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Franklin County, Washington
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources
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Franklin County was created in 1883 and was formed from Whitman County. The county was named for Benjamin Franklin . The county seat is Pasco (from 1883-1885 Ainsworth was the county seat).
Its early history centered on transportation. The Caribou rail, used from 1859-68, traversed the county. Later means of transportation included the establishment of ferries on the Columbia and Snake rivers closely followed by the introduction of railroads through the county.
Franklin County is bordered by Adams County ( north), Whitman County ( east), Walla Walla County ( southeast), Benton County ( southwest), Grant County ( northwest).
Cities and Towns in Franklin County include Basin City, Connell, Kahlotus, Mesa, Pasco, West Pasco.
The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.co.franklin.wa.us/ .
- Historical Newspapers from Washington (1890 - 1984) - Quickly find names and keywords in over 450 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items published in over 2,800 historical U.S. newspapers. New content added monthly!
- Washington Historical Records - Databases include Washington Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Washington Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Washington Voter Lists & Census Records; Washington Immigration & Emigration Records; Washington Obituary Records; Washington Military Records; Washington Family Tree Records; Washington Pictures; Washington Stories, Memories & Histories; Washington Directories & Member Lists and much more....
- Franklin County, Washington Message Boards
- read and post messages with other genealogy researchers for Franklin County
- Franklin County, Washington Genealogy Forum - read and post messages about your ancestors
- Franklin County, Washington Wikipedia article
- Franklin County, WA USGenweb
- The Washington Family Group Sheet Project
- Greater Connell Area Chamber of Commerce, 600 S Columbia, PO Box 401, Connell, WA 99326. Phone 509-234-8731.
- Pasco Area Chamber of Commerce, 1600 N 20th Ave #A, PO Box 550, Pasco, WA 99301. Phone 509-547-9755.
- Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau, 6951 W Grandridge Blvd., Pasco, WA 99336. Phone 509-735-8486.
- Franklin County, Washington Family Books at Amazon.com
- Franklin County, Washington History Books at Amazon.com
Below is a list of Franklin 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.
- Tri-City Genealogical Society, PO Box 1410, Richland, WA 99352-1410. Tri-City Genealogical Society's holdings are located at the Richland Family History Center 1321 Jadwin Ave, Richland, WA. Phone 509-946-6637.
- Franklin County Historical Society & Museum, 305 N Fourth, Pasco, WA 99301. Phone 509-547-3714. Collection includes local yearbooks, telephone directories, scrapbooks, vertical file of local clippings, early day police records, and alphabetized collection of obituaries.
- Basin City Family History Center, 160 Bailie Blvd, Basin City, WA. Phone 509-269-4237.
- 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
Franklin 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 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Franklin County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1874 and Probate Records from 1884 . Contact the County Clerk's department at West Annex. Phone 509-545-3525. Fax 509-545-2243. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
Franklin County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1890 and Land Records from 1880 . 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 205. PO Box 1451. Phone 509-545-3536. Fax 509-545-2142, 509-545-2148.Researchers are on their own. Before and after elections, staff time and workspace are very limited.
Franklin County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at PO Box 1451. Phone 509-545-3506. Fax 509-546-5840.
Below is a list of online resources for Franklin County Court, Probate, Land or Tax Records Records EMAIL US with websites links to Franklin County Court Records
- Franklin County, Washington Court Books at Amazon.com
- BLM Land Records - covers the State of Washington. Many pioneers and settelers bought land from the government instead of individuals.
Franklin 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.
Benton-Franklin Health District is located at 1218 N 4th, Pasco, WA 99301. Phone 509-547-9737.
- Franklin 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.
- Franklin 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.
- Franklin 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.
- Franklin 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 Franklin County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Franklin County Vital Records
- Vital Records from Archives.com: Order Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records Online!
- Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research.
- Franklin County, Washington Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
Franklin 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 Franklin County, Washington are 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.
Below is a list of online resources for Franklin County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Franklin County Census Records by clicking the link below:
- Franklin County Census Records at Archives.com
- Franklin County, Washington Census Books at Amazon.com
- Census & Voter Lists
Below is a list of online resources for Franklin County Census Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Franklin County Census Records.
1890 Franklin County Census Records (destroyed by fire at the Commerce Dept on 10 January 1921)
- 1890 U.S. Census Guide
- 1890 Franklin County, Washington Census. This is a census of the U.S. population as of 01 June 1890. While much of this census was lost in a fire, Ancestry has gathered records from that time period to create an 1890 Census Substitute. - Ancestry
- Download Free US 1890 Census Extract Form
1900 Franklin County Census Records
- 1900 U.S. Census Guide
- 1900 Franklin County, Washington Census - Census Population of Franklin County as of 01 June 1900.
- Download Free US 1900 Census Extract Form
1910 Franklin County Census Records
- 1910 U.S. Census Guide
- 1910 Franklin County, Washington Census - Census Population of Franklin County as of 15 April 1910.
- Download Free US 1910 Census Extract Form
1920 Franklin County Census Records
- 1920 U.S. Census Guide
- 1920 Franklin County, Washington Census - Census Population of Franklin County as of 01 January 1920.
- Download Free US 1920 Census Extract Form
1930 Franklin County Census Records
- 1930 U.S. Census Guide
- 1930 Franklin County, Washington Census - Census Population of Franklin County as of 01 April 1930.
- Download Free US 1930 Census Extract Form
Franklin 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 Franklin County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Franklin County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Franklin County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Franklin County Cemetery & Church Records.
- Cemetery Records at Archives.com
- Franklin County, Washington Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
- Gravestone, Tombstone, and Memorial Photo Collection from findagrave.com
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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Franklin 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.
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Below is a list of online resources for Franklin County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Franklin County Cemetery & Church Records.
