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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Student Jesse Mars at the old Central School at Union St. and Washington in Olympia, 1883. Jesse was probably the first African American to serve as a firefighter in Olympia. He began as a firefighter at the young age of 13. Photographer: A. D. Rogers. State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, accessed: 29 Jan 2023. 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
WSGS has announced the start of the Washington Pioneer Pursuit Contest. The goal of the contest is to capture family histories for every person living in Washington Territory on or before Statehood was declared on November 11, 1889. Read more about it here and the WSGS Blog.
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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German Special Interest Group
Friday - 02/03/2023
The program at the Eastside Genealogical Society's German Interest Group will be “How to Get Research Help at FamilySearch.org with Emphasis on Germanic Research" with Becky Adamson. Visitors welcome. Zoom Registration required.
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Family Tree Maker SIG
Saturday - 02/04/2023
The South King County Genealogical Society is hosting its Family Tree Maker (FTM) special interest group. Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM. Register in advance: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsdu6uqzgiGdDn7eCsOAgkvdOXktX127sz. Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG for meeting link, meeting reminders ...
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Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
Saturday - 02/04/2023
The program at the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society is "Dear Diary" with Kathy Sizer. For more information, visit the YVGS website.
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