Columbia County, Washington Genealogy: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Washington|Washington]]'' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Columbia County''' [[Image:{{WAColumbiarailway}}]]<br><br>Guide to '''{{PAGENAME}} genealogy.''' Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1875, when the [[{{PAGENAME}}#County_Overview|county was formed]].<br><br>
{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2= [[Washington, United States Genealogy|Washington]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Columbia County, Washington Genealogy|Columbia County]]
}}


{| width="25%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
Guide to '''Columbia County, Washington ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
 
{| style="width:18%; float:right"
|-
|-
| <center>'''County QuickStart:'''</center>  
|
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Census|Census]]  
<center><div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Washington Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div></center>
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Birth|Birth]]  
|-
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Marriage|Marriage]]  
|
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Divorce|Divorce]]  
<center>{{Infobox U.S. County 2016
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Death|Death]]  
|organized= 11 November, 1875
:*[[{{PAGENAME}}#Cemeteries|Cemeteries]]
|county seat= Dayton
 
|parent county= [[Walla Walla County, Washington Genealogy|Walla Walla]]
|variant spellings=
|county1= [[Franklin County, Washington Genealogy|Franklin]]
|county2= [[Garfield County, Washington Genealogy|Garfield]]
|county3= [[Walla Walla County, Washington Genealogy|Walla Walla]]
|county4= [[Whitman County, Washington Genealogy|Whitman]]
|county5= [[Umatilla County, Oregon Genealogy|Umatilla (OR)]]
|county6= [[Wallowa County, Oregon Genealogy|Wallowa (OR)]]</br><center>[[Columbia County, Washington Genealogy#Maps and Gazetteers|See County Maps]]</center>
|county7=
|county8=
|county9=
|county courthouse= [[Image:Washington, Columbia County Courthouse.png|300px]]
|county location in state= [[Image:Wa-columbia.png|185x185px]]
|adoption=
}}
<br>[[Image:Historic railway depot in Dayton, WA.jpg|thumb|right|280px|<center>Historic railway depot in Dayton, Columbia County, Washington</center>]]
|}
|}
<div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
== County Information ==


<br><br>{{DCWAmapbuttonR}} {{Infobox U.S. County
=== Description ===
| county = Columbia County
The county was named for the Columbia River. The county is located in the southeast area of the state.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Columbia County, Washington," in ''https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_County,_Washington.'' accessed 15/07/2019</ref>
| county_map = Wa-columbia.png
| state = Washington
| state_map = Washington.png
| latd =  
| longd =  
| founded year = 1875
| founded date = 11 November
| seat =  Dayton
| building image =
| building address = [http://www.clark.wa.gov/courts/ Columbia County Courthouse]<br>341 E Main Street<br>Dayton, WA 99328-1361<br>Phone: 509.382.4321<br>[http://www.Columbiacounty.us/ '''Columbia County Website'''] }}
 
=== County Overview  ===
 
{{Tip|Before the newly-formed county was fully operational, search records of the parent county(s).}} <br>  
 
==== Parent County(s)  ====
 
Columbia County, Washington was created 11 November 1875 from [[Walla Walla County, Washington|Walla Walla]] County.<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''': Dayton <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#Columbia 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: [[Franklin County, Washington|Franklin]] | [[Garfield County, Washington|Garfield]] | [[Walla Walla County, Washington|Walla Walla]] | [[Whitman County, Washington|Whitman]] | '''Oregon''' counties: [[Umatilla County, Oregon|Umatilla]] | [[Wallowa County, Oregon|Wallowa]]
=== County Courthouse ===
<center>{{WAColumbia County Clickable Neighbors}}</center>
{{WA Courthouse Intro|Columbia}}
''' Columbia County Courthouse'''<br>341 E Main Street<br>Dayton, WA 99328-1361<br>Phone: 509-382-4321<br>[https://www.columbiaco.com/ Columbia County Website] <br><br>


==== Courthouse  ====
County Clerk has divorce records from 1886, probate records from 1891 and court records from 1890.<br>
County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907 and marriage records from 1853. <ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ferry County, Washington page 732, {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>


[http://www.clark.wa.gov/courts/ Columbia County Courthouse]<br>341 E Main Street<br>Dayton, WA 99328-1361<br>Phone: 509.382.4321<br><br>County Clerk has divorce records from 1886, <br>probate records from 1891 and court records from 1890. <br>County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907 <br>and marriage records from 1853. <ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ferry County, Washington page 732, {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>
=== Columbia County, Washington Record Dates  ===
 
{{WA Record Dates Intro|Columbia}}
See also [[{{PAGENAME}}#Archives.2C_Libraries.2C_etc.|Archives, libraries, etc.]] in {{PAGENAME}}.
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
 
