Washoe County, Nevada Genealogy
Guide to Washoe County, Nevada ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named after the Washoe people who originally inhabited the area.[2] It is located in the northwest area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Washoe County Courthouse
75 Court Street
PO Box 11130
Reno, NV 89520
Phone: 775-328-3260
Washoe County Website
County Health Department has birth, death and burial records from 1900.
County Clerk has divorce, probate, court and naturalization records from 1862.
County Recorder has land records from 1862 and marriage records from 1871.[4]
Washoe County, Nevada Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1900 | 1871 | 1900 | 1862 | 1862 | 1862 | 1850 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
- Parent County: created 25 November 1861 as an original county [6]
- County Seat: Reno
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Nevada - shows boundary changes for Nevada Counties
- Nevada Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
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:[7]
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1870 | 3,091 | — |
| 1880 | 5,664 | 83.2% |
| 1890 | 6,437 | 13.6% |
| 1900 | 9,141 | 42.0% |
| 1910 | 17,434 | 90.7% |
| 1920 | 18,627 | 6.8% |
| 1930 | 27,158 | 45.8% |
| 1940 | 32,476 | 19.6% |
| 1950 | 50,205 | 54.6% |
| 1960 | 84,743 | 68.8% |
| 1970 | 121,068 | 42.9% |
| 1980 | 193,623 | 59.9% |
| 1990 | 254,667 | 31.5% |
| 2000 | 339,486 | 33.3% |
| 2010 | 421,407 | 24.1% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
The first enumeration for Nevada before it was a state in 1864, was in the 1850 Census in both New Mexico and Utah Territories, but the area had not been divided into counties. Those living there may be in the Utah 1851 Census. For 1860, Nevada was again enumerated in New Mexico and Utah Territories. [8] A partial state census exists for Nevada in 1862 and 1863 and a full state census exists for 1875. [9] See links listed below.
State and Territory Census Records[edit | edit source]
- 1850 United States Census, 1850 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; Nevada was included in both the 1850 New Mexico and Utah Territory Censuses. - How to Use this Collection
- 1860 United States Census, 1860 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; Nevada was included in both the 1860 New Mexico and Utah Territory Censuses. - How to Use this Collection
- 1860 Nevada, Compiled Census Index, 1860-1910 at Ancestry ($), index
- 1862-1863 1862-1863 Nevada Territory Tax List - Index
- 1875 Nevada State Census, 1875 at Ancestry ($), index
Federal Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Censuses were taken for the state of Nevada starting in 1870. Although, those living in south-eastern Nevada in 1870 may be enumerated in Utah or Arizona because of disputed boundaries with Nevada.[10] For links to Federal Census indexes, see Nevada Census.
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Most church records are held by individual churches. For contact information, check a phone directory, such as SearchBug or Dex Knows. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Nevada Church Records.
Church records are usually found in town records rather than on the county level. Search the FamilySearch Catalog - Place Search for the appropriate town in Washoe County.
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Reno
- Sparks
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
The 2nd Judicial District Court, State of Nevada, Washoe County, handles divorce and probate as well as other court matters.
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1868-1869 Nevada Directory 1868-1869 at Ancestry ($), index only, includes settlers of Nevada.
- 1913-1981 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry ($), Index and images, Reno City Directories, various years.
- 1941 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry ($), Index and images, Reno, Sparks and Washoe County City Directories.
- 1944 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry ($), Index and images, Gerlach City Directory.
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
The county recorder's office keeps land records once the land was transferred to private ownership. Abstracts and indexes for these records are generally available at the county courthouse.
In the FamilySearch Catalog, land records for Nevada are listed in the Place Search under: NEVADA, Washoe – LAND AND PROPERTY
The Washoe County Recorder handles land records.
The grantor/grantee index on this website allows searches of public records from 19 November 1991 to the present. Available images are "unofficial" copies only at $1.00 per page.
For official copies or questions about documents prior to 19 November 1991, call the Washoe County Recorder's office at 775-328-3660 or e-mail record@mail.co.washoe.nv.us
Online Land Records
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website.
- 1863-1908 U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry ($), index and images.
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available.
