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Grays Harbor County, Washington
Societies and Family History Resources ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣ County Genealogy Links
Grays Harbor County was founded on March 15, 1915 from Thurston County.
The Grays Harbor County Seat is situated in Montesano (The county seats have been Bruceport or Bruceville from 1854-1860 and Montesano from 1860-present) and the county government website is http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us
Locations bordering Grays Harbor County are Jefferson County, Mason County, Thurston County, Lewis County, Pacific County.
Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor 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.
Grays Harbor 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.
Grays Harbor Co. Mortality Schedules can be acquired for 1870 and 1880. Grays Harbor Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be found for 1870 and 1880. Grays Harbor 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.
Grays Harbor County Society and Family History Resources
A list of Grays Harbor County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives.
- Washington State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Grays Harbor Genealogy Society, PO Box 867, Cosmopolis, WA 98537-0867
- North Beach Genealogical Society, PO Box 2007, Ocean Shores, WA 98569
- Polson Park & Museum Historical Society, 1611 Riverside Ave, PO Box 432, Hoquiam, WA 98550. Phone 360-533-5862.
- Washington State Archives, Southwest Regional Branch. 1129 Washington Street SE, PO Box 40238, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone 360) 753-1684.
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
- Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
- USGenWeb Archives for Grays Harbor County (usgwarchives.net)
Grays Harbor County Courthouse and Government Records
Genealogist often forget the benefits of Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor 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.
- Grays Harbor County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 100 W Broadway, Montesano WA 98563
- Courthouse hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Grays Harbor County Auditor Our office is open to the public Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Our staff does not do genealogy research; however, the records are open to the public.
- Birth and Death Records: 1891 to 1907
- Marriage Records: 1855
- Land Records: 1855
- Grays Harbor County Clerk Easiest access is from 1980 forward. Older records are on microfilm. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
- Court Records: 1857
- Probate Records: 1884
- Grays Harbor County Treasurer Must do research yourself. Good idea to call ahead for an appointment.
Grays Harbor County Links
The following are links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.
Grays Harbor 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!
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Books (amazon.com)
- Search Washington Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Grays Harbor County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Grays Harbor Co. WA Birth, Marriage & Death Records
- Washington Vital Records Research Guide
- Washington, County Deaths, 1891-1907 (familysearch.org) This collection includes an index and images of deaths recorded at the county level before the state records were kept.
- 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)
Grays Harbor Co. WA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records
- Washington Court Records Research Guide
- 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)
Grays Harbor Co. WA Census Records
- Washington Census Records Research Guide
- Grays Harbor County, WA Census Records Links
- Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892 (search.ancestry.com)
Grays Harbor Co. WA Church & Cemeteries
- Washington Church and Cemetery Research Guide
- Grays Harbor Co., Washington Graves (findagrave.com)
- Grays Harbor County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Grays Harbor Co., Washington Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Grays Harbor County, Washington
- Grays Harbor Co., Washington Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Topographic Church List and Map for Grays Harbor County, Washington
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Church Books (amazon.com)
Grays Harbor Co. WA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Washington Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Grays Harbor Co. WA General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Washington
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Grays Harbor County, Washington Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Grays Harbor Co. WA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Grays Harbor County, Washington (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Washington – Counties – Grays Harbor (cyndislist.com)
- Grays Harbor County Washington (genealogytrails.com)
- Grays Harbor Co. WAGenweb (wagenweb.org)
- Grays Harbor County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Grays Harbor Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Grays Harbor 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.
Grays Harbor Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Washington Links and Information
- 1895 Grays Harbor County Map (livgenmi.com)
Grays Harbor 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 Grays Harbor County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.
Grays Harbor 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)