Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society

03/22/2026

NEW - Using AI to Write Your Family History

Starting Thursday, March 26th

This group will meet the on the 4th Thursday of every month at 1 pm at the SVGS Library to discuss and assist in writing your family history using AI resources. Various AI platforms, tools and new developments using AI will be introduced.

Bring your questions, laptop and narratives for help or feedback.

03/17/2026

03/17/2026

Join us this Thursday afternoon, March 19th, at the SVGS Library. The DNA Interest Group (DIG) will meet at 1 PM.

Open to any DNA topic and everyone of all DNA skill levels is welcome to attend. DIG meets the 3rd Thursday of month.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for how you would like this group to operate, please send an email to info@stillygen.org.

03/02/2026

Join us Tuesday, March 10th at 1pm at the Stiillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society!

6111 188th Pl NE
Arlington, WA

Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Sue McNeil. This event will be in person only. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation.

Sue’s topic: Ancestry Revisit-New, Updated and Upcoming Features

There have been many small and large additions and changes to Ancestry over the past year and many more coming. Have you looked at Ancestry lately?

Sue's Bio:
Sue has been a member of the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society for many years and a family history addict. Her research in the United States has focused on the deep south, Washington, Michigan and just starting New England, Internationally, she has focused on Canada, Sweden and Germany. Autosomal and Y DNA have been a challenging but fun addition!

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

For more information visit stillygen.org

02/16/2026

We hope you will join us for our February general meeting tomorrow at 6pm. We are excited to have Taylor Russell who will give her presentation Digging Deep: Resurrecting the Snohomish Pioneer Cemetery.

“In 1998, a judge declared Snohomish County’s first cemetery “lost and forgotten.” Its not-so-permanent residents had been divided by a highway, unearthed and reinterred at other cemeteries, or—worse yet—left in place but lacking markers. Over 60 headstones had gone missing from the site since its founding in 1876, and for much of its history, no burial records were kept. Yet over 300 of the county's earliest pioneers were laid to rest there—and all of them with stories. Join Taylor Russell of SnohomishWalks as she shares her journey of piecing together the most accurate (and biographical) burial list to date using archives and digital research tools.

Taylor Russell is a local historian and writer. She is passionate about sharing history in authentic, experiential ways. Learn more about her books and walking tours at SnohomishWalks.com”

The presentation starts at 6pm at the museum!

02/02/2026

Join us this month! We will be watching a pre-recorded webinar at the SVGS Library presented by Thomas MacEntee.

What's Been Done: Using Someone Else's Genealogy Research

Tuesday, February 10th

1:00 pm

SVGS Library
6111 188 PL NE
Arlington, WA

Many of us as genealogists have inherited research from a relative and we are not always sure whether the content is reliable. What’s the best way to incorporate the research of others into your own research without leading to dead ends, roadblocks and unnecessary detours? Here is a road map on the best way to handle “outside research” and benefit from it as you combine the content with your own research.

Bio:
Thomas MacEntee is a Baby Boomer guy with a love of punk rock music but also art history who somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago and then left a lucrative IT career to pursue his love of family history and genealogy. Technology and historical research are opposites, but “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide today’s genealogists through the maze of options so they can deploy the best apps and devices to break down research brick walls. Thomas MacEntee: author, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, and that “genealogy guy” who helps you accomplish your family history goals.

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

For more information visit stillygen.org

01/23/2026

This week at the City Council meeting, Mayor Vanney officially proclaimed 2026 as the year to celebrate America's 250th! On July 4, 2026, we mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. It's a time to reflect on our history, honor contributions from all Americans, and inspire future generations to carry on our democratic ideals. 🇺🇸

The celebration will connect Washingtonians to their history and recognize the sovereignty of Tribal Nations. Arlington is proud to partner with the WA America 250 Commission, the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society, and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Exciting plans include:

🎨 An art mural celebrating Native American history
🚓 Arlington Police exhibit at the Pioneer Museum
🎆 Special activities by the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum
🎉 Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce's July Fourth Parade with an America 250 theme

Join us as we celebrate our nation’s rich history! 🙌

👥 Pictured: Councilmember Heather Watland, DAR member Ronda Murphy, Mayor Don Vanney, and Ruth Caesar, President of Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society.

01/21/2026

Join us at the SVGS Library on Saturday, January 31st (NOTE: The date has changed from what was previously published in our newsletter) at 11:00 AM. We will be watching a pre-recorded presentation from Shirley Buzzell Inglis entitled Ten Steps to Writing & Publishing Your Family History. Sharon will share her top tips for writing and publishing your family history. For more information visit stillygen.org

01/05/2026

Join us! Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation at the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Library-6111 188th Pl NE.

Tuesday, January 13th at 1pm.

Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Teresa Townsell. This event will be in person only.

Teresa's topic: Writing A Family History Book Using A.I.

Have you ever wanted to use A.I. in your genealogy work? Is it finally time to turn your family research into a book your relatives can enjoy? Are you waiting until your research feels “finished” — or unsure where to begin with A.I.? This process meets you where you are.

All you need is an Ancestry.com account and basic WORD skills (or equivalent).

Teresa will teach you a simple, step-by-step process to write your family history book using ChatGBT, an A.I. tool that’s easier, faster, and a lot more fun than you might imagine!

You will leave with:
• A clear understanding of how to collaborate with A.I. for writing and organizing your history.
• A structure and outline you can use as a template for your own family history book.
• Confidence to start writing and finally share your story as soon as you get home!

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

For more information visit stillygen.org

12/19/2025

Happy Holidays! This Saturday, December 20th will be the last day the library will be open this year. See you when we’re back open Saturday, January 3rd.

12/15/2025

Join us this Thursday afternoon, December 18th, at the SVGS Library. The DNA Interest Group (DIG) will meet at 1 PM.

Open to any DNA topic and everyone of all DNA skill levels is welcome to attend. DIG meets the 3rd Thursday of month.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for how you would like this group to operate, please send an email to info@stillygen.org.

12/03/2025

Join us for our holiday potluck December 9th at noon. Bring a dish to share and join in fellowship with other family history researchers. If possible, we'd like you to bring an item based on the following parameters.

If your last name begins with: Please bring:
A to I Main Course
J to R Dessert
S to Z Salad

Another option that anyone may choose is to bring Appetizers or Beverages.

Please note: there will be no General Meeting in December.