Lewis County, Washington

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

Lewis County was founded on December 21, 1845 when the Provisional Government of Oregon divided the District of Vancouver into two large counties: all land north of the Columbia and west of the Cowlitz Rivers was designated Lewis County.

The Lewis County Seat is situated in Chehalis (The county seats were Jackson Prairie 1845?-1862, Claquato 1862-1872 and Chehalis; originally named Saundersville, renamed Chehalis in 1872) and the county government website is http://lewiscountywa.gov/

Locations bordering Lewis County are Grays Harbor County, Thurston County, Pierce County, Yakima County, Skamania County, Cowlitz County, Wahkiakum County, Pacific County..

Lewis 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 Lewis 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.

Lewis 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.

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

Lewis County Society and Family History Resources

A list of Lewis 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.
• Lewis County Genealogical Society, Box 782, Chehalis, WA 98532-0782.
• Eastern Lewis County Historical Society & Historical Museum, Gust. Backstrom Park, PO Box 777, Morton, WA 98356. Phone 360-496-5602.
• Lewis County Historical Society, Museum & Library, 599 Front St, Chehalis, WA 98532. Phone 360-748-0831. Research Library’s collection includes obituary file, cemetery records, pioneer family histories and a collection of local oral histories. It is recommended that researchers call ahead for an appointment. Museum Exhibits and displays of Chehalis Indian culture, early settlement and the development of logging and agricultural in the county.
• Chehalis Family History Center, 2195 Jackson Hwy, Chehalis, WA. Phone 360-748-1516.
• Morton Family History Center, 130 Crumb Rd, Morton, WA. Phone 360-496-5959.
• Timberland Regional Library, 415 Airdustrial Way SW, Olympia, WA 98501-5799. Phone 360-943-5001.
• Lewis County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
• Lewis County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
• Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
• USGenWeb Archives for Lewis County (usgwarchives.net)

Lewis County Courthouse and Government Records

Genealogist often forget the benefits of Lewis 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 Lewis 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.

• Lewis County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Address: 351 NW North St, Chehalis WA 98532-1900
  • Courthouse hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Lewis County Auditor
  • Birth and Death Records: 1883 to 1907
  • Marriage Records: 1847
  • Land Records: 1855
• Lewis County Clerk
  • Court Records: 1855
  • Probate Records: 1847
• Lewis County Treasurer For information that is readily available, a staff person will supply the appropriate book or file. Original documents cannot be removed from this office. The information must be reviewed on premises and under supervision to ensure the files are kept intact and are not altered. For information that is not readily available, we will respond to that request within five working days. That response will (a) provide the information requested, (b) acknowledge the receipt of the request and the amount of time it will take to respond or (c) deny the request and the reason. Be patient. Property taxes are due April 30 and October 31 each year. The office will be very busy near these dates. Try to avoid these times for special requests.

Lewis County Links

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

Lewis 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!
• Daily Chronicle (Centralia, Washington) (search.ancestry.com)
• Chehalis Bee-Nugget (Chehalis, Washington) (search.ancestry.com)
• Centralia Chronicle Advertiser (Centralia, Washington) (search.ancestry.com)
• Centralia Chronicle (Centralia, Washington) (search.ancestry.com)
• Lewis County, Washington Books (amazon.com)
• Search Washington Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
• Lewis County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)

Lewis Co. WA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

• Washington Vital Records Research Guide
• Lewis County marriage returns, 1914-1950 (familysearch.org)
• Washington Birth Records (1881 – 1908) (archives.com) Washington State Digital Archives
• 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 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)

Lewis Co. WA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

• Washington Court Records Research Guide
• Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 21. Lewis County (Chehalis) (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)

Lewis Co. WA Census Records

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

Lewis Co. WA Church & Cemeteries

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

Lewis Co. WA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

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

Lewis Co. WA General and History Websites

• See Also State History for Washington
• Lewis County, Washington Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
• Centralia, the first fifty years : 1845-1900 (search.ancestry.com)
• A history of Winlock, Washington (search.ancestry.com)
• Lewis County, Washington Wiki (familysearch.org)
• Lewis Co. WA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
• Family History Library (familysearch.org)
• Lewis County, Washington (linkpendium.com)
• Cyndi’s List – United States – Washington – Counties – Lewis (cyndislist.com)
• Lewis County Washington (genealogytrails.com)
• Lewis Co. WAGenweb (jtenlen.drizzlehosting.com)
• Lewis County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
• Lewis Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)

Lewis 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.

Lewis Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

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

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

Lewis 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)