WASHINGTON STATE

By Hazel Bentley

History

In 1844 a wagon train of settlers arrived in the western district of what was to become Washington and settled north of the Columbia River. This settlement was the start of Tumwater and marked the beginning of serious settlement by Americans north of the Columbia River. Soon afterwards, the California gold rush, beginning in 1849, provided a market for lumber products needed to build the mushrooming San Francisco area. This industry brought settlers and prosperity to the Puget Sound area.

The reason for the separation of the Washington Territory from Oregon was primarily geographic. The settlements around the Puget Sound were a great distance from the territorial capital in Salem, Oregon Territory. Settlers north of the Columbia River felt that because of the sparse population north of the river, the politicians in Salem would neglect their interest. Washington became a territory on 2 March 1853, with a white population of 3.965.

1860 Gold was discovered in the Clearwater region. During the next 10 years the population grew to 23,955. 1880’s saw an increase in population in Washington Territory. An estimated one hundred thousand came between 1887 and 1890, most coming by railroad. Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane became major cities.

First Settlers

1850 census showed that Oregon Territory north of the Columbia River had more than 1,000 persons; most were Americans from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. Many Canadian farmers flocked there to secure good land at a low price. Scandinavian immigrants came and felt especially at home since the country and climate reminded them of the place they had previously inhabited.

Vital Records

Mandatory recording of birth and deaths on a state level began 1 Jul 1907. Marriage and divorce records began on January 1968. Prior to 1968, marriages were recorded by the county auditor, and divorces were recorded by the county clerk at the county seat.

Prior to 1891 Washington had no legislative provision for recording of births and deaths. Between 1891 and 1907, birth and death registers were kept on the county level.

Transferring records to the State archives is an ongoing process today. The State Archives does not hold all the records for the entire span of Washington's history from the various county and city offices in the region, it does hold extensive series of some records from all seven counties, with more complete representation in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties. These series include:

• Birth and death records from January, 1891 to July, 1907
• Marriage records
• Court records including naturalization records, court dockets, and civil, criminal, and probate case files
• Land records including general indices to recordings, deeds, and patents
• County commissioner's proceedings, ordinances, and resolutions
• Real and personal property tax records
• School district and Educational Service District records including school censuses.

Property & Land Records

Land Patents (Homestead Claims), Deeds, Water Rights, Mining Claims, Assessment Records, etc...
These records are all filed at the county level. Contact the regional branch representing the appropriate county.

NOTE: Homestead records are federal in origin, but it is possible to research a completed homestead claim using Patent records. A Patent is a type of deed by which the U. S. government transfers public property to private individuals. When a person satisfies the obligation of a homestead claim, the federal government transfers the property's title to the individual using a Patent. Like deeds, Patents are filed with the county Auditor in the county where the land is located.

Census (The best source for the West Coast)

1848-1853: Washington Territory was included in Oregon Territory. 

1853-1889: Present day Idaho was included in Washington Territory.

1850 -1930 Federal Washington Census Records are available.  The early ones are Territorial Census.

Indians were enumerated in special schedules in 1880 &1900 Federal Washington Census records.

1890 Federal Washington Census Records were completely destroyed by fire.

1890 Special Veterans and Widows census schedules did survive and are available.

Websites WASHINGTON STATE

http://www.rootsweb.com/~wasgs/ Washington State Genealogical Society

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history/genealogy.aspx

In addition to our Historical Records Search, the State Archives and State Library have a variety of resources to aid in your genealogy research.

http://www.kindredtrails.com/washington.html many links to vital information for each of the counties.

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history/search.aspx Search by surname and county

http://www.censusfinder.com/washington.htm Census information regarding each county

http://www.census-online.com/links/WA/ Census

http://www.rootsweb.com/~wagenweb/ Genweb site for Washington state

http://www.cyndislist.com/wa.htm

http://www.interment.net/us/wa/ Cemeteries Washington state

http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/default.aspx Washington State Digital Archives is first in the nation Digital Archives to Preserve the electronic Records

http://www.uintah.lib.ut.us/ With your Library card barcode number you can access Heritage Quest for Census and PERSI War Records

http://vernalfhc.org/ Check out the 3500 links for Washington websites.

http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/washington/ Native American Tribes and other links