Now Available
$40.00 plus $6.00 shipping and handling
In 2005, the South King County Genealogical Society took on the monumental task of restoring the long-neglected and
often-vandalized Saar Pioneer Cemetery, located at 91st and 212th Way, Kent, Washington.
The cemetery is the final resting place of nearly 200 early pioneers of Kent and surrounding areas. Their stories are
documented in this book of over 400 pages, which was researched and compiled by members of the South King County Genealogical Society. The accounts
illustrate the commitment these pioneers made in migrating across this country to build new homes and lives in the early White River Valley.
ISBN: 978-0-692-01423-3
Saar Cemetery Books
South King County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 3174
Kent, WA 98089-0203
Order Form Adobe.pdf
SKCGS Monthly General Meetings
When: Third Saturday of the month except July, August & December, 9:30 a.m. social time prior to meeting at 10 a.m.
Where: The meetings take place at the First Baptist Church of Kent, 11420 SE 248th St., Kent, WA 98030 (Map).
For information call: 253-631-0630 or 253-277-2102.
February 18, 2012
Podcasts and Webinars and Blogs, Oh My! -- Genealogy in the Digital Age
Presented by Claudia Brelund
Claudia Brelund
Claudia Breland is a librarian, paralegal student, professional genealogist and self-proclaimed computer nerd, who has been doing genealogical
research since 1974. She loves learning new things, and has taught genealogy classes at the Renton Public Library and Heritage Quest Research
Library. She is a member of the National Genealogical Society, the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Kent Historical Society and the
Historical Society of Michigan. She enrolled in the ProGen online study group earlier this year, and has completed the NGS Home Study Course.
Additional studies include attendance for the past two years at the Institute for Genealogical and Historic Research at Samford University in
Birmingham, Alabama. Her clients come from all over the US and overseas, and she was a 5-star provider for Ancestry Expert Connect. She has written
genealogy columns for her local community newspaper and for Archives.com. You can view her website and blog at http://www.ccbreland.com.
Spring Mini-Seminar
March 17, 2011 ~ 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (doors open at 8:00 a.m.)
The First Baptist Church of Kent, 11420 SE 248th St., Kent, WA 98030 (Map).
SKCGS will host a half day seminar featuring Eric Stroschein
Records of the Blue and Grey: Civil War Era Records
Did you have family in the United States during the Civil War years, chances are you have a soldier among them. Learn the value of Military
Records in your genealogical search, as well as how to find and procure rich records of both the north and the south.
The Bounty Lands: Early Military Pension and Land Records
Many people have soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the Mexican American War in their lineage and chances are some of them received free
land from the US Government as part of their military compensation. Learn where to look and how to procure these genealogically rich application
files from the National Archives to add a huge boost to your research.
Eric Stroschein
Eric has been engaged in genealogical research for 25 years. He is a graduate of the National Institute of Genealogical Research (NIGR). He
specializes in research at the National Archives and Records Administration. He speaks on subjects that include Military Records (Civil War, Indian
Wars, War of 1812, and Revolutionary War), Federal Land Entry Files (Homestead Act 1862, Timber Culture Act, Cash Sales and Military Warrants),
Japanese Internment Records, and State Department Records.
Eric is the owner of Generations Detectives, a genealogical research firm.
General Admission: $25.00 ~ Cash or Check at the door. (no pre-payment)
• Register before March 10th to insure you receive the handouts.
Heritage Quest Research Library ~ Books On the Road
After you register and during the break shop for books, software, and other items to aid your research project.
Seminar Volunteers Needed!
SKCGS is in need of several volunteers to help make our mini-seminar a success, if you would like to volunteer please visit the Seminar Volunteers Page, check out the opportunities available and sign up!
Raffle Donations Needed!
SKCGS is in need of raffle donations to help make our mini-seminar a success, if you would like to donate an item please contact Raffle
Coordinator Molly Monks, for more information.
April 21, 2012
Overcoming the Boulders on the Way to the Cemetery - DAR Real Daughters
Presented by Jerri McCoy
The DAR Real Daughters Project was tasked with finding and documenting the burial place for each of the 767 DAR Real Daughters (women whose
fathers were Revolutionary War Patriots, and who were also members of DAR.) The program takes a look at some of the crazy bumps we ran into, and
how we got over them, in searching for those final resting places. Not a look at who the DAR Real Daughters were, but a look at the detective work
that was involved in the search. Methods that can be used in everyone's genealogy!
Jerri McCoy
Jerri was born and raised in San Diego, California. She received her Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from San Diego State University, and worked
in the computer industry for 30 years before retiring a few years ago.
Jerri has been active in genealogy for over 35 years. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Colonists, the Daughters of the American
Revolution, the Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of America, the Mayflower Society, the Associated Daughters of Early American Witches, the
New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Olympia Genealogical Society, and the Washington State Genealogical Society. Jerri is a past
president of two genealogical societies, and has held numerous lineage society offices.
Jerri also puts her computer skills into use on the Internet. She designed and maintains the web sites for a number of genealogical and lineage
societies, as well as her own personal genealogy web sites.
Jerri has published a book on one of her family lines, and is working on two more. She wrote an article documenting an elusive Mayflower line
ancestor, which was published in the "Mayflower Descendants."
