Adams County, Idaho Genealogy

Guide to Adams County, Idaho ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Description
The county was named for John Adams, the second President of the United States. The County Seat is Council and was founded March 3, 1911. It is located in the west central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Adams County Courthouse 201 Industrial Council, ID 83612 Phone: 208-454-7455 Adams County Website

County Clerk has marriage, divorce, probate, court, and land records from 1900. . The original courthouse was built in 1915 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been replaced by a modern, more efficient courthouse which now serves the people of the county.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Census Records

 * The 1890 federal census for Idaho was destroyed. However, the Idaho State Historical Society Public Archives and Research Library is creating a list of 1890 Idaho residents by indexing a variety of records, 1885-1894. This reconstructed list will substitute for the destroyed 1890 federal census.
 * For a summary of census records for the state of Idaho, see Idaho Census Records.

Church Records
Catholic Church
 * 1864-1976 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection - index

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) In 1930, Adams County was part of Union Stake, Oregon.
 * The following are local congregations (wards) which existed in Adams County, Idaho prior to 1950.
 * For original or later records, check with the Church History Library in Salt Lake City.
 * Many of the records to about 1948 are available at the FamilySearch Libraryin Salt Lake City and at its FamilySearch Centers.

 List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Court Records
Judgment Books


 * 1911-1924 at FamilySearch. Judgment records, 1911-1924; index, 1911-1924
 * Includes divorces, probate documents, civil and criminal actions, and many other court actions.


 * Some information about the records of the courts of Adams County can be found at court records:
 * District Court:
 * Judgment Books, v. 1-2, 1911-1929
 * Index to Judgment Books, 1911-1924
 * Probate Court:
 * Wills, 1889-1936
 * Notice of Action, v. A, 1886-1911

Land and Property Records
Some of the early land records of Adams County have been microfilmed. Since Adams County was not created until 1911 from Washington County, some of these records are transcripts from those found in the parent county. Microfilm copies of the records are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise. Original copies of these and later records are housed at the Adams County courthouse in Council.

Online Land Indexes and Records Among the land records of Adams County which have been microfilmed are:
 * at FamilySearch
 * Deeds, 1876-1907
 * Index to Deeds, 1881-1935
 * Possessory land claim records, v. A, 1884-1916

 Mining Records Some records of mining claims and other records pertaining to mining in Adams County, 1902-1927, have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and the in Salt Lake City.

Local Histories
A brief history of the county is available online at the Adams County website, including short histories of each of the major communities of the county. A combined History of Washington County and Adams Countywas written by Frank Harris. The two counties were also the subject of Salute to Pioneers of Washington and Adams counties. A History of the Council Valley Area is also available online at the Adams County Historical Preservation Commission website. Council Valley Museum, has various histories of the area and links to area historical pages and sites.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * A digital Adams County map of Idaho is available online.
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

World War I

 * 1917-1918 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Index/Images, Ancestry.com ($), and at Adams County GenWeb

World War II

 * 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images

Naturalization and Citizenship
 ''Online Records
 * 1892-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images

Newspapers

 * 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)

 Current  Adams County Record P.O. Box R Council, ID 83612 Phone: 208-253-6961 Website

 Historical  The following newspapers have been published in Adams County, Idaho. Copies for the dates indicated are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise.

Obituaries

 * 1943-2013 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images

County Commissioners' Records

 * The minute books of the County Commissioners contain interesting tidbits of history about the county as well as the names of individuals appealing to the County Commissioners for action on issues of concern to them. Minutes of those meetings were recorded from the formation of the county, for most counties. Some counties now post the minutes of current meetings online.
 * Most of these records have been preserved in the county courthouses of the State of Idaho. Few have been microfilmed. Contact the county clerk for information about years covered and availability.

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1889-1936, 1886-1911 at FamilySearch Catalog
 * 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry.com — index & images ($)

School Records
Online School Indexes and Records The Idaho State Archives in Boise, Idaho and the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah have copies of the Adams County School Census Marshall's Report 1913-1926. This School Census can be viewed at the Adams County courthouse in Council, Idaho by visiting there, or at the Idaho State Archives by visiting the Archives in Boise. The can be viewed at the Library in Salt Lake City or at any of its FamilySearch centers.

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

Tax Records
Online Tax Indexes and Records Any existing tax assessment rolls for Adams County should be in the courthouse in Council and would need to be accessed by visiting there.

Birth

 * 1861-1911 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
 * 1883-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images
 * 1907-1911 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images

Marriage

 * 1800-1987 Idaho, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
 * 1864-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images
 * 1878-1898;1903-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
 * 1947-1961 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
 * 1911-1984 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images

Death

 * 1883-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images
 * 1907-1911 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
 * 1911-1956 State-wide Index to Idaho Deaths, 1911-1956
 * 1938-1961 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index

Divorce

 * 1947-1963 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index

Archives

 * Idaho State Archives Digital Collections - Adams County
 * Adams County Historic Preservation Commission

FamilySearch Centers

 * Baker Oregon FamilySearch Center
 * Cascade Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * McCall Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Pine Valley Oregon FamilySearch Center

Museums

 * Council Valley Museum 2202 Ridge Road Council, ID 83612 208-253-4582 Website

Societies

 * Adams County Historical Society 101 S Commercial Ave New Meadows, ID 83654
 * Idaho State Historical Society - Adams County Website

Websites

 * The Adams County ID GenWeb Project, a member of The IDGenWeb Project.
 * Adams County Historic Preservation Commission


 * – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.