Salt Lake County, Utah Genealogy

United States Utah  Salt Lake County, Utah

Guide to Salt Lake County, Utah genealogy. Birth records, marriage and death records, cemeteries, census, church records, probate records, and obituaries—resources to find parents and family history since 1852, when the county was formed.

Quick start:


 * Census
 * Birth
 * Marriage
 * Death
 * Church

County Facts
Formerly called the Great Salt Lake County. The name was changed to Salt Lake 29 Jan 1868.

County Courthouse
Salt Lake County Courthouse 2001 State Street Room S2200 Salt Lake City, Ut 84190 Phone: 801-468-3519

County Clerk has marriage records from 1887, divorce and court records from 1896, and probate records from 1852. County Recorder has land records.

Parent Counties
was created March 3, 1852 as an original county from Utah Territory.

See also Green River County (old)

Boundary Changes

 * Boundary changes timeline for from "UT: Index of Counties," Newberry Library's Utah Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

Neighboring Counties
is surrounded by: Davis | Morgan | Summit | Tooele | Utah | Wasatch

Resources
The types of records that follow are used for genealogy and family history. Most tell what you may learn and how to locate the records. Links to Internet sites usually go directly to entries with names, images, or information.

1852: Salt Lake County was created as an original county.

Bible Records
The term "Bible records" refers to the practice of keeping family dates and events in a family Bible. This was a common practice in many European countries and carried over to America. Many of these family Bible records are still in existence and preserved by the descendants of the immigrants. In some cases these family Bibles have found their way into libraries and other repositories.

For an explanation of how to find Bible records and for helpful links see Utah Bible Records. See also United States Bible Records.

Biography

 * public libraries.

Business Records and Commerce

 * public libraries.

Cemeteries

 * Published transcripts of cemetery records are listed in the FamilySearch Library catalog at the (space, then select the town) or the  level (select Cemeteries).

See also:


 * Wiki list of Salt Lake County Cemeteries
 * Burials - Salt Lake City Cemetery by USGenWeb contains over 100 names. Includes where and when born; death dates and places; from the middle 1800's to the 1998's.
 * USGenWeb Salt Lake County Records are available to view for: Woodmen of the World Burials; Crescent Cemetery; Granite Cemetery; Redwood Memorial Estates Cemetery

Census

 * See Utah Census for online indexes and images of US federal censuses. of: 1856, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940.
 * See statewide printed indexes, including 1856.

Churches and Religious Groups
The information given in church records depends upon the practices of each religious group. Most include the names of members, often with ages and birth places. Several give birth, christening, or blessing dates for infants. See Utah Church Records for details about various denominations.


 * Church records (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) are listed for at the  (space, then select a town) or  (select Church topics) in the FamilySearch Library Catalog.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons)
Salt Lake City Stakes (1930): Ensign Stake, Utah • Granite Stake, Utah •  Grant Stake, Utah •  Liberty Stake, Utah •  Pioneer Stake, Utah •  Salt Lake Stake, Utah


 * Salt Lake City Wards, 1930
 * Salt Lake City Wards formed after 1930 (to about 1948).

Stakes in the county (1930): Cottonwood Stake, Utah· East Jordan Stake, Utah· Oquirrh Stake, Utah· West Jordan Stake, Utah


 * Wards in Salt Lake County, 1930.
 * Wards in the County formed after 1930 (to about 1948).

Places in the County (1930): Click on the stake (in parentheses) for boundaries, history timeline, and records. Bennion (Cottonwood)· Bingham Canyon (West Jordan)· Bluffdale (West Jordan)· Butler (East Jordan)· Cottonwood (Cottonwood)· Crescent (East Jordan)· Draper (East Jordan)· Granger (Oquirrh)· Grant (Cottonwood)· Granite (East Jordan)· Herriman (West Jordan)· Holladay (Cottonwood)· Hunter (Oquirrh)· Lark (West Jordan)· Magna (Oquirrh)· Midvale (East Jordan)· Millcreek (Cottonwood)· Murray (Cottonwood)· Riverton (West Jordan)· Salt Lake City· Sandy (East Jordan)· South Jordan (West Jordan)· Taylorsville (Cottonwood)· Union (East Jordan)· West Jordan (West Jordan)·

List of Salt Lake County stakes and wards


 * }

Court Records
Many of your ancestors may be found in court records as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence, occupations, and other family history information. See Utah Court Records for the various courts through the years.

