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Cowlitz 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
Cowlitz County Washington Map

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Cowlitz County was created in 1854 and was formed from Original county . The county was named for Cowlitz . The county seat is Kelso . Past county seats were Monticello (1854-1865), Freeport (1865-1872), Kalama (1872-1922).

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

Cities and Towns in Cowlitz County include Castle Rock, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, Woodland.

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

Below is a list of Cowlitz 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.

  • Lower Columbia Genealogical Society, PO Box 472, Longview, WA 98632-0472. Involved in ongoing collection and publication of local records. Purchases materials that available for use at the Longview Public Library.
  • Cowlitz County Historical Society & Museum, 405 Allen St, Kelso, WA 98626; Exhibits of 1884 log cabin, Native American artifacts, and photography collection tell the story of the many centuries of life in the Cowlitz Valley.
  • Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, 147 Front Ave, Castle Rock, WA 98611. Phone 360-274-6603. Featuring exhibits that convey the impact of the Mount St. Helens eruptions on the area. Recordings offer oral histories from eyewitnesses. Other exhibits include logging equipment and historical photographs.
  • The Daily News Library, 770 11th Ave, PO Box 189, Longview, WA 98632-0017. Phone 360-577-2511. Over 70 years of newspapers on microfilm. Records (births) computerized format since 1991.
  • Longview Family History Center, 1721 30th Ave, Longview, WA 98632. Phone 360-577-8234.
  • 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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Cowlitz 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 County Administration Building, 207 Fourth Ave N, Kelso, WA 98626. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm..

Cowlitz County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1872 and Probate Records from 1860 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Hall of Justice, 312 SW 1st Ave. Phone 360-577-3016. Fax 360-577-2323. Records through 1983 are available on film and accessed through reader/printer in our office. If interested in records from 1984-1992, it is suggested that a phone call to our Records Management Clerk ahead of time would assure the availability of the files when the party comes in - if they know exactly while file they need. Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.

Cowlitz County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1854 and Land Records from 1854 . 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 360-577-3002. Fax 360-414-5552. The best way to use records in this office is to know approximately what year the event was recorded and grantor and grantee names.

Cowlitz County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Phone 360-577-3010. Fax 360-423-9987. Need owner's name or address to locate on a map. Busy the last half of October and all of April and June. Phone calls acceptable.

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

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Cowlitz 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.

Cowlitz County Health Department is located at 1952 9th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632; Phone:360-414-5599

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

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Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County, Washington are 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Cowlitz County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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

1860 Cowlitz County Census Records

1870 Cowlitz County Census Records

1880 Cowlitz County Census Records

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

1900 Cowlitz County Census Records

1910 Cowlitz County Census Records

1920 Cowlitz County Census Records

1930 Cowlitz County Census Records

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

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

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