Winter
photo challenge
Christmas
challenge results


Look at these young women enjoying their Washington winter. Sure, they were on a ski lift without skis, which probably explains why they were still on the downward lift. Sure, they were wearing shorts, short sleeves, ankle socks, and no hats or gloves, but they definitely look like they were having fun.

Where was this Josef Scaylea photo taken?

Click the photo to view a larger version.
This photo challenge received even more responses than October’s Ralph Munro challenge.

The accuracy was through the roof, too! One reader made an incorrect guess, but everyone else rightly identified former Washington Gov. Albert Rosellini.
Beginning this month, Washington State Archives will present an almost-monthly Q&A webinar series called "Stump the Archivist."

Bring your questions and a notebook, and chat with Research Archivist Tracy Rebstock! Learn how to use state and local government records in your historical research or family history.
New records are added to our collections all the time. Updates to vital records means more access to birth, death, marriage, and divorce collections. Ask questions so you can dig deeper into your research.

Register here. It is free to attend this event.

Click here to see the "Ask an Archivist" webinar Rebstock hosted in October 2021.
Legendary Archives volunteer nominated to National Genealogical Society Hall of Fame
Helen Lewis, the beloved, longtime volunteer at Washington State Archives’ Puget Sound Regional Branch, was nominated posthumously by the South King County Genealogical Society to the National Genealogical Society Hall of Fame.
 
Lewis passed away in April 2017 at the age of 94. The Boeing retiree was featured in the Out of the Archives newsletter’s February 2016 edition.

From her obituary in the Renton Reporter:
"When she retired she did some traveling and took up genealogy as a hobby. The genealogy group she belonged to assisted the Washington State Archives in Bellevue to index their old records onto computers and Internet accessible databases. For the last 26 years, Helen usually was at the archives twice a week. She worked there the last week of her life."

Archives names new Southwest Regional Branch Manager
Washington State Archives has appointed Sara Dana as Southwest Regional Branch Manager.

Dana is originally from Vancouver, Wash., and has returned home after stints in Texas and California.

She began her career with the Archives of the Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, before moving to the Carlsbad City Library in California, where she was responsible for genealogy and local history.
Flooding in the Archives Building
Who said
that?
On Jan. 6, the bottom floor (which is two stories underground) of the Archives building in Olympia was flooded due to the heavy rains. This happens often during inclement weather and is yet another reminder that the Olympia building is outdated and needs to be replaced.

The Office of the Secretary of State plans to open a new state-of-the-art facility within the next few years.
All Washington State Archives branches are open to the public.

Patrons must make an appointment prior to visiting, and wear a face covering during the visit.

Go here for more information, including how to contact each branch to set up an appointment.
"Essentially, when you join a team, you're making a commitment to your team. You can't take that lightly."

Which famous Washingtonian said that? (Hint: it's not the person in the photo.)

Last month's quote was from Bing Crosby.