Archives, Libraries, and Societies

Cowlitz County Records

The Cowlitz County Auditor's Office has the following records available for genealogists:

Additional records are also available - see their website for details, location, and fees.

The Cowlitz County Health Department has birth records from 1922-present. Death records are only available for the past 60 days. Please see their website for information on ordering records.

Cowlitz County Birth Register, 1891-1907 - part of the Washington State Archives - Digital Archives.

Cowlitz County Death Returns, 1898-1907 - part of the Washington State Archives - Digital Archives.

Birth certificates (1907-present), Death certificates (1907-present) and Marriage certificates (1968-present) are also available from the Washington State Dept. of Health.

Cowlitz County, Washington Marriage Records, 1986-Present - part of the Washington State Archives - Digital Archives.

Probate records are held by the Cowlity County Superior Court Clerk's Office. Please see their website for contact information to inquire about specific records.

Cowlitz County Auditor's Office
Administration Building
207 4th Ave. N.
Kelso, WA 98626
Tel: 360-577-3002
Toll Free: 1-877-400-7687
Cowlitz County Vital Records
1952 9th Ave
Longview, WA 98632
Phone: 360-414-5599
Cowlity County Clerk's Office
Hall of Justice, Room 233
312 S.W. First Avenue
Kelso, WA 98626
(360)577-3016
Cowlitz County Historical Society/Museum
405 Allen St.
Kelso, WA 98626
(360) 577-3119
Lower Columbia Genealogical Society
Post Office Box 472
Longview, WA 98632

The LCGS has made available many Cowlitz Co. records online, including abstracts and indexes to Cemeteries, Censuses, Marriages, Naturalizations, Probates and Wills. Their library collection is housed at the Longview Public Library.

Castle Rock Visitor's Center
147 Front Ave
Castle Rock WA 98611
(360) 274-6603

Castle Rock's Historical Museum - "a valuable resource for anyone wondering abour Castle Rock" (from Rita Cobb Balch) [The link takes you to the Online Highways site for the Visitor's Center.]

Volunteer Opportunities: Karen Johnson, manager of the Exhibit Hall, is looking for volunteers to help with various projects at the Exhibit Hall, including keeping the hall open to visitors and transcribing obituaries from the Cowlitz County Advocate. If you can help, please contact Karen by or at the above phone number.

Castle Rock Library
309 W. Cowlitz
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-6961
Kalama Library
312 N. 1st St.
Kalama, WA 98625
(360) 673-4568
Kelso Public Library
314 Academy St.
Kelso, WA 98626
(360) 423-8110
Longview Public Library
1600 Louisiana
Longview, WA 98632
(360) 577-3380
Family History Center - Longview Ward
1721 30th Ave.
Longview, WA 98632-3404
(360) 577-8234
See the WASGS's FHC page for more information (hours, holdings, etc.) (note: information may be outdated - contact the FHC directly for current info.)
Washington State Archives--Southwestern Branch
P.O. Box 40238
1129 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98504-0238

 

Other Resources for Research:

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Biographies, Genealogies and Local History

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Cemeteries, Funeral Homes, and Obituaries

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Churches and Religious Groups

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Genealogy Forums for Cowlitz County

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Native American links

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Newspapers and Publications

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