So King News South King County Genealogical Society PO Box 3174, Kent, Washington 98089-0203 http://www.skcgs.org Volume 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Have you seen one of these lately? They’re everywhere! And you have probably seen some of them without realizing what they were. At the general meeting they brought in boxes of books or cds for you to borrow. One made coffee and delicious goodies. Another pair always set up the video and sound equipment. One greets you at the door and handles the membership information. Others perform the duties of officers taking meeting minutes or reporting on our finances. Elsewhere, they spend time at local libraries helping people get started searching their family histories. Others maintain information on the SKCGS website or help with indexing records for Washington State Digital Archives or FamilySearch. Some answer requests for information from our memorial publications or glean information from other societies for the newsletter and traveling library. Of course we’re talking about volunteers. Volunteers are the heart and soul, the lifeblood of organizations such as ours. This society has a proud history of volunteer projects and accomplishments. Many of our members have gone from one project to another, doing those tasks that needed to be done to keep this organization going. April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Let’s celebrate our volunteers by featuring them and their work at the April general meeting. Calling all volunteers to be on hand so we can take pictures for our history, maintained, of course, by another volunteer! Also, please be aware that we are celebrating the continuing opportunity for more people to become involved. There is always room for more ideas and projects as well as a need for people to replace some of our present volunteers. Life conditions change and some people have had to downsize their responsibilities. Talk to any board member to see how you might be able to help. Thank you, volunteers, for all you do, and thank you, potential volunteers, for stepping in to keep our society running! MaryLynn Strickland Inside This Issue General SKCGS Info. ................... 2-3 Interest Groups......................... 4 & 5 Library News ..................................... 6 Membership Renewal.....................15 New Traveling CD Library............. 5 News from Exchange Newsletters ............................... 6—9 Out to Lunch Bunch ........................ 3 Publications For Sale ......................14 Saar Cemetery Project Finale 10-12 SKCGS Activity Calendar .............15 Surname List Data Form ...............13 Upcoming meetings .......................... 3 SKCGS Serving the communities of Algona, Auburn, Black Diamond, Burien, Covington, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley, Pacific, Ravensdale, Renton, SeaTac & Tukwila So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 2 South King County Genealogical Society General Information Officers Mission Statement To stimulate interest in genealogy and aid individual members in compiling their family records. Seek genealogical and historical knowledge. Preserve and perpetuate the records of our ancestors. Promote the preservation of public and private genealogical material. President Vice-President Janet Camarata [email protected] John Eakins [email protected] Treasurer David Liesse [email protected] Secretary Katie Hanzeli [email protected] Committee Chairs Comb Binding Rich Thayer [email protected] About SKCGS DAR Liaison Helen Lewis [email protected] The fiscal year runs from June 1 through May 31 Education/Training Winona Laird [email protected] The board meets the first Tuesday of the month 7 to 9 p.m. Genealogist Barbara Mattoon [email protected] General meetings are the 3rd Saturday of each month except July, August and December. Meetings are at 10:15 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 11420 SE 248th, Kent WA. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for socializing, coffee and cookies. Historian Cheri Sayer [email protected] Hospitality Sharon Johnson [email protected] Interest Groups Computer (Genealogy) Tamra Ryan & Dave Liesse [email protected] Family Tree Maker Users Group Winona Laird [email protected] The Master Genealogist Users Group Paul Huntress [email protected] The SKCGS Traveling Library is at each general meeting. Members can check out books for one month. The Traveling Library is open one hour prior to the general meeting. The SKCGS Research Library is maintained at the Auburn Public Library, 1102 Auburn Way South, Auburn. Books kept at Auburn are for use in the library only. Legacy And Beyond Heritage Photos Yearly Membership Single: $15.00 Dual: 22.50 Applications for membership available upon request, in this newsletter or on SKCGS’ web site http://skcgs.org/membership.html First Baptist Church 11420 SE 248th Street, Kent WA MaryLynn Strickland [email protected] Librarian Volunteer needed [email protected] Library Volunteers—Coordinator Jan Emerson [email protected] Membership Newsletter Program General Meeting Location [email protected] Michelle Lyons [email protected] MaryLynn Strickland [email protected] Volunteer needed [email protected] Publicity Volunteer needed [email protected] SKCGS Publications Sales & Printing Rich Thayer [email protected] Audio-Visual Equipment Sound System Gil Wooden [email protected] LCD projector Glenn Gilbert [email protected] Surname File Michelle Lyons [email protected] Traveling Library Books Cari Crowley [email protected] CDs Guy