Salt Lake County, Utah Genealogy

Guide to Salt Lake County, Utah ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Description
The County was formerly called the Great Salt Lake County. The name was changed to Salt Lake 29 Jan 1868 The County is located in the north center area of the state.

County Courthouse
Salt Lake County Courthouse 450 S State St. Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: 801-238-7300 Salt Lake County Courthouse County Clerk has marriage records from 1887, divorce and court records from 1896, and probate records from 1852. County Recorder has land 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:

± This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

History Timeline
NOTE: Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Wikipedia for Salt Lake County
 * 1825 The first US explorer in the Salt Lake area is believed to be Jim Bridger.
 * 1843 U.S. Army officer John C. Frémont surveyed the Great Salt Lake and the Salt Lake Valley.
 * 1846 The Donner party, a group of ill-fated pioneers, traveled through the Great Salt Lake Valley in August.
 * 1847 Salt Lake County was settled when Mormon Pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.
 * 1847 On July 29, 1847 a group of Mormon Pioneers, known as the Mississippi Company, among them John Holladay of Alabama, entered the Salt Lake Valley. Within weeks, they discovered a free-flowing, spring-fed stream, which they called Spring Creek, now known as Holladay.
 * 1849 Herriman was established by Robert Dansie, Henry Harriman, and Thomas Jefferson Butterfield. A monument in the Herriman City Cemetery lists the original four families of Herriman as the Thomas Jefferson Butterfield, John Jay Stocking, Robert Cowan Petty, and Henry Harriman families.
 * 1849 The Mormon Pioneers organized a new state called Deseret and petitioned for its recognition.
 * 1850 The U.S. Congress rebuffed the settlers petition and established the Utah Territory,and designated Fillmore as its capital city.
 * 1850 March 3. Salt Lake County was created as an original county.
 * 1853 Construction started on The Salt Lake Temple.
 * 1857 The territorial capital was moved to Great Salt Lake City, when the name was shortened to Salt Lake City.
 * 1862 Fort Douglas was established on the east bench, near the University of Utah, to make sure that the territory maintained its allegiance during the American Civil War.
 * 1865 Alta was founded.
 * 1868 January 29: The original county name Great Salt Lake County was shortened to Salt Lake County.
 * 1878 An 1878 fire and an 1885 avalanche destroyed most of the original mining town of Alta.
 * 1885T he army established Camp Murray to house several companies of the Ninth Infantry Regiment.
 * 1935 In 1935, Norwegian skiing legend Alf Engen was hired to help develop the area, and Alta opened its first ski lift in 1938.
 * 1942 Camp Kearns, a massive military installation created for World War II, was created in what is now Kearns and Taylorsville on the western side of the valley.

 Historical The area that was to become Salt Lake County was settled in 1847 when Mormon Pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, fleeing persecution in the East, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley after traveling through Emigration Canyon. Brigham Young, their leader, declared "This is the right place" after seeing the valley, which was at the time arid, dry, and unpromising. However, they soon developed a flourishing, self-sufficient city, Great Salt Lake City, through extensive irrigation techniques. Thousands of Latter-day Saints from around the world followed in the next several decades. The county was officially formed on January 31, 1850, with just over 11,000 residents recorded.

Business, Commerce, and Occupations
 Occupations
 * Digital Public Records of America Kennecott Miner Records personnel records of employment from 1900-1919. Over 40,000 records from the Utah Copper Company are handwritten and contain the following employee information: name, date employed, address, dependents, age, weight, height, eyes, hair, gender, nationality, engaged by, last employer, education, occupation, department, pay rate, date leaving employment, and reason for leaving. Also known as Bingham Canyon Mine and Bingham Canyon Open Pit Copper Mine.

Cemeteries

 * Territorial-1966 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1847-1976 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., Cemetery Records, 1847-1976 at Ancestry.com — images ($)
 * Names in Stone has not only a great database but is created by cemetery records. One great feature is the cemetery map showing who is buried in each plot.

