Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy: Difference between revisions

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{{Locality
''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Washington|Washington]]'' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Whatcom County''' [[Image:{{WAWhatcomUpper}}]]<br><br>Guide to '''{{PAGENAME}} genealogy.''' Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1861, when the [[{{PAGENAME}}#County_Overview|county was formed]].<br><br>
|Name=Whatcom County
|ID=396091
|Level=2
|Country=United States
|CountryID=1
|Locality1=Washington
|Locality1id=373
|Locality2=Whatcom County
|Locality2id=396091
}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2= [[Washington, United States Genealogy|Washington]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy|Whatcom County]]
}}


Guide to '''Whatcom County, Washington ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
{| width="25%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
| <center>'''County QuickStart:'''</center>
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Census|Census]]
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Birth|Birth]]
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Marriage|Marriage]]
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Divorce|Divorce]]
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Death|Death]]
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Cemeteries|Cemeteries]]
|}
<br><br>{{DCWAmapbuttonR}} {{Infobox U.S. County
| county = Whatcom County
| county_map = Wa-whatcom.png
| state = Washington
| state_map = Washington.png
| latd =
| longd =
| founded year = 1854
| founded date = March 9
| seat = Bellingham
| building image =
| building address = [http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/ Whatcom County Courthouse]<br> 311 Grand Avenue; PO Box 1144;<br>&nbsp;Bellingham, WA 98227<br> Phone: 360.676.6777&nbsp;<br>[http://www.Whatcomcounty.us/ '''Whatcom County Website'''] }}
 
=== County Overview  ===
 
{{Tip|Before the newly-formed county was fully operational, search records of the parent county(s).}}
 
==== Parent County(s)  ====
 
Whatcom County, Washington was created 9 March 1854<ref>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.</ref> from [[Island County, Washington|Island]] County.
 
'''County Seat:''' Bellingham <ref name="Handybook">''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>. See also [[{{PAGENAME}}#Towns and Communities|Towns and Communities]] in {{PAGENAME}}.  For Courthouse, see [[{{PAGENAME}}#Archives.2C_Libraries.2C_etc.|Archives, libraries, etc.]]
 
===== Boundary Changes  =====
 
*[http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/WA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#WHATCOM Historical County Boundaries] from Newberry Library<ref>John H. Long, ''Atlas of Historical County Boundaries'' (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) [http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/ online].</ref>
 
==== Neighboring Counties  ====
 
{{PAGENAME}} is surrounded by: [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan]] | [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan]] | [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit]]
<center>{{WAWhatcom County Clickable Neighbors}}</center>


{| style="width:18%; float:right"
==== Courthouse ====
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<center><div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Washington Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div></center>
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<center>{{Infobox U.S. County 2016
|organized= March 9, 1854
|county seat= Bellingham
|parent county= [[Island County, Washington Genealogy|Island]]
|variant spellings=
|county1= [[British Columbia, Canada Genealogy | British Columbia (Canada)]] {{ • }} [[Okanogan County, Washington Genealogy | Okanogan]] {{ • }} [[San Juan County, Washington Genealogy | San Juan]] {{ • }} [[Skagit County, Washington Genealogy | Skagit]]</br><center>[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Maps and Gazetteers|See County Maps]]</center>
|county2=
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|county5=
|county6=
|county7=
|county8=
|county9=
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|county courthouse= [[Image:Washington, Whatcom County Courthouse.png|300px]]
|county location in state= [[Image:Wa-whatcom.png|185x185px]]
|adoption=
}}
<br>[[Image:Upper Whatcom Falls-110506.jpg|thumb|right|290px|<center>Upper Falls in Whatcom Falls Park, Bellingham, Whatcom CO., Washington</center>]]
|}</center>
<div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
== County Information ==


=== Description ===
[http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/ Whatcom County Courthouse]<br> 311 Grand Avenue; PO Box 1144;<br>&nbsp;Bellingham, WA 98227<br> Phone: 360.676.6777&nbsp;<br><br>County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907, <br>marriage records from 1869 and land records; <br>County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records.
The county was named for the Lummi word Xwotʼqom, meaning "noisy water." The county is located in the northwest area of the state.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Whatcom County, Washington," in ''https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatcom_County,_Washington<nowiki/>.'' accessed 18/07/2019</ref>


=== County Courthouse ===
See also [[{{PAGENAME}}#Archives.2C_Libraries.2C_etc.|Archives, libraries, etc.]] in {{PAGENAME}}.
{{WA Courthouse Intro|Whatcom}}
'''Whatcom County Courthouse'''<br>311 Grand Avenue<br>Bellingham, WA 98225<br>Phone: 360-778-5400<br>[http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/ Whatcom County Website] <br><br>


County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907, marriage records from 1869 and land records. <br>County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records.<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Whatcom County, Washington page 734, {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>
==== Dates of Major County Records ====


=== Whatcom County, Washington Record Dates  ===
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="2"
{{WA Record Dates Intro|Whatcom}}
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| colspan="7" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |<center>'''Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records'''<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Whatcom County, Washington . Page 732-735 {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=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.</ref></center>
|-
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Death|Death*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Census Records|Census]]'''
|-
|-
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1891
| width="100%" bgcolor="#ccff66" align="center" colspan="6" | '''Beginning dates for major county records'''<ref>Alice Eichholz, ''Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources'', 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry Pub., 2004), 733-734. {{WorldCat|55947869|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1185723|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004}}.</ref>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1854
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1891
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1883
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1854
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1872
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1850
|-
|-
| colspan="7" |<center>*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1907. General compliance by 1917.</center>
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Birth|Birth]]'''</center>
|}
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Marriage|Marriage]]'''</center>
 
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Death|Death]]'''</center>  
=== Record Loss ===
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Land_and_Property|Land]]'''</center>
{{WA Record Loss Intro|Whatcom}}
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Probate|Probate]]'''</center>
{|
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Court_Records|Court]]'''</center>
|-
|-
|
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1891*</center>
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1854*</center>
 
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1891*</center>
|}
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1854</center>
=== Boundary Changes ===
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1872</center>
{{WA Boundary Changes Intro|Whatcom}}
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1883</center>
{|
|-
|-
|
| width="100%" bgcolor="#99d6ff" colspan="6" | '''* For earlier dates, try...''' '''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Church_Records|Church]] &#124; [[Whatcom County, Washington#Obituaries|Obituaries]] &#124; [[Whatcom County, Washington#Cemeteries|Cemeteries]]'''
*'''Parent County(s):''' Created from [[Island County, Washington Genealogy|Island County]] on 9 March 1854.<ref>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.</ref>
*'''County Seat:''' Bellingham<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref><br>
*[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/WA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Washington Individual County Chronologies] - Newberry Library list of all boundary changes by county
*[https://publications.newberry.org/ahcb/map/map.html#WA Washington Historical Borders - Map] at Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; ''Also at:'' [http://www.mapofus.org/washington/ mapofus.org] - animated maps illustrating Washington county boundary changes
|}
|}


