Grand County, Utah Genealogy

Guide to Grand County, Utah ancestry, family history, and genealogy. marriage and death records, cemeteries, census, church records, probate records, and obituaries—resources to find parents and family history since 1890, when the county was formed. 

 

 

 Quick start:


 * Census
 * Birth
 * Marriage
 * Death
 * Church

Description
The County was named for the Colorado River, which at the time of statehood was known as the Grand River. The County is located in the east center area of the state.

County Courthouse
Grand County Courthouse 125 East Center Street Moab, Ut 84532-3449 Phone: 435-259-1321

County Clerk has marriage and probate records from 1890, divorce and court records from 1896 and land records.

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

Parent Counties
was created March 13, 1890 from: Emery and Uintah

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.

See UT: Index of Counties... from Newberry Library's Utah Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, for a timeline of boundary changes for.

Neighboring Counties
is surrounded by: Carbon | Emery | San Juan | Uintah | Wayne | Colorado counties: Garfield | Mesa | Montrose

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 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).

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) San Juan Stake, Utah

Places: Moab

Linked below are the ward and stake records for Grand County, Utah on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library. Click on a ward for records (up to about 1948). •  •   •   •


 * For a timeline history and boundaries of wards that existed in 1930, click to the appropriate stake (above).
 * For later records, check with the Church History Library.


 * }

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

Directories
See Utah Directories

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1847-1868 - at FamilySearch — index

Funeral Homes
Spanish Valley Mortuary 386 North 100 West Moab, UT 84532 Phone: 435-259-3980 Fax: 435-259-3987

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

 * Firmage, Richard A. A history of Grand County, Utah Centennial County History Series
 * National Register of Historic Places - Grand County, Utah
 * Pioneer: Utah's Online Library includes a brief history of Grand County.

History Timeline
See UT: Index of Counties... from Newberry Library's Utah Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, for a timeline of boundary changes for.

NOTE: Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Wikipedia for Grand County


 * 8000 BC. Humans have occupied the region since the last ice age.
 * 1300. Fremont people and Ancient Pueblo People lived in the area.
 * 1775. Spanish missionaries encountered Ute and Paiute tribes in the area.
 * 1855. First European-Americans to attempt settlement in the area were the Mormons.
 * 1890 March 13, Grand County was created from Emery and Uintah Counties.
 * 1910-20’s.Moab area settled and the economy, originally agriculture, gradually shifted to mining of Uranium and Vanadium.
 * 1923. Arches area considered as a National Park.
 * 1939, 1949. Western movie director John Ford filmed Stagecoach and then Wagon Master in Moab.
 * 1950s The uranium boom brought the first real population expansion to the area

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 Grand County

Military

 * To 1966 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Civil War

 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index

World War I

 * USGenWeb Archives, Grand County, Utah.; Draft Cards - Birth Information 1917-18 - Grand County,Utah;BIRTH INFORMATION: RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY IN 1917-18;

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.)


 * 1908–1929 Utah, State Archives Records, 1848-2001, a FamilySearch digital collection (free)

Newspapers

 * Grand Valley Times and Times Independent - 1896-1966
 * 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
 * Utah, Probate Records, 1851-1961 in FamilySearch Historical Collections. Check back if this county is not listed.

Vital Records
Vital records of birth, marriage, death, and divorce are created by civil (state, county, or city) officials. See Utah Vital Records for details and history of the 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 1890

 *  was formed on 13 March 1890.

parent counties

Birth 1890 - 1897

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

Birth 1898 - present

 * 1898 - 1905 - Series #83886 at Utah State Archives. Not online, no online index. There are no names of children in the records.
 * Idea: use censuses and church records to learn those missing children's names.
 * There is no copy available through FamilySearch Library.


 * 1903 - 1914 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1906 - 1910 - 1906-1910 online images


 * Southeastern Utah District Health Department Grand County, 575 S Kane Creek Blvd, PO BOX E, Moab, UT 84532. Phone (435) 259-5602.

Marriage

 * 1805-1992 - Utah, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1887-1940 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1890-1925 - Western States Marriage 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.


 * Archives, Libraries, etc.

Death
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, birthdate, parents, gender, marital status, spouse and place of residence.


 * 1904 - 1964 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * Pre-1904 Utah State Burial Index for death before 1904.

Websites

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

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) or Allen County Public Library (Indiana).

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

Courthouse
[http://www.grandcountyutah.net www.grandcountyutah.net County Courthouse, 125 E. Center St., Moab, UT 84532. Phone: 435-259-1346.

County seat: Moab

FamilySearch Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers


 * Castle Valley Utah Family History Center 8 Chamisa Ln, Castle Valley UT 84532-9613 United States Location Map


 * Moab Utah Family History Center 300 South 100 East, Moab UT 84532United StatesLocation Map

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.


 * Grand County Library - Castle Valley Branch; Castle Valley Community Center, Town Building, 2 Castle Valley Drive, Castle Valley, UT 84532. Phone: 435-259-9998.
 * Collections:
 * Grand County Library - Moab; 257 East Center Street, Moab, UT 84532. Phone: 435-259-1111.
 * 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

Towns and Communities

 * Castle Valley
 * Moab
 * Cisco (ghost town)
 * Brendel
 * Thompson Springs