Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Washington|Washington]]'' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Whatcom County'''<br>
{{Locality
|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 genealogy.''' Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.[[Image:{{WAWhatcomUpper}}]] <br><br><br>{{DCWAmapbuttonleft}}<br><br><br>
Guide to '''Whatcom County, Washington ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.


<br><br><br>  
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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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|county4=
|county5=
|county6=
|county7=
|county8=
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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 ==


:::'''Quick start:'''
=== Description ===
:::*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Census|Census]]
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>
:::*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Birth|Birth]]
:::*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Marriage|Marriage]]
:::*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Death|Death]]


{{Infobox U.S. County
=== County Courthouse ===
| county = Whatcom County
{{WA Courthouse Intro|Whatcom}}
| county_map = Wa-whatcom.png
'''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>
| 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 ===
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>


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="2"
=== Whatcom County, Washington Record Dates  ===
{{WA Record Dates Intro|Whatcom}}
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
|-
| width="100%" bgcolor="#cccc99" align="center" colspan="6" | '''Beginning dates for major county records'''
| 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="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Birth|Birth]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Marriage|Marriage]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Death|Death]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Death|Death*]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Land_and_Property|Land]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Probate|Probate]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Whatcom County, Washington#Court_Records|Court]]'''</center>
| 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="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1891*</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1891
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1854*</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1854
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1891*</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1891
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1854</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1883
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1872</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1854
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1883</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1872
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1850
|-
|-
| 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]]'''
| colspan="7" |<center>*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1907. General compliance by 1917.</center>
|}
|}


*'''Parent County:''' created 9 March 1854 from [[Island County, Washington|Island ]]
=== Record Loss ===
*'''County Seat:''' Bellingham <ref name="Handybook">''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>
{{WA Record Loss Intro|Whatcom}}
*'''Neighboring Counties:''' [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan]] | [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan]] | [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit]]
{|
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.


==== Boundary Changes  ====
|}
=== Boundary Changes ===
{{WA Boundary Changes Intro|Whatcom}}
{|
|-
|
*'''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
|}


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


=== Resources  ===
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,
accessed 26 March 2019.</ref>


The types of records that follow are used for genealogy and family history. Most tell what you may learn and how to locate the records. Links to Internet sites usually go directly to {{PAGENAME}} entries with names, images, or information.  
{{populated places
<!--cities column------------------->
| 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------------------->
| villages-col1=
| villages-col2=
| villages-col3=
<!--hamlets column------------------->
| hamlets-col1=
| hamlets-col2=
| hamlets-col3=
<!--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=
| townships-col2=
| townships-col3=
<!--historic communities column------------------->
| historic-communities-col1=
| historic-communities-col2=
| historic-communities-col3=
<!--historic African American communities column------------------->
| historic-AA communities-col1=
| historic-AA communities-col2=
| historic-AA communities-col3=
<!--unorganized territories column------------------->
| unorgan-col1=
| unorgan-col2=
| unorgan-col3=
<!--ghost towns column------------------->
| ghost-col1=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goshen,_Washington Goshen]</div>
| ghost-col2=<div>
* Park</div>
| ghost-col3=
}}


{{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]].}}  
=== History Timeline ===
{{WA Historical Timeline Intro|Whatcom}}


==== Bible Records  ====
*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 {{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.


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


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


[http://www.cob.org/documents/parks/bayview/whatcom_county_cemeteries.pdf Map of Whatcom County cemeteries (PDF)]
=== Biographies  ===
{{WA Biographies Intro|Whatcom}}


*[http://www.bayviewcemetery.com Bayview Cemetery]  
*[https://www.worldcat.org/title/32126974 History of Whatcom County], WorldCat: Author: Lottie Roeder Roth, Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1926.<br>
*Bethany Lutheran Cemetery (Bethania/Bethel)
{{Block indent|Brief biographies of well-known citizens of the era of publication, as well as history of the early years of the community.<br><br>|2}}
*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


==== Census  ====
=== Business, Commerce, and Occupations ===
{{WA Business Records Intro|Whatcom}}