Moellendorf [email protected] Webmaster Glenn Gilbert [email protected] Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 3 Early Morning Coffee Hour & General Meeting Topics Starting at 9 AM, grab a cup of coffee and a pastry and sit down in the foyer or near the traveling library and visit with fellow genealogists who share your interests. ---Share your new discoveries and successes. Share the recently discovered internet sources for family information. Share your frustrations with technology and get good ideas from fellow society members. All of this over a hot drink and a morning treat! At about 10 AM we present a short Tech Demo before the main business meeting. Have a question or a new discovery? Let us know. March 15—Review of the Saar Pioneer Cemetery Restoration, presented by Sylva Coppock Now that the Saar Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project Committee has reached its goal of reclaiming this historic old cemetery on 212th in Kent, it's time to take a look at the overall scope of the project and celebrate all that we have accomplished in the past ten years. Sylva Coppock, a member of SKCGS and of the project committee, will show a PowerPoint presentation containing a photo review, along with narrative, detailing the many facets of the challenge. Karen Bouton, Chairman of the project, has regularly provided updates for the newsletter. She has faithfully reported progress at the general meetings. But, until you see ten years of effort compressed into a visual review, it is difficult to understand the magnitude of this accomplishment or to appreciate the hundreds of people who were involved. Since the presentation was first developed last spring, it has been shown, with the help of Karen Bouton and Glenn Gilbert, to the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington in Seattle, to the Robert E. Lee Chapter of the Daughters of Veterans of the Confederacy at the Newport Library, and at the Heritage Quest Research Library in Sumner. Sylva Coppock has been a member of the South King County Genealogical Society since the early years, and has served on many committees during that time. The most notable, perhaps, was as Gene-A-Rama Chairman for about twelve years. She also chaired two joint-venture seminars, and was a member of the Saar Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Committee. In that capacity she was instrumental in the research of people buried in the cemetery and in production of the book "A History of the Saar Pioneer Cemetery And Its Inhabitants." For a complete biography of Sylva Coppock, please visit the SKCGS website at www.skcgs.org April 19 and May 17—General Meetings Due to family obligations and other commitments, previously planned speakers and activities have been postponed until fall and no replacements have been determined. The meetings will still occur; we just don’t know all the details yet. Watch the website for more information as those dates approach. Out to Lunch Bunch SKCGS members who like to go out to lunch once a month. No special dues - no commitment for every month - you are more than welcome any time that you would like to join the group. Everyone is responsible for his own bill at the restaurant. Location etc. is posted each month on the WA-SKGS-L (email) mailing list. In general we meet at 1 PM on the first Wednesday of each month. Hope to see you at the next OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH lunch. Everyone welcome. 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. April 2nd: Wild Wheat Bakery 202 1st Avenue South, Kent, 253-856-8919 May 7th: Yankee Grill & Roaster 1 So. Grady Way, Bottom Floor of Holiday Inn Renton, 425-255-8543 June 4th: Black Diamond Bakery 32805 Railroad Ave. Black Diamond, 360-866-2235 Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 4 Computer Interest Group The SKCGS Computer Users Group meets the third Tuesday of every month, 6:30 pm. We are always exploring new gadgets or new ways to use our old familiar ones. If you have a problem or have a new solution or gadget, please join us! Next meetings: March 18—Note change of location Auburn Fire Station, 1101 D Street, Auburn Exterior door to classroom is accessible from the parking lot on the north (Applebees) side of the building April 15—Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn Heritage Photo Interest Group Heritage Photo Interest Group features beginner classes using Photoshop Elements. The classes will follow PSE tutorials introducing the workspace, tools and adjustments available for making your photos look their best. From simple enhancements to restoring and sharing, you’ll learn basic skills and helpful tips. Next meetings: March 24 & April 28 Meetings are on the fourth Monday of each month at the Auburn Fire Station, 1101 D Street, Auburn; 6:30 pm. For further information, contact MaryLynn at [email protected] Family Tree Maker Users Group This group meets the first Saturday of each month. Upcoming dates—April 5 & May 3, Covington Library 10 am Please bring questions and join discussion. Contact Winona at [email protected] for further information. The Master Genealogist Users Group The TMG Users Group meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Algona-Pacific Library. Topics help beginners and more experienced users of The Master Genealogist genealogical software and its companion products. Check the SKCGS website for more complete information and meeting times. Nat’l Society of Daughters of American Revolution Lakota Chapter D.A.R. regular meeting time is the second Saturday of each