Workshop Will Focus On Military Records
‘Military records are an abundant and fascinating resource for obtaining firsthand accounts of the military activities that have shaped this country. Whether created in time of war or in time of peace, these records, which have originated at the federal, state and local levels, provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served in the armed forces of the United States.
“Almost every American family, in one generation or another, has seen one or more of its members serve in America’s armed forces.”
So begins the introduction to “U.S. Military Records: A Guide To Federal & State Sources,” by James C. Neagles ($39.95 from Ancestry Publishing, 800 262-3787).
A quote from this new book is a fitting introduction to the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society’s annual October workshop. Professional genealogists George Ott and Wade Hone of Heritage Consulting in Salt Lake City will spend all day Oct. 7 with Inland Northwest genealogists.
Their topic will be “Military Records: From Colonial Times Through the Modern Wars.”
If you have ancestors who served in the U.S. armed forces in any capacity, you are invited to attend to learn more about finding their records.
There will be vendors, freebies, EWGS ways ‘n’ means and white elephant tables, door prizes, a raffle and a large handout packet.
The place is Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, 400 W. Randolph Road. Registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., with orientation at 8:30. The seminar ends at 4:30. Cost before Sept. 27 is $22 for EWGS members, and $25 for non-members. After this date, and at the door, the cost is $27 for everybody. Lunch and the handout are included. Send your check to EWGS, PO Box 1826, Spokane, WA 99210-1826. (If you want to include another $20 for EWGS annual dues and be eligible for the member price, please do so.)
There are other genealogical education opportunities this fall. I will teach these classes:
Beginning Genealogy, 1 to 3 p.m., Corbin Community Center, starting Sept. 25.
Beginning Genealogy, 7 to 9 p.m., North Central High School, starting Sept. 25.
Beginning Genealogy, 7 to 9 p.m., Pines Jr. High School, starting Sept. 26.
Advanced Genealogy, or Part 2, 1 to 3 p.m., Corbin Center, Starting Sept. 27
Advanced Genealogy, or Part 2, 7 to 9 p.m., Pines Jr. High, starting Sept. 27
There is a fee for these classes sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning and the Seniors’ Program. Each class is an eight-week series. Beginning Genealogy is prerequisite to the Advanced or Part 2 class.
Call the IEL at 533-3770 for registration or more information. If you are seriously interested in these classes, please register in advance. Otherwise, there might not be a seat or a handout for you!
“Cemetery Art & History Across America” will also be presented by me in three parts: Thursday evenings, Oct. 5 and 12, 6:30 to 9 p.m., with a cemetery walking tour on Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 to 3 p.m. The class will meet at Shadle Park High School; call 533-3770 for more information.
There are several genealogical societies in the Inland Northwest. Each society has meetings with programs designed to teach genealogy and share family history tidbits. They also have folks in the society who will answer genealogy letters. Contact the society in your target area:
Kootenai County Genealogical Society, 8385 N. Government Way, Hayden Lake ID 83835
Twin Rivers Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 386, Lewiston ID 83801-0386
Shoshone Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 183, Kellogg ID 83837
Bonner County Genealogical Society (Sandpoint), P.O. Box 27, Dover ID 83825
Milton-Freewater Genealogy Club, 127 S.E. 6th, Milton-Freewater OR 97862
Blue Mountain Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1801, Pendleton OR 97801
Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society, 722 Court St., The Dalles OR 97058
Lewis & Clark Genealogical Society. P.O. Box 5313, Helena MT 59604
Flathead Valley Genealogical Society, 134 Lawrence Lane, Kalispell MT 59901
Tonasket Genealogical Society. P.O. Box 84, Tonasket WA 98855
Whitman County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 393, Pullman WA 99163
Northwest Washington Genealogical Society, c/o Colville Public Library, Colville WA 99114
Kittitas County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1342, Ellensburg WA 98926
Chelan Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box Y, Chelan WA 98816
Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 5280, Wenatchee WA 98807-5280
Grant County Genealogical Society, 45 Elder St., N.W., Ephrata WA 98823
Walla Walla Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 115, Walla Walla WA 99362
Tri-Cities Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1410, Richland WA 99352-1410
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 445, Yakima WA 98907
Okanagan County Genealogical Society, c/o Marilyn Pool, Route 3, Box 56B, Omak WA 98841
Alberta Family History Society, P.O. Box 30270, Station B, Calgary, AB T2M 4P1
South Okanagan Genealogy Society, c/o Penticton Museum, 785 Main, Penticton, BC V2A 5E3
Today’s tidbits: Kentucky has had bad luck as far as natural disasters affecting their public records. In a 1992 edition of “Bluegrass Roots,” a chart was published showing all of Kentucky’s counties, listing those which have had records damaged due to fire, flood or tornado. If you are researching in the Bluegrass state, and would like a copy of this handout, please send me a 9x4 self-addressed, stamped envelope, in care of this newspaper.
xxxx