*1860
*'''2017-2023''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2255  Whatcom County Auditor, Professional License Records, 2017-2023] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*1870
*1871
*1880
*1885
*1887
*1889
*1890 Veterans
*1900
*1910
*1920
*1930
*1940


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


{{WA Church Intro}}  
{| style = "border:1px solid black; width:70%;  "
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of Whatcom County, Washington''' online and in print</center>
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" |
*[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]
*[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="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
*{{FSC|United States, Washington, Whatcom - Cemeteries|subject|subject-id=1216745315|disp=FamilySearch Library}}
*[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="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
* [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]
*[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>
|}
&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
{{Block indent|Includes Lot and burial record 1884-1959; Lot purchase record 1887-1904; Woodlawn Cemetery burial list 1886-2007.|2}}
*[http://www.cob.org/documents/parks/bayview/whatcom_county_cemeteries.pdf Map of Whatcom County cemeteries (PDF)]


*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/churchrecords.htm Records From Some Early Bellingham Churches]
=== Census Records ===
{{WA Census Intro|Whatcom}}


===== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  =====
{{Historical populations
|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
{{Block indent|Includes School census index 1890-1932; School census records 1885-1933.|2}}
*'''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]
{{Block indent|'''Federal:''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/139 1910]|2}}
{{Block indent|'''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]|2}}


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


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


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


Many of your ancestors may be found in court records as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence, occupations, and other family history information. See [[Washington Court Records]] for the various courts through the years.
'''List of Churches and Church Parishes'''<br>
*'''[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]]


For specialized court records, see [[Whatcom County, Washington#Divorce|Divorce]] {{·}} [[Whatcom County, Washington#Guardianship|Guardianship]] {{·}} [[Whatcom County, Washington#Land_and_Property|Land]] {{·}} [[Whatcom County, Washington#Naturalization_and_Citizenship|Naturalization]]{{·}}[[Whatcom County, Washington#Probate_Records|Probate]]
=== Court Records ===
{{WA Court Intro|Whatcom}}


==== Directories  ====
''Online Court Indexes and Records''<br>
*[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
{{Block indent|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.|2}}


*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/directories.htm Earliest Directories for Fairhaven, Bellingham, Whatcom and New Whatcom/Sehome]
=== Directories ===
*[http://www.cob.org/documents/library/books/1905-polk-directory.pdf 1905-1906 Bellingham / Whatcom&nbsp;Directory&nbsp;(28,300K PDF)]
{{WA Directories Intro|Whatcom}}
*[http://www.cob.org/documents/library/books/1915-polk-directory.pdf 1915 Bellingham / Whatcom&nbsp;Directory (44,200K PDF)]


==== Emigration and Immigration  ====
*'''1890-1, 1900-2''' [http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/directories.htm Earliest Directories for Fairhaven, Bellingham, Whatcom and New Whatcom/Sehome] at Washington GenWeb
*'''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


==== Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups ====
=== Emigration and Immigration ===
{{WA Emigration Intro|Whatcom}}


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


World War II Files, 1942-1946  
'''''Japanese'''''<br>
*'''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
=== Funeral Homes ===
 
{{WA Funeral Homes Intro|Whatcom}}
==== Gazetteers ====
{| style="width:100%; vertical-align:top;"
 
|-
==== Genealogy  ====
|
 
<ul class="column-spacing-halfscreen" style="padding-right:5px;">
{{CommunityTree}}  
<li>[https://www.gilliesfuneralhome.com/ Gillies Funeral Home & Cremation Services] in Lynden</li>
 
<li>[https://www.jernsfh.com/ Jerns Funeral Home] in Bellingham</li>
==== Guardianship  ====
<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>
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]].  
<li>[https://www.mtbakercremationsociety.com/ Mt. Baker Cremation] in Bellingham</li>
 
<li>[https://neptunesociety.com/locations/washington/bellingham-3527 Neptune Society] in Bellingham</li>
==== History  ====
<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>
{{WA History Intro}}
<li>[https://whatcomcremationandfuneral.com/ Whatcom Cremation and Funeral] in Bellingham</li>
 