month (except July & August) at Auburn Fire Station,1101 D Street at 11 am. Prospective members are always welcome to visit. Sincerely, Helen McGreer Lewis [email protected] Newsletter Subscription Fee To offset the expense of printing and mailing hardcopy newsletters, members, both annual and lifetime, who elect to receive their newsletters in the mail are assessed a fee of $2.00 per issue for a total of $12.00 per year. Hardcopy recipients should remember to add $12.00 to their annual membership fee. Lifetime members should submit $12.00 in June for the next fiscal year. Please submit your fees to SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, C/O Michelle Lyons P O Box 3174, Kent WA 98089-0203 Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 5 Legacy & Beyond Group This group meets the first Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to noon at the First Presbyterian Church, 9425 S. 248th Street in Kent. The group will continue with our discussion of the new Version 8 of Legacy. As we discussed at the December meeting, you can download a copy of Version 8 and play around with it before actually adding your existing Legacy family tree. So try Version 8, and bring any questions to be answered as well as your suggestions for future topics to the meeting. Contacts: Michelle Lyons Janet Camarata (253) 205-7597 (206) 335-9577 [email protected] [email protected] Legacy Webinars-on-CD now in the Traveling Library SKCGS has a number of the Legacy webinars and training CDs for society members to check out at general meetings. These will also be available for viewing and discussing at future Legacy and Beyond Group meetings. Note that the subjects are generally not specific to using Legacy software and are usable by all members. The webinars are by professional genealogists, are of about 1.5 hours in duration, and were produced within the last 18 months. Some have printable handouts. For a complete list of CDs in the Traveling Library, go to : http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~waskcgs/library/trav_CDs.html To DNA or not to DNA, that is the question With apologies to William Shakespeare, whether to have a DNA test really does involve some questions. Most of us ask the most obvious, “What’s in it for me?” which begs for someone to prove why you should take the test. You are unlikely to get a clear answer to such a defensive question. There are too many types of tests, each producing different results. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. A better question to ask is, “What is your goal?” Answering that question to yourself can help you determine what sort of DNA test to pursue and, since money is involved, whether you can afford it or not. Here are three basic types of tests and the results you might expect. Autosomal if you want to locate/contact possible cousins Y-DNA extend your paternal line, identify anthropological locations/routes of migration (you'd need to test a male in your paternal line) mtDNA identify anthropological locations/routes of migration, possibly extend your maternal line Family Tree DNA has established a group for SKCGS members who test through their company. You will find a link on the society homepage. Mary Katherine Kozy the speaker at our February General Meeting gave a very informative presentation, “I’ve Had My DNA Tested, Now What?” And Results? Have you had your DNA tested? What type of test did you have and what were the results? Share your story by sending us an email at [email protected]. Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 6 LIBRARY NEWS “Most people get excited over new cars; I get excited over death certificates.” ― Rett MacPherson Sno-Isle Genealogical Society “The Beacon”: February 2014 14 Genealogy New Year’s Resolutions 1) Finish inputting your family finds into your genealogy software program. 2) Share your tree online to help other researchers and so distant cousins can help you. 3) Cite a source for everything! 4) Digitize more. The scanner is your friend! 5) Especially digitize those old family photos. 6) Back up your data online or in a different location from your home or both. 7) Join a genealogy society or two - locally and where your ancestors lived. 8) Try a genealogy app on your phone or tablet. 9) Figure out how Facebook (www.facebook.com) can help in your genealogy search. 10) Get swabbed and try DNA testing. 11) Tackle your spouse’s tree or a best friend’s tree, as you have been promising to do for years. 12) Sign up for a genealogy workshop, conference or webinar. 13) Get organized. Really! 14) Renew your genealogy magazine subscription. “Family Chronicle”: Volume 18, Number 3, January / February 2014 NEWS FROM OUR EXCHANGES RootsWeb’s Search Thingy RootsWeb (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ is the “oldest, free genealogy site on the Web and host to the largest collection of free genealogical resources available online.” There are eight million user submitted records, organized into different categories and also grouped by location and ethnic group. There are over 29,000 genealogy-related mailing lists (including our own!) RootsWeb includes WorldConnect, a database of thousands of submitted family trees. The “RootsWeb Search Thingy” is a one step search of multiple databases including WorldConnect, vital records and Obituary Daily Times. There is lots more! Don’t forget about this important, free genealogy website in your research. (And no I didn’t make up the name!) Yankee Genealogical Society “Newsletter”: Volume 23, Number 1, January 2014 Ready to Write? Are