For specialized court records, see Divorce · Guardianship · Land · Naturalization · [[Salt Lake County, Utah#Probate_Records|Probate]


 * Salt Lake County, Utah Civil and Criminal Case Files, 1852-1887 Ancestry.com ($) This index was obtained from the Utah State Archives and is part of Series # 373 of their collection.
 * Salt Lake County, Utah Coroners' Inquest Case Files, 1870-1871, 1886-1937 Ancestry.com ($) Data from Third District Court. Utah State Archives Series 3851.

Directories
See Salt Lake City, Utah


 * Utah Directory, 1890: Salt Lake City, Logan, and ProvoAncestry.com ($)

Funeral Homes
Funeral homes can have information that is not found on death records. There are several funeral homes located in Salt Lake County.

List of Salt Lake County Funeral Homes

Genealogy

 * Rees, Nesta, When the Parry Saints Went Marching Out. The author traces the John Parry family from Newmarket to Salt Lake City. Family Trees illustrated the article and a picture of a headstone, in SLC, showing John and wife Harriet, with year dates, and born North Wales. John worked as a mason on the Salt Lake Temple. Article in Hel Achau, #29, Christmas, 1989, pages 22-25. Family History Library book 942.93 D25h

Guardianship
Guardianship of orphans or adults unable to manage their own affairs were handled by the probate and the Federal District courts. See Utah Court Records.

History

 * Sillitoe, Linda. A history of Salt Lake County, Utah Centennial County History Series (online)
 * Tales of a triumphant people: a history of Salt Lake County, Utah, 1847-1900 Ancestry.com ($)
 * Early Utah Families
 * Greeks in the West
 * The History of Salt Lake City and its Founders, By Edward William Tullidge 1886

History Timeline
NOTE: Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Wikipedia for Salt Lake County


 * Boundary changes timeline for from "UT: Index of Counties," Newberry Library's Utah Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.


 * 1825.  The first US explorer in the Salt Lake area is believed to be Jim Bridger.
 * 1843. U.S. Army officer John C. Frémontsurveyed the Great Salt Lake and the Salt Lake Valley.
 * 1846. The Donner party, a group of ill-fated pioneers, traveled through the Great Salt Lake Valley in August.
 * 1847. Salt Lake County was settled when Mormon pioneersof The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.
 * 1847. On July 29, 1847 a group of Mormon pioneers, known as the Mississippi Company, among them John Holladay of Alabama, entered the Salt Lake Valley. Within weeks, they discovered a free-flowing, spring-fed stream, which they called Spring Creek, now known as Holladay.
 * 1849. Herriman was established by Robert Dansie, Henry Harriman, and Thomas Jefferson Butterfield. A monument in the Herriman City Cemetery lists the original four families of Herriman as the Thomas Jefferson Butterfield, John Jay Stocking, Robert Cowan Petty, and Henry Harriman families.
 * 1849. The Mormon pioneers organized a new state called Deseret and petitioned for its recognition.
 * 1850. The U.S. Congress rebuffed the settlers petition and established the Utah Territory, and designated Fillmore as its capital city.
 * 1850.March 3. Salt Lake County was created as an original county.
 * 1853. Construction started on The Salt Lake Temple.
 * 1857. The territorial capital was moved to Great Salt Lake City, when the name was shortened to Salt Lake City.
 * 1862. Fort Douglaswas established on the east bench, near the University of Utah, to make sure that the territory maintained its allegiance during the American Civil War.
 * 1865. Alta was founded.
 * 1868.January 29: The original county name Great Salt Lake County was shortened to Salt Lake County.
 * 1878. An 1878 fire and an 1885 avalanche destroyed most of the original mining town of Alta.
 * 1885. The army established Camp Murray to house several companies of the Ninth Infantry Regiment.
 * 1935. In 1935, Norwegian skiing legend Alf Engen was hired to help develop the area, and Alta opened its first ski lift in 1938.
 * 1942. Camp Kearns, a massive military installation created for World War II, was created in what is now Kearns and Taylorsville on the western side of the valley.

