Lincoln County, Washington Genealogy

United States

Washington

Lincoln County

Guide to Lincoln 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.

A Patchwork Aerial View of Wilbur, Lincoln County, Washington</center

County QuickStart: Census Birth Marriage Divorce Death Cemeteries

Washington Online Genealogy Records

Lincoln County, Washington
Map
Location in the state of Washington (disambiguation)
Location of Washington in the U.S.
Facts
Founded	November 24, 1883
County Seat	Davenport
Courthouse
Address	Lincoln County Courthouse 450 Logan Street; PO Box 369 Davenport, WA 99122 Ph. 509.725.1401 Lincoln County Website

County Overview

Description

The County was named for Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States. The County is located in the east-central area of the state.

Parent County(s)

Lincoln County, Washington was created 24 November 1883 from Spokane.

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

Boundary Changes

• Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library

Courthouse

• Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 22. Lincoln County (Davenport)(If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search

Lincoln County Courthouse
450 Logan Street; PO Box 369
Davenport, WA 99122
Ph. 509.725.1401

County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907,
marriage and land records from 1891.
County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records.

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

Dates of Major County Records

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1891	1891	1891	1886	1891	1884	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 Lincoln 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
		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.

Census

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: 1885 • 1887 • 1889
  • These were indexed by local societies and individuals.

• School census 1900-1930 District Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)

• Census-special population schedule 1911-1920Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)

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 Lincoln 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

• Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 22. Lincoln County (Davenport) (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)

• Lincoln 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 procedure 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

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

 

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. 

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

• Story of Lincoln County, Washington by Richard F. Steele [(Spokane, Wash..); Lincoln County A.Y.P. Commission, 1909] online at Washington History
  • This book has numerous errors and its facts should viewed with circumspection.

• Lincoln County, Washington Facts at StateofUS.com (mis-labeled as Lincoln County, Alabama)

• Illustrated history of the Big Bend country by Western Historical Publishing Company [(Spokane, Wash.) Western Historical Pub. Co., 1904] online 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 Paula Becker. Lincoln County -- Thumbnail History, History Link.org Essay 7859.

• The land that would become Lincoln County was home to the Spokane tribe.
• 1810 - after, Fur traders traversed the region en route to Spokane House in present-day Spokane County.
• 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
• 1869 - Russell M. Bacon, a Bostonian who came to the Crab Creek area of the future Lincoln County and Patrick Cumasky, were among the region's first permanent settlers.
• 1880 - The United States government established a military reservation called Camp Spokane at the confluence of the Spokane and Columbia rivers in Lincoln County .
• 1883 - November 24, Lincoln County was formed.
• 1880s - Early settlers planted wheat crops .

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.

 

Migration

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

 

• 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 Records, 1877-1971 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • Includes Declaration of intention 1886-1929; Declarations of intention index 1906-1964; Letters of Administration Letters Testmentary 1884-1930; Naturalization Certificates 1886-1906; Naturalization correspondence 1914-1921; Naturalization petitions 1906-1971; Naturalization records index-miscellaneous depositions 1919-1952.

• Lincoln County Clerk, Naturalization Records, 1906-1970 at Washington State Digital Archives

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.

• Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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

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.

• Lincoln County Obituaries at WAGenWeb

Also check:

• Newspapers of Lincoln 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.

• Probate Records 1884-1982 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
  • Includes Probate Journals 1892-1961; Probate Record Index 1885-1982; Will Records 1884-1945.

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.

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

School Records

 

• School census 1900-1930 District 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.

• Assessment roll C, 1891-1895 Part of Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)

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.

• 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

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
  

• 1884-1887 - Marriages from 29 Jan 1884 to 30 Jan 1887 are searchable on the Western States Marriage Index website.

• 1883-2004 - Marriage Records, 1883-2004 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection. (Free)

• 1969-2014 - Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index

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

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

 

Websites

Sites with online indexes or images of records
WAGenWeb for Lincoln County	Free	Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions
USGenWeb	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 Lincoln County, Washington Genealogy
Websites at RootsWeb - Lincoln 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	"Lincoln County, Washington Facts" (mis-labeled "Lincoln County, Alabama Facts")

Major catalogs for hard copy collections of Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Libraries

• Davenport 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.

Davenport Public Library, 505 7th St, Davenport 99122 Phone: (509) 725-4355

Online Resources: GenealogyBank.com; MyHeritage.com; Archives.com

Unique Collections:

Harrington Public Library, po box 496, Harrington 99134 Phone: (509) 253-4345

Online Resources: MyHeritage.com Obituaries

Unique Collections:

Odessa Public Library, 21 E. First Street, Odessa 99159 Phone: (509) 982-2654

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

Reardan Memorial Library, 120 S Oak, Reardan 99029 Phone: (509) 994-9997

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

Sprague Public Library, 119 West Second, Sprague 99032 Phone: (509) 257-2662

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

Wilbur (Hesseltine) Public Library, 14 Nw Division, Wilbur 99185 Phone: (509) 647-5828

Online Resources:

Unique Collections:

 

 

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
Davenport (county seat)	Harrington	[1]
Towns
Almira Creston	Odessa Reardan	Wilbur
Unincorporated communities
Bluestem Clark Edwall Govan Irby	Lamona Lincoln Miles Mohler	Mondovi Seven Bay Telford Waukon
Ghost towns
Fishtrap

This website requires a paid subscription for full access.