Washington County, Minnesota
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Court Records | Vital Records | CENSUS Records | TAX Records | Military Records | Church & Cemetery |
Maps & Atlases | Genealogy Addresses | Genealogy Related Sites |
Washington County Facts

VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Washington County was created on October 27, 1849 from Old St. Croix County and Unorganized Territory. The County Seat is Stillwater. The County was named for George Washington, commander-in-chief during the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783; president of the United States, 1789-97.

Counties adjacent to Washington County are Chisago County (north), Polk County, Wisconsin (northeast), St. Croix County, Wisconsin (east), Pierce County, Wisconsin (southeast), Dakota County (southwest), Ramsey County (west), Anoka County (northwest). Cities and Towns Include Afton, Bayport, Birchwood Village, Cottage Grove, Dellwood, Forest Lake, Grant, Hastings, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Lake St. Croix Beach, Lakeland Shores, Lakeland, Landfall, Mahtomedi, Marine on St. Croix, Newport, Oak Park Heights, Oakdale, Pine Springs, Scandia, St. Marys Point, St. Paul Park, Stillwater, Willernie, White Bear Lake, Woodbury. Townships Include Baytown, Denmark, Forest Lake, Grey Cloud Island, May, Stillwater, West Lakeland Townships. See also County History and County Courthouse for more details.

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Records at the Washington County Courthouse

See Also Minnesota Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link, by contacting the Phone number below for each department or contacting the County Courthouse at 14949 62nd Street, Stillwater , MN; (651) 430-6366. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.

Washington County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1870, Marriage Records from 1843, Death Records from 1870 and Land Records from 1856.

The Recorders Office is responsible for all the real estate records for properties located in the County. Permanent records of deeds, mortgages and other various real estate records are recorded/filed in this office. As Local Registrar, the office protects and issues certified copies of Birth and Death records, Marriage Certificates & Military Discharge Records.

Washington County Court Administrator's Office has Probate Records from 1849 and has Court Records from 1847.

The Court Administrator's Office maintains court files for Civil, Criminal, Traffic, Probate, Conciliation, Juvenile, Tax and Family Court matters.

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Washington County Court Records by clicking the link below:

  • Order County Court, Civil or Criminal Records Online
  • Minnesota Naturalization Records Index, 1854-1957: An index to the microfilmed Minnesota Naturalization Records
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Minnesota Land Records: This database contains information on Minnesota (U.S.A.) land records. The database comes from the Bureau of Land Management's Minnesota Pre-1908 Homestaed and Cash Entry Patent and Cadastral Survey Plat Index. Information recorded in the collection includes patentee name, land office, legal description, etc.
  • Washington County, Minnesota Court Books at Amazon.com
  • Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
  • Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
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Washington County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

The Minnesota Historical Society holds large numbers of county property tax records, filed under the respective county. Some of the tax records are for specific municipalities. No determination has been made concerning tax record holdings in the county courthouse.

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Washington County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Washington County Treasurers Office - The treasurer is responsible for keeping a complete accounting of all monies collected and expended by all the county departments. This includes the investing of available funds and accurately distributing the interest received. The department is also responsible for the collection of taxes and distribution to the various taxing entities within the County.
  • Washington County, Minnesota Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Washington County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Minnesota

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Minnesota Department of Health, Attention: Office of the State Registrar, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164. It is no longer necessary to go to the registrar's office of the county where the birth or death took place. You may go to a registrar's office in any county in Minnesota for births that took place during of after 1900 and for deaths that took place during or after 1997. They have the following records:

  • Birth Certificates: Avalible since 1900 to 3 months ago.
    • Cost: $16.00 for Certified and $13.00 for Non-Certified Certificates. For births that took place before 1900, go to the local registrar office in the county where the birth took place.
    • Processing Time: Filled requests take 4-6 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Certified and Non-certified) or 2-5 Days when you order online.
  • Death Certificates: Avalible since Jan 1908.
    • Cost: $13.00 for Certified and Non-Certified Certificates. For deaths that took place before 1900, go to the local registrar office in the county where the death took place.
    • Processing Time: Filled requests take 4-6 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Certified and Non-certified) or 2-5 Days when you order online.
  • Marriage Certificates: Certified copies may be available from the Local Registrar in the county where the license was issued or you can order them online.
  • Divorces: Certified copies may be available from the Local Registrar in the county where the divorce was granted.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.
  • Order In Person: The Dept of Health no longer accepts walk-in or phone orders because of a change in Minnesota law. However, you may complete your requests by mail or online.