you interested in writing your family history? Several members of the Clallam County Genealogical Society would like to start a writer’s group that would probably meet once a month to discuss their work and the best way to share it with family and future generations. If you are interested, please contact Nona Halvorsen at 360-477-2127 or at [email protected]. Clallam County Genealogical Society In Case You Missed the Free Talk at SKCGS and Want to Hear It Again or Want More: SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014 - Sno-Isle Genealogical Society - SIGS - is presenting a Mini Seminar featuring speaker Mary Kathryn Kozy. Mary Kathryn will talk on “Integrating DNA Information and Genealogy”, “I've Had My DNA Tested...Now What?”, and “Using DNA to Indicate Possible Jewish Connections”. Check the SIGS website http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wasigs/. $20 members, $25 nonmembers. Sno-Isle Genealogical Society “The Beacon”: February 2014 Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 7 Washington State Genealogical Society Seminar Friday and Saturday, August 15, & 16, 2014. This two day event will feature keynote speaker Josh Taylor of “Genealogy Road Show” fame. Check out his website: www.djoshuataylor.com. Other breakout speakers will include Donna Potter Phillips, Mary Kathryn Kozy, and Steven Morrison to name a few. Conference will be held at Arlington High School and the Byrnes Performing Arts Center, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., Arlington. The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will serve as host. Details will appear on the WSGS website in coming months. Sno-Isle Genealogical Society “The Beacon”: February 2014 Telling Your Stories We are, by nature, the sort of people that will sit and muse on our past and wish our ancestors had left us more. What about our descendants? Will they wish we had left them more? When documenting our family history, we must not forget to document our own lives as someday we will be history to our grandchildren. It is important to preserve our memories for future generations. Here is an article about one person who did just that. Everyone ought to consider recording their own stories, whether it be with a notebook and pencil, on a computer or website, or with a video camera. Your memories and stories are as important as your ancestors’. “Family Chronicle”: Volume 18, Number 3, January / February 2014 Family Tree Builder 7.0 The latest version of this genealogy software from MyHeritage.com is out. It has new search capabilities, various mobility options, synchronized backups across many devices and other new features. There is also improved search and matching, online merging and syncing with other devices and a revamped interface. Favorite old features are still there, including printing, charting, multimedia and maps. The new version, as before, can be easily downloaded from www.myheritage.com/family-tree-builder. The basic program is free, but upgrades with additional charting options, a larger online site, SmartMatch merging and other options range in price from $75.00 to $240.00. If you are considering purchasing genealogy software, this program may be one you’d like to consider. “Family Chronicle”: Volume 18, Number 3, January / February 2014 The Orphan Trains We Rode the Orphan Trains, by Andrea Warren, is reviewed in this month’s “Apple Orchard.” The review discusses the history of the Orphan Trains, the plight of the orphans and the reasons they were adopted in the Midwest. It also briefly mentions efforts to open the records which will help those with adopted ancestors. It sounds like a good book to read. There are five copies in the King County Library System. Chelan Valley Genealogical Society “The Apple Orchard”: January 2014 Genealogy & Social Networking Facebook seems to be counter to serious (or even amateur) genealogy research. And daily scribbles about your research and findings on your own blog? It’s for kids. Right? Nope! Social media is about connecting and that’s what we genealogists, professional or hobbyist, want to do. There are many possibilities just waiting to be explored, but it can be a bit daunting, even if you’re computer and internet savvy. This article tells you where to go, what to look for and how to get started with a Google blog and on Facebook. Happy connecting! “Internet Genealogy”: Volume 8, Number 6, February/March 2014 Evidence Explained - The Website No explanation needed - connect here! www.evidenceexplained.com Mac User Needing Software? Genealogy software for Macs used to be hard to find and then it could be several generations behind the Windows version, causing lots of frustrations. Things are much better today due to the booming use of iPads and iPhones. Even though the Mac version of a program may still be a step or two behind, it’s not as Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 8 bad as it was. This article reviews nine different programs for Mac. Many offer demos for free and there are a couple that are open source. Included in the review is Reunion 10, compatible with the latest O 10.8, Mavericks. Reunion is the gold standard of Mac genealogy software and has won many awards for it’s excellence. There is a free demo. The full program costs, for first time purchasers, about $100.00. Full upgrades are rare and cost less. The program and the demo are available at www.leisterpro.com. And even better, there is a Macintosh Special Interest Group connected with the Seattle Genealogical Society which meets every month at the