Local Resources

Local Resources

Ancestry.com Library Edition is available at all county libraries (not from home) via wifi using www.ancestrylibrary.com or click on the tree icon if you are using a library computer. 

Bellingham Library:  Wednesdays 10-2; get help from a volunteer from the Whatcom Genealogy Society.   

Whatcom Genealogy Society:  Meets on 2^nd Mondays Feb-June and Sept-Nov at 2:00 P.M. at the Elks Lodge, 710 Samish Way.  Park in back and enter on the lower level.  Usually a special speaker or webinar presentation.

Bellingham Family History Center:   Located at the Church of the Later Day Saints at 2925 James Street.  Phone: 360-738-1849.  Park around back and enter through the small door on the left marked “Family History Center”.  You will find computers and friendly volunteers to help you.  They can help you organize your research and operate the equipment at the Center.

There are limited hours. 

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 10am-2pm

Wednesday: 10am-9pm

They are closed on holidays.  Call ahead in inclement weather. 

They provide free access to premium content at subscription websites.   partial list includes: 

Access Newspaper Archive

Alexander Street Press (Civil War)

Ancestry.com

Create your own “Who Do You Think You Are” story

Find My Past

Fold3 (military)

Historic Map Works (Library Edition)

Legacy Stories

My Heritage

Paper Trail

ProQuest Obituary Listings

World Vital Records

19^th Century British Library Newspaper

For Open Hours and a map go to their website.

    http://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Bellingham_Washington_Family_History_Center

Washington State Archives:

Records online at  http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/  You can search by name and see of all the online collections, such as birth, death, marriage, census, military, naturalization, Miscellaneous Family History, and many others.

The physical collections are accessed in regional branches of the State Archives.  http://www.sos.wa.gov/archives/  

Click on the Northwest Region for directions to the archives near WWU.  There are specific hours and you need to make an appointment.  They hold the records for the 7 Northwest counties.

If you are researching in another state, there will be similar digital archives and archives buildings.

Technology Help at our Public Libraries:

No matter our level of experience we are all being challenged by technology.  The use of devices, websites and software is becoming so necessary for genealogy research.  Our public libraries are there to help.  

The Bellingham Public Library offers one-on-one Tech Basics Coaching sessions by appointment.  Read all about it and find community and  online resources here:  https://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/using-the-library/tech-help.  To register for a session, call their Help Desk at (360) 778-7323.

WCLS has started Your Tech Learning, "one-on-one, half-hour computer tutoring on your choice of device".  Again by appointment at Everson, Lynden, Blaine and other branches.