=== Populated Places ===
===== Record Loss  =====
{{WA Populated Places Intro|Whatcom}}


For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit [https://Washington.hometownlocator.com/wa/Whatcom Hometown Locator]. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Whatcom County, Washington," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatcom_County,_Washington,
=== Topics for {{PAGENAME}}  ===
accessed 26 March 2019.</ref>


{{populated places
{{WA Topics Intro}}
<!--cities column------------------->
{{Tip|Don't overlook {{FHL|Washington, Whatcom|place|disp={{PAGENAME}}}} items in the FamilySearch Library Catalog. For other libraries (local and national) or to gain access to items of interest, see [[Whatcom County, Washington#Archives.2C_Libraries.2C_etc.|Archives and Libraries]].}}  
| cities-col1=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellingham,_Washington Bellingham] (county seat)
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaine,_Washington Blaine]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everson,_Washington Everson]</div>
| cities-col2=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferndale,_Washington Ferndale]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynden,_Washington Lynden]</div>
| cities-col3=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nooksack,_Washington Nooksack]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumas,_Washington Sumas]</div>
<!--towns column------------------->
| towns-col1=
| towns-col2=
| towns-col3=
<!--villages column------------------->
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<!--hamlets column------------------->
| hamlets-col1=
| hamlets-col2=
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<!--unincorp column------------------->
| unincorp-col1=<div>
* Beach
* Blue Canyon
* Cedarville
* Chuckanut
* Clearbrook
* Clipper
* Dewey
* Diablo</div>
| unincorp-col2=<div>
* Greenwood
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel,_Washington Laurel]
* Lawrence
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lummi_Island,_Washington Lummi Island]
* Mountain View
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newhalem,_Washington Newhalem]
* Noon</div>
| unincorp-col3=<div>
* Saxon
* Van Buren
* Van Wyck
* Van Zandt
* Wahl
* Welcome
* Wickersham</div>
<!--native american column------------------->
| native-col1=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lummi_Indian_Reservation Lummi Indian Reservation]</div>
| native-col2=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nooksack_Indian_Reservation Nooksack Indian Reservation]</div>
| native-col3=
<!--census column------------------->
| census-col1=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acme,_Washington Acme]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birch_Bay,_Washington Birch Bay]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custer,_Washington Custer]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deming,_Washington Deming]</div>
| census-col2=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva,_Washington Geneva]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier,_Washington Glacier]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendall,_Washington Kendall]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_Falls,_Washington Maple Falls]</div>
| census-col3=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marietta-Alderwood,_Washington Marietta-Alderwood]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peaceful_Valley,_Washington Peaceful Valley]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Roberts,_Washington Point Roberts]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_Valley,_Washington Sudden Valley]</div>
<!--townships column------------------->
| townships-col1=
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| townships-col3=
<!--historic communities column------------------->
| historic-communities-col1=
| historic-communities-col2=
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<!--historic African American communities column------------------->
| historic-AA communities-col1=
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<!--unorganized territories column------------------->
| unorgan-col1=
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| unorgan-col3=
<!--ghost towns column------------------->
| ghost-col1=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goshen,_Washington Goshen]</div>
| ghost-col2=<div>
* Park</div>
| ghost-col3=
}}


=== History Timeline ===
==== Bible Records  ====
{{WA Historical Timeline Intro|Whatcom}}


*In historic times there were three tribal groups in the county: the Lummi, Nooksack, and Semiahmoo.
==== Biography  ====
*'''1791''' Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper sent a sloop into the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and "discovered" Mount Baker.
*'''1827''' The Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Langley north of modern day Lynden.
*'''1853''' Edward Eldridge arrived in Whatcom from California to work at the mill, bringing sawmill machinery.
*'''1853''' March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes {{wpd|Washington Territory|Washington Territory}}.
*'''1854''' Settlers filed claims on the south end of the bay, setting the future site of Fairhaven, one of four towns that would develop on the shoreline.
*'''1854''' March 9, Whatcom County was established by the Washington territorial government from a portion of Island County.
*'''1857-1858''' Survey work began on the international boundary at the 49th parallel.
*'''1859''' John Tennant and his Lummi wife Clara filed the first official claim on the Nooksack River.
*'''1881''' The "Washington Colony," a group of utopian Kansans, re-established the mill at Whatcom Creek.
*'''1899''' Whatcom County boomed when the Pacific American Fisheries (PAC) organized in Fairhaven.


== Resources ==
==== Cemeteries  ====
{{WA Resources Intro|Whatcom}}


=== Bible Records ===
{{WACemeteriesBlurb}}  
{{WA Bible Intro|Whatcom}}


=== Biographies ===
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QG9%3An1406204279%3Fcc%3D1910364 Woodlawn Cemetery burial list 1886-2007] Part of: ''County Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
{{WA Biographies Intro|Whatcom}}


*[https://www.worldcat.org/title/32126974 History of Whatcom County], WorldCat: Author: Lottie Roeder Roth, Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1926.<br>
<br> [http://www.cob.org/documents/parks/bayview/whatcom_county_cemeteries.pdf Map of Whatcom County cemeteries (PDF)]  
::Brief biographies of well-known citizens of the era of publication, as well as history of the early years of the community.<br><br>


=== Business, Commerce, and Occupations ===
*[http://www.bayviewcemetery.com Bayview Cemetery]
{{WA Business Records Intro|Whatcom}}
*Bethany Lutheran Cemetery (Bethania/Bethel)
*Blaine Cemetery
*Blaine Masonic Cemetery
*Buchanan Cemetery
*Case Cemetery
*[http://www.interment.net/data/us/wa/whatcom/beth_israel/beth.htm Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery]
*Enterprise Cemetery
*Glacier Cemetery
*Goshen Cemetery
*Greenacres Cemetery
*Greenwood Cemetery
*Haynie Cemetery
*Hillsdale Cemetery
*Hopewell Cemetery
*Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
*Jobe Cemetery
*Kendall Cemetery
*King Mountain Cemetery (Terrace Land Memorial Garden of Psalms)
*Lakeside Cemetery
*Lummi Tribal Cemetery
*Lummi Island Cemetery
*Lynden Cemetery
*Lynden Jim Cemetery
*Maple Falls Cemetery
*Monumenta Cemetery
*Mount Calvary Cemetery
*Mount Hope Cemetery
*Mountain View Cemetery
*Nooksack Indian Cemetery
*Old Maple Falls (Cannon) Cemetery
*Perry Cemetery
*Point Roberts Cemetery
*Saint Anne's Cemeter
*Saint Joseph (Clipper) Cemetery
*Saint Peter's Catholic Cemetery
*Saxon Cemetery
*Semiahmoo Cemetery
*Sumas Cemetery
*Ten Mile Cemetery
*Van Zandt Cemetery
*Welcome (Kulshan) Cemetery
*Wickershame Cemetery
*Woodlawn Cemetery
*Zion Lutheran Cemetery


*'''2017-2023''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2255  Whatcom County Auditor, Professional License Records, 2017-2023] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*[[Whatcom County, Washington Cemeteries|Alpha list of cemeteries]] in the county with links to online transcripts.