Fiske Library. They use Reunion almost exclusively and they can help you get going. “Internet Genealogy”: Volume 8, Number 6, February/March 2014 NEWSLETTERS ADDED TO THE NOTEBOOKS IN THE TRAVELING LIBRARY “Family Chronicle”: Volume 18, Number 3, January / February 2014: Locating German Parish Records; Does Anybody Have a Question? The Mysterious Letter; Patricia Evans’ Happy Days; Kook, ‘Krook’ or Klansman? First Looks: Family Tree Building 7.0; Beyond the Book: Family History Slide Shows; Gifts From the Grave: Ukrainian Research; Your Family’s Baggage; Getting Payment for a Family History Book: Resolving the Dilemma; The Back Page: Family History is More Than Just Names and Dates! “Internet Genealogy”: Volume 8, Number 6, February/March 2014: Connecting Through Social Media; Evidence Explained - The Website; Hey Mac, Have You Got Any Software? Clooz: It’s All About Detection; Is One Death Record Enough? Do You Have Ancestors from the English Black Country? Digital Maps of the “The Great War”; Net Notes; Unlocking the Past: Researching the Birth of an Artist; An American Hero: Captain Charles R. Sloan; The Back Page: Does Anybody Need a Soldier? “National Genealogical Society Quarterly”: Volume 101, Number 4, December 2013: 2012 Winner: Editor’s Corner - DNA Standards; Family History Writing Contest “A Love Story Proved: The Life and Family of Laura Lavinia (Kelley) Combs of Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia”; Did Martha Barnes of Glossop, Derbyshire, Marry Her Cousin? Ancestors of Henry Tatum of Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana: Migration and Mistaken Identity; Sippenbücher as Guides to Record Searches in Eighteenth-Century Germanic Towns; Reviews; Contents Volume 101, 2013; Index to Volume 101, 2013 Minnesota, South St. Paul: Yankee Genealogical Society “Newsletter”: Volume 23, Number 1, January 2014: New at the MGS Library; YGS Purchases; Massachusetts Archives; Rhode Island Archives; Rhode Island Directory; NEHGS Free Resources; The Pilgrims in Holland; Digitized Minnesota Newspapers; North Andover, MA Old Burial Ground; New York Death Index, 1957-1963; Online “Microfilms” of Land Records; Eastman’s Blog, Massachusetts Wiki Guides; 14 Genealogical New Year’s Resolutions Oregon, Cottage Grove: Cottage Grove Genealogical Society “Trees From the Grove”: Volume 26, Numbers 1 - 3, January - September 2013: John and Rosetta (Stanton) Beckner - Donation Land Claim; Obits and Death Notices in Cottage Grove Sentinel, 1961; David Mosby’s Oath of Allegiance for his Donation Land Claim; Gleanings from Cottage Grove Leader, 1889; Mayors of Cottage Grove; Pioneers (Repeat from 1993); New Books at Cottage Grove Genealogical Society Library; Greenbury and Nancy (Black) Van Schoiack’s Affidavit for his Donation Land Claim Virginia, Arlington: Roots Users Group “RUG Newsletter”: Volume 26, Number 1, January 2014: RUG Silver Anniversary; Down RUG Memory Lane; Getting the Most Out of Roles in TMG; December Presentations Recap; From Exhibits to Slide Shows; Make Plans To Attend FxGS Annual Conference Virginia, Arlington: Roots Users Group “RUG Newsletter”: Volume 26, Number 2, February 2014: Come Celebrate RUG’s Silver Anniversary!! Image Mapping Using TMG Utilities; Make Plans to Attends FxGS Annual Conference; Down RUG Memory Lane; Seven Vital Cosmetic Steps Before Full Disclosure Washington, Auburn: The White River Valley Museum “Journal”: January 2014: Auburn’s Carnegie Library; Things to Do; Displaying Historical Objects Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 9 Washington, Bremerton: Puget Sound Genealogical Society “The Backtracker”: January through March 2014: Stepping Back in Time; Genealogy Center Report; Milestones; Education Committee Has Been Busy! Witness Bias & Creeping Bear; A Look Back; Looking Forward; Putting Down Roots: Trial by Fire, Part II; Putting Down Roots: My Italian Immigrant Mother, Part One; Discovering Family Heirlooms; Meanderings; The Thomas Piano and More Washington, Chelan: Chelan Valley Genealogical Society “The Apple Orchard”: January 2014: Book Review: We Rode the Orphan Trains; Letters From the Past; Genealogy Bucket List: Five Must-Do Activities; Sorting Out the DNA Tests Available for Genealogy: Which One Should I Use? Quick Publish Your Family History Tips; Genealogy Relationship Chart; Chelan Valley Genealogical Society Survey; Washington, Ellensburg: Kittitas County Genealogy Society “Kittitas Kinfolk”: Volume 27, Number 1, January 2014: RootDig.com and Casefile Clues; Genealogy Off-Line; Funny Tombstones; Joseph and Mary Roy of Missouri; 12 Millionth Source Attached to Family Tree Challenge; Genealogy Tip #8: Don’t Neglect to Document Your Source; California Digital Newspaper Collection; RootsWeb’s Search Thingy Washington, Kent: Greater Kent Historical Society “The Recorder”: Winter 2014: Childhood Memories; 60 Years Ago - Kent New Journal, Winter 1954; Days and Nights at the Bereiter House; Traffic Regulations Excerpt from 1954 Kent Journal; Fort Thomas Washington, Lynnwood: Sno-Isle Genealogical Society “The Beacon”: February 2014: Save the Date; SIGS Research Center - What’s New; Writing a Family Story; What’s Going On in the Area Wisconsin, Sparta: Monroe Juneau Jackson County’s Genealogy Workshop “Newsletter”: Volume 33, Number 4, February 2014: Tomah Journal 5 June 1982; Be Careful With Your Genealogy Software! Monroe County Local History Room; Lemon Valley School & Church; History - Live! 2014 Public Lecture Series Exchange Newsletters Do you receive a newsletter from a genealogical or historical society for some