Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide an opportunity to meet with others who have similar genealogical interests. Each group has a volunteer leader. Meetings focus on specific topics or questions, with lots of time for discussion and interaction. SGS strives to provide a safe, comfortable environment for participants to share their questions, as well as their research and knowledge. SGS membership is encouraged but not required.
SGS strives to provide a respectful and comfortable environment.
Each participant is expected to introduce themself on camera and include their name on their Zoom screen. It is prohibited for participants to record or transcribe any SGS meeting.
Upcoming SIGs are listed at Upcoming Events. All fifteen SIGs are described below.
All times listed are Pacific time zone and are hosted virtually on Zoom unless otherwise noted.
Tools & Skills
Ancestry Users SIG
The Ancestry Users SIG is for people who use Ancestry.com (and AncestryDNA) to research their family histories. Members share research strategies, exchange tips on using Ancestry’s resources effectively, and collaborate to enhance their understanding of Ancestry’s tools, features, and databases.
This SIG meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 6:30PM via Zoom. For more information or to express interest in this SIG, contact SGSAncestrySIG.
Leader: Ceil Rogers
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar
AI for Genealogy
We explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and genealogical research. This group of genealogy enthusiasts, researchers, historians, and technologists is interested in leveraging AI to enhance family history research, and includes both seasoned genealogists and those just starting. We collaborate to discuss AI-powered tools, share best practices, and navigate the ethical considerations of using AI in genealogy.
This SIG meets monthly on the 1st Thursday at 6:30PM on Zoom. For more information or to express interest in this SIG, contact SGS AI SIG.
Leader: Sylvia Vargas
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
DNA Interest Group
We seek to determine how best to use DNA test results in our family history research: which test to use, who to test. Each meeting begins with a review of currently available DNA tests followed by a presentation of “What’s New” and a presentation on select DNA research topics.
Resource-rich handouts are provided at each meeting. The archive of DNA Interest Group handouts may be viewed here (SGS Members only).
Meetings are held quarterly on a fourth Saturday 10:00AM-12:00PM.
DNA Workshops – The DNA Interest Group also sponsors monthly workshops, to explore tools for genealogical analysis of DNA test results. Workshops are held on first Sunday of the month from 1:00PM-3:00PM.
Leaders: Cary Bright and Craig Gowen
Register to participate and receive handouts by contacting SGS DNA SIG.
FamilySearch Users Group
Meeting the first Saturday of the month September through June, this group explores use of the free universal online Family Tree maintained by FamilySearch.
For more information or to express interest in this SIG, contact SGSFamilySearchSIG.
Leader: Ceil Rogers
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
View video recordings of recent meetings here are available to SGS members.
MAC SIG
This group addresses topics and resources helpful for those using Apple Mac computers and the Reunion software program in their genealogy research. Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske Genealogical Library.
The group meets every other month on the second Wednesday at 7:00 PM via Zoom. For more information or to express interest in this SIG, contact MacUsersSIG.
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar
Organizing for Genealogy
We can quickly amass plentiful piles of records, both paper and on the computer, and get pulled in many directions. Share information and discuss organization tips, techniques, and habits to enhance your genealogical journey.
This SIG meets monthly on the 1st Monday at 7:00PM via Zoom.
Leader: Susan McKee
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar
To participate you need to be on the SGS Organizing SIG email list. Contact SGSOrganizingSIG to join.
Publishing SGS Journal
Participate in writing and publishing the Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society twice a year. Join the team responsible for generating and gathering content, editing, proofreading, formatting, and distributing this important publication.
Multiple libraries across the nation, including the Allen County Public Library, subscribe to the Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society (formerly the SGS Bulletin). We offer online access to current and recent issues for SGS members. Older issues are available online to the public through the Seattle Public Library.
This SIG meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday at 7:00PM via Zoom. For more information or to express interest in this SIG, contact SGSPubSIG.
Leader: Laura Sandidge
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
Transcription Special Interest Group
This group learns how to transcribes and tags historical documents, including a rotation through federal, state, and local records. The current project focuses on Revolutionary War Pension Records, one of the National Archives’ largest Citizen Archivist missions.
This SIG meets the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00PM in person at SGS LIbrary.
Leader: Betsey Cotter
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
Write It Up! Writers’ Group
Whether you are writing an article for a scholarly journal, recording family stories, or compiling a genealogy, all are welcome to share your work with others.
This group meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7:00PM. Members are encouraged to post their work in a shared folder by the beginning of the month to give others a chance to read in advance.
For more information or to express interest in this SIG, contact SGSWriteItUpSIG.
Leader: Sheyna Watkins
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
Heritage & Geography
Eastern European SIG
Eastern Europe is a region with a rich and complex history and diverse ethnic groups. Its frequent border changes, language barriers, and influences from several powerful empires can lead to challenges when researching family history. If you are researching people from the Baltics to Balkans come join this exciting new SIG.
This SIG meets quarterly (Feb, May, Aug, Nov) on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00PM. For more information, contact the SGS EasternEuropeSIG.
Leader: Molly Tarlofsky
Register for this SIG on the on the SGS calendar.
German SIG
Get information and help with your Germanic-area research. We discuss repositories, research strategies, and record types. We learn from each other and sometimes invite a subject matter expert to join us as a speaker.
This SIG meets monthly on the third Saturday at 1:00PM. For more information, contact SGSGermanSIG.
Leader: Carolyn Schott
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
Irish SIG
Share information and discuss Irish ancestral research. We share successes and brainstorm next steps for brick walls.
To participate you need to be on the SGS Irish Interest Group email list. Contact Susan McKee at SGSIrishSIG to join. Susan will email you the Zoom link for the monthly meetings.
This SIG meets monthly on the second Saturday at 10:00AM. For more information or to express interest in this SIG, contact SGSIrishSIG
Leader: Susan McKee
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
Mexican SIG
Share information and discuss Indigenous North American, Spanish, Cuban, and Hispanic genealogical research.
This SIG meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday at 7:00PM. For more information, contact SGS MexSIG.
Leader: Diane Hughes-Hart
To participate, you need to join the SGS Mexican SIG email list. Contact SGS MexSIG to join.
Pacific Northwest Interest Group
Share information and discuss Pacific Northwest genealogical research, resources, and ideas. This group meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30PM.
For more information, contact SGS PNW SIG.
Leaders: Siri Nelson and Leslie Vogel
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
Scandanavian SIG
This group shares best resources for research in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.
We meet quarterly (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct) on the second Sunday of the month at 1:00PM.
For more information or to express interest in this SIG, contact SGS ScanSIG.
Leaders: Karen Knudson and Kathi McG
Register for this SIG on the SGS calendar.
Contact the Director of Director of Education with general comments, questions, or ideas.