=== Cemeteries ===
{| width="89%" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
{{WA Cemeteries Intro|Whatcom}}
|-
 
| bgcolor="#B2B2FF" colspan="3" | <center>'''{{PAGENAME}}''' cemeteries from [[Washington Cemeteries|state]] and [[United States Cemeteries|national]] resources</center>
{| style = "border:1px solid black; width:70%;  "
|-
| width="30%" bgcolor="#CCFFFF" | <center>'''Online County-wide Name Searches''' </center>
| width="30%" bgcolor="#FFFFB8" | <center>'''Published Grave<br> Transcripts''' </center>
| bgcolor="#FFF1DC" | <center>'''Lists of Cemeteries'''<br>(Several will also link to names)</center>
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" | [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSfn=&GSmn=&GSln=&GSbyrel=all&GSby=&GSdyrel=all&GSdy=&GScntry=4&GSst=50&GScnty=2989&GSgrid=&df=all&GSob=n FindAGrave] (Add a name to the search)
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" | {{FHL|Washington, Whatcom|place||disp=FamilySearch Library}} Click '''Cemeteries.''' Press space bar to select town
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=csr&CScn=&CScntry=4&CSst=50&CScnty=2989 FindAGrave]
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" | [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:34 WA State Archives - Digital Collections] Click any cemetery for search window, select county, enter name(s).
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" | [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Whatcom+County%2C+Washington%2C+cemeteries&qt=results_page WorldCat]
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://interment.net/us/wa/whatcom.htm Interment.net]
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" | [http://billiongraves.com/pages/search/index.php#country=United+States&state=Washington&county=Whatcom&search_text=&action=search_cemetery Billion Graves] Switch to "Person Lookup"
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" | [[Washington Periodicals]]
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:34 Washington State Digital Archives] Put county name in '''Search''' box
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" |
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/WA/Whatcom/cem/ Linkpendium]
|-
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of Whatcom County, Washington''' online and in print</center>
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" |
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://billiongraves.com/pages/search/index.php#country=United+States&state=Washington&county=Whatcom&search_text=&action=search_cemetery Billion Graves]
|-
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center>
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" |
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" |  
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=&middlename=&lastname=&birthyear=&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=Whatcom+County%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&locationId=county_2989  Find a Grave]
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://usgwtombstones.org/washington/whatcom.htm USGenWeb Tombstone Project]
*[http://usgwtombstones.org/washington/whatcom.htm WA Tombstone Transcription Project]
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/results?cemetery_country=United%20States&cemetery_state=Washington&cemetery_county=Whatcom&year_range=5&size=15  BillionGraves]
*[http://usgwarchives.net/wa/whatcom/whatcom.htm  USGenWeb Archives]
*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/cem.htm WAGenWeb]
|-
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions in Print''' [[The Value of Cemetery Records in Print |(Often more complete)]]</center>
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |  
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" |  
*{{FSC|United States, Washington, Whatcom - Cemeteries|subject|subject-id=1216745315|disp=FamilySearch Library}}
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://genealogytrails.com/wash/whatcom/index.html Genealogy Trails]
*[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Whatcom+County%2C+Washington%2C+cemeteries&qt=results_page WorldCat]
|-
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" |<center>'''List of Cemeteries in the County'''</center>
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" |  
* [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?cemetery-name=&cemetery-loc=Whatcom+County%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&only-with-cemeteries=cemOnly&locationId=county_2989 Find a Grave]
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" |  
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=396091&reqParentsLabel=Whatcom%2C%20Washington%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypes=20&reqTypeLabel=Cemetery FamilySearch Places]
|-
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"|<center>See [[Washington Cemeteries|Washington Cemeteries]] for more information.<center>
| colspan="3" | <center>See [[Washington Cemeteries#Online_Resources|Washington Cemeteries]] for details about these and other sites. </center>
|}
|}
&nbsp;
*'''1803-2010''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=https://www.familysearch.org/service/cds/recapi/collections/1910364/waypoints Washington, County Records, 1803-2010] at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
::Includes Lot and burial record 1884-1959; Lot purchase record 1887-1904; Woodlawn Cemetery burial list 1886-2007.
*[http://www.cob.org/documents/parks/bayview/whatcom_county_cemeteries.pdf Map of Whatcom County cemeteries (PDF)]


=== Census Records ===
==== Census ====
{{WA Census Intro|Whatcom}}
 
{{WA Census}}
*Census indexes at [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/ Washington State Digital Archives]: (Free)
**Federal:  [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/139 1910]
**Territorial: [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/505 1871]{{•}}  [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/370 1885]{{•}} [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/193 1889]
**These were indexed by local societies and individuals.
{{FYI|Censuses indexed by societies or groups in the area may be more accurate, due to familiarity with local surnames.}}
 
==== Church Records ====
 
{{WA Church Intro}}
 
*Church records (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) for {{PAGENAME}} are listed in the {{FHL|Washington, Whatcom|place|disp=FamilySearch catalog}}. (Press space bar to select town.)
 
*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/churchrecords.htm Records From Some Early Bellingham Churches]


{{Historical populations
===== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  =====
|type = USA
|heading = Census
|footnote = Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatcom_County,_Washington#Demographics "Wikipedia.org".]
|1860 |352
|1870 |534
|1880 |3137
|1890 |18591
|1900 |24116
|1910 |49511
|1920 |50600
|1930 |59128
|1940 |60355
|1950 |66733
|1960 |70317
|1970 |81950
|1980 |106701
|1990 |127780
|2000 |166814
|2010 |201140
}}
* '''1803-2010''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=https://www.familysearch.org/service/cds/recapi/collections/1910364/waypoints Washington, County Records, 1803-2010] at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
::Includes School census index 1890-1932; School census records 1885-1933.
*'''1850-1914''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70878/ Web: Washington, U.S., Various County Census Records, 1850-1914] at Ancestry (Free)
* Census indexes at [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/ Washington State Archives]
::'''Federal:''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/139 1910]
::'''Territorial:''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/505 1871], [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/370 1885], [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/193 1889]


=== Church Records ===
===== Lutheran  =====
{{WA Church Intro|Whatcom}}


*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/churchrecords.htm Records From Some Early Bellingham Churches] at Washington GenWeb
:*Records of Central Lutheran Church, Bellingham, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at [http://www.archives.com Archives.com] ($).


