Washington County History and Information

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Washington County was created on 1897 from Cherokee lands. The County was named for President George Washington. The County Seat is Bartlesville.

The county seat selected by delegates to the Constitutional Convention was Bartlesville, a town established in 1879 and named for Jacob Bartles, who had built a trading post on the site.

In 1913, after renting space for six years, county commissioners began work on a new county courthouse. Designed by architect P.H. Weathers, the work was completed by the Inland Construction Company at a cost of $94,750. The structure combined a unique mixture of architectural elements. The basic design was Second Renaissance Revival, with distinct horizontal zones, molded belt courses, rusticated stone finish on the ground level, and small fourth floor windows. Other elements of design included the colossal arch over the main entry, decorative touches of Neo-Classical architecture, and a sweeping staircase leading to the main entry.

In 1972 Washington County purchased the present county courthouse for $115,000 from the federal government, which had used it as a federal post office and court building. Built in 1933, the brick and granite structure was designed by architect James E. Wetmore.

The facade of the building was divided into two distinct zones, a lower level of smooth faced stone, the upper level of brick. This division was enhanced by unique window treatment and proportion. Other elements of design included the smooth ashlars quoins, the tiled roof, and the single dormer on the roof. See also County History for more historical details.

Counties adjacent to Washington County are Montgomery County, Kansas (north), Nowata County (east), Rogers County (southeast), Tulsa County (south), Osage County (west), Chautauqua County, Kansas (northwest)

Washington County Cities & Towns Include Bartlesville, Copan, Dewey, Ochelata, Ramona, Vera

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Records at the Washington County Courthouse

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

Search Oklahoma Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

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 at the Washington County Courthouse at 420 S Johnstone, Room 108, Bartlesville, OK 74003-6602; Phone: (918) 337-2820. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.

Washington County Clerk's Office has Birth Records from 1908, Death Records from 1908 and , Land Records from 1900.

The County Clerk's office is responsible for preserving all the legal instruments filed by private citizens and public officials with the County Clerk's office. The office maintains files of all real estate records, plats, judgments, liens, patents, military discharges, school records, county personnel, insurance and retirement records for employees, meeting notices, commissioners' proceedings and other documents. Although county clerks record births and deaths and provide information on request, certificates are available only from the Vital Records Section, State Department of Health

Washington County Court Clerk's Office has Probate Records from 1907, Marriage Records from 1907, and Court Records from 1907.

The Court Clerk has the primary responsibility to record, file, and maintain permanent records of the proceedings of the District Court. We collect fines, fees, and forfeitures, and distribute the collected monies as provided by law to the appropriate agencies. There are numerous types of cases filed with the Court Clerk's Office some of which include: Civil, Small Claims, Probate, Guardianship, Adoption, Felony, Misdemeanor, Search Warrants, Licenses and more...

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:

  • Search District Court Public Records from Participating Oklahoma District Courts
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Washington County, Oklahoma 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 Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Oklahoma

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

Vital Records Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 Northeast 10th, Oklahoma City, OK 73117;(405) 271-4040, They have the following records:

  • Birth & Death Certificates: Oklahoma began filing birth and death records in October of 1908. It was not mandatory, however, that these records be filed until 1917. Because birth and death records were not required in years past as they are today for identification or settlement of claims in matters of death, the filing process in many years prior to 1940 are sketchy. It is the responsibility of the hospital, attendant at birth or the funeral director in each matter of birth or death to properly obtain the information needed and file the certificate in a timely manner.
    • Cost: $10.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate.
    • Processing Time: 12-14 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Birth or Death Certificate) or 2-5 Days when you order online
  • Marriage and Divorce Certificates: Marriage and Divorce Records are maintained and issued in the County Courthouse of issuance. These records are available from the Clerk of Court in the county where the event occurred. Fees vary.
  • 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.
  • Walk-In Service: Coming to the Vital Records Service, Room 117, Oklahoma State Department Of Health, 1000 Northeast 10th, Oklahoma City, OK, Monday - Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or the Tulsa Health Department, Central Regional Health Center, 315 S. Utica, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-2203, 918-594-4840

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 Oklahoma 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.
  • Washington County, Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma

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, Oklahoma are 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. 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:

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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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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.

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 Oklahoma

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 Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

Heavy spring rains with severe flooding in 1902 awakened Oklahoma's citizens to the need for better roads. Territorial laws placed responsibility with townships, and a road overseer was to be elected for each district. General property tax and some funds from liquor licenses collected by counties and townships were used to finance the building of public roads along section lines. A road tax was required, along with the requirement that all males between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five donate four eight-hour days a year to work on highways. Those who did not work or provide a substitute were fined $5 for each absence.

The county treasurer or assessor may have tax or assessment records. Some tax records are stored in museums, historical, and/or genealogical societies' repositories. Published tax records for Oklahoma are almost nonexistent. Some duplicated copies of county tax records are stored in the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, State Archives Division for security purposes, but are not available for research. Koplowitz, Guide to the Historical Records of Oklahoma, indicates location of county records, including those of tax and assessments.