<li>[https://www.wildflowerfuneralconcepts.com/ Wildflower Funeral Concepts] in Ferndale</li>
===== History Timeline  =====
</ul>
|}


[http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/WA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#OKANOGAN 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. ''Okanogan County -- Thumbnail History'', [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7608 History Link.org] Essay 7608.
=== Genealogies  ===
{{WA Genealogies Intro|Whatcom}}


==== Land and Property  ====
=== Guardianship ===
{{WA Guardianship Intro|Whatcom}}


{{WA Land Intro}}  
=== Land and Property Records ===
{{WA Land Intro|Whatcom}}
''Online Land Indexes and Records''<br>
*'''2016-2023''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2249 Whatcom County Auditor, Recorded Land Records] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''2017-2023''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2253 Whatcom County Auditor, Plats and Surveys, 2017-2023] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*[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]


==== Maps  ====
=== Local Histories ===
{{WA Histories Intro|Whatcom}}


[[Image:Wawhatcom.jpg|640px|Wawhatcom.jpg]]
Edition/Format:
*[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.


==== Migration  ====
=== Maps and Gazetteers ===
{{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]]


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


*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/militaryindex.htm Some Whatcom County Military Records] Mostly Civil War related
=== Military Records ===
{{WA Military Intro|Whatcom}}


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


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.)
'''''Indian Wars'''''
*'''1855-1856''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/495 Military Department, Indian War Muster Rolls, 1855-1856] at Washington State Archives - index & images


[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.  
'''''World War I'''''
*'''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


==== Newspapers  ====
'''''World War II'''''


{{WA Newspaper abstracts|Whatcom}}
'''''Japanese'''''<br>
*'''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


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


==== Obituaries  ====
''Online Naturalization Indexes and Records''<br>
* '''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


==== Periodicals  ====
=== Newspapers ===
{{WA Newspapers Intro|Whatcom}}


==== Probate Records  ====
*'''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 ($)
*'''1855-2009''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10633/washington-newspapers-1855-2009?s=275764761 Washington Newspapers, 1855-2009] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''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


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


==== Public Records ====
* '''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


*[http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/paris/ Whatcom County recorded documents online]
=== Other Records ===
{{WA Other Records Intro|Whatcom}}


==== Repositories  ====
'''''Public Records'''''<br>
*'''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


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


[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.
=== Periodicals ===
{{WA Periodicals Intro|Whatcom}}
*[[Washington Periodicals]]


===== Family History Centers  =====
=== Probate Records ===
{{WA Probate Intro|Whatcom}}


*[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers]]  
''Online Probate Indexes and Records''<br>
*[[Bellingham Washington Family History Center]]
* '''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]


===== Libraries  =====
=== School Records ===
{{WA Schools Intro|Whatcom}}


===== Museums  =====
''Online School Indexes and Records''<br>
*'''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
{{Block indent|Includes School census index 1890-1932; School census records 1885-1933.|2}}
*'''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


===== Societies  =====
=== Social Security Records ===
*'''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


*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/WGS/wgs.htm Whatcom Genealogical Society]
=== Tax Records ===
{{WA Tax Intro|Whatcom}}


==== Taxation  ====
=== Vital Records ===
{{WA Vital Intro|Whatcom}}


{{WA Tax Intro}}  
==== Birth ====
{{WA Birth Intro|Whatcom}}


==== Vital Records ====
* '''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.
*'''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


{{WA vital intro}}  
==== Marriage ====
{{WA Marriage Intro|Whatcom}}


===== Birth  =====
*'''1801-1962''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=washington%2cwa Washington, United States Marriages] at Findmypast — index ($)
* '''1855-2008''' {{RecordSearch|1534448|Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; Includes Index to Certificates 1870-1984; Affidavits 1883-1939; Marriage and Miscellaneous Business Licenses 1879-1917; Applications and Affidavits, Probate Bonds 1869-1877; Certificates 1890-1928; License Applications 1890-2011; Licenses 1900-1971; Returns 1891-1947.
*'''1865-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20617/washington-marriages?s=275764761 Washington Marriages] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''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