Historical Facts
The area that was to become Salt Lake County was settled in 1847 when Mormon Pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, fleeing persecution in the East, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley after traveling through Emigration Canyon. Brigham Young, their leader, declared "This is the right place" after seeing the valley, which was at the time arid, dry, and unpromising. However, they soon developed a flourishing, self-sufficient city, Great Salt Lake City, through extensive irrigation techniques. Thousands of Mormons from around the world followed in the next several decades. The county was officially formed on January 31, 1850, with just over 11,000 residents recorded.

Land and Property
Land records (especially deeds) often give the name of a spouse, heir, other relatives, or other clues for further research. They often have other clues for further research, such as witnesses or the other parties who may be relatives or in-laws. See Utah Land and Property for more.


 * County Recorder's Office: check deeds, file mining claims, get assistance in finding ownership of a particular property, and obtain copies of county plat maps. This office has county plat records dating back to 1878, prior records having been destroyed in a fire.


 * Some Land Claim books covering 1871-1894 and a Land Title Docket covering 1871-1891 are included in the FamilySearch Historical Records collection entitled "Utah, State Archives".

One example listing ownership is:


 * Morgan, Nicholas G. Pioneer Map: Great Salt Lake City, Great Basin, North America. N.p.: 1851?. (Family History Library .) This map includes historical data and index to names of original owners and their locations by lot or lots and blocks. The index to this map consists of names of major land owners in various Salt Lake City LDS wards.
 * Grundvig, David L.and Sharon Lauritzen. Index to Pioneer Map, Great Salt Lake City, for 1850s. N.p. 1981. (Family History Library .)

Maps
Google highway map of Salt Lake County 2012

Migration
Early migration routes to and from for emigrant settlers included:


 * California Trail 1846 to 1869 from western Missouri to northern California
 * Mormon Trail 1846 to 1869 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah
 * Mormon Trail to Southern California 1847 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Los Angeles, California
 * Central Overland Trail 1859-1869 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Carson City, Nevada (and usually on to northern California)
 * Union Pacific Railroad 1869 Ogden, Utah to Omaha, Nebraska
 * Central Pacific Railroad 1869 Ogden, Utah to Sacramento, California
 * Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad 1883 Salt Lake City, Utah to Grand Junction, Colorado (and Denver)

Naturalization and Citizenship
Declarations of Intent before 1906 often include the nation of origin, his* foreign and "Americanized" names, residence, and date of arrival. See Utah Naturalization and Citizenship for more information. (*Women were not naturalized until 1922 in the United States.)

Naturalization and Citizenship
Declarations of Intent before 1906 often include the nation of origin, his* foreign and "Americanized" names, residence, and date of arrival. See Utah Naturalization and Citizenship for more information. (*Women were not naturalized until 1922 in the United States.)


 * Utah, State Archives Records, 1848-2001, a FamilySearch digital collection, contains certificates of naturalization, 1878-1896 and 1896-1933; declaration of intentions 1874-1896 and a1904-1906; petition and record 1907-1942.

On the following GenWeb link you will find the summary of the Court Petitions Index, volumes 1 - 9. In each index volume you will find the name of the petitioner, place of birth, location of court, volume and page number. As an example click on volume 1. Click on volumes 2 - 8  on the Court Petition Index.

Utah. District Court. (Salt Lake County). Naturalization Records 1853–1936, index 1858–1980, Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Archives and Records Service 1980–1981, 1989–1990. An index covering territorial and district courts from about 1858–1980 is on the first film in the series. It includes most northern Utah counties. Also in the series is declarations and petitions from 1851–1936. The territorial minutes indexed in this record are found in:


 * Utah. District Court. (Salt Lake County). Court Minutes, 1858–1920. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Archives and Records Service, 1981–1982. These early minutes include naturalizations which are arranged chronologically in each volume.


