Okanogan County, Washington Genealogy

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Okanogan County, Washington ancestry and genealogy research page. Locate links to record collections, history, and genealogy information to help you you find your personal Okanogan Co., ancestors. Begin by constructing a Free Family Tree.

Okanogan County

Okanogan County was founded on February 02, 1888 from Stevens County. The county was named after a Salish Native American word meaning "rendezvous".

The Okanogan County Seat is situated in Okanogan (Ruby in 1888, Conconully from 1888-1914) and the county government website is http://www.okanogancounty.org/

Locations bordering Okanogan County are Ferry County (east), Lincoln County (southeast), Grant County (south), Douglas County (south), Chelan County (southwest), Skagit County (west), Whatcom County (west).

Cities and towns found in Okanogan County consists of Brewster, Conconully, Coulee Dam (partial), Elmer City, Nespelem, Nespelem Community, North Omak, Okanogan, Omak, Oroville, Pateros, Riverside, Tonasket, Twisp, Winthrop.

The first American post in the state was Fort Okanogan established in 1811 by Astor's Pacific Fur Company. In 1859 the county experienced a gold rush when placer gold was discovered on the Similkameen River. Steamboats reached the town of Okanogan two months of the year in the 1880s, but it was not until 1915 that the county had regular transportation service when the Great Northern Railroad ran a branch line from Wenatchee to Okanogan. Today, mining is an important part of the county's economy along with timber products and agriculture.

Okanogan County has Federal Census Schedules to assist in researching your family tree. Federal government Population Schedules exist for 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940. Okanogan Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be acquired for 1890. You'll find free down loadable in addition to printable census forms that can help with your research.

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Okanogan County Society and Family History Resources

A list of Okanogan County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also Washington Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

  • Washington State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
  • State Archives Central Branch Bledsoe & Washington Archives Building, Central Washington University, 400 E. University Way, Mail Stop 7547, Ellensburg, Washington 98926-7547. Phone: 509-963-2136. Research Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Okanogan County Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 95, Malott, WA 98829-0095; (509) 422-4272. Membership available. Library is housed in the Wilson Research Center.
  • Okanogan County Historical Society, 1410 2nd Avenue North, Okanogan, WA 98840-1129; ph: 509-422-4272
  • Tonasket Genealogical Society, PO Box 84, Tonasket, WA 98855
  • Okanogan County Historical Society & Museum, 1410 2nd N, PO Box 1129, Okanogan, WA 98840. Sponsors the Okanogan Historical Museum, The Shafer Museum, Okanogan Highland Museum and Old Molson. Library is housed in the Wilson Research Center. Historical artifacts and recreated pioneer town portrays the history of Okanogan County.
  • Omak Pioneer Club, c/o Betty Jeglum. Phone 509-826-1872
  • Riverside Historical Society, c/o Maggie Sasse. Phone 509- 826-0831
  • Family History Center Omak, Engh Rd, Omak, WA 98841. Phone 509-826-4802
  • Wilson Research Center, 1410 2nd N, PO Box 1129, Okanogan, WA 98840. Joint library of the Genealogical and Historical societies. Includes genealogical reference materials, collection of obituaries, newspaper clipping file, items relating to Okanogan County history, audio and video pioneer interviews, photography collections, Okanogan County newspapers on microfilm, and clipping files. In progress project: computerized database of places, names, authors.
  • Old Molson Ghost Town & Museum, Molson Route, Box 128, Oroville, WA 98844. Phone 509-826-0843. Old Molson is a reassembled pioneer town. Museum includes artifacts of local history and Old Molson school attendance records.
  • Okanogan County, Washington Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Okanogan County
  • Okanogan County, Washington Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com) read and post messages with other genealogy researchers for Okanogan County
  • Washington State Digital Archives (digitalarchives.wa.gov)
  • USGenWeb Archives for Okanogan County (usgwarchives.net)
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Okanogan County Courthouse and Government Records

Genealogist often forget the benefits of Okanogan County court, probate, and land files as a source of genealogy information and facts. Buried away in Washington courthouses and archives everywhere tend to be the desires and frustrations of countless Washington men and women.

The possibilities are great that your ancestors have left a in-depth record of at least a few factors of their lives in the Okanogan County court records. Even if your forebears is not discussed in a Court case, contemplate all of the other methods which could have lead to her or him appearing in court records.

Please make sure to speak to the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other details prior to visiting or seeking information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The documents are accessible to interested parties, barring private issues. A lot of workers will help individuals in finding the resources, however it is up to the man or women to complete the research. Although originally held in the county seat, many county land, probate, and court records have been transferred to the state archive's regional branches.

The below specifics denotes exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records will be in Okanogan County. The dates pointed out below could be the first noted records for this particular county.

  • Okanogan County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 149 3rd N, Okanogan WA 98840
    • Courthouse hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Okanogan County Auditor has many responsibilities which include the recording of real property documents such as deeds and other recorded documents, issuing various licenses such as marriage liscense.
    • Birth and Death Records: 1891 to 1907 
    • Marriage Records: 1888 
    • Land Records: 1884
  • Okanogan County Clerk is the administrator of the Superior Court Clerk's Office. The Clerk's Office is responsible for keeping the permanent records of all cases filed in Superior Court. The type of cases filed are felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, petitions for protection from domestic violence, family law matters (dissolutions 3rd Party Custody, parenting plans, modifications) probates, guardianships, Last Will & Testaments, paternities, adoptions and mental commitments.
    • Court Records: 1888
    • Probate Records: 1888 
  • Okanogan County Treasurer is the property tax collector for the County. Property Taxes are levied on the property by the various taxing authorities based on the valuation and current property usage as set by the Assessor's Office. All of our records are available to the public and we have people in our office that can show you where the records are kept and get you started on your research.
  • Washington Office of Vital Records has copies of birth, marriage, divorce and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Washington for current fees and application process. Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.
Washington Historical Records - Databases include Washington Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Washington Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Washington Voter Lists & Census Records; Washington Immigration & Emigration Records; Washington Obituary Records; Washington Military Records; Washington Family Tree Records; Washington Pictures; Washington Stories, Memories & Histories; Washington Directories & Member Lists and much more....
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Okanogan County Genealogy Links

Publications  •  Census Records  •  Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records  •   Cemeteries & Graveyards
Church & Bible Records  •  County History  •  Military Records  •  Schools & Directories  •  Vital Records

The following are links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Okanogan County. Most of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a fee. This is simply a directory that has been gathered or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to present your own favorite Okanogan County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.

Okanogan Co. WA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Okanogan Co. WA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Okanogan Co. WA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Okanogan Co. WA Census Records

Okanogan Co. WA Cemeteries & Graveyards

Okanogan Co. WA Church & Bible Records

Okanogan Co. WA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Okanogan Co. WA General and History Websites

Okanogan Co. WA Immigration & Naturalization

Okanogan Co. WA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Okanogan Co. WA Military Records

Okanogan Co. WA Schools & Directories

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