See a list of our WVGS Events.
The West Valley Genealogical Society and Library celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and during that time has grown to become the largest genealogy library in Arizona. Family history researchers can find state, county, and local history information for Arizona, the United States, and many other countries. The WVGS Library is also listed as an international FamilySearch affiliate library.
WVGS welcomes all those interested in pursuing family history – from the novice to the experienced researcher, regardless of where your ancestors lived. Membership in WVGS offers a wide variety of opportunities for education and collaborative research. See benefits of membership or join us.
The crown jewel of WVGS is a non-circulating Library whose shelves hold thousands of books, periodicals, CDs and a one-of-a-kind map collection all of which can be found by searching our library catalog.
We have over 50,000 issues in our digitized periodicals collection available to members that can be searched in the library or from a member’s own home computer. They are organized in Categories by State, Country, and Family Newsletters.
A computer lab offers free access to multiple genealogical websites.
- Ancestry.com
- My Heritage (permanently available to members remotely)
- American Ancestors (New England Historic Genealogical Society)
WVGS has an affiliate partnership with FamilySearch.org. Using the computers in our lab provides free access to millions of images of original records from all over the world that can’t be viewed at home.
A free tour of the library is given on the last Monday of every month. Sign up for a free library tour or you may view an online tour. (Scroll down to see all pages.)
WVGS and its library is managed, maintained, and staffed on a volunteer basis by our members. We offer many opportunities, no matter your interest or skill, to learn more about our volunteer opportunities.
As a dynamic educational organization, a wide variety of classes are available which offer opportunities to enhance your genealogy knowledge and research skills. Membership Meetings – September through May – feature speakers presenting topics of interest to family researchers. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) meet at scheduled times to pursue collaborative research related to U.S. and international regions as well as other topics of genealogical interest.
WVGS also hosts an annual seminar in February of each year with a nationally known speaker. WVGS also sponsors an annual research trip to the world-renowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City and when possible to other major genealogy repositories such as the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the National Archives, Library of Congress and DAR Library in Washington DC.
WVGS offers a Speakers Bureau that reaches out to libraries, senior centers, genealogy groups and other community organizations interested in learning more about our library and how to get started in genealogy. There is no charge for these presentations although donations are welcomed. For more information contact speakers@azwvgs.org.
Lookup Team – if you are not able to make it to the WVGS library and need a lookup in a book that is in our library or a document from a FamilySearch Affiliate Library our volunteer Lookup Team may be able to assist you. Download the lookup request form and attach the completed form to an email to azwvgs-research@googlegroups.com. Blank forms are also available at the library. Non-members, please donate here.
Come join us – Discover your family history – and experience the many benefits membership in WVGS can bring to your genealogy research.