Grant County, Washington Genealogy

Guide to Grant County Washington ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1909, when the county was formed.

Washington Online Genealogy Records

Description
The County was named for U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. The County is located in the central area of the state.

Parent County(s)
Grant County, Washington was created 24 February 1909 from Douglas County.

County Seat:: Ephrata See also Towns and Communities in. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.

Boundary Changes
Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library

Neighboring Counties
is surrounded by: Adams | Benton | Douglas | Franklin | Kittitas | Lincoln | Okanogan | Yakima

Courthouse
Grant County Courthouse 35 C Street NW PO Box 37 Ephrata, WA 98823-0037 Phone 509.754.2011 County Auditor has marriage and land records from 1909. County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records.

See also Archives, libraries, etc. in.

Record Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Cemeteries

 * "Old Pioneer Cemetery" online at Washington Digital Archives
 * "Ephrata Cemetery" online at Washington Digital Archives

Census

 * Census indexes at Washington State Digital Archives: (Free); and Ancestry ($)
 * Federal or territorial census indexes by local societies and individuals: 1910 (Free)

Church Records

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

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

List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * Grand Coulee
 * FamilySearch Places

American Indian

 * 1911 - 1919 at FamilySearch — images

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

Gazetteers

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

History

 * "Grant County, Washington Facts" online (mis-labeled as Grant County, Alabama)

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 Eric L. Flom. Grant County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 8010.


 * Indian cultures such as the Interior Salish, Wenatchi, and Okanogan were the earliest inhabitants of the region.
 * Mid 1800s - The first white settlers devoted themselves primarily to raising livestock.
 * 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes.
 * 1909 February 24 - The Washington state Legislature formally created Grant County.
 * 1942 - was completed in 1942.
 * 1950 - Construction on the bringing the water of the Columbia River to irrigate Grant County's dry land.

Maps

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

Military

 * 1921-1925 at FamilySearch — index

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * Naturalization Records, 1909-1978 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)


 * Naturalization and Citizenship 1909-1979 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * Includes Declarations of intention 1909-1945; Depositions 1924-1945; Naturalization cards 1909-1979; Petition evidence 1909-1945; Petitions for naturalization 1898-1946; Orders of the court (admitting the petitioner or denying the petition) 1930-1947.

Newspapers

 * Grant County, Washington Newspapers (Sortable by towns, years, and titles)
 * 1855-2009 Washington Newspapers, 1855-2009 at MyHeritage — index & images, ($)


 * Washington Digital Newspaper at Washington State Library

Obituaries
Also check:


 * Newspapers of
 * Local Funeral Homes, Libraries, or family records.
 * Obituaries of neighboring counties

Probate Records

 * Probate Records 1907-1930 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * Includes Probate bond record 1909-1930; case files 1907-1930.

Public Records

 * Grant Postmaster Index. Part of Washington, Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965, FamilySearch Historical Collections for Washington. (Free, browse images)

School Records

 * Schools 1914-1925 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Birth

 * — index and images

Marriage

 * 1801-1962 - Washington, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
 * 1855–2008 at FamilySearch — index and images


 * 1890-2009 - Marriage1890-2004 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * Includes General index to marriage affidavits 1909-1948; General index to marriage records 1909-1992; affidavit record 1890-1954; Marriage certificates (out of county) and unclaimed certificates 1909-1959; certificates 1909-2002; license applications 1955-2004; returns 1909-1942; waivers 1925-1981; Register of marriage statistics 1909-1936.


 * 1909-2003 - Marriage Records, 1909-2003 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)


 * 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index

Divorce
Online Records
 * 1969 - 2014 at FamilySearch — index

Death

 * 1907-1960 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at MyHeritage — index, ($)
 * at FamilySearch - How to use this collection, index
 * at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.

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.

Family History Centers

 * Ellensburg Washington Family History Center
 * Ephrata Washington Family History Center
 * Moses Lake Washington Family History Center
 * Othello Washington Family History Center
 * Quincy Washington Family History Center
 * Ritzville Washington Family History Center
 * Royal Washington Family History Center
 * Wahluke Washington Family History Center
 * Warden Washington Family History Center
 * Wenatchee Washington Family History Center

Libraries
Online Resources: The public libraries in Grant County are part of North Central Regional Library. Their Research and Homework Center includes Heritage Quest. Library cards and passwords may be required for access.


 * Coulee City Community Library, 405 W Main, Coulee City 99115 Phone: (509) 632-8751


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:


 * Ephrata Community Library, 45 Alder Nw, Ephrata 98823 Phone: (509) 754-3971


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:


 * Grand Coulee Community Library, 225 Federal, Grand Coulee 99133 Phone: (509) 633-0972


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:


 * Mattawa Community Library, 61 Government Way, Mattawa 99349 Phone: (509) 932-5507


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:


 * Moses Lake Community Library, 418 E 5th Ave, Moses Lake 98837 Phone: (509) 765-3489


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:


 * Quincy Community Library, 108 B St Sw, Quincy 98848 Phone: (509) 787-2359


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:


 * Royal City Community Library, 356 Camelia, Royal City 99357 Phone: (509) 346-9281


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:


 * Soap Lake Community Library, 32 E Main, Soap Lake 98851 Phone: (509) 246-1313


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:


 * Warden Community Library, 305 S Main, Warden 98857 Phone: (509) 349-2226


 * Online Resources:


 * Unique Collections:

Societies
Grant County Historical Society 742 Basin Street NW Ephrata, WA 98823 509-754-3334 Website

Grant County Historical Museum 742 Basin St NW Ephrata, WA 98823 509 754 3334

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