'''''Lutheran'''''<br>
==== Court Records  ====
*Records of Central Lutheran Church, Bellingham, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at [http://www.archives.com Archives.com] ($).
*'''1781-1969''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969] at Ancestry — index & images ($)


'''List of Churches and Church Parishes'''<br>
{{WACourtIntro}}
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=396091&reqParentsLabel=Whatcom%2C%20Washington%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=3&reqTypeLabel=Churches%20and%20Church%20Parishes FamilySearch Places]''': Map of cities and towns in this county - [[FamilySearch Places|How to Use FS Places]]


=== Court Records ===
==== Directories  ====
{{WA Court Intro|Whatcom}}


''Online Court Indexes and Records''<br>
*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/directories.htm Earliest Directories for Fairhaven, Bellingham, Whatcom and New Whatcom/Sehome]
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/239 Whatcom Frontier Justice.] Part of "''Frontier Justice’’: Guide to the Court Records of Washington Territory, 1853-1889'' at Washington State Archives - Index, no images
*[http://www.cob.org/documents/library/books/1905-polk-directory.pdf 1905-1906 Bellingham / Whatcom&nbsp;Directory&nbsp;(28,300K PDF)]  
::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.
*[http://www.cob.org/documents/library/books/1915-polk-directory.pdf 1915 Bellingham / Whatcom&nbsp;Directory (44,200K PDF)]


=== Directories ===
==== Emigration and Immigration  ====
{{WA Directories Intro|Whatcom}}


*'''1890-1, 1900-2''' [http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/directories.htm Earliest Directories for Fairhaven, Bellingham, Whatcom and New Whatcom/Sehome] at Washington GenWeb
==== Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups  ====
*'''1905-1906''' [http://www.cob.org/documents/library/books/1905-polk-directory.pdf 1905-1906 Bellingham / Whatcom Directory (28,300K PDF)]
*'''1915''' [http://www.cob.org/documents/library/books/1915-polk-directory.pdf 1915 Bellingham / Whatcom Directory (44,200K PDF)]
*'''1970-2024''' {{RecordSearch|5000290|United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Residence Database - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, coverage may vary


=== Emigration and Immigration ===
===== American Indian =====
{{WA Emigration Intro|Whatcom}}


=== Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups ===
===== Japanese  =====
{{WA Ethnic Groups Intro|Whatcom}}


'''''Japanese'''''<br>
World War II Files, 1942-1946  
*'''1942-1946''' [http://digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/486 Public Welfare/Social Security Department, Evacuee (Japanese) Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946] at Washington State Archives - index & images; Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946
 
Public Welfare/Social Security Department, ([http://digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/486 Japanese Internment]) Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946 from the Washington State Archives – Digital Archives
 
==== Gazetteers  ====
 
==== Genealogy  ====
 
{{CommunityTree}}
*[http://www.kindredtrails.com/WA_Whatcom.html "Whatcom County Genealogy & Family History"] online
*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/WA/Whatcom/ "Family History & Genealogy"] online
*[http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/research/Weblinks/Genealogy.aspx "Genealogy and Local History"] online
 
==== Guardianship  ====
 
Guardianship of orphans or adults unable to manage their own affairs were handled by the [[Adams County, Washington#Probate_Records|probate]] and the Federal District courts. See [[Washington Court Records]].
 
==== History  ====
 
{{WA History Intro}}
*[http://www.stateofus.com/washington/whatcom-county/ "Whatcom County, Alabama (Washington) Facts"] online
*[http://library.wwu.edu/digitalcollections "Digital Collections"] online


=== Funeral Homes  ===
{{WA Funeral Homes Intro|Whatcom}}
{| style="width:100%; vertical-align:top;"
|-
|
<ul class="column-spacing-halfscreen" style="padding-right:5px;">
<li>[https://www.gilliesfuneralhome.com/ Gillies Funeral Home & Cremation Services] in Lynden</li>
<li>[https://www.jernsfh.com/ Jerns Funeral Home] in Bellingham</li>
<li>[https://www.molesfarewelltributes.com/ Moles Farewell Tributes & Crematory Center] in Bellingham</li>
<li>[https://www.molesfarewelltributes.com/ Moles Farewell Tributes & Crematory Center] in Ferndale</li>
<li>[https://www.mtbakercremationsociety.com/ Mt. Baker Cremation] in Bellingham</li>
<li>[https://neptunesociety.com/locations/washington/bellingham-3527 Neptune Society] in Bellingham</li>
<li>[https://www.sigsfuneralservices.com/ Sig's Funeral & Cremation Services] in  Bellingham</li>
<li>[https://www.westfordfuneralhome.com/ Westford Funeral Home & Cremation Service] in Bellingham</li>
<li>[https://whatcomcremationandfuneral.com/ Whatcom Cremation and Funeral] in Bellingham</li>
<li>[https://www.wildflowerfuneralconcepts.com/ Wildflower Funeral Concepts] in Ferndale</li>
</ul>
|}


=== Genealogies  ===
{{WA Genealogies Intro|Whatcom}}


=== Guardianship ===
===== History Timeline  =====
{{WA Guardianship Intro|Whatcom}}


=== Land and Property Records ===
[http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/WA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#WHATCOM Historical County Boundaries] from Newberry Library<ref>John H. Long, ''Atlas of Historical County Boundaries'' (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) [http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/ online].</ref><br><br> Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Wilma, David. ''Whatcom County -- Thumbnail History'', [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7327 History Link.org] Essay 7327.
{{WA Land Intro|Whatcom}}
* In historic times there were three tribal groups in the county: the Lummi, Nooksack, and Semiahmoo.
''Online Land Indexes and Records''<br>
*1791 -  Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper sent a sloop into the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and "discovered" Mount Baker.
*'''2016-2023''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2249 Whatcom County Auditor, Recorded Land Records] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*1827 - The Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Langley north of modern day Lynden.
*'''2017-2023''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2253 Whatcom County Auditor, Plats and Surveys, 2017-2023] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*1853 -  Edward Eldridge arrived in Whatcom from California to work at the mill, bringing sawmill machinery.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Land Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]
*1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes {{wpd|Washington Territory|Washington Territory}}.
*1854 - Settlers filed claims on the south end of the bay, setting the future site of Fairhaven, one of four towns that would develop on the shoreline.
*1854 -  March 9,  Whatcom County was established by the Washington territorial government from a portion of Island County.
*1857-1858 - Survey work began on the international boundary at the 49th parallel.
*1859 - John Tennant and his Lummi wife Clara filed the first official claim on the Nooksack River.
*1881 - The "Washington Colony," a group of utopian Kansans, re-established the mill at Whatcom Creek.
*1899 - Whatcom County boomed when the Pacific American Fisheries (PAC) organized in Fairhaven.


