Thanks to all who brought such delicious food for our annual potluck lunch! We enjoyed pork, dumplings, sauerkraut, sausage soup, halusky, wiener schnitzel, potato salad and numerous sweet treats, many of them with poppy seeds. It's true that food brings people together with each other and with their culture! Look for photos on our website!

John C. brought his "favorite niece" to share in the feast. He described another DNA success story, having connected with this niece through DNA analysis. May we all make such fortunate connections!

Barb J. brought a message about a potential increase in fees charged by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for genealogy services. The comment period is open and she urged all to comment on the proposed fee increase-and to hurry to submit requests before the increase takes effect. Here is the link to the article which describes the notice and gives information about commenting: https://blog.eogn.com/2019/11/15/uscis-proposes-fee-increases-for-genealogy-records/.

Rose G. brought her kroj, which had been given to her by her Czech relatives, and explained how it should be worn. We will post a photo of her with the kroj on the website.

Jo H. encouraged people to consider joining the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (www.CGSI.org) in order to use their resources and to support their research. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML.org) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is also worthy of support. A recent benefit for membership is their new affiliation with the Smithsonian. A $25 upgrade to NCSML membership will earn a national membership to the Smithsonian. Finally, for those with ancestral ties in Illinois - and especially in the Chicago area - membership in the Czech & Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois (CSAGSI.org) offers a number of online data bases including burial indexes of Bohemian National Cemetery, the Denni Hlasatel obituary index, and records from several churches in the Chicago area. Check it out!

Mark your calendar for our next meeting on February 8 at 9:30 am at our usual location. Hope you can join us then!

Usual location: Kirkland Fire Station 22, 6602 - 108th Ave. NE, Kirkland.

Here are driving directions:
Directions: From the SOUTH, COMING ON HWY 405: TAKE EXIT 17. Be in the left lane so you can turn left at the light onto 116th Ave. NE. Proceed to the next light. Turn left at the light to cross over the freeway. Continue on this road (which becomes NE 72nd), past one traffic light and downhill to 108th Ave. NE. Turn left, proceed half a block, and Fire Station #22 is on the left-hand side. Park on the side or in the back.

From the NORTH, COMING ON HWY 405: TAKE EXIT 17. Be in the left- hand lane to turn left at the stoplight onto NE 72nd. Proceed down the hill to the next stoplight which is 108th Ave. NE. Turn left, proceed about half a block, Fire Station #22 is on the left-hand side. Park on the side or in the back.

Jo Herber

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