Skamania County was created on March 9, 1854 and was formed from Clark County. Skamania County was abolished by the Legislature on January 14, 1865. The county was divided into Clark County and Klickitat County. One year later, January 31, 1867, the abolition was revoked and Skamania County was re-established.The county was named for Chinookan word meaning "swift water" . The county seat is Stevenson .
Skamania County is bordered by Lewis County ( north), Yakima County ( northeast), Klickitat County ( east), Hood River County, Oregon ( south), Multnomah County, Oregon ( southwest), Clark County ( west), Cowlitz County ( west).
Cities and Towns in Skamania County include North Bonneville, Stevenson.
The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.skamaniacounty.org/ .
Below is a list of Skamania 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 240 NW Vancouver St, PO Box 790, Stevenson, WA 98648-0790. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Skamania County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1854 and Probate Records from 1854 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Phone: 509-427-9431. Fax 509-427-7386. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
Skamania County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1892 and Land Records from 1854 . 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 Phone: 509-427-9426. Fax 509-427-4165.
Skamania County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Phone: 509-427-9400. Fax 509-427-4165. Need to know legal description of property or parcel number - no name index available.
Below is a list of online resources for Skamania County Court, Probate, Land or Tax Records Records EMAIL US with websites links to Skamania County Court Records
Washington State Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.
Skamania County Health Department is located at 710 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson, WA 98648. (509) 427-3881. Southwest Washington Health District (Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties), 2000 Ft. Vancouver Way, PO Box 1870, Vancouver, WA 98663. Phone: 360-696-9215. Fax 360-696-8424. Satellite office: Stevenson/Skamania County Health Center, Mile Post 96L - Second St Extension, PO Box 162, Stevenson, WA 98648. Phone: 509-427-5138.
Below is a list of online resources for Skamania County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Skamania 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 Skamania 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 Skamania 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 Skamania County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Skamania County Census Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Skamania County Census Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Skamania County Census Records.
1860 Skamania County Census Records
1870 Skamania County Census Records
1880 Skamania County Census Records
1890 Skamania County Census Records (destroyed by fire at the Commerce Dept on 10 January 1921)
1900 Skamania County Census Records
1910 Skamania County Census Records
1920 Skamania County Census Records
1930 Skamania 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 Skamania County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Skamania County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Skamania County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Skamania 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 Skamania County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Skamania County Cemetery & Church Records.