=== Local Histories ===
==== Land and Property  ====
{{WA Histories Intro|Whatcom}}


Edition/Format:
{{WA Land Intro}}
*[http://www.stateofus.com/washington/whatcom-county/ "Whatcom County, Washington Facts"] at StateOfUS.com (it is mis-labeled as Whatcom County, Alabama)
*"History of Whatcom County", Author: Lottie Roeder Roth, Publisher:Chicago : Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1926. [https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=history+of+whatcom+county&qt=owc_search] There are a few versions of this work beginning in 1926, with later works adding an index and microform format available.


=== Maps and Gazetteers ===
==== Maps ====
{{WA Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{WA Whatcom County}}}}
{{WA Maps Intro|Whatcom}}
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=396091&reqParentsLabel=Whatcom%2C%20Washington%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=8&reqTypeLabel=Cities%20and%20Towns FamilySearch Places]: Map of cities and towns in this county - [[FamilySearch Places|How to Use FS Places]]


=== Migration ===
[[Image:Wawhatcom.jpg|300px|Wawhatcom.jpg]] <br>{{WAMapInfo}}  
{{WA Migration Intro|Whatcom}}


=== Military Records ===
==== Migration  ====
{{WA Military Intro|Whatcom}}


*'''1885-1907''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/476 Military Department, National Guard Enlistment Register, 1885-1907] at Washington State Archives - index & images
==== Military ====
*'''1887-1957''' [http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/militaryindex.htm Military Records of Whatcom County] at Washington GenWeb


'''''Indian Wars'''''
*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/militaryindex.htm Some Whatcom County Military Records] Mostly Civil War related
*'''1855-1856''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/495 Military Department, Indian War Muster Rolls, 1855-1856] at Washington State Archives - index & images


'''''World War I'''''
==== Naturalization and Citizenship  ====
*'''1917-1919''' {{FSC|2748722|item|disp= Louis Jacobin, comp. ''With the colors, from Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan Counties : an honor roll containing a pictorial record of the gallant and courageous men from northwestern Washington, U.S.A., who served in the world war, 1917-1918-1919.''Seattle, Washington : Peters Pub. Co, 1921}}
* '''1921-1925''' {{RecordSearch|1878898|Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


'''''World War II'''''
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QG9%3An1406204279%3Fcc%3D1910364 Petitions, Declarations, Indexes 1872-1947] Part of: ''County  Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
*[https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-28692-6723-96?cc=1910364&wc=M9HM-GY8:1219469923 Applications to take oath of allegiance 1921-1945] Part of: ''County  Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/312 Naturalization Records, 1872-1988] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)


'''''Japanese'''''<br>
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.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(*Women were not naturalized until 1922 in the United States.)
*'''1942-1946''' [http://digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/486 Public Welfare/Social Security Department, Evacuee (Japanese) Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946] at Washington State Archives - index & images; Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946


=== Naturalization and Citizenship ===
[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/RecordSeriesInfo.aspx?rsid=2 Washington State Digital Archives] has digitized various types of naturalization-related records, including declarations of intentions, delayed birth files, naturalization affidavits, notifications of application for admission to US citizenship, orders fixing naturalization terms, petitions and records, petitions, receipts for certificates of citizenship, record of final decrees of citizenship and record of petitions dockets. Depending on the county, records range from 1854-1988.
{{WA Naturalization Intro|Whatcom}}


''Online Naturalization Indexes and Records''<br>
==== Newspapers  ====
* '''1803-2010''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=https://www.familysearch.org/service/cds/recapi/collections/1910364/waypoints Washington, County Records, 1803-2010] at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
*'''1872-1988''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/312 Whatcom County Clerk, Naturalization Records, 1872-1988] at Washington State Archives - index & images


=== Newspapers ===
*[[{{PAGENAME}} Newspapers]] (Sortable by towns, years, and titles)
{{WA Newspapers Intro|Whatcom}}


*'''1800s-Current''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/50082/ Washington, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
{{WA Newspaper abstracts|Whatcom}}
*'''1855-2009''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10633/washington-newspapers-1855-2009?s=275764761 Washington Newspapers, 1855-2009] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1885-1921''' [http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/npaperindex.htm Extractions From Old Whatcom County Newspapers] at Washington GenWeb
*[https://washingtondigitalnewspapers.org/ Washington Digital Newspaper] at Washington State Library
*[[Whatcom County, Washington Newspapers]] - List of known newspapers for the county, including town and years published for each newspaper


=== Obituaries ===
*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/npaperindex.htm Extractions From Old Whatcom County Newspapers]
{{WA Obituaries Intro|Whatcom}}


* '''1803-2010''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=https://www.familysearch.org/service/cds/recapi/collections/1910364/waypoints Washington, County Records, 1803-2010] at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
==== Obituaries  ====


=== Other Records ===
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QG9%3An1406204279%3Fcc%3D1910364 1889-1995] Part of: ''County  Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
{{WA Other Records Intro|Whatcom}}


'''''Public Records'''''<br>
==== Periodicals  ====
*'''Prior to 1965''' {{RecordSearch|1404287|Washington Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, Postmaster Indexes - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only


'''''Voting Records'''''<br>
==== Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc.  ====
* '''1876-1940''' {{RecordSearch|3754702|Washington Voting Records, 1876-1940}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington Voting Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


=== Periodicals ===
==== Probate Records  ====
{{WA Periodicals Intro|Whatcom}}
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1979435 County Probate Records, 1853-1929] FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
*[[Washington Periodicals]]


=== Probate Records ===
{{WA Probate Intro|Whatcom}}
{{WA Probate Intro|Whatcom}}


''Online Probate Indexes and Records''<br>
==== Public Records  ====
* '''1853-1929''' {{RecordSearch|1979435|Washington, County Probate Records, 1853-1929}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington County Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Land Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]
*[http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/paris/ Whatcom County recorded documents online]
*Whatcom [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-22029-20572-10?cc=1404287&wc=12809239 Postmaster Index].  Part of ''Washington, Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965'', [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1&countryId=58 FamilySearch Historical Collections] for Washington. (Free, browse images)
 
==== Repositories  ====
 
*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/WGS/wgs.htm Whatcom Genealogical Society]
 
====School Records====
 
School Censuses provide name of parent or guardian, name and age of child, and residence.
 
