Submitting a Query
Please use the Query Form to post queries to this page. Queries must mention a connection to Cowlitz County, WA. For best results, include as much information as you can in your query - for example, approximate time periods, locations within Cowlitz County, etc. Please note that queries are not automatically posted to this page. I generally update the site on weekends, so your query will appear no later than the first weekend after I receive your query. I will notify you as soon as your query is posted.
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[1998-1999] [1996-1997]
Cathy 20 Oct 2009
I'm looking for an uncle that was born to my grandfather Herbert Leroy Meisinger in Longview, WA. Unfortunately the baby boy was born out of wedlock and adopted by a doctor that worked at the hospital there. This was in 1943.
Anita Chapman Thompson 29 Sep 2009 [Update of query posted 2 Aug 1997]
I am searching for info on the ARTHUR DOUGLAS family of Castle Rock, particularly HELEN HOLLY DOUGLAS (his wife), and any descendants. She was born in CO and moved to the Portland area with her mother (CAROLINE HOLLY) and sister (EMILY HOLLY) sometime in 1910-20. She was living on the old Star Route in Castle Rock in 1943, and Arthur died some time before then. Helen died in 1954. I have been unable to find the Star Route and would be interested in its location also.
Further info on Helen Holly Douglas: I have her death info and her mother's (Carrie Clyde Holly) but no info on her sister Emily. I think there is a possibility her husband was Walter, not Arthur, also.
She was a teacher and wrote a couple pamphlets which are published. Carrie Clyde Holly died in Castle Rock, but is buried in Portland, as is Helen. Carrie Holly is somewhat famous, as she was one of the first women allowed to be elected to political positions in Colorado and was instrumental in getting some laws passed pertaining to women's rights, but I can't remember what.
Mary Jo Powell 29 Aug 2009
I am searching for pictures of the original structure of Kelso High School. Do you know of any records or historical information that would lead us to actual pictures? All we have been able to find is the structure on Allen Street in Kelso, and we want to view the structure as it used to stand, on Academy/Church Street.
Carl Erlandson 12 Aug 2009
I have contracted with a Vancouver pro genealogist to photo 8 graves sites of some of my common ancestors at 3 different cemeteries in Cowlitz CO including Woodland IOOF. I was able to locate their names via Cowlitz CO cemetery lists, however I can't find the grave sites for - John Robinson 1839-?, Margaret A. Eaton Robinson 1845-1881 or Joseph A. Eaton 1813-1893. Some of their relatives were found in Woodland IOOF. A Clark County cemetery is located right alongside Woodland at the county line, but I can't find a listing of names buried there. Do you have info??? The next step is to hire a pro to research if we can't get this info. All help is appreciated.
Carl Erlandson 5 Aug 2009
I'm related to the Robinson and Eaton pioneer families thru my Grandmother Ethyle Taylor Oyster (1897-1971)... John Robinson & Margaret Ann Eaton's family appear to have migrated to Washington Territory from Iowa prior to 1860 via wagon train(s)....Both John & Margaret are shown in the Clark County 1860 Territorial census. The 1880 census showed them to reside in Cowlitz County. Does anyone know where/who I might contact to get a history of the wagon train(s) they traveled with??? I assume the groups came to Portland or Fort Vancouver prior to going on to their respective settlements.. Thank you for any help rendered...
Dexter Hawn 30 Jul 2009
I would like to know if anyone in the Longview area would know the location of the collection of genealogical records that were compiled by Mrs. Sally G. Stevenson pertaining to the "Rapelje" (or other variant spellings of this name) family. Mrs. Stevenson resided at 1548 Commerce Ave. in Longview in 1960 and had been involved in genealogical research since 1936. I presume that she is now deceased.
Becky Wilkey 30 Jul 2009
I am looking for more information about one of my grandfathers brothers. His name is Leonard N. Hodges. He was born in about 1912 in Douglas county MO. He moved to WA sometime before the start of WW2. His address on the form when he volunteered for military service listed his home as Cowlitz WA. I remember my grandfather making the trip to my uncles funeral in WA in or about 1969. I know he lived in WA but do not know if he still lived in Cowlitz at the time of his death. I really do not have any idea of how to find out more about him. Can you please point me in the right direction to find more information? Any help would be appreciated.