==== Dates of Major County Records  ====
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="2"
|-
|-
| 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>
| bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" colspan="7" | <center>'''Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records'''<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Columbia 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>'''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Birth|Birth]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Columbia County, Washington Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Marriage|Marriage]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Columbia County, Washington Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Death|Death]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Columbia County, Washington Genealogy#Death|Death*]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Land_and_Property|Land]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Columbia County, Washington Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Probate|Probate]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Columbia County, Washington Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]'''
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Court_Records|Court]]'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Columbia County, Washington Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Columbia 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>1876*</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1876
| 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>1864</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1891
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1878</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1864
| width="16.6%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px;" | <center>1874</center>
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1891
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1850
|-
|-
| width="100%" bgcolor="#99d6ff" colspan="6" | '''* For earlier dates, try...''' '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Church_Records|Church]] &#124; [[{{PAGENAME}}#Obituaries|Obituaries]] &#124; [[{{PAGENAME}}#Cemeteries|Cemeteries]]'''
| colspan="7"| <center>*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1907. General compliance by 1917.</center>
|}
|}


===== Record Loss =====
=== Record Loss ===
{{WA Record Loss Intro|Columbia}}
{|
|-
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
 
|}
=== Boundary Changes ===
{{WA Boundary Changes Intro|Columbia}}
{|
|-
|
* '''Parent County(s):''' Created from [[Walla Walla County, Washington Genealogy|Walla Walla]] County, on 11 November 1875.<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:''' Dayton<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>
*[http://www.mapofus.org/Washington Interactive Map of Washington County Formation History] (1790-1897) - animated maps illustrating Washington county boundary changes
*[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/WA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#COLUMBIA Columbia County, Washington Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
|}


=== Topics for {{PAGENAME}} ===
=== Populated Places ===
{{WA Populated Places Intro|Columbia}}


{{WA Topics Intro}}
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit [https://Washington.hometownlocator.com/wa/Columbia Hometown Locator]. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Columbia County, Washington," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_County,_Washington,
{{Tip|Don't overlook {{FHL|United States, Washington, Columbia|place|disp={{PAGENAME}}}} items in the FamilySearch Library Catalog. For other libraries (local and national) or to gain access to items of interest, see [[{{PAGENAME}}#Archives.2C_Libraries.2C_etc.|Archives and Libraries]].}}
accessed 4 March 2019.</ref>


==== Bible Records  ====
{{populated places
<!--cities column------------------->
| cities-col1=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayton,_Washington Dayton] (county seat)</div>
| cities-col2=
| cities-col3=
<!--towns column------------------->
| towns-col1=<div>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starbuck,_Washington Starbuck]</div>
| 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>
* Covello
* Huntsville</div>
| unincorp-col2=<div>
* Jackson
* Long</div>
| unincorp-col3=<div>
* Marengo
* Turner</div>
<!--native american column------------------->
| native-col1=
| native-col2=
| native-col3=
<!--census column------------------->
| census-col1=
| census-col2=
| census-col3=
<!--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>
* Alto</div>
| ghost-col2=<div>
Delaney</div>
| ghost-col3=<div>
Grange City</div>
}}


{{WA Bible Intro}}
=== History Timeline ===
{{WA Historical Timeline Intro|Columbia}}


==== Biography  ====
*The lower Snake River was home to bands of {{wpd|Palus people|Palouse}} and other Sahaptin-speaking people, including {{wpd|Nez Perce people|Nez Perce}}, {{wpd|Yakama Indian Reservation|Yakama}}, {{wpd|Walla Walla people|Walla Walla}}, {{wpd|Umatilla people|Umatilla}}, and {{wpd|Wanapum|Wanapum}}.
*'''1805''' October 12-13, {{wpd|Lewis and Clark Expedition|Lewis and Clark}} canoed on the Snake River along the boundary separating Columbia and Whitman counties.
*'''1834''' Captain B. L. E. Bonneville crossed Columbia County on the {{wpd|Nez Perce National Historic Trail|Nez Perce Trail}}, surveying the Northwest on behalf of the United States government.
*'''1853''' March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes {{wpd|Washington Territory|Washington Territory}}.
*'''1855''' One of the first white settlers in Columbia County was Henry M. Chase. Chase and another man, P. M. Lafontain, built cabins and possibly a small fort early in 1855 at the site of present day Dayton.
*'''1859''' Permanent settlement reached Columbia County with claims taken up along the Touchet and Tucannon rivers and along Patit Creek.
*'''1859''' Frederick Schnebley homesteaded at the Dayton site of the former Chase homestead, which had been destroyed in the 1855 Indian attack.
*'''1860s''' Settlers slowly drifted into the county, but in the early 1870s settlement rapidly increased.
*'''1875''' November 29, Columbia County officially came into existence.
*'''1881''' July, The railroad arrived in Dayton.
*'''1934''' The Blue Mountain Cannery was built in Dayton.
*'''1935''' As part of Franklin Roosevelt's {{wpd|New Deal|New Deal}}, two Civilian Conservation Camps were established in Columbia County.


