Klickitat County Probate Records
This is an on-going project!
Progress will be made according to the time available to the volunteer(s).

This probate information is the result of the generous efforts of Cindy Blandine. Thanks Cindy!

     Probate records can be a gold mine of genealogical data. The probate file is generally established to settle the estate of a deceased person, although there can be other reasons, such as insanity, incompetence, adoption, guardianship, or a name change. Sometimes the deceased dies without a will (intestate) and sometimes there is a will (testate). If there is no will, inheritance laws take precedence.
     Probate is conducted under state jurisdiction and is usually filed in the county court where the person was last living. There may, however, be other probate files if the person owned property in more than one county at the time of their death. Because probate may not be settled until years after the person's death, it is a good idea to check for the existence of probate records perhaps up to 10 years after the deceased has died. Probate files for an individual who was insane or incompetent are not catalogued here.
     The probate file may consist of original documents, or may be microfilmed. Documents that may be found in the file can include items such as a will, a list of heirs that include family relationships, guardianship information, adoption agreements, name changes, prenuptial agreements, receipts, any litigation surrounding the estate, property inventories, court orders, and information about property the decedent held at the time of death.
     A Klickitat County resident is working with the Clerk's office creating an alphabetical list of probates filed with that County from the time Klickitat was a part of Washington Territory in the late 1800s to September 1987 (probates after that time are on the County's computer, and are not catalogued here). The County has generously agreed to have the list of probate names posted on the Internet.
     The Klickitat County Clerk holds these probate files within the Courthouse. Some files can be quite lengthy. To obtain copies of the probate file, please note the name and case number. Then contact the Klickitat County Clerk's office, 205 S. Columbus Avenue, MS CH3 Room 204, Goldendale Washington 98620. Their phone number is 509-773-5744.
     Klickitat County will not review the file to determine which pages to copy, but will copy the whole file. Each uncertified page costs $.50. You may also wish to come to the Klickitat County Clerk's office and review the file yourself to determine what should be copied, or e-mail Saundra Olson, Klickitat County Clerk, at SaundraOl@co.klickitat.wa.us .
     If you wish, you may contact the Klickitat County resident who has completed the alphabetical list. That resident can review the probate file for you and determine with you what should be copied. Copy costs, mailing expenses, and any research fees will be determined by contacting this volunteer at 509-773-2164 or by e-mailing to cbla50@gorge.net

Volumes 1 and 2 include early probates from Washington Territory status to 1907
Volume 3 includes probates filed from 1907 - 1916
Volume 4 includes probates filed from 1916 - 1923
Volume 5 includes probates filed from 1923 - 1930
Volume 6 includes probates filed from 1930 - 1941
Volume 7 includes probates filed from 1941 - 1948
Volume 8 includes probates filed from 1948 - 1957
Volume 9 includes probates filed from 1957 - 1965
Volume 10 includes probates filed from 1966 - 2/14/1975
Volume 11 includes probates filed from 2/15/1975 to September 1987

Later probates are not catalogued here.

HOME  © Jeffrey L. Elmer All Rights Reserved