Skagit County, Washington Genealogy
Guide to Skagit County Washington ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1883, when the county was formed.
Skagit County, Washington | |
Map | |
![]() Location in the state of Washington (disambiguation) | |
![]() Location of Washington in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded | November 28, 1883 |
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County Seat | Mount Vernon |
Courthouse | |
Address | Skagit County Courthouse 700 South 2nd Street PO Box 837 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Phone: 360.336.9440 Skagit County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Overview
- 2 Topics for Skagit County, Washington Genealogy
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biography
- 2.3 Business and Commerce
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.13 Genealogy
- 2.14 Guardianship
- 2.15 History
- 2.16 Land and Property
- 2.17 Maps
- 2.18 Migration
- 2.19 Military
- 2.20 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.21 Newspapers
- 2.22 Obituaries
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 Public Records
- 2.26 Taxation
- 2.27 School Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 2.29 Voting Registers
- 2.30 Websites
- 3 Archives, Libraries, etc.
- 4 Populated Places
- 5 References
County Overview[edit | edit source]
Before 1883—and perhaps until the newly-formed county was fully operational—search records of the parent county(s). |
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for the Skagit Indian tribe, which has been indigenous to the area prior to European-American settlement. The County is located in the northwest area of the state.[1]
County Formation[edit | edit source]
County Seat: Mount Vernon [3]. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[4]
Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Skagit County Courthouse
700 South 2nd Street
PO Box 837
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Phone: 360.336.9440
Skagit County Website
County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907, marriage records from 1884 and land records from 1872.
County Clerk has divorce, probate county records from 1870. [5]
See also Archives, libraries, etc. in Skagit County, Washington Genealogy.
Dates of Major County Records[edit | edit source]
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1892 | 1874 | 1890 | 1889 | 1877 | 1874 | 1850 |
General compliance by 1917. |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Topics for Skagit 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 Skagit 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. |
Cemetery records often reveal birth, death, relationship, military, and religious information. Tombstones, sextons (caretakers) records, and burial records each have slightly different information. See Washington Cemeteries.
Check every person buried in the plot, as they may be close relatives. |
Census[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
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Census | Pop. | %± |
1890 | 8,747 | — |
1900 | 14,272 | 63.2% |
1910 | 29,241 | 104.9% |
1920 | 33,373 | 14.1% |
1930 | 35,142 | 5.3% |
1940 | 37,650 | 7.1% |
1950 | 43,273 | 14.9% |
1960 | 51,350 | 18.7% |
1970 | 52,381 | 2.0% |
1980 | 64,138 | 22.4% |
1990 | 79,555 | 24.0% |
2000 | 102,979 | 29.4% |
2010 | 116,901 | 13.5% |
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.
- Statewide printed indexes of federal censuses
- Census indexes at Washington State Digital Archives: (Free)
Censuses indexed by societies or groups in the area may be more accurate, due to familiarity with local surnames. |
- Census Enumerator Cards, 1944 at Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- Genealogical information: cards in alphabetical order with name, age, exact address, occupation, enumerator's signature and date card was completed.
- Includes: Anacortes, Burlington, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley.
- School census records 1888-1948 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
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 Skagit County, Washington Genealogy are listed in the FamilySearch catalog. (Press space bar to select town.)
Lutheran[edit | edit source]
- Records of Burlington Lutheran Church, Burlington, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).
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
- Skagit 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:Cities and Towns- 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]
Guardianship of orphans or adults unable to manage their own affairs were handled by the probate and the District courts. See Washington Court Records.
History[edit | edit source]
Local histories for Skagit County, Washington Genealogy may include biographies, history of churches, schools, local government with names of officials, military information, and more. See Washington Local Histories.
- "Skagit County, Washington Facts" at StateOfUS.com (mis-labeled as Skagit County, Alabama Facts)
- History of the Puget Sound Country, Volume 1, Volume 2 by William Farrand Prosser [New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company, 1903] online at Washington History
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 Janet Oakley. Skagit County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 5663.
- People have lived in present-day Skagit County and its environs for nearly 10,000 years. They were known as the Coast Salish.
- 1791 - Rosario Strait is on the most western edge of Skagit County. The Spaniard Juan Francisco de Eliza charted it, and named it Canal de Fidalgo.
- 1824 - John Work, a trader with Hudson’s Bay Company, came through the area.
- 1852 - The first Euro-American to live in the county, was Englishman William (Blanket Bill) Jarman with his Coast Salish wife.
- 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
- 1863 - Settlement on the county’s mainland took hold when Michael Sullivan and Samuel Calhoun began diking the marshy flats near present day LaConner.
- 1860s-1870s - New settlements and trading posts appeared on Guemes Island and Samish Island.
- 1883 - November 28, A bill passed in the territorial legislature separated Skagit County from Whatcom County.
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
Yes or Maybe ⇒ | Y | M |
Seller (Grantor) | ![]() |
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Seller's Spouse | ![]() |
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Buyer (Grantee) | ![]() |
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Witnesses | ![]() |
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Land Description and Dates | ![]() |
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Land records (especially deeds) may give the name of a spouse, heirs, and witnesses, who may be 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 Recorder's Office: check deeds, file mining claims, get assistance in finding ownership of a particular property, and obtain copies of county plat maps. This office has county plat records dating back to 1878, prior records having been destroyed in a fire.
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 (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, 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.
Washington State Digital Archives has digitized various types of naturalization-related records, including declarations of intentions, delayed birth files, naturalization affidavits, notifications of application for admission to US citizenship, orders fixing naturalization terms, petitions and records, petitions, receipts for certificates of citizenship, record of final decrees of citizenship and record of petitions dockets. Depending on the county, records range from 1854-1988.
