Washington Research Guide Digital Download

You'll love this if…

• You're getting started tracing your ancestors in Washington
• You want new ideas and resources to get past a Washington brick wall
• Your genealogy search is focused mainly on Washington —you don't need the full State Research Guides collection

Trace your Washington ancestors with the advice and resources in our State Research Guide! This four-page download includes:

• a how-to article detailing Washington’s history and records, with helpful advice on tracking your family there
• the best websites, books and other resources for Washington research, handpicked by our editors and experts
• listings of key libraries, archives and organizations that hold the records you need
• descriptions of the top historic sites for learning about your ancestors' lives and times, including visitor information
• timeline of key events in the state's history
• full-color map to put your research in geographical context

Here's a sampling of the helpful tips you'll get in the Washington guide:

• In 1775, Spanish explorers became the first European explorers to set foot on Washington’s soil while seeking the fabled Northwest Passage.
• Order post-1907 birth and death and post-1968 marriage certificates from the state health department
• Washington Territory sided with the Union during the Civil War. To research your soldier ancestor, search the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm and check microfilmed indexes to service records, pension applications and the 1890 special census of Union veterans (get them from the FHL or NARA).

Plus, each guide contains active web links for one-click access to every recommended online resource. You can view this PDF on your computer and print pages for reference.