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Washington County Genealogical Society |
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Our Mission
The mission of the Washington County Genealogical Society (WCGS) is to create and foster an interest in genealogy; to gather and preserve genealogical and historical data; to aid individuals in family history research; and to establish and maintain a genealogical library through contributions, donations, and exchanges. The WCGS was established in 1983.
News
Website Update
Added new webpage for the 1972 Washington County Directory - this directory includes over 2,000 names. (Directories Section)
WCGS Projects
Southeast Iowa Digital Archive is an open digital newspaper archive for all of Washington County and surrounding areas and is available for FREE! It was paid for by the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, Brinton Educational Trust and all 13 communities whose newspapers were digitized. You may access this archive from the Washington IAGenWeb - Washington County Newspapers
The Library
Phyical Location
Charles & Isabelle Grayson Archives Room in the Washington County Public Library
115 W. Washington St
Washington, IA 52353
Phone
319-653-2726
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 446
Washington, IA 52353
Hours
Are regular Washington County Public Library hours
Monday-Wednesday 8am-7pm
Thursday 8am-8pm
Friday 8am-5pm
Saturday 9am-1pm
Research Assistance
Society Members offer assistance with library research. Members do not have set hours for being at the library, but may be available on a random basis while the library is open. For phone or email inquiries there is a $10 per hour charge plus cost for copies and postage.
Contact the WCGS for assistance via email: genealogy@washington.lib.ia.us
Collections and Records
The Collection focuses on Washington County and includes historical record archives, books, microfilm, and CDs, inlcuding:
- Clubs and Lodges
- Vintage Cookbooks
- Family History Documents
- Marriage, Birth & Death Records
- Obituaries
- Cemetery Records
- Family & Bible Records
- Family Reunions
- Church Records
- Census Records
- School Records
- Plat Books
- Atlases
- City Directories (The 1894 City Directory is available online)
- Township Histories
- Various Iowa County Histories
- Immigration & Naturalization Records
- Pension records
- Chattel Mortgage Books
- Probate & Wills
- Military Records (includes Civil War Roster & Records of Iowa Soldiers)
- Newspaper Microfilm Collection
- Century Family Certificates are available to anyone with direct descent from an ancestor who settled in Washington County in 1887 or earlier
Other Resources
Various information regarding the other 49 States
Free computer access to popular genealogy websites & other electronic data, including:
- Ancestry.com
- Heritage Quest
- Database with 157,000 Washington County names
Access to standard copy machine
The Society
Meetings
Are held the 2nd Monday of each month @ 09:00 AM in the Genealogy Library (may vary as noted on program schedule). Visitors are welcome to attend our programs and meetings.
Programs
May be conducted during regular meeting times. Topics usually include a presentation on a genealogical or historic interest. In 2023 we are conducting Genealogy workshops on the last Saturday of each month.
Program Schedule:
June 24, 2023: Family Search, Find a Grave, and Digital Archives
July 22, 2023: Microfilm and Digital Archives
August 26, 2023: Daughters of the American Revolution
September 23, 2023: Cemetery Trip
October 28, 2023: Coming to America - Immigration
November 18, 2023: Wills and Probate Records
Newsletters
Are published regularly and distributed to members via USPS or email. A typical newsletter contains local history items, list of donations to the library, messages from the Board, information on current WCGS projects, and often some general genealogical news items and tips. Contributions are welcomed!
Volunteers
Are welcomed and encouraged, please;
- Help with library activities, including, scanning, record maintenance, etc
- Provide research assistance
- Contribute ideas and information for the newsletter and monthly programs
Membership
Members will receive the newsletter. Membership dues is $10 per calendar year. We request members provide a five generation pedigree chart. Contact the WCGS about joining via email:genealogy@washington.lib.ia.us
WCGC webpage is maintained by Joanne L. Breen
Last update 06 October 2023
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