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Washington County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

  • VitalChek Express Certificate Service - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
  • Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical Minnesota newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
  • Minnesota Birth Index, 1935-2002: This database is an index created by the Minnesota Department of Health to approximately 5.2 million births occurring in the State of Minnesota, USA, between 1935 and 2002. Information contained in this index includes child's full name, father's full name, mother's maiden name, birth date, birth county, and state file number.
  • Minnesota Marriage Collection, 1958-2001: This database is an index to individuals who were married in the state of Minnesota (U.S.A.) from 1958-2001. Information that may be found in this database for each entry includes bride and groom's full names, their ages, birth dates, and marriage date and place.
  • Minnesota Divorce Index, 1970-1995: This database contains a statewide index of divorces filed in Minnesota between 1970 and 1995. Information that may be found in this database includes: husband's name and age, wife's name and age, divorce date, and divorce county.
  • Minnesota Death Index, 1908-2002: This database is an index of deaths recorded by the State of Minnesota, USA, from 1908 to 2002. The index includes: name of the deceased, city and county of death, date of death, birth date, birthplace, mother's maiden name, and state file number.
  • Washington County, Minnesota Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
  • Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
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Washington County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Minnesota

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Washington County, Minnesota are 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Washington County, Minnesota are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Washington County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Minnesota Census, 1835-90: This database contains indexes to the Minnesota (U.S.A.) portions of the 1850-1880 U.S. Federal Censuses as well as indexes to the 1835-1839 Tax Lists, 1849 Territorial Census, and the 1890 Veteran's Schedule. Information contained in these indexes can include name, state, county, township, year of record, and name of record set.
  • Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905: This database contains the Minnesota territorial and state censuses from 1849-1905. Information available for an individual will vary according to the census year and the information requested on the census form. Some of the information contained in this database though includes: name, enumeration place, age, gender, race, and birthplace.
  • Census Online - Minnesota Census Records
  • The USGenWeb Archives Minnesota CENSUS IMAGES PROJECT
  • Washington County, Minnesota Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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Washington County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Minnesota showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Minnesota showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Maps. Email us with websites containing Washington County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Washington County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Minnesota

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Washington County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Washington County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Minnesota Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Washington County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Washington County Historical Society, PO Box 167, Stillwater MN 55082-0167
    Warden's House Museum: 602 North Main St, Stillwater MN, Phone: 651 439-5956
  • Warden's Carriage House, PO Box 167, Stillwater MN 55082-0167, Phone: 651 439-5956
  • Hay Lake School Museum and Johannes Erickson Log House Museum, Scandia MN 55073, Phone: 651 433-4014
  • Oakdale/Lake Elmo Historical Society, 1584 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale MN 55128
  • South Washington Heritage Society, 1221 Summit Ave., St. Paul Park, MN 55071-1445
  • Woodbury Heritage Society, Woodbury Municipal Building, 8301 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury MN 55125-2320, Phone: 651 714-3564
  • Minnesota State Archives, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102-1906 • 651-259-3260
  • Minnesota Historical Society, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102-1906 • 651-259-3000
  • Minnesota Genealogical Society, 1185 Concord St. N. Suite 218, South St. Paul, MN 55075-1187; (651) 455-9057
  • National Archives - Great Lakes Region (Chicago), 7358 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois 60629-5898; 773-948-9001; E-mail: chicago.archives@nara.gov (Maintains retired records from Federal agencies and courts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Minnesota.)
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Minnesota Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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Washington County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Minnesota

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Washington County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Washington County Tombstone Transcription Project.

The Minnesota Historical Records Survey Project of Madison published the Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Minnesota in 1941 and Guide to Church Vital Statistics Records in Minnesota in 1942. There are also numerous publications by the project for specific denominations. Extensive microfilm collections of church records in Minnesota are available through the FHL. The State Historical Society of Minnesota and Area Research Centers have a variety of church records including microfilm and original records.

Numerous cemeteries have been read and transcribed by local genealogical societies in Minnesota. The transcriptions are frequently deposited with an Area Research Center, a local library, or the State Historical Society of Minnesota. A considerable number have been printed in the Minnesota State Genealogical Society Newsletter. Some have been privately published.

The Minnesota State Old Cemetery Society, 6100 West Mequon Road, Mequon, WI 53092, publishes a newsletter and maintains an archive of tombstone inscriptions from around the state. Contact the society for membership information

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Washington County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Washington County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

  • Search 60 Years Of Everton Data: For the first time ever you can get access to more than 150,000 pedigree files and family group sheets from Evertons. Learn More
  • Search the Family Tree DNA Project - Use DNA testing to break through your genealogical barriers!
  • Sites on USGenweb: [ Washington County ] [ Minnesota ] [ Main Page ]
  • Washington County USGenweb Archives
  • [GenForum Message Boards] [Rootsweb Message Boards]
  • Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
  • Minnesota Family Group Sheets
  • Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
  • Family Trees - Ancestry has thousands of family trees shared by other members. They can help you identify how ancestors are related and give you clues about birth, marriage, and death information. Family trees are an excellent resource for filling in gaps in your research or even to simply know where to begin.
  • Pictures - One of the more exciting discoveries in doing family history research is finding a photograph of your ancestors or their residence. Finding historic postcard photos and drawings of towns and important events throughout history can also give you a visual look into your ancestors lives.
  • Reference Materials & Finding Aids - Reference materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other how-to books, can be tremendously helpful in finding and interpreting historical documents. Many of these books can help you learn where to look for more information and how to use what you've already found to uncover more clues.
  • Washington County, Minnesota Family Books at Amazon.com
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Extended History

