Washington County Genealogy

Washington County genealogy records are among the oldest in all of Ohio. The county was created on July 27, 1788, making it one of the original counties in the Northwest Territory. Marietta is the county seat and the first permanent settlement in Ohio. You can search for birth, death, marriage, probate, court, and land records through several Washington County offices. Records here go back to 1788 for some types, which is earlier than almost anywhere else in the state. This guide covers the main sources for genealogy research in Washington County.

Washington County Record Sources

The Washington County Courthouse is at 205 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750. Call 740-373-6623 for help. The Probate Court holds birth and death records from 1867 through December 19, 1908. Marriage records go back to 1789. Probate files including wills, estates, and guardianship papers also start from 1789. These are among the oldest county records in Ohio.

The Clerk of Courts has divorce records and civil case files from 1789. Court records for Washington County are unusually deep. The county existed before Ohio was even a state, so researchers with early pioneer ancestors may find documents here that predate statehood. Land records at the Washington County Recorder start from 1788. Deeds, grants, and surveys from the Ohio Company of Associates are part of this collection. Those early land documents are critical for tracing the first families who settled at Marietta and along the Ohio River.

Washington County land records are some of the most historically significant in the state. Property research here can connect you to the very first wave of organized settlement in the Northwest Territory. The Recorder also holds military discharge papers and other recorded documents that may help with genealogy research.

Washington County Vital Records

Washington County is one of 28 Ohio counties whose early probate birth records are indexed at the Ohio History Connection. That index covers births from 1867 to December 19, 1908. The records are one-line ledger entries with name, date, and parents. After that date, the Ohio Department of Health took over registration.

For death records between 1908 and 1953, check with the Ohio History Connection Archives. Deaths after 1953 are at the Ohio Department of Health. Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3705, all vital events must be filed with local registrars. Marriage records at the Washington County Probate Court go back to 1789, predating Ohio statehood by fourteen years.

Washington County Genealogy Collections

The Washington County Historical Society runs the Campus Martius Museum in Marietta. The museum and its archives hold materials tied to the earliest settlement of Ohio. Their collections include manuscripts, photographs, maps, and family papers from Washington County families going back to the 1780s. If you have ancestors among the Ohio Company settlers, this is a must-visit spot.

The Historical Society's archives are especially strong on early Marietta families and the settlement period of the late 1700s.

The Washington County Public Library also has genealogy and local history holdings. The library keeps local newspapers on microfilm, city directories, and published county histories that are useful for family research. Staff can help with local genealogy questions and point you to the right collections.

Land and Court Records

Washington County land records from 1788 are among the oldest in Ohio. The Ohio Company of Associates purchased land in this area from the federal government, and the first deeds were recorded here before statehood. Deeds, mortgages, plats, and surveys are filed at the County Recorder. These records are invaluable for researchers tracing early Ohio families.

Court records date from 1789. The Clerk of Courts holds civil and criminal files, including divorce records. Ohio is a public records state under Title 37 of the Ohio Revised Code, so most court documents are open. Adoption files and certain sealed records have restrictions, but the bulk of court records are available for research. Early court records from the 1790s are especially rare and valuable because very few places in Ohio have documents from that period.

Washington County's location along the Ohio River also means that some ancestors may have crossed between Ohio and what is now West Virginia. If you lose track of a family in Washington County records, it is worth checking across the river as well. River crossings were part of daily life in this area, and family ties often spanned both sides.

Ohio Resources for Washington County

The Ohio History Connection in Columbus holds indexed probate birth records for Washington County and death records from 1908 through 1953. Researchers can visit for free. The Ohio Memory digital library has scanned photographs and documents from across the state. The Ohio Genealogical Society publishes research indexes covering census, tax, court, and vital records for counties statewide. The Washington County chapter of OGS focuses on local records and holds meetings in the Marietta area.

For online access, FamilySearch provides free databases covering Ohio births, deaths, marriages, and county records. The OhioGenealogy.org site has links to county-level resources and free transcriptions. The Ohio History Connection Vital Records Guide helps you figure out which office holds specific record types by time period. Because Washington County records go so far back, using these online indexes can save a lot of time before you travel to the courthouse in Marietta. The federal census for Washington County is available starting from 1800, which is earlier than most Ohio counties since the area was settled before statehood.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washington County. Records for ancestors who lived near the county line may be filed in a neighboring county instead.