- Naturalization and Citizenship records 1878-1955. Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Certificates of naturalization 1922-1926; Citizenship record 1896-1906; Concrete census enumerator cards 1944; Declarations of intention 1878-1945; Naturalization card index 1928-1945; Naturalization proceedings and index 1906-1925; Petition and record 1906-1955; Reports of naturalization petitions granted or denied 1930-1945.
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.
Finding More Washington Newspapers
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Skagit 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.
See also: Newspapers • Libraries • Societies • Funeral Homes • Obituaries of neighboring counties or of the person's previous residence • Family records.
Also check:
- Newspapers of Skagit County, Washington Genealogy
- Local Funeral Homes, Libraries, or family records.
- Obituaries of neighboring counties
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.
- Probate Case Files, 1890-1929. Part of: Washington, County Probate Records, 1853-1929 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
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.
- Skagit Postmaster Index. Part of Washington, Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965, FamilySearch Historical Collections for Washington. (Free, browse images)
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.
School Records[edit | edit source]
- School census records 1888-1948 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
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]
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Birth Date and Place | ![]() |
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Parent's Names | ![]() |
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Mother's Maiden Name | ![]() |
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Parent's Ages | ![]() | |
Parents' State or Country of Birth | ![]() |
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Name of Doctor or Midwife | ![]() |
In 1891, coroners, physicians, and midwives were to "return" births and deaths to the county auditor. Many went unrecorded. In 1907, the State Center for Health Statistics assumed this responsibility.[8]
See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Birth Records.
- Washington, County Birth Registers, 1873-1965 — index and images
- Birth Records, 1891-1908 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
- Birth Records, 1869-1946 at Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes: Birth and death record index, 1892-1946; Birth certificates, 1869-1907; Births (delayed) 1869-1907; Birth and death record index 1892-1946.
For earlier or unrecorded births, search:
- Delayed Birth Certificates often include statements of witnesses to the birth.
- Death Records to learn birth date, place, parents
- Census to learn age, family members, location, etc.
- School Censuses give date of birth and name of parent or guardian
- Cemeteries for birth date or age, maybe birth place
- Obituaries for any of the above and more
- See also Neighboring and Parent counties and How to Find Washington Birth Records.
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Y | M | |
Date of Marriage or License | ![]() |
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Names of Bride and Groom | ![]() |
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Ages | ![]() |
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Birth Places | ![]() |
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Residences | ![]() |
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Names of Parents | ![]() | |
Husband's Occupation | ![]() | |
Witnesses | ![]() |
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Minister or Officiator | ![]() |
Marriage records include certificates, marriage returns, license applications or affidavits. Counties kept the records until 1968, when the state took over.
Search all documents that exist for a marriage, since information on them will vary. |
See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Marriage Records.
- 1801-1962 - Washington, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1855–2008 - Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1884-2000 - Marriage Records, 1884-2000 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
- 1969-2014 - Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Birth, Marriage, Death Index 1891-1898;Index to Licenses 1923-1947; Affidavits 1909-1939; Applications Index 1940-1985; Applications 1905-2001; Certificate Index 1884-1923; Licenses 1940-1959; Record Index 1925-1994; Register 1891-1948; Returns 1891-1948.
Witnesses or affiants may be relatives or close family friends. The affidavits also include physician's certificates. |
Divorce[edit | edit source]
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.
- 1969-2014 - Washington Divorce Index, 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index
Death[edit | edit source]
Y | M | |
Name of Deceased | ![]() |
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Death Date and Place | ![]() |
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Age or Birth Date and Place | ![]() |
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Parent's Names | ![]() |
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Mother's Maiden Name | ![]() |
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Name of Spouse | ![]() | |
Residence | ![]() |
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Occupation | ![]() |
In 1891, coroners, physicians and midwives were to report (or return) all births and deaths under their supervision to County Auditors. On July 1, 1907, the State took over....[9]
See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Death Records.
- Washington, County Death Registers, 1881-1922 at FamilySearch - How to use this collection, index
- Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Death and Birth records 1869-1946 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Birth and death record index 1892-1946; Death certificates 1892.
- Death Returns, 1891-1908 at Washinton State Digital Archives Collection (Free)
Voting Registers[edit | edit source]
Websites[edit | edit source]
Check back often with these websites. Internet offerings are growing at record rates. Local societies and libraries may know of other websites. |
Skagit WAGenWeb | Free | Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions |
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 - Skagit 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 | "Skagit County, Washington Facts" (mis-labeled "Skagit County, Alabama Facts") |
Books, microfilm, or manuscripts of genealogical records | |
FamilySearch catalog | 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]
See also a List of Washington Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical & Genealogical Societies
Resources for Skagit 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 Skagit County, Washington Genealogy. When you find items you'd like to access, see Get a Copy
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
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 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.
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. |
- Anacortes Public Library
1220 10th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 360-293-1910
Website - Burlington Public Library
820 East Washington Avenue
Burlington, WA 98233
Phone: 360-755-0760
Website - Upper Skagit Library District
45770 B Main Street
Concrete, WA 98237
Phone: 360-853-7939
Website - La Conner Regional Library
614 Morris Street
La Conner, WA 98257
Phone: 360-466-3352
Website - Mount Vernon City Library
315 Snoqualmie Street
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Phone: 360-336-6249
Website - Sedro-Woolley Public Library
802 Ball Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
Phone: 360-855-1166
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
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:[10]
Cities | ||
Towns | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
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Native American communities | ||
Census-designated places | ||
Ghost towns | ||
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Skagit County, Washington," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skagit_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),Skagit 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), Skagit 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.
- ↑ Washington State Archives - Digital Archives, Birth Records, About this Collection
- ↑ About Death Records at Washington State Digital Archives.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Skagit County, Washington," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skagit_County,_Washington, accessed 22 March 2019.