Whitman County, Washington Genealogy
Guide to Whitman County Washington ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records, since 1871, when the county was formed.
Whitman County, Washington | |
Map | |
![]() Location in the state of Washington | |
![]() Location of Washington in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded | November 29, 1871 |
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County Seat | Colfax |
Courthouse | |
Address | Whitman County Courthouse N 404 Main Street, Box 390 Colfax, WA 99111-2031 Phone: 509.397.6240 Whitman County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Overview
- 2 Topics for Whitman County, Washington Genealogy
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biography
- 2.3 Business and Commerce
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Election Records
- 2.10 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.11 Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups
- 2.12 Funeral Homes
- 2.13 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.14 Genealogy
- 2.15 Guardianship
- 2.16 History
- 2.17 Land and Property
- 2.18 Maps
- 2.19 Migration
- 2.20 Military
- 2.21 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.22 Newspapers
- 2.23 Obituaries
- 2.24 Periodicals
- 2.25 Probate Records
- 2.26 Public Records
- 2.27 Repositories
- 2.28 School Records
- 2.29 Taxation
- 2.30 Vital Records
- 2.31 Voting Registers
- 2.32 Websites
- 3 Archives, Libraries, etc.
- 4 Populated Places
- 5 References
County Overview[edit | edit source]
Before the newly-formed county was fully operational, search records of the parent county(s). |
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for Marcus Whitman, a Presbyterian missionary who, with his wife Narcissa, was killed in 1847 by members of the Cayuse tribe. The County is located in the southeast area of the state.[1]
Parent County(s)[edit | edit source]
Whitman County, Washington was created 29 November 1871 from Stevens County.[2]
County Seat: Colfax [3]. See also Towns and Communities in Whitman County, Washington Genealogy. For Courthouse, see Archives, libraries, etc.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
- Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[4]
Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Whitman County Courthouse
N 404 Main Street, Box 390
Colfax, WA 99111-2031
Phone: 509.397.6240
Whitman County Website
County Clerk has marriage records 1872-1891, probate records from 1870, divorce and court records from 1864, and naturalization records 1862-1942.
County Auditor has birth and death records 1891-1907 and land records.
See also Archives, libraries, etc. in Whitman County, Washington Genealogy.
Dates of Major County Records[edit | edit source]
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1875 | 1872 | 1891 | 1861 | 1874 | 1878 | 1850 |
General compliance by 1917. |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Topics for Whitman County, Washington Genealogy[edit | edit source]
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.
Don't overlook Whitman County, Washington Genealogy items in the FamilySearch Library Catalog. For other libraries (local and national) or to gain access to items of interest, see Archives and Libraries. |
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Biographical information is often found in state and local histories or genealogies. See also Washington Biography.
Business and Commerce[edit | edit source]
- Washington, County Records, 1885-1979; Part of: County Records, 1856-2009; FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
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 | |
WAGenWeb | ||
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.
Check every person buried in the plot, as they may be close relatives. |
Census[edit | edit source]
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.
Click for more census tips |
- Washington online census links to FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest and others.
- Statewide printed indexes of federal censuses
- Index to the 1880 census of Whitman County, Washington Territory Publication online.
- (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search.
- Ancestry.com has all federal censuses and many state censuses searchable online.)
- Census Records, 1910-1912 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- School Census, 1888-1932 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Census indexes at Washington State Digital Archives: (Free)
For censuses prior to 1872, look under Stevens County. |
Church Records[edit | edit source]
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 Whitman County, Washington Genealogy are listed in the FamilySearch catalog. (Press space bar to select town.)
Court Records[edit | edit source]
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
- Whitman 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.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Election Records[edit | edit source]
- School Census, 1892-1938 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (free)
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political or Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
American Indian[edit | edit source]
Japanese[edit | edit source]
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
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
Many local libraries and societies have collections of family genealogies. County histories or biographies often include brief genealogies of the featured persons.