Patrick B. McCarron 14 Jul 2009
I am trying to find the location of the church in which my parents were married. According to their marriage certificate, they were married in St. Anne's Catholic Church, Cowlitz county, on Feb. 1st, 1941. Their names are Edward D. McCarron and Margaret M. Krauskoff. Can you tell me if there ever was a St. Anne's Catholic Church in Cowlitz county, and/or if it still exists? What city was it in? Any help you can supply to me is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Pat (Dahlquist) Flippen 6 Jun 2009
I have been reading the info and inquiries for persons seeking info on the old schools in Cowlitz Co. I lived across the fence from the old Stockport School in Pleasant Hill. The land for the school was donated to the school district by my Great-grandfather. My grandfather and father attended the school, as did my sister and I. The school was torn down in the late 1940's or early 1950's after we moved from the area. The land then was returned to the family. I now own it, after purchasing it from one of my relatives. My family also donated the land where the Stockport Cemetery is located. When my sister and I went to the Kelso Historical Society, they had never heard of the Stockport School! They knew about the older school that was located in Ostrander, but not Stockport. We have some family pictures that show the school in the background. The Stock family homesteaded in the Pleasant Hill - Ostrander area in the late 1850's and I have a copy of the DLC signed by Pres. U.S. Grant. If anyone has further info about the Stockport school, I would love to hear from you.
Donna Fugere 16 May 2009
I would appreciate any info you have re: Jesse Fowler (J Fowler) one of the signers of the Montiello Convention in the mid 1800's. We know tht he was married to Margaret (Berry) Fowler and she is buried in Cowlitz County, but we are unable to find where he died and is buried. While we were in Kelso at Cowlitz Historical Society, they did not have the Daily Journal which had her obituary in it. We were hoping to see it and perhaps find out about her husband, Jesse, but to no avail.
Jean Morrison 16 May 2009
I am searching for someone who may have info or especially pictures concerning the early Ostrander area. Many families moved west from PA along with my grandparents in the 1880's to follow the lumber industry.
Margaret 16 May 2009
Lawrence and Mae Troxel lived in Cowlitz County in 1910 and 1920 in a town called Mineral. I would like to hear from anyone who knows of this family. I believe they adopted a son, George Elmer Troxel who was born December 1911 in Idaho. He was their only child. I am trying to track down a child born in Idaho. He was born to an Aunt in our family who became unable to care for him. He was adopted when he was about 1 1/2 years old. We don't know his birth name. I am looking at George Troxel because the age, the place and other information indicates that he could be the boy. Thanks for any information that might turn up.
Kristopher Buxton 2 May 2009
Looking for information about my grandpa's brother; for him, the only thing we have found so far is on your site, listed as:
Walter L. Pringle, Kelso; Coast Geotetic Survey; killed in Auichice, Alaska, Sept. 3, 1945
Mike D. Bush 19 Apr 2009
I am interested in learning more about the Bush family, as it appears I am related to the Daniel Webster Bush family as posted on Christine L. Hammond's page. My cousin has been doing a lot more of the family tree, but I do know that Dewitt Clinton Bush, son of Daniel and Alice Bush was my great-great-grandfather. Dewitt C. married Lotia Anne Darby.... they had 2 sons, Wilbur and Raymond. Wilbur Bush is my grandfather.... 2 sons, Clinton and David L. David L. Bush is my father... Joy E. Thompson is my mother. [Editor's note: Mike would like to get in touch with Christine Hammond - if anyone knows her new contact information, please let me know.]
"familyhistorytree" 19 Apr 2009
I am looking for information with any names involving Joe F. King during the strikes before the Longshoremen's union was created.
Lisa Rumel 7 Apr 2009
Howard Jefferson Houston died in Kelso, Cowlitz County, Washington, April 6, 1928, he was a logger and had two wives during his lifetime, I am trying to learn about them they are: Evangeline Leilly and Ruth Manchester, also would like to know more about his nephew James Daniel Houston who might have lived in the area as well.
Vonda Oswald 21 Mar 2009
I am looking for the parents of Lisa Stroud who passed away in the 1970s. She was a classmate of mine & my best friend. Her memory has stayed with me always. Please let me know & Thank~You so much!
Todd Wheeler 21 Mar 2009
I am trying to identify the parents of Alfred Baker Cunningham born January 24, 1884 in Castle Rock and any information about that family at that time. Thank you very much.
Glen Williamson 21 Mar 2009
We are seeking the death records of John and Jenny Kennedy of 1060 Hudson St., Longview, Washington. They are both deceased and lived at this address nearly 35 years ago. Also would like to know their birth dates, marriage dates etc.
Nancy Hicks 12 Mar 2009
Looking for anyone who might have known Bertha (Bert) FOSTER (b.1894), mother of Robert and Annetta. She lived in Cowlitz County for some time...passed in '77 I think. We last saw her the summer of '72. She was a very good friend of my grandmother's, and I would like to contact her descendants.
