Rich County, Utah Genealogy

Guide to Rich County, Utah ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage and death records, cemeteries, census, church records, probate records, and obituaries—resources to find parents and family history since 1864, when the county was formed.

Quick start:


 * Census
 * Birth
 * Marriage
 * Death
 * Church

County Courthouse
Rich County Courthouse 20 North Main Street P O Box 218 Randolph, Ut 84064-0218

Formerly Richland County, the name was changed to Rich on 29 Jan 1868 County Clerk has marriage records from 1888, divorce, probate and court records from 1872. County recorder has land records.

Records Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Parent Counties
was created January 16, 1864 from: Cache

Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Utah County boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Utah County Boundary Maps" (1849-1960) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.


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

Neighboring Counties
is surrounded by: Cache | Morgan | Summit | Weber | Idaho county: Bear Lake|Franklin| Wyoming county: Lincoln |Uinta

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.

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.

Business Records and Commerce
See United States Business Records See also Utah Business Records

Cemeteries

 * To 1966 - at FamilySearch — index and images


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

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)

 * 1877-1918 - at | FamilySearch — index

(Section In process. Want to help?) Stake(s): Bear Lake Stake, Idaho· Woodruff Stake, Wyoming

Places: Garden City· Laketown· Randolph· Woodruff·

List of Rich County stakes and wards to about 1948


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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 · [[Rich County, Utah#Probate_Records|Probate]

Directories
See Utah Directories

Gazetteers
See Utah Gazetteers

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

 * Parson, Robert E. A history of Rich County, Utah Centennial County History Series

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


 * 1811 - The belief was that the county was first visited by European descendent explorers
 * 1811 - Joseph Miller, a trapperl discovered the Bear River.
 * 1827 - First annual rendevous of trappers on the south shore of Bear Lake. Tradition continues today.
 * 1863 - First permanent settlement in Round Valley.
 * 1864 - January 16: County created.
 * 1864 - Laketown settled (now a ghost town).
 * 1868 - Rich County created.
 * 1870 - Randolphsettled.
 * 1877 - Garden City settled. LDS branch organized.
 * 1879 - Branch in Garden City reorganized as a ward.
 * 1969-1971 - David M. Kennedy served as Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. Born 1905 in Randolf.

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.

Maps

 * Google highway map of Rich County 2012

Military

 * To 1966 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Civil War

 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index

World War I
USGenWeb Archives, Rich County, Utah. you will find transcribed information of the following:


 * Draft Cards - Birth Information 1917-18 - Rich County, Utah

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.

Newspapers

 * {UTNewspaperBlurb}}


 * The Round-Up, Rich Co. News and Rich Co. Reaper, covering 1896-1898, 1907-1923, 1928-1945 respectively are included.
 * Existing copies of newspapers
 * Existing copies of newspapers

Obituaries

 * 1850 – 2005 at FamilySearch — index


 * 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

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.

Online Probate Records
 * 1800 – 1985 Utah Wills and Probate Records 1800-1985 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1851 – 1961 at FamilySearch — images

Vital Records
See also How to order Utah Vital Records or download an application for Utah Birth Certificate, Marriage or Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications to mail.

Birth before 1864

 *  was formed on 16 January 1864.

parent counties

Birth 1864 - 1897

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

Birth 1898 - present

 * 1898 - 1905 - Online index to births 1898–1905 Series 20947
 * Inventory of originals, Series 20947 at Utah State Archives
 * FamilySearch Library copy: . There are no names of children in the records. The film actually covers 1898-1905 and 1912. The 1912 register has child's names.
 * Idea: use censuses and church records to learn those missing children's names.
 * 1903 - 1944 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1906 - 1910 - 1906-1910 online images
 * 1892 - 1941 -


 * Bear River Health Department, Garden City, 115 South Bear Lake Blvd., 84028, Phone (435) 881-3383. Randolph, 275 North Main Street, 84064, Phone (435)793-2445.

Marriage

 * 1887-1940 - at | FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1887-1934 - Western States Marriage Index. Includes Rich County 1887-1934.

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.

Death

 * 1904-1964 - at | FamilySearch — index and images . 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, birth date, parents, gender, marital status, spouse and place of residence.


 * Pre-1904 - Utah State Burial Data Base This site includes information on many Utah residents, who died before 1904.

Websites

 * Rich County, UT History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Utah Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Utah Genealogy Network Group on Facebook

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
 * 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)).

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

Courthouse
Rich County Courthouse 20 S Main St, P.O. Box 218 Randolph, UT 84064 Phone: (435) 793-2415 Fax:(435) 793-2410

County seat: Randolph

FamilySearch Centers

 * Laketown Utah Family History Center 115 S 100 E,Laketown UT 84038United States Location Map


 * Woodruff Utah Family History Center

Libraries
Local public libraries usually have histories, genealogies, indexes of cemeteries, copies of local newspapers, or other records for the area they serve. Many libraries in Utah have an area dedicated to local collections and manuscripts.


 * Carden City Library; 69 N Paradise Parkway, Bldg. A, Garden City, Utah 84028. Phone: 435-946-2950.
 * Collections:
 * Rich County Community Library; Rich County Senior Citizens Center; 21 North Main Street, Randolph, UT 84064. Phone: 435-793-2122.
 * Collections:

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

Societies
See also a List of Utah Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical &amp; Genealogical Societies