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 | |
![]() Location of Washington in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded | April 24, 1854 |
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County Seat | Cathlamet |
Courthouse | |
Address | Wahkiakum County Courthouse 64 Main Street PO Box 116; Cathlamet, WA 98612 Phone: 360.795.3558 Wahkiakum County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Overview
- 2 Topics for Wahkiakum 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 Vital Records
- 2.28 Voting Registers
- 2.29 Websites
- 3 Archives, Libraries, etc.
- 4 Populated Places
- 5 References
County OverviewEdit
Before the newly-formed county was fully operational, search records of the parent county(s). |
DescriptionEdit
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
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 ChangesEdit
- Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[4]
CourthouseEdit
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 RecordsEdit
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1891 | 1868 | 1891 | 1868 | 1858 | 1852 | 1850 |
General compliance by 1917. |
Record LossEdit
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Topics for Wahkiakum County, Washington GenealogyEdit
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 RecordsEdit
BiographyEdit
Biographical information is often found in state and local histories or genealogies. See also Washington Biography.
Business and CommerceEdit
CemeteriesEdit
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 | |
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. |
CensusEdit
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. |
Church RecordsEdit
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.)
Court RecordsEdit
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.
DirectoriesEdit
Emigration and ImmigrationEdit
Ethnic, Political or Religious GroupsEdit
American IndianEdit
- 1911 - 1919 - Washington, Applications for Enrollment and Adoption of Washington Indians, 1911-1919 at FamilySearch — images
JapaneseEdit
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 HomesEdit
Maps and GazetteersEdit
for more resources
GenealogyEdit
Many local libraries and societies have collections of family genealogies. County histories or biographies often include brief genealogies of the featured persons.

GuardianshipEdit
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.
HistoryEdit
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 TimelineEdit
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 PropertyEdit
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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 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.
MapsEdit
This map highlights the county within the state of Washington.
The map soon will have inter-active links.
MigrationEdit
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
MilitaryEdit
- 1921-1925 - Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925 at FamilySearch — index
Naturalization and CitizenshipEdit
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.
- 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)
NewspapersEdit
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 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)
ObituariesEdit
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.
PeriodicalsEdit
Probate RecordsEdit
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.
- County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950 Part of 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 RecordsEdit
Public records are documents created by civil authorities that either don't fit comfortably in another topic, or that could fit in several topics.
- County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950 Part of Washington, County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950, at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
TaxationEdit
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 RecordsEdit
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. .
BirthEdit
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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.
- Birth Returns, 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
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.
MarriageEdit
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Ages | ![]() |
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Residences | ![]() |
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Husband's Occupation | ![]() | |
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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 - 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
Witnesses or affiants may be relatives or close family friends. The affidavits also include physician's certificates. |
DivorceEdit
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.
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.
DeathEdit
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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.
- County Deaths, 1891-1907. Part of: Washington, County Deaths, 1891-1907 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Death Returns 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
Voting RegistersEdit
WebsitesEdit
Check back often with these websites. Internet offerings are growing at record rates. Local societies and libraries may know of other websites. |
WAGenWeb Wahkiakum County | 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 -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
See also a List of Washington Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical & Genealogical Societies
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 CentersEdit
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
LibrariesEdit
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. |
- Cathlamet (Blanche Bradley) Public Library
100 Main Street
Cathlamet, WA 98612
Phone: 360-795-3254
Website
MuseumsEdit
- Wahkiakum Historical Society Museum
65 River Street
PO Box 541
Cathlamet, WA 98612
Phone: 360-849-4353
Facebook
SocietiesEdit
- Wahkiakum Historical Society
- Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Wahkiakum County books in the genealogy room.
Populated PlacesEdit
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]
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Census-designated places | ||
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ReferencesEdit
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Washington State Archives - Digital Archives, Birth Records, About this Collection
- ↑ About Death Records at Washington State Digital Archives.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wahkiakum County, Washington," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahkiakum_County,_Washington, accessed 26 March 2019.