OUR MISSION
EWGS welcomes you!
EWGS, a non profit organization, offers help to anyone researching their family history. We provide programs, classes, workshops, and a vibrant website with local resource databases, contact links and current activities information.
SEARCH OUR WEBSITE
OUR REGIONS
Eastern Washington Genealogical Society covers Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Stevens County. Region 7 of Washington State Genealogical Society
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
FREE GENEALOGY HELP - NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Every Wednesday - Central Library located at 906 W Main, Spokane, WA
10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Get help researching the story of your family. Come into the library to learn about our genealogy resources and work with experienced genealogy enthusiasts to learn how to fill out your family tree and explore various genealogy websites and charts. PLUS, tips for tracking down difficult-to-find family history.
Join us at THE HIVE, 2904 E Sprague, Spokane, WA 99202
MEETING INFO
The Society meets the first Saturday of the month in January through December. There are no Meetings in July and August. Specific meeting information can be found under "Events" on the top menu bar. All those interested in genealogy are welcome at any meeting.
Publications
The society's digital publication, EWGS Digital Digest is published on our website quarterly. Information about submissions for the Digest can be directed to our Digest Coordinator at digestcoordinator@ewgsi.org.
Don't forget our BLOG. You can always find the link to the most recent blog in the upper right corner of the HOME page.
Special Interest Groups
Anyone can join any of our SIG's. Meetings are monthly. For information on our SIG's, go to:
Questions
Research questions may be directed to EWGS Researcher Charles Hansen at AskEWGSI@ewgsi.org or use the contact form found on this website.
Local Events
Will Be Glad to Meet’—The Germans from Russia (AHSGR)-CIS Archives & Genealogical Records Project
The Hive Doors Open at 12:30
Speaker: Richard Scheuerman
’WILL BE GLAD TO MEET’—The Germans from Russia-CIS Archives & Genealogical Records Project”
- explores the origins of a remarkable historical records research project that took place in the wake of the Cold War. The effort, which began in 1990 and has continued in various forms ever since, involved building relationships of trust between members of the US-based American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and historians and archivists in the Soviet Union and later Russian Federation and Ukraine.
- By 1994 the work had yielded approximately 10,000 pages of documents related to Germans from Russia family records, settlement, colonial development, and emigration to North and South America.
Find - A - Grave Event
Holy Cross Cemetery 7200 N Wall St. Spokane, WA 99208
Pre-Event training and information session - TBD - COMING VERY SOON!!!
Please mark your calendars for this date. We will be looking for participants!
Researching your ancestors in Wales
The Hive
Speaker: Donna Potter Phillips
DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!
Genealogy Classes
Genealogy DNA Detectives
The Hive 2904 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Event Room A (Doors open at 9am)
We will still be continuing our work with DNApainter. For those who have not attended prior you will need to have your DNA on one of the following sites MyHeritage, FTDNA and GEDmatch.
If you only have your DNA on Ancestry, you will need to upload your DNA to one of the sites above.
This class is hands-on and is for anyone interested in finding those unknown DNA matches.
Please remember to bring cords (computer and extension).
Lynda Keenan, PLCGS Professional Genetic Genealogist
A Sapling to A Family Tree
Email: staft2020@gmail.com
Genealogy 101: From Curiosity to Family Trees
The HIVE: 2904 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Event Room A
Event Room A
This is a beginner genealogy class open to those who are just starting out and/or for those who would like to have a refresher course on the basics of Genealogy Research.
We will be discussing everything from how to create a well-documented family tree, different types of research tools and how to be a successful researcher.
Each class builds on what was learned the previous week, however, new attendees are welcome each week.
There will be experienced Genealogists there to assist you on your path to becoming an outstanding Genealogist. Please bring your laptops and electrical cords for this class
This class will be held the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 6p – 8:30p.
For more information contact Lynda Keenan at staft2020@gmail.com
Lynda Keenan, PLCGS Professional Genetic Genealogist
A Sapling to A Family Tree Email:
taft2020@gmail.com
Special Interest Groups
RootsMagic Users Group
Via Zoom
RootsMagic Users will meet to discuss anything you might be ha having trouble with when using the software. This could be as simple as adding new people to your database or adding two sets of parents to a child (bio & adopted for example). Other topics will be decided closer to the meeting time.
Sharpening Your Genealogy Skills (aka Refocus Group)
ZOOM ONLY
Sharpening your genealogy skills is the process of moving beyond simple name-gathering to become a more methodical and accurate family historian.
