Benton County, Washington Genealogy

Guide to Benton County Washington ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1905, when the county was formed.

Washington Online Genealogy Records

Description
The County was named for a U.S. Senator from Missouri (1821–51) and later U.S. Representative (1853–55) Thomas Hart Benton. The County is located in the southcentral area of the state.

It is important to note where the population of Benton county resides.

Northern Benton county is a Federal Department of Energy Reservation (with the Hanford Nuclear Plants). No one has lived there since 1943. Before then it had a handful of rural communities.

Western Benton county is dominated by Prosser, with very close ties to other Yakima Valley communities. The Yakima River cuts a Valley through the regions rolling hills, and much of the population of Yakima County lives along the river in this valley, which creates a continuous connected group of towns and communities from Pomona in the north, through Yakima City, and into Benton County to Prosser, and Benton City. Many of the residence of western Benton County go to Prosser or into Yakima County for goods and services, as well as to go to the hospital, have children, get married, and for funeral services and burial.

Eastern Benton County is dominated by the Tri-City Metropolitan Area, the fourth largest metro area in Washington State. The three cities that the metro area is named for are Kennewick and Richland in Benton County and Pasco in Franklin County. It also includes the towns of West Richland and Finley (Benton County) and Burbank (Walla Walla County). The area has been a gathering place from prehistoric times because of the intersection of three major rivers. The Snake and the Yakima Rivers empty into the Columbia River in this location, hence it is also called the Three Rivers Region. The county boundaries follow the rivers, Benton county south and west of the Columbia, and Franklin and Walla Walla north and east of the Columbia, with the Snake River between them. From the first settlers in this area, there have been ferries and then bridges that connected these communities. Any resident in or near the confluence of the rivers may have records in Benton, Franklin or Walla Walla county.

The southern boundary of Benton is also the Columbia River, with Umatilla County, Oregon on the other side. The small cluster of communities along the Columbia in the south rely on services in Hermiston, Oregon.

Parent County(s)
Benton County, Washington was created 8 March 1905 from Klickitat and Yakima counties

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

Boundary Changes

 * Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library

For animated maps illustrating Washington County boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Washington County Boundary Maps" (1843-1915) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Courthouse
Benton County Courthouse 600 Market Street Prosser, WA 99350-0190 Phone: 509.786.5624 County Auditor has birth records 1905-1907 and marriage records from 1905. County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records. County Assessor has land records.


 * Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 3. Benton County (Prosser) (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)

See also Archives, libraries, etc. in.

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

As part of the Manhattan Project (see details below) all of northern Benton County was evacuated in 1943. There are *no* town or local records for the towns of Hanford, White Bluffs, or [Old] Richland (1905-1943). There are also no records for the 2 dozen small rural communities scattered throughout northern Benton county. There are federal census, and some school census for these areas, and a very few number of phone directories. There are several books of the personal memories of those evacuated, available in FHLC (see local histories below). Many of the graves in the White Bluff Cemetery were moved to Prosser Cemetery (a few moved to Richland or Kennewick). The graves were moved on very short notice by the family members then present. All remaining graves have no record whatever, and are completely unreachable.

[New] Richland was incorporated in 1958. They have *no* records prior to that date. Personal discussion with the city clerk assures me that even though they have the same name, there is absolutely no tie--legal, financial, records or jurisdiction, with the town of the same name in the earlier time period.

Neighboring Counties
isurrounded by:Franklin | Grant | Klickitat | Walla Walla | Yakima | Oregon counties: Morrow | Umatilla

Census

 * Washington State Digital Archives Census indexes: (Free); and Ancestry ($)
 * Federal 1910
 * These were indexed by local societies and individuals.


 * School census record 1910-1926 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images) An index is available from the Tri-City Genealogical Society
 * See what genealogical information may been in these records.

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * Church records (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) for are listed in the.
 * 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
Local Histories


 * Benton County place names includes dozens of obscure historical communities with origins, dates, and how they disappeared.
 * Benton County, Washington - a glimpse of the past
 * History of the Yakima Valley, Washington : comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton counties
 * Kennewick, Washington
 * Kin-i-wak, Kenewick, Tehe, Kennewick
 * Great memories : early Hanford and the Tri-Cities
 * "The long road to self-government" : the history of Richland Washington, 1943-1968 : compiled from clippings, data, booklets, etc. in honor of the 25th anniversary of Richland
 * Tales of Richland, White Bluffs, and Hanford, 1805-1943, before the atomic reserve
 * Goodbye, White Bluffs
 * Tri Cities : the Mid Columbia hub, an illustrated history
 * Colors of change in Plymouth
 * Finley-Hover history & River View High School
 * Benton County, Washington Facts at Genealogyinc.com (mis-labeled as Benton County, Alabama)

History Resources


 * "TCGS Digital Collections" online at Tri-Cities Genealogical Society

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 Elizabeth Gibson. Benton County -- Thumbnail History, HistoryLink.org, Essay 5671.


