Open House 2026

10:00am to 5:00pm

GFO Library Open for Research 

2:00pm

Library Tour and Orientation (in-person) 
If this is your first time or you have not been to the library in a while, this tour will give you an overview of the resources you will find in the library, from our computer lab to rare books and some of GFO’s special, one-of-a-kind collections. The tour is offered almost every day of Open House.

On-site, no registration required

1:00pm to 5:00pm

GFO Library Open for Research 

10:30am to 3:30pm

Beginning Genealogy class with Kristin Wingo (in-person) 
Learn how to get a great start with your family history research and avoid common beginner pitfalls. This class will look at the basic principles of genealogy, strategies for locating sources both online and off, how to evaluate evidence, and techniques for organizing your work. There will be a break for lunch at noon, and hands-on practice sessions throughout the day. Bring your own computer or use one of our PCs.

Register Here

Limited Attendance

5:30pm to 6:30pm

Pacific Northwest SIG with Kenith Fritsche and Geoff Smith (online) 
The Pacific Northwest Genealogy Special Interest Group (SIG) focuses on the unique history and records available for researching Pacific Northwest heritage. This session will focus on resources for Oregon Trail era ancestors.

Register Here 

10:00am to 5:00pm

GFO Library Open for Research 

10:00am to 11:00am

Game of Names (hybrid) 
Lynne Peterson 
Why can’t you find your ancestor in the census or other records - even though you know they were there? This lively class shares practical techniques for ferreting out elusive ancestors despite misspellings and names modified by accents, anglicization, creative census takers, tricky cursive, and ever-changing spelling conventions.

Register Here 

2:00pm

Library Tour and Orientation (in-person) 
A friendly GFO volunteer will serve as your tour guide. 
If this is your first time or you have not been to the library in a while, this tour will give you an overview of the resources you will find in the library from our computer lab to rare books and some of GFO’s special, one-of-a-kind collections. The tour is offered almost every day of Open House.

On-site, no registration required

9:30am to 5:00pm

GFO Library Open for Research 

10:00am to 11:00am

From Paper to Pixels: Digitizing, Organizing, and Preserving Your Family History (hybrid) 
Laura Froelke, Key Archives 
Learn how to make the transition from paper to digital without losing your mind!

Register Here

12:00pm to 2:00pm

Scanning Workshop (in-person) 
Geoff Smith, President 
Learn how to use GFO’s scanners and find the right one for your project. Attendees are encouraged to bring some of their own family memorabilia that they want to scan.

On-site, no registration required

1:00pm to 2:30pm

Introduction to Family Tree Maker Software (hybrid) 
Johnna Waldon, FTM SIG Leader 
Join the Family Tree Maker (FTM) Special Interest Group for an introduction to the software that manages your genealogy. We will cover the basics of FTM, a fairly user-friendly tool for your research.

Register Here

2:00pm

Library Tour and Orientation (in-person) 
A friendly GFO volunteer will serve as your tour guide. 
If this is your first time or you have not been to the library in a while, this tour will give you an overview of the resources you will find in the library from our computer lab to rare books and some of GFO’s special, one-of-a-kind collections. The tour is offered almost every day of Open House.

On-site, no registration required

2:30pm to 5:30pm

Scanning Workshop II (in-person) 
A friendly GFO volunteer. 
Scan your own projects with hands-on assistance. Sign-up sheets for all three scanners will be available at the end of the morning workshop. Priority will be given to attendees of the workshop at noon.

On-site, no registration required

9:30am to 5:00pm

GFO Library Open for Research 

10:00am to 11:00am

Using the Free DNA Tools at GEDMatch (hybrid) 
Lisa Mccollough, DNA Q&A SIG Leader 
Learn how to use the essential tool for finding DNA matches across proprietary testing platforms.

Register Here 

1:00pm to 2:00pm

The Mayflower Society (hybrid) 
David Wiszneauckas, Lt. Governor (OR) 
The Society of Mayflower Descendants is the best-known lineage society and active throughout the year. Learn about the society’s activities and how you document eligibility for membership.

