Douglas County, Washington Genealogy
Guide to Douglas County Washington ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1883, when the county was formed.
County QuickStart: |
Douglas County, Washington | |
Map | |
![]() Location in the state of Washington (disambiguation) | |
![]() Location of Washington in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded | November 28, 1883 |
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County Seat | Waterville |
Courthouse | |
Address | Douglas County Courthouse 213 South Rainier Waterville, WA 98858 Phone: 509.745.8529 Douglas County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Overview
- 2 Topics for Douglas County, Washington Genealogy
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biography
- 2.3 Business and Commerce
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Gazetteers
- 2.13 Genealogy
- 2.14 Guardianship
- 2.15 History
- 2.16 Land and Property
- 2.17 Maps
- 2.18 Migration
- 2.19 Military
- 2.20 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.21 Newspapers
- 2.22 Obituaries
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 Public Records
- 2.26 School Records
- 2.27 Taxation
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 2.29 Voting Registers
- 2.30 Websites
- 3 Archives, Libraries, etc.
- 4 Populated Places
- 5 References
County Overview[edit | edit source]
Before the newly-formed county was fully operational, search records of the parent county(s). |
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for American statesman Stephen A. Douglas. The County is located in the northcentral area of the state.[1]
Parent County(s)[edit | edit source]
Douglas County, Washington was created 28 November 1883 from Lincoln County.[2].[3]
County Seat: Waterville [4]. See also Towns and Communities in Douglas County, Washington Genealogy. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
Lincoln County was created from Spokane County four days prior to the creation of Douglas County. Prior records would be held at Spokane County for 1879 to 1883, and Stevens County for 1860 to 1879. Stevens County holds the Spokane County commissioner and earliest land records.
See Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[5]
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.
Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]
Douglas County, Washington Genealogy is surrounded by: Chelan | Grant | Kittitas | Okanogan
Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Douglas County Courthouse
213 South Rainier
Waterville, WA 98858
Phone: 509.745.8529
County Auditor has marriage records from 1907
burial records to 1909, land records to 1925,
marriage, death, divorce, probate and court records. [6]
See also Archives, libraries, etc. in Douglas County, Washington Genealogy.
Dates of Major County Records[edit | edit source]
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1891 | 1887 | 1891 | 1888 | 1884 | 1887 | 1850 |
General compliance by 1917. |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Topics for Douglas County, Washington Genealogy[edit | edit source]
The topics or headings on this page describe records that are used for genealogy and family history. They include links to web sites with indexes, images, or information about the county.
Don't overlook Douglas County, Washington Genealogy items in the FamilySearch Library Catalog. For other libraries (local and national) or to gain access to items of interest, see Archives and Libraries. |
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Biographical information is often found in state and local histories or genealogies. See also Washington Biography.
Business and Commerce[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Tombstone Transcriptions Online | Tombstone Transcriptions in Print | List of Cemeteries in the county |
FindAGrave | Family History Library | FindAGrave |
Tombstone Project | WorldCat | Interment.net |
Billion Graves (name) | Washington Periodicals | WA State Digital Archives |
WAGenWeb Archives | Linkpendium | |
Billion Graves | Genealogy Trails | |
FamilySearch Places | ||
See Washington Cemeteries for more information. |
Cemetery records often reveal birth, death, relationship, military, and religious information. Tombstones, sextons (caretakers) records, and burial records each have slightly different information. See Washington Cemeteries.
Check every person buried in the plot, as they may be close relatives. |
Census[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
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Census | Pop. | %± |
1890 | 3,161 | — |
1900 | 4,926 | 55.8% |
1910 | 9,227 | 87.3% |
1920 | 9,392 | 1.8% |
1930 | 7,561 | −19.5% |
1940 | 8,651 | 14.4% |
1950 | 10,817 | 25.0% |
1960 | 14,890 | 37.7% |
1970 | 16,787 | 12.7% |
1980 | 22,144 | 31.9% |
1990 | 26,205 | 18.3% |
2000 | 32,603 | 24.4% |
2010 | 38,431 | 17.9% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
Names, ages, birthplaces | 1850–1940 |
Birthplaces of parents | 1880–1940 |
Relationships | 1880–1940 |
Family and Neighbors | All years |
Immigration year | 1900–1930 |
Citizenship | 1910–1940 |
Censuses 1) Give names, ages, and more about the family; 2) Pinpoint the area to find other records; and 3) Provide clues for further research.
Click for more census tips |
- Washington online census links to FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest and others.
- Statewide printed indexes of federal censuses
- Census indexes at Washington State Digital Archives: (Free)
Censuses indexed by societies or groups in the area may be more accurate, due to familiarity with local surnames. |
Church Records[edit | edit source]
The information church records provide depends upon the church practices and the record keepers. Records may include names, ages, and dates of events such as baptism, marriage, or burial. See Washington Church Records.
- Church records (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) for Douglas County, Washington Genealogy are listed in the FamilySearch catalog. (Press space bar to select town.)
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Your ancestors may be found in court records as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. Court records can clarify family relationships, places of residence, occupations, and family history. See Washington Court Records for courts used through the years.
For specialized court records, see Divorce · Guardianship · Land · Naturalization · Probate
- Douglas Frontier JusticePart of "Frontier Justice": Guide to the Court Records of Washington Territory, 1853-1888 at Washington State Digital Archives. (Free Index, no images)
- The court procedures of Frontier Justice touch nearly all pioneers of the 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[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
American Indian[edit | edit source]
- 1911 - 1919 - Washington, Applications for Enrollment and Adoption of Washington Indians, 1911-1919 at FamilySearch — images
Japanese[edit | edit source]
- 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.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Genealogy[edit | edit source]

Many local libraries and societies have collections of family genealogies. County histories or biographies often include brief genealogies of the featured persons.
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Guardianship of orphans or adults unable to manage their own affairs were handled by the probate and the District courts. See Washington Court Records.
History[edit | edit source]
Local histories for Douglas County, Washington Genealogy may include biographies, history of churches, schools, local government with names of officials, military information, and more. See Washington Local Histories.
- Douglas County, Washington Facts at StateofUS (mis-labeled as Douglas County, Alabama)
- Illustrated history of the Big Bend country by Western Historical Publishing Company [(Spokane, Wash.) Western Historical Pub. Co., 1904] at Washington History
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[8]
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. Douglas County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 7961.
- The Colville tribe, a Salishan people, inhabited much of the area that would become Douglas County.
- 1860s - Chinese immigrants placer-mined for gold along the banks of the Columbia River.
- 1875 - Indians from the Methow River attacked these Chinese miners, killing an unknown number of miners and driving many others away from their mining operations.
- 1877 - Phillip McEntee, a member of a surveying party that was determining the boundary line between the United States and British Columbia, traveled through the future Douglas County.
- 1881 - McEntee returned to the area and settled near present-day Coulee City (now part of Grant County) and began a cattle ranching operation. He was one of the first permanent non-Indian residents of the region.
- 1883 - November 28, Douglas County was carved out of Lincoln County.
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
Yes or Maybe ⇒ | Y | M |
Seller (Grantor) | ![]() |
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Seller's Spouse | ![]() |
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Buyer (Grantee) | ![]() |
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Heirs | ![]() | |
Witnesses | ![]() |
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Land Description and Dates | ![]() |
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Land records (especially deeds) may give the name of a spouse, heirs, and witnesses, who may be relatives or in-laws.
County deeds, mortgages, and leases show transfers from person to person. See also Court Records for actions involving real estate. See Washington Land for government-to-person records.
- 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. This office has county plat records dating back to 1878, prior records having been destroyed in a fire.
Maps[edit | edit source]
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
- Family Maps of Douglas County, Washington (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
for more resources
Migration[edit | edit source]
Most residents came to Washington from other states or crossed the border from Canada. (See Seattle Passenger Lists for those who came from other countries.) Although few other migration records exist, try:
- • Censuses (use birthdates and places of children as clues)
- • Land (1st deed may reveal previous residence)
- • Death-related records of children may give town or county of birth
- • Records of relatives and neighbors
Military[edit | edit source]
- Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925 at FamilySearch — index
- World War II enlistments. Select search codes for state and county. These are partial lists. The NARA website cautions: "This series does not contain records of all World War II Army enlistees."
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Declarations of Intent before 1906 often include the nation of origin, his* foreign and "Americanized" names, residence, and date of arrival. See Washington Naturalization and Citizenship for more information. *Women were not naturalized until 1922 in the United States.