 * On this link you will find three different pages: Index of Intention - 1906 Vol. 2 (1907-1908); Salt Lake County, Utah. You will find applicant name, place of birth, location of court, and volume and page numbers. Index Volume 2; Index Volume 3; Index Volume 4.

Newspapers

 * Several newspapers covering various dates from 1850-1960 are included. Including the Salt Lake Tribune (1871 - 1914). For Salt Lake Tribune (1923-1977) text coverage see Salt Lake Tribune, The (Salt Lake City, Utah) Ancestry.com ($)
 * Several newspapers covering various dates from 1850-1960 are included. Including the Salt Lake Tribune (1871 - 1914). For Salt Lake Tribune (1923-1977) text coverage see Salt Lake Tribune, The (Salt Lake City, Utah) Ancestry.com ($)


 * Existing copies of


 * BYU Digital Collections has Vol 41 of Woman's Exponet and a description/history of this which ran June 1, 1872-Feb 1914. Click on Newspapers in right hand box.

Obituaries

 * Newspapers of
 * Local Funeral Homes, Societies, Libraries, or in family records. *Obituaries of neighboring counties
 * Newspapers of major cities: Deseret News and/or The Salt Lake Tribune both in Salt Lake City

Websites for death records in the state of Utah and specifically for Salt Lake County include:


 * From the GenWeb site (scroll down from the top of the page) you will find individual obituaries, obituaries from the Desert News (2004 - 2005 selected months), and from the Salt Lake Tribune (2004 - 2005 selected months).
 * Utah, Salt Lake County Death Records, 1908-1949. This title is misleading, because all the deaths were recorded in the City of Salt Lake City. There are no deaths recorded in any other places within the county in this County Death Records group.
 * [Utah Death Certificates (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Utah Death Certificates 1904-1956]: A free internet access to the 1904-1956 death certificates can be viewed at certificates. Utah requires a death certificate before a burial is completed. A death certificate may contain information as to the name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death, as well as the age, birthdate, parents, gender, marital status, spouse and place of residence.
 * Utah State Burial Index for death before 1904 - Utah Burials Search
 * In this link Salt Lake City Deaths Jan 1 to Nov 1, 1892: you will find a list of deaths in Salt Lake of person eighteen years of age

Upward from Jan 1 - Nov 1, 1892

Probate Records
Probate cases include court actions regarding property and estates of individuals who have died. Records may locate relatives, provide death dates, and identify property. See Utah Probate Records for more information.


 * Salt Lake County, Index to Probate Case Files, 1852-81Ancestry.com ($). Cites as it's source: Salt Lake County, Utah. Utah. District Court (Third District: Salt Lake County).Index to Probate Case Files 1852-96. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Utah State Archives and Records Service. Series 1621.
 * Utah, Probate Records, 1851-1961, a collection digitized by FamilySearch (free), includes Salt Lake county case files 1 - 922.
 * Salt Lake County Probate Case Files, No 4651-6721, 1906-1913 are included in the FamilySearch Historical Records collection Utah State Archives records, 1848–2001 Probate, land, etc.

Vital Records
Salt Lake City County Health Department


 * 200 East 610 South Street
 * Salt Lake City, UT 84111-99
 * Telephone: 801-534-4657
 * Internet: Salt Lake Valley Health Department

Pre-1905 records are often incomplete.

Birth Before 1852

 *  was formed on 3 March 1852.

parent counties

Birth 1852 - 1890

 * [[Salt Lake County, Utah#Churches and Religious Groups
 * See also other records that give birth information, such as Death records, Census, Cemeteries, Obituaries
 * See also [[Salt Lake County, Utah#Neighboring_Counties
 * See also [[Salt Lake County, Utah#Neighboring_Counties

Birth 1890 - present

 * Though not required to do so, Salt Lake City began registering births in 1890.


