Lewis County, Washington Genealogy

Guide to Lewis County, Washington ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Description
The County was named for Meriwether Lewis. The County is located in the southwest area of the state.

County Courthouse
Lewis County Courthouse 345 West Main Street Chehalis, WA 98532 Phone 360-740-1333 Courthouse Website

Records from 1848 to the present County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907 and marriage records from 1850. County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records from 1870’s.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

History Timeline

 * Native Americans calling themselves Chehalis and Meshall lived along the banks of the Chehalis River.
 * 1818-1846 The United States and Great Britain jointly occupied Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
 * 1838 The Hudson's Bay Company established the Puget Sound Agricultural Company.
 * 1838 Late, Cowlitz Farms, a part of the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, represented the first white settlement in the future Lewis County.
 * 1845 December 21, The Oregon Territorial Legislature delineated Lewis County.
 * 1853 March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes.
 * 1855 February, Washington Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens convinced coastal tribes to sign the Quinault Treaty with the U.S. government.

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

 * 1996-2022 Lewis County Auditor, Professional License Records, 1996-2022 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1803-2010 Washington, County Records, 1803-2010 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images only

Census Records

 * Census indexes at Washington State Archives
 * Federal: 1910
 * Territorial: 1847, 1850,1851,1857, 1871, 1883, 1887, 1889.
 * State-funded: 1892


 * 1803-2010 Washington, County Records, 1803-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only. Select Browse all images, click county
 * 1850-1914 Web: Washington, U.S., Various County Census Records, 1850-1914 at Ancestry (Free)

Church Records
Assembly of God
 * They do not have records, nor do they send records to a central repository.

Catholic Church
 * Old records had been sent to the Archdiocese in Seattle.
 * Local churches have only current records but that because the persons are still living, all local records are private and not for the public.
 * Anyone researching would have to contact the archdiocese. There is a fee.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
 * Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Chehalis

Lutheran
 * 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)

List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
 * Contact local churches for possible records.

Court Records
Online Court Indexes and Records
 * Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 21. Lewis County (Chehalis) at Ancestry ($)
 * Power of Attorney Records 1968 - present at Washington State Archives.
 * Lewis Frontier Justice. Part of "Frontier Justice’’: Guide to the Court Records of Washington Territory, 1853-1889 at Washington State Archives. (Free Index, no images)
 * The court procedure of Frontier Justice touch nearly all pioneers of Washington Territory. The index has many abstracts that provide names and what is happening in disputes, settlements in civil and criminal cases as well as probate, equity and admiralty cases.

Directories

 * 1914-1923 R. L. Polk & Co., Lewis and Pacific Counties Directory, 1914-1923 at Washington State Archives - index and images

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
American Indians
 * 1911-1919 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Japanese
 * 1942-1946 Public Welfare/Social Security Department, Evacuee (Japanese) Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946 at Washington State Archives - index and images; Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946

Funeral Homes

 * Boone, Brown, Sticklin
 * 1895-1920 Mortuary Records
 * 1895-1904 Sticklin funeral Records
 * 1904-1908 Sticklin Funeral Records

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 1803-2010 Washington, County Records, 1803-2010 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images only
 * 1850-1854 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images only
 * NOTE These are labeled as direct (grantor/seller) and indirect (grantee/buyer) indexes, yet several include copies of the deed books. After selecting the years you need, explore various images to determine if the deeds are included.


 * 1965-2022 Lewis County Auditor, Recorded Land Records, 1965-2022 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1965-2022 Lewis County Auditor, Recorded Agreements and Contracts, 1965-2022 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1974-2022 Lewis County Auditor, Plats and Surveys, 1974-2022 at Washington State Archives - index and images

Local Histories

 * "Lewis County, Washington Facts" at Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
 * "Lewis County Resources and Links " at WAGenWEb

Online County Histories
 * A history of Winlock, Washington at Ancestry ($)
 * Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 21. Lewis County (Chehalis) at Ancestry ($)

Maps and Gazetteers

 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Military Records

 * 1885-1907 Military Department, National Guard Enlistment Register, 1885-1907 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * Lewis County Auditor, Recorded Military Records at Washington State Archives - index and images

Indian Wars
 * 1855-1856 Military Department, Indian War Muster Rolls, 1855-1856 at Washington State Archives - index and images

World War I
 * 1921-1925 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

World War II

Japanese
 * 1942-1946 Public Welfare/Social Security Department, Evacuee (Japanese) Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946 at Washington State Archives - index and images; Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
 * 1850-1982 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1853-1971 Lewis County Clerk, Naturalization Records, 1853-1971 at Washington State Archives - index and images

Newspapers

 * 1855-2009 Washington Newspapers, 1855-2009 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 * Daily Hub at Washington Digital Newspapers
 * Daily Chronicle (Centralia, Washington)
 * Chehalis Bee-Nugget (Chehalis, Washington)
 * Centralia Chronicle Advertiser (Centralia, Washington) ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)
 * Centralia Chronicle (Centralia, Washington) ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)
 * Washington Digital Newspaper at Washington State Library
 * Lewis County, Washington Newspapers - List of known newspapers for the county, including town and years published for each newspaper

Other Records
Public Records
 * Prior to 1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images only

Voting Records
 * 1876-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

Periodicals

 * Washington Periodicals

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1832-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

School Records
Online School Indexes and Records
 * 1803-2010 Washington, County Records, 1803-2010 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images only.
 * 1891-1932 Lewis County Historical School Districts, Registers and Censuses, 1891-1932 at Washington State Archives - index and images


 * The school census from 1907 and older has just an age for each student as well as their parents or guardians. Starting in 1908, the actual birthdate for each student is listed.
 * The districts are listed by a number that was assigned to them by ESD 113 (The governing body for Lewis County and surrounding counties). If you don't know what school district the parents were in, it can be hard to decide where you need to look.