- Naturalization and Citizenship, 1891-1945, Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Citizenship petitions granted 1930-1945; Records 1891-1906; Declarations of Intention certificates 1888-1895; Declarations of intent 1891-1945; Certificate stubs A-Z 1892-1945; Correspondence 1889-1945; Proceedings memorandum 1906-1916; Notices of admission to citizenship 1907-1915; Petition and record 1906-1945.
- Naturalization Records, 1891-1973 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Small town newspapers provide historical content and contain obituaries, birth or death notices, legal notices, and community news, such as visits to or from out-of-town relatives. See Washington Newspapers for tips, resources, and details.
- Douglas County, Washington Genealogy Newspapers (Sortable by towns, years, and titles)
Finding More Washington Newspapers
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Douglas County, Washington Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog. To select a county in Washington, add a comma, slide way down to the county list, then click Search. (Almost every state seems to have a Washington County)
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Obituaries may mention birth, marriage, spouse, parents, living family members, education, occupation, and more. See Washington Obituaries for state level collections and United States Obituaries for tips and insights.
See also: Newspapers • Libraries • Societies • Funeral Homes • Obituaries of neighboring counties or of the person's previous residence • Family records.
Also check:
- Newspapers of Douglas County, Washington Genealogy
- Local Funeral Homes, Libraries, or family records.
- Obituaries of neighboring counties
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records identify heirs of the decedents, give the (approximate) death dates, and provide specifics about property holdings. The records were kept by the county judge.
These include wills, inheritance records, dockets, and other documents regarding property and estates of individuals who have died. See also Court Records for civil actions involving estates. Also see Washington Probate Records.
Public Records[edit | edit source]
Public records are documents created by civil authorities that either don't fit comfortably in another topic, or that could fit in several topics.
- Douglas Postmaster Index. Part of Washington, Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965, FamilySearch Historical Collections for Washington. (Free, browse images)
School Records[edit | edit source]
- School census records, 1893-1925 Part of: 'Washington County Records, 1856-2009at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
Taxation[edit | edit source]
Washington tax records complement land records and can supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Washington Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
The county auditors in Washington kept records of birth, marriage, and death. The county clerk has the divorce records - the earliest dates to the present.
Visit the Washington State Department of Health website to order a Washington Birth, Death, Marriage or Divorce Certificate. See Washington Vital Records for details and history of the records. .
Birth[edit | edit source]
Y | M | |
Name of Child | ![]() |
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Birth Date and Place | ![]() |
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Parent's Names | ![]() |
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Mother's Maiden Name | ![]() |
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Parent's Ages | ![]() | |
Parents' State or Country of Birth | ![]() |
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Name of Doctor or Midwife | ![]() |
In 1891, coroners, physicians, and midwives were to "return" births and deaths to the county auditor. Many went unrecorded. In 1907, the State Center for Health Statistics assumed this responsibility.[9]
See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Birth Records.
- Birth Returns, 1891-1907, 1911 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
- Birth returns 1891-1943 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- Includes Delayed births 1941-1943
- Washington, County Birth Registers, 1873-1965 — index and images
For earlier or unrecorded births, search:
- Delayed Birth Certificates often include statements of witnesses to the birth.
- Death Records to learn birth date, place, parents
- Census to learn age, family members, location, etc.
- School Censuses give date of birth and name of parent or guardian
- Cemeteries for birth date or age, maybe birth place
- Obituaries for any of the above and more
- See also Neighboring and Parent counties and How to Find Washington Birth Records.
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Y | M | |
Date of Marriage or License | ![]() |
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Names of Bride and Groom | ![]() |
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Ages | ![]() |
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Birth Places | ![]() |
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Residences | ![]() |
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Names of Parents | ![]() | |
Husband's Occupation | ![]() | |
Witnesses | ![]() |
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Minister or Officiator | ![]() |
Marriage records include certificates, marriage returns, license applications or affidavits. Counties kept the records until 1968, when the state took over.
Search all documents that exist for a marriage, since information on them will vary. |
See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Marriage Records.
- 1801-1962 - Washington, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1855–2008 - Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1877-1900 - Marriages from 10 Dec 1877 to 22 Nov 1900 are available on the Western States Marriage Index website.
