RECORDS OF THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY
Some of the sources described in this outline list the Family History
Library's book, microfilm, and microfiche numbers. These are preceded by FHL,
the abbreviation for Family History Library. These numbers are used to
locate materials in the library and to order microfilm and microfiche at
family history centers.
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG
The library's records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)
found at the library and at each family history center. To find a record,
look in the locality section of the FHLC for:
- The place where your ancestor lived, such as:
UNITED STATES - CENSUS WASHINGTON - VITAL RECORDS WASHINGTON, KING -
HISTORY WASHINGTON, KING, SEATTLE - DIRECTORIES
- The record type you want to search, such as:
UNITED STATES - CENSUS WASHINGTON - VITAL RECORDS WASHINGTON, KING -
HISTORY WASHINGTON, KING, SEATTLE - DIRECTORIES
The section headings in this outline match the names of record types
used in the FHLC.
BIBLE RECORDS
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) collection contains some
Bible records. This collection is described in the "Genealogy"
section of this outline and is partially indexed by E. Kay Kirkham, An Index
to Some of the Bibles and Family Records of the United States, vol. 2
(Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, 1984; FHL book Ref 973 D22kk v.2).
Another publication that has a small number of Bible transcripts is Bible
Records... (Tacoma, Wash.: The Tacoma Genealogical Society, 1963; FHL book
979.7 V29t; film 1,036,741, item 2).
BIOGRAPHY
Who's Who in Washington State:
A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Men and Women Prominent in the
Affairs of Washington State (Seattle: H. Allen Pub, 1927; FHL film
1,000,645, item 5).
CEMETERIES
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) collection contains tombstone
inscriptions from some Washington cemeteries. This collection is described
in the "Genealogy" section of this outline. Some tombstone
inscriptions are also published in periodicals. See the United States
Research Outline for further suggestions on locating cemetery records.
A valuable published collection of tombstone inscriptions covering parts of
12 counties is Cemetery Records of Washington, 6 vols. (N.p.: 1957-60; FHL
book 979.7 V22p; films 824,254-56).
Transcripts of other cemetery records are listed in the FHLC under specific
counties.
CENSUS RECORDS
Federal
The Family History Library has the 1850 census of Oregon Territory that
included Washington, and a separate index of the portion that became
Washington. The library also has the U.S. federal censuses for
Washington Territory for 1860, 1870, and 1880 and for the state of
Washington for 1900 and 1910. The 1890 census has been destroyed. The 1890
veterans schedule and index are available at the Family History Library and
at the National Archives.
Indexes in book and microfiche format are available for the 1860, 1870, and
1880 censues. A soundex (phonetic) index is available on microfilm for part
of the 1880 and all of the 1900 census. For 1910 the Family History Library
has a street index for Seattle (FHL fiche 6331481).
Mortality schedules exist for the 1850 (as part of Oregon Territory), 1860,
1870, and 1880 censuses. The mortality schedules for 1860 to 1880 are
available at the DAR library in Washington D.C. and at the Washington State
Library. The Family History Library has copies of the 1850 to 1880 mortality
schedules.
Territorial and State
In addition to the federal censuses, territorial and state censuses also
exist for a few counties for various years prior to 1892. These generally
include heads of households only. These partial censuses are available only
at the Washington State Library.
CHURCH RECORDS
Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Washington were the Baptist,
Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, and Presbyterian churches. To help you
learn more about Church records in Washington, see Guide to Church Vital
Statistics Records in Washington (Seattle: Historical Records Survey, 1942;
FHL book 979.7 V2hr; fiche 6051172).
COURT RECORDS
Major Washington courts that have kept records of genealogical value were
established as follows:
Probate courts were the primary courts for probate matters until 1891, when
this responsibility was assumed by the superior courts. In some areas, the
probate court had concurrent civil and criminal
jurisdiction with the district courts.
Superior courts have had countywide jurisdiction over criminal cases and
major civil cases, juvenile matters, and probate matters.
District courts have district wide jurisdiction with the superior courts
over misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and minor civil
cases.
The Supreme Court has statewide appellate jurisdiction.
The Family History Library does not have copies of Washington court records.
They are available at the county courthouses, or some courts have
transferred their records to the Washington State Archives.
