Camas Genealogy and Family Records
Camas genealogy research centers on Clark County, one of the oldest counties in Washington State, with records dating back to the Oregon Territory period. Camas was incorporated in 1906 and sits on the north bank of the Columbia River in the southwest corner of Washington. Birth, marriage, death, land, and court records for the Camas area are held in Clark County archives and the Washington State Digital Archives, with collections going back to the 1840s for some record types.
Camas Overview
Clark County Genealogy Records
Clark County was created as an original county in the Oregon Territory on June 27, 1844, and the county seat is Vancouver. The county has one of the oldest record systems in Washington. The County Auditor holds birth and death records from 1890 to 1906, marriage records from 1890, and land records from 1850. The County Clerk has divorce, probate, and court records from 1890.
A significant loss did occur. On February 25, 1890, the Clark County Courthouse and Jail were destroyed by fire, which resulted in the loss of probate records, Superior and District court records, and records of several county offices. The County Auditor's records survived the fire. Known beginning dates for government records reflect the post-fire situation: birth in 1890, marriage in 1890, death in 1890, court in 1890, land in 1890, and probate in 1890. The County Recorder holds deeds, mining claims, and county plat maps dating back to 1878, though records prior to the fire are more limited.
The Clark County FamilySearch Wiki provides a detailed overview of available collections. It lists the Clark County Auditor Marriage Records from 1843 to the present, Birth Register from 1891 to 1907, Recorded Land Records from 1998 to the present, Professional License Records, and Vancouver Police Department Photographs of Criminals from 1896 to 1940. These are among the most historically deep records available in any Washington county.
Note: For Camas-area families, Clark County records cover the full span of local history from before Washington statehood. Land records going back to 1850 can help trace homestead claims and early property ownership along the Columbia River.
Clark County Auditor Vital Records
The Clark County Auditor's Office at 1300 Franklin, 2nd Floor, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666, phone (360) 397-2243, issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records from 1890 to the present. Birth records from 1895 to 1907 are also held by the Auditor's Office. Certified copies of birth records cost $20.00, and certified copies of marriage records cost $3.00 with photocopies at $1.00. The office accepts mail orders and provides some search capability online.
For birth records from 1908 to 1920, researchers must contact the Washington State Vital Records Office. For birth records from 1921 to the present, contact the Clark County Center for Community Health at 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98666. This split between state and county responsibility for different time periods is common in Washington and worth keeping in mind when searching for Camas birth records.
The Clark County Center for Community Health, Vital Records, 3rd Floor, 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd., PO Box 9825, Vancouver, WA 98666-8825, at clark.wa.gov/public-health/vital-records issues birth certificates from 1921 to the present and death certificates from 1999 through 2008. For death records prior to 1999, contact the Washington State Vital Records Office. Certified copies cost $20.00. The office accepts search requests online and by mail.
Camas and Clark County Records at the Digital Archives
The Clark County collections at the Washington State Digital Archives include marriage records, birth registers, and other historical documents covering the Camas area from the 1840s forward.
The Digital Archives holds some of the oldest county-level genealogy records in Washington, including Clark County marriage records going back to 1843, predating Washington statehood by more than a decade.
The City of Camas website provides access to the City Clerk, who maintains city council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and public records from incorporation onward. The clerk processes public records requests under RCW 42.56.
Municipal records from after 1906 can help researchers trace residents through property records, business licenses, and city council decisions that reference local families.
The additional Clark County collections at the Digital Archives extend coverage of the Camas area with records from various time periods and record types.
These collections are searchable by name, year, and Soundex. The Digital Archives staff can assist with questions about Clark County collections and related records.
Washington State Digital Archives Clark County Collections
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds multiple Clark County collections directly relevant to Camas genealogy research.
The Clark County Auditor, Marriage Records, 1843-Present is one of the oldest marriage record collections in Washington. It reflects Clark County's status as one of the original Oregon Territory counties. Records from after December 6, 2012 use Person A and Person B rather than groom and bride. The collection is searchable by name and year with Soundex options.
The Clark County Auditor, Birth Register, 1891-1907 holds index and images of birth registers filed with the county auditor between 1891 and 1907. Search by parents' names for best results. The mother's last name will be her maiden name. The records were digitized by the Northwest Regional Branch.
The additional Clark County records at the Digital Archives include other historical collections tied to the Vancouver area and surrounding communities including Camas. The auditor's website at clark.wa.gov/auditor lists current services and contact information for record requests.
Clark County Genealogical Society and Local Resources
The Clark County Genealogical Society at PO Box 2728, Vancouver, WA 98668-2728 assists researchers with Clark County family history. The society maintains collections of local genealogical materials including cemetery records, obituaries, and family histories that complement the official record system. Local genealogical societies often hold unique materials not available through official county or state systems.
The Washington State Archives Northwest Regional Branch at sos.wa.gov serves Clark County and holds local government records including birth and death records, marriage records, court records, land records, and school district records. The branch in Bellingham is open by appointment only, Wednesdays through Fridays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at 808 25th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, phone (360) 650-3125.
The Washington State Library genealogy guide at washstatelib.libguides.com/genealogy and the FamilySearch state guide at familysearch.org both list Clark County as a priority county for genealogy research given the depth and age of its records.
Clark County Genealogy Records
Camas is in Clark County, where genealogy records date back to the Oregon Territory period. The Clark County page covers the full range of available collections, from 1840s marriage records through modern vital registration.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Camas and use the same Clark County record system or nearby county archives.