Island County, Washington Genealogy

United States

Washington

Island County

Guide to Island County Washington ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1853, when the county was formed.

Deception Pass, Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington

County QuickStart: Census Birth Marriage Divorce Death Cemeteries

Washington Online Genealogy Records

Island County, Washington
Map
Location in the state of Washington (disambiguation)
Location of Washington in the U.S.
Facts
Founded	January 6, 1853
County Seat	Coupeville
Courthouse
Address	Island County Courthouse<br> NE 6th & Main St; PO Box 5000<br> Coupeville, WA 98239-5000<br> Phone 360.679.7359<br>Island County Website

County Overview

Description

The County was named for the fact that it is composed entirely of islands. The County is located in the northwest area of the state.

Parent County(s)

Island County, Washington was created 6 January 1853 from Thurston.

County Seat: Coupeville . See also Towns and Communities in Island County, Washington Genealogy. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.

Boundary Changes

• Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library
  
  

Courthouse

Island County Courthouse
NE 6th & Main St; PO Box 5000
Coupeville, WA 98239-5000
Phone 360.679.7359

County Auditor has birth and death records 1870-1907,
marriage records from 1855 land records from 1853.
County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records.

See also Archives, libraries, etc. in Island County, Washington Genealogy.

Dates of Major County Records

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1870	1855	1870	1891	1853	1853	1850
*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1907. General compliance by 1917.

Record Loss

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

Topics for Island County, Washington Genealogy

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.

 

Biography

Biographical information is often found in state and local histories or genealogies. See also Washington Biography.

 

Cemeteries

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
WAGenWeb		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.

• Cemetery Inscriptions by Ralph Seefeld and the Genealogical Society of South Whidbey Island (GSSWI)

Census

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	294	—
1870	626	112.9%
1880	1,087	73.6%
1890	1,787	64.4%
1900	1,870	4.6%
1910	4,704	151.6%
1920	5,489	16.7%
1930	5,369	−2.2%
1940	6,098	13.6%
1950	11,079	81.7%
1960	19,638	77.3%
1970	27,011	37.5%
1980	44,048	63.1%
1990	60,195	36.7%
2000	71,558	18.9%
2010	78,506	9.7%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

Federal Census Contents
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.

• Washington online census links to FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest and others.
  • Federal Censuses:
    • 1940 • 1930 • 1920 • 1910 • 1900
    • 1890 Veterans Schedule
    • 1880 • 1870 • 1860 • 1850
  • Territorial and State-funded Censuses:
    • 1847–1898

• Statewide printed indexes of federal censuses

• Census indexes at Washington State Digital Archives: (Free)
  • Federal: 1910
  • Territorial: 1870 • 1871 • 1883 • 1885 • 1887 • 1889
  • State-funded: 1892
  • These were indexed by local societies and individuals.

• Census Records 1904-1908 Part of: Washington County Records 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

• School census records 1898-1932 Part of: Washington County Records 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Church Records

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 Island County, Washington Genealogy are listed in the FamilySearch catalog. (Press space bar to select town.)

List of Churches and Church Parishes

• FamilySearch Places
  

Court Records

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

• Island 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 procedures 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.

 

 

Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups

 

American Indian

• 1911 - 1919 - Washington, Applications for Enrollment and Adoption of Washington Indians, 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

 

Maps and Gazetteers

 

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Genealogy

A FamilySearch Community Tree is available for this place.

Many local libraries and societies have collections of family genealogies. County histories or biographies often include brief genealogies of the featured persons. 

Genealogy Research

• Genealogical Resouces are listed by Genealogical Society of South Whidbey Island.

Guardianship

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

Local histories for Island County, Washington Genealogy may include biographies, history of churches, schools, local government with names of officials, military information, and more. See Washington Local Histories.

• History of the Puget Sound country,] Volume 1, Volume 2 by William Farrand Prosser [New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company, 1903] at Washington History

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 Daryl C. McClary. Island County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 7523.

• For thousands of years, the only occupants of the Pacific Northwest were Indians
• 1792 - The area that comprises Island County was first explored by Captain George Vancouver.
• 1850 - September 27, Congress passed the Oregon Donation Land Act, granting a "donation" of free land -- 320 acres to each single man and 640 acres to each married couple -- to anyone who had settled on the land before December 1 of that year.
• 1850 - October 15, Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey was the first man to file a claim, for 640 acres, in Central Whidbey Island.
• 1853 - January 6 Island County was created by the Oregon Territorial Legislature from a portion of Thurston County.
• 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
• 1850s - Irish immigrants began to settle in the Oak Harbor area, followed by Dutch immigrants in the 1890s.

Land and Property

Land Records reveal
Yes or Maybe ⇒	Y	M
Seller (Grantor)
Seller's Spouse
Buyer (Grantee)
Heirs
Witnesses
Land Description and Dates
Tips -or- Land Contents

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.

Maps

• FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places

 

This map highlights the county within the state of Washington. The map soon will have inter-active links.

Military

 

• 1921-1925 - Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925 at FamilySearch — index

Naturalization and Citizenship

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 Records 1890-1974 Part of: Washington County Records 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.
  • Includes Certificates of naturalization 1908-1928; Declarations of intention 1890-1973; Naturalization final record 1894-1905; Naturalization petitions granted 1929-1974 and Petition and record 1908-1930.

