Sanpete County, Utah Genealogy

Guide to Sanpete 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 1852, when the county was formed.

Utah Online Genealogy Records

Quick start:


 * Census
 * Birth
 * Marriage
 * Death
 * Church

Description
The County was named for the Ute chief Sanpitch, which was changed to Sanpete. The County is located in the center area of the state.

County Courthouse
Sanpete County Courthouse 116 North Main Street Manti, UT 84642 435-835-2131

County Clerk has birth records 1897-1905, death records, 1898-1905, marriage records from 1888, divorce, probate and court records from 1878 and land records from 1870.

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

Parent Counties
Sanpete County, Utah was created 3 March 1852 from: part of the Utah Territory.

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 Sanpete County, Utah from "UT: Index of Counties and Equivalents," Newberry Library's Atlas of Historical County Boundaries for Utah.

Neighboring Counties
Sanpete County, Utah is surrounded by: Carbon | Emery | Juab | Millard | Sevier | Utah

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:

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 Sanpete County, Utah 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  (select Cemeteries).


 * digitized by FamilySearch (free), includes the Spring City Cemetery Sexton book 1892-1990
 * USGenWeb Archives Sanpete County, Utah lists the names and headstone photos images of individuals interred in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

List of Sanpete County Cemeteries

Census

 * See Utah Census for online indexes and images of US federal censuses. of: 1851 1856, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940.
 * See statewide printed indexes, including 1856.


 * USGenWeb Archives Sanpete County, Utah provides the 1850 Federal Census of Sanpete County

Church Records
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 Sanpete County, Utah at the (space, then select a town) or  (select Church topics) in the FamilySearch Library Catalog.
 * Also check under "Jewish" topics

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

 * 1877-1918 - at FamilySearch — index

Stake(s): Gunnison Stake, Utah · Moroni Stake, Utah · South Sanpete Stake, Utah · North Sanpete Stake, Utah

Places: Axtell ·Centerfield · Chester · Clarion· Ephraim · Fairview · Fayette · Fountain Green · Freedom · Gunnison· Indianola· Manti · Mayfield· Milburn · Moroni · Mount Pleasant · Spring City· Sterling · Wales·

List of Sanpete County stakes and wards to about 1948

List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * }
 * FamilySearch Places

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 · Probate


 * digitalized by FamilySearch (free), includes Criminal Dockets 1859-1890

Directories
See Utah Directories

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1847-1868 - at FamilySearch — index

Funeral Homes
Rasmussen Mortuary 96 North 100 West Mount Pleasant, UT 84647 Phone: 435-462-2427 Toll Free Phone: 800-206-5653 Fax: 435-462-2179

Magleby-Buchanan Mortuary 195 West 100 North Manti, UT 84642 Phone: 435-835-2311 Toll Free Phone: 866-MAGLEBY Fax: 435-896-8526

Gazetteers
See Utah Gazetteers
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

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

 * Antrei, Albert C. T. and Allen D. Roberts. A history of Sanpete County, Utah Centennial County History Series
 * USGenWeb Archives Sanpete County, Utah provides a history of Ephraim's settlement from 1854.
 * History of Sanpete and Emery Counties Utah: With Sketches of Cities, Towns and Villages, Chronology of Important Events, Records of Indian Wars, Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Ogden, Utah: W.H. Lever, 1898. Internet Archive Digital version.


 * Sanpete County was created on 3 March 1852.
 * The origin of the Sanpete County name came from a mispronunciation of a local Indian tribe, the San Pitch.
 * Nestled at the base of the mountains, the communities of San Pete county were set up primarily as agricultural communities.The early pioneers set up farms with the use of canals and wells. A vanguard group of 224 men, women, and children settlers were first sent to the area from the Salt Lake Valley in 1849.
 * Although the first Scandinavian settlers, consisting of mostly Danish immigrants, may have reached the Sanpete Valley as early as 1852, the main influx didn’t begin until 1853 and 1854. Upon arriving, the first group of Scandinavians joined other settlers in present-day Ephraim.
 * The area population peaked from about 1900 to 1910, and then declined until the 1970s.

History Timeline

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

NOTE: Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Wikipedia for Sanpete County, Utah.


 * 1849 November 19. Sanpete County settled by Latter-day Saint settlers organized by Isaac Morley under the direction of Brigham Young. Named for Chief Sanpitch.
 * 1849. City of Manti founded. County seat. Site of Walker War and Black Hawk War. Named for city in Book of Mormon.
 * 1852. March 3. County created from part of Utah Territory.
 * 1854. City of Ephraim founded. Largest city in Sanpete County. Location of Snow College. Most important fort through end of Black Hawk War located in city.

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 Sanpete County 2012
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Military

 * To 1966 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Civil War

 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index

World War I

 * 1914-1918 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1914-1918 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1917-1918 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1917-1918 - at FamilySearch — index

World War II

 * 1929-1954 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images

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.)


