Douglas County, Washington

Douglas County was founded on November 28, 1883 from Lincoln County.

The Douglas County Seat is situated in Waterville (from 1883-1886 the county seat was located at Okanogan) and the county government website is http://www.douglascountywa.net/

Locations bordering Douglas County are Okanogan County, Grant County, Kittitas County, Chelan County.

Douglas 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 Douglas 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.

Douglas County has Federal Census Schedules to assist in researching your family tree. Federal government Population Schedules exist for 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

Douglas 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.

Douglas County Society and Family History Resources

A list of Douglas County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives.

RAOGK Volunteers for Washington (raogk.org)
Washington Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
Washington State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
Douglas County Genealogical Society, c/o Waterville Public Library, Box 580, Waterville, WA 98858-0580.
Douglas County Historical Society, Box 63, 113 East Locust Street, Waterville, WA 98858; Phone:(509) 745-8800
East Wenatchee Family History Center, 667 Tenth NE, East Wenatchee, WA 98001. Phone 509-884-8686.
Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society Library, 133 S Mission St, Wenatchee, WA 98001. Collection includes extensive reference collection, many family histories, census publications, and genealogical society bulletins. Maintains ancestral file, multi-volume surname index, indexed 25th & 50th Wedding Anniversary scrapbooks, indexed Pictorial Past scrapbooks. Publishes a library shelf list.
Colville Tribal Museum, PO Box 233, 512 Mead Way, Coulee Dam, WA 99116. Phone 509-633-0751.
Douglas County Historical Museum, Box 63, 124 W Walnut, Waterville, WA 98858. Phone 509-745-8435. Museum features pioneer and early day living, family photographs, scrapbooks, and mineral collection of William Schluenz.
Ft. Spokane Museum, 1008 Crest Drive, Coulee Dam, WA 99116. Fax 509-633-9332.
State Archives Central Branch Bledsoe & Washington Archives Building, Central Washington University, 400 E. University Way, Mail Stop 7547, Ellensburg, Washington 98926-7547. Phone: 509-963-2136. Research Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Douglas County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
Douglas County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
USGenWeb Archives for Douglas County (usgwarchives.net)

Douglas County Courthouse and Government Records

Genealogist often forget the benefits of Douglas 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 Douglas 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.

Douglas County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 213 S Rainier, Waterville 98858
- Courthouse hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Douglas County Auditor
- Birth and Death Records: 1891 to 1907
- Marriage Records: 1887
- Land Records: 1884
Douglas County Clerk
- Court Records: 1887
- Probate Records: 1888

Douglas County Links

The following are links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Douglas 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 Douglas County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.

Douglas Co. WA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Washington Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide (raogk.org)
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!
Douglas County, Washington Books (amazon.com)
Search Washington Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
Douglas County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)

Douglas Co. WA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Washington Vital Records Research Guide (raogk.org)
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)

Douglas Co. WA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Washington Court Records Research Guide (raogk.org)
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)

Douglas 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.

Douglas Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

See Also Map of Washington Links and Information
1895 Douglas County Map (livgenmi.com)

Douglas Co. WA Military Records

Washington Military Records Research Guide (raogk.org)
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 Douglas County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.

Douglas 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)