 

Minnesota County History Name Index: This database is a name index of eleven county histories and plat books for the area immediately south of the city of St. Paul in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Researchers will find the name of the county resident, the book in which the person's name appears, and the page number. Where information is available, town of residence is also given.
Minnesota Crew Lists, 1929-1952: For several decades in the early half of the twentieth century, Two Harbors, Minnesota was one of the busiest iron ore loading ports in the world. This database is an index to the crew lists (NOT passenger lists) of vessels that arrived at Two Harbors,

Washington County was officially created on October 27, 1849, in the Territory of Minnesota (Minnesota was admitted to the United States as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858). As one of Minnesota's original nine counties, Washington County is located on the eastern edge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan area and is comprised of 423 square miles of land. Washington County government has been serving residents since its creation in 1849. The county seat is located in Stillwater, Minnesota, along the scenic St. Croix River.

Washington County has historically played a diverse role in the region, serving the Twin Cities with its commercial, industrial, natural, and agricultural resources. The residents of Washington County take great pride in the rich, historical significance of the area.

Today, Washington County is a place where a prosperous economy grows with vital industries. The continued economic expansion of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with its resultant population growth, has caused a spread of highly developed urban areas in Washington County in the cities of Woodbury, Cottage Grove and Oakdale. The communities of Stillwater, Bayport, St. Paul Park, Newport and Forest Lake have each developed economic bases that support a local labor force.

While much of Washington County has retained its rural atmosphere, today it is considered a "suburban" county. However, the county continues to maintain its diverse image - from the corn fields of Denmark Township to the residential neighborhoods of Woodbury; from the office and retail complexes along Interstate 94 to the cooling waters of the St. Croix River; from the lakeshore communities around White Bear Lake and Forest Lake to the pastoral wooded settings of the City of Scandia and May Township ... each area of Washington County possesses a distinct set of landscapes and resources.

County Courthouse

The first court held in the Minnesota Territory convened on Aug. 13, 1849 in a mill with Judge Aaron Goodrich presiding. The territorial court, which was actually a federal court, heard 60 cases in six days.

Sometime later that year, the first county courthouse in Minnesota Territory was completed on a donated site at Fourth and Chestnut in Stillwater. The one-story, three-room, frame building stood 31 by 60 feet and cost $3,600. It served for 18 years until its replacement was built.

The 1869 courthouse overlooks the business district and the bend of the St. Croix River. The land now surrounded by low gray limestone walls topped by an ornate iron fence was donated by Socrates Nelson and Mrs. Elizabeth Churchill. Augustus F. Knight, St. Paul's first resident architect, designed the building that G.M. Seymour and W.M. May built for $55,257.

The building is 67 by 151 feet and stands 55 feet tall to the cornice plus another 50 feet to the top of the dome. Thick masonry walls are made of St. Croix Valley sandstone faced with red brick. Its dome and cupola are supported by two intersecting wooden trusses.

Facing Pine Street, the main entrance is reached by several tiers of steps rising to a two-story portico that has a triple arcade of round head brick arches on each level between quoined brick piers. The piers are topped by a low classic pediment. A water table of gray limestone marks the first floor level. The cornice has a classic entablature with dentils and modillions, as do the gables.

At the intersection of the two roof ridges is a small ribbed dome on a drum with 12 narrow vertical round-headed windows separated by 12 fluted columns. The roof itself is made of crimped metal. The style combines the earlier Greek Revival with the midcentury Italianate.

Inside, two curved flights of stairs rise from either side at the back of the central hall to a landing, where they join and proceed upward. A narrower stair circles up from the second floor to the attic and dome. Balusters and handrails are made of walnut and the original furniture was built of butternut from the Chisago area. Original floor tiles had been shipped from England in 1867 and were said to have been laid in such an intricate pattern that the completion of the building was delayed for months. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

In 1975, county offices moved to a new, three-sectioned modern brick building on North 61st Street. Wold Associates of St. Paul designed the building, which was built by the Witcher Construction Co. The 100,000-square-foot building cost $3.1 million.

The building's tall piers rise to support an overhanging, heavy flat roof. Two of its three sections have flat, square, glass-sided cupolas set on low pyramidal roofs.

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