Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society

Ancestry and FamilySearch adding a BILLION records

It was announced that a collaboration between the two websites, that in the near future they would be adding nearly a billion new records to their already giant records databases. More about this announcement can be read at Dick Eastman's online newsletter.

ancestrycom-and-familysearch-to-make-a-billion-global-records-available-online

September Program Presentation

The first program presentation of the new year for the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society will be Saturday, September 14th at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center given by Renee Briggs. Renee, a longtime member of the society and a avid researcher will give a slide show presentation on the Wells family from Umatilla, Oregon. In her possession is a strong box with photos and documents and has been trying to locate family members to reunite them with their property.

As always, please join us for a no host lunch in the Basalt Café at noon. Program begins at 1:00pm in the downstairs meeting room at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Public is welcome.

Letters, Diaries, Journals and Genealogy

Must share a wonderful Facebook page I found while genealogy hunting. It contains some of the most wonderful letters, journals, diary material that researchers have submitted while collecting their work. From letters of ancestors on the Oregon Trail to coming to America and all of life's travel in between, this is truly a treasure. Photographs and hand written diaries will amaze you. It is a closed group, so if you want to join you will have to submit your name. Many , Many links to other work as well.. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/515485325166969/

Georga

August Program

A open day program, come when you want, bring your research tools, toys and share .

No-host lunch at Noon in the Basalt Café, plenty of ideas, wisdom and camaraderie.

PAF Being Discontinued

The program which has been the staple of family history recording for decades in the The Church of Latter-Day Saints is being discontinued as of July 15, 2013. It will not be supported or updated as of that date according to Family Search . Reasons for discontinuing the popular program are advances in technology, alternatives from third party programs and a need to focus on latest Familysearch initiatives according to Familysearch website. To find out more information and help finding a new software program, please visit Familysearch website for assistance.

https://familysearch.org/paf/?icid=home-PAF-Retire-smaller

2026- 2027 Programs and Events

January 10 - Social History and Your Genealogical Research
Febuary- All Saturdays of the month- Original Wasco County Courthouse History Forums
March 14- Kenneth R. Marks - How to Develop Critical Online Newspaper Research Skills
April 11 - Ft. Dalles Tour
May - IOOF Photo Requests
June 5 - Membership Luncheon
Summer Break- July and August
September 19- Brian Rhinehart-Navigating the Records From The War of 1812
Oct. 17 - National Family History Month - Sanctuaries of the Mind - Little Lula
Nov. 7- Wasco County Historical Society annual Meeting
December- Christmas Break
January 2027 - TBA
February - Original Wasco County Courthouse Forums
March- TBA

Pioneers of The West

Header Photo: Helen Lundeberg created this painting while employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program that employed artists during the Great Depression. Like other WPA artists, Lundeberg depicted a hopeful view of the United States during a time of turmoil and uncertainty by showing a dreamlike image of western expansion. The group of pioneers, with their backs to the viewer, follows an ox-drawn wagon into a valley. The monumental figures appear strong and assured in their forward progress. Rising mountains melt into the sun. Lundeberg's style of mixing fantastic images with reality is evident in the background: The pink, rolling mountains blend into the orange, pink, and bluish haze of the sky; it is difficult to determine where the mountains end and the sky begins. The careful use of space and dreamlike elements in Pioneers of the West is representative of Lundeberg's postsurrealist style. This movement, derived from surrealism, purposely combined fantasy with reality and was predominantly found on the West Coast. (Helen Lundeberg, Pioneers of the West, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.8.27) GSA: Information and images created or owned by the GSA unless otherwise indicated, are considered in the public domain. They may be distributed or copied as permitted by applicable law.