Mason County, Washington

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

Mason County was founded on December 22, 1854 (orginially called Sawamish County until January 08, 1864) from King County.

The Mason County Seat is situated in Shelton and the county government website is http://www.co.mason.wa.us/

Locations bordering Mason County are Jefferson County, Kitsap County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Grays Harbor County.

Mason 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 Mason 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.

Mason 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.

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

Mason County Society and Family History Resources

A list of Mason 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.
• Mason County Genealogical Society, PO Box 1535, Shelton, WA 98544-1535. Membership available. Newly started library of genealogical materials.
• Mason County Historical Society & Museum, PO Box 1366, Railroad Ave and 5th St, Shelton, WA 98584. Membership available. Operates the Mason County Historical Society Museum and an exhibit at the Mason County Fairgrounds. Exhibits of early county history. Collection includes files on early history, families, newspapers, census, probate and death records, and extensive photo display.
• Timberland Regional Library, 415 Airdustrial Way SW, Olympia (Thurston County), WA 98501-5799. Phone 360-943-5001
• Mason County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
• Mason County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
• Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
• USGenWeb Archives for Mason County (usgwarchives.net)

Mason County Courthouse and Government Records

Genealogist often forget the benefits of Mason 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 Mason 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.

• Mason County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Address: Courthouse Bldg. I – 411 N 5th St, Shelton WA 98584-3466
  • Courthouse hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
• Mason County Auditor
  • Birth and Death Records: 1891 to 1907
  • Marriage Records: 1892
  • Land Records: 1856
• Mason County Clerk
  • Court Records: 1871
  • Probate Records: 1889

Mason County Links

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

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

Mason 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.
• Mason County Death Records (1890 – 1931) (archives.com) Washington State Digital Archives
• 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)

Mason 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)

Mason Co. WA Census Records

• Washington Census Records Research Guide
• Mason County, WA Census Records Links
• The 1860 census records of Sawamish County, Washington Territory (search.ancestry.com)
• Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892 (search.ancestry.com)

Mason Co. WA Church & Cemeteries

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

Mason Co. WA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

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

Mason Co. WA General and History Websites

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

Mason 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.

Mason Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

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

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

Mason 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)