- "Whitman County Genealogy & Family History Resources" at Kindred Trails.
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
Local histories for Whitman County, Washington Genealogy may include biographies, history of churches, schools, local government with names of officials, military information, and more. See Washington Local Histories.
Washington State University is located in Pullman.
- Historic sketches of Walla Walla, Whitman, Columbia and Garfield Counties, Washington Territory, and Umatilla County, Oregon (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search). For free at Archive.org.
- An Illustrated history of Whitman County, state of Washington (If the link does not work, go to ancestry.com ($), click Search, select Card Catalog, paste Title into search box, click Search)
- Pullman Primer : Pullman Washington : Home of the State college of Washington planned and executed by Sunset Magazine Homeseekers' Bureau [Pullman, Wash.: Pullman Chamber of Commerce, 1911?]
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Historical County Boundaries from Newberry Library[6]
Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Phil Dougherty. Whitman County -- Thumbnail History,History Link.org Essay 7882.
- Whitman County, was home to bands of Palouse and other Sahaptin-speaking people, including the Nez Perce tribe.
- 1805 - October 11-13, Lewis and Clark canoed on the Snake River along the southern boundary of Whitman County.
- 1853 - March 2, U.S. President Millard Fillmore establishes Washington Territory.
- 1859 - June, The first recorded Euro-American exploration along Union Flat Creek, the birthplace of settlement for Whitman County, by Lieutenant John Mullan of the United States Army.
- 1871 - November 29, The county was formed from Stevens County.
- 2002 - The county has a primarily agricultural history, with an emphasis on wheat (today it ranks first in wheat production among Washington counties and second among counties in the nation).
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
Yes or Maybe ⇒ | Y | M |
Seller (Grantor) | ![]() |
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Seller's Spouse | ![]() |
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Buyer (Grantee) | ![]() |
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Heirs | ![]() | |
Witnesses | ![]() |
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Land Description and Dates | ![]() |
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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.
Maps[edit | edit source]
This map highlights the county within the state of Washington.
The map soon will have inter-active links.
- Family Maps of Whitman County, Washington (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
Migration[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
- 1921-1925 - Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921-1925 at FamilySearch — index
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
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 and Citizenship, 1868-1945 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Declarations of intention 1868-1907; Petitions for naturalization 1894-1945.
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
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.
Finding More Washington Newspapers
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Whitman 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)
Walla Walla Statesman newspaper, online at the Washington State Library, may have articles covering early Whitman County.
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
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.
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
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, 1876-1967 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Probate bonds 1877-1951; journal 1897-1967; minute book 1885-1954; Real estate index 1877-1882; Wills 1892-1937; Wills and bonds 1876-1878.
- 1892-1937 - Whitman County Washington list of will book testators SAMPUBCO - Browsable index of testators of wills. - free
Public Records[edit | edit source]
Public records are documents created by civil authorities that either don't fit comfortably in another topic, or that could fit in several topics.
- Whitman Postmaster Index. Part of Washington, Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965, FamilySearch Historical Collections for Washington. (Free, browse images)
- Public Records, 1876-1938 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Certificates of election and oath of office 1876-1930; Record of general elections 1892-1938; Record of primary elections 1892-1924.
Repositories[edit | edit source]
School Records[edit | edit source]
- School Records, 1881-1932 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes School census records 1894-1932; School vouchers and orders paid 1881-1889
Taxation[edit | edit source]
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.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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Birth Date and Place | ![]() |
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Parent's Names | ![]() |
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Mother's Maiden Name | ![]() |
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Parent's Ages | ![]() | |
Parents' State or Country of Birth | ![]() |
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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.[7]
See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Birth Records.
- Birth Records, 1873-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
- Washington State Digital Archives has a database of Whitman County Birth Records. This database contains the names and birth records of people who were born in Whitman County from 1890 to 1907.
