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Chelan 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
Chelan County Washington Map

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Chelan County was created in 1899 and was formed from Okanogan County and Kittitas County . The county was named for Native American word meaning deep water . The county seat is Wenatchee .

Fur traders first visited the county in 1811. Later, Catholic missionaries established themselves in the Wenatchee Valley. The development of the county in the nineteenth century was closely linked to the Northern Pacific and Great Northern railroads.. Today the county is a major apple and fruit growing center while the wood products industry, mining and tourism also contribute to its economy.

Chelan County is bordered by Okanogan County ( northeast), Douglas County ( east), Kittitas County ( south), King County ( southwest), Snohomish County ( west), Skagit County ( northwest)

Cities and Towns in Chelan County include Cashmere (2,843), Chelan (3,993), Entiat (1,043), Leavenworth (2,324), South Wenatchee (2,118), Sunnyslope (2,672), Wenatchee (29,898), West Wenatchee (1,782).

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

Below is a list of Chelan 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.

  • State Archives Central Branch Bledsoe & Washington Archives Building, Central Washington University, 400 E. University Way, Mail Stop 7547, Ellensburg, Washington 98926-7547. Phone: 509-963-2136. Research Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Chelan Valley Genealogical Society, PO Box Y, Chelan, WA 98816. Have begun a pioneer and ancestor card file. Operates the Chelan Valley Genealogical Society Library in the Chelan Community Library. Emphasis on Washington State and Chelan area. Have collected local obituaries from 1990-1994 for the Chelan Valley area. Maintains surname card files. Pioneer Card File is in progress.
  • Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society, PO Box 5280, Wenatchee, WA 98807-5280. Obituaries of pioneers of Entiat Valley (before 1956) are being collected. Maintains the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society Library. Collection includes extensive reference collection, many family histories, census publications, and genealogical society bulletins. Has a computer and genealogical CD collection. Maintains ancestral file, multi-volume surname index, indexed 25th & 50th Wedding Anniversary scrapbooks, indexed Pictorial Past scrapbooks. Publishes a library shelf list.
  • Chelan County Historical Society, PO Box 22, Chelan, WA 98815. Phone 509-782-3230.
  • Entiat Community Historical Society, 2800 Entiat Way, Entiat, WA 98822. Entiat Community Museum Collecting historical items and family histories of Entiat and the Entiat Valley.
  • Lake Chelan Historical Society, 204 E Woodin Ave, PO Box 1948, Chelan, WA 98816. Phone 509-682-5644. Operates Lake Chelan Historical Society Museum emphasizing local history, genealogy, Indian tribes of the area, early photographs, scrapbooks, cemetery records, memorabilia of early pioneers, history of the apple industry and a display of apple shipping crate labels.
  • Chelan Family History Center, 195 Highway 150, Chelan, WA. Phone 509-682-5714.
  • Chelan County Historical Museum & Pioneer Village, 600 Cottage, PO Box 22, Cashmere, WA 98815. Phone 509-782-3230. Fax 509-782-8905. Noted for the Willis Carey collection of Indian artifacts and pioneer relics. The Pioneer Village has many original pioneer buildings.
  • North Central Washington Museum , 127 S Mission, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Phone 509-662-3340. Collection strong in archival materials regarding local area, including business and organizations records.
  • Rocky Reach Dam, Chelan Hwy 97, PO Box 1231, Wenatchee, WA 98807-1231. Phone 509-663-8121. Collection emphasizes archaeology, geology, and history of area and electricity museum. Collections of photographs and negatives from local companies, individuals, and educational institutions. Portrait collection of Nez Perce Indians.
  • Family History Library
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Chelan 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 350 Orondo St, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Chelan County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1876 and Probate Records from 1888 . Contact the County Clerk's department at PO Box 3025, Wenatchee, WA 98807-3025. Phone 509-664-5386. Chelan County has a computer index of all cases since 1900 on microfiche. Since Jan. 1, 1996 all documents in case file are available on computer image rather than microfilm. Insanity, adoption, juvenile, and some guardianship cases are confidential. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.

Chelan County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1900 and Land Records from 1882 . The Couty Auditor also has Birth and Death Records from 1899 to 1907. See County Vital Records for info on Birth and Death Records after 1907. Contact the County Auditor's department at PO Box 400, Wenatchee, WA 98807-0400. Phone 509-664-5432. Fax 509-664-5246. Will instruct searchers, but cannot do research. Prefer to have requests for information at least 24 hours in advance. Need names and approximate dates. Early land records searcher needs to know if individual was the buyer or seller.

Chelan County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Phone 509-664-5365. Fax 509-664-2664.

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

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Chelan 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.

Chelan Douglas Health District is located at 200 Valley Mall Parkway, E. Wenatchee, WA 98802; PH: 509 886-6400.

  • Chelan 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.
  • Chelan 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.
  • Chelan 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.
  • Chelan 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 Chelan County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Chelan County Vital Records

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Chelan 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 Chelan County, Washington are 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.

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

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

1900 Chelan County Census Records

1910 Chelan County Census Records

1920 Chelan County Census Records

1930 Chelan County Census Records

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Chelan 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 Chelan County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Chelan County Tombstone Transcription Project.

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

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