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QG9%3An1406204279%3Fcc%3D1910364 School Census Records 1885-1933] Part of: ''County  Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
 
==== Taxation  ====
 
{{WA Tax Intro}}
 
==== Vital Records  ====
 
{{WA vital intro}}
 
===== Birth  =====
 
{{WA Birth Intro}}
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QG9%3An1406204279%3Fcc%3D1910364 Birth returns 1891-1907, delayed births 1871-1907] Part of: ''County Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free)
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/432 Birth Returns, 1891-1907] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
 
{{WA Birth Tips}}
 
===== Marriage  =====
 
{{WA Marriage Intro}}  
 
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/records/collection/1534448/waypoints County Marriages,1855-2008] at ''Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008'' at FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
**See what [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Washington_County_Probate_Records_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29#Record_Content genealogical information] may be in these records.
**Includes name of Testator or deceased, friends names, residence of testator, recording dates, etc.
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/433 Marriage returns (1891-1947) and marriage certificates (1899-1995] with images, at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
 
{{Tip|Witnesses may be relatives or close family friends.|small=left}} <br>
 
===== Divorce  =====
 
Divorce records give the names of the parties and may give the date and place of their marriage. See [[Washington Vital Records#Divorce_Records|Washington Vital Records]] for excellent information.
 
===== Death  =====
 
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QG9%3An1406204279%3Fcc%3D1910364 1890-1907] Part of: ''County  Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/431 Death Returns, 1891-1907] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
 
*Washington State Digital Archives also has a database of [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/TitleInfo.aspx?TID=431 Whatcom County Death Records] containing the names and death records of people who died or whose deaths were recorded in Whatcom County from 1891 to 1907.


=== School Records ===
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1454923 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960]  ''Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960'' at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
{{WA Schools Intro|Whatcom}}
**See what [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Washington,_Death_Certificates_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29#Record_Content genealogical information] may be in these records.
**Includes:  such information as name of the deceased, date and place of death, age, gender, birth date and birth place, mother’s maiden name and name of spouse, place of residence, occupation and certificate numbers.


''Online School Indexes and Records''<br>
==== Websites  ====
*'''1803-2010''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=https://www.familysearch.org/service/cds/recapi/collections/1910364/waypoints Washington, County Records, 1803-2010] at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
::Includes School census index 1890-1932; School census records 1885-1933.
*'''1885-1932''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2431 Whatcom County Historical School Districts, Registers and Censuses, 1885-1932] at Washington State Archives - index & images


=== Social Security Records ===
{{Tip|Check back often with these websites. Internet offerings are growing at record rates.}}  
*'''1935-2014''' {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at FamilySearch — [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index. ''Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ Ancestry], [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/social-security-death-index findmypast], [https://www.fold3.com/title/830/ Fold3], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank], [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi?s=270606331 MyHeritage], and [https://stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse].'' [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007]
*'''1936-2007''' {{RecordSearch|5000016|United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


=== Tax Records ===
'''Sites with online indexes or images of records:''' 
{{WA Tax Intro|Whatcom}}
:*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/ WAGenWeb] Whatcom County
:*[http://usgwarchives.net/wa/whatcom/whatcom.htm USGenWeb]
:*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:5 Current Collections] at Washington State Digital Archives (Free) Type county name, click '''Search''', then select a collection. Collections were posted to the appropriate headings for this Wiki page in November, 2013.
:*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1&countryId=58 Historical Collections] at FamilySearch.org. (Free) Click "Last Updated." Collections through October 2013 have been posted to the appropriate headings for this Wiki page.
:*[http://resources.rootsweb.ancestry.com/USA/WA/Whatcom/ Web Sites at RootsWeb -Whatcom WA] (Free)


=== Vital Records ===
'''Sites that search the Internet for {{PAGENAME}} records online:'''
{{WA Vital Intro|Whatcom}}


==== Birth ====
:*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/WA/Whatcom/ Linkpendium] (free)
{{WA Birth Intro|Whatcom}}
:*[http://www.cyndislist.com/us/wa/counties/whatcom/ CyndisList] (free)


* '''1803-2010''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=https://www.familysearch.org/service/cds/recapi/collections/1910364/waypoints Washington, County Records, 1803-2010] at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only; Includes Birth registers 1891-1907; Birth returns 1891-1907; Births (delayed) 1871-1907.
'''Major catalogs to offline genealogical records:''' <br> Catalogs refer to books, microfilm, manuscripts, and/or Internet images and indexes for various topics.  
*'''1852-1963''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20222/washington-births?s=275764761 Washington, Births] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
* '''1871-1921''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2600 Department of Health, Delayed Birth Records] at Washington State Archives - index & images; includes some earlier and later dates
* '''1873-1965''' {{RecordSearch|3418468|Washington, County Birth Registers, 1873-1965}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Birth Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1889-1907''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/432 Whatcom County Birth Records, 1889-1907] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1904-1915''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2684 Bellingham City Clerk, Register of Births, 1904-1915] at Washington State Archives - index & images


==== Marriage ====
:*{{FHL|Washington, Whatcom|place|disp=FamilySearch catalog}} for {{PAGENAME}} (Select topics. Add comma to select towns.)
{{WA Marriage Intro|Whatcom}}
:*[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=whatcom+washington&amp;dblist=638&amp;fq=s0%3A28000000&amp;qt=facet_s0%3A WorldCat] To find libraries near you that have items of interest, see [[WorldCat Online Catalog]].
:*[http://smartcat.acpl.lib.in.us/?q=whatcom+county+Washington Allen County Public Library] (Indiana)
:*'''See also''' [[{{PAGENAME}}#Libraries|local libraries]] and [[Washington Archives and Libraries]]


*'''1801-1962''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=washington%2cwa Washington, United States Marriages] at Findmypast — index ($)
=== Archives, Libraries, etc. ===
* '''1855-2008''' {{RecordSearch|1534448|Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; Includes Index to Certificates 1870-1984; Affidavits 1883-1939; Marriage and Miscellaneous Business Licenses 1879-1917; Applications and Affidavits, Probate Bonds 1869-1877; Certificates 1890-1928; License Applications 1890-2011; Licenses 1900-1971; Returns 1891-1947.
*'''1865-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20617/washington-marriages?s=275764761 Washington Marriages] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1891-2022''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/433 Whatcom County Auditor, Marriage Records, 1891-2022] with images, at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1968-1997''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2601 Department of Health, Marriage Certificates, 1968-1997] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1969-2014''' {{RecordSearch|2761120|Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington Marriage Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1969-2022''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2208 Department of Health, Marriage Index, 1969-2022] at Washington State Archives - index & images


