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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Kate Stevens, age 10, 1862. Daughter of General Isaac Ingalls Stevens, first Governor of Washington Territory, 1853. Photographer: Unknown. State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1900,Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, accessed: 20 May 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
If you're interested in learning more about the Pioneer Pursuit, read more about it here and the WSGS Blog. Any man, woman or child who lived in Washington Territory on or before Nov. 11, 1889 is eligible.
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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Eastside Genealogical Society
Thursday - 06/08/2023
The program at the Eastside Genealogical Society meeting will be "Virginia Research 101" with Victor S Dunn, CG. The session will highlight the county, state, and Federal records useful for Virginia research along with a brief mention of strategies to work around ...
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Clallam County Genealogical Society
Saturday - 06/10/2023
The program at the Clallam County Genealogical Society meeting is TBA with Mike Karson. Meetings are open to the public. The in-person meeting will be at the CCCGS Research Center at 403 East 8th St., Port Angeles. To receive the Zoom ...
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Clallam County Genealogical Society
Saturday - 06/10/2023
The program at the Clallam County Genealogical Society meeting is "Diasporas: A Romantic Name for an Ugly Truth" with Virginia Majewski, PLCGS. Not all emigrees and migrants left the old country filled with hope. Not all were looking for religious or ...
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