DIRECTORIES
Directories of heads of households have been published for major cities in
Washington. The FHL has directories for the following:
Seattle:
1872-1901 FHL film 1,377,464-72 1911, 1913, 1916-18, 1932, 1960, 1964, 1970,
1975, 1979 FHL book 979.777/S1 E4p
Spokane:
1910, 1913, 1915 FHL fiche 6046575 1916-18, 1923, 1939, 1955, 1960, 1966,
and 1984 FHL book 979.737/S1 E4ph
EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION
In the early 1800s, traders and trappers came from Canada, Russia, Latin
America, and the United States into what is now Oregon and Washington. In
1811 John Jacob Astor, an American, established the first white settlement
in Oregon. Most early settlements of the 1830s and 1840s were in the
Willamette River Valley. In 1843 more than 900 emigrants came to Washington
from Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa.
In the 1850s, gold was discovered in eastern Washington and prospectors
flocked in. Major Indian hostilities, however, slowed migration. In 1860
gold was found near Walla Walla, and this brought another rush of
prospectors, including large numbers of Chinese. After 1870 immigrants came
from Germany, Scandanavia (especially Norway and Sweden), Holland, Britain,
and the Philippines. Many Japanese immigrated to Washington starting in the
mid-1880s.
The greatest influx of settlers started in the 1880s, when transport by
rail became possible. The first of three transcontinental railroads
to Washington was completed in 1888. Most of the settlers of the 1880s
and 1890s were from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and other western, midwestern, and
eastern states. Others came from Canada and Europe.
The Family History Library has copies of passenger and crew lists from
Seattle (Port Townsend) from 1890 through 1921 (55 microfilms). Most
Washington immigrants arrived in the United States through the port of New
York or other east-coast ports. The Family History Library and the National
Archives have records from 1820 to 1940. See the United States Research
Outline for more information about these records.
GAZETTEERS
Several helpful gazetteers of Washington have been published, including:
Meany, Edmond S. Origins of Washington Geographic Names. 1923 reprint.
Detroit: Gale Research Co., 1968; (FHL book 979.7 E2m; fiche 6051179.)
R. L. Polk & Co. Oregon & Washington Gazetteer and Business
Directory. Seattle: R.L. Polk, 1909. (FHL film 1,000,367.)
Phillips, James W. Washington State Place Names. Seattle: University of
Washington Press, 1971. (FHL book 979.7 E2p.)
GENEALOGY
Most archives, historical societies, and genealogical societies have special
collections and indexes of genealogical value.
The most important genealogical collections for Washington have been
compiled by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The Family
History Library has three large sets of DAR compilations microfilmed at the
DAR Library in Washington, D.C. These are:
- 29 volumes of "Family Records and Reminscences of Washington
Pioneers Prior to 1899," microfilmed in 1955 and 1960 (12
films; index to the first 15 volumes is on FHL film 034,446).
- 12 volumes of "Genealogical and Historical Gleanings"
(FHL films 849,488-91) compiled from 1931 to 1959.
- 40 volumes of transcripts of Bible records, cemetery records, church
records, marriages, deaths, obituaries, and wills microfilmed in 1970 (22
films). Additional volumes compiled since 1970 are at the DAR Library.
Volumes 1 through 52 are indexed by Shirley Swart, comp., Index to
Washington State Daughters of the American Revolution... (Yakima,
Wash.: Yakima Valley Genealogical
Society, 1983; FHL book 979.7 D22y).
A helpful source for studying the history of Washington is Harvey K. Hines, An
Illustrated History of the State of Washington: Containing... Biographical
Mention of...its Pioneers and Prominent Citizens... (Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co., 1893; FHL book 979.7 D3h; film 1,000,637).
Background information on Washington counties is in Newton Carl Abbott and
Fred E. Carver, The Evolution of Washington Counties (N.p.: Yakima Valley
Genealogical Society & Klickitat County Historical Society, 1978; FHL
book 979.7 D25a; fiche 6051194). This is listed in the FHLC under WASHINGTON
- HANDBOOKS, MANUALS, ETC.
LAND AND PROPERTY RECORDS
Federal Land Records
Washington is a public land state. The area that now comprises the state was
part of the public domain and was admininistered by the federal government
through local land offices under the direction of the Government Land Office
(GLO), later known as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The first land
office in Washington was established at Olympia in 1855.
The process of obtaining private title to government land is called land
entry. Settlers could acquire land in several ways:
- Donation land could be claimed by individuals who settled and cultivated
land before 1855. The Family History Library has a register with indexes and
abstracts of the Washington Donation Land Claims (FHL film 418,160). This
identifies each claim by name, local office, and certificate number. It can
be used to locate the original file. The original files are at the National
Archives and on
microfilm at the National Archives--Seattle Branch and at the Family History
Library (FHL films 1,492,243-258).
