Link To This Page — Contact Us —
Spokane County, Washington
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources
Browse Washington Counties
Spokane County was organized in 1858 from part of Walla WaIla County. It was voted out of existence five years later by the Territorial Legislature and merged into Stevens County. Spokane County was recreated in1879 and was formed from Stevens County. The county was named for Spokane Native American tribe. The county seat is Spokane.
The county was first visited by fur traders in 1810, who established Spokane House as a trading center. Two years later the Pacific Fur Company built Fort Spokane. Missionaries arrived in the county in the 1830s. The first permanent settlements in the county were established in the 1870s and the county's prosperity was assured with the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1890.
Spokane County is bordered by Stevens County (nortwest), Lincoln County (west), Pend Oreille County (north), Whitman County (south), Bonner County, Idaho (norteast), Kootenai County, Idaho (east), Benewah County, Idaho (southeast).
Cities and Towns in Spokane County include Airway Heights, Cheney, Country Homes, Deer Park, Fairchild AFB, Fairfield, Fairwood, Latah, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Otis Orchards-East Farms, Rockford, Spangle, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Town and Country, Waverly.
The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.spokanecounty.org/ .
- 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....
- Spokane County, Washington Message Boards
- read and post messages with other genealogy researchers for Spokane County
- Spokane County, Washington Genealogy Forum - read and post messages about your ancestors
- Spokane County, Washington Wikipedia article
- Spokane County, WA USGenweb
- The Washington Family Group Sheet Project
- Greater Spokane Incorporated, 801 Riverside Ave. Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201. Phone 509-624-1393.
- Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, 9507 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. Phone 509-924-4994.
- Spokane County, Washington Family Books at Amazon.com
- Spokane County, Washington History Books at Amazon.com
Below is a list of Spokane 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.
- Washington State Archives, Eastern Washington Regional Archives, 960 Washington Street, Cheney, Washington 99004; Telephone: (509)235-7508. On the campus of Eastern Washington University in Cheney
- Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, PO Box 1826, Spokane, WA 99210-1826.
- Inland Empire Railway Historical Society, PO Box 3950, Spokane, WA 99220. Phone 509-982-2389.
- Rockford Historical Society, PO Box 107, Rockford, WA 99030.
- Southeast Spokane County Historical Society & Museum, PO Box 426, E 300 Main St, Fairfield, WA 99012. Phone 509-283-2193.
- Spokesman-Review Newspaper, Reference Library, PO Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-2160. Phone 509-459-5468.
- Spokane County Library, 4322 N Argonne Rd, Spokane, WA 99212-1853. Phone 59-924-4122.
- Spokane Public Library, 906 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201-0976. Phone 509-444-5300. EWGS Holdings are here at the Spokane Public Library
- Spokane East Family History Center, E 13608 40th Ave, Spokane, WA. Phone 509-926-0551.
- Spokane Family History Center, 1717 E 30th Ave, Spokane, WA. Phone 509-455-7164.
- Spokane North Family History Center, 401 West Regina, Spokane, WA. Phone 509-466-4633.
- Spokane West Family History Center, 10405 West Melville Road, Cheney, WA. Phone 509-455-9735.
- Family History Library
Spokane 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 W 1116 Broadway, Spokane, WA 99260. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Spokane County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1878 and Probate Records from 1880 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Phone (509)477-2211. Fax (509)477-3916. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
Spokane County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1879 . The Couty Auditor also has Birth and Death Records from 1889 to 1907. See County Vital Records for info on Birth and Death Records after 1907. Contact the County Auditor's department at Phone (509)477-2270. Fax (509)477-6451.
Spokane County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at Phone (509)477-3696. Fax (509)477-3697.
Below is a list of online resources for Spokane County Court, Probate, Land or Tax Records Records EMAIL US with websites links to Spokane County Court Records
- Spokane 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.
Spokane 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.
Spokane County Health Department is located at W 1101 College, Spokane, WA 99201. Phone 509-324-1500.
- Spokane 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.
- Spokane 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.
- Spokane 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.
- Spokane 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 Spokane County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Spokane 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.
- Spokane County, Washington Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
Spokane 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 Spokane County, Washington are 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Spokane County are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1880.
Below is a list of online resources for Spokane County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Spokane County Census Records by clicking the link below:
- Spokane County Census Records at Archives.com
- Spokane County, Washington Census Books at Amazon.com
- Census & Voter Lists
Below is a list of online resources for Spokane County Census Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Spokane County Census Records.
1880 Spokane County Census Records
- 1880 U.S. Census Guide
- 1880 Spokane County, Washington Census - Census Population of Spokane County as of 01 June 1880. (free search index and print images)
- Download Free US 1880 Census Extract Form
1890 Spokane County Census Records (destroyed by fire at the Commerce Dept on 10 January 1921)
- 1890 U.S. Census Guide
- 1890 Spokane 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 Spokane County Census Records
- 1900 U.S. Census Guide
- 1900 Spokane County, Washington Census - Census Population of Spokane County as of 01 June 1900.
- Download Free US 1900 Census Extract Form
1910 Spokane County Census Records
- 1910 U.S. Census Guide
- 1910 Spokane County, Washington Census - Census Population of Spokane County as of 15 April 1910.
- Download Free US 1910 Census Extract Form
1920 Spokane County Census Records
- 1920 U.S. Census Guide
- 1920 Spokane County, Washington Census - Census Population of Spokane County as of 01 January 1920.
- Download Free US 1920 Census Extract Form
1930 Spokane County Census Records
- 1930 U.S. Census Guide
- 1930 Spokane County, Washington Census - Census Population of Spokane County as of 01 April 1930.
- Download Free US 1930 Census Extract Form
Spokane 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 Spokane County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Spokane County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Spokane County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Spokane County Cemetery & Church Records.
- Cemetery Records at Archives.com
- Spokane 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.
|
|
|
Spokane 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 Spokane County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Spokane County Cemetery & Church Records.