Shaylee McCarty (Erdelbrock) 11 Mar 2009
I am looking for any information on the following families from Toutle, WA: the Gardner family, the Mangs family, and the Varner family. I am putting together a very intricate family tree and history. Any information would be greatly appriciated!
Louise Hopkins 9 Mar 2009
I am trying to find info on William Carter and his wife Mary J. Welch Carter. They were both born in Iowa. William b. 3 July 1876 and Mary b. 10 Oct. 1879. SSDI says that William died in Longview, 16 June 1967. No mention that I can find of Mary. She was a sister of my Grandfather Welch. Any help would be appreciated!
Barbara Morrissey 4 Feb 2009
I am looking for information on the family of Robert Millar and Margaret Curry. Robert was born at sea, his birth recorded in New York upon arrival in 1847, he died in Kelso, 15 Jan 1914. His wife was Margaret Curry, born in Ireland in 1847, she died in Kelso 16 April 1926. They arrived in Kelso Washington about 1901/1902 from Michigan.
Children were:
Mary Ann Millar b.12 Oct 1874 in Canada d. 11 July 1938 in Kelso. She married Frederick P. Kunkle who died 10 Aug 1934 in Washington.
George Patterson Millar b. 23 Dec 1879 in Canada, d. 31 May 1931 in Kelso. He married, second, Lena Vittone.
Elizabeth Millar b. 13 March 1878 in Canada d. 15 Dec 1937 in Longview, WA. She married Joseph Albert Audinet who died 09 May 1953 in Longview.
Also, Alberta Margaret Weeks, a granddaughter to Robert and Margaret. She was born 13 April 1895 in Michigan d. 19 Dec 1948 in Kelso. She married Harry Curtis Hartzell who died 12 Jan 1959 in Kelso.
Any information about this family would be greatly appreciated. It will be next to impossible for me to get to Washington as I live on the East coast. Thank you .
Breezy Blankenship 11 Jan 2009
I have information on a Native American married in Cowlitz Co. in September 14, 1846; sadly I can not validate this. I was just beginning in genealogy, at the time I did not take notes. However, I remember it was from a book about early marriages of the first counties of WA. Her name is Lizzie - no last name listed with the marriage. She then move to Jefferson county with her husband Reynold Malmquest or Malmquist. The last name did not go over well with the locals so the family started going by Twiggs. I have extensive information on their child. I found her name at her time of death was Lizzie Bates . She did not remarry, in her probate it does not state why her name was different.
Steve Thomason 11 Jan 2009
I am looking for Robert Lee Mask who is buried at the Silver Lake Cemetery but he is not listed on the Silver Lake cemetery web site. Can you help me find out why?
Donna Fugere 3 Jan 2009
I am the great great grandchild of Jesse Fowler....one of the signers of the Monticello papers. I would appreciate any information or sources of info for my geneaology research. I'm not sure, but I think he and Margaret Berry Fowler came to what was known as Fowler's slough...later, Lake Sacajewea, in Longview. I don't know if Jesse had brothers, sisters, or Margaret, for that matter. If you could guide me in the best direction to obtain info, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
Douglas Stevens 3 Jan 2009
I am trying to find information on my great great grandmother. Her maiden name was Suzanna Whitmeyer. We do not know her DOB or place of birth. Her first married name was Adams, she got divorced and then married to August Meyers. She and August homesteaded about 12 miles north of Vancouver, WA before or around 1900. We were told she died in a major southwest, WA fire around 1900. These websites, thereflector.com and historylink.com, provided the following information: "Near Kalama, Mrs. August Meyers and three children barely got out of their house, and never got out of their yard." I am assuming Mrs. August Meyers is my great great grandmother. Any information you can provide that would help me find a death certificate, cemetery, new paper articles etc... would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Judith Berry 13 Dec 2008
In some of my research I find info about the Fowler land donation claim. I undertand that there were many Fowler reunions in Longview over several years and would like info as to the names and participants as well as other info of the Jesse Fowler descendents.
Patt Anderson 25 Nov 2008
We are interested in any info you have on the Lithow Post Office that was established around 1900 on the Thomas Madden homestead located in the Toutle River area. Where did the name Lithow come from? My husband's family homesteaded the same area in 1908 until 1928. Their name was Olas and Matilda Anderson. Thank you for any info you may have.
Walt Steesy 8 Nov 2008
Earl Regis Olmstead (c1922-Oct 2008) and his wife Twyla (1917-1998) lived in Castle Rock. I would like to determine his ancestry and make contract with any descendants. I'm genealogist for the Olmste(a)d Family Association and I have been unable to place him within 90,000+ Olmste(a)ds in my records. I'm always glad to share information on any Olmste(a)d or descendants.
