Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska Genealogy
Guide to Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Census Area Information
Description
Formerly part of the Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area, the Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area was renamed in 2008 after it lost most of the Outer Ketchikan to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. It has no borough seat. This census area is located in the southeastern part of the state.[1]
Finding Records in Wales-Hyder Census Area
This census area is a part of the Unorganized Borough and it forgoes any government structure. It has no local government beyond school districts (governed by cities), municipalities, and tribal village governments.[2]
Because there is no local government available, to locate all possible records for those that lived in the census area, search the state-level and surrounding boroughs and municipalities, if applicable. Resources that have been found covering this census area are listed below.
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the borough, municipality, and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land* | Probate | Census |
| 1913 | 1890 | 1913 | ||||
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this census area. |
Boundary Changes
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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 census area:[4]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| American Indian Communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
- Prince of Wales Island is the fourth-largest island in the United States (after Hawaii, Kodiak Island, and Puerto Rico), and the 97th-largest island in the world. It was explored by the Russians, Spanish, British, and French, and was named for George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales (later King George IV).
- The community of Hyder is the easternmost town of Alaska and is notable for being the only place in Alaska not to use the 907 area code, instead using British Columbia's 250. Tourists also find that Hyder uses the Pacific Time Zone, the "preferred" currency is Canadian (except the U.S. Post Office, which accepts only American currency), observes Canadian holidays, send their children to a Canadian school, and calling the police means a Canadian Mountie will respond. Electricity comes from Canada, as the local electric utility is British Columbia's BC Hydro.
- This area is traditional Tlinget territory, with the Haida tribes resettling on the island in the late 18th century from what is now Northern British Columbia. In 1887, William Duncan, a lay minister of the Anglican Church, settled Annette Island with a group of Tsimshian natives from Metlakatla, British Columbia, founding the community of "New" Metlakatla.
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1960 | 1,772 | — |
| 1970 | 2,106 | 18.8% |
| 1980 | 3,822 | 81.5% |
| 1990 | 6,278 | 64.3% |
| 2000 | 6,146 | −2.1% |
| 2010 | 5,559 | −9.6% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records
Church records vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain records of members, such as: age, baptism, christening, or birth; marriage, maiden name; death date. For denominations and more information, see Alaska Church Records.
- 1885-1918 Alaska, Metlakatla Presbyterian Church Records(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1912-1968 Alaska, Kake Presbyterian Church Records(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this area - How to Use FS Places
Court Records
- 1903-1917 Alaska, District Court Judgements of District Court Hyder(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1920-1958 Alaska, Hyder, Court Records(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1931-1941 Alaska, Craig Precinct, Court Records(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
Genealogies
Guardianship
- 1913-1914 Alaska, Sulzer, Probate Records(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Land and Property Records
The first general land office was established at Sitka, Alaska in 1885. Records of subsequent transactions, including deeds and mortgages, are filed at the office of the district recorder in each judicial district. The FamilySearch Library has not acquired copies of Alaskan land records.
- 1906-1975 Alaska, U.S., Deed and Tract Books at Ancestry; index & images ($)
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Prince of Wales-Hyder area. Local histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see Alaska History.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this borough - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
- 1898-1934 Alaska, State Archives (Juneau), Military Service Discharge Records, 1898-1934 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
World War II
- 1940-1945 Alaska, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1884-1991 Alaska Naturalization Records, 1884-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1900-1972 Alaska, State Archives (Juneau), Naturalization Records, 1900-1972 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers
Local newspapers may contain genealogical value including obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, family gatherings, family travel, achievements, business notices, engagement information, and probate court proceedings.
- 1800s-Current Alaska, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- Alaska Online Historical Newspapers - identifies historical archived and digitized newspapers available online on both free and pay-to-access websites. Includes a title for Thorne Bay.
Obituaries
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records of Alaska were kept by the district courts prior to statehood. The superior court now has jurisdiction over probate matters. They are available at the archives and offices mentioned in Alaska Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1884-1959 Alaska Probate Records Index, 1884 to 1959 (Downloadable) About 17,000 probate cases
- 1920-1957 Alaska, Hyder Precinct, Probate Records(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
School Records
Tax Records
Alaska tax records complement land records and can be used in place of censuses or to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years. Real and personal property tax records are kept at the borough's Assessors office. For more information, see Alaska Taxation.
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded by officials on registers, certificates, and documents. The Bureau of Vital Statistics has records of birth (1913-), death (1913-), and marriages (1890's-), although many vital records before 1930 were not registered. They have divorce records since 1950. For more information and how to find earlier records, see Alaska Vital Records.
Birth
- 1816-1964 Alaska Vital Records at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1816-2005 Alaska, Vital Records, 1816-2005 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1910-1991 Alaska, Craig, Birth, Marriage, and Death Records(*); Alaska (Territory). Department of Health. Bureau of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Marriage
- 1816-1964 Alaska Vital Records at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1816-2005 Alaska, Vital Records, 1816-2005 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1910-1991 Alaska, Craig, Birth, Marriage, and Death Records(*); Alaska (Territory). Department of Health. Bureau of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1920-1957 Alaska, Hyder, Marriage Records(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Death
- 1816-1964 Alaska Vital Records at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1816-2005 Alaska, Vital Records, 1816-2005 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1910-1991 Alaska, Craig, Birth, Marriage, and Death Records(*); Alaska (Territory). Department of Health. Bureau of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1921-1957 Alaska, Hyder, Death Records(*); Alaska. State Archives (Juneau) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Prince of Wales-Hyder area. For state-wide facilities, see Alaska 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
- Ketchikan Alaska FamilySearch Center
- Petersburg Alaska FamilySearch Center
- Sitka Alaska FamilySearch Center
- Wrangell Alaska FamilySearch Center
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Prince of Wales-Hyder area. For state-wide library facilities, see Alaska Archives and Libraries.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Prince of Wales-Hyder area. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Alaska Societies.
Websites
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area AKGenWeb
- USGenWeb Archives
- Linkpendium
- Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Trails to the Past
- Genealogy Trails
- The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area, Alaska," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Wales%E2%80%93Hyder_Census_Area,_Alaska 18 June 2018.
- ↑ "Unorganized Borough, Alaska," Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unorganized_Borough,_Alaska : accessed 25 August 2023)
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area, Alaska," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Wales%E2%80%93Hyder_Census_Area,_Alaska 18 June 2018.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Wales–Hyder_Census_Area,_Alaska, accessed 25 February 2019.
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