Pozdrav (Greetings)!

We got off to a rocky start. I was given the key to Firestation #21. So 12 of us stood outside the locked door of FS #22 (no fireman inside). Eric Taylor saved the day by calling the Kirkland Police on his cell phone. They called the Kirkland Fire Chief who came over to unlock the door. So we were in about 9:40. Lesson of the day, make sure City Hall gives me the right key.

As I told the group which got bigger, this interest group has existed for 8 years. We are starting our 9th year. Never before has anything like this happened!!!!

Websites I promised to post:

1) Our website: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~wacsig

2) Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness: http://www.raogk.com

3) The Center for Czech Education and Culture (CCEC) IN SEATTLE is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation founded to promote cultural and academic exchange between the Czech Republic and the Pacific Northwest. The CCEC aims to foster ties between the United States and the Czech Republic in the areas of culture, education and civil society. Going forward, the CCEC will strive to implement a range of initiatives and to build alliances across borders, while contributing to the sharing of knowledge and ideas. Wayne Jehlik coordinates the group with Jara Soldonova from UW. For more about their mission, czech out: http://www.ccec-seattle.org

In the busyiness of getting the room ready, I cannot remember all of whom brought treats, but we had poppy seed cookies, poppy seed muffins, carrot sticks, cookies, bars, olives, round cookies and much more. Many thanks to all of you!!!! Yum!!!

Welcome to five new attendees!! JoAnn Pasek from Burien is researching Pasek, Kacer, Pekaren, and Lenc from Chicago who came from Radinovice in the CR. JoAnn is just starting to do research. Bev Ryder told her to start with her parents and work backwards, plus interview older relatives now!!!

Andy Rybar and daughter Susan are interested in the their culture and genealogy. They know their ancestral villages in Moravia and Slovakia. Susan will be demonstratiing kraslice (Easter Egg ) decorating at our next meeting which is our culture meeting.

Bill and Mary Jo Hobzek are researching the Pravnek and Cerny surnames (for Bill). Their goal , of course, is to find the ancestral village! If I remember right the USA city they are researching is Cleveland!!

Bev Ryder found a goldmine on the internet for her Irish side. It is a book on her family line which produced a death certificate and more! Moral of the story, be persistent!

Bettelinn Brown showed all she has found on her grandfather's side and is wondering how to put it together for future generations.

Mara Pitkethly reminded us about the Czech language course at the UW and Cesky Stul which meets at the Continental Restaurant, 4549 University Way NE, Seattle every other Tuesday from 4 to 6 PM. For more information, call 206-632-4700 or email [email protected]. Next meeting is Jan. 29th, 2008. Silvie Opatrna (206) 779-0530 teaches Czech classes for travelers.

Again we welcomed Lee James from Olympia who is researching Kohout, Kalat, Czedik, Slama, Uhlir, Vondrasek, Marauska, Fanta. Bina, Blaha, Grilkovy, Jaros, Jilek, Mikesch, Mraz,Pragor Ratj, Soupek and Terezak who lived in Cleveland Ohio and Woodbine IA after coming form Veseli and Luznici area NE of Tabor. He brought this list of surnames hoping to find a relative in the group!

Sharon Glenn returned researching Tarasz, Visocan, Szabol, and Gall from Torysa and Lison in Slovakia.

Yeah! Barb Clark has found her ancestral village, but is busy doing her German research now.

Barb Callahan received an answer to a query that she put on the internet years ago which led to more ancestors!! One village mentioned was SLOVINKY. Are you reading this Mike Van Shoiack? Barb is looking forward to a trip to Slovkia to meet relatives!

Norb Ziegler reminded us that there are other interest groups in Eastside Genealogical Society to help us with other lines. Thru a social Polish website, Norb found an American lady interested in the same village and surname. This networking pays off.

Mary Klander drove from Bellingham to share that looking at the Baltimore Passenger List has paid off with another name researched. Ancestry is always adding more to their lists!!

Kit Kocha told about her wonderful 50th anniversary tour that she took with Helen Cincebeaux in Slovakia. Luckily she had previous family information that led her to hiring a Slovak researcher to scout out her family in the ancestral villages. Kit plans a trip back this summer to visit these relatives again, plus take another tour with Helene!

Janet Roach shared the Hema map from the Czech Republic that has helped her with her research. (I WILL REQUEST THAT MORE OF THESE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE APRIL SYMPOSIUM!) Janet suggested Googling "Czech or Slovak telephone numbers" to find listing of surnames on the web.

Eric Taylor is researching Dvorak, Zvolnek, Volavka, Tonar in Sedlcany and Sobinov. Eric works for "4 Culture" in Seattle and oversees the Heritage aspect so our group fits into his work. Eric and his cell phone use saved the day for our meeing!!!

I handed out CGSI April Symposium registration forms, showed the handouts from different Czech or Slovak Tour Groups, and showed the Berni Rula, tax censuses from the Bohemian lands in 1654, for the Plsen area that list individuals by name . There will be an index to the Berni Rula at the traveling library on April 11th at the CGSI Symposium. I found my Straka relative in Horazdovice listed in the Prachensky Berni Rula. Now I just have a 40 year gap to 1700 to research. Google Berni Rula Bohemia and see what you get!!

NEXT MEETING; MARCH 22, 2008 9:30 TO NOON.

DON''T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THIS APRIL SYMPOSIUM. IT IS A ONCE IN A SEATTLE LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS AREA!!!

Happy researching!!

Rosie

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