Census Records
Census records 1850 and later list names, ages, and places of birth (state or nation) for everyone in the household. Censuses locate the family and have other clues to find more records about them.
 * Utah Census for online indexes and images of US federal censuses. of: 1856, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940.
 * Statewide printed indexes, including 1856.
 * Using the Census to find other records about ancestors

Church Records
 ''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) Historically, most people in Utah were Latter-day Saints. Their records are, therefore, very important for early Utah research. For additional information, see Tracing Latter-day Saint Ancestors and Utah Church Records.
 * 1877-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

 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
 * Salt Lake County, Utah Civil and Criminal Case Files, 1852-1887 Ancestry.com ($) This index was obtained from the Utah State Archives and is part of Series # 373 of their collection.
 * Salt Lake County, Utah Coroners' Inquest Case Files, 1870-1871, 1886-1937 Ancestry.com ($) Data from Third District Court. Utah State Archives Series 3851.

Directories

 * Utah Directory, 1890: Salt Lake City, Logan, and Provo Ancestry.com ($)
 * 1910 Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1910 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1847-1868 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & links to images

Funeral Homes

 * List of Salt Lake County Funeral Homes

Genealogies

 * Rees, Nesta, When the Parry Saints Went Marching Out. The author traces the John Parry family from Newmarket to Salt Lake City. Family Trees illustrated the article and a picture of a headstone, in SLC, showing John and wife Harriet, with year dates, and born North Wales. John worked as a mason on the Salt Lake Temple. Article in Hel Achau, #29, Christmas, 1989, pages 22-25. FS Library book 942.93 D25h

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 1871-1894 Utah, Salt Lake County, land claim records, 1871-1894 includes a Land Title Docket covering 1871-1891
 * Morgan, Nicholas G. Pioneer Map: Great Salt Lake City, Great Basin, North America. N.p.: 1851?. (FamilySearch Library .) This map includes historical data and index to names of original owners and their locations by lot or lots and blocks. The index to this map consists of names of major land owners in various Salt Lake City wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
 * Grundvig, David L. and Sharon Lauritzen. Index to Pioneer Map, Great Salt Lake City, for 1850s. N.p. 1981. (FamilySearch Library .)
 * 1847-1850 Land Lottery Original allotment records, with in-house index housed at The Church History Library
 * Land Title Cases at Salt Lake County Archives
 * Guide to Researching Land Records in Utah at Utah State Archives
 * Digital Sanborn Maps Series at University of Utah. Originals at Utah State Archives
 * Data Services at Salt Lake County Recorder's Office

Local Histories

 * A history of Salt Lake County, Utah Sillitoe, Linda, 1996. Utah State Historical Society. Online at:Utah Historical Society
 * Tales of a triumphant people: a history of Salt Lake County, Utah, 1847-1900 Ancestry.com ($)
 * The History of Salt Lake City and its Founders Edward William Tullidge, 1886. Online at:Google Books

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Utah Gazetteers
 * Google highway map of Salt Lake County 2012
 * The Route Taken by the First Group of Emigrant Pioneer Wagons, 22 and 24 July 1847.
 * Salt Lake City plot map, 1850s, with names. According to Orson Pratt Survey made in August 1847, showing names of all original (inheritance) owners, with historic data. 6th North (formerly 5th North) to 9th South. 6th West (formerly 5th West) to 3rd East. Has modern street names, except streets north of, and west of Temple Square are off by one.
 * . According to Orson Pratt Survey made in August 1847, showing names of all original (inheritance) owners, with historic data. 6th North (formerly 5th North) to 9th South. 6th West (formerly 5th West) to 3rd East. Includes index. Has modern street names, except streets north of, or west of Temple Square are off by one. Also viewable from the Church History Library and the Yale University Library digital collections.
 * Portion of Township 1 North, Range 1 West, Salt Lake County. Showing location of Great Salt Lake City. Prepared from print of original for Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr. Surveyed 3rd quarter, 1855. Blue line print. Includes note of approval by David A. Burt, Surveyor General of Utah. Relief shown by hachures.
 * Salt Lake City plot map, 1860. If you know the block and lot number, you can find it on the map and find the modern street address by counting from the Temple Block. This map will also indicate which ward the lot was in.
 * Salt Lake County plot map, five-acre plat "A" portion of the Big Field Survey. From 9th South to 21st South and 4th West to 13th East, showing names of original (inheritance) owners, with historical notes. Also viewable from the Church History Library digital collection.
 * . Survey of 1858 by Jesse Fox, Territorial Surveyor, showing original owners and original names of streets—City Creek Canyon on the west and “N” Street on the east and from South Temple Street to 4th Avenue, with historic data. Also viewable from the Yale University Library digital collection.
 * City wall around Salt Lake City. Also available in person at the Church History Library (not the FamilySearch Library). “Shows location of city wall superimposed upon map of a portion of modern Salt Lake City.”
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Migration
Early migration routes to and from Salt Lake County for emigrant settlers included:
 * California Trail 1846 to 1869 from western Missouri to northern California
 * Mormon Trail 1846 to 1869 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah
 * Mormon Trail to Southern California 1847 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Los Angeles, California
 * Central Overland Trail 1859-1869 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Carson City, Nevada (and usually on to northern California)
 * Union Pacific Railroad 1869 Ogden, Utah to Omaha, Nebraska
 * Central Pacific Railroad 1869 Ogden, Utah to Sacramento, California
 * | Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad 1883 Salt Lake City, Utah to Grand Junction, Colorado (and Denver)

