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Douglas County, Washington

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
Douglas County Washington Map

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Douglas County was created in 1883 and was formed from Lincoln County . The county was named for Stephen A. Douglas. The county seat is Waterville (from 1883-1886 the county seat was located at Okanogan).

Groups of settlers first entered the county in 1871 and by 1883 the lure of plentiful land for cattle raising brought ranchers into the county. The late 1880s were punctuated by range wars between cattlemen and sheep raisers. The disastrous winter of 1889-90 decimated the cattle herds and brought about a shift in the economy to grain raising.

Douglas County is bordered by Okanogan County ( north), Grant County ( south), Kittitas County ( southwest), Chelan County ( west).

Cities and Towns in Douglas County include Bridgeport, Coulee Dam (partial), East Wenatchee, Mansfield, Rock Island, Waterville.

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.douglascountywa.net/ .

Below is a list of Douglas 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.

  • Douglas County Genealogical Society, c/o Waterville Public Library, Box 580, Waterville, WA 98858-0580.
  • Douglas County Historical Society, Box 63, 123 W Walnut, Waterville, WA 98858.
  • East Wenatchee Family History Center, 667 Tenth NE, East Wenatchee, WA 98001. Phone 509-884-8686.
  • Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society Library, 133 S Mission St, Wenatchee, WA 98001. Collection includes extensive reference collection, many family histories, census publications, and genealogical society bulletins. Maintains ancestral file, multi-volume surname index, indexed 25th & 50th Wedding Anniversary scrapbooks, indexed Pictorial Past scrapbooks. Publishes a library shelf list.
  • Colville Tribal Museum, PO Box 233, 512 Mead Way, Coulee Dam, WA 99116. Phone 509-633-0751.
  • Douglas County Historical Museum, Box 63, 124 W Walnut, Waterville, WA 98858. Phone 509-745-8435. Museum features pioneer and early day living, family photographs, scrapbooks, and mineral collection of William Schluenz.
  • Ft. Spokane Museum, 1008 Crest Drive, Coulee Dam, WA 99116. Fax 509-633-9332.
  • 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.
  • Family History Library
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Douglas 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 213 S Rainier, Waterville, WA 98858. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Douglas County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1888 and Probate Records from 1887 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Room 33, PO Box 516. Phone 509-745-8529 or 509-884-9424. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.

Douglas County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1887 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 Room 23-24, PO Box 456. Phone 509-745-8527 or 509-884-9400. All recording records within the last 24 years have been put onto microfiche, computer files, or both.

Douglas County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Room 22, PO Box 387. Phone 509-745-8521 or 509-884-9440. Fax 509-884-9401. Find out who currently owns the property you are interested in or bring a legal description..

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

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Douglas 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.

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

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

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Douglas 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 Douglas County, Washington are 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.

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

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

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

1900 Douglas County Census Records

1910 Douglas County Census Records

1920 Douglas County Census Records

1930 Douglas County Census Records

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

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

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