Early Days
Eastside Genealogical Society (EGS) was first organized in April 1978 as a Special Interest Group of the Seattle Genealogical Society. The Eastside branch was formed to connect individuals located in communities east of Seattle in King County interested in finding their family history. The first organizational meeting was held at the Bellevue Public Library with 24 members in attendance. Four years later, following a majority vote to formally organize as an independent non-profit organization, Articles of Incorporation for Eastside Genealogical Society were filed in Olympia, Washington on 20 April 1982. There were approximately 60 members of the Society at the time.
The first EGS Board meeting was held on 06 May 1982 led by co-Presidents Harriet Scott and Mary Magnuson. The initial By-Laws were approved by the membership on 09 December 1982, and by January 1984, EGS had grown to 100 members. The original logo was designed by Larry Counter and adopted in December 1984. At the time of the 10th anniversary of EGS’s incorporation, the Society had more than 300 members and 13 Special Interest Groups.
EGS volunteers began designing a web page for the society at rootsweb.com in 1997, and it became active in mid-1998. In 1999, the decision was made to re-design the logo, and a committee was formed. According to the July 1999 Bulletin Board newsletter, “Working with the EGS Board and committee people, Gordon Young with strong support of John Wise, Bill Pfeifer, and Glen Ethier developed a revised logo.”
People
Charter Members
| Florine Alexander | Helen Joiner | Harriet Scott |
| Donna Counter | Frankie Larson | Jackie Smelser |
| Larry Counter | Mary Magnuson | Bill Van Kleek |
| Bob Ennis | Terry McCormick | Betty Wade |
| Richard Gates | Mary Lou McKibben | Frank Yound |
| Billie Holnagel | Marcella Patterson | Rose Yound |
| Bill Joiner | Betty Pfeiffer |
Past Presidents of EGS
| Jane Wickert | 2020-2024 |
| Celia McNay | 2016-2020 |
| Carol Pattison | 2012-2016 |
| Judy Meredith | 2010-2012 |
| Bob Barnes | 2008-2010 |
| Norb Ziegler | 2006-2008 |
| Bill Sperber | 2004-2006 |
| Gene Fagerberg | 2002-2004 |
| Mickey Main | 2000-2002 |
| Peter Robertson | 1998-2000 |
| Charles Dorian | 1996-1998 |
| Mary DeMatteo Sangalang | 1995-1996 |
| Connie Balazic | 1993-1995 |
| Bob Mullen | 1991-1993 |
| Bob Sandbo | 1990-1991 |
| Florine Alexander | 1989-1990 |
| Al Francisco | 1988-1989 |
| Janice (Jan) Pankratz | 1986-1988 |
| Billie Holnagel | 1985-1986 |
| Frankie Larson & Billie Holnagel | 1984-1985 |
| Betty Pfeiffer | 1983-1984 |
| Mary Magnuson & Harriet Scott | 1982-1983 |
Publications
Newsletter
EGS has created and distributed a newsletter on and off over the years. We have archived editions from 1985 to the present. Current and past newsletters are available through the Newsletter page of this website.
Indexes
EGS has published two indexes that are available for use in the Bellevue Library:
- Index of Probate Court Records from 1854 to 1917 for King County, Washington, including Seattle, Book 1. The index provides the case number that is necessary to order copies of probate documents from the King County Superior Court Clerk’s office. The index lists over 17,000 names. It shows the page number, last and first names, type, case number and filing date. The majority of the cases in this index are estate records that may provide a list of children’s names and ages, names of other relatives, family possessions and addresses of former residents. Also included are guardianships, partnerships, partnership estates, trusteeships, and other miscellaneous cases.
- Indexes to newspaper vital records information for the greater Bellevue area of King County, Washington. The vital records information on births, marriages and deaths was abstracted from two Bellevue (King County), Washington newspapers for the period 1918 through 1967. Nine indexes with over 45,000 names were produced. The volumes are:
- Death Index – 1 volume; 4,800 names
- Marriage Index – 1 volume; 7,300 names with bride and groom indexes
- Birth Indexes, child surnames – 4 volumes (A-D, E-K, L-Q, R-Z); total of 33,200 names
- Every Name Index – 3 volumes (A-G, H-N, O-Z); total of 45,000 names
Support Us
Your generous donation to Eastside Genealogical Society helps us pay for speakers for our monthly meetings, purchase books for donation to the Bellevue Regional Library, and pay for other outreach and educational services that we provide to the community.
Eastside Genealogical Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. Tax ID: 91-1205979. Contributions are tax deductible.
Any donation of $5 or more is greatly appreciated.
Or print a donation form to use the U.S. mail