It involves transitioning from "climbing the tree" to verifying the roots through advanced research techniques and critical analysis.
For invite to zoom please contact Lynda Keenan at staft2020@gmail.com
Lynda Keenan, PLCGS Certified Genetic Genealogist
A Sapling to A Family Tree Website: STAFT.org
Email: staft2020@gmail.com
Irish Group Meeting
ZOOM ONLY
Meeting details coming soon!
Irish Group Monthly Meeting led by Paula Davis
If you are interested in attending this group or want to be included in the group email notices please contact: Paula Davis Email: tspoonmom@hotmail.com or you can text her: 208-344-2857
Sharpening Your Genealogy Skills (AKA Refocus Group)
ZOOM ONLY
Sharpening your genealogy skills is the process of moving beyond simple name-gathering to become a more methodical and accurate family historian.
It involves transitioning from "climbing the tree" to verifying the roots through advanced research techniques and critical analysis.
For the zoom invite and/or if you have any questions, please contact Lynda Keenan at STAFT2020@gmail.com
Thank you Lynda Keenan, PLCGS Professional Genetic Genealogist
A Sapling to A Family Tree
Email: staft2020@gmail.com
Sharpening Your Genealogy Skills (Refocus Group)
ZOOM ONLY
Sharpening your genealogy skills is the process of moving beyond simple name-gathering to become a more methodical and accurate family historian.
It involves transitioning from "climbing the tree" to verifying the roots through advanced research techniques and critical analysis.
For invite to zoom please contact Lynda Keenan at staft2020@gmail.com
Lynda Keenan, PLCGS Professional Genetic Genealogist
A Sapling to A Family Tree
Email: staft2020@gmail.com
Regional (non EWGS) Events
2026 AHSGR Spring Conference
Leavenworth, WA Bavarian village
"Farm to Table" or "Frisch vom Hof" relating to our German from Russia cultural heritage.
We will examine some of the many aspects of farming through generations and the varied culinary delights and comfort foods fresh from the fields and gardens to our tables.
We have a unique German from Russia heritage we carry where ever we cultivate the soil and sit down at the table.
Brent Mai, Richard Scheuerman and other great presenters will offer intriguing insights.
WHO: This conference is to gather those with ties to the Pacific Northwest and early German from Russia settlers to this area of the US and Canada. We attempt in every way to make this accessible and affordable. There is limited space so "Mach schnell" NOTE: We will again have a silent auction to help offset expenses. Please consider what you can contribute.
For those who have not yet sent in your registration, please reply via this email or postal mail received Monday, March 23rd for Banquet reservations. Conference registrations without banquet may register up till conference. AHSGR Leavenworth Spring Conference April 27 & 28 2026 @ The Bavarian Lodge Monday April 27th and Tuesday April 28 th 2026.
We are excited to again offer this opportunity to gather in Washington’s Bavarian Village to celebrate our German from Russia Heritage. We are fortunate to have Richard Scheuerman, Brent Mai, Larissa Zeiler, Mike Lust, and others joining us.
Limited number of attendees, so register now. -- Priority Registration – until March 1st
$160 per person - Includes 2 day Conference and Banquet Monday
$85 per person – 2 day conference only – no meal
Number attending: _____ total amount _______________
Name of attendee______________________________________ Name of attendee______________________________________
Email _____________________________Phone_____________
Please check here for photography consent
*** Mail checks payable to Marie Carroll 14125 Kellogg Lake Rd Sultan, WA 98294 We can accept Zelle payments via ahsgr_wa@yahoo.com
Sorry, we are not able to accept Credit Cards A block of rooms have been reserved. Rates beginning at $199 plus tax with the group code #8246 are available now through 3/26/2026.
Free room cancellation 14 days prior to arrival. Note: Full breakfast included. Non-guest may purchase breakfast and arrange parking at hotel front desk. Call the Bavarian Lodge directly to reserve your room and ask any questions about the facilities. Phone 1-888-717-7878
More Information click on this link
Cheney Mayfest
Cheney, Washington Downtown
Cheney Mayfest will be Friday evening May 8th for a street dance (6-10 pm)
Saturday, May 9th (10am - 4pm) for plenty of family activities.
We will have a booth on Saturday.
This will be the 13th year for Mayfest! It has grown to be quite a regional event.
If you are in the local area, I hope you will join us.
FOR DETAILS PLEASE CLICK HERE