Register Here 

2:00pm

Library Tour and Orientation (in-person) 
A friendly GFO volunteer will serve as your tour guide. 
If this is your first time or you have not been to the library in a while, this tour will give you an overview of the resources you will find in the library from our computer lab to rare books and some of GFO’s special, one-of-a-kind collections. The tour is offered almost every day of Open House.

On-site, no registration required

9:30am to 5:00pm

GFO Library Open for Research 

11:00am to 12:30pm

RootsMagic v11 - Level 101: Overview & Basics (hybrid) 
Barry Wolff, SIG Leader 
Introductory class for new users and anyone interested in checking out RootsMagic, software that organizes your genealogical research. One lucky attendee will receive a free RootsMagic license key, courtesy of the company.

Register Here 

1:00pm

Library Tour and Orientation (in-person) 
A friendly GFO volunteer will serve as your tour guide. 
If this is your first time or you have not been to the library in a while, this tour will give you an overview of the resources you will find in the library from our computer lab to rare books and some of GFO’s special, one-of-a-kind collections. The tour is offered almost every day of Open House.

On-site, no registration required

2:00pm to 3:00pm

Using AI in Genealogy, a Beginners Guide (hybrid) 
Ralph Thonstad, AI SIG Leader 
Use Artificial Intelligence to make your genealogy research more productive! Learn how to get started and strategies to avoid common pitfalls.

Register Here 

9:30am to 5:00pm

GFO Library Open for Research 

11:00am to 12:00pm

Bureaucracy to the Rescue: Unlocking Family Mysteries with State Records (hybrid) 
Crystal Hicks, Head of Collections, Washington State Library 
Genealogists often overlook government publications, but these materials can play a key role in solving difficult research problems. The Washington State Library preserves one of the most extensive collections of state and territorial publications in the country, and many of these resources are available online.

Register Here

1:00pm

Library Tour and Orientation (in-person) 
A friendly GFO volunteer will serve as your tour guide. 
If this is your first time or you have not been to the library in a while, this tour will give you an overview of the resources you will find in the library from our computer lab to rare books and some of GFO’s special, one-of-a-kind collections. The tour is offered almost every day of Open House.

On-site, no registration required

2:00pm to 3:00pm

Using Homestead Records in Genealogy: Four Case Studies (hybrid) 
Ralph Thonstad 
Homestead records can provide a wealth of surprising information about your family that you would never expect! Learn why you should not overlook these records if your family ever applied for a homestead.

Register Here

9:30am to 11:30am

Genealogy Problem Solvers (GPS) (online) 
The GFO GPS Brick Wall Team 
The GPS SIG investigates member-submitted “brick wall” questions. This month, the GPS team researched in both North Carolina and New York to find out more about a formerly enslaved woman who first appeared in the records in 1866. Learn how the team was able to provide a clearer picture of her identity. Join us as we examine probate, deed, tax, and vital records; visualize data with maps and tables; and explore how social history can add context to an ancestor’s life story. 
 

Register Here 

12:00pm to 1:00pm

Introduction to Black American Genealogy (online) 
Janice Sellers, SIG Leader 
Researching Black American ancestry is in many respects like researching any other family history, but the unique aspects of the Black American experience affect that research. Challenges include the historical realities of enslavement, segregation, and recordkeeping practices. Topics cover methods, record types (particularly related to slavery), history, and genealogy sites.
 

Register Here 

1:00pm to 5:00pm

GFO Library Open for Research 

2:30pm to 3:30pm

Dual Citizenship By Ancestry Panel Discussion (hybrid) 
Chris Knutson 
Obtaining a second citizenship has captured the imagination of many! A few countries including Canada, Italy, Germany and Ireland offer citizenship based on ancestry -- if you can document it! Hear of the experiences of a few of our members in seeking a second citizenship. 
 

Register Here 

4:00pm

Library Tour and Orientation (online) 
For this one and only session, we are offering the library tour online as an experiment.

Register Here