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Clark 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
Clark County Washington Map

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Clark County (The county name was spelled CLARKE from 1849 until 1925.) was created in 1845 and was called Vancouver District, it was renamed Clarke County in 1849. The county was named for William Clark . The county seat is Vancouver (Originally Columbia City from 1851-1855).

The county was first settled in 1825 when the Hudson's Bay Company established Fort Vancouver as its regional headquarters. American settlers moved into the county in the 1830s and 1840s and were well established when the Oregon country's boundary was set at the thirty-ninth parallel in 1846. Fort Vancouver became an U.S. military post in 1848 and that year the city of Vancouver was established.

Clark County is bordered by Cowlitz County ( north), Skamania County ( east), Multnomah County, Oregon ( south), Columbia County, Oregon ( southwest).

Cities and Towns in Clark County include Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal, Woodland (partly in Clark County, mainly in Cowlitz County), Yacolt.

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.clark.wa.gov/ .

Below is a list of Clark 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.

  • Clark County Genealogical Society, PO Box 5249, Vancouver, WA 98668-5249. Maintains a library at 717 Grand Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661. Library Collection includes Index to Washington Death and all of the federal and territorial censuses of Washington. There is a surname and locality file. The vertical file represents most areas of the United States, with particular emphasis of Clark County. In addition to the 2,800-book collection there are many oral history transcripts and biographies
  • Ft Vancouver Historical Society of Clark County, PO Box 1834, 1511 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98668-1834; Phone 360-695-4681.
  • Camas-Washougal Historical Society Museum, Camas Public Library (basement), 4th & Franklin, PO
    Box 204, Washougal, WA 98671. Phone 360-835-2725. Collection emphasizes local history, including Native American meeting grounds, early settlement, trade, farming and commerce of the area. Collecting and developing a biography and obituary file and photography collection.
  • Cedar Creek Grist Mill, NE Cedar Creek Rd, 10 miles east of Woodland. Phone 360-225-9552. Built in 1876, this is the last remaining 19th century gristmill operating in Washington. Wheat grinding demonstrations given.
  • Center for Columbia River History, 802C Officers' Row, Vancouver, WA 98661. Phone 360-737-
    2044. Fax 360-693-2760.
  • Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St, PO Box 1834, Vancouver, WA 98663. Phone 360-695-4681. Housed in a retired Carnegie Library, museum also has a genealogical and research library.
  • Covington House, 4208 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone 360-694-2898. One of Washington's oldest log cabins, built in 1848 and used as an early schoolhouse.
  • Ft. Vancouver National Historic Site, 612 E Reserve St, Vancouver, WA 98661-3811. Phone 360-696-7655. Fax 360-696-7657. Fur trading headquarters for the British Hudson's Bay Company from 1825 to 1849; site includes a museum, restored and reconstructed buildings, and living history demonstrations. Small research library emphasizes Hudson's Bay Company history and the fur trade industry; some volumes may have genealogical relevance.
  • Officer's Row (George C. Marshall & Grant Houses), Central Park, Officer's Row, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone 360-693-3103. Historic quarters for commanding officers at Camp Vancouver, 1850- 1906.
  • Parker's Landing, off State Road 14, Camas, WA. Site of the first American settlement in Clark County in 1844. A significant archaeological site covering 3,000 years of history of the Chinook people.
  • Pearson Air Museum, 1105 E Fifth St, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone 360-694-7026. Fax 360-694-0824. Vintage airplanes and history of historic Airpark, one of the oldest operating airfields in the USA; includes exhibits on Lindbergh's flight in 1927 and the 1937 Soviet landing in Vancouver during the world's first transpolar flight.
  • Pomeroy Living History Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd, Yacolt, WA 98675. Phone 360-686-3537. Fax 360-686-8111. Membership available. This farm depicts 1920's farm life as it existed in southwest Washington. Collections and artifacts emphasize agricultural and domestic life history. Volunteers and displays emphasize a "handson" experience. The Herb Festival and The Pumpkin Festival are annual special events.
  • U.S. Grant Museum, 1106 Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone 360-694-5252.
  • Washington State Archives, Southwest Regional Branch. 1129 Washington Street SE, PO Box 40238, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone 360) 753-1684.
  • Family History Library
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Clark 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 1200 Franklin St, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. General information phone 360-699-2000. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Courthouse Burned in 1855 and 1890. In the 1890 fire, Probate records dating back 40 years were destroyed, along with records of the Superior and District courts, Clark County Sheriff, Superintendent of Schools, and Surveyor. The loss of records, especially land claims, would make life difficult for county residents and courts for years to come.

Clark County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1890 and Probate Records from 1890 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Phone 360-397-2292. Fax 360-397-6099. Records prior to 1890 destroyed in a fire. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.

Clark County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1852 and Land Records from 1850 . 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 360-397-2241. Fax 360-397-6007. Any record in our office is indexed by name and by date. We do not post to the property description, parcel, or serial number. If a researcher has the names and approximate date they can use a viewer and search the records. Mondays, Fridays and the last day of the month are the busiest times. Middle of the week would be the best time for research.

Clark County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Phone 360-397-2391. Fax 360-397-6046. Actual opportunity to do research is very limited due to the condition and location of most of the older records. Direct public access is almost nonexistent, however, upon request and time permitting, staff will do some research. Requests for records stored in the Records Center should have a two-day leadtime. Copying is available subject to a nominal copying charge.

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

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Clark 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.

Clark County Department of Public Health is located at 2000 Fort Vancouver Way, PO Box 1870, Vancouver, WA 98663. Phone 360-696-9215. Satellite offices:
Orchards Health Center, 12004-G NE Fourth Plain, Vancouver, WA 98682. Phone 360-696-8436.
Washougal Health Center, 1702 "C" St, Washougal, WA 98671. Phone 360-835-7800. Fax 360-835-2784. .

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

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Clark 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 Clark County, Washington are 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Clark County are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1870 and 1880.

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

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

1850 Clark County Census Records

1860 Clark County Census Records

1870 Clark County Census Records

1880 Clark County Census Records

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

1900 Clark County Census Records

1910 Clark County Census Records

1920 Clark County Census Records

1930 Clark County Census Records

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

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

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