Pierce County, Washington Genealogy

Guide to Pierce County Washington ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1852, when the county was formed.

Parent County(s)
Pierce County, Washington was created 22 December 1852 from Thurston.

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

Boundary Changes

 * Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library

Courthouse
Pierce County Courthouse 930 Tacoma Ave South Tacoma, WA 98402 Phone: 253.798.7455 County Auditor has marriage and land records. County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records from 1890 and adoption records.

See also Archives, libraries, etc. in.

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

Business and Commerce

 * Professional License Records at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

Cemeteries

 * Tacoma Mausoleum

Census

 * Census indexes at Washington State Digital Archives: (Free)
 * Federal: 1910
 * Territorial: 1854 • 1857 •  1871 • 1879 •  1883  •  1885  •  1887 • 1889
 * State-funded: 1892
 * These were indexed by local societies and individuals.

Church Records

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

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


 * Lincoln (Tacoma)
 * Tacoma
 * Tacoma Central

Lutheran

 * Records of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Tacoma, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).

Correctional Institutions

 * McNeil Island, Washington, U.S. Penitentiary, Photos and Records of Prisoners Received, 1875-1939 (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)

Court Records

 * Power of Attorney Records 1984 - present at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)


 * Pierce Frontier Justice. Part of "Frontier Justice’’: Guide to the Court Records of Washington Territory, 1853-1889 at Washington State Digital 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

 * Tacoma, Washington Directories, 1889-91 (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)

Emigration and Immigration

 * Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, Passenger and Crew Lists of Airplane Departures, 1947-1957 (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)

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

History

 * Commemorative celebration at Sequalitchew Lake, Pierce County, Washington, July 5th, 1906 (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)


 * "History - Local" at Pierce County Library


 * History of the Puget Sound Country, Volume 1, Volume 2 by William Farrand Prosser [New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company, 1903]


 * Three Cities Of Washington; Origin Of Their Names... by Edmond Stephen Meany [Seattle: Washington University State Historical Society, 1917?] at Washington History covers the origins of the city names Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma

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 Paula Becker. Pierce County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 8001.


 * The land that would become Pierce County was home to the present day Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin, Steilacoom, and Muckleshoot tribes.
 * 1833 April - Hudson's Bay Company employee Archibald McDonald established Fort Nisqually.
 * 1841 May 11 - The crews of the U.S. Navy ships Vincennes and Porpoise, dropped anchor near Fort Nisqually during the first American charting of Puget Sound.
 * 1849 - In response to increasing tensions between Indians and settlers, the United States Army established Fort Steilacoom.
 * 1852 December 22 - Pierce County was established.
 * 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes.
 * 1854 December 26 - Leaders of major Western Washington tribes, met with Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens and signed a treaty relinquishing their land.
 * 1855 April 30 - The United States Congress ratified the Treaty of Medicine Creek.
 * Family farming was essential to the survival of early Pierce County pioneers.
 * Commercial farming in Pierce County has over time included hops, flower bulbs, berries, dairy cattle, and Christmas trees.

Land and Property

 * Land Records, 1883-1919 at Washington, County Land Records, 1850-1954 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * Includes Deeds, 1883-1919 (vols 107-398); Patents, 1886-1901 (vol 192)


 * Land Records 1859-1935 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Deeds 1883-1931 (vols 107-524); Direct index to mortgages 1859-1895; General index grantors 1859-1935; General index grantees 1888-1889; Patents 1886-1901; Reverse index to mortgages 1859-1895.


 * Land Records 1984 - 2009 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
 * Plats and Surveys Records 1980 present at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
 * Recorded Agreements and Contracts 1984 - present at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

Military

 * 1921-1925 - at FamilySearch — index
 * Military Records at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * County Naturalization Records, 1850-1982. at Washington, County Naturalization Records, 1850-1982 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * Included in the collection: Certificate of citizenship 1889-1906; Declaration of intention 1884-1924; Index to declarations and final decrees of citizenship 1854-1906; Index 1854-1911 vol 3; Petitions 1906-1912.

