PRINCE OF WALES-HYDER CENSUS AREA, AK HISTORY AND LOOKUP

Borough & Census Area History Books

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Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska: A Genealogical Overview

Covering the southernmost islands and a sliver of mainland in the Alaska Panhandle, the Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area is a region of dense rainforests, dramatic fjords, and a history deeply connected to the sea. It is crucial for genealogists to understand that this is a census area within Alaska’s Unorganized Borough, not a county. It has no centralized county government or courthouse, which fundamentally changes the process of locating records. Research in this area is a journey into the ancestral homelands of the Tlingit and Haida peoples and the layered histories of Russian traders, American fishermen, miners, and loggers who were drawn to its vast natural resources.

I. Jurisdictional History and Evolution

Unlike states in the Lower 48, Alaska does not have counties. The record-keeping structure is organized at the state level, a vital concept for any researcher.

  • The Unorganized Borough: Most of Alaska’s landmass, including the Prince of Wales-Hyder area, is part of the “Unorganized Borough.” This vast territory has no single local government equivalent to a county. Governance is handled by the state, incorporated cities, and tribal entities.
  • Census Area, Not a County: The “census area” is a statistical designation created by the U.S. Census Bureau. It does not have a county seat, a county clerk, or a courthouse that serves the entire area.
  • Timeline of Designation:
    • 1980: The area was first defined as the Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area.
    • 2008: After the Ketchikan Gateway Borough annexed the populated portions of the “Outer Ketchikan” region, the census area was officially renamed the Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area to reflect its new boundaries.
  • Name Origin: The name is a composite of its two most prominent geographic features: Prince of Wales Island, the largest island in the area (named by explorer George Vancouver in 1793), and Hyder, a small mainland community at the head of the Portland Canal.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area is the ancestral and contemporary home of the Kaigani Haida and the Tlingit peoples (Heinyaa Ḵwáan and Taantʼa Ḵwáan). For millennia, their societies thrived based on a rich maritime culture of fishing, hunting, and intricate trade networks. Their heritage is a foundational element of the region’s history.
  • European and American Contact: Russian, Spanish, and British explorers first arrived in the late 18th century, initiating the maritime fur trade. After the Alaska Purchase in 1867, American interests took hold.
  • The Canning Industry: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, numerous salmon canneries were built throughout the islands. This industry drew thousands of workers, including Chinese, Filipino, and European immigrants, creating a diverse, multi-ethnic seasonal workforce.
  • Mining and Prospecting: The discovery of gold, copper, and other minerals led to several mining booms. The area around Hyder, part of the Portland Canal mining district, saw significant activity in the early 20th century. Mines were also established on Prince of Wales Island, such as the copper mine at Kasaan.
  • Logging Era: Beginning in the mid-20th century, the Tongass National Forest became the site of large-scale, industrial logging operations. This led to the creation of logging camps and towns like Thorne Bay, which was once the largest logging camp in North America.
  • ANCSA (1971): The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act transferred millions of acres of land to newly formed Alaska Native regional and village corporations, making them major landowners and economic forces in the region.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

There is no central county courthouse. Records are held by various state agencies, typically organized by region or district.

  • Vital Records (Births, Deaths, Marriages): All official vital records (from roughly 1913-present) are maintained by a single statewide office: the State of Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics in Juneau. There are no county-level clerks holding these records.
  • Court Records (Probate, Divorce, Civil Cases): These records are part of the Alaska State Court System. The Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area falls within the First Judicial District. The superior court that holds these records is located in Ketchikan. Researchers must contact the Ketchikan Courthouse for any court-related documents.
  • Land Records (Deeds, Mining Claims): Property and land records are filed with the State of Alaska Recorder’s Office. The area is part of the Ketchikan Recording District. All land transactions for the census area are filed and located at the recorder’s office in Ketchikan.
  • Native and Tribal Records: For research into Tlingit and Haida families, key resources include the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau, and the local ANCSA village corporations (e.g., Klawock Heenya Corporation, Craig Tribal Association).
  • Libraries, Archives, and Museums:
    • Alaska State Library and Archives: Located in Juneau, this is the most important repository for genealogical research. It holds state government archives, private manuscript collections, and extensive microfilm collections of newspapers and records from across Southeast Alaska.
    • Tongass Historical Museum & Ketchikan Public Library: Both in Ketchikan, these institutions have significant collections on the history of the broader Southern Panhandle region.
    • Local libraries in communities like Craig, Klawock, and Thorne Bay often have collections focused on their specific local history.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Petersburg Borough (north)
    • Wrangell, City and Borough (northeast)
    • Ketchikan Gateway Borough (east)
    • British Columbia, Canada (to the east)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks