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Lincoln County, Washington Genealogy

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Guide to Lincoln County, Washington ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Davenport
Organized: November 24, 1883
Parent County(s): Spokane
Neighboring Counties
Adams • Ferry • Grant • Okanogan • Spokane • Stevens • Whitman
See County Maps
Courthouse
Washington, Lincoln County Courthouse.png
Location Map
Wa-lincoln.png

A Patchwork Aerial View of Wilbur, Lincoln County, Washington

County Information

Description

The county was named for Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States. The county is located in the east-central area of the state.[1]

County Courthouse

Lincoln County Courthouse
406 Sinclair Street
Davenport, WA 99122
Phone: 509-725-2281
Lincoln County Website

County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907, marriage and land records from 1891.
County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records. [2]

Lincoln County, Washington Record Dates

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[3]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1891 1891 1891 1886 1891 1884 1850
*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1907. General compliance by 1917.

Record Loss

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Boundary Changes

Populated Places

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:[6]

Cities
Towns
Unincorporated communities
  • Bluestem
  • Clark
  • Edwall
  • Govan
  • Irby
    		•
    • Lamona
    • Lincoln
    • Miles
    • Mohler
    • Mondovi
    • Seven Bay
    • Telford
    • Waukon
    Ghost towns
    • Fishtrap


    History Timeline

    • The land that would become Lincoln County was home to the Spokane tribe.
    • 1810 after, Fur traders traversed the region en route to Spokane House in present-day Spokane County.
    • 1853 March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
    • 1869 Russell M. Bacon, a Bostonian who came to the Crab Creek area of the future Lincoln County and Patrick Cumasky, were among the region's first permanent settlers.
    • 1880 The United States government established a military reservation called Camp Spokane at the confluence of the Spokane and Columbia rivers in Lincoln County.
    • 1883 November 24, Lincoln County was formed.
    • 1880s Early settlers planted wheat crops.

    Resources

    Bible Records

    Biographies

    Biographical information is often found in Local Histories and in Genealogies (please see those headings). See also Washington Biography.

    Business, Commerce, and Occupations

    Cemeteries

    Cemeteries of Lincoln County, Washington online and in print
    Tombstone Transcriptions Online
    Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
    List of Cemeteries in the County
    See Washington Cemeteries for more information.


    Census Records

    See Washington Census for online censuses, including territorial. For more information, see United States Census.

    Federal: 1910
    Territorial: 1885, 1887, 1889

    Church Records

    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.

    List of Churches and Church Parishes

    Court Records

    Your ancestors may be found in court records as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. Highly variable in personal information, court records can mention relatives, occupations, or pinpoint residences and dates. See Washington Court Records for the various courts used through the years.

    Online Court Indexes and Records

    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

    Emigration and Immigration

    Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

    American Indians

    Japanese

    Funeral Homes

    Genealogies

    Many local libraries and societies have collections of family genealogies. Local histories or biographies often include brief genealogies of the featured persons. See also Washington Compiled Genealogies.

    Guardianship

    Guardianship of orphans or adults unable to manage their own affairs were handled by Probate or District courts. See Washington Court Records and Washington Probate Records.

    Land and Property Records

    Online Land Indexes and Records

    Local Histories

    Local histories for Lincoln County may include biographies, history of churches, schools, local government with names of officials, military information, and more. See Washington Local Histories.

    This book has numerous errors and its facts should viewed with circumspection.

    Maps and Gazetteers

    Okanogan CountyFerry CountyStevens CountySpokane CountyWhitman CountyAdams CountyDouglas CountyGrant CountyWA LINCOLN.PNG
    Click a neighboring county
    for more resources

    Migration

    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 Records: (1st deed may reveal previous residence)
    • Death-related records of children may give town or county of birth
    • Records of relatives and neighbors

    Military Records

    Indian Wars

    World War I

    World War II

    Japanese

    Naturalization and Citizenship

    Declarations of Intent before 1906 often include the nation of origin, foreign and "Americanized" names, residence, and date of arrival. See Washington Naturalization and Citizenship for more information. Note: Until 1922 in the United States, women's citizenship was based on that of their husbands.

    Online Naturalization Indexes and Records

    Newspapers

    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.

    Obituaries

    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.

    Also check:

    • Washington Genealogy
    • Local Funeral Homes, Libraries, or family records.
    • Obituaries of neighboring counties

    Other Records

    Public Records

    Voting Records

    Periodicals

    Probate Records

    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.

    Online Probate Indexes and Records

    Includes Probate Journals 1892-1961; Probate Record Index 1885-1982; Will Records 1884-1945.

    School Records

    Online School Indexes and Records

    Social Security Records

    Tax Records

    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.

    Online Tax Indexes and Records

    Vital Records

    In 1891, coroners, physicians, and midwives were to "return" births and deaths to the county auditor. Many went unrecorded. On July 1, 1907, the State Center for Health Statistics assumed this responsibility.[7]

    Birth

    Marriage

    Death

    Divorce

    The county clerk has the divorce records. To order certificates, see Washington State Department of Health.

    Research Facilities

    Archives

    Listed below are archives in Lincoln County. For state-wide facilities, see Washington Archives and Libraries.

    FamilySearch Centers

    FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries

    • FamilySearch 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 FamilySearch center.

    Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

    Libraries

    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. Listed below are libraries in Lincoln County. For state-wide library facilities, see Washington Archives and Libraries.

    Resources for Lincoln County are available in libraries, archives, and other repositories at all levels: the town, the county, the state (including universities), and the nation.

    Davenport Public Library
    505 7th St
    Davenport, WA 99122
    Phone: 509-725-4355
    Website

    Harrington Public Library
    PO Box 496
    Harrington, WA 99134
    Phone: 509-253-4345
    Website

    Odessa Public Library
    21 E First St
    Odessa, WA 99159
    Phone: 509-982-2654
    Website

    Reardan Memorial Library
    120 S Oak
    Reardan, WA 99029
    Phone: 509-994-9997
    Website

    Sprague Public Library
    119 West Second
    Sprague, WA 99032
    Phone: 509-257-2662
    Website

    Wilbur (Hesseltine) Public Library
    14 NW Division
    Wilbur, WA 99185
    Phone: 509-647-5828
    Website

    Museums

    Societies

    Listed below are societies in Lincoln County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Washington Societies.

    Lincoln County Historical Society
    PO Box 869
    Davenport, WA 99122
    509-725-6711
    Website

    Websites

    Check back often with websites. Local societies and libraries may know of other websites.

    Research Guides

    References

    1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lincoln County, Washington," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County,_Washington. accessed 18/07/2019
    2. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Lincoln County, Washington page 733, At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
    3. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Lincoln County, Washington . Page 732-735 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library 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.
    4. ↑ 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.
    5. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
    6. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lincoln County, Washington," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County,_Washington, accessed 13 March 2019.
    7. ↑ Washington State Archives - Digital Archives, Birth Records, About this Collection & Washington State Archives - Digital Archives, Death Records About Death Records
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