*Washington State Digital Archives has a database of [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov./TitleInfo.aspx?TID=432 Whatcom County Birth Records]. This database contains the names and birth records of people who were born or whose births were recorded in Whatcom County from 1891 to 1907. The names were transcribed and images scanned from the Whatcom County Birth Returns.
==== Death ====
{{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


===== Marriage  =====
==== Divorce ====
{{WA Divorce Intro|Whatcom}}


===== Divorce =====
*'''1968-1997''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2602 Department of Health, Divorce Certificates, 1968-1997] at Washington State Archives - index & images
*'''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


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.
== Research Facilities ==
{{WA Research Facilities Intro|Whatcom}}


===== Death  =====
=== Archives ===
{{WA Archives Intro|Whatcom}}


*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.
=== FamilySearch Centers ===
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}


*'''[[Washington Statewide Death Certificates (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Washington Death Certificates 1907-1960]] '''A free internet index to the 1907-1960 death certificates can be found at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1454923 FamilySearch Record Search], no images are available. A transcribed death certificate may contain 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.
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/bellingham/2925-james-street Bellingham Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[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


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


*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/index.htm Whatcom GenWeb]
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>


*{{FHL|Washington%2C+Whatcom|subject|disp=Family History Library Catalog}}  
'''Bellingham Public Library '''<br>[http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/ Website]<br>
*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/WA/Whatcom/ Whatcom County, Washington Genealogy and Family History] (Linkpendium)
{{Block indent|Branches, locations and hours<br>[https://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/about/locations-hours Website]<br><br>|2}}
'''Whatcom County Library System'''<br>[http://www.wcls.org/ Website]<br>
{{Block indent|Branches, locations, and hours<br>[https://www.wcls.org/about-wcls/ Website]<br><br>|2}}


=== Archives, Libraries, etc.  ===
=== Museums ===
{{WA Museums Intro|Whatcom}}


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]].
===Societies===
{{WA Societies Intro|Whatcom}}


*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}}
'''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]


=== Places  ===
== Websites ==
{{WA Websites Intro|Whatcom}}


*[http://www.cob.org Bellingham]
*[http://wagenweb.org/whatcom/ WAGenWeb] Whatcom County
*[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.


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


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


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

Latest revision as of 12:09, 20 August 2025


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

County Facts
County seat: Bellingham
Organized: March 9, 1854
Parent County(s): Island
Neighboring Counties
British Columbia (Canada) • Okanogan • San Juan • Skagit
See County Maps
Courthouse
Washington, Whatcom County Courthouse.png
Location Map
Wa-whatcom.png

Upper Falls in Whatcom Falls Park, Bellingham, Whatcom CO., Washington

County Information[edit | edit source]

Description[edit | edit source]

The county was named for the Lummi word Xwotʼqom, meaning "noisy water." The county is located in the northwest area of the state.[1]

County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: 360-778-5400
Whatcom County Website

County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907, marriage records from 1869 and land records.
County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records.[2]

Whatcom County, Washington Record Dates[edit | edit source]

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[3]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1891 1854 1891 1883 1854 1872 1850
*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1907. General compliance by 1917.

Record Loss[edit | edit source]

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

Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]

Populated Places[edit | edit source]

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]

Cities
Unincorporated communities
  • Beach
  • Blue Canyon
  • Cedarville
  • Chuckanut
  • Clearbrook
  • Clipper
  • Dewey
  • Diablo
  • Saxon
  • Van Buren
  • Van Wyck
  • Van Zandt
  • Wahl
  • Welcome
  • Wickersham
American Indian Communities
Census-designated places
Ghost towns
  • Park


History Timeline[edit | edit source]

  • 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.

Resources[edit | edit source]

Bible Records[edit | edit source]

Biographies[edit | edit source]

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

Brief biographies of well-known citizens of the era of publication, as well as history of the early years of the community.

Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

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

 

Includes Lot and burial record 1884-1959; Lot purchase record 1887-1904; Woodlawn Cemetery burial list 1886-2007.