- 1884-1975 - Marriage Records, 1884-1975 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
- 1884-1975 - Marriage Records, 1884-1975 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- 1969-2014 - Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Marriage certificates 1892-1975; certificates and returns 1900-1946; license applications 1939-1970; licenses 1884-1899; returns and license applications 1939-1970.
Witnesses or affiants may be relatives or close family friends. The affidavits also include physician's certificates. |
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records give the names of the parties and may give the date and place of their marriage. See Washington Vital Records for excellent information.
Online Records
- 1969 - 2014 - Washington Divorce Index, 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index
Death[edit | edit source]
Y | M | |
Name of Deceased | ![]() |
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Death Date and Place | ![]() |
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Age or Birth Date and Place | ![]() |
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Parent's Names | ![]() |
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Mother's Maiden Name | ![]() |
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Name of Spouse | ![]() | |
Residence | ![]() |
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Occupation | ![]() |
In 1891, coroners, physicians and midwives were to report (or return) all births and deaths under their supervision to County Auditors. On July 1, 1907, the State took over....[10]
See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Death Records.
- Washington, County Death Registers, 1881-1922 at FamilySearch - How to use this collection, index
- Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Death Returns 1891 - 1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
- Death Records, 1891-1907 Part of: Washington County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
Voting Registers[edit | edit source]
Websites[edit | edit source]
Check back often with these websites. Internet offerings are growing at record rates. Local societies and libraries may know of other websites. |
Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society | Free | Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions |
Douglas County WAGenWeb Project | Free | Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions |
USGenWeb Archives Project | Free | Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions |
Washington State Digital Archives | Free | Includes indexes, some linked to images.
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FamilySearch Historical Collections | Free | Search indexes or browse images at FamilySearch.org.
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Websites at RootsWeb - Douglas WA | Free | Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions |
Linkpendium | Free | Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($) |
CyndisList | Free | Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($) |
Genealogyinc.com | Free | Douglas County, Washington Facts |
Facebook.com | Free | Washington Genealogy Network Group on Facebook |
Books, microfilm, or manuscripts of genealogical records | |
FamilySearch catalog | Select topics. To select towns, add a comma to the search box. |
WorldCat | To find nearby libraries that have specific items, see WorldCat Online Catalog. |
Allen County Public Library (Indiana) | |
Archives, Libraries, etc.[edit | edit source]
See also a List of Washington Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical & Genealogical Societies
Resources for Douglas County, Washington Genealogy 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 FamilySearch Library (Utah) or Allen County Public Library (Indiana) for Douglas County, Washington Genealogy. When you find items you'd like to access, see Get a Copy
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Local public libraries—even smaller ones—often have Unique Genealogical Collections that are not online for the area they serve. Many libraries in Washington have an area dedicated to local history and genealogy.
A library's Unique Collections may include card indexes of local records, newspapers, scrapbooks, genealogy papers, files of a genealogical or historical society, and other unpublished manuscripts. |
Online Resources:
The public libraries in Douglas 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.
- Bridgeport Community Library
1206 Columbia Street
Bridgeport, WA 98813
Phone: 509-686-7281 - East Wenatchee Community Library
271 9th St NE
East Wenatchee, WA 98802
Phone: 509-886-7404 - Waterville Community Library
107 W. Locust Street
Waterville, WA 98858
Phone: 509-745-8354
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Douglas County Washington Historical Ssociety
113 East Locust Street
Waterville, Washington, 98858
509-745-8800
Website
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
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:[11]
Cities | ||
Towns | ||
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Unincorporated communities | ||
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Ghost towns | ||
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‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Douglas County, Washington," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Washington. accessed 15/07/2019
- ↑ The Evolution of Washington Counties by Newton Carl Abbott, Fred E. Carver, 1979. Published by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society and Klickitat County Genealogical Society.
- ↑ The Evolution of Washington Counties by Newton Carl Abbott, Fred E. Carver, 1979. Published by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society and Klickitat County Genealogical Society.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ John H. Long, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) online.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Clark County, Washington page 732, At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Douglas County, Washington . Page 732-735 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 733-734.
- ↑ John H. Long, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) online.
- ↑ Washington State Archives - Digital Archives, Birth Records, About this Collection
- ↑ About Death Records at Washington State Digital Archives.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Douglas County, Washington," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Washington, accessed 13 March 2019.