To view our calendar, click >> MEETING REGISTRATION at the top of the page, then select any event on the calendar to view its Zoom registration link. 

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September to Early October 2026 Meetings & Events

All meetings are listed in Pacific Time (PT). Click on the >> Meeting Registration button to register for online meetings, unless noted otherwise. 

Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 10:00 AM–11:00 AM PT

• Event: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online)

• Topic: General Q&A for the Family Tree Maker Program.

• Note: Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM PT

• Event: SKCGS Board Meeting (Online)

• Details: Write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM PT

• Event: WikiTree Users (Online)

• Topic: Space Pages? Creating & Using this flexible tool.

• Details: Bring your questions and examples. WikiTree Users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Wikitree-SIG

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM PT

• Event: Genealogy Help with SKCGS (In-Person)

• Location: Renton Main Library, 100 Mill Avenue S, Renton

• Details: Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer.

Friday, September 11, 2026 | 12:30 PM–2:30 PM PT

• Event: EGS German Interest Group Presentation (Online)

• Title: “1816: The Year Without a Summer & Its Impact on German Migration” by Carolyn Schott, CG®

• Registration: Registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/2s4z4c8z. Visitors welcome: https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org/

• Description:

  • The eruption of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia unleashed a volcanic winter that reverberated around the globe, earning 1816 the name "The Year Without a Summer." Immense quantities of volcanic ash drastically altered weather patterns and created unseasonably cold temperatures that caused crop failures and food shortages. This crisis prompted many Germans to seek new opportunities abroad, both in the U.S. and in the Russian Empire, which offered both land and religious freedom.

  • This presentation discusses the intertwined environmental, economic, and social ramifications of the Year Without a Summer, highlighting its pivotal role in the history of German emigration.

• Presenter Bio: Carolyn Schott, CG® has researched her German ancestors for 30 years, following their wanderings through Eastern Europe before arriving in the U.S. She is a founder of the Black Sea German Research Community (www.blackseagr.org), a former board member of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS), and author of the book, Visiting Your Ancestral Town. She has been speaking on genealogy-related topics since 2007 and is a regular speaker at national and international conventions.

• Note: This presentation will not be recorded.

Monday, September 14, 2026 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM PT

• Event: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online)

• Topic: Using DNA Matches as Clues to Build Your Tree

• Recommended Reading:

  • Dare to Grab the Gold Ring: https://skcgs.blogspot.com/2024/04/dna-dare-to-grab-gold-ring.html

  • How to Use DNA Relatives Clustering at 23andMe: https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/38509301730839-How-to-Use-DNA-Relatives-Clustering-at-23andMe

  • Building Family Trees with DNA Evidence: Beginner’s Guide: https://www.gedmatch.com/blog/building-family-trees-with-dna-evidence-beginners-guide/

• Note: We are genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. Join the free email group for meeting notices and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy

Thursday, September 17, 2026

• Event: Genealogy Help with SKCGS (In-Person)

• Details: Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer.

  • 11:00 AM–1:00 PM PT: Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn

  • 2:00 PM–4:00 PM PT: Federal Way Main Library, 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way

Friday, September 18, 2026 | 1:00 PM–3:00 PM PT

• Event: Research Workshop (In-person)

• Location: Kent FamilySearch Center, 12817 SE 256th St, Kent

• Details: For SKCGS Members only. In-person research session. RSVP in advance to Winona Laird at 206-818-7610.

Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM–11:30 AM PT

• Event: SKCGS Speaker Series (Online)

• Topic: Dr. Leah Larkin: “Make the Most of Ancestry's Pro Tools for DNA and More”

• Details:

  • Preview: Leah Larkin has been diving deep into Ancestry’s Pro Tools, highlighting its powerful non-DNA features alongside its genetic tools. She has also identified key third-party sites that fill the gaps in Pro Tools, offering advanced analytics for both genetic and traditional genealogy. Attendees won't want to miss these insights and features in her newly updated presentation! 

  • Presenter: Leah Larkin, PhD, is a professional genealogist and educator specializing in a mathematical and biological approach to genetic genealogy. A UT Austin biology doctorate, Dr. Larkin co-developed BanyanDNA and created the What Are the Odds? tool on DNAPainter.com. She speaks internationally, teaches for top genealogy institutes, accepts private clients, and blogs at TheDNAGeek.com. 

  • Note: Presentation will be recorded for playback by SKCGS members

Monday, September 21, 2026 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM PT

• Event: Tech Users Group (Online)

• Topic: Find A Grave: Use & Make It Better

• Resource: Find a Grave - Suggesting Edits and More Genealogy Tips & Tricks (15 mins)

• Details: Tech User Group shares knowledge and explores technology tools, media, apps, and websites. Join our free email group for meeting information and discussion at SKCGS TUG.

Monday, September 28, 2026 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM PT

• Event: Genealogy Chat (Online)

• Details: Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! Join our free online group for Chat reminders and genealogy discussion at SKCGS Groups.

Friday, October 2, 2026 | 12:30 PM–2:30 PM PT

• Event: German Interest Group (EGS) (Online)

• Topic: “German Research for the Everyday American” by Karynne Moses

• Details:

  • Visitors welcome: Eastside Genealogical Society

  • Registration required: Zoom Registration

  • Description: This lecture has three components: unique sources for finding a German hometown in American records; determining the exact location of the German town using Meyers Gazetteer and Hansen’s Map Guides; and locating the records available for that town using Archion, Matricula, and Basia Famula. These basic steps will help attendees locate their ancestors in German records.

  • Presenter: Karynne Moses is a German and Portuguese genealogist who enjoys finding ancestors and translating documents. While studying Family History/Genealogy at Brigham Young University (BYU), she worked under the direction of Dr. Robert Minert on the German Immigrants in American Church Records series, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2019.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 10:00 AM–11:00 AM PT

• Event: Family Tree Maker User Group (Online)

• Topic: General Q&A for the Family Tree Maker Program

• Details: Subscribe to the free SKCGS FTM email list for meeting reminders and discussion at SKCGS FTMUG.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM PT

• Event: SKCGS Board Meeting (Online)

• Details: Write to Board@skcgs.org for the Zoom link.

Monday, October 12, 2026 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM PT

• Event: Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (Online)

• Topic: New Look at FamilyTree DNA: Y, mtDNA & Upgraded FamilyFinder

• Resource: Family Finder NGS Upgrade Details

• Details: We are genealogists who use DNA data as part of our research. Join the free email group for meeting notices and discussion at Genetic Genealogy Group.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM PT

• Event: WikiTree Users (Online)

• Topic: OctoberFest! What are you excited to see this year? Let's check out G2G to find out what's happening.

• Details: WikiTree users collaborate to create the best collaborative tree on Earth. Join our free online group at WikiTree-SIG.

Thursday, October 15, 2026

• Event: Genealogy Help with SKCGS (In-person)

• Details: Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer.

• Locations & Times:

  • 11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn

  • 2:00 PM–4:00 PM: Federal Way Main Library, 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way

Friday, October 16, 2026 | 1:00 PM–3:00 PM PT

• Event: Research Workshop (In-person)

• Location: Kent FamilySearch Center, 12817 SE 256th St, Kent

• Details: For SKCGS Members only. In-person research session. RSVP in advance to Winona Laird at 206-818-7610.

MEMBERSHIP

Guests are welcome at all meetings and special interest groups, which are free.

We hope visitors will consider becoming members—your support helps us educate and engage the community in family and local history.

Membership information:

https://www.skcgs.org/support-skcgs/membership