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Pierce County, Washington
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Pierce County was created on 1852 and was formed from Thurston County . The county was named for Franklin Pierce . The county seat is Tacoma . The first U.S. military base established on Puget Sound was Fort Steilacoom in 1849.
Pierce County is bordered by King County ( north), Yakima County ( east), Lewis County ( south), Thurston County ( southwest), Mason County ( northwest), Kitsap County ( northwest).
Cities and Towns in Pierce County include Auburn (partial), Artondale, Ashford, Bonney Lake, Buckley, Carbonado, DuPont, Eatonville, Edgewood, Elbe, Elk Plain, Enumclaw (partial), Fife, Fircrest, Fort Lewis, Fox Island, Frederickson, Gig Harbor, Graham, Greenwater, Lakewood, McChord AFB, Midland, Milton (partial), Orting, Pacific (partial), Parkland, Prairie Ridge, Puyallup, Roy, Ruston, South Hill, South Prairie, Spanaway, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tacoma, University Place, Waller, Wilkeson.
The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.co.pierce.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....
- Pierce County, Washington Message Boards
- Pierce County, Washington Genealogy Forum - read and post messages about your ancestors
- Pierce County, Washington Wikipedia article
- Pierce County, WA USGenweb
- The Washington Family Group Sheet Project
- Pierce County, Washington Family Books at Amazon.com
- Pierce County, Washington History Books at Amazon.com
Below is a list of Pierce 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.
- Puget Sound Regional Branch—Washington State Archives, Pritchard-Fleming Bldg., 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, MS-N100, Bellevue, WA 98007-6484;
- Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society, PO Box 1952, Tacoma, WA 98401. 253.572.6640
- Anderson Island Historical Society, 9306 Otso Point Rd, Anderson Island, WA 98303. Phone 253-884-2069.
- DuPont Historical Society & Museum , 207 Barksdale Ave., DuPont, WA 98327. Phone 253-964-2399.
- Fort Nisqually Association, 5400 N. Pearl St. #11, Tacoma, WA 98407. Phone 253-591-5339.
- Fox Island Historical Society, 1017 Ninth Ave., Fox Island, WA 98333. Phone 253-549-2461.
- Historic Fort Steilacoom Association, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood WA 98498. Phone 253-582-5838..
- Key Peninsula Historical Society & Museum, PO Box 577, Vaughn, WA 98394. Phone 253-884-6951.
- Points Northeast Historical Society, 6602 Spring St NE, Tacoma, WA 98411. Phone 253-927-3329.
- Salmon Beach Historical Commission, 46 Salmon Beach, WA 98407. Phone 253-752-7010.
- South Pierce County Historical Society, PO Box 1131, Eatonville, WA 98328. Phone 253-847-6182.
- Steilacoom Historical Museum Association , PO Box 88016, Steilacoom, WA 98388-0016. 253-584-4133.
- Sumner Historical Society, 1228 Main St., PO Box 517, Sumner, WA 98390. Phone 253-299-5780.
- Tacoma Historical Society, PO Box 1865, Tacoma, WA 98403. Phone 253-472-3738.
- Washington State Historical Society, (www.wshs.org) 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402. Phone 1-888-238-4373. Fax 253-272-9518.
- Pierce County Library System, 3005 112th St E, Tacoma, WA 98446-2215. Phone 253-536-6500.
- African American Museum, 925 Court C, Tacoma, WA 98402. Phone 253-274-1278. Fax 253-274-9644.
- Buckley Foothills Historical Society Museum, PO Box 530, 123 River Ave. , Buckley, WA 98321. Phone 360-829-1291.
- Ezra Meeker Mansion, PO Box 103, 321 Pioneer St., Puyallup, WA 98371. Phone 253-848-1770.
- Fox Island Historical Museum, PO Box 242, 1017 Ninth Ave., Fox Island, WA 98333. Phone 253-549-2461.
- Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society Museum, PO Box 744, 4218 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, WA 98335-0744. Phone 253-858-6722.
- Historic Fort Steilacoom, Fort Steilacoom Park, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. SW., Lakewood, WA 98388 (on the grounds of Western State Hospital). Phone 253-756-3928
- Pioneer Farm Museum and Ohop Indian Village, PO Box 1520, 7716 Ohop Valley Rd E, Eatonville, WA 98328. Phone 360-832-6300.
- Sumner, Washington LDS Family History Center, 512 Valley Ave, Sumner, WA. Phone 253-863-5167
- Puyallup Washington South Family History Center, 13420 94th Ave E, Puyallup, WA. Phone 253-840-1673.
- Tacoma, Washington LDS Family History Center, 1102 S. Pearl St., Tacoma, WA 98465 Phone 253-564-1103.
- Family History Library
Pierce 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 County City Building, 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 5:00pm.
Pierce County Clerk of Superior Court has Court Records from 1855 and Probate Records from 1855 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Phone 253-798-7455. Fax 253-798-3428. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
Pierce County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1853 and Land Records from 1858 . 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 2401 S 35th St., Room 200. Phone 253-798-7427. Fax 253-798-3182.
Pierce County Assessor/Treasurer has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at 2401 S 35th St., Room 142. Phone 253-798-7427, Fax 253-798-3142.
Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Court, Probate, Land or Tax Records Records EMAIL US with websites links to Pierce County Court Records
- Pierce 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.
Pierce 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.
Pierce-Tacoma Health Department is located at 3629 South D Street, Tacoma, WA 98418; (253) 798-6500 .
- Pierce 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.
- Pierce 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.
- Pierce 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.
- Pierce 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 Pierce County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Pierce 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.
- Pierce County, Washington Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
Pierce 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 Pierce County, Washington are 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Pierce 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 Pierce County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Pierce County Census Records by clicking the link below:
- Pierce County Census Records at Archives.com
- Pierce County, Washington Census Books at Amazon.com
- Census & Voter Lists
Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Census Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Pierce County Census Records.
1860 Pierce County Census Records
- 1860 U.S. Census Guide
- Download Free US 1860 Census Extract Form
- 1860 Pierce County, Washington Census - Census Population of Pierce County as of 01 June 1860.
1870 Pierce County Census Records
- 1870 U.S. Census Guide
- 1870 Pierce County, Washington Census - Census Population of Pierce County as of 01 June 1870.
- Download Free US 1870 Census Extract Form
1880 Pierce County Census Records
- 1880 U.S. Census Guide
- 1880 Pierce County, Washington Census - Census Population of Pierce County as of 01 June 1880. (free search index and print images)
- Download Free US 1880 Census Extract Form
1890 Pierce County Census Records (destroyed by fire at the Commerce Dept on 10 January 1921)
- 1890 U.S. Census Guide
- 1890 Pierce 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 Pierce County Census Records
- 1900 U.S. Census Guide
- 1900 Pierce County, Washington Census - Census Population of Pierce County as of 01 June 1900.
- Download Free US 1900 Census Extract Form
1910 Pierce County Census Records
- 1910 U.S. Census Guide
- 1910 Pierce County, Washington Census - Census Population of Pierce County as of 15 April 1910.
- Download Free US 1910 Census Extract Form
1920 Pierce County Census Records
- 1920 U.S. Census Guide
- 1920 Pierce County, Washington Census - Census Population of Pierce County as of 01 January 1920.
- Download Free US 1920 Census Extract Form
1930 Pierce County Census Records
- 1930 U.S. Census Guide
- 1930 Pierce County, Washington Census - Census Population of Pierce County as of 01 April 1930.
- Download Free US 1930 Census Extract Form
Pierce 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 Pierce County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Pierce County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Pierce County Cemetery & Church Records.
- Cemetery Records at Archives.com
- Pierce 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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Pierce 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 Pierce County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Pierce County Cemetery & Church Records.
