Washington, the Evergreen State
Welcome to the Washington State Genealogical Society's website. We are here to help connect you with resources and services so you can advance your search for your Washington State ancestors and family history.
Nestled in the beautiful northwest corner of the U.S., Washington is a state with terrain from the vast Pacific Ocean, snow-capped Cascade Mountains and forested islands in Puget Sound to rolling wheat fields and an abundance of apples, pears, grapes and hops in Eastern Washington. While Seattle is Washington’s most recognized city, known for its booming tech industry, vibrant music scene and famed coffeehouses, the center of state government is in Olympia. State landmarks include Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, the Space Needle, and mighty Columbia River.
Washington became a state in November 1889 as the nation’s 42nd state and is the only state named after a U.S. President.
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Fishing at Snoqualmie Falls. Photographer unknown. General Subjects Photograph Collection, 1845 - 2005, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, accessed: 05 Mar 2025. For more information or to learn about related records, contact the Washington State Archives at (360) 586-1492, or email research@sos.wa.gov.
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What's New
Pioneer Push to 5,000. WSGS is trying to have 5,000 pioneers listed in the Pioneer Pursuit Index. To date, we have over 4,000 people indexed. Please help us by researching family histories of any man, woman or child who lived in Washington Territory on or before 11 Nov 1889. For more information about the Pioneer Pursuit program, click here.
WSGS Resources and Services
Blog: Sign up for our blog to keep current with the latest genealogical happenings and events in Washington State and the Pacific Northwest.
Event Calendar: Looking for a road trip? There are genealogical events and meetings all around the state, as well as neighboring states and British Columbia.
Local Society contacts: There are more than 30 local genealogical societies around the state waiting to help you with your research.
Pioneer and First Citizen Program: Begun in 1989 to celebrate Washington's centennial, the Pioneer and First Citizen Program memorializes those Washington citizens who were early residents of the state. Commemorative certificates are available upon residency proof, as well as an index of participants.
Resource Guides: Looking for resources in a specific county? Check out these comprehensive resource guides listing everything from chambers of commerce, and local government departments to libraries, churches and newspapers.
Speakers' Bureau: If you're looking for a speaker for a society meeting, workshop or seminar, visit our Speakers' Bureau page.
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African American Family History Event
Saturday - 03/22/2025
This year's theme is "Family Ties That Unite Us." Keynote speakers include Ethelda Burke, University Place School Board Member and past local principal; and Lynese and Malando Redeemer, the current Tacoma NAACP President and Youth Pastor for Shilo Baptist Church. ...
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GFO Open House
Sunday - 03/23/2025
The Genealogical Forum of Oregon is pleased to announce its annual Open House, March 23 - 29, 2025. Registration and details can be found at https://gfo.org/openhouse. This year's Open House features more than 20 classes across a wide variety ...
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Second Saturday Series
Sunday - 03/23/2025
The Seattle Genealogical Society is hosting its Second Saturday Series (yes, it's on a Sunday this month). The topic is "Land Records: A Trail to Our Ancestors" with Marie Mattson. For more information, visit the SGS website. ...
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