{{WA Biogs Intro}}
== Resources ==
{{WA Resources Intro|Columbia}}


====Business and Commerce====
=== Bible Records ===
{{WA Bible Intro|Columbia}}


{{WA Business Intro}}
=== Biographies  ===
{{WA Biographies Intro|Columbia}}


==== Cemeteries  ====
=== Business, Commerce, and Occupations ===
{{WA Business Records Intro|Columbia}}


{{WA Cemeteries Intro}}
=== Cemeteries ===
{{WA Cemeteries Intro|Columbia}}


{| width="89%" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
{| style = "border:1px solid black; width:70%;  "
|-
| bgcolor="#B2B2FF" colspan="3" | <center>'''{{PAGENAME}}''' cemeteries from [[Washington Cemeteries|state]] and [[United States Cemeteries|national]] resources</center>
|-
| 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=2959&GSgrid=&df=all&GSob=n FindAGrave] (Add a name to the search)
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" | {{FHL|United States, Washington, Columbia|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=2959 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=Columbia+County%2C+Washington%2C+cemeteries&qt=results_page WorldCat]
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://interment.net/us/wa/columbia.htm Interment.net]
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" | [http://billiongraves.com/pages/search/index.php#country=United+States&state=Washington&county=Columbia&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/Columbia Linkpendium]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of Columbia County, Washington''' online and in print</center>
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" |
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://billiongraves.com/pages/search/index.php#country=United+States&state=Washington&county=Columbia&search_text=&action=search_cemetery Billion Graves]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |  
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center>
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" |
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" |
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://usgwtombstones.org/washington/columbia.htm USGenWeb Tombstone Project]
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=&middlename=&lastname=&birthyear=&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=Columbia+County%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&locationId=county_2959  Find a Grave]
* [http://usgwtombstones.org/washington/columbia.htm WA Tombstone Transcription Project]
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/results?cemetery_country=United%20States&cemetery_state=Washington&cemetery_county=Columbia&year_range=5&size=15  BillionGraves]
* [http://wagenweb.org/columbia/cem.htm WAGenWeb]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |  
| 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="#FFFFca" |  
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" | [http://genealogytrails.com/wash/columbia/cemeteries.html Genealogy Trails]
* {{FSC|435125|subject-id|disp=FamilySearch Library}}
* [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Columbia+County%2C+Washington%2C+cemeteries&qt=results_page WorldCat]
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#E0FFFF" |  
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" |<center>'''List of Cemeteries in the County'''</center>
| bgcolor="#FFFFca" |
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
| bgcolor="#FFF8DC" |  
* [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?cemetery-name=&cemetery-loc=Columbia+County%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&only-with-cemeteries=cemOnly&locationId=county_2959 Find a Grave]
* [https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=395096&reqParentsLabel=Columbia%2C%20Washington%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypes=20&reqTypeLabel=Cemetery FamilySearch Places]
|-
|-
| colspan="3" | <center>See [[Washington Cemeteries#Online_Resources|Washington Cemeteries]] for details about these and other sites. </center>
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"|<center>See [[Washington Cemeteries|Washington Cemeteries]] for more information.<center>
|}
|}


==== Census ====
=== Census Records ===
 
{{WA Census Intro|Columbia}}
{{WA Census}}
*Census indexes at [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/ Washington State Digital Archives]: (Free)
**Federal: [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/117 1910]
**Territorial: [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/329 1883]{{•}[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/272 1885]{{•}}[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/165 1887]{{•}}[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/429 1889]{{•}}[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/801 1892] 
**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|United States, Washington, Okanogan|place|disp=FamilySearch catalog}}. (Press space bar to select town.)
 
==== Court Records  ====
 
{{WACourtIntro}}
 
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/225 Columbia 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.
 
==== Directories  ====
 
{{WA Dirs Intro}}
 
==== Emigration and Immigration  ====
 
{{WA Emig Intro}}
 
==== Ethnic, Political and Religious Groups  ====
 
{{WA Ethnic etc. Intro}}
 
===== American Indian  =====
 
===== Japanese  =====
 
*World War II Files, 1942-1946. 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}}
 
==== Gazetteers  ====
 
{{WA Gazetteers Intro}}


==== Genealogy ====
{{Historical populations
|type = USA
|heading = Census
|footnote = Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asotin_County,_Washington#Demographics "Wikipedia.org".]
|1880 |7103
|1890 |6709
|1900 |7128
|1910 |7042
|1920 |6093
|1930 |5325
|1940 |5549
|1950 |4860
|1960 |4569
|1970 |4439
|1980 |4057
|1990 |4027
|2000 |4064
|2010 |4078
}}
* '''1803-2010''' {{RecordSearch|1910364|Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only. Includes part of ''Washington, County Records, 1856-2009'' at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (browse images)
* Census indexes at [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/ Washington State Digital Archives]: and [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70878/ Ancestry] ($)
* '''1910''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/117 U.S. Federal Census, Columbia County, U.S. Census Bureau]