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 Tax Assesors Office, 420 S Johnstone, Room 108, Bartlesville, OK 74003-6602; Phone: (918) 337-2820
    The county assessor has the responsibility to appraise and assess the real and personal property within the county for the purpose of ad-valorem taxation. Also, the county assessor is required to compute the ad-valorem taxes due on all the taxable property. By law, the county assessor appraises all the taxable real property according to its fair cash value for which the property is actually being used.
  • Washington County, Oklahoma Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Washington County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Oklahoma 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 more 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:

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  • The Federation of Oklahoma Genealogical Societies, P.O. Box 2531, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602
  • Oklahoma Historical Society, 2100 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
  • Oklahoma Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 12986, Oklahoma City 73157-2986
  • Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Division of State Archives and Records, 200 N.E. 18th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 75105
  • National Archives; Southwest Region, 501 West Felix Street, Building 1, Fort Worth, Texas 76115-3405; E-mail: ftworth.archives@nara.gov. Mailing Address: P.O. 6216, Fort Worth, Texas 76115-0216
  • 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.
  • Oklahoma Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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Washington County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Oklahoma

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.

There are no centralized repositories dealing with church records in Oklahoma. Scattered records can be found in genealogical publications, the DAR compilations, and on microfilm. The Spanish missions have played a central role in Oklahoma's religious history.

Printed secondary sources of transcribed cemeteries exist for most Oklahoma counties. The Oklahoma State Society of the DAR has collected hundreds of such records. Transcripts are housed both at the national DAR and with some local chapters and libraries.

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:

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Extended History

 

Washington County is located in the northern part of Oklahoma, bordering on the State of Kansas and adjoining the rich Osage County on the east. It is forty miles in length, north and south, but only eleven miles wide. Although it is one of the smallest counties in the state, by reason of its fertile farm. lands, its apparently unlimited supply of oil and natural gas, and its progressive citizenship, it has become one of the wealthiest and most important counties of Oklahoma. It is well watered by Caney Creek, quite an important stream, which flows southward through the entire length of the county.

With the aid afforded by the Federal Government, Washington County is building a number of hard-surfaced roads, nearly half a million dollars having been expended on its public highways during the past year. The citizens realize that good roads will benefit the city man and the farmer, that they will have a tendency to keep the boys on the farm, and will bring the rural population and the city dweller into closer relationship.

Its soil is principally of the sandy loam character and produces excellent crops of corn, wheat, oats, fruits and vegetables. The rougher portions of land produce good grass and are well adapted to raising peaches, grapes and berries. This county is just a little too far north to be included in the cotton belt of the state, yet small fields of cotton are occasionally found in the valleys of Caney Creek and its tributaries. For several years past some of the most progressive farmers have become interested in raising thoroughbred horses, cattle and hogs, and herds of Shorthorn and Holstein cattle, Chester White, Duroc Jersey and Poland China hogs are becoming quite numerous. The bankers and business men of the county are aiding very materially in the matter of raising fine stock by furnishing to the farmer boys pure-bred pigs and calves to raise.

During the past year about five hundred cars of cattle, eighteen cars of horses and thirty cars of hogs were shipped from the farms of this county to the northern markets. The fine pastures of this section of the state afford splendid opportunities for the dairyman and wool grower, but these branches of industry have not yet been developed to any great extent. As the importance and value of the dairy business becomes better understood, it will doubtless receive more attention. It is a deplorable fact that on many Oklahoma farms where cattle are raised in vast numbers, and where good pastures can be had for ten months of the year, scarcely enough milk and butter are produced for family consumption.

Washington maintains a County Fair Association which is increasing in interest and importance as the years roll by. The Farmer Boys' clubs as well as the farmers vie with one another in their efforts to make fine exhibits of their products.

Although the general health conditions of Washington County are good, the citizens have planned to fight every appearance of disease by establishing a County Tuberculosis Association and maintaining a county dispensary at the county courthouse, in charge of a trained nurse who furnishes free advice or treatment to those in need of it. The homes of the poorer classes are visited, the schools are inspected and advice is given in the matter of the preservation of the health of the babies of the county.

Washington County is located in the extreme northwestern corner of the old Cherokee Nation and the old-time Cherokees can tell many thrilling stories of their squabbles with the half civilized Osage adjoining them on the west. The Osage were of a roving disposition and in various ways they were inclined to annoy the Cherokee farmers. Several battles and skirmishes were fought between them but finally they agreed upon a treaty of peace which was observed by both tribes, barring a few raids of cattle-stealing charged against the roving Osage. Several years ago the county employed an active agricultural agent, a graduate of an agricultural college, who has been devoting his entire time to working with and for the farmers and as a result of his work, improved methods of agriculture are already, noticeable.

Washington County is well supplied with railroad facilities, the two great systems, the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe lines crossing the county and intersecting at Bartlesville, the county seat. The. Santa Fe road traverses the entire length of the county from north to south, passing through the towns of Owen, Copan, Dewey, Bartlesville, Mataoka, Ochelata, Ramona and Vera, while the M. K. & T. road crosses the county in a northeasterly direction, passing through Bartlesville and Dewey.

During all the years when cattle were roaming the prairies by the thousands and later when the prairies were being cut up into farms no one, apparently dreamed that vast fortunes lay hidden underneath the surface in the form of oil and natural gas. The first oil well in this county, being one of the first to be drilled in the state of Oklahoma, was brought in during the year 1896 within the limits of the present city of Bartlesville. This well, now twenty-six years old still produces oil and its steady flow from the beginning was sufficient proof of the existence of a real oil field to presage a wonderful development of the oil industry in that section of the state. The lands at that time, however, were not allotted, but owned by the Indians in common, and on account of the numerous difficulties and doubts about securing valid leases, the real development of the oil industry was delayed; but when the time arrived that the promoters felt safe in investing their money in leases and in drilling wells, oil derricks arose as if by magic throughout this section of the state. In the meantime, natural gas was discovered in abundance, and Washington County soon found itself in possession of one of the most important oil and gas fields of the United States.

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