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 the 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.
Image: US County Maps
Upcoming Events
Go to our Events Page to see a list of upcoming (or past) events held by WSGS, local genealogical societies, and other related organizations all around the state, as well as neighboring states and British Columbia.
Photo of the Week
Two unknown couples in front of a log cabin in Stevens County, circa 1910. Crossroads on the Columbia Collection, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Accessed 04 Nov 2026.
The Photo of the Week was made available from the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives is the nation's first archives dedicated specifically to the preservation of electronic records from both State and Local agencies that have permanent legal, fiscal or historical value.
The Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, makes public records available online, worldwide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information about the Digital Archives, visit their website.
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.
Cemetery Project: A comprehensive list of current and abandoned cemeteries.
Cemetery data will be added in the future.
Local Society contacts: There are more than 30 local genealogical societies around the state waiting to help you with your research.
Washington Pioneer Pursuit: The Pioneer Pursuit program continues. We are collecting the names and genealogies of every man, woman and child who lived in Washington Territory on or before 11 Nov 1889 -- the date the territory became the 42nd state.
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.
Support to Local Societies: The WSGS is here to support local genealogical societies. We promote local genealogical events and news free of charge. We offer local societies financial grants for innovative projects and/or education assistance.
Upcoming Meetings Statewide
German Interest Group (Special Interest Group)
Virtual
The Eastside Genealogical Society German Interest Group is hosting “Cemeteries in Central Europe" with Roger P. Minert. The customs associated with funerals and burials in German-language regions of Europe are substantially different from corresponding rituals in the United States. The layout and maintenance of cemeteries is also quite different. In this presentation, images are used to illustrate cemetery conditions and cultural customs associated with funerals and burials. The presenter demonstrates how the individual or family grave and its appearance are of great concern to Europeans. The question of death and burial records--often asked by North American researchers--is also discussed in detail.
Visitors are always welcome. For more information: visit our website.
Free Seminar Yakima (workshop)
1901 S 12th Ave, Union Gap, WA 98903
The Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Library will host a free seminar by Crystal Hicks who is the head of collections for the Washington State Library in Olympia. Lecture One: "Hidden in Plain Sight: Using Historic Washington Newspapers for Genealogy. This lecture will focus on all of the various newspaper collections, both digital and microfilm. Lecture Two: "Routes and Routes: Tracing How Families Came To Washington" This lecture traces the waves of migration that built our communities and introduces the free library resources, historic newspapers and government publications that can help you uncover your family' journey. Each lecture will be approximately 1 hour to an hour and fifteen minutes long. There will be a 20 to 30 minute break between lectures where we will draw for door prizes and have refreshments. This lecture is free of charge, although we will accept donations at the door to help offset the costs incurred for this function. Please try to call or email by Wednesday prior to Nov 7th so we know how many treats to purchase and how many handouts to print Call the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society to confirm registration at 509-248-1328 or email Richard Kyle at rkyle9890Yaki2@charter.ne
Stillaguamish Valley Gen Soc Monthly Meeting (Local Society Meeting)
Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Library, 6111 188th Place NE, Arlington, WA
The program at the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be "Washington Speaks..." Please join us for this wonderful live presentation as we welcome His Excellency George Washington, who is “First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Vern Frykholm began portraying Washington in February, 2012, and has given over 600 portrayals to more than 25,000 people. He has talked to students at public, private and home schools; service clubs; libraries; business and church groups; and regional and national conferences. For more information, visit the SVGS website. For more information, visit the SVGS website.
Lower Columbia Gen Soc (Local Society Monthly Meeting)
Virtual
The program at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society's meeting will be “Revolutionary Choices: Exploring Loyalist and Patriot Roots at 250 Years" with Kathryn Lake Hogan. For more information, visit the LCGS website.
Eastside Gen Soc Monthly Meeting (Local Society Meeting)
Virtual
The program at the Eastside Genealogical Society will be “Effective Search Strategies on FamilySearch” with Dana Palmer. Having trouble finding your relatives on FamilySearch? Learn tricks to find your elusive ancestors in the historical records on FamilySearch as well as Dana’s favorite searching tricks using the historical records part of FamilySearch. Come learn how to be successful.For more information about EGS, visit our website at eastsidegenealogicalsociety.org
Navigating Ancestral Arrivals - Fiske (Trainings)
Virtual
The Fiske Genealogical Library is sponsoring “Navigating Ancestral Arrivals: A Genealogist's Treasure Map to Immigration Records” with Lisa Vogele. Your ancestors’ arrival in the U.S. is a key chapter in your family’s story—are you searching in the right places? This session will guide you through the intricacies of immigration records, helping you decode passenger manifests, interpret cryptic notations, and uncover the stories of those “Held for Inquiry.” With research tools, proven strategies, and real-life case studies, you’ll gain skills to track down elusive ancestors and bring their immigration journey to life. Lisa Vogele is a professional genealogist and certified travel advisor (CTA). She is the Chief Tree Climber at Travel Your Tree: Where Ancestry Meets Adventure, a full-service family history research, travel planning and tour operator. In 2016, Lisa authored Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a guide book to assist travelers with incorporating festivals into their itineraries and experience local culture through food and historic events. Her travel tips have been featured in the Huffington Post, 1000traveltips.com and her travel blog, LisaLovesToTravel.com.