{{WA Genealogy Intro}}
=== Church Records ===
{{WA Church Intro|Columbia}}


{{CommunityTree}}
'''List of Churches and Church Parishes'''<br>
*[http://content.lib.washington.edu/pioneerlifeweb/collections.html "Japanese Internment Collection Summaries"] online
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=395096&reqParentsLabel=Columbia%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]]
*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/WA/Columbia/ "Family History & Genealogy"] online
*[http://www.mygenealogist.com/washington-genealogy/columbia-county.htm "Genealogy Research in {{PAGENAME}}"] online


==== Guardianship  ====
=== Court Records ===
{{WA Court Intro|Columbia}}


{{WAGuardianshipIntro}}
''Online Court Indexes and Records''<br>
* '''1803-2010''' {{RecordSearch|1910364|Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only
*'''1853-1889''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/225 Columbia Frontier Justice]. Part of "''Frontier Justice’’: Guide to the Court Records of Washington Territory, 1853-1889'' at Washington State Archives - index and images
::The court procedures of Frontier Justice touch nearly all pioneers of the 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.
*'''1985-2022''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2291 Columbia County Superior Court Case Files] at Washington State Archives - index and images


==== History  ====
=== Directories ===
{{WA Directories Intro|Columbia}}


{{WA History Intro}}
=== Emigration and Immigration  ===
{{WA Emigration Intro|Columbia}}


*[http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=26155 ''Historic sketches of Walla Walla, Whitman, Columbia and Garfield Counties, Washington Territory, and Umatilla County, Oregon''] (If the link does not work, go to [http://www.ancestry.com/ ancestry.com] ($), click '''Search''', select '''Card Catalog''', paste Title into search box, click '''Search''')
=== Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups ===
{{WA Ethnic Groups Intro|Columbia}}


*[http://www.stateofus.com/washington/columbia-county/ "Columbia County, Alabama (Washington) Facts"] online
'''''American Indians'''''<br>
* '''1911-1919''' {{RecordSearch|2300675|Washington, Applications for Enrollment and Adoption of Washington Indians, 1911-1919}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, Applications for Enrollment and Adoption of Washington Indians - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


===== History Timeline  =====
'''''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 and images; Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946
*[http://content.lib.washington.edu/pioneerlifeweb/collections.html "Japanese Internment Collection Summaries"] at Washington University Libraries


[http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/WA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#COLUMBIA 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. ''Columbia County -- Thumbnail History'', [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7801] Essay 7801.
=== Funeral Homes  ===
{{WA Funeral Homes Intro|Columbia}}


*The lower Snake River was home to bands of {{wpd|Palus people|Palouse}} and other Sahaptin-speaking people, including {{wpd|Nez Perce people|Nez Perce}}, {{wpd|Yakama Indian Reservqtion|Yakama}}, {{wpd|Walla Walla people|Walla Walla}}, {{wpd|Umatilla people|Umatilla}}, and {{wpd|Wanapum|Wanapum}}.
=== Genealogies ===
*1805 - October 12-13, {{wpd|Lewis and Clark Expedition|Lewis and Clark}} canoed on the Snake River along the boundary separating Columbia and Whitman counties.
{{WA Genealogies Intro|Columbia}}
*1834 - Captain B. L. E. Bonneville crossed Columbia County on the {{wpd|Nez Perce National Historic Trail|Nez Perce Trail}}, surveying the Northwest on behalf of the United States government.
*1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes {{wpd|Washington Territory|Washington Territory}}.
*1855 - One of the first white settlers in Columbia County was Henry M. Chase. Chase and another man, P. M. Lafontain, built cabins and possibly a small fort early in 1855 at the site of present day Dayton.
*1859 - Permanent settlement reached Columbia County  with claims taken up along the Touchet and Tucannon rivers and along Patit Creek.
*1859 -  Frederick Schnebley homesteaded at the Dayton site of the former Chase homestead, which had been destroyed in the 1855 Indian attack.
*1860s - Settlers slowly drifted into the county, but in the early 1870s settlement rapidly increased.
*1875 - November 29, Columbia County officially came into existence.
*1881 - July, The railroad arrived in Dayton.
*1934 - The Blue Mountain Cannery was built in Dayton.
*1935 - As part of Franklin Roosevelt's {{wpd|New Deal|New Deal}}, two Civilian Conservation Camps were established in Columbia County.


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


{{WA Land Intro}}  
=== Land and Property Records ===
{{WA Land Intro|Columbia}}


''Online Land Indexes and Records''<br>
*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.
*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.
*[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|Columbia}}
{{WA Maps Intro}}
 
[[Image:Wacolumbia.jpg|300px|Wacolumbia.jpg]] <br>{{WAMapInfo}}
 
==== Migration  ====
 
{{WA Migration Intro}}
 
==== Military  ====
 
{{WA Military Intro}}
 
*[http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/okanogan/military/ww2/service/armyenlists.txt World War II (1941–1945) army enlistments] at the [http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/okanogan/okanogan.htm county GenWeb site] has about 400 entries, mostly from Okanogan and other counties. Key (at end of the list) explains codes and columns. Gives year and state of birth. Free.
 