Census Records[edit | edit source]

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

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1860 352 —
1870 534 51.7%
1880 3,137 487.5%
1890 18,591 492.6%
1900 24,116 29.7%
1910 49,511 105.3%
1920 50,600 2.2%
1930 59,128 16.9%
1940 60,355 2.1%
1950 66,733 10.6%
1960 70,317 5.4%
1970 81,950 16.5%
1980 106,701 30.2%
1990 127,780 19.8%
2000 166,814 30.5%
2010 201,140 20.6%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".
Includes School census index 1890-1932; School census records 1885-1933.
Federal: 1910
Territorial: 1871, 1885, 1889

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.

Lutheran

List of Churches and Church Parishes

Court Records[edit | edit source]

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

Online Court Indexes and Records

  • Whatcom Frontier Justice. Part of "Frontier Justice’’: Guide to the Court Records of Washington Territory, 1853-1889 at Washington State Archives - Index, no images
The court procedure of Frontier Justice touch nearly all pioneers of Washington Territory. The index has many abstracts that provide names and what is happening in disputes, settlements in civil and criminal cases as well as probate, equity and admiralty cases.

Directories[edit | edit source]

Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]

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

Japanese

Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]

Genealogies[edit | edit source]

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

Guardianship[edit | edit source]

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

Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]

Online Land Indexes and Records

Local Histories[edit | edit source]

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

Edition/Format:

  • "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. [1] There are a few versions of this work beginning in 1926, with later works adding an index and microform format available.

Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]

British ColumbiaOkanogan CountySkagit CountyIsland CountySan Juan CountyWA WHATCOM.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration[edit | edit source]

Most residents came to Washington from other states or crossed the border from Canada. (See Seattle Passenger Lists for those who came from other countries.) Although few other migration records exist, try:
• Censuses: (use birthdates and places of children as clues)
• Land Records: (1st deed may reveal previous residence)
• Death-related records of children may give town or county of birth
• Records of relatives and neighbors

Military Records[edit | edit source]

Indian Wars

World War I

World War II

Japanese

Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]

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

Online Naturalization Indexes and Records

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Small town newspapers provide historical content and contain obituaries, birth or death notices, legal notices, and community news, such as visits to or from out-of-town relatives. See Washington Newspapers for tips, resources, and details.

Obituaries[edit | edit source]

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.

Other Records[edit | edit source]

Public Records

Voting Records

Periodicals[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.

Online Probate Indexes and Records

School Records[edit | edit source]

Online School Indexes and Records

Includes School census index 1890-1932; School census records 1885-1933.

Social Security Records[edit | edit source]

Tax Records[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]

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

Birth[edit | edit source]

Marriage[edit | edit source]

Death[edit | edit source]

Divorce[edit | edit source]

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

Research Facilities[edit | edit source]

Archives[edit | edit source]

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

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

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

Bellingham Public Library
Website

Branches, locations and hours
Website

Whatcom County Library System
Website

Branches, locations, and hours
Website

Museums[edit | edit source]

Societies[edit | edit source]

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

Whatcom Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 1493
Bellingham, WA 98227-1493
Website
Facebook

Websites[edit | edit source]

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

Research Guides[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Whatcom County, Washington," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatcom_County,_Washington. accessed 18/07/2019
  2. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Whatcom County, Washington page 734, FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  3. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Whatcom County, Washington . Page 732-735 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 733-734.
  4. ↑ The Evolution of Washington Counties by Newton Carl Abbott, Fred E. Carver, 1979. Published by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society and Klickitat County Genealogical Society.
  5. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  6. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Whatcom County, Washington," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatcom_County,_Washington, accessed 26 March 2019.
  7. ↑ Washington State Archives - Digital Archives, Birth Records, About this Collection & Washington State Archives - Digital Archives, Death Records About Death Records
v • d• e
Links to Washington-related articles
Topics
Counties
Extinct Co.
Major
 Repositories
Early Paths

This table contains the dates the local or state government began recording in the county or county equivalent. Use substitute records for earlier dates. If you believe there is an error, email us at wikisupport@familysearch.org.

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Users should verify which locations and dates are included in this collection.

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