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Grays Harbor County, Washington
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources
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Grays Harbor County was created on 1854 and was formed from Thurston County . The county was named for body of water named after Robert Gray . The county seats have been Bruceport or Bruceville (1854-1860) and Montesano (1860-present).
Grays Harbor County is bordered by Jefferson County (north), Mason County (northeast), Thurston County (southeast), Lewis County (southeast), Pacific County (south).
Cities and Towns in Grays Harbor County include Aberdeen, Aberdeen Gardens, Brady, Central Park, Chehalis Village, Cohassett Beach, Copalis Beach, Cosmopolis, Elma, Grayland, Hoquiam, Humptulips, Junction City, Malone-Porter, Markham, McCleary, Moclips, Montesano, Neilton, Oakville, Ocean City, Ocean Shores, Oyehut-Hogans Corner, Satsop, Taholah, Westport.
The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.co.grays-harbor.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....
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Message Boards
- read and post messages with other genealogy researchers for Grays Harbor County
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Genealogy Forum - read and post messages about your ancestors
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Wikipedia article
- Grays Harbor County, WA USGenweb
- The Washington Family Group Sheet Project
- Elma Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 798, Elma, WA 98541-9432. Phone 360-482-3055.
- Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 506 Duffy St, Aberdeen, WA 98520. Phone 360-532-1924.
- McCleary Community Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 53, McCleary, WA 98557-0053. Phone 360-495-4147.
- Montesano Chamber of Commerce, 128 Brumfield Ave, PO Box 688, Montesano, WA 98563. Phone and fax 360-249-5522.
- Ocean Shores Chamber of Commerce, 120 W Chance Alamer, PO Box 382, Ocean Shores, WA 98569. Phone 360-289-2451.
- Westport Chamber of Commerce, 2985 S Montesano Ave, PO Box 306, Westport, WA 98595-0306. Phone 360-268-9422.
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Family Books at Amazon.com
- Grays Harbor County, Washington History Books at Amazon.com
Below is a list of Grays Harbor 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.
- Grays Harbor Genealogy Society, PO Box 867, Cosmopolis, WA 98537-0867
- North Beach Genealogical Society, PO Box 2007, Ocean Shores, WA 98569
- Polson Park & Museum Historical Society, 1611 Riverside Ave, PO Box 432, Hoquiam, WA 98550. Phone 360-533-5862.
- Washington State Archives, Southwest Regional Branch. 1129 Washington Street SE, PO Box 40238, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone 360) 753-1684.
- Family History Library
Grays Harbor 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 100 W Broadway, Montesano, WA 98563. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm..
Grays Harbor County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1884 and Probate Records from 1857 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Room 203, 102 W Broadway. Phone 360-249-3842. Fax 360-249-6381. Easiest access is from 1980 forward. Older records are on microfilm. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
Grays Harbor County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1855 and Land Records from 1855 . 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 Suite 2. Phone 360-249-4232. Fax 360-249-3330. Our office is open to the public Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Our staff does not do genealogy research; however, the records are open to the public.
Grays Harbor County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Suite 21. Phone 360-249-4121. Fax 360-249-5669. Must do research yourself. Good idea to call ahead for an appointment.
Below is a list of online resources for Grays Harbor County Court, Probate, Land or Tax Records Records EMAIL US with websites links to Grays Harbor County Court Records
- Grays Harbor 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.
Grays Harbor 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.
Grays Harbor County Health Department is located at 2109 Sumner Ave, Aberdeen, WA 98520. Phone 360-532-8631. Fax 360-533-6272. Satellite office: PO Box 391, Montesano, WA 98563. Phone 360-249-4413. Fax 360-249-5669.
- Grays Harbor 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.
- Grays Harbor 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.
- Grays Harbor 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.
- Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Grays Harbor 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.
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Grays Harbor County Census Records by clicking the link below:
- Grays Harbor County Census Records at Archives.com
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Census Books at Amazon.com
- Census & Voter Lists
Below is a list of online resources for Grays Harbor County Census Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Grays Harbor County Census Records.
1860 Grays Harbor County Census Records
- 1860 U.S. Census Guide
- Download Free US 1860 Census Extract Form
- 1860 Grays Harbor County, Washington Census - Census Population of Grays Harbor County as of 01 June 1860.
1870 Grays Harbor County Census Records
- 1870 U.S. Census Guide
- 1870 Grays Harbor County, Washington Census - Census Population of Grays Harbor County as of 01 June 1870.
- Download Free US 1870 Census Extract Form
1880 Grays Harbor County Census Records
- 1880 U.S. Census Guide
- 1880 Grays Harbor County, Washington Census - Census Population of Grays Harbor County as of 01 June 1880. (free search index and print images)
- Download Free US 1880 Census Extract Form
1890 Grays Harbor County Census Records (destroyed by fire at the Commerce Dept on 10 January 1921)
- 1890 U.S. Census Guide
- 1890 Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor County Census Records
- 1900 U.S. Census Guide
- 1900 Grays Harbor County, Washington Census - Census Population of Grays Harbor County as of 01 June 1900.
- Download Free US 1900 Census Extract Form
1910 Grays Harbor County Census Records
- 1910 U.S. Census Guide
- 1910 Grays Harbor County, Washington Census - Census Population of Grays Harbor County as of 15 April 1910.
- Download Free US 1910 Census Extract Form
1920 Grays Harbor County Census Records
- 1920 U.S. Census Guide
- 1920 Grays Harbor County, Washington Census - Census Population of Grays Harbor County as of 01 January 1920.
- Download Free US 1920 Census Extract Form
1930 Grays Harbor County Census Records
- 1930 U.S. Census Guide
- 1930 Grays Harbor County, Washington Census - Census Population of Grays Harbor County as of 01 April 1930.
- Download Free US 1930 Census Extract Form
Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Grays Harbor County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Grays Harbor County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Grays Harbor County Cemetery & Church Records.
- Cemetery Records at Archives.com
- Grays Harbor 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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Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Grays Harbor County Cemetery & Church Records.
