Our extensive collection of data for the genealogist and information on how to obtain records not available through us is provided below. If you would like to receive information on a Jefferson County family, use our Research Request Form 
or list of our Publications for Sale Form .
We hope you find this helpful as you research your roots in Jefferson County!
Quick Links to Jefferson County research information on this site:
Birth Records
Birth records were filed with the County Auditor from 1891 to 1906 when the State began maintenance of these records. We have recorded births for Jefferson County for the period 1892 to 1926 and delayed birth certificates for 1868-1891. Additionally, we are in the process of indexing birth announcements from local papers and obtaining records from a number of local churches regarding baptisms, marriages and deaths.
The early birth records have been extracted from the Jefferson County Auditor’s office and Washington State Archives and contain the child’s name, date of birth, place of birth and race as well as the father’s age, race, place of birth and occupation and the mother’s age, race, place of birth and number of children. Delayed birth certificates were corrections to earlier birth recordings or certificates issued when the birth was not registered at the time.
For birth records from 1907 to the present, contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics.
Death Records
Death records were filed with the County Auditor from 1891 to 1906 when the State began maintenance of these records. Our files contain information from local funeral homes (1913 - present), some churches, obituaries, and cemeteries. We are in the process of updating our cemetery listings for East Jefferson County, but have records from walking the cemeteries in 1985. Also, we are working with local churches to obtain their records relative to births, baptisms, marriages and deaths.
For death records from 1907 to the present, contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics. An Index to death records from 1985 to present is available on-line at the Jefferson County website. The records from 1891 to 1906 are also available from the Jefferson County Auditor or the Washington State Archives Northwest Branch.
In addition, we have the Washington State Death Index for 1907-2000 on microfilm or microfiche.
Marriage Records
Marriage records have been kept by the County Auditor from 1872 to the present day. Marriage certificates from 1872-2005 are available on the Jefferson County website (not all early marriages had certificates so may not be found on-line), while we have records from 1855 to 1933. Original marriage licenses from 1872 to present are available at the Jefferson County Auditor's office and copies from 1968 to present are available at the Washington State Center for Health Statistics.
Our marriage records have been extracted from the public records at the Jefferson County Auditor’s office, church records and newspaper announcements.
Divorce Records
Divorces from 1857 to 1910 were handled in the 3rd US Judicial District Court. An index had been made from records in the Jefferson County Historical Society archives. For divorces from 1928 to present, contact the Jefferson County Clerk or the Washington State Archives Northwest Region (1928-1994 only). We are indexing divorce announcements from local newspapers.
Church Records
Over the last few years we have made a concerted effort to locate and make available records from our local churches. These records can be extremely valuable to the researcher should birth, marriage or death records be unavailable.
Probate Records
We have an index to probate records from the Superior Court of Jefferson County from 1891 to 1918. For probate records from 1855-1993, contact the Washington State Archives Northwest Region. Probate records from 1994 to present as well as copies of wills from 1975 to present are available at the Jefferson County Clerk’s office.
Land Records
Deeds and mortgages from 1852 to present are available at the Jefferson County Auditor’s office (on microfilm) or the Washington State Archives Northwest Region (originals). Deeds from 1985 to present are available on-line at the Jefferson County website. Plat maps with owners’ names are available from the Jefferson County Archivist (360-385-9356) for 1907, 1909, 1911, 1915, 1923 and 1924.
An index to land abstract files from 1850-1954 in the collection of the Jefferson County Historical Society has been completed as is available for researchers’ use.
Tax Records
The Real Property Assessment and Tax Rolls for 1877 to 1968 and Tax List between 1862 to 1871 are housed at the Washington State Archives Northwest Region. The Jefferson County Treasurer has a record of taxes paid 1977 to present and the Jefferson County Assessor has the assessed value property tax from 1968.
Census Records
Territorial censuses were conducted before Washington became a state, from 1860 to 1889. We have territorial censuses for the years 1860, 1871, 1875, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1883, 1885, 1887 and 1889 and the Washington State census for 1891. Additionally, indexes to the 1910, 1920 and 1930 Federal censuses are available and microfilms or CDs of the 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 Civil War Survivors & Widows, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 Federal Censuses are in our collection.
Court Records
Civil and criminal court records (including divorces) from 1928 to present are available from the Jefferson County Clerk, either on microfilm or as original documents. The originals for 1928-1994, Superior Court of Jefferson County civil files from 1890-1913 and territorial court records are housed at the Washington State Archives Northwest Region.
An index to the Superior Court Civil files from 1890-1913 is available in our collection.
Voter Registrations
The Voter Registrations in our collection can be of immense genealogical value – many include original signatures.
Voter Registrations for 1886-1892, 1894-1897 and 1899 were abstracted from the Precinct Registration Books in Port Townsend City Hall. Not all precincts were found and some years are more complete that others. Records contain name, age, occupation, birthplace, residency or naturalization; some include address, date of arrival in Port Townsend and/or date of registration.
Voter Registrations for 1913-1914, also from the Precinct Registration Books in Port Townsend City Hall, include name, age, occupation, place of birth, naturalization and residency and includes women over age 21 for about 1800 registered voters. Records for County residents who voted only in 1914 contain less information.
Naturalizations Index 1890-1926
Compiled from the naturalization records of the Superior Court of Jefferson County, this is an index to the original records held at the Washington State Archives Northwest Region. The Archives has additional naturalizations through 1971.
Customs Records
We have passenger lists from 1894-1909 on microfilm. Additional records may be found at the National Archives and Records Administration facility in Seattle.
Ship Captains, Master Mariners and Pilots 1850-1912
Port Townsend and Jefferson County have a long relationship with the sea. As the original customs site for Puget Sound, Port Townsend was a mecca for mariners. For references to some of these seafaring folks found in Jefferson County records, newspapers and directories.
We have microfilms of Pilots’ license applications from 1888-1910 and several good books on the maritime history of the region.
Marine Hospital Patients 1870-1880
This register of patients admitted to the Marine Hospital lists name, age, country of origin, name of ship, date of admittance and discharge, how long a seaman was in American service, and permit and page numbers from the original document. The originals are housed in the Jefferson County Historical Society.
City & County Directories
City and county directories are available from 1887 to present, although not all years are represented.
City of Port Townsend Records
Police Records (1893-1963), Poll Taxes (1889-1901), Real and Personal Assessment and Tax Roll (1870-1894) and Voter Registration (1893-1943) are available at the Washington State Archives Northwest Branch.
The following people may be willing to do research for individuals for a fee. This would be for information not available in the Research Center.
Lesa Barnes (360) 643-3215 grebmot@olypen.com
Eileen Martin (360) 385-0673 eileenm@olypen.com
Wayne and Barbara Howell (360) 379-2448 whowell@gensearch.com
Jefferson County Genealogical Society is committed to the extraction and preservation of information pertaining to Jefferson County families and the history of the area. We work closely with the Jefferson County Historical Society to assist researchers in uncovering the past. Our Research Committee is constantly uncovering more information, so check back at this site for updates or contact us to find out what’s new!
