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 the 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.
Image: US County Maps
Upcoming Events
Go to our Events Page to see a list of upcoming (or past) events held by WSGS, local genealogical societies, and other related organizations all around the state, as well as neighboring states and British Columbia.
Photo of the Week
Unknown football player at Ritzville High School, 1936. A.M. Kendrick Photograph Collection. Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Accessed 22 Sep 2026.
The Photo of the Week was made available from the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives is the nation's first archives dedicated specifically to the preservation of electronic records from both State and Local agencies that have permanent legal, fiscal or historical value.
The Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, makes public records available online, worldwide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information about the Digital Archives, visit their website.
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.
Cemetery data will be added in the future.
Local Society contacts: There are more than 30 local genealogical societies around the state waiting to help you with your research.
Washington Pioneer Pursuit: The Pioneer Pursuit program continues. We are collecting the names and genealogies of every man, woman and child who lived in Washington Territory on or before 11 Nov 1889 -- the date the territory became the 42nd state.
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.
Upcoming Meetings Statewide
Make AI Your Personal Genealogy Assistant (Workshop)
Virtual
WSGS is sponsoring a free workshop with Lisa Louise Cooke titled “Make AI Your Personal Genealogy Assistant.” Registration will open on September 15, 2026.
Lower Columbia Gen Soc (Local Society Monthly Meeting)
Virtual
The program at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society's meeting will be “Revolutionary Choices: Exploring Loyalist and Patriot Roots at 250 Years" with Kathryn Lake Hogan. For more information, visit the LCGS website.
Stillaguamish Valley Gen Soc Monthly Meeting (Local Society Meeting)
Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Library, 6111 188th Place NE, Arlington, WA
The program at the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be "Washington Speaks..." Please join us for this wonderful live presentation as we welcome His Excellency George Washington, who is “First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Vern Frykholm began portraying Washington in February, 2012, and has given over 600 portrayals to more than 25,000 people. He has talked to students at public, private and home schools; service clubs; libraries; business and church groups; and regional and national conferences. For more information, visit the SVGS website. For more information, visit the SVGS website.