==== Naturalization and Citizenship  ====
 
{{WA Naturalization Intro}}
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/viewer#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QLS%3An748468768%3Fcc%3D1910364 1890-1955] Part of: ''County Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1940 Journals of Naturalization Orders, 1890-1906] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/289 Naturalization Records, 1908-1953] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1941 Registers of Declarations of Intent, 1890-1941] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
 
==== Newspapers  ====
 
{{WA Newspapers Intro}}
 
*[[{{PAGENAME}} Newspapers]] (Sortable by towns, years, and titles)
 
{{WA Newspaper abstracts|Columbia}}
 
==== Obituaries  ====
 
{{WA Obituaries Intro}}
 
==== Periodicals  ====
 
{{WA Periodicals Intro}}
 
==== Probate Records  ====
 
{{WA Probate Intro|Columbia}}
 
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/viewer#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QLS%3An748468768%3Fcc%3D1910364 1878-1942] Part of: ''County Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
 
==== Public Records  ====
 
{{WA Public Records}}
 
*Columbia [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-22029-19305-60?cc=1404287&wc=1280920 Postmaster Index A-M] • [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-22029-14446-16?cc=1404287&wc=12809202 Postmaster Index M-Z].  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)
 
==== School Records ====
 
{{WA School Intro}}
 
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QLS%3An748468768%3Fcc%3D1910364 1912-1932] Part of: ''County Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
 
==== Taxation  ====
 
{{WA Tax Intro}}
 
==== Vital Records  ====
 
{{WA vital intro}}  


===== Birth  =====
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=26155 ''Historic sketches of Walla Walla, Whitman, Columbia and Garfield Counties, Washington Territory, and Umatilla County, Oregon''] at Ancestry - index and images ($)
*[http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008653293 ''Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties''], by W.D. Lyman online at Hathi Trust Digital Library.
*[http://www.stateofus.com/washington/columbia-county/ ''Columbia County, Washington Facts''] (mislabeled as Columbia County, Alabama) at RAGK


{{WA Birth Intro}}
=== Maps and Gazetteers ===
{{WA Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{WA Columbia County}}}}
{{WA Maps Intro|Columbia}}


*Washington State Digital Archives has a free database of [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov./TitleInfo.aspx?TID=507 Columbia County Birth Records]. This database contains the names of people who were born in Columbia County from June 1891 – August 1913. The names were taken from the Columbia County Register of Births.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=395096&reqParentsLabel=Columbia%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]]


{{WA Birth Tips}}  
=== Migration ===
{{WA Migration Intro|Columbia}}


===== Marriage  =====
=== Military Records ===
{{WA Military Intro|Columbia}}


{{WA Marriage Intro}}
*'''1885-1907''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/476 Military Department, National Guard Enlistment Register, 1885-1907] at Washington State Archives - index and images
 
*Marriages from 4 Jan 1876 to 2 Nov 1912 are available from the '''[http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/Search.cfm Western States Marriage Index]''' website.
 
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/viewer#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM948-QLS%3An748468768%3Fcc%3D1910364 1885-1961] Part of: ''County Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
 
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1907 Marriage Affidavits, 1904-1939] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1935 Marriage Certificate Volumes, 1888-1914] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/75 Marriage Records, 1876-2003] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)


*[http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1936 Probate Marriage Records, 1878-1890] at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
'''''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 and images


{{FYI|Witnesses or affiants may be relatives or close family friends. The affidavits also include physician's certificates.}}
'''''World War I'''''
* '''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


===== Divorce =====
'''''World War II'''''
*[https://aad.archives.gov/aad/series-description.jsp?s=3360&cat=all&bc=sl World War II enlistments]. Select search codes for state and county. These are partial lists. The NARA website cautions: "This series does not contain records of all World War II Army enlistees."


{{WA Divorce Intro}}
'''''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 and images; Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946


===== Death  =====
=== Naturalization and Citizenship ===
{{WA Naturalization Intro|Columbia}}


{{WA Death Intro}}
''Online Naturalization Indexes and Records''<br>
*'''1803-2010''' {{RecordSearch|1910364|Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only.
*'''1890-1906''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1940 Columbia County Clerk, Journals of Naturalization Orders, 1890-1906] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1890-1941''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1941 Columbia County Clerk, Registers of Declarations of Intent, 1890-1941] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1908-1953''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/289 Columbia County Clerk, Naturalization Records, 1908-1953] at Washington State Archives - index and images


*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1454923 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960]  ''Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960'' at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
=== Newspapers ===
**See what [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Washington,_Death_Certificates_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29#Record_Content genealogical information] may be in these records.
{{WA Newspapers Intro|Columbia}}