==== Death ====
Resources for {{PAGENAME}} are available in libraries, archives, and other repositories at all levels: the town, the county, the [[Washington Archives and Libraries|state]] (including [[Washington Archives and Libraries#University_Libraries_and_Special_Collections|universities]]), and the [[United States Archives and Libraries|nation]].  
{{WA Death Intro|Whatcom}}
*'''1881-1979''' {{RecordSearch|3438698|Washington, County Death Registers, 1881-1979}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Death Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1891-1907''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/TitleInfo.aspx?TID=431 Whatcom County Death Records] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1904-1915''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2682 Bellingham City Clerk, Register of Deaths, 1904-1915] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1907-1960''' {{RecordSearch|1454923|Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, Death Certificates - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1907-1960''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30019/washington-death-certificates-1907-1960?s=275764761 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1907-1997''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2597 Department of Health, Death Certificates, July 1, 1907-1997] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1907-2020''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/472 Department of Health, Death Index, 1907-1960; 1965-2020] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1915-1928''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/475 Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Fatal Accident Cards, 1915-1928] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1919-1921''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2711 Department of Health, Fetal Death Records, 1919-1921] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''1935-1971''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2378 Lynden City Clerk (Whatcom County), Burial Transit Permits] at Washington State Archives - index & images


==== Divorce ====
*Check websites and catalogs, such as items in {{FHL|Washington, Whatcom|place|disp=FamilySearch Library}} (Utah) or [http://smartcat.acpl.lib.in.us/?q=whatcom+county+Washington Allen County Public Library] (Indiana) for {{PAGENAME}}. {{GetACopy tip}}
{{WA Divorce Intro|Whatcom}}


*'''1968-1997''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2602 Department of Health, Divorce Certificates, 1968-1997] at Washington State Archives - index & images
===== Family History Centers  =====
*'''1969-2014''' {{RecordSearch|2759158|Washington Divorce Index, 1969-2014}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington Divorce Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1969-2017''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2245 Department of Health, Divorce Index, 1969-2017] at Washington State Archives - index & images


== Research Facilities ==
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}  
{{WA Research Facilities Intro|Whatcom}}


=== Archives ===
*[[Bellingham Washington Family History Center]] 2925 James St, Bellingham, WA 98225
{{WA Archives Intro|Whatcom}}


=== FamilySearch Centers ===
===== Libraries  =====
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}


*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/bellingham/2925-james-street Bellingham Washington FamilySearch Center]
{{WALibraries Intro}}
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/mt-vernon/1700-east-hazel-street Mount Vernon Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/friday-harbor/1013-lampard-road San Juan Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[https://www.naamnw.org/ Northwest African American Museum] - an affiliate library


=== Libraries ===
{{WA Libraries Intro|Whatcom}}


Resources for Whatcom County are available in libraries, archives, and other repositories at all levels: the town, the county, the [[Washington Archives and Libraries|state]] (including [[Washington Archives and Libraries#University_Libraries_and_Special_Collections|universities]]), and the [[United States Archives and Libraries|nation]].<br><br>
*Bellingham Public Library
**[http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/yourlibrary/locations.aspx Branches and Locations]
**[http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/ Bellingham Public Library Genealogy / Database Tools]
**Special or Unique Collections (help needed from each branch)


'''Bellingham Public Library '''<br>[http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/ Website]<br>
*Whatcom County Library System
::Branches, locations and hours<br>[https://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/about/locations-hours Website]<br><br>
**[http://www.wcls.org/locations Branches and Locations]
'''Whatcom County Library System'''<br>[http://www.wcls.org/ Website]<br>
**[http://www.wcls.org/genealogy-a-local-history Genealogy / Database Tools]
::Branches, locations, and hours<br>[https://www.wcls.org/about-wcls/ Website]<br><br>
**Special or Unique Collections (help needed from each branch)


=== Museums ===
*Maple Falls Library
{{WA Museums Intro|Whatcom}}
**[http://www.wcls.org/locations Branches and Locations]
**[http://www.wcls.org/genealogy-a-local-history Genealogy / Database Tools]
**Special or Unique Collections (help needed from each branch)


===Societies===
===== Museums  =====
{{WA Societies Intro|Whatcom}}


'''Whatcom Genealogical Society'''<br>P.O. Box 1493<br>Bellingham, WA 98227-1493<br>[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/WGS/wgs.htm Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/WhatcomGenealogicalSociety Facebook]
===== Societies  =====


== Websites ==
=== Towns and Communities  ===
{{WA Websites Intro|Whatcom}}


*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/ WAGenWeb] Whatcom County
See a list of towns and communities in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatcom_County,_Washington#Cities Whatcom County] per Wikipedia.  
*[http://usgwarchives.net/wa/whatcom/whatcom.htm USGW Archives]
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:5 Washington State Archives]
*{{FSC Place IDNum|2973|Washington|Whatcom}} – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use [https://familysearch.org/search/ Historical Records] to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.


== Research Guides ==
=== References  ===
{{WA Research Guides Intro|Whatcom}}


== References ==
<references /> {{Washington|Washington}}
<references />


{{Washington|Washington}}
[[Category:Whatcom_County,_Washington]]
[[Category:Whatcom_County,_Washington]]
[[Category:Washington Counties]]

Revision as of 12:28, 31 December 2013

United States Gotoarrow.png Washington Gotoarrow.png Whatcom County [[Image:Template:WAWhatcomUpper]]

Guide to Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1861, when the county was formed.

County QuickStart:



Template:DCWAmapbuttonR

Whatcom County, Washington
Map
Map of Washington highlighting Whatcom County
Location in the state of Washington
Map of the U.S. highlighting Washington
Location of Washington in the U.S.
Facts
Founded March 9, 1854
County Seat Bellingham
Courthouse
Address Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue; PO Box 1144;
 Bellingham, WA 98227
Phone: 360.676.6777 
Whatcom County Website


County Overview[edit | edit source]

Tip: Before the newly-formed county was fully operational, search records of the parent county(s).

Parent County(s)[edit | edit source]

Whatcom County, Washington was created 9 March 1854[1] from Island County.

County Seat: Bellingham [2]. See also Towns and Communities in Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.

Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]

Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]

Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy is surrounded by: Okanogan | San Juan | Skagit

Template:WAWhatcom County Clickable Neighbors

Courthouse[edit | edit source]

Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue; PO Box 1144;
 Bellingham, WA 98227
Phone: 360.676.6777 

County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907,
marriage records from 1869 and land records;
County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records.

See also Archives, libraries, etc. in Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy.

Dates of Major County Records[edit | edit source]

Beginning dates for major county records[4]
Birth
Marriage
Death
Land
Probate
Court
1891*
1854*
1891*
1854
1872
1883
* For earlier dates, try... Church | Obituaries | Cemeteries
Record Loss[edit | edit source]

Topics for Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy[edit | edit source]

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.

