, Cal.; and other extended family back East.

Jim spending nearly 34 years working for the US Forest Service, more than half of that as District Ranger of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Trout Lake, Washington.

Jim was very involved in community and different organizations. He loved working with genealogy, community theater groups, book club, Trout Lake Art Festival, community counsel and local business associations and much more.

We would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time and would appreciate you joining us in a celebration of Jim’s life 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9th, 2019 at the Trout Lake School (2310 WA-141, Trout Lake, WA 98650).”
(Anderson Tribute Center)

Jim was a 25 year member and a lifetime achievement recipient of CGGS.  Jim won several awards from the Washington State Genealogical Society for his Newsletter and held multiple positions on the Board of Directors. 
Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Polly and family.






Calvin Tibbets - Oregon First Pioneer By Jerry Sutherland















   "Calvin Tibbets: Oregon's First Pioneer" 
                                                     Presented by Author Jerry Sutherland

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
5000 Discovery Drive
The Dalles, Oregon
                                                     
                                                                Feb 15,  6:00 - 8:00pm

Calling all Oregon history buffs to come and enjoy this educational and entertaining program. The 6:00pm dinner ($16.00) menu is savory pork tenderloin, cheddar garlic mashed potatoes, mandarin salad, bread and dessert. Beer and wine are available for purchase. The program only ($5) starts at 7:00pm. Tickets are available by calling 541.296.8600 ext 201. Please purchase by February 13.






Washington State Historical Newspapers Online











The Washington State Library SOS site has added historic newspapers online this week. 
Researchers and genealogy buffs can browse over 400,000 pages from historical newspapers from across Washington. Volunteers can also sign up for text correcting which corrects errors in the OCR readout. This helps the search system work with more accuracy. 
The new website can be viewed here:





Preserving Photos and Documents - January Recap






The January program was presented by Carolyn Purcell and Sue Buce from the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center talking about photos/documents and focusing on their care and preservation. Samples of different photo types were on display and attendees learned about the best way to preserve them. Also shown were samples of archival boxes and materials and a list of preferable temperatures and environment requirements for their safe storage. 
Approximately 40 people attended. The weather was with us !