 * 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.
 * 1906-1930 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1906-1930 Utah, Federal Naturalization Records, 1906-1930 at Ancestry- index & images ($)

Newspapers

 * 1850-2003 Utah Newspapers, 1850-2003 at MyHeritage — index & images, ($)
 * Manti Messenger and Ephraim Enterprise, covering 1893-1973 and 1891-1972 respectively, are included.
 * Manti Messenger and Ephraim Enterprise, covering 1893-1973 and 1891-1972 respectively, are included.

Obituaries

 * 1850 – 2005 at FamilySearch — index
 * 2010-2013 Utah, U.S., Obituary Index, 2010-2013 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * Newspapers of Sanpete County, Utah
 * 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


 * USGenWeb Archives Sanpete County, Utah contains one obituary in an possible on-going project.

Prison

 * 1892 – 1949 Board of Pardons Prisoners' Pardon Application Case Files, 1892-1949 at Utah Division of Archives and Records Service – index and images

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 Indexes and Records
 * 1800 – 1985 Utah Wills and Probate Records 1800-1985 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * probate records at FamilySearch.
 * State and County Probate Records

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 1852

 * Sanpete County, Utah was formed on 3 March 1852.

parent counties

Birth 1852 - 1897

 * [[Sanpete County, Utah#Church Records
 * See also other records that give birth information, such as Death records, Census, Cemeteries, Obituaries
 * See also [[Sanpete County, Utah#Neighboring_Counties
 * See also [[Sanpete County, Utah#Neighboring_Counties

Birth 1898 - present

 * 1898 - 1905 - 1898-1905 Online Birth index, and online birth register, Series 84106.
 * Originals are at the Utah State Archives.
 * FamilySearch Library copy:.
 * Idea: use censuses and church records to learn those missing children's names.


 * 1903 - 1914 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1906 - 1910 - 1906-1910 online images
 * 1905 - 1915 - Register of Births, Wales District
 * 1898 - 1941 -


 * Central Utah Public Health Department, North Sanpete County Office, 20 South 100 West, Suite 30, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84642. Phone (435) 462-2449. South Sanpete County Office, 40 West 200 North, Manti, UT 84631 Phone (435) 835-2231.

Marriage

 * 1805-1992 Utah, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
 * 1859- The Sanpete County marriage records index is available online from 1850.This list is alphabetical by surname of the groom. Each entry shows groom's and bride’s full names, certificate number, and complete date of marriage.
 * 1887-1937 Utah, County Marriages, 1887-1937 at MyHeritage - index ($)
 * 1887-1938 Western States Marriage Index. Includes Sanpete County 1887-1938.
 * 1887-1940 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1887-1999 Utah, Marriages, 1887-1999 at MyHeritage — index ($)

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.

Death

 * 1898-19004 - Sanpete County Death Register 1898-1904. The scanned images are online and searchable at the Utah State Division of Archives &amp; Records Services.


 * 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

 * Sanpete County, UT History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * 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 Sanpete County, Utah.

Links to Sanpete County, Utah collections:


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

Sites that gather links to the Internet


 * Linkpendium
 * CyndisList

Archives, Libraries, etc.
Resources for Sanpete County, Utah 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: Sanpete County, Utah items in (Utah)

See these headings for Sanpete County, Utah details: Courthouse·FamilySearch Centers·Libraries·Museums·Societies

Courthouse
Sanpete County County Clerk: 160 N. Main, PO Box 219 Manti, Utah 84642 Phone: 435-835-2131

County seat: Manti

Family History Centers

 * Castle Dale Utah Family History Center
 * Ephraim Utah Family History Center
 * Gunnison Utah Correctional Facility Family History Center
 * Gunnison Utah Family History Center
 * Indianola Utah Family History Center
 * Manti Utah Family History Center
 * Moroni Utah Family History Center
 * Mount Pleasant Utah North Family History Center
 * Nephi 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.


 * Gunnison Civic Library; 38 West, Center Street, P.O. Box 790, Gunnison, UT 84634. Phone: 435-528-3104.
 * Collections:
 * Manti City Library, 2 South Main Street, Manti, UT 84642. Phone: 435-835-2201.
 * Collections:
 * Mt. Pleasant Public Library; 24 East Main Street, Mount Pleasant, UT 84647-1429. Phone: 435-462-3340.
 * Collections:

See also Utah's Online Library, which provides links to library web pages, addresses, phone numbers, hours, and maps.

Museums

 * The Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Association is a non-profit organization. They have their own blog: http://mtpleasantpioneer.blogspot.com/ They feature a Pioneer of the Month, pictures from the Past, Pioneer Recipes, as well a current events with an historical theme. They also have a Tombstone Page where actual photographs of the headstones can be seen.

Societies
Utah Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical Genealogical Societies

Forebears - San Pete County Website

Ghost Towns
Clarion | Dover