Idaho, County Birth and Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States Idaho

What Is In This Collection?
This collection consists of a database and images of county birth and death registers for the following counties (coverage varies between counties) for the years 1883 to 1929:

Collection Contents
Coverage Map and Tables Idaho County Marriage Holdings

Idaho County Death Holdings

Idaho County Birth Holdings

Samples of Collection
The various records in this collection may contain any of the following information:

Sample of Images
Click on an image for a larger view.

How Do I Search the Collection?
Look at each image or record comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images or records and compare the information about the individuals listed to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind there may be more than one person in the records with the same name and you will want to look carefully at dates, places and relations to identify your ancestor from another person. You also may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name if they were known by a nickname or changed their name from the original birth record name. Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life and may be listed in records with any of those variations. For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

Search by Name by visiting the Collection Page: Fill in the requested information on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page: To search the images in this collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the "County" category ⇒ Select the "Record Type, Date Range and Volume" category which takes you to the images.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Make a photocopy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:


 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been born, married or died nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching [[Idaho Census|census records to find families listed together in households.


 * Use the event date and ages of ancestors to search for original birth, marriage, or death records in the county of the event. The County Clerk has marriage records from 1854, probate, divorce, court and land records, birth records 1919-1988 (some from 1873) and death records 1905-1988 some from 1876. These records may have the maiden name of the mother, verify parents, and provide more clues to this family.


 * Search the Idaho Census records from this town/county/state to find this person as a child in the birth family and also as a parent in their adult family. Record names of family members listed, immigration dates, occupation, residence, birthplace, parents birthplace, and other information leading to more clues about your ancestor.


 * Use the locality and relative’s names to locate Idaho Land and Property records. These records often name close relatives and also give you more clues into the life of your ancestor.


 * Find more detail about death or burial information by searching for cemeteries, grave markers,sexton's records, or a civil or religious death record. Look for an obituary in a local [|newspaper archive]. Sometimes a person is buried in a city or town in which they did not die. Do not assume that a burial place is the same as a death place. Look for death records in the place of death. The name of the undertaker or mortuary could lead you to funeral and cemetery records, which often include the names and residences of other family members.


 * Church records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900. If the officiator of a marriage or death was a minister, you may be able to determine to which religion or congregation your ancestor belonged. Look for church records of the birth, marriage, or death which may provide more information on the family.


 * You may use the birth or death information from this index to obtain the original certificate for a fee from: Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare or Idaho Vital Records. Original records may contain more information than the index.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?

 * Search the the Idaho State Historical Society archives and other genealogical societies for local records, newspapers, histories.
 * Try searching the records of a nearby locality.
 * If you cannot find your ancestor in civil records, try searching church records of baptisms. Oftentimes church records pre-date civil records.
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Perhaps other records used to determine the birth, marriage or death date of your ancestor were incorrect. Try searching in this collection and the Idaho Vital Records Department for your ancestor a few years before and after the supposed birth or death of your ancestor to locate the record.

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation: Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):

Image Citation

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.