Jerri recently worked on a special project for the National Society, DAR, locating and documenting the burial places for their early "DAR Real
Daughters." Her presentation called "Overcoming the Boulders on the Way to the Cemetery" will present some of their "lessons learned" on this
project.
May 19, 2012
Using Timelines and Chronologies
Presented by Janet Camarata
Janet (O'Conor) Camarata
As a genealogist, Janet has researched her own family history for almost 20 years. Many of her family were farmers on the move, originating in
Virginia and Pennsylvania, moving west through Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas and on into California and Washington state. She now
spends her time moving eastward discovering where they came from, why they moved and what they experienced. Janet is active in genealogy societies
in both western and central Washington, volunteering in a variety of ways - secretary, newsletter writer, educator and seminar presenter. She has
created an 8-week genealogy training course and many seminar topics, include preparing for a reunion, making sense of the census, genealogy and
music, and using Google for genealogy searching. She is now working on using timelines and chronologies to better understand our ancestors place in
history. Janet retired from The Boeing Company in computing and data management. She also taught within The Boeing Company and at the University of
Phoenix. As a result, she tells her family's stories and incorporates genealogical facts using all the benefits of computing, including Legacy
software, photos, movies, music and history.
June 16, 2012
Tracing Elusive Female Ancestors
Presented by Sarah Thorson Little
Finding women in traditional records can be difficult in part due to historic legal rights and status. This talk will cover research methodology
and strategies to locate and identify elusive female ancestors.
Sarah Thorson Little
Sarah Thorson Little is a professional genealogist and has specialized research expertise in Northwest Native Americans, Norwegian, 19th &
20th Century U.S. research and Washington State. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and has been a Professional
Genealogist for 30 years. She has been the lead instructor at the University of Washington Certificate Program in Genealogy & Family History
since 1989, and is also an instructor in family history and computer research at North & South Seattle Community Colleges. The past president
of the Seattle Genealogical Society, Little is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has lectured at several national
conferences, including the National Genealogical Society, the Federation of Genealogical Societies, and the New England Historical and Genealogical
Society, as well as for numerous groups in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Nominating Committee Volunteers Needed!
Two general members and two board members are needed to serve on the nominating committee.
If you are interested in this short term volunteer opportunity please contact President Winona Laird.
Article V - Nominations and Elections
1. Nominations for officers shall be made by a nominating committee consisting of three (3) members to be appointed by the President, no later
than the February general meeting, one to be selected from the board of Directors, and two from the general membership plus one alternate from the
Board. The nominating committee shall be given a list of each officer’s duties, together with names of members in good standing, and
accordingly select at least one nominee for each office to be filled. The committee shall report the slate of nominees to the general membership at
the March meeting and the slate shall be published in the April “So King Extra” news flyer.
Auburn Library News
Auburn Library Closed for Expansion
During the closure period the major portion of the genealogy collection will be in storage off-site and will not be accessible.
A small portion of the most heavily used books in the collection will be available in the temporary location.
The temporary location is in the beige building across the parking lot, behind Big Daddy's.
Please see the Library Holdings page for complete details.
King County Birth Register
Transcription & Indexing done by members of the South King County Genealogical Society Extractions Committee.
This database contains the names of 19,668 people who were born in King County from 1891-1907.
The Extraction Committee under the leadership of Martha Richards using microfilm and digital images transcribed the records from the birth
register. The index from the transcription made it possible for the Washington State Digital Archives to put these images online, and provide the
record search facility.
King County Death Register
Transcription & Indexing done by members of the South King County Genealogical Society.
King County Death Register 1891-1907
This database contains the names of 16,998 people who died in King County from 1891-1907.
Seattle Death Register
Transcription & Indexing done by members of the South King County Genealogical Society.
Seattle Death Registers Index, 1881-1907
This database contains the names of 13,916 people who died in Seattle, King County, Washington during 1881-1907.
Saar Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project Needs Your Help
In 2005, the South King County Genealogical Society took on the monumental task of restoring the long-neglected and often-vandalized Saar
Pioneer Cemetery, located at 91st and 212th Way, Kent. The final resting place of nearly 200 early residents of Kent and surrounding areas was
overgrown with weeds, blackberry briars, unkempt trees and shrubs. There were many toppled, broken and missing headstones, which have been rescued.
Many unmarked graves still exist.
A team of volunteer researchers have gathered information on every identified inhabitant of the cemetery. The stories of the pioneer families
who settled in the White River Valley, illustrate the commitment it takes to migrate across this country to build a new life in the Pacific
Northwest. A book documenting these stories will soon be available.
In July, the second Living History Performance to be held in the cemetery will portray events in the lives of some of the inhabitants of the
cemetery. Each November since 2007 a Veterans Day Flag Ceremony has been held at the site.
In the past five years, with the help of hundreds of volunteers and donations from a variety of sources, the Society has accomplished a great
deal, but there is more work to be done. We need the help of a multitude of individuals and organizations to continue the task. Can you help with
the restoration and preservation of the Saar Pioneer Cemetery?
Donations to the Saar Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project are tax deductible, as SKCGS is a 501(c)(3) Organization.
Make checks payable to SKCGS, Saar Cemetery Project and mail to:
South King County Genealogical Society, Attention: Saar Cemetery Project, P.O. Box 3174, Kent, WA 98089-0203.
Brochure and contribution form (Adobe.pdf)
Your Contribution Is Greatly Appreciated!
The restoration project led by Karen Bouton.
