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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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Ilwaco Oysterville Stagecoach in Oysterville, WA, ca. 1885.
Ilwaco-Oysterville Stagecoach, photographer unknown. State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Accessed 12 June 2017.
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
The Washington State Digital Archives is a treasure trove of digitized records, photographs and publications, including birth, marriage, death, census, cemetery and naturalization records. It currently has more than 195 million records preserved, almost 66 million of them are searchable. All of the photos used on our home page (including this one of a stagecoach near Oysterville in 1885) come from the Digital Archives -- all free to use.
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 in 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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Kids and Genealogy class
Saturday - 07/08/2017
The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society and Hoquiam Library are co-sponsoring a "Kids and Genealogy" event on 08 July, 10:30 - noon. Library staff and GHGS members will help kids learn about searching for their ancestors. For more information, visit the ...
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Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society
Sunday - 07/09/2017
Come celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society. You'll meet the founding members and current members, share stories and photos. Bring a friend! For more information, download the attached flyer or visit the CGGS website.
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International Germanic Genealogy Conference
Friday - 07/28/2017
The German-American Genealogical Partnership (GAGP) is sponsoring their innaugural conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 28 - 30, 2017. The theme of the conference is "Connections: International. Cultural. Personal. Visit their website or the flyer below.
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