LIBRARY

The Jefferson County Genealogical Society Library is housed in the Research Center of the Jefferson County Historical Society.

We are located at 13692 Airport Cutoff Road (Highway 19), approximately five miles south of the City of Port Townsend and .3 miles south of the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 20. (360) 385-9495 [Map].

The Jefferson County Genealogical Society has an ever-growing collection of materials available to the researcher. In addition to the data collections for Jefferson County residents, we have a wide array of books, CDs, audio-tapes, microfilms and other references covering the US and foreign countries, “how-to” do genealogy research, directories, maps, family histories and other areas of interest to the family historian. Plus, we have subscriptions to Ancestry.com, the New England Historical Genealogical Society, and Newspaper Archives databases (and we hope to add more). The Research Center has Wi-Fi internet access for visitor use.

In addition to the catalog of JCGS, the collection of the Jefferson County Historical Society is available at the Research Center. This includes newspapers, vertical files on many Jefferson County families and subjects, maps, photos, city directories, maritime treasurers and much more. The Research Center is staffed by volunteers to help you.

Directions From Port Townsend

Follow Sims Way out of town. At the intersection of Highway 20 and Sims Way (Highway 19), go straight .3 miles. The Research Center is on your left. From Port Angeles/Sequim: Take Highway 101 to Highway 20 toward Port Townsend. At the stop light, turn right and go .3 miles. The Research Center is on your left. From Chimacum: Take Highway 19 (variously named Rhody Drive and Airport Cutoff Road) toward Port Townsend. After passing Jefferson County Airport, the Research Center will be on your right approximately .2 miles.

Fees

There is an entrance fee of $4 per person for researchers who are not members of either JCGS or JCHS. Photocopies (any size) are $.20 ($.10 for members), prints from the microfilm reader are $1.00 ($.50 for members), and computer print-outs are $.20 ($.10 for members). Additional information about research fees can be found on our Research Fees form.

Hours

Tuesday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except the third Saturday of the month when we open at 12 noon). During inclement weather the Center may be closed and is closed on all major holidays as well as the last two weeks in December – call ahead (360-385-9495) if you have any questions about our hours.

Library Catalog

Our Catalog is organized by the shelf label code, beginning with foreign countries, then US by state, records, reference and resources. Our list of holdings is updated quarterly. Check back often to see what’s new to our collection (or check out our newsletter for a list of recent additions). Members of JCGS can check out most books from our library for up to two weeks. Click here to view our catalog.

Family History Library In Chimacum

The Family History Library (FHL) at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) in Chimacum has a number of microfilms and fiches on permanent loan from Salt Lake City. This means that they are available for us to review at any time. In addition, researchers can order microfilms or fiches from the LDS repository in Salt Lake City through the FHL. A downloadable listing of items on permanent loan is available here. IMPORTANT: If you find a microfilm you want to review, locate it by the film number and not the label on the box. The label may be a generic title for a series of films or only identify one item among several or many on the microfilm. You may wish to review a more complete description of the film at the Family History Library Catalog. The Family History Library is located at 10104 Rhody Drive, Chimacum. (360) 385-5195 .

How You Can Help

In addition to a variety of volunteer opportunties at JCGS (from “working” at the Research Center to helping with data entry), you can help make our Catalog even better. We are always grateful for donations of genealogy books that you are no longer using – donations can be made by dropping them off at the Research Center or calling us for pick up. If we are unable to use your donation, we will either return it to you or offer it for sale at our annual seminar, using the proceeds to help us purchase more books for our collection.

50/50 Program

Additionally, we offer a 50/50 program. You select a book you would like to use and add to our library. If it is approved, you pay 50% of the cost and JCGS pays the other 50%. You get use of the book for six weeks before it is added to the library shelves. A great deal for all of us. Click here for a 50/50 Program Form.