The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society is hosting local favorite John Hughes at their next meeting, Saturday July 12, 2025. The program begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Hoquiam Library and is open to the public.

John, now fully retired as the State Historian, will talk about his latest book, New Land, which is the story of how Southeast Asian refugees found a home in Washington state in the fallout of the Fall of Saigon in Vietnam in 1975. New Land, which was John’s final book project as our state historian, revisits several of those former refugees to tell their stories of life in America. Several of those stories happened in Willapa Harbor in Pacific County. Regardless of how you view today’s debate on immigration, you may find some surprises in these stories. 

For many of us, John is a local treasure. He’s a home-grown example of how a love of Grays Harbor history and an appreciation for people who’ve stepped up and made a difference in our community and our state can motivate and inspire us to keep going, keep trying to make a difference. 

The hybrid meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. and is open to all. The in-person meeting will be at the Hoquiam Library, 420 7th Avenue, Hoquiam. For a Zoom link, email Info@graysharborgenealogy.com.