Whitman County Genealogical Society is hosting a FREE Fall mini-seminar Bishop Place Independent Living Social Room, 811 SE Klemgard, Pullman, WA Saturday, October 13, 2018

FEATURING:

“All About Heraldry and Its Use in Genealogy” By Anthony (Tony) Durnford deGray Birch

“Digital Research – Tips, Tricks and Resources”  By Lee Pierce

9:00 am: The doors open.

9:30 am-10:30 am: Anthony (Tony) Birch is a retired higher education administrator and long standing member of Eastern Washington Genealogical Society. He doesn’t claim to be a heraldry expert, but a family historian trying to make sense out of things he has inherited or found through research. His presentation will focus on heraldry, and how the genealogist/family historian can use heraldry to learn more about their ancestors. He will share examples of his ten-year search of his ancestors’ crests and coats of arms and what the many images, forms and colors mean.

10:30-10:45 Break and refreshments.

10:45 am-11:45 am: Lee Pierce is the archivist for the Eastern Region Branch of the Washington State Archives in Cheney, Washington. His mission is to collect, preserve and provide access to the records of local government agencies of the 11 furthest east counties of the state. He will be showing and telling about the digital archives and how best to use it, as well as other government resources that are available to researchers.

If you have any questions or need more information contact WCGS President, Sue Kreikemeier at:
aerocraft@completebbs.com or 509-635-1303. Please RSVP to Sue or whitmancgs@gmail.com
by October 6 to accommodate handouts & refreshments.

While the seminar is free, donations are welcome at the door.
Directions: Turn off Bishop Boulevard onto Klemgard Ave., follow Klemgard Ave. up the hill and turn left at the top. Do not go into the front entrance, but turn right, continuing up the hill and turn left at the white car ports. Find an appropriate parking place, enter the building through the main doors and go straight ahead to the Social Room.

Seminar Flyer:  Seminar Flyer Oct 2018 with NO page number

Seminar Bios:  Seminar bios for Oct 2018 NO page number

WCGS President Sue Kreikemeier with Samantha Rich and Dorothy Matson plaque

Each year Whitman County Genealogical Society presents the Dorothy Sevier Matson
scholarship to a graduating senior from Pullman. One of the requirements for this scholarship is to
write an essay detailing why family history, or history, in general, is important to the applicant. This
year a $500 scholarship was presented to Samantha Rich. Below is Samantha’s essay.

Many cultures view ancestors as guiding beings who should be remembered and honored even
after their passing. I believe this as well, especially through the power of genealogical work. Family
history provides inspiration from ancestors, allows one to become closer to those far away, and is an
act of service for other family members.

When reading the stories of those who came before one, inspiration comes very strongly. This
phenomenon occurs because one feels empathy of those they are related to and feels grateful for the
sacrifices and work that the ancestor put in for the family line to be in a better place. For example,
I felt this inspiration actively when putting together my senior project and discovered the story of my
great-grandmother who had traveled over the mountains of Peru to provide her then ten-year-old son
and 1-year-old baby a better life outside of the village that had no opportunity for them. This story
inspires me to work harder and take advantage of the opportunities given to me.

Because of my senior project, I had to work on improving my Spanish to adequately interview
my grandparents. This effort to connect is an example of how families grow closer through family
history work as they bond over stories, spend quality time remembering ancestors, and learn from
their own life stories. Doing such closes the gap that distance of time makes among family by
bridging it with the commonalities of ancestry and brings personal strength and confidence by
knowing that one has familial support.

Family history is not a simple task as it requires detail-oriented work to record the facts of
somebody’s life accurately. Therefore, by committing oneself to working on family history, one is
providing service to their community by completing such significant work. Once the genealogical
work has finished, then future generations can access the records and discover their roots just as
those who had done the work themselves.

Family history is a core principle of what I think is important for both a community and
individual identity to mature together. The power of genealogical work bonds families and helps
people discover themselves through reading the histories of their ancestors. After all, the people who
have lived before us are our blood and deserve the honor and recognition we can give them by
keeping their memory alive.

Samantha Rich, Marta Vergaray (her grandmother from Peru) and Petronila Rich (her mother)

Each year Whitman County Genealogical Society reviews Pullman High School Senior
Projects with the help of Kellie Glaze, PHS counselor, to find any projects which relate to family
history, genealogy, or history in general. If there are any such projects, WCGS then considers
awarding grant money to the senior to help with expenses associated with the project. This year
WCGS selected Evelyn Aguilar to receive $200 for her welding project. Following is Evelyn’s
description of her project along with several pictures. Congratulations, Evelyn!

MARCHING LUMBERJACKS MEMORIAL

My senior project was a welded piece as a memorial to Humboldt State University Marching
Lumberjack alumni who have passed on. The Marching Lumberjacks are the university=s marching
band and the school’s mascot is the Lumberjack. I plan to present the Memorial to the band at the
50th Reunion this November (2018).

The symbolism in my piece has special meaning throughout. The log represents the tree that
a lumberjack would cut down. The axe and hard hat placement signifies the end of the work day or
the completion of a task. The boots, along with the hardhat, are part of the uniform. The boots in my
piece are my actual boots that I have worn for all four years of metal shop, as well as in gigs with the
Marching Lumberjacks. Their placement is similar to that of the Fallen Soldier in the Armed Forces.

The last remaining item on my piece may not make any sense at first glance. Why is there a
rubber duckie? What does this have to do with a marching band or lumberjacks? The Marching
Lumberjacks end each gig by playing the song “Rubber Duckie” on their way out. This is called
ADucking Out@ by the band. By including the rubber duckie in this piece it represents those who have
ADucked Out@ and marched on to their next gig.

As I finish collecting the names of those who have passed, name plates will be added to the
front plaque area.

This piece is important to me because the Lumberjacks are my Afamily@. My parents met in
the band and I have been raised in the band. I even did my first gig at 5 days old. Once you have
become a member of the Marching Lumberjacks, even after you=ve graduated or moved on, you are
still a member. You are family. The Marching Lumberjacks have been a major influence on the
person that I have grown into today.