====Voting Registers====
*'''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 ($)
*'''1855-2009''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10633/washington-newspapers-1855-2009?s=275764761 Washington Newspapers, 1855-2009] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*[https://washingtondigitalnewspapers.org/ Washington Digital Newspaper] at Washington State Library
*[[Columbia County, Washington Newspapers]] - List of known newspapers for the county, including town and years published for each newspaper


{{WA Voting Intro}}
=== Obituaries ===
{{WA Obituaries Intro|Columbia}}


==== Websites  ====
=== Other Records ===
{{WA Other Records Intro|Columbia}}


{{WA Websites Intro}}
'''''Public Records'''''<br>
:*[http://wagenweb.org/columbia/ WAGenWeb] for Columbia County (Free)
* '''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
:*[http://usgwarchives.net/wa/columbia/columbia.htm USGenWeb Project]  
* '''1803-2010''' {{RecordSearch|1910364|Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only. Includes:
:*[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.


'''Sites that search the Internet for {{PAGENAME}} records online:'''
'''''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://resources.rootsweb.ancestry.com/USA/WA/Columbia/ Web Sites at RootsWeb - Columbia WA] (Free)
=== Periodicals ===
:*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/WA/Columbia/ Linkpendium] (free)
{{WA Periodicals Intro|Columbia}}
:*[http://www.cyndislist.com/us/wa/counties/columbia/ CyndisList] (free)
* [[Washington Periodicals]]


'''Major catalogs to offline genealogical records:''' <br> Catalogs refer to books, microfilm, manuscripts, and/or Internet images and indexes for various topics.
=== Probate Records ===
{{WA Probate Intro|Columbia}}


:*{{FHL|United States, Washington, Columbia|place|disp=FamilySearch catalog}} for {{PAGENAME}} (Select topics. Add comma to select towns.)  
''Online Probate Indexes and Records''<br>
:*[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=columbia+county+washington&dblist=638&fq=s0%3A28000000&qt=facet_s0%3A WorldCat] To find libraries near you that have items of interest, see [[WorldCat Online Catalog]].
* '''1803-2010''' {{RecordSearch|1910364|Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only.
:*[http://smartcat.acpl.lib.in.us/?q=columbia+county+Washington Allen County Public Library] (Indiana)
::Includes: Part of ''Washington, County Records, 1856-2009'' at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (browse images)
:*'''See also''' [[{{PAGENAME}}#Libraries|local libraries]] and [[Washington Archives and Libraries]]
::Also includes: Clerks files of wills ca 1896-1917; Declarations of intention 1890; 1890-1906; 1890-1941; Estate files 1877-1915; Facts for declarations of intention 1901-1907; Homestead records 1882-1898; Probate case files 1878-1943; Probate fee books 1891-1898; Probate journal 1891-1932; Territorial letters of administration of wills annexed ca 1876-1877.
*[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]


=== Archives, Libraries, etc.  ===
=== School Records ===
{{WA Schools Intro|Columbia}}


{{WA Archives Intro}}
''Online School Indexes and Records''<br>
* '''1803-2010''' {{RecordSearch|1910364|Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only. Includes:
::Part of: ''Washington County Records, 1856-2009'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (browse images)


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]].
=== 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


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


*{{GetACopy tip}}
=== Vital Records ===
{{WA Vital Intro|Columbia}}


See also [[{{PAGENAME}}#Courthouse|Courthouse]]{{·}}[[{{PAGENAME}}#FamilySearch_Centers|FamilySearch Centers]]{{·}}[[{{PAGENAME}}#Libraries|Libraries]]{{·}}[[{{PAGENAME}}#Museums|Museums]]{{·}}[[{{PAGENAME}}#Other_Repositories|Other Repositories]]{{·}}[[{{PAGENAME}}#Societies|Societies]]  
==== Birth ====
{{WA Birth Intro|Columbia}}
*'''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 and 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
*'''1891-1906''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov./TitleInfo.aspx?TID=507 Columbia County Auditor, Birth Records, 1891-1906] at Washington State Archives - index and images


===== Family History Centers  =====
==== Marriage ====
{{WA Marriage Intro|Columbia}}


{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}  
*'''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
*'''1876-1912''' [http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/Search.cfm Western States Marriage Index] at BYU Special Collections and Family History
*'''1876-2003''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/75 Columbia County Auditor, Marriage Records, 1876-2003] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1878-1890''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1936 Columbia County Clerk, Probate Marriage Records, 1878-1890] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1888-1914''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1935 Columbia County Auditor, Marriage Certificate Volumes, 1888-1914] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1891-1910''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1906 Columbia County Auditor, Register of Marriage Statistics, 1891-1910] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1891-1910''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1992 Columbia County Auditor, Register of Marriage Statistics, 1891-1910] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1904-1939''' [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/1907 Columbia County Auditor, Marriage Affidavits, 1904-1939] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1904-1947''' {{RecordSearch|1910364|Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only.
*'''1968-1997''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2601 Department of Health, Marriage Certificates, 1968-1997] at Washington State Archives - index and images
* '''1969-2014''' {{RecordSearch|2761120|Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington Marriage Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index; Includes Marriage affidavits 1904-1961; Marriage certificates 1885-1946; Marriage licenses index-direct 1922-1939; Marriage licenses index-direct 1922-1939; Marriage licenses index-indirect 1922-1939; Marriage returns 1902-1947; Marriage statistics 1891-1910; Register of marriages 1891-1910; Territorial marriage certificates 1876-1890.
*'''1969-2022''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2208 Department of Health, Marriage Index, 1969-2022] at Washington State Archives - index and images


