Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy
Guide to Wahkiakum County Washington ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1854 when the county was formed.
| Wahkiakum County, Washington | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Washington (disambiguation) | |
 Location of Washington in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded | April 24, 1854 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Cathlamet |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Wahkiakum County Courthouse 64 Main Street PO Box 116; Cathlamet, WA 98612 Phone: 360.795.3558 Wahkiakum County Website |
County Overview[edit | edit source]
 |
Before the newly-formed county was fully operational, search records of the parent county(s). |
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for Chief Wahkiakum ("Tall Timber") of the Chinook, who is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Cathlamet. The County is located in the southwest area of the state.[1]
Parent County(s)[edit | edit source]
Wahkiakum County, Washington was created 24 April 1854[2] from Cowlitz County.
County Seat: Cathlamet [3]. See also Towns and Communities in Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
- Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[4]
Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Wahkiakum County Courthouse
64 Main Street PO Box 116;
Cathlamet, WA 98612
Phone: 360.795.3558
County Auditor has birth records 1891-1907
and marriage records from from 1891.
County Clerk has burial, divorce, probate, court
and land records from 1868. [5]
See also Archives, libraries, etc. in Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy.
Dates of Major County Records[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1891 | 1868 | 1891 | 1868 | 1858 | 1852 | 1850 |
General compliance by 1917. | ||||||
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Topics for Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy[edit | edit source]
The topics or headings on this page describe records that are used for genealogy and family history. They include links to web sites with indexes, images, or information about the county.
|
Don't overlook Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy items in the FamilySearch Library Catalog. For other libraries (local and national) or to gain access to items of interest, see Archives and Libraries. |
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Biographical information is often found in state and local histories or genealogies. See also Washington Biography.
Business and Commerce[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
| Tombstone Transcriptions Online | Tombstone Transcriptions in Print | List of Cemeteries in the county |
| FindAGrave | Family History Library | FindAGrave |
| Tombstone Project | WorldCat | Interment.net |
| Billion Graves (name) | Washington Periodicals | WA State Digital Archives |
| WAGenWeb Archives | Linkpendium | |
| Billion Graves | Genealogy Trails | |
| FamilySearch Places | ||
| See Washington Cemeteries for more information. | ||
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1860 | 42 | — |
| 1870 | 270 | 542.9% |
| 1880 | 1,598 | 491.9% |
| 1890 | 2,526 | 58.1% |
| 1900 | 2,819 | 11.6% |
| 1910 | 3,285 | 16.5% |
| 1920 | 3,472 | 5.7% |
| 1930 | 3,862 | 11.2% |
| 1940 | 4,286 | 11.0% |
| 1950 | 3,835 | −10.5% |
| 1960 | 3,426 | −10.7% |
| 1970 | 3,592 | 4.8% |
| 1980 | 3,832 | 6.7% |
| 1990 | 3,327 | −13.2% |
| 2000 | 3,824 | 14.9% |
| 2010 | 3,978 | 4.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
| Names, ages, birthplaces | 1850–1940 |
| Birthplaces of parents | 1880–1940 |
| Relationships | 1880–1940 |
| Family and Neighbors | All years |
| Immigration year | 1900–1930 |
| Citizenship | 1910–1940 |
Censuses 1) Give names, ages, and more about the family; 2) Pinpoint the area to find other records; and 3) Provide clues for further research.
|
Click for more census tips |
- Washington online census links to FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest and others.
- See Washington Census Years for online availability of Federal, Territorial, and State-funded censuses.
- Census indexes at Washington State Digital Archives: (Free); and Ancestry ($)
 |
Censuses indexed by societies or groups in the area may be more accurate, due to familiarity with local surnames. |
Church Records[edit | edit source]
The information church records provide depends upon the church practices and the record keepers. Records may include names, ages, and dates of events such as baptism, marriage, or burial. See Washington Church Records.
- Church records (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) for Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy are listed in the FamilySearch catalog. (Press space bar to select town.)
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Your ancestors may be found in court records as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. Court records can clarify family relationships, places of residence, occupations, and family history. See Washington Court Records for courts used through the years.
For specialized court records, see Divorce · Guardianship · Land · Naturalization · Probate
- Wahkiakum Frontier Justice. Part of "Frontier Justice’’: Guide to the Court Records of Washington Territory, 1853-1889 at Washington State Digital Archives. (Free Index, no images)
- The court procedure of Frontier Justice touch nearly all pioneers of Washington Territory. The index has many abstracts that provide names and what is happening in disputes, settlements in civil and criminal cases as well as probate, equity and admiralty cases.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
American Indian[edit | edit source]
- 1911 - 1919 Washington, Applications for Enrollment and Adoption of Washington Indians, 1911-1919 at FamilySearch — images
Japanese[edit | edit source]
World War II Files, 1942-1946
Public Welfare/Social Security Department, (Japanese Internment) Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946 from the Washington State Archives – Digital Archives
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
Many local libraries and societies have collections of family genealogies. County histories or biographies often include brief genealogies of the featured persons.
