Garfield County, Washington Genealogy

United States Washington  Garfield County    Guide to  genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1861, when the county was formed.

County Formation
Garfield County, Washington was created 29 November 1881.

County Seat: Pomeroy For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.

Neighboring Counties
is surrounded by: Asotin | Columbia | Whitman | Wallowa County, Oregon

Boundary Changes

 * Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library

Dates of Major County Records
Note: The dates you see below have not yet been adapted to.

Topics
The types of records that follow are used for genealogy and family history. Most tell what you may learn and how to locate the records. Links to Internet sites usually go directly to entries with names, images, or information.

Census

 * See Washington Census for online indexes and images of US federal censuses. of: 1856, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940.
 * See statewide printed indexes, including 1856.
 * Check county indexes when online indexes fail. Created by people who knew the families of the area, they are often more accurate and they may have added insights. See periodicals and local libraries or other record holders.


 * 1890 Veterans
 * 1900
 * 1910
 * 1920
 * 1930
 * 1940

Church Records

 * Church records (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) for are listed in the . (Press space bar to select town.)

Court Records
Many of your ancestors may be found in court records as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence, occupations, and other family history information. See Washington Court Records for the various courts through the years.

For specialized court records, see Divorce · Guardianship · Land · Naturalization · Probate

Japanese
World War II Files, 1942-1946

Public Welfare/Social Security Department, (Japanese Internment) Assistance Cases, Evacuee Referrals for Resettlement and Assistance, 1945-1946 from the Washington State Archives – Digital Archives

Guardianship
Guardianship of orphans or adults unable to manage their own affairs were handled by the probate and the Federal District courts. See Washington Court Records.

History Timeline
Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Wilma, David. Garfield County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 7728.


 * Native Americans followed the Nez Perce Trail through Garfield County for many years.
 * 1806 - Lewis and Clark's first arrival in what is now Garfield County.
 * 1834 - Captain B. L. E. Bonneville passed through Garfield County, surveying the region on behalf of the United States government.
 * 1860 - One of the earliest permanent white settlers in what would become Garfield County.
 * 1870s - Settlers coming into the area began to establish farms and raise grain.
 * 1881-November 29 - Garfield County was formed from the eastern portion of Columbia County.

Naturalization and Citizenship
Declarations of Intent before 1906 often include the nation of origin, his* foreign and "Americanized" names, residence, and date of arrival. See Washington Naturalization and Citizenship for more information. (*Women were not naturalized until 1922 in the United States.)

Marriage

 * Marriages from 16 Feb 1882 to 12 May 1889 are available on the Western States Marriage Index website.

Divorce
Divorce records give the names of the parties and may give the date and place of their marriage. See Washington Vital Records for excellent information.

Death

 * Washington Death Certificates 1907-1960 A free internet index to the 1907-1960 death certificates can be found at FamilySearch Record Search, no images are available. A transcribed death certificate may contain such information as name of the deceased, date and place of death, age, gender, birth date and birth place, mother’s maiden name and name of spouse, place of residence, occupation and certificate numbers.

Websites

 * Garfield County, Washington Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Garfield County, Washington Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)

Archives, Libraries, etc.
Resources for are available in libraries, archives, and other repositories at all levels: the town, the county, the state (including universities), and the nation.


 * Check websites and catalogs, such as items in (Utah) or Allen County Public Library (Indiana) for.

Courthouse
Garfield County Courthouse PO Box 915; Pomeroy, Washington 99347 Phone: 509.843.3731 County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907 marriage and land records from 1891 and burial records 1891-1918. County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records from 1882.

FamilySearch Centers

 * Introduction to LDS Family History Centers

Libraries
Local Libraries:

Towns and Communities
See a list of towns and communities in Garfield County per Wikipedia.