*[[Dayton Washington Family History Center]] 1114 S 3rd St., Dayton, Wa 99328 United States [https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!q=1114+S+3rd+St.%2C+Dayton%2C+Wa+99328+United+States+&data=!4m15!2m14!1m13!1s0x54a1f7f07a41cd89%3A0xeb443780003fa55e!3m8!1m3!1d3192!2d-122.5583352!3d45.7078799!3m2!1i1425!2i880!4f13.1!4m2!3d46.311125!4d-117.9675723 Location Map]
==== Death ====
{{WA Death Intro|Columbia}}


===== Libraries  =====
*'''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
*'''1891-1906''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2391 Columbia County Auditor, Death Records, 1891-1906] at Washington State Archives - index and images
*'''1907-1960''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30019/washington-death-certificates-1907-1960?s=275764761 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1907-1960''' {{RecordSearch|1454923|Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960}} at FamilySearch — [[Washington, Death Certificates - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; 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 and 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 and 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 and images
*'''1919-1921''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2711 Department of Health, Fetal Death Records, 1919-1921] at Washington State Archives - index and images


{{WALibraries Intro}}  
==== Divorce ====
{{WA Divorce Intro|Columbia}}
*'''1968-1997''' [https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections/TitleInfo/2602 Department of Health, Divorce Certificates, 1968-1997] at Washington State Archives - index and 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 and images


:[http://www.ccrld.lib.wa.us/index.php/component/search/?searchword=Genealogy&ordering=&searchphrase=all Columbia County Rural Library District], 111 S 3rd St., Dayton 99328 Phone: (509) 382-4131
== Research Facilities ==
{{WA Research Facilities Intro|Columbia}}


::Online Resources: Heritage Quest and other genealogical links
=== Archives ===
{{WA Archives Intro|Columbia}}


::Unique Collections: Revolutionary War records and Bounty-Land Warrant Application files
=== FamilySearch Centers ===
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}


:[http://www.ccrld.lib.wa.us/index.php/digital-collections Dayton Memorial Library], 111 S 3rd St, Dayton 99328 Phone: (509) 382-4131
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/mesa/160-bailie-boulevard Basin City Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/eltopia/7750-eltopia-west-road Columbia Basin Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/dayton/1114-south-3rd-street Dayton Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/richland/895-w-gage-blvd Kennewick Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/pasco/2004-north-24th-avenue Pasco Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/richland/1314-goethals Richland Washington FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/walla-walla/1821-south-2nd-avenue Walla Walla Washington FamilySearch Center]


::Online Resources: Headstone Images, Whitman County Heritage documents and others.
=== Libraries ===
{{WA Libraries Intro|Columbia}}


::Unique Collections:
*Check websites and catalogs, such as items in {{FSC|United States, Washington, Columbia|place|disp=FamilySearch Library}} (Utah) or [http://smartcat.acpl.lib.in.us/?q=columbia+county+Washington Allen County Public Library] (Indiana) for Columbia County<br><br>
*'''Columbia County Rural Library District'''<br>'''Dayton Memorial Library'''<br>111 S. Third Street<br>Dayton, WA 99328<br> Phone: 509-382-4131<br>[http://www.daytonmemoriallibrary.org/about-us/ Website]<br>


===== Museums =====
=== Museums ===
{{WA Museums Intro|Columbia}}


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


===== Societies  =====
'''Blue Mountain Heritage Society'''<br>PO Box 163<br>Dayton, WA 99328<br>509-540-9560<br>E-mail: [mailto:emailofsociety bluemountainheritage@gmail.com]<br>[https://bluemountainheritage.org/contact-us/ Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/BlueMountainHeritageSociety Facebook]


{{WA Societies Intro}}
== Websites ==
{{WA Websites Intro|Columbia}}


=== Towns and Communities  ===
* [http://usgenealogyresearch.atwebpages.com/Washington/Columbia/index.html Columbia County Washington Genealogy Research]. Free Contains information for researching genealogy in Columbia County WA,  Census, bios, obituary, birth, death, marriage, maps, and other records
* [http://wagenweb.org/columbia/ WAGenWeb] for Columbia County
* [http://usgwarchives.net/wa/columbia/columbia.htm USGenWeb Archives Project]
* [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:5 Washington State Digital Archives]
*{{FSC Place IDNum|2291|Washington|Columbia}} – 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.