Military Records

 * 1895 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images. , Ancestry.com, index & images ($)
 * Territorial-1966 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

 Civil War
 * 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images at Partner site

World War I
 * 1914-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1914-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1917-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1917-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

 World War II
 * 1939-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1940-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
 * 1848-2001 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1851-1936, (Salt Lake County, Utah), Third District Court; Probate Court — FamilySearch Catalog digital images. An index covering territorial and district courts from about 1858–1980 is on the first film in the series. It includes most northern Utah counties. Also in the series are declarations and petitions from 1851–1936.
 * 1858-1920 — FamilySearch Catalog digital images. Utah. District Court. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Archives and Records Service, 1981–1982. These early minutes include naturalizations which are arranged chronologically in each volume.
 * 1906-1930 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1906-1930 Utah, Federal Naturalization Records, 1906-1930 at Ancestry- index & images ($)
 * USGenWeb Archives summary of the Court Petitions Index, volumes 1 - 9. In each index volume you will find the name of the petitioner, place of birth, location of court, volume and page number. As an example click on volume 1. Click on volumes 2 - 8 on the Court Petition Index.

Newspapers

 * 1850-2003 Utah Newspapers, 1850-2003 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 * Utah Digital Newspapers Project gives newspaper images online. Search All Newspapers by name or keywords, or Browse by County to view the digitized newspapers.
 * BYU Digital Collections has Vol 41 of Woman's Exponet and a description/history of this which ran June 1, 1872-Feb 1914. Click on Newspapers in right hand box.

Obituaries

 * 1850-2005 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & links to images
 * 2010-2013 Utah, U.S., Obituary Index, 2010-2013 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * From the GenWeb site (scroll down from the top of the page) you will find individual obituaries, obituaries from the Desert News (2004 - 2005 selected months), and from the Salt Lake Tribune (2004 - 2005 selected months).

Prisons

 * 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
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1800-1985 Utah Wills and Probate Records 1800-1985 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1851 – 1961 Utah Probate Records, 1851-1961 at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; images
 * Salt Lake County, Index to Probate Case Files, 1852-81 Ancestry.com ($). Cites as it's source: Salt Lake County, Utah. Utah. District Court (Third District: Salt Lake County).Index to Probate Case Files 1852-96. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Utah State Archives and Records Service. Series 1621.

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 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Birth

 * 1890 - Present Salt Lake City birth records through Salt Lake Valley Health Department. You will find parents' names, child's date of birth, and the child's name, if known. Later records show age of parents, address, etc.
 * 1903-1914 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Marriage

 * 1805-1992 Utah, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($) — index
 * 1871-1941 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection — index & images
 * 1887-1999 Utah, Marriages, 1887-1999 at MyHeritage ($) — index
 * 1887-1937 Utah, County Marriages, 1887-1937 at MyHeritage ($) — index
 * Western States Marriage Index at BYU-Idaho — includes some divorces and alternative sources

Death

 * 1849-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1904-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * Pre-1904 Utah State Burial Data Base This site includes information on many Utah residents, who died before 1904.
 * 1848-1950 Salt Lake City (Utah). Office of Vital Statistics. Death Records of Salt Lake City, Utah, 1848–Sept 1950. These records provide name, birth and death information, address or city, and sometimes burial information.
 * 1897-1905 — Salt Lake County (Utah). County Clerk. Register of Deaths, Salt Lake County, Book A, 1897–1905. These records are for the county only and do not have Salt Lake City death records. They are indexed. The record gives name, birth and death information, address or city of residence, and sometimes burial information.

