Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy

United States Washington Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy [[Image:Template:WACowlitzSt.Helens]]

Guide to Cowlitz 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: Census Birth Marriage Divorce Death Cemeteries

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Cowlitz County, Washington
Map
Location in the state of Washington
Location of Washington in the U.S.
Facts
Founded	April 21, 1854
County Seat	Kelso
Courthouse
Address	Cowlitz County Courthouse 207 4th Ave North Kelso, WA 98626-1798 Phone 360.577.3016 Cowlitz County Website

County Overview

Parent County(s)

Parent County: created 21 April 1854 from Lewis

County Seat: Kelso. See also Towns and Communities in Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.

Boundary Changes

• Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library

Neighboring Counties

Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy is surrounded by: Clark | Lewis | Skamania | Wahkiakum | Columbia County, Oregon

Courthouse

Cowlitz County Courthouse
207 4th Ave North
Kelso, WA 98626-1798
Phone 360.577.3016

County Auditor has marriage record from 1867,
death record 1891-1907 and land records.
County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records from 1874,
naturalization and adoption records from 1869.

• Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 8. Cowlitz County (Kelso) (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)

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

Dates of Major County Records

Beginning dates for major county records
Birth	Marriage	Death	Land	Probate	Court
1891*	1854*	1891*	1854	1860	1872
* For earlier dates, try... Church | Obituaries | Cemeteries

Topics for Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy

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.

Biography

Biographical information is often found in state and local histories or genealogies. See also Washington Biography.

Cemeteries

Cowlitz 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
Cowlitz County Genealogical Society online and available books		Linkpendium
		Billion Graves
		USGenWeb Tombstone Project
		Genealogy Trails
See Washington Cemeteries for details about these and other sites.

• Whittle and Hubbard Cemetery, Castle Rock BillionGraves

Census

• Census indexes at Washington State Digital Archives: (Free)
  • Federal:1910
  • Territorial: 1870, 1871 • 1883 • 1885 • 1887
  • These were indexed by local societies and individuals.

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.

• Church records (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) for Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy are listed in the FamilySearch catalog. (Press space bar to select town.)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

LDS Ward and Branch Records

• Kelso

Lutheran

• Records of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Castle Rock, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).

Court Records

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.

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

• Cowlitz County Civil Court Dockets, 1876-1951 Cowlitz County Civil Court Dockets, 1876-1951 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

• Power of Attorney Records 1986 - present at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

• Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 8. Cowlitz County (Kelso) (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)

• Cowlitz Frontier Justice. Part of "Frontier Justice’’: Guide to the Court Records of Washington Territory, 1853-1889 at Washington State Digital Archives. (Free Index, no images)
  • Includes court actions arising from criminal accusations, estate (probate) and property disputes, debt collections, and other matters brought to the court.
  • The names in the index often reveal a “who’s who” of Washington Territory, but in a greater sense the abstract sheds light on the affairs, disputes, settlements, crimes, and forms of justice that touched nearly every inhabitant of territorial Washington.

Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups

Japanese

• 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.

Genealogy

A FamilySearch Community Tree is available for this place.

Many local libraries and societies have collections of family genealogies. County histories or biographies often include brief genealogies of the featured persons.

Guardianship

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

History

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

• "Logging Industry in Cowlitz Co., Washington " online
• "Cowlitz Co., WA Databases " online
• "Cowlitz County, Alabama (Washington) Facts" online

History Timeline

Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library

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. Cowlitz County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 7482.

• The original inhabitants of the lands drained by the Cowlitz River were variously called The Cawalitz, Cow-a-lidsk, Cowalitsk, Cow-e-lis-kee, Cowelits, Cowlitch, Co-litsick, Kawelitsk, Cowalitsk, Kowlitz, Kowlitz.
• 1792 - The first Europeans to visit the county were British seafarers.
• 1805 - November 5, Lewis and Clark camped at the mouth of the Kalama River, under orders from President Thomas Jefferson.
• 1825 - Permanent settlers arrived from the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) at Fort Vancouver.
• 1828 - The first white man credited with ascending the Cowlitz River was HBC Factor George Simpson.
• 1820s (late)- 1830s - The Cowlitz became an important artery for trappers and for communication with Fort Vancouver subposts at Cowlitz Farms and Nisqually Farms.
• 1847 - December 25, The first American to settle in the future Cowlitz County was Scotsman Peter W. Crawford (1822-1889), who took a Donation Claim on the left bank of the Cowlitz near the mouth of the Coweeman.
• 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
• 1854 - April 21, The Washington Territorial Legislature formed Cowlitz County.