Carl Erlandson 3 Sep 2008
My mother, Mary Ellen Oyster Erlandson, has family roots in the Cowlitz County area. I'm looking for genealogy data on my Oyster/ Means/ Taylor/ McNulty/ Robinson/ Eaton relatives who immigrated to Cowlitz County in the 1800's and lived out the remainder of their lives there. I started a public family tree under "C.N. Erlandson" at Ancestry.com last year. I can be more specific about info needed when you respond.
Billy Figgins 29 Aug 2008
Looking for any family of Kenneth Smith of Rainier, Wa. or Mrs. Donna Liddy of Kelso, Wa. Related to the Dixson, Dixon, Scott, McDaniels families of Norton, Norton Co. Ks. My connection is through Ruth Dixson Figgins, my grandmother, whose sisters were Mary Dixson Scott and Alma Dixson McDaniels of Norton, Ks.
Bev Porter Moltzau 19 Jul 2008
I am looking for an obituary for Georgia L. Scott, who was born 9 Apr 1905 and died 17 Mar 1999 in Longview, Cowlitz Co., WA. Thanks so much!
Dineice 7 Jul 2008
I am looking for information about the McCorkle house built in 1887 in Lexington, Cowlitz Co.
Jean Morrison 20 Jun 2008
Does anyone know where I might find information about some of the old school districts? Do old photos exist for them? I am particularly interested in the area around Ostrander, which I know had a school, and the area I believe was known as Tucker, in the area of Pleasant Hill road, probably 2 or 3 miles south of Castle Rock?
Donelle Firth 4 Jun 2008
Trying to find family of Elias Maclin Howard. Lived in Cowlitz County with his wife and children, approx. 1890/1920. Wife's name was Euceba Francesa Burns. Children were: Leander Howard, John Howard, Wesley Howard, Henry Howard, Leonard Howard, Arther Howard, Marion Howard, Elias Maclin Howard, Frace George Howard, Agnes Lewzetta Howard, Euceba Nettie Howard, George Dewey Hoard, Richard Hobson Howard, Adeline Hobson Howard. Leander Howard married Cecilia Angela Paquette, approx. 9/10/1890. One of their children was Mary Howard who married Ezpine. Any one have any info on the following family please email me. Thanks.
Carol McKenzie 30 May 2008
I am looking for info on a house that fell into the river and was owned by Jack Hinze family, I think in Castle Rock.
Gina Matthews 16 May 2008
Researching the Alexander Johnson Family of Cowlitz Co, Washington, USA.
Alana 26 Mar 2008
I am wondering if anyone can tell me how I would find a Catholic record of Birth and/or Baptism for an individual born in 1848 in Cowlitz, Washington Territory, other than those books, volumes 1 thru 7, Catholic Records of the Pacific Northwest. Where else might I look? This was a child born to an HBC [Hudsons Bay Co.] father who was probably posted in the area.
BJ Shawd 24 Mar 2008
I'm working on my husband's ancestry and in tracing down his IMEL line believe Evelyn Virginia Anderson (daughter of Rose Imel Anderson) married Max Zimmerman. It appears they both died in Longview, Cowlitz Co., Washington.....I would love to obtain obituaries for the two of them to confirm if I've found the right people. Evelyn Virginia Zimmerman died on Aug. 24, 1996 in Longview and husband Max Zimmerman died on May 1, 1997 in Longview. Could someone possibly help me locate their obits? I would be most grateful!
Raida Knapp 17 Mar 2008
I am looking for information on John & Margaret (Jones)Knapp who are the parents of Peter Jones, William Henry Norris, Peter and Cornelius Knapp. I have obtained death certificates on William and it states his father was John Knapp and he was born in Wales, and Margaret Jones was born in Canada. Peter Jones Knapp died 13 April 1924 death certificate shows his father was John Knapp from Canada and mother Margaret Jones from Canada. Peter Knapp died on 13 April 1924 and Cornelius Knapp was murdered about Dec 1900 and both are buried in Cowlitz County. John Knapp died Jan 9, 1852 in Porter Co, IN. Cannot find his widow-Margaret(Jones)Knapp who was born abt 1797. Any help would greatly be apppreciated.
Patricia Shelton 26 Feb 2008
Plane crash on Mt St Helens on March 13, 1970 - plane found April 1970. Three people killed. I am trying to find out where the remains of Patricia (Diamond) Hill were sent for burial.
Janet Fields Williams 27 Jan 2008
My father, Orville B. Fields lived in Kelso, WA. from approx. 1908 to about 1927. He graduated from Kelso High School in 1925. I am looking for info about the schools in Kelso during 1915-1925. Thank youfor any help or direction!