Jefferson County, Washington

Societies and Family History Resources ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣ County Genealogy Links

Jefferson County was founded on December 22, 1852 from Thurston County.

The Jefferson County Seat is situated in Port Townsend (spelled Port Townshend until 1853) and the county government website is http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/

Locations bordering Jefferson County are Island County, Kitsap County, Mason County, Grays Harbor County, Clallam County, San Juan County.

Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.

Jefferson 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.

Jefferson Co. Mortality Schedules can be acquired for 1870 and 1880. Jefferson Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be found for 1870 and 1880. Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County Society and Family History Resources

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

• Washington State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
• Jefferson County Genealogical Society, 210 Madison St, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
• Jefferson County Historical Society & Museum, 210 Madison, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Phone 360-385-1003. Located in the historic City Hall, the museum’s collections and exhibits focus on the rich and diverse heritage of the county. Collections include artifacts, archives, family histories and a photographic collection of the Native American tribes of the area, pioneer groups and the military. On site is the McCurdy Research Library.
• Port Townsend Family History Center Library, 10104 Rhody Dr Rd, Chimacum, WA 98325. Phone 360-385-5191.
• Quilcene Historical Museum, PO Box 574, 151 Columbia St, Quilcene, WA 98376. Phone 360-765-4848. Established in 1991, the museum reflects Quilcene and surrounding communities: the Native Americans, pioneers, industry and the Quilcene Country Store.
• Washington State Archives, Northwest Regional Branch , Western Washington University, MS-9123 , 25th St and Bill McDonald Parkway. Phone: 1-360-650-7930. Hours: 8:30 – 4:30 Monday through Friday excluding state holidays
• Jefferson County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
• Jefferson County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
• Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
• USGenWeb Archives for Jefferson County (usgwarchives.net)

Jefferson County Courthouse and Government Records

Genealogist often forget the benefits of Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.

• Jefferson County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Address: 1820 Jefferson St, PO Box 1220, Port Townsend WA 98368-1220
  • Courthouse hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Jefferson County Auditor
  • Birth and Death Records: 1891 to 1907
  • Marriage Records: 1853
  • Land Records: 1855
• Jefferson County Clerk
  • Court Records: 1853
  • Probate Records: 1854

Jefferson County Links

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

Jefferson 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!
• Jefferson County, Washington Books (amazon.com)
• Search Washington Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
• Jefferson County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)

Jefferson 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)

Jefferson 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)

Jefferson Co. WA Census Records

• Washington Census Records Research Guide
• Jefferson County, WA Census Records Links
• Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892 (search.ancestry.com)

Jefferson Co. WA Church & Cemeteries

• Washington Church and Cemetery Research Guide
• Jefferson Co., Washington Graves (findagrave.com)
• Jefferson County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
• Jefferson Co., Washington Cemeteries (Internment.net)
• Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Jefferson County, Washington
• Jefferson Co., Washington Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
• Topographic Church List and Map for Jefferson County, Washington
• Jefferson County, Washington Church Books (amazon.com)

Jefferson Co. WA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

•  Washington Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)

Jefferson Co. WA General and History Websites

• See Also State History for Washington
• Jefferson County, Washington Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
• Jefferson County, Washington Wiki (familysearch.org)
• Jefferson Co. WA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
• Family History Library (familysearch.org)
• Jefferson County, Washington (linkpendium.com)
• Cyndi’s List – United States – Washington – Counties – Jefferson (cyndislist.com)
• Jefferson County Washington (genealogytrails.com)
• Jefferson Co. WAGenweb (wagenweb.org)
• Jefferson County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
• Jefferson Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)

Jefferson 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.

Jefferson Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

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

Jefferson 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 Jefferson County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.

Jefferson 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)