(This page's most recent update is September 2024)
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Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors, unfortunately, got into trouble with the law. Records were kept, from arrests through court cases to prison documents. More and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and made available online.
Types of Records
- Criminal court proceedings
- Police reports
- Prison and jail admission registers
- Arrest records
- Mug books
- Pardon and discharge information
- Hospital record books
- Workhouse records
Types of Information
- Name
- Age
- Birth date
- Height
- Weight
- Complexion
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Education
- Habits (alcohol use)
- Relations (parents living)
- Date incarcerated
- Court where charged
- Recommitments
- How and when discharged
Note: Some links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.
Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the district; the first list is for multi-state collections:
Washington Criminal Records
United States
- Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
- Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
- Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages
Washington
- Executions in Washington, 1849-1963
- Frontier Justice – Territorial Court Case Files
- McNeil Island, Prison Records, 1887-1937
- Snohomish County, Washington State Reformatory Cemetery
- Walla Walla County, Territorial District Court Case Files, ca. 1860-1899
- Walla Walla County, Walla Walla Prison Cemetery
- Walla Walla, Record of Penitentiary Convicts, 1887-1922
- Washington State Penitentiary Cemetery 1887 to 1950
- Washington State Penitentiary Inmate Registers, 1881-1961
- Washington, Institution Records, Asotin County Sheriff, Jail Register, 1877-1950
- Washington, Institution Records, Corrections Department, Penitentiary, Convict Record, 1877-1888
- Washington, Institution Records, Corrections Department, Reformatory Admissions Registers, 1908-1923
- Washington, Institution Records, Corrections Department, Washington State Penitentiary, Commitment Registers and Mug Shots, 1887-1946
- Washington, Institution Records, Governor’s Office, Pardon Case Files, 1889-1917
- Washington, Institution Records, Pierce County Sheriff, Jail Register, 1895-1904
- Washington, Institution Records, Vancouver Police Department, Photographs of Criminals, 1896-1940
- Washington, Pardon Case Files, 1889-1917
- Washington, Penitentiary, Convict Record, 1877-1888
- Washington, Prisoner Records
- Washington, Reformatory Admissions Registers, 1908-1923
- Washington, Washington State Penitentiary, Commitment Registers and Mug Shots, 1887-1946
- Washington, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, Prisoners, Insane, In Hospitals, 1917-1918
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!