Divorce

 * 1852-1856, 1877–1887 — Utah. Probate Court (Salt Lake County) Divorce Records, 1852–1856, 1877–1887. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. This record is unindexed and is in chronological order. It gives names of each spouse and reason for separation or divorce, and date of court action.

Archives

 * Salt Lake County Archives. Phone 385-468-0820. "Research is by appointment only."

FamilySearch Centers

 * Alpine Utah North FamilySearch Center
 * East Mill Creek North FamilySearch Center
 * Highland Utah FamilySearch Center
 * Hunter Utah Community FamilySearch Center
 * Kearns Utah Hispanic FamilySearch Center
 * Lehi Utah FamilySearch Center
 * Midvale Utah Union Fort FamilySearch Center
 * Murray Utah Little Cottonwood FamilySearch Center
 * Murray Utah South FamilySearch Center
 * Murray Utah West FamilySearch Center
 * North Salt Lake Utah FamilySearch Center
 * North Salt Lake Utah Parkway FamilySearch Center
 * Riverton Utah FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Big Cottonwood FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Canyon Rim FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Granger North FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Hillside FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Holladay South FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Jordan North Utah FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Millcreek FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Monument Park FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Mt Olympus FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Olympus FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Rose Park FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Sugar House FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Temple View FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Utah South (Tongan) FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Utah Stake FamilySearch Center (Tongan)
 * Salt Lake Wasatch FamilySearch Center
 * Salt Lake Winder FamilySearch Center
 * Sandy Utah Cottonwood Creek FamilySearch Center
 * Sandy Utah Crescent FamilySearch Center
 * Sandy Utah Crescent Ridge FamilySearch Center
 * Sandy Utah Granite FamilySearch Center
 * Sandy Utah Granite South FamilySearch Center
 * South Jordan Utah Parkway FamilySearch Center
 * South Salt Lake FamilySearch Center
 * Taylorsville Salt Lake Community College FamilySearch Center
 * Utah Correctional Facility - Oquirrh FamilySearch Center
 * Utah Correctional Facility - Promontory FamilySearch Center
 * Utah Correctional Facility - Timpanogos FamilySearch Center
 * Utah Correctional Facility - Wasatch FamilySearch Center
 * FamilySearch Library - Main FamilySearch Library

Libraries
Salt Lake City Public Library The main library in the [county system Collections: many resources for history and genealogy, local newspapers and much more 210 East 400 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: 801-524-82002. Website Salt Lake Community College Library  Phone: 801-957-6202 Website  Salt Lake County Library System has a directory of individual branch libraries at Library Branches.Website  See also Utah's Online Library, which provides links to library web pages, addresses, phone numbers, hours, and maps.

Museums
Pioneer Memorial Museum Daughters of the Utah Pioneers 300 N Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah List of satellite DUP museums The museum history department has documents about Utah pioneers online at Index of pioneers. Website

West Jordan Historical Society has a museum and library. 2053 West 7800 South West Jordan, Utah 84088 Phone: (801) 568-0938 Website

Societies
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers 300 N. Main St. Salt Lake City, UT 84103-1699 General Phone: 801-532-6479 Fax: 801-532-4436 General email: info@dupinternational.org Website Emigration Canyon Historical Society is a non-profit organization preserving the history of Emigration Canyon. 6463 Emigration Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 Phone: 801-583-4833 Website Sons of Utah Pioneers 3301 Louise Ave. Salt Lake City, UT 84109 Phone:801-484-4441 Website Utah State Historical Society has a good library and photograph collection. 300 S Rio Grande Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 Phone: (801) 533-3500 Cemetery and Burial databaseWebsite West Jordan Historical Society has a museum and library. 2053 West 7800 South West Jordan, Utah 84088 Phone: (801) 568-0938 Website

Websites

 * Salt Lake GenWeb, Utah GenWeb
 * Salt Lake USGW Archives, USGW Archives Utah
 * Linkpendium


 * – 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.

Research Guides

 * Christy Fillerup. Focus on Salt Lake County Crossroads (June, 2009): 62-74. Utah Genealogical Association