Land and Property

• County Recorder's Office: check deeds, file mining claims, get assistance in finding ownership of a particular property, and obtain copies of county plat maps. This office has county plat records dating back to 1878, prior records having been destroyed in a fire.
• Recorded Land Records 1986-2012 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
• Recorded Plats and Surveys 1986 - 2012 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
• Recorded Agreements and Contracts 1986 - 2012 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

Maps

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

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

• World War II (1941–1945) army enlistments at the county GenWeb site has about 400 entries, mostly from Cowlitz and other counties. Key (at end of the list) explains codes and columns. Gives year and state of birth. Free.
• Recorded Military Records at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

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.

• Washington County Naturalization Records, 1850-1982 at Washington, County Naturalization Records, 1850-1982 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.
  • Included in this collection: Application & oaths 1938-1950; Declaration on intention 1906-1951; Final record 1890-1916, Vol 1 & 2; Index cards 1930-1979 Aalberberg, Gerardus Johannes Marinus-Riney, Inez Marie; Index cards 1930-1979 Riney, Inez Marie-Zybach, Mrs Lenora Christine; Jouranl of citizenship 1886-1890; Petition records 1906-1950; Petition records index 1910-1950.

• Naturalization Records, 1856-1980 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
  • The records include petitions, declarations of intention, certificates, depositions and final papers.

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.

• Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy Newspapers (Sortable by towns, years, and titles)

Finding More Washington Newspapers

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

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.

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.

• Will index 1882-1914 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

• County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950 Part of: Washington, County Probate Records, 1853-1929 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Public Records

Public records are documents created by civil authorities that either don't fit comfortably in another topic, or that could fit in several topics.

• Cowlitz Prior to 1965 Postmaster Index. Part of Washington, Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965, FamilySearch Historical Collections for Washington. (Free, browse images)

School Records

• County Records, 1856-2009 Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.
  • Includes collections of various records: vital, probate, school, tax, naturalization and other records.
  • School Registers are arranged by grade and gives names, ages, attendance.
  • School Censuses include names, birth dates, parents or guardians.

Taxation

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.

• County Records, 1856-2009 Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections.
  (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.
  • Includes collections of various records: vital, probate, school, tax, naturalization and other records.

Vital Records

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

• Birth Register, 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)

Marriage

• Marriages from 9 Nov 1854 to 18 Sep 1887 are available on the Western States Marriage Index website

• Marriage Records, 1986-2012 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection (Free)

Divorce

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

• County Divorce Records, 1852-1950. Washington, County Divorce Records, 1852-1950 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Death

• 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.

• Death Returns 1898-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

Websites

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

• Cowlitz WAGenWeb Project
• USGenWeb Project for Cowlitz
• 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.

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

• Web Sites at RootsWeb - Cowlitz WA (Free)
• Linkpendium (free)
• CyndisList (free)

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

• FamilySearch catalog for Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy (Select topics. Add comma to select towns.)
• WorldCat To find libraries near you that have items of interest, see WorldCat Online Catalog.
• Allen County Public Library (Indiana)
• See also local libraries and Washington Archives and Libraries

Archives, Libraries, etc.

Listed below are archives in {{{1}}} County. For state-wide facilities, see Washington Archives and Libraries.

Resources for Cowlitz 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.

• Check websites and catalogs, such as items in FamilySearch Library (Utah) or Allen County Public Library (Indiana) for Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy. When you find items you'd like to access, see Get a Copy

Family History 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

• Longview Washington Family History Center 1721 30th Ave., Longview, WA 98632-340 United States Location Map

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.

Castle Rock Public Library, 137 Cowlitz St W., Castle Rock 98611 Phone: (360) 274-6961

Online Resources: (None found Oct. 2013)

Unique Collections:

Kalama Public Library, 312 N 1st, Kalama 98625 Phone: (360) 673-4568

Online Resources: American Ancestry Records, Family History Records and Vital Records

Unique Collections:

Kelso Public Library, 314 Academy St., Kelso 98626 Phone: (360) 423-8110

Online Resources: (None found October 2013)

Unique Collections:

Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview 98632 Phone: (360) 442-5300

Online Resources: Lower Columbia Genealogical Society

Unique Collections:

Woodland Community Library, 770 Park Street, Woodland 98674 Phone: (360) 225-2115

Online Resources: Ancestry Library, Heritage Quest and others.

Unique Collections:

Societies

Listed below are societies in {{{1}}} County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Washington Societies.

Towns and Communities

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

This website requires a paid subscription for full access. Some subscription websites are available for free at your local FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library.

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