Newspapers

 * Newspapers (Sortable by towns, years, and titles)

The News Tribune (Tacoma)

Puyallup Herald (formerly Pierce County Herald)

Obituaries

 * Tacoma Obituary Index at Tacoma Public Library contains more than 350,000 entries. File is complete from 1984 to the present day.


 * Web: Tacoma, Washington, Obituary Index, 1939-2010 (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)

Also check:


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

Public Records

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

School Records

 * Tacoma School Records Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * Includes: Tacoma District school registers 1895-1896; Tacoma school register 1888-1889.

Taxation

 * Assessment Rolls part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Assessment Rolls, 1881-1885; Duplicate assessment rolls, 1877, 1884-1886; Original assessment rolls, 1886; Property assessment and tax rolls, 1859-1869

Birth

 * Birth Returns, 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)


 * Pierce County Birth Records at Archives.com ($) 127 entries.

Marriage

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


 * 1876-2013 - Marriage Records, 1876-2013 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)


 * 1885-1959 - Marriage Returns, 1885-1959. Part of: Washington, Pierce County Marriage Returns, 1891-1950 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images) 


 * See what genealogical content may be in these records.
 * Includes marriage certificate information, dates, names, and witlessness.


 * 1891-1938 - at FamilySearch — index and images


 * 1969-2014 - at FamilySearch — index

Divorce
Online Records
 * 1969 - 2014 - at FamilySearch — index

Death

 * Pierce County Death Records at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)


 * Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 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

 * Tacoma Washington Family History Center 5915 S 12th St., Tacoma, WA 98466 United States Location Map


 * Puyallup Washington Family History Center512 Valley Ave., Sumner WA 98390 United States Location Map


 * Federal Way Washington Family History Center 34815 Weyerhaeuser Way S., Federal Way, WA 98003 United States Location Map


 * Puyallup Washington South Family History Center 13420 94th Avenue East, Puyallup, WA 98373 United States Location Map

Libraries

 * Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma 98402 Phone: (253) 591-5606
 * Online Resources: Tacoma Obituary Index contains more than 350,000 entries. File is complete from 1984 to the present day.
 * Unique Collections:

Other Libraries:


