Daviess County was created on February 15, 1817 and was formed from Knox County. Daviess County was a part of Knox County until February 15, 1817, at which time it was organized as a separate unit. Formerly it constituted much of what is now Martin, all of Greene, east of the west fork of White River, and all of Owen County, east of the west fork of the White River. The formation of Martin County in 1820, and Greene in 1821, cut Daviess County to its present size. The County was named for Maj. Joseph Hamilton Daviess, U.S. District Attorney for Kentucky, killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.
The County Seat is Washington. The County Seat of Daviess County was located in the town of Liverpool on March 15, 1817. This name was changed to Washington on August 18, 1817. Washington was laid out by Emanuel Vantrees and Peter Wilkins and in 1849 contained 20 stores and groceries, 50 shops for various mechanics, three churches, three clergymen, four lawyers and eight physicians, good county buildings (which included the land office for the canal lands) and 1,400 inhabitants.
Counties adjacent to Daviess County are Greene County (north), Martin County (east), Dubois County, Pike County (southwest), Knox County (west). Daviess County is divided into 10 Civil Townships as follows: Barr, Bogard, Elmore, Harrison, Madison, Reeve, Steele, Van Buren, Veale and Washington. Cities, Towns and Communities include Alfordsville, Black Oak, Cannelburg, Cornettsville, Corning, Cumback, Elnora, Glendale, Graham, Hudsonville, Jordan, Montgomery, Odon, Pennyville, Plainville, Sandy Hook, South Washington, Waco, and Washington.

NOTE: The date listed for each category of record is the earliest record known to exist in that county. It does not indicate that there are numerous records for that year and certainly does not indicate that all such events that year were actually registered. Courthouse destroyed by Fire in 1879, Marriage records and index to probate and deed records were not destroyed. See also the Daviess County Courthouse History
Daviess County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1817 , Probate Records from 1817 and Court Records from 1817 and is located at PO Box 739, Washington, IN 47501; (812) 254-8664; (812) 254-8698 Fax
The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a ministerial officer who is the custodian of the Clerk's record and seal, issues process, accepts filings of commencement of actions in litigation, enters judgments and orders of the court, receives money in his official capacity, makes certified copies of record, issues many miscellaneous licenses, and keeps a record of all wills and matters of trust in probate proceedings.
Daviess County Recorder has Land Records from 1817 and is located at PO Box 793, Washington, IN 47501; (812) 254-8675; (812) 254-8697 Fax, recorder@daviess.org - email.
The county recorder's function is to maintain permanent public records involving a wide variety of instruments. These documents detail transactions involving real estate, mining, personal property, mortgages, liens, leases, subdivision plats, military discharges, personal bonds, etc. Generally, all of these instruments are recorded either for giving legal public notice of their existence or for safekeeping and future reference. The recorder maintains and preserves all legal documents affecting title to real property.
Records of county taxes were kept as early at 1842, although most were discarded. Remaining ones would be at the county courthouse. National Archives-Great Lakes Region has records of the Internal Revenue Service for Indiana for 1867 to 1873. These are tax assessment records, arranged by district and then chronologically.
Daviess County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at 303 East Hefron St, Washington, IN 47501; (812) 254-8666
Below is a list of online resources for Daviess County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Indiana State Department of Health Vital Records office is located at 6 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. The office is open for walk-in requests from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., E.S.T., Monday through Friday (excluding official State Holidays). They have the following records:
Below is a list of online resources for Daviess County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable
Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Daviess County, Indiana are 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Daviess County, Indiana are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.
Below is a list of online resources for Daviess County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Census Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Daviess County Maps. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Maps by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Daviess County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Military Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Daviess County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
There are many churches and cemeteries in Daviess County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Daviess County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Daviess County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Daviess County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below: