Washington County Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1891 to 1907.

This collection includes an index and images of deaths recorded at the county level before the state records were kept. The counties included in this collection are:


 * Clark
 * Grays Harbor, including the city of Aberdeen
 * Lewis
 * Mason
 * Wahkiakum

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
The following important biographical facts may be found in the death records:


 * Name and age of deceased
 * Date and place of death
 * Gender, race and occupation of deceased
 * Residence of deceased at time of death
 * Length of residence in current locale
 * Sometimes, marital status is stated
 * Sometimes, name of spouse is given
 * Cause of death; name of attending physician
 * Birth place of deceased; sometimes, date of birth
 * Father's name and birthplace
 * Mother's maiden name and birthplace
 * Sometimes, name of informant
 * Burial information

How to Use the Record
To begin your search, it will be helpful to know the following:


 * The approximate death date
 * The death place
 * The name of the deceased

Find the image
Input the information you have into the appropriate boxes on the search screen. This seach usually returns more than one result. Compare the information in the results to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

Use the locator information found in the index (such as page, entry, or certificate number) to locate your ancestors in the records. Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination. For a browse collection: To search the collection image by image, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate  "Digital Folder Number" which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.

For example:


 * Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find or verify their birth records and parents' names.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth or residence to find the family in census records.
 * Use the residence and names of the parents (if the deceased is a child) to locate church and land records.
 * Use the birth place to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Occupations listed can lead you to other types of records, such as employment records or military records.
 * The name of the officiator may be a clue to their religion or area of residence in the county.
 * The name of the undertaker or mortuary could lead you to funeral and cemetery records, which often include the names and residences of other family members.
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have died in the same county or nearby.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * The information is usually reliable, but depends upon the reliability of the informant.
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800s.

If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, try the following:


 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames.
 * Check for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties

Related Websites
Washington State Digital Archives

Related Wiki Articles
Washington Vital Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Washington State County Deaths, 1891-1907." database and digital image FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org, accessed 19 April 2012). entry for Emeline Wilson, death 25 February 1896, age 46, image 00451; Washington State Archives, Southwest Region, Olympia, Washington. FHL digital images, 9 digital folders. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.