Klickitat County, Washington Genealogy

United States Washington  Klickitat County ''  Guide to  genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1861, when the county was formed.

Parent County(s)
Klickitat County, Washington was created 20 December 1859.

County Seat: Goldendale. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.

Neighboring Counties
is surrounded by: Benton, Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Skamania, Wasco, Yakima

Boundary Changes

 * Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library

Dates of Major County Records
Note: The dates you see below have not yet been adapted to.

Topics
The types of records that follow are used for genealogy and family history. Most tell what you may learn and how to locate the records. Links to Internet sites usually go directly to entries with names, images, or information.

Census

 * See Washington Census for online indexes and images of US federal censuses. of: 1856, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940.
 * See statewide printed indexes, including 1856.
 * Check county indexes when online indexes fail. Created by people who knew the families of the area, they are often more accurate and they may have added insights. See periodicals and local libraries or other record holders.


 * 1890 Veterans
 * 1900
 * 1910
 * 1920
 * 1930
 * 1940

Church Records

 * Church records (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) for are listed in the . (Press space bar to select town.)

Court Records
Many of your ancestors may be found in court records as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence, occupations, and other family history information. See Washington Court Records for the various courts through the years.

For specialized court records, see Divorce · Guardianship · Land · Naturalization · Probate

American Indian
The Yakama Indian Reservation is located primarily in Yakima County, with a small portion in Klickitat County.

Japanese
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

Guardianship
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
A county history summary is available at http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&amp;file_id=7800

History Timeline
Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Wilma, David. Klickitat County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 7800.


 * The area was once home to the Klickitat and Wishram tribes, both of which ceded the land to the U.S. government
 * The earliest non-Indian settlement in Klickitat County was the Erastus S. Joslyn farm near present-day White Salmon.
 * Many early settlers to the future Klickitat County came east from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.
 * 1859 December 20 - The County of Clickitat (after 1869 spelled Klickitat) was formally organized.
 * Early settlers raised Durham and Shorthorn cattle, selling large herds to supply miners in Idaho and British Columbia.
 * 1870 - The Klickitat Valley's first fruit orchards were planted.

Military
Some military records for this county have been digitized at the Washington State Digital Archives.

Naturalization and Citizenship
Declarations of Intent before 1906 often include the nation of origin, his* foreign and "Americanized" names, residence, and date of arrival. See Washington Naturalization and Citizenship for more information. (*Women were not naturalized until 1922 in the United States.)

Marriage

 * Marriages beginning 20 Aug 1867 are available from the Western States Marriage Index website.

Divorce
Divorce records give the names of the parties and may give the date and place of their marriage. See Washington Vital Records for excellent information.

Death

 * Washington Death Certificates 1907-1960 A free internet index to the 1907-1960 death certificates can be found at FamilySearch Record Search, no images are available. A transcribed death certificate may contain such information as name of the deceased, date and place of death, age, gender, birth date and birth place, mother’s maiden name and name of spouse, place of residence, occupation and certificate numbers.

Websites

 * Klickitat County, Washington Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Klickitat County, Washington Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)

Archives, Libraries, etc.
Resources for 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 (Utah) or Allen County Public Library (Indiana) for.

Courthouse
Klickitat County Courthouse 205 S Columbus Avenue Room 204 Goldendale, WA 98620 Phone 509.773.4559 County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records. County Auditor has marriage records.

FamilySearch Centers

 * Introduction to LDS Family History Centers
 * Goldendale Washington Family History Center

Towns and Communities
See a list of towns and communities in Clickitat County per Wikipedia.

Indian Reservation

The Yakama Indian Reservation is located primarily in Yakima County, with a small portion in Klickitat County.