Archives

Resources for Genealogists

Several basic genealogical sources are available in the Penrose Library and the Whitman College and Northwest Archives.

Federal and Territorial Censuses – Penrose Library, Main (2nd) Floor, “Books on Microfilm” Cabinet

  • Enumeration sheets provide information about the address, nationality, citizenship, profession, and literacy of every member of a given household.
  • Penrose Library has the following census records on microfilm:
    • 7th Federal Census, Oregon Territory, 1850
    • 8th Federal Census, Washington Territory, 1860
    • 9th Federal Census, Washington State, 1870
    • 10th Federal Census, Washington State, 1880
    • 12th Federal Census, Washington State, 1900
    • 13th Federal Census, Washington State, 1910
    • Washington Territory Census Rolls, 1871-1892
    • Provisional and Territorial Census Records of Oregon, 1842-1859
  • Penrose Library does not have a name index for the census or enumeration district maps.

Newspapers - Penrose Library, Main (2nd) Floor, Newspaper Microfilm Cabinets

  • Local newspapers available in Penrose Library:
    • Walla Walla Union Bulletin (and all preceding Walla Walla newspapers), Newspaper Cabinet #28, 29, 1861-ongoing
    • Waitsburg Times, Newspaper Cabinet #27, 1881-ongoing
    • Dayton Chronicle, Newspaper Cabinet #2, 1917-1957
    • Whitman College Pioneer, Newspaper Cabinet #30, 1893-ongoing
  • None of these newspapers is indexed. To locate articles, you must know an approximate date of publication.

Directories - Penrose Library, 1st Floor, and in the Whitman College and Northwest Archives

  • Walla Walla County and City Directories are located in the Northwest Collection on the first floor (1911-1997) and in the archives reading room (1880-2000).

Yearbooks - Whitman College and Northwest Archives Reading Room

  • Whitman College Academic Catalogues (1882- )
  • Whitman College Yearbooks, Waiilatpu (1906-1997)
  • Walla Walla High School Yearbooks (1915-2000)

Other resources - Whitman College and Northwest Archives

  • Ogle’s Standard Atlas of Walla Walla County, 1909 (contains plat maps)
  • Vertical clipping files on “Whitman College People” and “Northwest People,” dates unknown

If you would like assistance with your research, please contact the Walla Walla Valley Genealogical Society.