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Adams County, Washington
Societies and Family History Resources ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣ County Genealogy Links
Adams County was founded on November 28, 1883 from Whitman County. The county was named in honor of John Adams (1735–1826), 2nd U.S. President.
The Adams County Seat is situated in Ritzville and the county government website is http://www.co.adams.wa.us
Locations bordering Adams County are Lincoln County, Whitman County, Franklin County, Grant County.
Adams County vital records can be found at the Washington Office of Vital Records has copies of birth, marriage, divorce and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Washington for current fees and application process.
You can search online for Adams County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Washington Birth or Death Certificate and Marriage or Divorce Certificate Applications to mail.
Adams County has Federal Census Schedules to assist in researching your family tree. Federal government Population Schedules exist for 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Adams Co. Mortality Schedules can be acquired for 1870 and 1880. Adams Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be found for 1870 and 1880. Adams Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be acquired for 1890. You’ll find free down loadable in addition to printable census forms that can help with your research.
Adams County Society and Family History Resources
A list of Adams County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives.
- Washington State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Adams County Historical Society, Box 526, Lind WA 99341
- 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
- Mid-Columbia Library [Service center – not open to the public], 4101 E Lattin Rd, West Richland, WA 99353. Phone 509-627-0285. Fax 509-545-2054. The following is a branch of this library system:
- Othello Library, 101 E Main St, Othello, WA 99344. Phone 509-488-9683. Fax 509-488-5321.
- Othello Family History Center Library, 12th & Rainer, Othello, WA 99344. Phone 509-488-6412.
- Ritzville Family History Center Library, 506 S Weber Rd, Ritzville, WA 99169. Phone 509-659-0932.
- Adams County Historical Society Museum, PO Box 526, First St, Lind, WA 99341. Phone 509-677-3393.
- Burroughs Historic Home, PO Box 106, Ritzville, WA 99169. Phone 509-659-0274.
- Othello Community Museum, PO Box 121, 3rd and Larch, Othello, WA 99344. Phone 509-488-2420.
- Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce , 33 E Larch, Othello, WA 99344-1335. Phone 509-488-2683. Fax 488-3123.
- Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 122, 111 N Washington St, Ritzville, WA 99169-0122. Phone 509-659-1936.
- Adams County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Adams County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
- Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
- USGenWeb Archives for Adams County (usgwarchives.net)
Adams County Courthouse and Government Records
Genealogist often forget the benefits of Adams County court, probate, and land files as a source of genealogy information and facts. Buried away in Washington courthouses and archives everywhere tend to be the desires and frustrations of countless Washington men and women.
The possibilities are great that your ancestors have left a in-depth record of at least a few factors of their lives in the Adams County court records. Even if your forebears is not discussed in a Court case, contemplate all of the other methods which could have lead to her or him appearing in court records.
The dates pointed out below could be the first noted records for this particular county.
- Adams County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 210 W Broadway, Ritzville 99169
- Adams County Auditor
- Phone: (509) 659-3247
- Birth and Death Records: 1891 to 1907
- Marriage Records: 1891
- Land Records: 1884
- Adams County Clerk
- Phone: (509) 659-3257
- Court Records: 1885
- Probate Records: 1890
Adams County Links
The following are links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Adams County. Most of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a fee. This is simply a directory that has been gathered or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to present your own favorite Adams County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.
Adams Co. WA Books, Newspapers & Publications
- Washington Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- Washington historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from Washington (1890 – 1984) (genealogybank.com) Immediately discover names and keywords in over 450 million articles, obituaries, marriage announcements, birth notices as well as other items printed in over 2,800 old U.S. newspapers. All new articles and other content added monthly!
- Adams County, Washington Books (amazon.com)
- Search Washington Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Adams County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Adams Co. WA Birth, Marriage & Death Records
- Washington Vital Records Research Guide
- Washington Birth Records (1881 – 1908) (archives.com) Washington State Digital Archives
- Washington Death Records (1890 – 1908) (archives.com) Washington State Digital Archives
- Washington, County Divorce Records, 1852-1950 (familysearch.org)
- Washington Marriage Records (1905 – 2008) (archives.com) Washington State Digital Archives
- Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 (familysearch.org) Name index of Washington statewide death certificates, 1907-1960.
- Social Security Death Index (search.ancestry.com)
Adams Co. WA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records
- Washington Court Records Research Guide
- Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 1. Adams County (Ritzville) (search.ancestry.com)
- Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 (familysearch.org) Collection of various records including vital, probate, school, tax, naturalization and other records.
- Washington, County Land Records, 1850-1954 (familysearch.org)
- Washington, County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950 (familysearch.org)
- Washington, County Probate Records, 1853-1929 (familysearch.org)
- BLM Land Records (glorecords.blm.gov)
Adams Co. WA Census Records
- Washington Census Records Research Guide
- Adams County, WA Census Records Links
- Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892 (search.ancestry.com)
Adams Co. WA Church & Cemeteries
- Washington Church and Cemetery Research Guide
- Adams Co., Washington Graves (findagrave.com)
- Tombstone inscriptions of Adams County, Washington (search.ancestry.com)
- Adams County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Adams Co., Washington Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Adams County, Washington
- Adams Co., Washington Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Topographic Church List and Map for Adams County, Washington
- Adams County, Washington Church Books (amazon.com)
Adams Co. WA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Washington Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Adams Co. WA General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Washington
- Adams County, Washington Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Adams County, Washington Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Adams Co. WA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Adams County, Washington (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Washington – Counties – Adams (cyndislist.com)
- Adams County Washington (genealogytrails.com)
- Adams Co. WAGenweb (wagenweb.org)
- Adams County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Adams Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Adams Co. WA Immigration & Naturalization
- See Also Statewide Immigration and Naturalization Links for Washington
- Washington, County Naturalization Records, 1850-1982 (familysearch.org) The records include petitions, declarations of intention, certificates, depositions and final papers. The records are arranged chronologically.
Adams Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Washington Links and Information
- 1895 Adams County Map (livgenmi.com)
Adams Co. WA Military Records
- Washington Military Records Research Guide
- Washington Military Records (fold3.com) gives you access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents belonging to the Washington women and men who served. Great for Adams County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.
Adams Co. WA Schools & Directories
- Washington, Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965 (familysearch.org) Index cards of postal workers in the state of Washington prior to 1965. Cards include the name of the individual, location and years of activity. Some cards may also contain maiden names and names of spouses. Cards are organized alphabetically within each county.
- Washington gazetteer and business directory : 1901-1902. (search.ancestry.com)