 * 1890-1915 Salt Lake County Birth Records. (Online, free) Published by FamilySearch.
 * 1890-1950 Salt Lake City birth records through Salt Lake Valley Health Department. You will find parents' names, child's date of birth, and the child's name, if known. Later records show age of parents, address, etc.
 * FamilySearch Library copy on 76 microlfilm reels, starting with
 * 1898-1905 Index to Series 3922 (Online, free) Published by Utah State Archives. This is for Salt Lake County. However, there is some overlap with the Salt Lake City records. You will find names of parents and child (if known) and the child's date of birth.
 * Inventory of Series 3922 (not online) Original records at Utah State Archives.
 * Microfilm copies at FamilySearch Library .)


 * Salt Lake Valley Health Department Vital Records Offices: Salt Lake City Health Center, 610 South 200 East, Suite 115, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, 385-468-4230. Ellis R. Shipp Health Center, 4535 South 5600 West, West Valley City, UT 84120, 385-468-3712. Southeast Public Health Center, 9340 South 700 East (directly behind McDonald's), Sandy, UT 84070, 385-468-4329.

Marriage
Marriage registers from 1887 through 1950's microfilmed and then destroyed. Microfilm copy available at the Family History Library and centers. Microfilm copy is not available at the county clerk's office.


 * 1847-1929 - 58,919 marriages from 1847 to 18 September 1929 are listed on the Western States Marriage Index. Index is incomplete as there are few civil government recorded marriages in Salt Lake County prior to 1887. Many entries were taken from alternative sources, such as . Some early divorce records were also indexed and included. This is not a complete database. Linkpendium contributors list marriage year span as 1888 to 1970.


 * 1887–1965 — Salt Lake County (Utah). County Clerk. Marriage Records, 1887–1965. The first 18 films index the licenses and certificates. These records have been indexed in the Early Church Information File up to 1914.

There is an additional index from 1887 to 1987 available on fiche:


 * 1887–1987 — Salt Lake County (Utah). County Clerk. Alphabetic Marriage Listing 1887–1987. There are 24 fiche for each number. The first set of fiche is an index to the grooms and the second is an index to the brides. These will lead you to the above record.

Divorce
Divorce records give the names of the parties and may give the date and place of their marriage. See Utah Vital Records for excellent information.


 * Archives, Libraries, etc.


 * 1852–1856, 1877–1887 — Utah. Probate Court (Salt Lake County) Divorce Records, 1852–1856, 1877–1887. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. This record is unindexed and is in chronological order. It gives names of each spouse and reason for separation or divorce, and date of court action.

Death
Copies of death records and indexes for Salt Lake City and County are available at the Family History Library.

Online


 * 1865-1900 - Deseret News Semi-Weekly Death and Marriage Notices'at 'UTGenWeb'- free.'
 * 1909-1949 - Salt Lake County Death Registers (FamilySearch Historical Records). Free. Description of collection
 * 1909-1949 - Salt Lake County Death Registers (FamilySearch Historical Records). Free. Description of collection

Microfilm


 * 1848-1950 - Salt Lake City (Utah). Office of Vital Statistics. Death Records of Salt Lake City, Utah, 1848–Sept 1950. These records provide name, birth and death information, address or city, and sometimes burial information.
 * 1897–1905 — Salt Lake County (Utah). County Clerk. Register of Deaths, Salt Lake County, Book A, 1897–1905. These records are for the county only and do not have Salt Lake City death records. They are indexed. The record gives name, birth and death information, address or city of residence, and sometimes burial information.

Websites
Links to indexes or images of records:


 * FamilySearch.org. Collections are growing at record rates. If the county is not listed, check later.
 * Utah State Archives records, 1848–2001 Probate, land, etc.
 * Also see Utah to search items that include.

Links to collections:


 * FamilySearch Library Catalog
 * (Select topics)
 * (Space, then select town)

Sites that gather links to the Internet


 * Linkpendium
 * CyndisList

Archives, Libraries, etc.
Resources for are available in repositories (such as libraries and archives) at all levels: the town, the county, the state (including universities), and the nation.

