WVC Library Home Page > Research by Subject Menu > Genealogy

• LDS Family History Catalog Search  (do a place search by state or county or town etc.
  
  
• American Local History Network: Washington 
  
  
• GenForum's Washington Genealogy Forum 
  
  
• Washington Databases at Rootsweb
  
  
• Washington GenWeb
  
  

Research Guides

• FamilySearch Resource Guide: Washington 
  
  
  

Archives & Libraries

• (for local libraries see the Archives & Libraries page) 
  
  
• Washington State Digital Archives (Rootweb)
  
  
• Washington State Archives information about the state and regional branch archive holdings, research policies, and service fees. Under Genealogy, search for names in county naturalization and census records (minimal information is retrieved). The holdings of the online archive catalog can be searched by keyword or government agency for a description of documents and their locations. This site also provides information about retention schedules and other records management needs.
  
  
• Online Directory to Washington State Genealogical Societies 
  
  Here are the larger genealogical collections housed in Washington State: 
  
  
• Everett Family History Center (LDS) 
  9509 19th Ave. SE
  Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, United States
  Phone: 425-337-0457
  Hours: M 11am-2pm; T-Th 11am-8pm; Sat 10am-2pm; Sun By Appt.
  Closed: May 25-27, Jul. 4-7, and Aug. 31 - Sep. 2 for summer holidays
  
• Heritage Quest Research Library (Sumner, WA) -  they have a wonderful library with about 60% of U.S. census rolls and a nice collection of books as well as many AGLL rolls of military and immigration records. 
  
• National Archives (Seattle) (have all U.S. Federal Census) Don't miss their page on doing research there - the rules, the advice etc is here. 
  
  
• Seattle Genealogical Society Library 
  also on Sandpoint Way and very near the National Archives. They have a very nice collection - particularly strong in the midwest and northern states) There is a small fee of $2.00 for use of the library to non-members.
   
• Seattle Public Library.  Probably the largest genealogical collection in the state - particularly strong in family histories and county histories. 
  
  
• Spokane Public Library Includes the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Collection. 
  
  Tacoma-Pierce Co. Genealogical Society has a nice overview of the collection of film at the National Archives in Seattle 
  
• Tacoma Public Library Genealogy Collection 
  
  
• Washington State Archives (Olympia. WA) 
  
  
• Washington State Archives - Central Branch (Ellensburg)
  
  
• Washington State Library (primarily NW materials - Olympia, WA) 
  
  
• Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Library 
  They have a fee of $2.00 for use of the library to non-members 
  
  
• Yakima Family History Center (LDS)
  1006 South 16th Avenue
  Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, United States
  Phone: 509-452-3626
  Hours: T, Th 9am-4pm, 6pm-9pm; W, F 9am-4pm, 6pm-7pm; Sat 9am-4pm.

Census Resources

• Census Links: Washington 
  
• Census Online: Washington 
  
• U.S. GenWeb Census Search 
  
  

Geographic Resources

• 1895 Atlas:Washington 
  
  
• Early Washington Maps: a Digital Collection (WSU)
  
  
• Panoramic Maps 1847-1929: Washington 
  
  
• Rootsweb Town Search
  
  
  

History Resources

• American Indians of the Pacific Northwest 
  
  
• Ashael Curtis Photograph Collection Database 
  
  
• Columbia Communities: Moses Lake
  
  
• Columbia River History 
  
  
• Discovering Lewis & Clark 
  
  
• Ghost Towns of Washington 
  
  
• History Bursting With Telling: Asian Americans in Washington State 
  
  
• History & Archives of the Seattle Public Schools 
  
  
• History Link: the History of Seattle & King County 
  
  
• Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle National Historical Park 
  
  
• Seattle Municipal Archives
  
  
• Seattle Museum of History & Industry 
  
  
• Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room
  
  
• Wallis & Kimble Northwest Database 
  
  
• Washington State Historical Society 
  
  
• Washington State History Timeline 
  
  
• WVC Pacific Northwest History Links
  
  
  

Immigration & Naturalization Records

• National Archives (Seattle) 
  
  
• Nordic Heritage Museum (Seattle
  
  
• Northwest Ships & Shipping Database (Tacoma Northwest Room)
  
  
• Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society
  
  

Land Records

• Bureau of Land Management Land Patent Search 
  
  

Military  Records

• Washington Forts
  
  
• History Link: Garden of Remembrance (index of Washington State veterans who gave their lives in service) 
  
  
• Pig War of the San Juan Islands 
  
  
• Washington Civil War Association 
  
  
• Washington State Veterans Affairs Office 
  
  
• Washington State Veterans Memorial 
  
  
• Washington State WW II Veterans Killed & Missing in Action
  
  

Newspapers

• Historical Newspapers in Washington
  
  
• Kidon Media-Link: Washington 
  
  
• Washington Newspapers Online 
  
  

Vital Records

• Washington Vital Records Information 
  
  
• Cemetery Junction: Washington 
  
  
• Cemetery Records Online: Washington 
  
  
• Portland OR & Vancouver WA cemetery, funeral home & genealogical contact info. 
  
  Don't forget that both the local FHL and WAGS have copies of the Washington State Death index   The family history library also has some early birth indexes.
  
  

Back To Top