See a list of towns and communities in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_County,_Washington#Census-recognized_communities Columbia County] per Wikipedia.
== Research Guides ==
{{WA Research Guides Intro|Columbia}}


=== References ===
== References ==
<references />


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


[[Category:Columbia_County,_Washington]]
[[Category:Columbia_County,_Washington]]
[[Category:Washington Counties]]

Latest revision as of 08:50, 28 May 2024

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

County Facts
County seat: Dayton
Organized: 11 November, 1875
Parent County(s): Walla Walla
Neighboring Counties
Franklin • Garfield • Walla Walla • Whitman • Umatilla (OR) • Wallowa (OR)
See County Maps
Courthouse
Washington, Columbia County Courthouse.png
Location Map
Wa-columbia.png

Historic railway depot in Dayton, Columbia County, Washington

County Information[edit | edit source]

Description[edit | edit source]

The county was named for the Columbia River. The county is located in the southeast area of the state.[1]

County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

Columbia County Courthouse
341 E Main Street
Dayton, WA 99328-1361
Phone: 509-382-4321
Columbia County Website

County Clerk has divorce records from 1886, probate records from 1891 and court records from 1890.
County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907 and marriage records from 1853. [2]

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

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[3]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1891 1876 1891 1891 1864 1891 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
Towns
Unincorporated communities
  • Covello
  • Huntsville
  • Jackson
  • Long
  • Marengo
  • Turner
Ghost towns
  • Alto
Delaney
Grange City


History Timeline[edit | edit source]

  • The lower Snake River was home to bands of Palouse and other Sahaptin-speaking people, including Nez Perce, Yakama, Walla Walla, Umatilla, and Wanapum.
  • 1805 October 12-13, Lewis and Clark canoed on the Snake River along the boundary separating Columbia and Whitman counties.
  • 1834 Captain B. L. E. Bonneville crossed Columbia County on the Nez Perce Trail, surveying the Northwest on behalf of the United States government.
  • 1853 March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
  • 1855 One of the first white settlers in Columbia County was Henry M. Chase. Chase and another man, P. M. Lafontain, built cabins and possibly a small fort early in 1855 at the site of present day Dayton.
  • 1859 Permanent settlement reached Columbia County with claims taken up along the Touchet and Tucannon rivers and along Patit Creek.
  • 1859 Frederick Schnebley homesteaded at the Dayton site of the former Chase homestead, which had been destroyed in the 1855 Indian attack.
  • 1860s Settlers slowly drifted into the county, but in the early 1870s settlement rapidly increased.
  • 1875 November 29, Columbia County officially came into existence.
  • 1881 July, The railroad arrived in Dayton.
  • 1934 The Blue Mountain Cannery was built in Dayton.
  • 1935 As part of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, two Civilian Conservation Camps were established in Columbia County.

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.

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

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

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


Census Records[edit | edit source]

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

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1880 7,103 —
1890 6,709 −5.5%
1900 7,128 6.2%
1910 7,042 −1.2%
1920 6,093 −13.5%
1930 5,325 −12.6%
1940 5,549 4.2%
1950 4,860 −12.4%
1960 4,569 −6.0%
1970 4,439 −2.8%
1980 4,057 −8.6%
1990 4,027 −0.7%
2000 4,064 0.9%
2010 4,078 0.3%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

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.

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

The court procedures of Frontier Justice touch nearly all pioneers of the 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]

American Indians

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

  • 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.
  • Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

Local Histories[edit | edit source]

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

Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]

WhitmanAsotinGarfieldWalla WallaFranklinWallowa County, ORUmatilla County, ORWA COLUMBIA.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

  • World War II enlistments. Select search codes for state and county. These are partial lists. The NARA website cautions: "This series does not contain records of all World War II Army enlistees."

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

Includes: Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (browse images)
Also includes: Clerks files of wills ca 1896-1917; Declarations of intention 1890; 1890-1906; 1890-1941; Estate files 1877-1915; Facts for declarations of intention 1901-1907; Homestead records 1882-1898; Probate case files 1878-1943; Probate fee books 1891-1898; Probate journal 1891-1932; Territorial letters of administration of wills annexed ca 1876-1877.

School Records[edit | edit source]

Online School Indexes and Records

Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (browse images)

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 Columbia 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 Columbia County. For state-wide library facilities, see Washington Archives and Libraries.

Museums[edit | edit source]

Societies[edit | edit source]

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

Blue Mountain Heritage Society
PO Box 163
Dayton, WA 99328
509-540-9560
E-mail: bluemountainheritage@gmail.com
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, "Columbia County, Washington," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_County,_Washington. accessed 15/07/2019
  2. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ferry County, Washington page 732, At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  3. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Columbia 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, "Columbia County, Washington," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_County,_Washington, accessed 4 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.
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 Repositories
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