For more information see Nevada Land and Property
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
County histories may include biographies of early settlers and residents, church and school information, and local military regiments at the time of publication.
- Polk's Reno city, Washoe County and Carson City directory, 1920-1921. R.L Polk & Co. 1920. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- The Sparks Tribune : vital records for Sparks & Washoe, Nevada. 1971. Newspaper clippings June 7, 1967 to June 17, 1971. Online at:FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Church and Cemetery Records of Washoe County, Nevada. c1971. By Trinity Episcopal Church (Reno, Nevada). Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah. Online at: At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Excerpts from Memories of George E. Peckham: Printed by Nevada Historical Society Papers, 1917-1920. c1964. By Nona Parkin. N.p: n.p. At various libraries(WorldCat).
- General History and Resources of Washoe County, Nevada. c1888. By N. A. Hummel. Reno, Nevada : Evening Gazette Job Print. At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Granite Creek: A Nevada Stage Station. By Alan H. Patera. Journal Article: Western places : a chronicle of western settlement - v. 2 (1993) - v. 2, no. 1 (Mar. 1993). At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Hunter's Station, Nevada. By Alan H. Patera. Journal Article: Western places : a chronicle of western settlement - v. 3 (1994-1995) - v. 3, no. 1 (spring 1994). At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Reno, Hub of the Washoe County: An Illustrated History. c1984. By William D. Rowley. Woodland Hills, California : University of Nevada Reno. At various libraries(WorldCat).
- The Saga of the Grosch Brothers. By Louis J. Heizmann. Journal Article: Historical review of Berks County - v. 18 (1952) - v. 18, no. 4 (July/Sept. 1953).
- Sagebrush Chronicles [of] Washoe County. c1971. By David Basso. Reno, Nevada : n.p. At various libraries(WorldCat).
Online County Histories
- Bowers Mansion. c1952. By Gloria Millicent Mapes. Reno, Nevada : Reno Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists. Online at: FamilySearch Online Books; At various libraries(WorldCat).
Search FamilySearch Catalog Place Search for Washoe County, Nevada History. See if films are available at a local family history center. Public libraries may have copies of books or order through Interlibrary Loan.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
- Historical Maps of Nevada
- David Rumsey Collection for Nevada
- Perry-Castaneda Map Collection for Nevada
- Washoe County GIS Home Page
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Nevada - shows boundary changes for Nevada Counties
- Historical Maps and Atlases of Nevada - maps and atlases of Nevada
Migration[edit | edit source]
Early migration routes to and from Washoe County, Nevada Genealogy for emigrant settlers included:[11][12]
- California Trail 1844 to 1869 from western Missouri to northern California
- Truckee (River) Trail 1844 followed the Truckee River west past Reno, Nevada to Donner Pass to Emigrant Gap to Sutter's Fort (Sacramento, California). The exact route varied over the years, the most used being the Nevada City Road and Auburn Emigrant Road combination.
- Applegate Trail 1846 (avoided the Forty Mile Desert) by leaving the Humboldt River in Nevada early at present-day Rye Reservoir, Nevada and passing through the Black Rock Desert to Fandango Pass past Goose Lake on to the Lost River and eventually the Willamette Valley in Oregon
- Beckwourth Trail 1850 left the Truckee Trail near present-day Sparks, Nevada going to Oroville and Marysville, California
- Nobles Road 1851 from the Applegate Trail at Rabbithole Springs in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada to Shasta City, California
- Central Overland Trail 1859-1869 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Carson City, Nevada through central Nevada on a route south of the Humboldt River][13]
- Central Pacific Railroad since 1869 from Ogden, Utah to Sacramento, California[14]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Online Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections are unique to Nevada. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and Nevada Military Records.
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Nevada, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index- How to Use this Collection
- 1863-1866 Nevada Civil War Volunteers, 1863-1866 ($) at Ancestry — index
World War I
World War II
- Nevada Casualties of World War II
- 1940-1945 - Nevada, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
Korea War
- Nevada Military Killed in Action in Korea
- U.S. Military Fatal Casualties of the Korean War for Nevada
Vietnam War
- Nevada Military Killed in Action in Vietnam
- The Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Nevada
- Vietnam Conflict Casualty Lists - Nevada
Other Conflicts
For further information see Nevada Military Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
- 1956-1991 Nevada, Naturalization Petitions, 1956-1991 at Ancestry ($), index
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see Nevada Newspapers.