 * Schools:


 * 1918-1992 Adna
 * 1911-1928 Twin Oaks
 * 1920-1933 Brier Hill
 * 2883-1983 Evaline (2books)
 * 1860-1939 Knob
 * 1925-1975 Centralia College
 * 1936, 1950, and 1853-1932 Greenhill - The Lewis County History Museum has a binder titled: GREENHILL SCHOOL – “The new leaf 1936 State training school,” “The new leaf 1950,” and a leaflet of the "History of Washington state Human resources of 1853-1932.” The two New Leaf pamphlets were written by boys at the school.
 * Name of the schoolhouse (Schools in Washington state)
 * Lewis County School Review
 * 1935 Early Schools of the Washington Territory
 * 1908-2010 School annuals starting from 1908-2010

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Birth

 * 1803-2010 Washington, County Records, 1803-2010 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images only
 * 1852-1963 Washington, Births at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 * 1871-1921 Department of Health, Delayed Birth Records at Washington State Archives - index and images; includes some earlier and later dates
 * 1873-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1891-1907 Lewis County Auditor, Birth Returns, 1891-1907 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1891-1907 Lewis County Auditor, Birth Register, 1891-1907 at Washington State Archives - index and images

Marriage

 * 1801-1962 Washington, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
 * 1803-2010 Washington, County Records, 1803-2010 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images only; Includes: Marriage applications 1939-1991; Marriage certificates 1847-1900; Marriage register 1891-1938; Marriage returns 1914-1968.
 * 1847-2022 Lewis County Auditor, Marriage Records, 1847-2022 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1855-2008 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1968-1997 Department of Health, Marriage Certificates, 1968-1997 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1969-2022 Department of Health, Marriage Index, 1969-2022 at Washington State Archives - index and images

Death

 * 1881-1979 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1891-1906 Lewis County Auditor, Death Records, 1891-1906 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1907-1960 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at MyHeritage — index ($)
 * 1907-1960 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1907-1997 Department of Health, Death Certificates, July 1, 1907-1997 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1907-2020 Department of Health, Death Index, 1907-1960; 1965-2020 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1915-1928 Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Fatal Accident Cards, 1915-1928 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1916-1998 Lewis County Health Department, Burial Transit Permits at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1919-1921 Department of Health, Fetal Death Records, 1919-1921 at Washington State Archives - index and images

Divorce

 * 1852-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1968-1997 Department of Health, Divorce Certificates, 1968-1997 at Washington State Archives - index and images
 * 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1969-2017 Department of Health, Divorce Index, 1969-2017 at Washington State Archives - index and images

FamilySearch Centers

 * Centralia Washington FamilySearch Center
 * Elma Washington FamilySearch Center
 * Morton Washington FamilySearch Center
 * Olympia Washington FamilySearch Center
 * South Hill Washington FamilySearch Center
 * Northwest African American Museum - an affiliate library

Libraries
Resources for Lewis County are available in libraries, archives, and other repositories at all levels: the town, the county, the state (including universities), and the nation.
 * Timberland Regional Library - Lewis County
 * Website
 * Reference Database Results


 * Centralia Timberland Library
 * A selection of Veterans' History Project DVDs on local veterans (contact library for details)
 * Polk Directories for Pacific and Lewis Counties, and Centralia and Chehalis from 1912 to present
 * A selection of individual family histories and histories about the Wobbly War (contact library for details)
 * A selection of individual family histories and histories about the founding of Centralia (contact library for details)
 * The Chronicle (county-wide newspaper) from 1887 to 2010 on microfilm.


 * Chehalis Timberland Library
 * Maintains an uncatalogued collection of local historical and family photos which they will hand search upon request without charge.


 * Salkum Timberland Library
 * Maintains local history maps as well as Lewis County and local historical reference materials.


 * Morton Timberland Library
 * Maintains local history resources.


 * Packwood Timberland Library
 * Maintains a link through the Timberland Library website for doing your family genealogy in the Packwood area.
 * Toledo Timberland Library
 * Maintains a room at the library dedicated to the history of Toledo and some Lewis County history.


 * Winlock Timberland Library
 * Maintains some reference materials on Winlock and Lewis County.

Museums

 * Lewis County Historical Museum
 * Churches available at the historical museum
 * 1883-1983 First Baptist Church
 * 1910-1986 History of St. Mary's Church - Centralia
 * 1910 - 2011 History of St. Mary's Church-Centralia
 * 1940 History of Westminster Presbyterian
 * Pe Ell Methodist
 * Sy. Mary's Parish celebrating 10 years
 * Local Church Ministries
 * Sacred Heart church- Morton
 * Lewis County Catholic church History
 * Historical Directory-St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, St. Mary's
 * Methodist Westminster Presbyterian Church
 * Early Churches of Washington
 * Adna Evangelical Church

Societies
Lewis County Genealogical Society PO Box 782 Chehalis, WA 98532

Websites

 * WAGenWeb for Lewis County
 * USGW Archives
 * Washington State Archives
 * – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.