Washington, County Death Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consist of county death registers from the state of Washington for the years 1881-1922. Some volumes include an index. The registers were created by the county auditor in each county. The death records list the name of deceased, date of death, age, sex, race, marital status, place of death, cause of death, birthplace, residence, occupation, name of father and mother and their birthplace, and name of the person giving the death information. Microfilm of original records is located at the Washington State Archives in Olympia, Washington.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * The location or date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If possible, use what you know to find an image of the original record. The index contains only basic identifying information for a person; the original record therefore may contain more information not found in the index.
 * Continue to search the index for family members.

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variants of given names and surnames. It was not uncommon for an individual to be listed under a nickname, middle name, or abbreviation of their given name (Do not include the nickname instructions to foreign collections as the list is US-oriented)
 * Search the records of nearby locations

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Washington.
 * Washington Guided Research
 * Washington Record Finder
 * Washington Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1907
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1907-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

Related FamilySearch Library

 * Washington Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death certificates, 1907-1960 ; Index to death certificates, 1907-1979
 * Washington. Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death records, 1907-1979 Index

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Washington Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration. Guide to public vital statistics records in Washington.

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.