Mason County Genealogy Records

Mason County holds genealogy records stretching back to the 1850s, including birth registers, death and funeral cards, marriage certificates, territorial censuses, and probate files. The Washington State Digital Archives hosts several Mason County collections that are free to search online, and the Mason County Genealogical Society and Mason County Historical Society both provide research assistance and access to local collections not available elsewhere. This guide explains where to find the key sources for Mason County family history research.

Mason County Vital Records and County Archives

Mason County was formed from Thurston County in 1854. It was first called Sawamish and was later renamed Mason after Charles H. Mason, the secretary to the first territorial governor of Washington. The county seat is Shelton, located on the southern end of Hood Canal. Records from the early territorial period are spread across the County Auditor, the County Clerk, the Washington State Archives Southwest Regional Branch, and local societies.

The County Auditor holds birth records from 1891 to 1907. The County Clerk holds court and probate records. The Washington State Archives Southwest Regional Branch in Olympia holds transferred county records. Contact the Southwest Regional Branch at (360) 753-1684 or swbrancharchives@sos.wa.gov. For post-1907 vital records, contact the Washington State Department of Health.

Mason County Records in the Digital Archives

The Washington State Digital Archives holds four Mason County genealogy collections. Each is free to search and includes indexed entries with scanned images of original records.

The Mason County Auditor birth records, 1891-1907 contain 786 entries. The collection covers births and affidavits of correction filed with the Mason County Auditor between 1891 and 1907, with a few records outside those dates. The records were transcribed and proofread by Historical Records Project volunteers Kathy Lester, Eileen and Norman Dodge, and Ann Stroupe. When searching, use the mother's maiden name for the mother's last name field. The database allows searching by mother, father, or child name with Soundex and gender filters.

The Mason County Death and Funeral Cards, 1890-1931 contain 2,269 entries. This collection was created from the Mason County Genealogical Society's collection of funeral home records, obituaries, and microfiche. It is particularly valuable because it extends beyond the 1907 cutoff for county auditor death records and captures deaths from funeral home sources not found in official government registers. The original material is held by the Mason County Genealogical Society and was transcribed by Historical Records Project Volunteer Kathy Lester of Shelton, Washington.

Lead-in: The Mason County Death and Funeral Cards database in the Digital Archives holds 2,269 indexed records drawn from funeral home files, obituaries, and microfiche collected by the Mason County Genealogical Society.

This collection extends through 1931, covering over two decades beyond the 1907 cutoff for official county death registers, which makes it one of the most useful local death sources in the county.

Mason County Territorial Census Records

Mason County has two territorial census collections in the Digital Archives, covering 1871 and 1885. These records predate the regular federal census schedules and can fill gaps left by missing or incomplete federal returns.

The 1885 Mason County Census contains 809 records. The census was recorded by the Mason County Territorial Auditor and captures names of all household members along with age, sex, race, occupation, marital status, place of birth, literacy, and citizenship status. It records whether individuals could read or write and lists male and female citizens of the United States over age 21 and aliens. The microfilm was held by the Washington State Library and the records were transcribed by Peggy Beerbower of Shelton, Washington, with final proofreading by the Belfair Genealogical Society.

Lead-in: The 1885 Mason County Census in the Digital Archives holds 809 indexed records from the territorial auditor's census of the county that year.

The 1885 census was required by territorial law and captures a snapshot of Mason County households roughly five years before Washington became a state.

The 1871 Mason County Census contains 326 records. It captures the same categories of household data as the 1885 census, including age, sex, color, occupation, marital status, place of birth, and literacy. The census also notes whether parents were of foreign birth. The microfilm is held by the Washington State Library and the records were transcribed by Stan Staniforth of Bellevue and proofread by Judy Pitchford of the Washington State Library. Together, the 1871 and 1885 censuses provide two snapshots of Mason County households during the territorial period.

Lead-in: The 1871 Mason County Census in the Digital Archives contains 326 indexed records from the early territorial period, about 15 years before Washington became a state.

The 1871 census is especially valuable for researchers tracing families in Mason County before the federal census schedules provide regular coverage of the territory.

Mason County Genealogical Society

The Mason County Genealogical Society (MCGS) is a nonprofit organization open to all persons with an interest in genealogical and historical research in Mason County. The society meets at 6:00 pm on the first Thursday of every month year-round. Meetings are currently held via Zoom. To get the meeting link, email masoncountygenealogy@gmail.com.

The society maintains a library of genealogical materials and has undertaken projects such as documenting headstones in Shelton Memorial Park. Its service area includes Eldon, Lilliwaup, Skokomish, Matlock, and Shelton. The society collaborates with the Mason County Historical Society and Museum on preservation and indexing work. Membership is open to anyone interested in researching Mason County families.

The MCGS created the Death and Funeral Cards collection that is now available in the Digital Archives, covering 1890 to 1931. This is a good example of the work local genealogy societies do to make records accessible that would otherwise require in-person visits or extensive correspondence. Contacting the society directly is a good step if you have hit a wall researching Mason County ancestry online.

Mason County Historical Society and Other Sources

The Mason County Historical Society operates a museum at 427 West Railroad Avenue, Shelton, WA 98584. They can be reached by phone at 360-426-1020. The museum's collection includes files on early families, newspapers, census data, probate records, death records, and an extensive photo display. The society works closely with the Mason County Genealogical Society to preserve and index local records.

Researchers can visit the museum to access unpublished family histories and local cemetery records. Exhibits focus on the early settlement of the county, the logging industry, and the development of communities along Hood Canal and Puget Sound. These unpublished family histories can sometimes provide connections and details that are not found in any government record.

For a broader overview of what is available, the FamilySearch wiki for Mason County, Washington lists known record sets, date ranges, and links to online databases. It notes the county's creation from Thurston County in 1854, the name change from Sawamish to Mason, and the location of various record types across county offices and the Southwest Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives.

Note: Contact the Washington State Archives Southwest Regional Branch at (360) 753-1684 for records that have been transferred from Mason County offices, including probate files and older court records not yet available online.

Nearby Counties

Mason County sits between Kitsap, Thurston, Grays Harbor, and Jefferson counties. Ancestors who lived near the county line may have records in more than one jurisdiction.