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Cowlitz County, Washington
Societies and Family History Resources ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣ County Genealogy Links
Cowlitz County was founded on April 21, 1854 as an Original county.
The Cowlitz County Seat is situated in Kelso and the county government website is http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/. Past county seats were Monticello (1854-1865), Freeport (1865-1872), Kalama (1872-1922).
Locations bordering Cowlitz County are Lewis County, Skamania County, Clark County, Columbia County, Oregon, Wahkiakum County.
Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz 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.
Cowlitz 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.
Cowlitz Co. Mortality Schedules can be acquired for 1870 and 1880. Cowlitz Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be found for 1870 and 1880. Cowlitz 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.
Cowlitz County Society and Family History Resources
A list of Cowlitz County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives.
- Washington State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Washington State Archives, Southwest Regional Branch. 1129 Washington Street SE, PO Box 40238, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone 360) 753-1684.
- Lower Columbia Genealogical Society, PO Box 472, Longview, WA 98632-0472. Involved in ongoing collection and publication of local records. Purchases materials that available for use at the Longview Public Library.
- Cowlitz County Historical Society & Museum, 405 Allen St, Kelso, WA 98626; Exhibits of 1884 log cabin, Native American artifacts, and photography collection tell the story of the many centuries of life in the Cowlitz Valley.
- Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, 147 Front Ave, Castle Rock, WA 98611. Phone 360-274-6603. Featuring exhibits that convey the impact of the Mount St. Helens eruptions on the area. Recordings offer oral histories from eyewitnesses. Other exhibits include logging equipment and historical photographs.
- The Daily News Library, 770 11th Ave, PO Box 189, Longview, WA 98632-0017. Phone 360-577-2511. Over 70 years of newspapers on microfilm. Records (births) computerized format since 1991.
- Longview Family History Center, 1721 30th Ave, Longview, WA 98632. Phone 360-577-8234.
- Cowlitz County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
- Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
- USGenWeb Archives for Cowlitz County (usgwarchives.net)
Cowlitz County Courthouse and Government Records
Genealogist often forget the benefits of Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz 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.
- Cowlitz County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: County Administration Building, 207 4th Ave N, Kelso 98626-4124
- County Administration Building hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Cowlitz County Auditor
- Birth and Death Records: 1891 to 1907
- Marriage Records: 1854
- Land Records: 1854
- Cowlitz County Clerk Records through 1983 are available on film and accessed through reader/printer in our office. If interested in records from 1984-1992, it is suggested that a phone call to our Records Management Clerk ahead of time would assure the availability of the files when the party comes in – if they know exactly while file they need. Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
- Court Records: 1860
- Probate Records: 1872
- Cowlitz County Treasurer Need owner’s name or address to locate on a map. Busy the last half of October and all of April and June. Phone calls acceptable.
Cowlitz County Links
The following are links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.
Cowlitz 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!
- Cowlitz County, Washington Books (amazon.com)
- Search Washington Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Cowlitz County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Cowlitz 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)
Cowlitz Co. WA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records
- Washington Court Records Research Guide
- Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 8. Cowlitz County (Kelso) (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)
Cowlitz Co. WA Census Records
- Washington Census Records Research Guide
- Cowlitz County, WA Census Records Links
- Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892 (search.ancestry.com)
Cowlitz Co. WA Church & Cemeteries
- Washington Church and Cemetery Research Guide
- Cowlitz Co., Washington Graves (findagrave.com)
- Cowlitz County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Cowlitz Co., Washington Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Cowlitz County, Washington
- Cowlitz Co., Washington Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Topographic Church List and Map for Cowlitz County, Washington
- Cowlitz County, Washington Church Books (amazon.com)
Cowlitz Co. WA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Washington Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Cowlitz Co. WA General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Washington
- Cowlitz County, Washington Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Cowlitz County, Washington Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Cowlitz Co. WA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Cowlitz County, Washington (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Washington – Counties – Cowlitz (cyndislist.com)
- Cowlitz County Washington (genealogytrails.com)
- Cowlitz Co. WAGenweb (drizzle.com)
- Cowlitz County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Cowlitz Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Cowlitz 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.
Cowlitz Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Washington Links and Information
- 1895 Cowlitz County Map (livgenmi.com)
Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.
Cowlitz 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)