- Ancestry.com ($) has digital copies of several Reno Nevada newspapers.
- Genealogy.Bank.com ($) also has digital newspapers for Nevada.
- NewspaperArchive.com ($) has a collection of digitized Reno newspapers going back to 1870 online. This database is sometimes free at libraries.
- GenealogyBank ($), contains images of Nevada newspapers
- Newspaper Archive ($), contains images of Nevada newspapers
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Nevada newspapers; searching tips
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records may include, wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. They may include the decedent’s date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, etc. See Nevada Probate Records for additional information.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Nevada tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records. Most tax records can be obtained from the county treasurer or assessor. For more information, see the wiki page Nevada Taxation. The Family History Library does not have copies of Nevada tax records (as of June 2013).
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents.
A copy or an extract of most Nevada original records can be purchased from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. See also Nevada Vital Records. For information about restrictions and costs for certificates, see the CDC Where to Write for Vital Records site.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1871-1992 Nevada County Birth and Death Records, 1871-1992 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1975-2012 Nevada Birth Index 1975-2012 at Ancestry ($)
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956-2005- How to Use this Collection
- 1809-2011 Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 - Index, incomplete, list of counties included
- 1956-2005 Nevada Marriage Index 1956-2005 at Ancestry ($)
- The Nevada State Library and Archives has marriage licenses for Washoe County from 1862 to 1872. The original marriage certificate registers are in the county recorder's office and have not been microfilmed by the Family History Library.
- Washoe County marriage records online search: Search Marriage Records
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1871-1992 Nevada County Birth and Death Records, 1871-1992 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1968-2015 Nevada Divorce Records 1968-2015 at Ancestry ($)
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Washoe County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Nevada Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- 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]
Listed below are libraries in Washoe County. For state-wide library facilities, see Nevada Archives and Libraries.
- Washoe County Public Libraries
301 South Center Street
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: 775-327-8300 or 775-327-8341
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
- Division of Museums and History/ Nevada Historical Society
1650 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503
Phone: 775-688-1190
Website
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Washoe County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Nevada Societies.
- Division of Museums and History/ Nevada Historical Society
1650 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503
Phone: 775-688-1190
Website - Wellington Historical Society
PO Box 36
Wellington, NV 89444 - Nevada State Genealogical Society
PO Box 20666
Reno, NV 89515-0666
4751 Neil Road
Reno, NV
Website - Nevada Society of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America
1839 Deep Creek Dr
Sparks, NV 89434-1762
Phone: 775-626-2547 - Sparks Heritage Society
814 Victorian Ave.
Sparks, NV 89431 - Clark County Nevada Genealogy Society
PO Box 1929
Las Vegas, NV 89125-1929
Website - Nevada Historical Society
1650 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503
Phone: 775-688-1190
Fax: 775-688-2917
Website - Tri-State Genealogical Society
For Arizona, California, Nevada
PO Box 21902
Bullhead City, AZ 86439
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Washoe County NV GenWeb Project
- Nevada Genealogy Network
- FamilySearch Catalog - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
- Nevada Genealogy Trails section for Washoe County
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Washoe County, Nevada Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/nev/washoe/ accessed 3/28/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Washoe County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washoe_County,_Nevada 3/28/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Washoe County, Oregon page 443, At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Washoe County, Nevada. Page 442. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Washoe County, Nevada," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washoe_County%2C_Nevada accessed 15 March 2017.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 211.
- ↑ ’'Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 437. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ‘’Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources,’’ 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 2004), 422. Free online version; FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004; WorldCat entry.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 212.
- ↑ National Park Service, "California Trail" (map) in California National Historic Trail at http://www.nps.gov/cali/planyourvisit/upload/CALImap1-web.pdf (accessed 5 August 2011).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "California Trail" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Trail (accessed 5 August 2012).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Central Overland Route" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Overland_Route (accessed 4 August 2011).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "First Transcontinental Railroad" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Transcontinental_Railroad (accessed 2 August 2011).
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