Thurston County, Washington

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

Thurston County was founded on January 12, 1852 from Lewis County.

The Thurston County Seat is situated in Olympia and the county government website is http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/

Locations bordering Thurston County are Pierce County, Lewis County, Grays Harbor County, Mason County.

Thurston 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 Thurston 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.

Thurston 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.

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

Thurston County Society and Family History Resources

A list of Thurston 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.
• Olympia Genealogical Society, PO Box 1313, Olympia, WA 98507-1313. Membership available.
• Olympia Historical Society, PO Box 6064, Olympia, WA 98507-6064
• Lacey Historical Society, 2020 Centerwood Dr, Olympia, WA 98501.
• Lacey Historical Museum, 829 ½ Lacey St SE, PO Box B, Lacey, WA 98503. Phone: 360-352-7596. The museum holds artifacts, photographs and information relevant to Lacey history from the time of settlement to the present day. The earliest photos date from the 1880’s.
• South Thurston County Historical Society, Park St, PO Box 339, Tenino, WA 98589. Phone: 360-264-4321. Operates the Tenino Depot Museum and has copies of local weekly newspaper from 1920 to 1960. Though not indexed, they are available to the public.
• Tumwater Historical Association, 602 Des Chutes Way, Tumwater, WA 98501.
• Washington State Capital Historical Association, 211 W 21st Ave, Room 11, Olympia, WA 98501.
• Timberland Regional Library, 415 Airdustrial Way SW, Olympia, WA 98501-5799. Phone: 360-943-5001.
• Thurston County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
• Thurston County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
• Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
• USGenWeb Archives for Thurston County (usgwarchives.net)

Thurston County Courthouse and Government Records

Genealogist often forget the benefits of Thurston 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 Thurston 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.

• Thurston County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Address: 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Olympia WA 98502-6001
  • Courthouse hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Thurston County Auditor
  • Birth and Death Records: 1891 to 1907
  • Marriage Records: 1877
  • Land Records: 1852
• Thurston County Clerk
  • Court Records: 1853
  • Probate Records: 1852
• Thurston County Treasurer Parcel number needed. Staff has limited time to help researchers.

Thurston County Links

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

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

Thurston Co. WA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

• Washington Vital Records Research Guide
• Thurston County marriage certificates, 1927-1950 (familysearch.org)
•  Olympia Death Records (1901 – 1912) (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)

Thurston 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)

Thurston Co. WA Census Records

• Washington Census Records Research Guide
• Thurston County, Washington Census, 1900 (search.ancestry.com)
• Thurston County, WA Census Records Links
• Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892 (search.ancestry.com)

Thurston Co. WA Church & Cemeteries

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

Thurston Co. WA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

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

Thurston Co. WA General and History Websites

• See Also State History for Washington
• Thurston County, Washington Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
• Early history of Thurston County, Washington : together with biographies and reminiscences of those identified with pioneer day (search.ancestry.com)
• Thurston County, Washington Wiki (familysearch.org)
• Thurston Co. WA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
• Family History Library (familysearch.org)
• Thurston County, Washington (linkpendium.com)
• Cyndi’s List – United States – Washington – Counties – Thurston (cyndislist.com)
• Thurston County Washington (genealogytrails.com)
• Thurston Co. WAGenweb (rootsweb.ancestry.com)
• Thurston County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
• Thurston Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)

Thurston 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.

Thurston Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

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

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

Thurston 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)