- Births from Whitman County Jan. 1875 to Aug 1907.[8]
- Birth, 1891-1907 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
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[edit | edit source]
Y | M | |
Date of Marriage or License | ![]() |
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Names of Bride and Groom | ![]() |
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Ages | ![]() |
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Birth Places | ![]() |
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Residences | ![]() |
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Names of Parents | ![]() | |
Husband's Occupation | ![]() | |
Witnesses | ![]() |
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Minister or Officiator | ![]() |
Marriage records include certificates, marriage returns, license applications or affidavits. Counties kept the records until 1968, when the state took over.
Search all documents that exist for a marriage, since information on them will vary. |
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
- 1872-1947 - Marriage Records, 1872-1947 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Marriage affidavits 1917-1939;; certificates 1872-1925; record index 1873-1947 register 1891-1943.
- 1872-2002 - Marriage Records, 1872-2002 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
- 1872-1909 - 102 marriage entries from 23 Oct 1872 to 13 Dec 1909 are available at the Western States Marriage Index website.
- 1969-2014 - Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014 at FamilySearch — index
Witnesses or affiants may be relatives or close family friends. The affidavits also include physician's certificates. |
Divorce[edit | edit source]
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
- Divorce Records, 1921-1907 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
Death[edit | edit source]
Y | M | |
Name of Deceased | ![]() |
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Death Date and Place | ![]() |
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Age or Birth Date and Place | ![]() |
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Parent's Names | ![]() |
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Mother's Maiden Name | ![]() |
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Name of Spouse | ![]() | |
Residence | ![]() |
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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....[9]
See Washington Online Genealogy Records for indexes.
Also see Washington Death Records.
- Death Records, 1891-1907 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Death Returns 1891-1907 at Washington State Digital Archives Collection.(Free)
- Washington State Digital Archives has a database of Whitman County Death Returns containing names of people who died in Whitman County from 1891-1907. For FHL entries, click here
- Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960 at FamilySearch Historical Collections. (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
Voting Registers[edit | edit source]
- Voter Registers, 1898-1925 Part of: County Records, 1856-2009 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
- See what genealogical information may be in these records.
- Includes Poll books 1898-1904; Register of voters 1916-1925.
Websites[edit | edit source]
Check back often with these websites. Internet offerings are growing at record rates. Local societies and libraries may know of other websites. |
WAGenWeb Whitman 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.
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FamilySearch Historical Collections | Free | Search indexes or browse images at FamilySearch.org.
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Websites at RootsWeb -Whitman 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 | "Adams County, Washington Facts" |
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) | |
Archives, Libraries, etc.[edit | edit source]
See also a List of Washington Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical & Genealogical Societies
Resources for Whitman 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 Whitman County, Washington Genealogy. When you find items you'd like to access, see Get a Copy
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Libraries[edit | edit source]
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.
A library's Unique Collections may include card indexes of local records, newspapers, scrapbooks, genealogy papers, files of a genealogical or historical society, and other unpublished manuscripts. |
- Whitman County Rural Library District
Website
- Pullman (Niell Public Library)
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Whitman County Genealogical Society
PO Box 393
Pullman, Washington 99163-0393
Website
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
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:[10]
Cities | ||
Towns | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
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Census-designated places | ||
Ghost towns | ||
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Whitman County, Washington," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitman_County,_Washington. accessed 18/07/2019
- ↑ The Evolution of Washington Counties by Newton Carl Abbott, Fred E. Carver, 1979. Published by the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society and Klickitat County Genealogical Society.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ John H. Long, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) online.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Whitman County, Washington . Page 732-735 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 733-734.
- ↑ John H. Long, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (Chicago: Newberry Library, 2006) online.
- ↑ Washington State Archives - Digital Archives, Birth Records, About this Collection
- ↑ Lemper, Margaret, Births from Whitman County, Washington, Lewiston, Idaho, Ilo Register, 1979
- ↑ About Death Records at Washington State Digital Archives.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Whitman County, Washington," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitman_County,_Washington, accessed 26 March 2019.
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