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Many local libraries and societies have collections of family genealogies. County histories or biographies often include brief genealogies of the featured persons.
Guardianship of orphans or adults unable to manage their own affairs were handled by the probate and the Federal District courts. See Washington Court Records.
History[edit | edit source]
Local histories for Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy may include biographies, history of churches, schools, local government with names of officials, military information, and more. See Washington Local Histories.
- "Wahkiakum County Heritage" digital collection, per Washington State Library blog.
- "Wahkiakum County, Washington Facts" at StateOfUS.com. (Mis-labeled as Wahkiakum County, Alabama.)
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[7]
Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Kit Oldham. Wahkiakum County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 8011.
- The lower Columbia River, including the future Wahkiakum County, was home to one of the most numerous and richest indigenous populations north of Mexico.
- 1792 - May, American fur trader Robert Gray became the first non-Indian to enter the Columbia River.
- 1806 - Lewis and Clark met up surviving Cathlamets from the south bank and crossed the river.
- 1800s - For a generation, those who followed Gray and Lewis and Clark to the Columbia came not to settle but to trade, especially for furs.
- 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
- 1854 - April 24, The Washington Territorial Legislature established Wahkiakum County.
- 1846 - James and Charlotte Birnie and their children became the first pioneers to settle permanently in Wahkiakum County.
- 1850s - Homesteaders began farming the Elochoman Valley near Cathlamet.
- 1870s - Scandinavian immigrants began arriving.
- Until well into the twentieth century, the Columbia River and its tributaries were virtually the only transportation system for Wahkiakum County.
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
Land records (especially deeds) may give the name of a spouse, heirs, and witnesses, who are sometimes relatives or in-laws. County deeds, mortgages, and leases show transfers from person to person. See also Court Records for actions involving real estate. See Washington Land for government-to-person records.
- County Land Records, 1850-1954 at Washington, County Land Records, 1850-1954 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
Maps[edit | edit source]
This map highlights the county within the state of Washington.
The map soon will have inter-active links.
Migration[edit | edit source]
Most residents came to Washington from other states or crossed the border from Canada. (See Seattle Passenger Lists for those who came from other countries.) Although few other migration records exist, try:
• Censuses: (use birthdates and places of children as clues)
• Land Records: (1st deed may reveal previous residence)
• Death-related records of children may give town or county of birth
• Records of relatives and neighbors
Military[edit | edit source]
- 1921-1925 Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925 at FamilySearch — index
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Declarations of Intent before 1906 often include the nation of origin, foreign and "Americanized" names, residence, and date of arrival. See Washington Naturalization and Citizenship for more information. Note: Until 1922 in the United States, women's citizenship was based on that of their husbands.
- County Naturalization Records, 1850-1982. at Washington, County Naturalization Records, 1850-1982 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Included in this collection: Declaration of intention 1890-1951; Final record 18911958; Miscellaneous naturalization records 1884-1974; Certificate receipts 1907-1925; Petition records 1907-1961.
- Declarations of Intention, 1891-1951 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
- Miscellaneous Naturalization Records, 1891-1913 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
- Petitions for Naturalization, 1891-1961 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Small town newspapers provide historical content and contain obituaries, birth or death notices, legal notices, and community news, such as visits to or from out-of-town relatives. See Washington Newspapers for tips, resources, and details.
- Washington Digital Newspaper at Washington State Library
- Wahkiakum County, Washington Newspapers (Sortable by towns, years, and titles)
- 1855-2009 Washington Newspapers, 1855-2009 at MyHeritage — index & images, ($)
Finding More Washington Newspapers
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog. To select a county in Washington, add a comma, slide way down to the county list, then click Search. (Almost every state seems to have a Washington County)
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Obituaries may mention birth, marriage, spouse, parents, living family members, education, occupation, and more. See Washington Obituaries for state level collections and United States Obituaries for tips and insights.
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records identify heirs of the decedents, give the (approximate) death dates, and provide specifics about property holdings. The records were kept by the county judge.
These include wills, inheritance records, dockets, and other documents regarding property and estates of individuals who have died. See also Court Records for civil actions involving estates. Also see Washington Probate Records.
- Washington, County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Probate Records 1887-1921 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Probate of wills 1877-1914; Record of wills 1915-1921.
Public Records[edit | edit source]
Public records are documents created by civil authorities that either don't fit comfortably in another topic, or that could fit in several topics.
- Washington, County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
Taxation[edit | edit source]
Washington tax records complement land records and can supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Washington Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
The county auditors in Washington kept records of birth, marriage, and death. The county clerk has the divorce records - the earliest dates to the present.
