Eastside Genealogical Society
German Interest Group

Presenter:  Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz

Julie is a genealogist, writer, and speaker with nearly 30 years of experience in researching her family’s origins in Poland, Germany, the U.S., and Canada.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the State University of New York in Buffalo and a master’s degree in endocrinology from the University of California, Berkeley. She currently serves as President of the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State (PGSNYS) and has previously served as Vice-President for the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, Inc, and Secretary of the Polish Genealogical Society of Massachusetts (PGSMA). Her articles have been published in the newsletters of a number of genealogical societies, and she is the author of a genealogy blog, From Shepherds and Shoemakers

When: Friday, 1st of May, 2026
from 12:30 to 2:30 pm Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Zoom Registration Required:
https://tinyurl.com/rp2zubuw

Topic: Locating Records from Poland Online 

Finding records from Poland for genealogical research is a critical step in exploring our Polish ancestry but Poland’s complex history and the language barrier can be confusing.

After a brief overview of Poland’s changing borders and their impact on the languages in which historical records were created, Julie will explain the process of identifying one’s ancestral village and illustrate the use of gazetteers to determine the parish and civil registry offices. She will introduce key websites for locating historical records online and offline, with an emphasis on sites that offer indexed records and digital images. Julie will suggest strategies to help you get around the language barrier, and demonstrate how you can trace your Polish ancestry from the comfort of your own home.

More information: Visitors are always welcome. Our website is:
https://gig.eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org

Eastside Genealogical Society is starting a new Special Interest Group (SIG), an Artificial Intelligence SIG. The purpose of it will be to learn together about using AI to help with our genealogy, encourage each other, and share information, tips, and resources. We will hold an organizational meeting Tuesday, April 28th, 10am PT via Zoom.

Please email AIsig@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org to get the Zoom link. If you are interested but unable to attend, please let us know at the same email address.

At the organizational meeting we will discuss:

• The experience level of the members and what they hope to get from the SIG and from AI in general.
• Best time and date for ongoing meetings.

Get genealogy help at the Bellevue Library Computer Lab
1111 110th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
We are available to help on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of most months.
No registration is required. Get in-person assistance with…

Ancestry Library Edition.

This April presentation is a different presentation than the February presentation

Click to request the Zoom meeting invitation

Date: April 18, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 1:30 PM (PT)
Topic: Exploring Italian Catholic Parish Registers
Presenter: Suzanne Russo Adams

Description: Exploring Italian Catholic Parish Registers introduces researchers to the rich genealogical and historical information found in parish records across Italy. This session will cover how to identify the correct parish and diocese for your ancestors, and how to locate and interpret key sacramental records—baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials. Participants will gain practical strategies for navigating these records and understanding the valuable details they contain for family history research.

Presenter: Suzanne Russo Adams
Suzanne Russo Adams, MA, AG®, is an Associate Professor of family history and the Director of the Center for Family History and Genealogy at Brigham Young University. An Accredited Genealogist® specializing in Italian research, she holds degrees in Family History/Genealogy and Sociology, as well as a master’s degree in History. With over 25 years of experience in the genealogy field, Suzanne has worked extensively in record acquisition, strategy, and content digitization for Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. She is the author of “Finding Your Italian Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide.”

The Family Tree Maker SIG meets on the 3rd Friday of most months from 10:30AM to 12:30PM Pacific time via Zoom. (Check this website for information on each upcoming meeting date.) If you would like to attend and are not on the SIG e-mail distribution list, please send an e-mail to ftmsig@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org to request the meeting link.

The Lunch Bunch topic for discussion this month is Full Text Searching on FamilySearch.

On the third Thursday of most months, from 11:30 to 1:00, we meet in a reserved room in the church across from the FamilySearch Center, at 10675 NE 20th Street, Bellevue. Bring lunch from home or buy food at a nearby local location.

Use the FamilySearch Center Library with databases either available only by subscription or unavailable online. Bring your laptop. The library is open until 6:00 PM. No reservation required.

Contact: Celia McNay with questions.

The Eastside Genealogical Society’s Genealogy Book SIG will meet Friday April 10th at 10 AM PT via Zoom.

The book for this month is Once You Were Mine by Elizabeth Langston

Email Kimberly Nichols at vicepresident@eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org to request a zoom link and be added to the email list.

Get genealogy help at the Bellevue Library Computer Lab
1111 110th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
We are available to help on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of most months.
No registration is required. Get in-person assistance with…

Ancestry Library Edition.