Check websites and catalogs of archives and libraries for items for this county. Examples: items in  (Utah) or Allen County Public Library (Indiana).

See Courthouse·FamilySearch Centers·Libraries·Museums·Societies sections.

Courthouse
County seat: Salt Lake City

Salt Lake County Courthouse 2001 State Street Room S2200 Salt Lake City, Ut 84190 Phone: 801-468-3519 County Clerk has marriage records from 1887, divorce and court records from 1896, and probate records from 1852. County Recorder has land records.

FamilySearch Centers

 * Introduction to LDS Family History Centers
 * FamilySearch Center - JSMB
 * Midvale Utah Union Fort Family History Center
 * Murray Utah Little Cottonwood Family History Center
 * Murray Utah South Family History Center
 * Murray Utah West Family History Center
 * Riverton FamilySearch Library
 * Salt Lake Big Cottonwood Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Canyon Rim Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Hillside Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Holladay South Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Millcreek Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Monument Park Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Mt Olympus Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Park Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Rose Park Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Utah South (Tongan) Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Wasatch Family History Center
 * Salt Lake Winder Family History Center
 * Sandy Utah Cottonwood Creek Family History Center
 * Sandy Utah Crescent Family History Center
 * Sandy Utah Crescent Ridge Family History Center
 * Sandy Utah East Family History Center
 * Sandy Utah Granite South Family History Center
 * South Jordan Utah Parkway Family History Center
 * Utah Correctional Facility - Oquirrh Family History Center
 * Utah Correctional Facility - Timpanogos Family History Center (Draper)

Libraries
Salt Lake City Public Library has many resources for history and genealogy, such copies of local newspapers and much more. While many libraries in Utah have an area dedicated to local collections and manuscripts, this is exceptional.


 * Salt Lake Community College - Jordan Campus Library, Health Sciences Building JHS 235, 3500 W. Wights Fort Road. West Jordan, Utah 84088. Phone: 801-957-6202
 * Collections:
 * Salt Lake City Public Library; 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Phone: 801-524-82002. The main library in the county system.
 * Collections: See Salt Lake City Public Library.

These branches may have independent genealogy or history collections for the areas they serve:


 * Anderson-Foothill branch, 1135 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1912. Phone 801-594-8611
 * Chapman branch, 577 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84104-1302. Phone 801-594-8623
 * Day-Riverside branch, 1575 West 1000 North, Salt Lake City, UT 84116. Phone 801-594-8632
 * Sprague branch, 2131 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. Phone 801-594-8640
 * Sweet branch, 455 F Street (9th Avenue), Salt Lake City, UT 84103. Phone 801-594-8651

See also Utah Public Library Directory, which provides links to library web pages, addresses, phone numbers, hours, and maps. Does not mention holdings.

Museums

 * Church History Museum
 * Pioneer Memorial Museum (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers) 300 N Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah List of satellite DUP museums The museum history department has documents about Utah pioneers with an online index of pioneers.
 * West Jordan Historical Society has a museum and library. 2053 West 7800 South West Jordan, Utah 84088 Phone: (801) 568-0938

Societies

 * Utah State Historical Society has a good library and photograph collection. 300 S Rio Grande Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 Phone: (801) 533-3500 Cemetery and Burial database Library Catalog Photo database with over 65,000 photos online
 * Sons of Utah Pioneers 3301 Louise Ave. Salt Lake City, UT 84109 Phone: (801) 484-4441
 * Daughters of the Utah Pioneers 300 N. Main St. Salt Lake City, UT 84103-1699 General Phone: 801-532-6479 Fax: 801-532-4436 General email: info@dupinternational.org
 * West Jordan Historical Society has a museum and library. 2053 West 7800 South West Jordan, Utah 84088 Phone: (801) 568-0938
 * Emigration Canyon Historical Society is a non-profit organization preserving the history of Emigration Canyon. Contact information.

Towns and Communities in this county
