Whatcom Genealogical Society

Whatcom Genealogical Society Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Whatcom Genealogical Society, Bellingham, WA.

Whatcom Genealogical Society is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting genealogical and family history research and to preserving local historical records needed for the search.

11/22/2025

Registration for IGHR 2026 is OPEN! Choose from six courses during IGHR Week (July 27-31) and six once-a-week courses throughout the year. Subjects include genealogy methodology, DNA, land records, and Scottish, African American, New York, South Carolina and Southern cessions/territories research. There’s something for everyone and every level! Check out the course list and register at https://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-courses/.

11/22/2025

All are invited to the Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island's (JGSLI) 35th annual family history workshop, "Jewish Genealogy 101: Four Hours+ to Your Family Roots" The workshop is a half-day course on sources and strategies essential for Jewish Genealogy research and is recommended both for beginners and for family historians who want to brush up or expand their skills.
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Virtual Seminar on Zoom.
Cost is $35 per person ($40 for Family). Attendees will receive a digital copy of the workshop manual, Jewish Genealogy 101 and membership dues through December 2026. Out-of-towners welcomed!
See flyer and payment options on their website: https://jgsli.org/jgsli-workshop/

11/20/2025

By popular demand, Karen Stanbary’s “Proving Your Pedigree with DNA” is BACK for Spring 2026 and seats will fill fast.

This isn’t another passive webinar. It’s a hands-on, expert-guided, lineage-proving bootcamp where you’ll walk away with the exact methodology experts use to document a lineage with DNA and records.

If you’re ready to finally prove that line—really prove it—this is the place to do it.
Registration is open now, so claim your spot before it is too late! https://academy.ugagenealogy.org/courses/proving-your-pedigree-with-dna/

11/18/2025

Join us this Thursday afternoon, November 20th, at the SVGS Library. The DNA Interest Group (DIG) will meet at 1 PM.

Open to any DNA topic and everyone of all DNA skill levels is welcome to attend. DIG meets the 3rd Thursday of month.

If you have a specific DNA topic you would like to discuss or have any other suggestions for how you would like this group to operate, please send an email to info@stillygen.org.

11/15/2025

OGS maintains a genealogical research library, offers educational programs, classes, workshops and seminars, collects & publishes records, and provides family history research assistance.

11/14/2025

Thanks to the many volunteers who helped index New York’s land records, a new, enhanced index is now available!

This is a free-to-use, enhanced index for FamilySearch’s digital collection, "New York, Land Records, 1630-1975." The original scans—capturing over 32 million land transactions in all—come from 59 of New York’s 62 counties (Franklin, Nassau, and Queens excluded) and were first microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, a precursor to FamilySearch. The collection includes a range of property documents: deeds, mortgages, patents, and land grants. https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/online-records/land-records

11/05/2025

Genealogists! Here's a great research tip to find more family members who lived in the area where your ancestors lived. Did you know that you can jump straight from a Billion Graves record to a matching record on FamilySearch!
Just follow these 5 simple steps:
1) Go to BillionGraves.com and select the "Search" button.
2) Enter the last name you are searching for, such as "Cheney" or "Finch". Leave the first name field blank.
3) Select "Advanced Search".
4) Enter the location where your ancestors lived. Try both a broad search for the area (such as the state or county) and a more specific search for a particular cemetery.
5) When a search result shows a matching last name and also shows a first name that you do not recognize from your family tree, you may have found a gold mine! Click on the name. Then scroll down to the section labeled "View on FamilySearch". Follow the link to see that person on the FamilySearch tree. Then do some traditional research to see how they are related to your family. Eureka!

11/04/2025

Join us! Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation at the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Library-6111 188th Place NE. (East of the airport, north of the Boys & Girls Club)

Tuesday, November 11th at 1pm.

Our speaker at the library this month will be SVGS society member, Kathie Webber. This event will be in person only.

Kathie's topic: Creating A Virtual Cemetery

One of Kathie’s favorite things about studying her family history has been learning where her ancestors have been buried. Twenty years ago she discovered an online tool called findagrave.com. This website and the accompanying app have enabled her to organize and expand her cemetery research. She will share with everyone the many things she has taken advantage of using Find a Grave, as well as other options that are available.

Bio:
I’ve been doing genealogy for over 40 years. I’ve researched in Washington State, Massachusetts, California, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ireland. My favorite notable ways to research include visiting cemeteries, family history centers, online research, Facebook groups, and travel.

There will be a short break with refreshments after the presentation followed by our monthly business meeting.

For more information visit stillygen.org

10/29/2025

We've recently added newly digitized Korean War Era Draft Registration Cards from 10 states. Learn which ones on our Fold3 blog:https://f3.social/6ybb

10/27/2025

Whether you're stuck or just have a question, family history feels easier with a little guidance.

Link to book your appointment in the first comment!

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Bellingham, WA
98227

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Whatcom Genealogical Society

Monthly meetings are held the 2nd Monday of the month, with breaks for summer (July, August) and January.

Meetings are held at 2pm in the lower level of the Bellingham Elks Lodge, 710 Samish Way, Bellingham, Washington.

Visitors are always welcome, but we encourage folks to join our society -- it’s only $15/yr for 9+ hours of genealogy education and fun! And you don’t need to have family history in Whatcom County -- most of our members have research interests all over the United States and beyond.