• Naturalization Records, 1890-1974 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

Newspapers

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.

• Island 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 Island 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)

• Washington Digital Newspaper at Washington State Library

Obituaries

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.

• Obituary Index, 1890s-December 2010 by Ralph Seefeld and GSSWI
  • Virtually all obituaries have been collected for Island County residents from local newspapers, ranging from 1890s - December 2010. Gaps for The Island County Times in the early 1890s and the South Whidbey Record before 1935 and during 1944.

• Obituaries in the Whidbey News-Times newspaper.

Also check:

• Newspapers of Island County, Washington Genealogy
• Local Funeral Homes, Libraries, or family records.
• Obituaries of neighboring counties

 

Probate Records

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.

• Washington, County Probate Records, 1853-1929 FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Public Records

Public records are documents created by civil authorities that either don't fit comfortably in another topic, or that could fit in several topics.

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

School Records

 

• School census records 1898-1932 Part of: Washington County Records 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

Taxation

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

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

Birth Records reveal
Yes or Maybe ⇒	Y	M
Name of Child
Birth Date and Place
Parent's Names
Mother's Maiden Name
Parent's Ages
Parents' State or Country of Birth
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.

See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Birth Records.

• Birth Records 1870-1907 Part of: Washington County Records 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.
  • Includes Birth and death returns 1870-1907.
• Washington, County Birth Registers, 1873-1965 — index and images
• Birth Records 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)
• Birth index, 1841-2000 at Archives.com ($)

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

Marriage Records reveal
Yes or Maybe ⇒	Y	M
Date of Marriage or License
Names of Bride and Groom
Ages
Birth Places
Residences
Names of Parents
Husband's Occupation
Witnesses
Minister or Officiator

Marriage records include certificates, marriage returns, license applications or affidavits. Counties kept the records until 1968, when the state took over.

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
  

• 1855-1994 - Marriage Records, 1855-1994 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

• 1867-1999 - Marriage Records Index, 1867-1999 at Archives.com ($)

• 1855-2008 - County Marriages,1855-2008 at Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008 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 Applications 1903-2006; Certificates1855-2007; Certificates and Returns 1931-1938 Vol 2-3; Licenses 1869-1947 Vol 1; Registers 1891-1947 Vol 1; Marriage Returns 1927-1947 Vol 2; Certificate Index 1858-1859 Vol 1

Divorce

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

• Divorce Records Index, 1901 - 1999 at Archives.com ($)

Death

Death Records reveal
Yes or Maybe ⇒	Y	M
Name of Deceased
Death Date and Place
Age or Birth Date and Place
Parent's Names
Mother's Maiden Name
Name of Spouse
Residence
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....

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
• Death Registers, 1870-1907 Part of: Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)

• Death Records, 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

• Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • See what genealogical information may be in these records.

 

Websites

Sites with online indexes or images of records
USGenWeb Archives Island County	Free	Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions
WAGenWeb	Free	Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
Washington State Digital Archives	Free	Includes indexes, some linked to images. Type county name, click Search, then select a collection. Collections were posted to the appropriate headings for this Wiki page in December, 2013.
FamilySearch Historical Collections	Free	Search indexes or browse images at FamilySearch.org. Click "Last Updated." Collections through December 2013 have been posted to the appropriate topics for this Wiki page.

Sites that search for links pertaining to Island County, Washington Genealogy
Websites at RootsWeb - Island 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 ($)
CyndisList	Free	Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
StateofUS.com	Free	"Island County, Washington Facts" (mis-labeled " Island County, Alabama Facts"

Major catalogs for hard copy collections of Island County, Washington Genealogy 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)
See also local libraries and Washington Archives and Libraries

Archives, Libraries, etc.

See also a List of Washington Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical & Genealogical Societies  

Resources for Island 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 Island County, Washington Genealogy. When you find items you'd like to access, see Get a Copy

Family History Centers

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.

• Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

• Oak Harbor Washington Family History Center
• Camano Island-Stanwood Washington Family History Center

Libraries

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.

Clinton Library, 4781 Deer Lake Rd, Clinton 98236 Phone: (360) 341-4280

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

Coupeville Library, 788 Nw Alexander, Coupeville 98239 Phone: (360) 678-4911

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

Freeland Library, 5495 Harbor Ave, Freeland 98249 Phone: (360) 331-7323

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

Langley Library, 104 Second St., Langley 98260 Phone: (360) 221-4383

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

Oak Harbor Library, 1000 Se Regatta Drive, Oak Harbor 98277 Phone: (360) 675-5115

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

Museums

South Whidbey Historical Society Museum
312 Second Street
PO Box 612
Langley, WA 98260
Website
Facebook

Societies

Genealogical Society of South Whidbey Island
Website

Island County Historical Society
908 NW Alexander St
PO BOX 305
Coupeville, WA 98239
(360) 678-3310
Website
Facebook

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:

Cities
Langley	Oak Harbor
Towns
coupeville (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
Baby Island Heights Bayview Island Cornet Coveland	Glendale Greenbank Keystone	Mabana Maxwelton San De Fuca
Census-designated places
Camano Clinton	Freeland	Whidbey Island Station (formerly Ault Field)

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