Tip: Don't overlook Whatcom 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 Records[edit | edit source]

Biography[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]


Map of Whatcom County cemeteries (PDF)

  • Bayview Cemetery
  • Bethany Lutheran Cemetery (Bethania/Bethel)
  • Blaine Cemetery
  • Blaine Masonic Cemetery
  • Buchanan Cemetery
  • Case Cemetery
  • Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery
  • Enterprise Cemetery
  • Glacier Cemetery
  • Goshen Cemetery
  • Greenacres Cemetery
  • Greenwood Cemetery
  • Haynie Cemetery
  • Hillsdale Cemetery
  • Hopewell Cemetery
  • Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
  • Jobe Cemetery
  • Kendall Cemetery
  • King Mountain Cemetery (Terrace Land Memorial Garden of Psalms)
  • Lakeside Cemetery
  • Lummi Tribal Cemetery
  • Lummi Island Cemetery
  • Lynden Cemetery
  • Lynden Jim Cemetery
  • Maple Falls Cemetery
  • Monumenta Cemetery
  • Mount Calvary Cemetery
  • Mount Hope Cemetery
  • Mountain View Cemetery
  • Nooksack Indian Cemetery
  • Old Maple Falls (Cannon) Cemetery
  • Perry Cemetery
  • Point Roberts Cemetery
  • Saint Anne's Cemeter
  • Saint Joseph (Clipper) Cemetery
  • Saint Peter's Catholic Cemetery
  • Saxon Cemetery
  • Semiahmoo Cemetery
  • Sumas Cemetery
  • Ten Mile Cemetery
  • Van Zandt Cemetery
  • Welcome (Kulshan) Cemetery
  • Wickershame Cemetery
  • Woodlawn Cemetery
  • Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy cemeteries from state and national resources
Online County-wide Name Searches
Published Grave
Transcripts
Lists of Cemeteries
(Several will also link to names)
FindAGrave (Add a name to the search) FamilySearch Library Click Cemeteries. Press space bar to select town FindAGrave
WA State Archives - Digital Collections Click any cemetery for search window, select county, enter name(s). WorldCat Interment.net
Billion Graves Switch to "Person Lookup" Washington Periodicals Washington State Digital Archives Put county name in Search box
Linkpendium
Billion Graves
USGenWeb Tombstone Project
Genealogy Trails
See Washington Cemeteries for details about these and other sites.

Census[edit | edit source]

Template:WA Census

FYI
 Censuses indexed by societies or groups in the area may be more accurate, due to familiarity with local surnames.

Church Records[edit | edit source]

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 Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy are listed in the FamilySearch catalog. (Press space bar to select town.)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[edit | edit source]
Lutheran[edit | edit source]
  • Records of Central Lutheran Church, Bellingham, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).

Court Records[edit | edit source]

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.

ArrowGreen.svg.png

For specialized court records, see Divorce · Guardianship · Land · Naturalization · Probate

Directories[edit | edit source]

Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]

Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups[edit | edit source]

American Indian[edit | edit source]
Japanese[edit | edit source]

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

Gazetteers[edit | edit source]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

A FamilySearch Community Tree is available for this place.

Guardianship[edit | edit source]

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.

History[edit | edit source]

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


History Timeline[edit | edit source]

Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[5]

Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Wilma, David. Whatcom County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 7327.

  • In historic times there were three tribal groups in the county: the Lummi, Nooksack, and Semiahmoo.
  • 1791 - Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper sent a sloop into the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and "discovered" Mount Baker.
  • 1827 - The Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Langley north of modern day Lynden.
  • 1853 - Edward Eldridge arrived in Whatcom from California to work at the mill, bringing sawmill machinery.
  • 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
  • 1854 - Settlers filed claims on the south end of the bay, setting the future site of Fairhaven, one of four towns that would develop on the shoreline.
  • 1854 - March 9, Whatcom County was established by the Washington territorial government from a portion of Island County.
  • 1857-1858 - Survey work began on the international boundary at the 49th parallel.
  • 1859 - John Tennant and his Lummi wife Clara filed the first official claim on the Nooksack River.
  • 1881 - The "Washington Colony," a group of utopian Kansans, re-established the mill at Whatcom Creek.
  • 1899 - Whatcom County boomed when the Pacific American Fisheries (PAC) organized in Fairhaven.

Land and Property[edit | edit source]

Maps[edit | edit source]

Wawhatcom.jpg
This map highlights the county within the state of Washington. The map soon will have inter-active links.

Migration[edit | edit source]

Military[edit | edit source]

Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]

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.)

Washington State Digital Archives has digitized various types of naturalization-related records, including declarations of intentions, delayed birth files, naturalization affidavits, notifications of application for admission to US citizenship, orders fixing naturalization terms, petitions and records, petitions, receipts for certificates of citizenship, record of final decrees of citizenship and record of petitions dockets. Depending on the county, records range from 1854-1988.

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Finding More Washington Newspapers

Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Whatcom 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)

Obituaries[edit | edit source]

  • 1889-1995 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)

Periodicals[edit | edit source]

Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc.[edit | edit source]

Probate Records[edit | edit source]

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.

Public Records[edit | edit source]

Repositories[edit | edit source]

School Records[edit | edit source]

School Censuses provide name of parent or guardian, name and age of child, and residence.

Taxation[edit | edit source]

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 Records[edit | edit source]

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. .

Birth[edit | edit source]

Template:WA Birth Tips

Marriage[edit | edit source]
  • County Marriages,1855-2008 at Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008 at FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
    • See what genealogical information may be in these records.
    • Includes name of Testator or deceased, friends names, residence of testator, recording dates, etc.
Tip: Witnesses may be relatives or close family friends.


Divorce[edit | edit source]

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.

Death[edit | edit source]
  • 1890-1907 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
  • Death Returns, 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
  • Washington State Digital Archives also has a database of Whatcom County Death Records containing the names and death records of people who died or whose deaths were recorded in Whatcom County from 1891 to 1907.
  • 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.
    • Includes: such information as name of the deceased, date and place of death, age, gender, birth date and birth place, mother’s maiden name and name of spouse, place of residence, occupation and certificate numbers.

Websites[edit | edit source]

Tip: Check back often with these websites. Internet offerings are growing at record rates.

Sites with online indexes or images of records:

  • WAGenWeb Whatcom County
  • USGenWeb
  • Current Collections at Washington State Digital Archives (Free) Type county name, click Search, then select a collection. Collections were posted to the appropriate headings for this Wiki page in November, 2013.
  • Historical Collections at FamilySearch.org. (Free) Click "Last Updated." Collections through October 2013 have been posted to the appropriate headings for this Wiki page.
  • Web Sites at RootsWeb -Whatcom WA (Free)

Sites that search the Internet for Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy records online:

Major catalogs to offline genealogical records:
Catalogs refer to books, microfilm, manuscripts, and/or Internet images and indexes for various topics.

Archives, Libraries, etc.[edit | edit source]

Resources for Whatcom 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.

Family History Centers[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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.

FYI
 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.



Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]

Towns and Communities[edit | edit source]

See a list of towns and communities in Whatcom County per Wikipedia.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
  3. ↑ John H. Long, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) online.
  4. ↑ Alice Eichholz, Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources, 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry Pub., 2004), 733-734. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004.
  5. ↑ John H. Long, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) online.
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