Washington County, Idaho Genealogy

Guide to Washington 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 for George Washington. The County has Weiser as its seat and the County was created February 20, 1879. The County is located in the west central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse 256 East Court Weiser, ID 83672-0670 Phone: 208-414-1700 Washington County Website

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Home Town Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

History Timeline

 * 3 March 1911: Adams County created from part of Washington 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

 * List of Washington County Stakes and Wards to about 1948.


 * The following are local congregations (wards) which existed in Washington County, Idaho prior to 1950: Indian Valley Ward, Washington County, Idaho
 * 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.

 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
 * Washington County Court Records at Idaho State Archives
 * Power of attorney, 1880-1921 Idaho. County Court (Washington County)
 * Register of civil actions, 1881-1929 Idaho. County Court (Washington County)

Directories
The Idaho State Archives has a collection of city, county, state and regional directories.

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 1875-1912
 * 1879-1902; 1874-1901
 * 1873-1908
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

The Idaho State Archives has microfilmed many deeds, homestead records, etc., of Washington County beginning 20 Feb 1879 when it was separated from Boise County, and these can be accessed by visiting the Archives in Boise, Idaho. The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah has microfilmed originals of the followingrecords found in the Washington County Courthouse in Weiser, Idaho which can be accessed at the Library in Salt Lake City or in any of its FamilySearch Centers:

Local Histories

 * 1940-1941  A listing of all residents who had lived in Washington County for at least 50 years was made by the Weiser American newspaper. Their name, city in which they lived and how long they had lived in Washington County was given.Washington County Pioneers.
 * A Saga of Salubria and a History of Washington County (same as above) Revisited is also available in a digitized version at the.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * 1895 1895 map of Washington and surrounding counties.
 * Digital Washington County Idaho map
 * Map of Washington County, Idaho
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Military Records
World War I
 * 1917-1918 World War I registration cards 1917-1918 for Oneida County at FamilySearch
 * 1917-1918 World War I registration cards 1917-1918 for Oneida County available online at Ancestry ($)
 * The original cards are maintained in the Southeast Regional Archives of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in East Point, Georgia and have been microfilmed by the National Archives as their Microcopy M1509.

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

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and 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
 * Upper County Reporter
 * Weiser Signal - American

Historical Copies of issues of many Idaho newspapers are found in the collections of the Idaho State Archives.

Obituaries

 * 1943-2013 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/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. The following Washington County records have been microfilmed and are available for viewing at the Washington County courthouse in Wesier, Idaho, at the Idaho State Archives in Boise, Idaho or at the in Salt Lake City, Utah or at any of the Library's FamilySearch Centers:


 * Washington-10 4 Miscellaneous Index, Direct, Book 1, pp A-E (con't on Washington-11/1) 1883-1968 Court
 * Washington-11 1 Miscellaneous Index, Direct, Book 1, pp E-Z (con't from Washington-10/4) 1883-1968 Court
 * Washington-11 2 Miscellaneous Index, Indirect, Book 1 1883-1968 Court
 * Washington-11 3 Record, Miscellaneous, v. 1, pp 1-155 (con't on Washington-12/1) 1892-1905 Court
 * Washington-12 1 Record, Miscellaneous, v. 1, pp 154-400 (con't from Washington-11/3) 1905-1915 Court
 * Washington-12 2 Miscellaneous Record, Book 2 1915-1921 Court
 * Washington-12 3 Miscellaneous Record, Book 3 1921-1931 Court

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah has microfilmed (1878-1946) which can be viewed at the Library in Salt Lake City, or in any of its FamilySearch Centers. The Idaho State Archiveshas also microfilmed some early probate records of Washington County, and these can be viewed at their facilities in Boise. For other and later probate records, one can visit the county courthouse in Weiser.

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

 * 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
 * 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
 * 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

 * Cascade Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Fruitland Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Garden Valley Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * McCall Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Ontario Oregon FamilySearch Center
 * Pine Valley Oregon FamilySearch Center
 * Weiser Idaho FamilySearch Center

Libraries

 * Cambridge District Library 120 N Superior St Cambridge, ID 83610 Phone: (208) 257-3434
 * Midvale District Library 70 E Bridge St Midvale, ID 83645 Phone: (208) 355-2213 Website
 * Weiser Public Library 628 East 1st Street Weiser, ID 83672 Phone: 208-549-1243 Website
 * Midvale Community Library 70 Bridge St Midvale, ID 83645 Phone: 208-355-2213 Website

Societies

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

Websites

 * Washington County ID GenWeb, a member of ID GenWeb
 * The USGenWeb Archives Project


 * – 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.