The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State is a not-for-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to:
• Collect, preserve and disseminate knowledge and information on Jewish family history.
• Assist and promote Jewish genealogy as a field of research within the Jewish and academic communities.
• Offer instruction in genealogical research techniques and resources.
• Encourage the study of Jewish family history while becoming acquainted with our rich cultural and religious heritage.
• Develop programs and add to the reference library.
Educational seminars with featured speakers are held the second Monday of the month (September to June) at the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island. Doors open at 7 p.m. for access to the library and the presentations start at 7:30 p.m. Topics include how to begin a family history, how to use computers and the Internet for genealogical research, how to access and use records at regional, national and international archives, methods for Sephardi and Ashkenazi family research, and how to find an ancestral home. Assistance is also available for translating documents.
As a part of its role in assisting the Jewish community, JGSWS has a genealogical reference library available for researching one’s family history. A goal of JGSWS is to help people learn through their genealogy research the history, geography, language, culture and values that influenced their ancestors.
Participation in JGSWS is open to all, regardless of religious background or level of experience. Their members range from those just starting to trace their family background to longtime family researchers.