 * Bonney Lake Library, 18501 90th Street East, Bonney Lake 98390 Phone: (253) 863-5867
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Buckley Library, 123 South River Avenue, Buckley 98321 Phone: (253) 829-0300
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Eatonville Library, 205 Center Street, Eatonville 98328 Phone: (360) 832-6011
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Peninsula Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive Nw, Gig Harbor 98335 Phone: (253) 851-3793
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Graham Library, 9202 224th Street East, Graham 98338 Phone: (253) 847-4030
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Key Center Library, 8905 Key Peninsula Hwy N, Lakebay 98349 Phone: (253) 884-2242
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Tillicum Library, 14916 Washington Avenue Sw, Lakewood 98498 Phone: (253) 588-1014
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Lakewood Library, 6300 Wildaire Road Sw, Lakewood 98499 Phone: (253) 582-6040
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Milton Library, 1000 Laurel St., Milton 98354 Phone: (253) 922-2870
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Orting Library, 202 Washington Avenue, Orting 98360 Phone: (360) 893-2661
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Puyallup Public Library, 324 S Meridian, Puyallup 98371 Phone: (253) 841-5454
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * South Hill Library, 15420 Meridian East, Puyallup 98375 Phone: (253) 848-8686
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Roy City Library, 122 3rd St. E, Roy 98580 Phone: (253) 843-2331
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Steilacoom Library, 2950 Steilacoom Boulevard Sw, Steilacoom 98388 Phone: (253) 588-1452
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Sumner Library, 1116 Fryar Avenue, Sumner 98390 Phone: (253) 863-0441
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma 98402 Phone: (253) 591-5606
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Mottet Branch Library, 3523 East G Street, Tacoma 98404 Phone: (253) 591-5660
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Swan Creek Branch Library, 3828 Portland Avenue, Tacoma 98404 Phone: (253) 591-7805
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch Library, 1902 South Cedar, Tacoma 98405 Phone: (253) 591-5166
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Swasey Branch Library, 7001 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma 98406 Phone: (253) 591-5680
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Wheelock Branch Library, 3722 North 26th, Tacoma 98407 Phone: (253) 591-5640
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Moore Branch Library, 215 South 56th Street, Tacoma 98408 Phone: (253) 591-5650
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * South Tacoma Branch Library, 3411 South 56th Street, Tacoma 98409 Phone: (253) 591-5670
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Kobetich Branch Library, 212 Browns Point Blvd. Ne, Tacoma 98422 Phone: (253) 591-5630
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Fern Hill Branch Library, 765 South 84th, Tacoma 98444 Phone: (253) 591-5620
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Parkland-Spanaway Library, 13718 Pacific Avenue South, Tacoma 98444 Phone: (253) 531-4656
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Summit Library, 5107 112th Street East, Tacoma 98445 Phone: (253) 536-6186
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Pierce County Library System, 3005 112th Street East, Tacoma 98446 Phone: (253) 536-6500
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * University Place Library, 3605 Bridgeport Way West, University Place 98466 Phone: (253) 565-9447
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Buckley Library, 123 South River Avenue, Buckley 98321 Phone: (253) 829-0300
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Eatonville Library, 205 Center Street, Eatonville 98328 Phone: (360) 832-6011
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Peninsula Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive Nw, Gig Harbor 98335 Phone: (253) 851-3793
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Graham Library, 9202 224th Street East, Graham 98338 Phone: (253) 847-4030
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Key Center Library, 8905 Key Peninsula Hwy N, Lakebay 98349 Phone: (253) 884-2242
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Tillicum Library, 14916 Washington Avenue Sw, Lakewood 98498 Phone: (253) 588-1014
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Lakewood Library, 6300 Wildaire Road Sw, Lakewood 98499 Phone: (253) 582-6040
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Milton Library, 1000 Laurel St., Milton 98354 Phone: (253) 922-2870
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Orting Library, 202 Washington Avenue, Orting 98360 Phone: (360) 893-2661
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Puyallup Public Library, 324 S Meridian, Puyallup 98371 Phone: (253) 841-5454
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * South Hill Library, 15420 Meridian East, Puyallup 98375 Phone: (253) 848-8686
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Roy City Library, 122 3rd St. E, Roy 98580 Phone: (253) 843-2331
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Steilacoom Library, 2950 Steilacoom Boulevard Sw, Steilacoom 98388 Phone: (253) 588-1452
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Sumner Library, 1116 Fryar Avenue, Sumner 98390 Phone: (253) 863-0441
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Mottet Branch Library, 3523 East G Street, Tacoma 98404 Phone: (253) 591-5660
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Swan Creek Branch Library, 3828 Portland Avenue, Tacoma 98404 Phone: (253) 591-7805
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch Library, 1902 South Cedar, Tacoma 98405 Phone: (253) 591-5166
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Swasey Branch Library, 7001 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma 98406 Phone: (253) 591-5680
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Wheelock Branch Library, 3722 North 26th, Tacoma 98407 Phone: (253) 591-5640
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Moore Branch Library, 215 South 56th Street, Tacoma 98408 Phone: (253) 591-5650
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * South Tacoma Branch Library, 3411 South 56th Street, Tacoma 98409 Phone: (253) 591-5670
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Kobetich Branch Library, 212 Browns Point Blvd. Ne, Tacoma 98422 Phone: (253) 591-5630
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Fern Hill Branch Library, 765 South 84th, Tacoma 98444 Phone: (253) 591-5620
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Parkland-Spanaway Library, 13718 Pacific Avenue South, Tacoma 98444 Phone: (253) 531-4656
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Summit Library, 5107 112th Street East, Tacoma 98445 Phone: (253) 536-6186
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * Pierce County Library System, 3005 112th Street East, Tacoma 98446 Phone: (253) 536-6500
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:


 * University Place Library, 3605 Bridgeport Way West, University Place 98466 Phone: (253) 565-9447
 * Online Resources:
 * Unique Collections:

Museums
Tacoma Art Museum

LeMay Family Collection at Marymount Event Center

Buffalo Soldier's Museum

Children's Museum of Tacoma

Museum of Glass

Foss Waterway Seaport

LeMay America's Car Museum

Societies

 * Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society

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

Military Bases
{|
 * Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Fort Lewis, McChord Field)