Kittitas County was created on 1883 and was formed from Yakima County . The county was named for Kittitas tribe word for "plenty food". The county seat is Ellensburg (also known as Robber's Roost in 1867 and Ellen's Burgh in 1880).
Europeans first visited the county in 1812 when members of the Pacific Fur Company passed through the region. Prior to the Civil War, Captain George McClellan supervised military road construction through the county.
Kittitas County is bordered by Chelan County ( north), Douglas County ( northeast), Grant County ( east), Yakima County ( south), Pierce County ( west), King County ( northwest).
Cities and Towns in Kittitas County include Cle Elum, Easton, Ellensburg, Kittitas, Ronald, Roslyn, Snoqualmie Pass, South Cle Elum, Thorp, Vantage.
The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/ .
Below is a list of Kittitas 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.
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 205 W Fifth, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Kittitas County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1884 and Probate Records from 1884 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Room 210. Phone 509-962-7531. Fax 509-962-7667. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
Kittitas County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1882 and Land Records from 1882 . The Couty Auditor also has Birth and Death Records from 1882 to 1907. See County Vital Records for info on Birth and Death Records after 1907. Contact the County Auditor's department at Room 105. Phone 509-962-7504. Fax 509-962-7687.
Kittitas County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Room 101. Phone 509-962-7501. Fax 509-962-7666.
Below is a list of online resources for Kittitas County Court, Probate, Land or Tax Records Records EMAIL US with websites links to Kittitas County Court Records
Washington State Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.
Kittitas County Health Department is located at 507 N Nanum St Suite 102, Ellensburg, WA 98926; (509) 962-7515 .
Below is a list of online resources for Kittitas County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Kittitas County Vital Records
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 Kittitas County, Washington are 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.
Below is a list of online resources for Kittitas County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Kittitas County Census Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Kittitas County Census Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Kittitas County Census Records.
1890 Kittitas County Census Records (destroyed by fire at the Commerce Dept on 10 January 1921)
1900 Kittitas County Census Records
1910 Kittitas County Census Records
1920 Kittitas County Census Records
1930 Kittitas County Census Records
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 Kittitas County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Kittitas County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Kittitas County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Kittitas 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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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 Kittitas County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Kittitas County Cemetery & Church Records.