Whatcom Genealogical Society

02/20/2026

Huge news! FamilySearch mentioned improvements coming to the search features of Full Text Search. Their software engineers have visibility to how people use the search function and saw an overwhelming number of instances of people using it incorrectly. Therefore, they've been trying to simplify it.

I just went out to FamilySearch Labs and found that there's a new experiment for Full Text Search called Simple Search. Either go to the link below or scroll down the home page of FamilySearch until you find Labs on the right-hand side.

From Labs, you can turn this on and give it a try. I haven't had a chance to play with it yet because I'm trying to finish my new FamilySearch Family Tree research guide to release tomorrow, so watch for that coming soon!

https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/

02/18/2026

We are delighted to present the 2026 NCGS Virtual Conference to North Carolina family researchers around the world. The conference will span two days, March 27-28, 2026, and will include four lectures each day. No matter where in the world you are, if you have a good internet connection, you can register and attend this Virtual Conference. Registration now open! https://www.ncgenealogy.org/event/2026-ncgs-virtual-conference/

02/16/2026

02/15/2026

There’s something powerful about preserving a voice.

On February 28, learn how to record the stories that matter most in Introduction to Recording Oral Histories with public radio reporter Kyle Norris.

Whether it’s Grandma’s greatest tales or the history of your community, you’ll gain the tools to ask meaningful questions, capture high-quality audio, and confidently preserve stories for future generations. Inspired by NPR’s StoryCorps, this hands-on class covers interviewing techniques, recording equipment, and simple editing and storage solutions.

📅 February 28 | 1 – 3 pm
🎟️ $35 members | $40 public
✨ Registration includes Museum admission

Bring your ideas, a notebook, and a phone or recording device. Leave ready to press record.

Register now: https://bit.ly/46Hx1sX

02/14/2026

Big news: For the first time ever, you can stream our virtual keynotes before the RootsTech event! Click the link below, and be one of the first to hear inspirational stories from:

-Former NASA astronaut José Hernández
-Irish dancing internet sensations the Gardiner Brothers
-Award-winning broadcast journalist Jessica Soho
-Brazilian football legend Zico

Watch here: https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/events/meet-our-keynotes?cid=SO-00056118

02/09/2026

Meeting Reminder:

Join us on Monday, February 9th for a presentation by nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer, Rhonda R. McClure.

We receive many questions on how to share the results of our family history research, and Rhonda's presentation, "Ten Steps to Writing and Publishing Your Family History," will give a brief overview of the key steps to help us do that.

You've worked countless hours, visited libraries and archives, sent letters via snail mail and email, interviewed family members and stayed up much too late searching online databases. You've got a computer, desktop or room (probably all!) full of information of the information you have collected on your family.

Well, it's time to share all that hardwork!

Not a member? No problem - we love having visitors attend our meetings. There is always time after the presentation to ask questions of our members, so please feel free to join us.

Our meetings are held at the Pavilion in Pioneer Park, 2007 Cherry Street in Ferndale. Doors open at 1:30 and meetings begin at 2pm. Light refreshments will be served.

02/04/2026

Feb 10 (V) – Chronicling America for Historical Research hosted by Library of Congress (Free) For details & registration, see https://www.loc.gov/item/event-419479/chronicling-america-for-historical-research/2026-02-10/

02/03/2026

Saturday, Feb 7 Virtual: "Decoding Your Ancestors: The Tech Edition, with Cyndi Ingle" - Annual Seminar of the Olympia Genealogical Society. Registration closes THURS, Feb. 5. https://olygensoc.org/events/2026-seminar

02/03/2026

Upcoming in February... A couple of basic classes to get you going, and both are free and *Hybrid to boot!

FamilySearch
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To know more about them and to register, click here: https://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy/programs
*Hybrid = attend in person OR via Zoom