Boundary County, Idaho Genealogy

Guide to Boundary 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 because it borders Canada in the north, Washington on the west, and Montana on the east as well as Bonner County on the south. The County Seat is Bonners Ferry and was founded January 23, 1915. It is located in the northwest tip area of the state.

County Courthouse
Boundary County Courthouse 6452 Kootenai St Bonners Ferry, ID 83805-0419 Phone: 208-267-5504 Boundary County Website

County Clerk has marriage, land, probate and court records, some birth, death, divorce and military records.

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
 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) 1915--Boundary County, Idaho was created 23 January 1915 from parts of Bonner and Kootenai Counties. It was named because it borders on Canada. County seat: Bonners Ferry [2] In 1930, Boundary County was part of Northwestern States Mission. There were no stake organized in the area at the time.
 * The following are local congregations (wards) which existed in Boundary 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.


 * Bonner's Ferry

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

Court Records
Online Court Indexes and Records
 * (*) at FamilySearch Catalog
 * 1911-1924 at FamilySearch. Judgment records, 1911-1924; index, 1911-1924; Includes divorces, probate documents, civil and criminal actions, and many other court actions.

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * (*) FamilySearch Catalog

Local Histories
In 1988 the Boundary County Historical Society published the History of Boundary County, Idaho which can be found in the Boundary County Library, as well as many other libraries nationwide.
 * Index, history of Boundary County, Idaho. c1988. By Twyla J. Stone. Sandpoint, Idaho : Keokee Co. Pub.. Online at:.
 * The Faces Of History; Portraits Of The Men And Women Who Shaped Life In Boundary County, Idaho. c1996. By Stan DeHart. Bonners Ferry, Idaho : T.J. Stone. Online at:.

Maps and Gazetteers

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

Military Records
World War I
 * 1917-1918 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog

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

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records

 ''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 Bonners Ferry Herald P.O. Box 539 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 Ph. 208-267-5521 email - screnshaw@bonnersferryherald.com Weekly Kootenai Valley Times

Historical The Idaho State Archives has microfilmed several Boundary County newspapers which can be accessed by visiting their facility in Boise, Idaho: Barter Times: 1978:6:22 -1979:7:19 Bonners Ferry Herald: 1904: 12:31-9999 Boundary County Tribune: 1970:4:14-1970:6:9 Kootenai Herald: 1891:4: 4-1904: 12: 24 Kootenai Herald: 1900:11:02 Kootenai Valley Sentinel &amp; Bonners Ferry Times: 1933:5:29: -1937:4:29 Kootenai Valley Times: 1989:5:3-9999 Port Hill News: 1916:04:01

Obituaries

 * 1943-2013 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images
 * 1891-2018 Boundary County at IdGenWeb - Obituary Index at IdGenWeb — index and 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.

Miscellaneous Series
Often overlooked by the genealogist, this group of volumes may contain affidavits for citizenship, final disposition of estates, divorce decrees, and many other types of valuable documents. The content varies from county to county, year to year and from clerk to clerk. When the estate case files, civil or criminal files are not available or have been destroyed, you may find key documents recorded here. Most counties will have an index to this series and it is a must search if the information you are seeking is not found elsewhere.

Both the Idaho State Archives in Boise, Idaho, and the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah have copies of the miscellaneous record of Boundary County. The originals are held in the Boundary County courthouse in Bonners Ferry, Idaho and can be accessed by visiting there. Copies in the Idaho State Archives are available for viewing in Boise. Those held by the can be viewed either at the Library in Salt Lake City or at any of its FamilySearch Centers.

Pension Records
Old Age Pensions were provided by the State of Idaho from 1931 to 1936. The original papers for several counties have been transferred to the Idaho State Archives in Boise and have been indexed. Boundary County Old Age Pensions are included in that index.

 Judgment Books
 * 1891-1936 Judgment records, 1891-1936; index, 1884-1960

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1883-1936 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog
 * 1892-1933 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog
 * 1907-1947 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog
 * 1907-1934 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog
 * 1907-1930 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog
 * 1910-1948 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog
 * 1915-1933 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog

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
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Birth

 * 1856-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
 * 1861-1911 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
 * 1883-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images

Marriage

 * 1800-1987 Idaho, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
 * 1864-1976 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Privacy law can't publish
 * 1864-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images
 * 1878-1898; 1903-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index; Marriage license and certificates v. 1 1915-1930.
 * 1947-1961 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
 * Western States Marriage Index

Death

 * 1883-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images
 * 1907-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
 * 1911-1956 A 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 - Enter County in Search Bar
 * Idaho State Archives

FamilySearch Centers

 * Bonners Ferry Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Libby Montana FamilySearch Center
 * Priest River Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Riverside Washington FamilySearch Center
 * Sandpoint Idaho FamilySearch Center

Museums

 * Boundary County Historical Society and Museum 7229 Main Street Bonners Ferry, Idaho 83805 Phone: 208-267-7720 Email:cmuseum@meadowcrk.com Website Facebook Page

Societies

 * State Historical Society 2205 Old Penitentiary Rd Boise, Idaho 208-334-2774 Website
 * Idaho Historical Society Facebook Page Website
 * National Society Daughters of the American Revolution-Idaho Chapter
 * The Idaho Welsh Society -- excellent cultural and historical site

Websites

 * Boundary County IDGenWeb - regularly updated free online resources for genealogical research.
 * Boundary County at Idaho USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
 * USGenWeb May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Boundary County Genealogy Trails Website
 * Boundary County, Idaho at Linkpendium - genealogy and family history
 * – 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.