other location, possibly where your family lived? Have you considered sharing it with others who may have similar roots? Why read some other location’s newsletter? You might not find mention of your family, but you could get a sense of what your family experienced in that place or time. You might find access to data or methods of research you had not considered before. And you might find interesting stories or amusing anecdotes. Please share those with the rest of us! Are you missing out? Join the SKCGS mailing list. The E-mailing list is a forum where members of the South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS) and others with an interest in the Society, can discuss the efforts of the Society. It's a great way to keep up with what's going on in your Society! It's informational, deals with society-related issues and can address general research questions that may be of interest to you. Members ask and answer questions and give feedback on Society issues that you also may be interested in! The list is open to all those who have an interest in the Society, including announcements, conference and meeting schedules, membership questions, etc. General questions on genealogy ARE suitable on this list; specific ancestry, family and research queries should be directed to the appropriate forums elsewhere on the web. see: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~waskcgs/maillist.html Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 10 Saar Cemetery Project Saving Graves.net: “We believe that the willful desecration or destruction of human burial sites is unacceptable in a civilized society. All over the globe, cemeteries have been threatened by neglect, insufficient funds, inappropriate development, or insensitive public policy. These cemeteries constitute a memento of great achievements of the common everyday people that lived and worked there, contributing greatly to both culture and science, leading to the creation of a better place for those that followed. It is our primary objective to increase the awareness and highlight the importance of our historic cemeteries as sources of community and state pride, while promoting an attitude of reverence and respect, and encouraging the further preservation of these unique historical resources for future generations to appreciate and learn from. If society fails to appropriately and adequately deal with this issue through some definitive action, whether legislative or otherwise, not only will genealogical and historical resources likely be irreparably harmed, but society will potentially lose a valuable resource for charting its inexorable course into annals of human history.” In the fall of 2004 the South King County Genealogical Society voted to save the Saar Pioneer Cemetery from obscurity after an article was published in the Kent Reporter describing the horrible condition of this historic cemetery. At the next meeting I volunteered to be the Project Coordinator and I obtained written permission from the cemetery owner to restore the cemetery. Now here it is the winter of 2014 and this will be the last column I write about this project. So much has been accomplished as you have read in this newsletter throughout these past ten years. Many major and many small work parties accomplished the arduous task of getting rid of the blackberries, ivy, underbrush, and trees that engulfed the majority of the cemetery. As you can see in the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos a dramatic difference was made. While spending so much time among the residents of the cemetery, I started to become curious – who are these people? An all-volunteer research team was formed to create a biographical book, and after six years of hard work A History of Saar Pioneer Cemetery and Its Inhabitants was published. A 4Culture grant paid for the first printing of 65 books and sales from that allowed a second printing of 35 more copies, of which all have been sold. All the profit was spent on the cemetery. Throughout the restoration project several artifacts have been uncovered. Barrel slats, several iron crosses, an ornate fence piece, a shovel head, iron fence poles, and broken pieces of headstones. All of these artifacts have been donated to the Greater Kent Historical Society’s museum. Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 11 The following have been added to the cemetery grounds by volunteer effort, grant money, SKCGS fundraisers, and community donations: City of Kent Landmark plaque. The South King County Genealogical Society and the Greater Kent Historical Society collaborated to have the cemetery named an historic landmark in 2010. The City of Kent obtained and installed the plaque. Civil War veteran replacement markers: New headstones were obtained for William Button, Elias Clark, Nathaniel Hoag, and Lewis Warren. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs supplied all of these markers. Mr. Button did not have any type of marker and his exact burial location is unknown. The White River Journal dated 15 June 1893 indicated that he was buried in the O’Brien Cemetery so he is indeed somewhere in this cemetery. Mr. Clark’s and Mr. Hoag’s original military headstones were eroding and becoming unreadable. The new military markers were placed next to their burial site. Mr. Warren’s headstone was being consumed by a large maple tree. Fortunately the genealogical society transcribed this cemetery in 1979 before the front of the headstone became engulfed so we know who is buried there. A Veterans Day ceremony will still be held each November to honor these soldiers. It is on the same day as the Auburn Veterans Day Parade; the parade in the morning and the Saar Cemetery event at three in the afternoon. E Clampus Vitus plaque. The ‘Clampers’ installed a plaque that indicates all of the different names that the Saar Pioneer Cemetery has been known by. It reads: “The Saar Pioneer Cemetery is named for former King County Councilman Peter Saar, who in 1873 buried his wife on a small hill on their homestead. Since that time the cemetery has been know by many names. Kent Cemetery; Kent Methodist Cemetery; M. E. Cemetery; Methodist Cemetery; Nelsons; O’Brien Cemetery; Peter Saar Cemetery; Peter Saar Memorial Cemetery; Pioneer Methodist Cemetery; Springbrook; Wilson’s Corner. Plaque Dedicated 12 August 2010/6015 Ancient and Honorable Order of E. Clampus Vitus Doc Maynard Chapter No. 54-40 CREDO QUIA ABSURDUM.” Continued on Page 12 Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 12 New markers were installed for: Caroline, Edith, and Johann Kasbaum; Mary and Hardin Lusk; Isaac and Nellie Parmenter; Benjamin Pittman; and Margaret Saar. Caroline, Edith, and Johann Kasbaum’s burial site was in terrible disarray. Johann’s headstone was found in several pieces and Caroline’s and Edith’s headstones were completely gone. The pieces were put back together and new markers were engraved by hand by a dedicated volunteer, Mr. Kimsey Fowler. Mary and Hardin Lusk’s headstones went missing sometime between 1979 and 2004 so Mr. Fowler engraved new markers for them. Isaac and Nellie Parmenter’s new marker was recently installed by a family descendant, George Safadago, to fulfill a promise to his mother. Benjamin Pittman died in 1907 and was buried without a marker. Exactly 100 years later, his great-granddaughter, Lois Pittman Traynor and her family, purchased a new marker for him. Margaret Saar was the first to be interred in this property, her family’s homestead. Her original headstone went missing sometime between 1979 and 2004, and the committee acquired a new stone to mark her resting place. Recovered markers: Three original headstones were recovered and reinstalled: J.S.H. Johnson and his daughter, Julietta; and Ole C. Hoff. Unmarked Graves Monument. While researching everyone buried in this cemetery the research team kept coming across names of folks that were buried there, but had no headstone. The list of names came to a total of 89! It was impractical to try and make so many individual markers so one Unmarked Graves Monument was created so those 89 pioneers would not be forgotten. Many Saar Pioneer Cemetery residents’ descendants, local companies, groups, community volunteers, tribal and government entities, friends and family have been very generous with their labor, resources, and donations. Without their involvement this cemetery would still be buried under a blanket of blackberries, ivy, underbrush, and trees – its inhabitants unknown and forgotten to the world. The owner of the cemetery, the Kent United Methodist Church, has recently hired a landscaper to regularly mow the grounds, and to keep the cemetery in good condition. I thank each and every person who was involved in this project. Respectfully submitted, Karen Bouton Retired Saar Cemetery Project Coordinator Editor’s Note: Thank you, Karen for your faithful contribution of articles and pictures to this newsletter as well as community newspapers and organizations throughout this long project. Comb Binding Service Comb binding is an inexpensive way to bind your finished books or collections of papers such as So King News!. This service is also available to non-members, churches, schools and clubs. Prices: Up to 112 sheets (5/8 )—$2.00, non-members $3.00 113-168 sheets (1 )—$4.00, non-members $5.00 We are prepared to handle projects of 1 to 25 copies and binding of 25 to 168 sheets. Contact Rich Thayer—[email protected] Inside This Issue Baby Family Tree Charts New baby family tree charts: blue for boys and pink for girls, are now available for a $3.00 donation to SKCGS. This is a wonderful gift to a young family with a new arrival and encourages them to maintain their family information. To obtain these charts, call Sylva Coppock 425-235-8076 So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Surname List Update One of the more frequently visited pages on our website is the Surname List. This is the digitized version of the box of 3 x 5 index cards to which people have been contributing for several years. A Page 13 list of this sort is a great opportunity to find others who are researching the same families as you are. Website listing is limited to current (annual or lifetime) members who have given specific permission to be included on the website. South King County Genealogical Society Surname Database Information Sheet Submitter _____________________________________ Telephone ____________________ Street Address ________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________ Zip __________________________ Email Address ________________________________________________________________ Telephone and street address are for SKCGS use only, they will not be available on the website. Include Email address on SKCGS Website Yes No Include Email address in SKCGS Newsletter Yes No List the surnames, locations or migration routes and time period for each family group you are researching. If you are researching the same surname but different migration routes, list them separately. Example: Stowe—NH>VT>WI—1770-1850s Stowe—NH>NY>IN—1800-1900 Surname This information is Locations/Migration New ________ Updating ________ Inside This Issue Time Period So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 14 South King County Genealogical Society PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE Prices effective June 1, 2008. All books are comb-bound, unless otherwise noted. MEMORIAL RECORDS OF SOUTH KING COUNTY, WA VOL. I - Includes St. Patrick Catholic, Saar Pioneer & Mess Cemeteries Indexed, 89 pages, © 1981 $ 9.00 VOL. II - Hillcrest Cemetery - Indexed, 344 pages, © 1988 ............................................................ $20.00 VOL. III - Meridian, Marker & Lagesson Cemeteries - Indexed, 108 pages, © 1995 ....................... $12.00 VOL. IV - Auburn Pioneer Cemetery - Indexed, 47 pages, © 1997 .................................................. $ 8.50 VOL. V - Mountain View Cemetery, Auburn WA (3 Books) © 1997 Book 1, Section A-H (old section) - 346 pages ............................................................................. $25.00 Book 2, Garden Mausoleum & continues through Section T - 369 pages ...................................... $25.00 Book 3, Index - Military burials - History - 211 pages .................................................................. $15.00 VOL. VI- Enumclaw Cemetery Records. 684 pages in 2 volumes sold as a set © 2001 ................... $42.50 Book 1, Section 1-3H Evergreen Memorial Park, 348 pages Book 2, Section 4A-10 Evergreen Memorial Park; Holy Family Krain Cemetery; Veteran’s Memorial Park; & full name index to both books, 336 pages VOL. VII– Maury Island Cemetery & Vashon Island Cemeteries - Vashon Cemetery & Church of the Holy Spirit Memorial Gardens indexed, 423 pages © 2004 .......................................................... $25.00 VOL. VIII Memorial Records of South King County, Gethsemane Cemetery, Federal Way Washington, Indexed, 284 pages, © 2006......................................................................................................... $18.00 VOL. IX Maple Valley-Hobart Cemetery, Indexed, 163 pages, © 2007 .......................................... $15.00 KENT AREA OBITUARIES — FROM EARLY KENT, WA NEWSPAPERS VOL. I - 1893-1910 Indexed, 216 Pages, © 1988 ................... $15.00 VOL. II - 1911-1920 Indexed, 277 pages, © 1988 ................... $18.00 VOL. III - 1921-1931 Indexed, 444 pages, © 1989 ................... $25.00 VOL. IV - 1932-1934 Indexed, 169 pages, © 1991 ................... $12.00 OBITUARIES FROM THE RENTON WA RECORD/CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER VOL. I - 1927-1932 Indexed, 222 pages, © 1991 ................... $15.00 KENT AREA MARRIAGES— FROM EARLY KENT, WA NEWSPAPERS VOL. I - 1893-1917 (Misc. Years) ©1991 36 pages .................................................. $7.00 KING COUNTY MARRIAGE LICENSE REGISTERS 1889 - 1895 Volumes 5-10 compiled by Helen McGreer Lewis, 240 pages © 2004 ........................................ $15.00 KING COUNTY MARRIAGE LICENSE REGISTERS Dec. 1916 - Sept. 1917 Volumes 38 and 39, abstracted by Helen McGreer Lewis, 194 pages........... $13.00 BLACK DIAMOND, WA CEMETERY RECORDS ............................................................ Indexed, 62 Pages, © 1980...................... $ 9.00 INDEX FOR LAKE COUNTY, CA MARRIAGE BOOKS 1-6 (1867-1935) Compiled by Helen McGreer Lewis ©1999 .................................................................... $13.00 Postage & handling: First book: $4.00. Each additional book: $1.50 Send checks with titles and number of books desired to South King County Genealogical Society, PO Box 3174, Kent WA 98089-0203 Attn.: Publications SKCGS is always happy to exchange publications with other societies and libraries on an equal basis Please contact SKCGS for details. Inside This Issue So King News Vol. 29, No. 5 March/April, 2014 Page 15 SKCGS Activities Calendar Apr Dates May Dates Jun Dates Legacy Users Group-1st Thursday 10:00 am 9425 S 248th, Kent 3 1 5 Board Meeting 1st Tuesday 7 pm Location to be determined 1 6 3 Out To Lunch Bunch 1st Wednesday 1 pm See article within 2 7 4 Family Tree Maker Users Group-1st Saturday 10:15 am Covington Branch of King County Library 5 3 7 The Master Genealogist Group 2nd Thursday 1 pm Algona Pacific Library 10 8 12 General Meeting 3rd Saturday 10:15 am 19 17 21 15 20 17 28 No meeting Memorial Day 23 11420 248th Ave SE, Kent Computer Users Group 3rd Tuesday 6:30 pm Auburn Library 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn Heritage Photo Group 4th Monday 6:30 pm Auburn Fire Station, 1101 D Street, Auburn SKCGS MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL (June, 2014/May, 2015) Electronic newsletter: _______Single ($15.00) Dual ($22.50) Printed newsletter: _______Single ($27.00) Dual ($34.50) _______$12.00 Annual fee for printed newsletter (Lifetime members) NAME _________________________________________________________________________________ Last First SECOND PERSON _______________________________________________________________________ (If dual member) Last First ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip + 4 EMAIL ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________________ HOME PHONE __________________________________________________________________________ (AREA CODE) XXX-XXXX Would you consider including an additional, tax deductible, donation to the society? We are a 501 c 3 corporation. $10.00 $25.00 $50.00 $100.00 $ MAIL TO: SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, C/O Michelle Lyons P O Box 3174, Kent WA 98089-0203 Inside This Issue
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