On October 18, 1923, eight local researchers founded the Seattle Genealogical Society. They met in the downtown Seattle law offices of Moore and Higgins, Room 953, of the Dexter Horton Building, 704 Second Avenue, on the northeast corner of Cherry Street. These offices were the likely site of the original Seattle Genealogical Society, now known as SGS to all those who use it.
The eight founding members were Alexander Craig Dermond, Eleanor M. Freeman, Elizabeth A. Hubbart, Susan M. Keppel, Lida R. McKercher, Harry Denton Moore, Alice V. Robinson, and George E. Tilton. Their purpose was to form an active genealogical society and to begin a library collection available for Pacific Northwest researchers.
Fifty-nine interested researchers met on December 10, 1923 in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium in the downtown Arctic Building, Third Avenue and Cherry Street. Reverend Ambrose Bailey of the First Baptist Church spoke on “Why Trace Your Ancestry?” This was the first general meeting of the newly organized Seattle Genealogical Society, and at that meeting, 21 more members joined SGS.
We have seen membership dues rise from $1 to $40. The membership has increased from the original 8 members to over 1200 members at our peak. We now have over 500 members. Our library has increased from a small room to a facility housing thousands of books, plus website and database access.
Since 1923, there have been many changes in both SGS and the genealogical community. Now, with much-renewed interest and commitment, encouraged by new approaches to research and exciting technology, plus an unparalleled availability of worldwide records, the Seattle Genealogical Society is working to offer the community 21st-century research techniques. We are working hard to make our resources more accessible at the SGS Library and online. We are excited about all of the possibilities opening up to family history researchers!
“History of Seattle Genealogical Society (1923-1973)” by Carol C Lind
“Sixty Five Years of History 1923-1988” by Sarah Thorson Little