Visit the Washington State Department of Health website to order a Washington Birth, Death, Marriage or Divorce Certificate. See Washington Vital Records for details and history of the records. .
Birth[edit | edit source]
- Washington, County Birth Registers, 1873-1965 — index and images
- Birth Returns, 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
For earlier or unrecorded births, search:
- Washington Delayed Birth Certificates often include statements of witnesses to the birth.
- Death Records often give birth date, place, parents
- Censuses to learn age, family members, location, etc.
- School Censuses in Washington give date of birth and name of parent or guardian
- Cemeteries usually give birth date or age, and sometimes birth place
- Obituaries often include birth info, living and deceased family members, and more
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1801-1962 Washington, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
- 1855-2008 Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008 FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Index 1907-1915 Vol 2 &3; Affidavits 1907-1939.
- 1891-1947 Marriage returns (1891-1947) and marriage certificates (1899-1995 with images, at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.
- 1907-1939 Marriage Affidavits, 1907-1939 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
- 1969-2014 Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index
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Witnesses or affiants may be relatives or close family friends. The affidavits also include physician's certificates. |
Divorce[edit | edit source]
The county clerk has the divorce records. To order certificates, see Washington State Department of Health.
Online Records
- 1969 - 2014 Washington Divorce Index, 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index
- County Divorce Records, 1852-1950. Washington, County Divorce Records, 1852-1950 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1922 Washington, County Death Registers, 1881-1922 at FamilySearch - How to use this collection, index
- 1881-1979 Washington, County Death Registers, 1881-1979 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1891-1907 Death Register, 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
- 1891-1907 Vital Records (Birth and Death, 1891-1907 Part of: Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- 1907-1960 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- 1907-1960 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at MyHeritage — index, ($)
- Death Records at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
Voting Registers[edit | edit source]
- 1876-1940 Washington Voting Records, 1876-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Websites[edit | edit source]
Check back often with websites. Local societies and libraries may know of other websites.
| WAGenWeb Wahkiakum County | Free | Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions |
| Wahkiakum County Washington Genealogy Research | Free | Contains information for researching genealogy in Wahkiakum County WA, Census, bios, obituary, birth, death, marriage, maps, and other records |
| USGenWeb | Free | Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions |
| Washington State Digital Archives | Free | Includes indexes, some linked to images.
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| FamilySearch Historical Collections | Free | Search indexes or browse images at FamilySearch.org.
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| Websites at RootsWeb -Wahkiakum WA | Free | Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions |
| Linkpendium | Free | Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($) |
| CyndisList | Free | Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($) |
| StateofUS.com | Free | ""Wahkiakum County, Washington Facts" (mis-labeled "Wahkiakum County, Alabama Facts") |
Books, microfilm, or manuscripts of genealogical records | |
| FamilySearch catalog for Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy | Select topics. To select towns, add a comma to the search box. |
| WorldCat | To find nearby libraries that have specific items, see WorldCat Online Catalog. |
| Allen County Public Library (Indiana) | |
Archives, Libraries, etc.[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in {{{1}}} County. For state-wide facilities, see Washington Archives and Libraries.
Resources for Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy are available in libraries, archives, and other repositories at all levels: the town, the county, the state (including universities), and the nation.
- Check websites and catalogs, such as items in FamilySearch Library (Utah) or Allen County Public Library (Indiana) for Wahkiakum County, Washington Genealogy. When you find items you'd like to access, see Get a Copy
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Local public libraries—even smaller ones—often have Unique Genealogical Collections that are not online for the area they serve. Many libraries in Washington have an area dedicated to local history and genealogy.
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A library's Unique Collections may include card indexes of local records, newspapers, scrapbooks, genealogy papers, files of a genealogical or historical society, and other unpublished manuscripts. |
- Cathlamet (Blanche Bradley) Public Library
100 Main Street
Cathlamet, WA 98612
Phone: 360-795-3254
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
- Wahkiakum Historical Society Museum
65 River Street
PO Box 541
Cathlamet, WA 98612
Phone: 360-849-4353
Facebook
Societies[edit | edit source]
- Wahkiakum Historical Society
- Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Wahkiakum County books in the genealogy room.
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Towns | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wahkiakum County, Washington," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahkiakum_County,_Washington. accessed 18/07/2019
- ↑ The Evolution of Washington Counties by Newton Carl Abbott, Fred E. Carver, 1979. Published by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society and Klickitat County Genealogical Society.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ John H. Long, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) online.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wahkiakum County, Washington page 734, At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wahkiakum County, Washington . Page 732-735 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 733-734.
- ↑ John H. Long, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) online.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wahkiakum County, Washington," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahkiakum_County,_Washington, accessed 26 March 2019.