- Cash entries were granted for cash payment for the land. Anyone who was
twenty-one years old, or who was a head of household (including widows)
could purchase up to 160 acres of land.
- Homestead grants were obtained after 1862 by living on the land, raising
crops, and making improvements for five years. To be eligible, an applicant
either had to be a U.S. citizen or must have filed his intention to become a
citizen.
The land entry case files are usually the most helpful records to the
genealogist because they may provide names, dates of birth, date and place
of marriage, citizenship information, records of migration, and other data.
They are arranged according to the state, land office, type of entry, and
certificate number.
The National Archives has the land entry case files. To obtain a copy of a
file, you will need to provide the following information: name of the person
who filed, legal description of the land, patent number, date of the patent,
and land office of issuance.
The local GLO offices recorded the transactions for each section of land in
tract books. They also created township plats, which are maps of land
entries for each township. The original tract books and township plats are
at the National Archives. Microfilm copies of the tract books and township
plats are at the Family History Library and at the Oregon State Office of
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 825 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, OR
97208. Other local land office records are at the National Archives--Seattle
Branch.
After the settler completed the requirements for land entry, his case file
was sent to the General Land Office in Washington, D.C., where a patent (or
first-title deed) was issued. Patent records contain the name of the
entryman, the legal description of the land (including the acreage) the date
of patent, and other information. The Oregon State Office of the BLM
(address above) has the patent records.
County Land Records
After land was transferred from the government by sale or grant to private
ownership it could be sold again, inherited, lost by foreclosure of a
mortgage, or distributed through a divorce. These transactions are recorded
at a county courthouse in the form of deeds and mortgages. You can obtain
copies of these records by writing to the county auditor. The Family History
Library has not acquired copies of county land records except for Clark
County.
State Land Records
Water rights applications, permits, and certificates were issued by the
State Department of Ecology beginning in 1917. These records will be found
at either the Department of Ecology or the Washington State Archives. The
county auditor usually has copies. They generally provide the same kinds of
information as other land records.
MAPS
Several historical maps are found in Ralph N. Preston, Early Washington:
Overland Stage Routes, Old Military Roads, Indian Battle Grounds, Old Forts,
Old Gold Mines (Corvallis, Ore.: Western Guide Publishers, 1974 ; FHL book Q
979.7 E3e).
The Family History Library has several maps of Washington. Larger
collections of maps are available at the University of Washington in Seattle
and Western Washington State College in Bellingham.
MILITARY RECORDS
Many of the federal military records you'll want to use are found at the
Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state
archives. The United States Research Outline provides more information
regarding the federal records. For Washington, the following sources are
also very helpful:
Civil War
The Family History Library has the index to service records of Union
volunteers from Washington Territory (FHL film 821,948) and the federal
index to pension applications. The actual service and pension records are
available only at the National Archives. The library also has a copy of a
special census taken in 1890 of Union veterans of the Civil War (FHL film
338,267).
Indian Wars
Muster rolls are available at the Washington State Archives. The Nation al
Archives and the Family History Library have the enlistment registers of
soldiers who served in the regular army from 1798 to 1884 (FHL films
350,307-49). Many of these soldiers served in the western states, including
Washington, during the Indian Wars. The enlistment registers provide the
soldier's rank, unit, commanders, physical description, occupation, and
birth place. The records are arranged by year and by the first letter of the
surname.
The Family History Library and the National Archives have an index to
soldiers who applied for pensions as a result of service in the Indian Wars
from 1817 to 1898 (FHL films 821,610-21). The pension records are only
available at the National Archives.
Additional Military Records
Histories and rosters of soldiers of the Washington Militia and National
Guard who served in the Indian Wars of the 1850s to the post-World War II
era, are in Virgil F. Field, Washington National
Guard Pamphlet: The Official History of the Washington National Guard, 3
vols. (Tacoma: Office of the Adjutant General, 1961; FHL book 979.7 M25w).
The Washington State Archives has other helpful records, including:
- Records of residents of the State Soldiers Home and State Veterans Home up
to the mid-1930s.
- Applications and supporting papers submitted by Washington veterans of
World Wars I and II for a state bonus. These often include information about
the soldier's residence, occupation, relatives, age, place of birth, and
enlistment.
- National Guard Statements of Service cards for guardsmen who participated
in World Wars I and II. These cards list the name of the serviceman, last
residence, date and place of enlistment, date and place of birth, years of
service, military organization attachment, rank, and engagements.
