Genealogy

“I want you to know how much help I received from the Library over a period of many years… As I was searching for a ‘lost’ family member, I needed help finding not only Frederick G. Hoenes but also all of the members of his family as well. These discoveries have thrilled our extended family to no end, as we never knew what had happened to this branch of the Hoenes family.” – Laurie Kade

Understand your Past

Trace your roots and discover your past at Spokane Public Library, located on the 3rd floor of the Central Library within the Inland Northwest Special Collections. Genealogy research at Spokane Public Library maintains a special emphasis on Spokane, Eastern Washington, and the Inland Northwest.

Get in touch with the Inland Northwest Special Collections team at (509) 444-5338 or [email protected].

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

SEARCH 100,000 OBITUARIES

Search a regional directory of obituaries dating back to the early 1900s. This will show you the publication and where to find it at Central Library.

RESEARCH TOOLS

ANCESTRY LIBRARY EDITION

Ancestry Library Edition contains collections with unparalleled coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom. Note: This is only available on computers at a Library location.

DIGITAL PHOTO ARCHIVE

Explore Spokane’s history through historic images of the homes, buildings, streets, Indigenous Peoples, and activities in and around the region. A physical photograph collection is also available with staff assistance.

FAMILYSEARCH AFFILIATE LIBRARY

FamilySearch provides free access to a vast collection of digitized genealogical records from archives around the world. While some records have restricted access online, accessing FamilySearch through this link at a library location unlocks nearly 90% of these records. Create a free personal FamilySearch account – you will not need your library card to login. Only available on computers at any library location.

NEWSPAPERS.COM

Search full text and images of a wide variety of historic Washington and Idaho newspapers, along with newspapers in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming.

PROQUEST HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS

Discover searchable digital images of Spokane’s historic newspapers, from 1883 to 2009 and the Spokane Chronicle from 1890 to 1992.

OBITUARIES

Search a regional directory of obituaries dating back to the early 1900s. This will show you the publication and where to find it at Central Library.

WASHINGTON STATE DEATH CERTIFICATES

Access digital death certificates for all those who died in Washington State from July 1, 1907 – December 31, 1995.

YEARBOOKS (SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOLS)

Browse digitized versions of more than 200 hundred Spokane high school yearbooks from the years 1911-1977.

Get Started

Downloads & Streaming

Can't Find it?

Language

Locations

Kiosks

Other Access

Closures

Attend an Event

Rent a Space/Host an Event

Partner With Us

Services

Genealogy & Local History

Language

Career & Economic Success

Creating & Making

Research & Learn

Homework Help

Online Courses

Partnerships

Kids & Teens

Homework Help

Teachers

Library Information

Partners

Library Organization

Support the Library

Connect with Us

Get Started

Downloads & Streaming

Can't Find it?

Language

Locations

Closures

Kiosks

Other Access

Attend an Event

Rent a Space/Host an Event

Partner With Us

Services

Genealogy & Local History

Language

Career & Economic Success

Creating & Making

Research & Learn

Online Courses

Partnerships

Homework Help

Kids & Teens

Homework Help

Teachers

Library Information

Library Organization

Partners

Support the Library

Connect with Us

Genealogy

Understand your Past

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

SEARCH 100,000 OBITUARIES

RESEARCH TOOLS

ANCESTRY LIBRARY EDITION

DIGITAL PHOTO ARCHIVE

FAMILYSEARCH AFFILIATE LIBRARY

NEWSPAPERS.COM

PROQUEST HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS

OBITUARIES

WASHINGTON STATE DEATH CERTIFICATES

YEARBOOKS (SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOLS)

BOOKS, MOVIES & MORE

ABOUT

LOCATIONS

CONNECT WITH US

509.444.5300

BOOKS, MOVIES & MORE

ABOUT

LOCATIONS

CONNECT WITH US

509.444.5300