 * 1803 - The first inhabitants were the, Umatillas, Klickitats, and Wallulas.
 * 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes.
 * 1858 - A gold rush to British Columbia brought the first influx of white people, as rushers traveled through on their way north.
 * 1880s - Steamboats and railroads connected what would become known as Kennewick to the other settlements along the Columbia River.
 * 1880s and earlier - Benton County has very little rainfall, and some farmers had been successful at dryland farming.
 * 1890s - Irrigation came to the county and brought many changes.
 * 1905 - March 6, Washington State Legislature creates Benton County (out of Klickitat).
 * 1942 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Manhattan District, surveyed the northern part of the county for a secret government project.
 * 1943 - The government ordered everyone living in the town sites of Hanford, White Bluffs, and [Old] Richland, as well as all the rural communities in northern Benton County, to evacuate. Shortly thereafter, a huge government construction project began, known only as the . Thousands of people moved to the Eastern Washington desert. No one knew what they were building, just that it would help the war effort. Only when they heard the news of the devastation caused by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6, 1945, did the workers know what they had built. "Our bomb clinched it!" read the Richland Villager.

Land and Property

 * County Recorder's Office: check deeds, file mining claims, get assistance in finding ownership of a particular property, and obtain copies of county plat maps, 1878-present (prior records having been destroyed in a fire).
 * Online Document Searching Deeds, mortgages, etc. from 1985

Maps

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

Military

 * at FamilySearch — index
 * World War II enlistments of Benton County, Washington residents. This is a partial list. The NARA website cautions: "This series does not contain records of all World War II Army enlistees."

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * Naturalization Records, 1905-1954 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free index, no images)
 * Includes Declarations of Intention, Petitions for Naturalization and Certificate Stubs.


 * Naturalization and Citizenship 1901-1954 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * Includes Declarations of intention 1901-1954; Petitions 1907-1954; Naturalization Records 1907-1929.

Newspapers

 * Benton 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

Probate Records

 * Probate case files 1895-1930 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Public Records

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


 * Petition Records 1912-1984 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * Petitions for roads, courthouse removal, other civil matters.


 * Mother's pension records 1913-1937 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.
 * These were single mothers trying to qualify for welfare support.

School Records

 * School census record 1910-1926 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records. These give exact birth dates of the children.

Birth

 * Washington State Digital Archives has a database of Benton County Birth Register.
 * For FHL entries, 1905-1907, click.


 * Birth Returns, 1905-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
 * — index and images
 * Birth Returns, Register, Index, 1905-1907 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Marriage

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


 * 1905-1920 - Washington State Digital Archives has a database of Benton County Marriages from 1905 to 1920. This database is an index to marriage certificates filed with the Auditor in Benton County, Washington. For FHL entries, click.


 * 1905-1980 Marriage Records, 1905-1980 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)


 * 1901-1954 Marriage Records 1901-1954 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)


 * 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index


 * See what genealogical information may bee in these records.
 * Includes Marriage license applications 1939-1980, certificates 1905-2008, license index 1906-1926; Marriage affidavits 1905-1922.

Divorce
Online Records


 * 1969 - 2014 at FamilySearch — index

Death

 * 1881-1922 at FamilySearch - How to use this collection, index
 * 1881-1979 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1895-1907 Death Returns 1895-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
 * 1907-1960 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
 * 1907-1960 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at MyHeritage — index, ($)
 * See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Voting Registers

 * 1876-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

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

 * Basin City Washington Family History Center
 * Columbia Basin Washington Family History Center
 * Dayton Washington Family History Center
 * Kennewick Washington Family History Center
 * Othello Washington Family History Center
 * Pasco Washington Family History Center
 * Prosser Washington Family History Center
 * Richland Washington Family History Center
 * Sunnyside Washington Family History Center
 * Wahluke Washington Family History Center
 * Walla Walla Washington Family History Center
 * West Richland Washington Family History Center

Libraries

 * Mid-Columbia Public Libraries -
 * Branches and Locations
 * Genealogy Research Tools
 * Special or unique Collections: collections of genealogical value are available from 1800s to the present. (Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest and others)

Museums

 * East Benton County Historical Museum is located at 205 Keewaydin Drive, Kennewick, WA 99336-0602 (509) 582-7704 / ebchs @ frontier.com
 * The REACH is the new museum that has replaced CREHST. The museum is located in Columbia Park West. The photo collections are no longer available.
 * CLOSED** The Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, and Technology (CREHST) is a museum and science center created to tell the dynamic story of the Columbia Basin and surrounding region." It features an excellent exhibit and materials available on the Hanford project and the huge influx of people to support it in the 1940's. Two collections of interest specifically to genealogists are their photos collections (indexes for Marlin's Columbia Photography, North Light Studio and Wendland Studio) and their collection of General Electric Company newsletters.

Societies
East Benton County Historical Society & Museum 205 WEST KEEWAYDIN DRIVE KENNEWICK, WA, 99336 (509) 582-7704 Website Facebook

Tri-City Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1410 1314 Jadwin Ave Richland, WA 99352-1410 Website Facebook


 * East Benton County Historical Society primarily runs a museum of local history and a research library. The museum features local history, from the ancient petrified forests to the Native Americans to the pioneers and settlers. Of special note is an extensive photograph collection depicting life in Kennewick, Richland, Finley, Hover, Hanford, White Bluffs and surrounding areas. "The museum library houses an extensive collection of materials including obituaries, local history files, family history information, high school annuals and books of local and regional interest. There are also 121 books from Dr. Glen Axford's Audubon Collection."
 * The Tri-City Genealogical Society has an extensive collection of local and regional resources as well as references for other areas. Check their resources page for an updated list of their holdings. They also provide genealogical help at the Mid-Columbia Library, have online resources, and conduct local research for a small fee.

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: