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Upcoming Events List

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. 
 
Unknown Woman. Photographer unknown. Crossroads on the Columbia Collection, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, accessed: 16 Mar 2024. For more information or to learn about related records, contact the Washington State Archives at (360) 586-1492, or email research@sos.wa.gov.
What's New
 
The next WSGS Board Meeting is Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. All members are welcome to attend. For more information, email Info@wasgs.org. Please type "WSGS Board Meeting" in the subject line. 
 
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 is available here.
 
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.
 
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.
 

GFO Open House
Saturday - 03/16/2024
The Genealogical Forum of Oregon is pleased to announce its annual Open House, March 16 - 24, 2024. 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 ...
Technical User Group
Monday - 03/18/2024
The South King County Genealogical Society is hosting its Technical User special interest group (TUG). This month's program is "After RootsTech: What's New?." Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining ...
Genealogy Chat
Tuesday - 03/19/2024
The Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society is holding a Genealogy Chat. The conversation starter this month is Diane Bertram talking about an NEGHS article on Mayflower Ancestors and then her experience spending time at the Family Search Library in Salt Lake ...