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Adams County, Washington
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources

County Census Records  •  County Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
Adams County Washington Map

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Adams County was created in 1883 and was formed from Whitman County. The county was named for John Adams . The county seat is Ritzville. It was first visited by European fur traders in 1811 and early travelers first passed through the county on the Colville Road in 1826. The county was first settled in 1869 and later attracted a large number of hardy Russian-German immigrants. The county's economy is primarily agricultural with wheat the most important crop. Barley, oats, beans and peas are also grown.

Adams County is bordered by Lincoln County ( north), Whitman County ( east), Franklin County ( south), Grant County ( west).

Cities and Towns in Adams County include Hatton, Lind, Othello, Ritzville, Washtucna .

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.co.adams.wa.us/ .

Below is a list of Adams County Genealogical and Historical Socities, Mail-List, Libraries and Archives Addresses and/or Links. See Also Washington Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

  • Adams County Historical Society, Box 526, Lind WA 99341
  • Mid-Columbia Library [Service center - not open to the public], 4101 E Lattin Rd, West Richland, WA 99353. Phone 509-627-0285. Fax 509-545-2054. The following is a branch of this library system:
    • Othello Library, 101 E Main St, Othello, WA 99344. Phone 509-488-9683. Fax 509-488-5321.
  • Othello Family History Center Library, 12th & Rainer, Othello, WA 99344. Phone 509-488-6412.
  • Ritzville Family History Center Library, 506 S Weber Rd, Ritzville, WA 99169. Phone 509-659-0932.
  • Adams County Historical Society Museum, PO Box 526, First St, Lind, WA 99341. Phone 509-677-3393.
  • Burroughs Historic Home, PO Box 106, Ritzville, WA 99169. Phone 509-659-0274.
  • Othello Community Museum, PO Box 121, 3rd and Larch, Othello, WA 99344. Phone 509-488-2420.
  • Washington State Archives, Eastern Washington Regional Archives, 960 Washington Street, Cheney, Washington 99004; Telephone: (509)235-7508. On the campus of Eastern Washington University in Cheney
  • Family History Library
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Adams County, WA Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records

See Also Washington Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. Although originally held in the county seat, many county land, probate, and court records have been transferred to the state archive's regional branches.

Even today, few people escape mention in court records at some time during their lives as witnesses, litigants, jurors, appointees to office, or as petition signatories. However, Americans of a few generations ago also expected to attend local court proceedings when they were in session. It was a civic duty and they could be fined if they did not attend. The chances are great that your ancestors have left a detailed record of at least some aspects of their lives in court records.

Unless otherwise noted, All Deparments are in the County Courthouse located at 210 W Broadway, Ritzville, WA 99169. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Adams County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1890 and Probate Records from 1885 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Phone 509-659-3257. Fax 509-659-0118. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.

Adams County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1891 and Land Records from 1884 . The Couty Auditor also has Birth and Death Records from 1891 to 1907. See County Vital Records for info on Birth and Death Records after 1907. Contact the County Auditor's department at Phone 509-659-3257. Fax 509-659-0118.

Adams County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Phone 509-659-3257. Fax 509-659-0118.

Below is a list of online resources for Adams County Court, Probate, Land or Tax Records Records EMAIL US with websites links to Adams County Court Records

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Adams County, WA Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Washington

Washington State Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Adams County Health Department is located at 425 E Main, Ste 700, Othello, WA 99344; Telephone Number: 509-488-2031.

  • Adams County Birth Records
    • For records from July 1, 1907 to present: you can order through the Center for Health Statistics.
    • For records from January 1, 1921 to present: you can order through local health departments.
    • For records before July 1, 1907 in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane: contact the local health department.
    • For all other counties for records before July 1, 1907: contact the county auditor.
  • Adams County Marriage Records
    • For recent marriage certificates from the last 4 months: contact the county auditor where the license was filed.
    • For certificates from January 1, 1968 to four months before the present: order through the Center for Health Statistics
    • For certificates before January 1, 1968: contact the county auditor where the license was obtained.
  • Adams County Divorce Records
    • For recent divorce certificates from the last four months: contact the county clerk where the event was filed.
    • For certificates from January 1, 1968 to four months before the present: order through the Center for Health Statistics.
    • For certificates before January 1, 1968: contact the county clerk where the event occurred.
  • Adams County Death Records
    • For recent records, in the current or previous month, please contact the Local Health Department where the event occurred.
    • July 1, 1907 to 2 months before the present: order through the Center for Health Statistics.
    • For records before July 1, 1907: contact the Research Office of the Washington State Archives.

Below is a list of online resources for Adams County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Adams County Vital Records

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Adams County, WA Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Records that exist for Washington

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 Adams County, Washington are 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.

Below is a list of online resources for Adams County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Adams County Census Records by clicking the link below:

Below is a list of online resources for Adams County Census Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Adams County Census Records.

1890 Adams County Census Records (destroyed by fire at the Commerce Dept on 10 January 1921)

1900 Adams County Census Records

1910 Adams County Census Records

1920 Adams County Census Records

1930 Adams County Census Records

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Adams County, WA Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Washington

Cemetery records and headstone inscriptions are also sources of birth and death information. The records of this type most commonly found are church burial registers, sextons' records, cemetery deed and plot registers, burial permit records, grave opening orders, and monument (gravestone) inscriptions.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Adams County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Adams County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Adams County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Adams County Cemetery & Church Records.

The following cemeteries and churches are listed in the US Geological Survey web site as being in this County. And there are more not listed.
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Adams County, WA Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Washington

For periods before the advent of civil registration of vital statistics, church records rank as the best available sources for information on specific vital events: birth, marriage, and death. Bible records is a good primary source for genealogy research and information. You will find many different surnames listed in many of these Bibles which include old photos, obituaries and other facts such as birth and death dates.

Below is a list of online resources for Adams County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Adams County Cemetery & Church Records.

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