NATIVE RACES
A wealth of genealogical information is available for the various Indian
tribes in Washington. Besides published histories, the Family History
Library has microfilm copies of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) records
of births, marriages, deaths, censuses, schools, land allotments,
heirships, and family records. They are available from about 1887 to 1952
from agencies such as the Colville, Puyallup, Taholah, Tylalip, and Yakima.
The original documents are at the National Archives--Seattle Branch.
An especially-useful source is the collection, Family Index Cards,
1938-1950, created by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Portland Area Office (FHL
films 1,028,470-471).
Records of American Indians are also listed in the subject section of the
FHLC under the names of the agency or tribe. Some of these tribes are the
Nez Perce, Yakima, and Chinook.
NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP
Naturalization records have been filed in various courts, usually with the
county clerk, who also served as the clerk of the superior court. The Family
History Library has not acquired any of the naturalization files for
Washington. You can obtain copies of declarations, petitions, and
proceedings from each county courthouse or federal court.
Naturalization records were often filed with donation and homestead land
records (see the "Land and Property" section). The naturalization
certificates in the donation land files were not microfilmed but can be
obtained from the National Archives.
For naturalization records filed after September 1906, contact the National
Archives--Seattle Branch or the local office of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
The Seattle Archives Branch has the records of the U.S. district and circuit
courts in Spokane, Seattle, and Tacoma from 1890 to 1957. It also has
records from 1853 to 1975 relating to naturalization in terrritorial and
other courts for King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties.
NEWSPAPERS
The Washington State Library is in charge of the Washington State Newspaper
Microfilm Project and maintains a large collection of newspapers on film
dating from the 1870s. A guide to this collection is Katryn S. Hamilton,
Newspapers on Microfilm in the Washington State Library (Olympia: Washington
State Library, 1980; not at FHL).
A guide for locating early newspapers is "Newspapers of Washington
Territory to 1890." This was published in volumes 13 (1922), 14 (1923),
and 26 (1935) of the Washington Historical Quarterly (FHL book 979 B2pn.)
The Family History Library has not acquired copies of newspapers for the
state, but has a few published vital records abstracted from newspapers.
PERIODICALS
The major genealogical periodicals and magazines helpful for Washington
research include:
Washington Heritage. (formerly Washington State Genealogical and Historical
Review). 1982-. Published by Heritage Quest, Drawer 40, Orting, WA
98630-0040. (FHL book 979.7 D25w.)
The Appleland Bulletin. 1972-. Published by the Genealogical Society of
North Central Washington, P.O. Box 613, Wenatchee, WA 98801. (FHL book 979.7
B2a.) There is a cumulative index to vols. 1-4.
The Bulletin. 1964-. Published by the Eastern Washington Genealogical
Society Library, P.O. Box 1826, Spokane, WA 99210. (FHL book 979.7 B2e.)
Bulletin of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. 1970-. Published by the
Whatcom Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1493, Bellingham, WA 98227. (FHL book
979.773 B2w.)
The Researcher. 1969-. Published by the Tacoma Genealogical Society, P.O.
Box 1952, Tacoma, WA 98401. (FHL book 979.778/T1 B2r.)
Trailbreakers. 1971-. Published by the Clark County Genealogical Society,
P.O. Box 2728, Vancouver, WA 98668. (FHL book 979.786 B2t.)
Yakima Valley Genealogical Society Bulletin. 1973-. Published by the Yakima
Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 445, Yakima, WA 98907. (FHL book
979.755 B2y.)
PROBATE RECORDS
In the territorial era, probate courts were established in each county to
keep records of wills, bonds, orders, and the administrations of estates.
When the superior courts succeeded the probate courts in 1891, all of the
records of the clerks of the probate courts were transferred to the county
clerk in each courthouse. Some probates were filed in the superior court.
The Family History Library has not acquired copies of probate records in
Washington. They are available a t the various county courthouses, or the
county may have transferred early records to the Washington State Archives.
VITAL RECORDS
State Records of Births and Deaths
Statewide registration of births and deaths in Washington began in 1907 and
was generally complied with by 1917. For copies of state birth and death
records, write to:
Vital Records P. O. Box 9709, ET-11 Olympia, WA 98504-9709
The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in
Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces
(Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, August,
1987). Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and at
family history centers. You can also write to the Vital Records office for
current information.
The Vital Records office has a series of indexes to state birth and death
records from 1907 to the present. Copies of the indexes to death records
from 1907 to 1979 are also at the Washington State
Library.
The Family History Library has copies of most of the state records from 1907
to 1952. Although the files are incomplete, these records include:
- Birth certificates, 1907-1952, and five soundex indexes, 1907-1959 (211
films)
- Death certificates, 1907-1952, and five soundex indexes, 1907-1979 (466
films)
Delayed Birth Records
Individuals who were born prior to 1907, or who did not have a birth
certificate, may have applied for a delayed birth certificate at a superior
court or at the State Department of Health. Washington began keeping delayed
birth records in 1907. Many unrecorded births were finally registered during
World War II.
Delayed birth records are available from the Vital Records office (see
address above). The Family History Library has copies and accompanying
soundex indexes of the delayed birth records issued from 1936 to 1953 (65
films).
County Records of Births and Deaths
Although a few counties began recording births and deaths several years
earlier, most Washington counties began keeping records in 1891. County
birth and death records from the earliest dates to 1906 are at each county
auditor's office or county health department. Some of the larger counties
have copies of records after 1906, but most counties do not.
The Family History Library does not have copies of the county birth and
death records. However, the library has some published birth and death
records for a few counties, such as the Snohomish County death records from
1891 to 1914.
City Records of Births and Deaths
Some Washington cities have kept birth and death records. For example,
Tacoma birth and death records from 1887 to the present are available at the
Pierce County Health Department. For information about city records, write
to the appropriate county health department. Some city records have been
indexed.
Marriage and Divorce Records
The following records are available:
- State marriage and divorce records. Statewide registration of marriages
and divorces began in 1968. For copies of these records, write to the Vital
Records office (address above). The Family History Library does not have
copies of these records.
- County marriage records. Most counties began recording marriages soon
after the county was organized. The records of some counties begin as early
as the 1850s. Each county auditor has copies of county marriage records from
the earliest dates to the present. The Family History Library does not have
copies of these records, but has copies of transcribed marriage records
published for a few counties, such as Clark County from 1862 to 1913.
- County divorce records. County divorce records generally begin in 1889,
although a number of counties kept records prior to that date. Some county
divorce records begin as early as the 1850s. These records are available
from the county clerk.
- Territorial divorce records. Some divorce records from 1853 to 1889 are
included in the Washington territorial records. These early divorce
proceedings are interfiled with other territorial records and have not been
indexed. The Washington State Library has copies of the territorial records.
HISTORY
The following important events in the history of Washington affected
political boundaries, record-keeping, and family movements.
1800s
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Spain, Russia, and England
all claimed what is now Washington.
1811
John Jacob Astor (American) established a trading post at Astoria. This
was the first settlement in this area.
1819
Spain withdrew her claims.
1825
Russia withdrew her claims.
1836
Marcus Whitman established the second white settlement near present-day
Walla Walla. Early settlement centered in the Willamette
valley.
1846
The present boundary between the United States and Canada was
established.
1848
The Oregon Territory was created. It included what is now Oregon,
Washington, Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming.
1849
Settlers went farther north into the Puget Sound area to obtain food and
lumber that was needed in the California gold fields.
1850
The Oregon Donation Act was passed. This guaranteed land to those who
settled and cultivated land in the territory before 1855. This attracted
an estimated 30,000 new settlers.
1853
Washington Territory was created from the northern part of Oregon
Territory.
1859
Oregon became a state. Washington Territory was enlarged to include the
remaining Oregon territory not included in the new state.
1860
The discovery of gold near Walla Walla attracted many prospectors.
1863
The Idaho Territory was created from lands in eastern Washington
Territory.
1881
The Northern Pacific Railway reached Spokane.
1888
The transcontinental railroads reached Washington and brought a great
influx of settlers.
1889
Washington became a state. Seattle was the largest city and the chief
supply point for the gold rush to the Yukon territory in Alaska.
A helpful source for studying the history of Washington is Harvey K.
Hines, An Illustrated History of the State of Washington:
Containing... Biographical Mention of...its Pioneers and Prominent
Citizens... (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893; FHL book 979.7 D3h;
film
1,000,637).
Background information on Washington counties is in Newton Carl Abbott
and Fred E. Carver, The Evolution of Washington Counties (N.p.: Yakima
Valley Genealogical Society & Klickitat County
Historical Society, 1978; FHL book 979.7 D25a; fiche 6051194). This is
listed in the FHLC under WASHINGTON - HANDBOOKS, MANUALS, ETC.