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Pacific 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
Pacific County Washington Map

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Pacific County was created on 1851 and was formed from Lewis County . The county was named for Pacific Ocean . Previous county seats were Pacific City (1851-1852), Chinook or Chinookville (1852-1855) and Oysterville (1855-1893). In 1893 the current county seat became South Bend.

Pacific County is bordered by Grays Harbor County ( north), Lewis County ( east), Wahkiakum County ( southeast), Clatsop County, Oregon ( south).

Cities and Towns in Pacific County include Bay Center, Chinook, Ilwaco, Lebam, Long Beach, Naselle, Ocean Park, Raymond, South Bend, Tokeland.

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

Below is a list of Pacific 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.

  • Pacific County Genealogical Society, PO Box 843, Ocean Park, WA 98640-0843. The society's genealogical collection is housed in the Ocean Park Timberland Library. Monthly society meetings are also held there.
  • South Pacific County Genealogical Society, PO Box 1024, Long Beach, WA 98631
  • Willapa Harbor Genealogical Society, Raymond Public Library, 507 Duryea St, Raymond, WA 98577
  • Ilwaco Heritage Foundation & Museum, 115 SE Lake St, PO Box 153, Ilwaco, WA 98624; phone: 360-642-3446. Exhibits include Native Americans, settlers and explorers, the Columbia River estuary, fishing, logging, and the Railroad that Ran by the Tide. "The museum depicts frontier life in southwest Washington. Exhibits include Chinook Indian and pioneer artifacts and displays highlight the fishing, logging and cranberry industries." The museum's Research Library's resources include many local newspapers, index to all Pacific County newspapers 1889-1981, local history and genealogy periodicals, records of deaths prior to 1925, an indexed photo collection, vertical file of newspaper clippings and Ilwaco High School yearbooks.
  • Pacific County Historical Society & Museum, 1008 W Robert Bush Drive, PO Box P, South Bend, WA 98586. Phone 360-875-5224. Genealogical resources available include: approximately 10,000 historic photographs, 1919-1944 Sanborn fire insurance maps for Raymond and South Bend, city and county directories and telephone books, local and Washington state reference collection, countywide cemetery records, census for 1860,1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910,school annuals and ledgers and payroll records.
  • Fort Columbia House Museum, (Fort Columbia State Park, Hwy 101, Chinook, WA 98614), PO Box 488, Ilwaco, WA 98624. Phone 360-642-3078 .
  • Knappton Cove Heritage Center, Knappton, WA.
  • 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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Pacific 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 300 Memorial Ave, South Bend, WA 98586. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Pacific County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1878 and Probate Records from 1851 . Contact the County Clerk's department at PO Box 67. Phone 360-875-9320. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.

Pacific County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1868 and Land Records from 1851 . 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 PO Box 97. Phone 360-875-9309

Pacific County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at PO Box 86. Phone 360-875-9301 , ext. 208. Records generally not available for self service searching. Searches done by staff are done on a time-available basis and billed at $8.00 per hour, with an $8.00 minimum.

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

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Pacific 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.

Pacific County Health Department is located at 1216 W Robert Bush Dr, PO Box 26, South Bend, WA 98586. Phone 360-875-9343 . Satellite office: 605 S Oregon, Long Beach, WA. Phone 360-642-9349 .

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

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Pacific 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 Pacific 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 Pacific 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 Pacific County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Pacific County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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

1860 Pacific County Census Records

1870 Pacific County Census Records

1880 Pacific County Census Records

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

1900 Pacific County Census Records

1910 Pacific County Census Records

1920 Pacific County Census Records

1930 Pacific County Census Records

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

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

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