Gem County, Idaho Genealogy

Guide to Gem 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 the state nickname, "Gem State,". The County Seat is Emmett and was founded March 15, 1915. It is located in the west central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Gem County Courthouse 415 E. Main Emmett, ID 83617 Phone: 208-365-4221 Gem County Website

County Clerk has marriage, divorce, court, land and military records from 1915 County magistrate has probate 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:

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
 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) In 1930, Gem County was part of Boise Stake.
 * The following are local congregations (wards) which existed in Gem County, Idaho prior to 1950.
 * For original or later records, check withthe Church History Library in Salt Lake City.
 * Many of the records to about 1948 are available at the Family History Libraryin Salt Lake City and at its FamilySearch Centers.


 * Emmett
 * Emmett 1
 * Emmett 2

 Some Current Churches in Gem County  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (208)365-6142

Community Bible Church (208)365-3712

Emmett Christian Church (208)365-4416

First Baptist Church (208)365-4457

First Presbyterian Church (208)365-2360

First Southern Baptist Church (208)365-6568

Grace Baptist Church (208)365-5116

The Harvest Church (208)398-7584

Jehovah’s Witnesses (208)365-6446

Lutheran Church – Our Redeemer (208)365-5231

Nazarene Church (208)365-2215

New Life Christian Center (208)365-2918

Orchard View Church of God (208)365-7213

Sacred Heart Catholic Church (208)365-4320

Seventh-Day Adventist Church (208)365-6733

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (208)365-2309

United Methodist Church (208)365-3242

 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 - Power of attorney, 1865-1956

Judgment records
 * Judgment records, 1915-1935
 * Be sure to check the Gem County Miscellaneous Series.

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records

Local Histories

 * History of Gem County - available on the official website of the county
 * Histories by Edith Scott (Copies of handwritten and typewritten genealogies, histories, biographies, and diaries, available at the BYU Library.)
 * Obituaries: Gem County plus some others: Emmett, Gem County, Idaho, obituaries from local papers up to June 1, 1991 by Edith Scott; Dorothy Kern *The Idaho State Archives holds many oral interviews pertaining to Gem County, as well as manuscripts, and personal/family records.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * A digital Gem County Idaho map is available online.
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

World War I

 * 1917-1918 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog
 * World War I draft registration cards, 1917-1918 at Ancestry.com,

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 
 * Messenger- Index

 Historical  The Idaho State Archives has microfilmed the following Gem County newspapers which can be accessed at their facility in Boise: Boise County Sentinel: 1909:4:15-1916:2:17 Boise County Sentinel: 1909:5:6, 9:2 Boise County Sentinel: 1909:04:29 Boise County Sentinel: 1912:7:11, 1916:3:16, 11:30 Boise County Sentinel: 1917:04:26 Emmett Examiner: 1910:4:7-1925:11:5 Emmett Index: 1893:11:4-1957:6:27 Emmett Index: 1901:02:22 Emmett Messenger: 1934:10:11-1957:6:27 Messenger-Index: 1957:7:4-9999

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.

Both the Idaho State Archives in Boise, Idaho, and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah have copies of the miscellaneous record of Gem County. The originals are held in the Gem County courthouse in Emmett, Idaho and can be accessed by visiting there. Copies in the Idaho State Archives are available for viewing in Boise. Those held by the Family History Library can be viewed either at the Library in Salt Lake City or at any of its Family History Centers.

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry.com ($)

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

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
 * Idaho Vital Records.
 * 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

Archives

 * Idaho State Archives Digital Collections - Enter County in Search Bar
 * Idaho State Archives

Family History Centers

 * Emmett Idaho Family History Center
 * Fruitland Idaho Family History Center
 * Garden Valley Idaho Family History Center
 * Ontario Oregon Family History Center
 * Weiser Idaho Family History Center

Libraries

 * Emmett Public Library 275 S Hayes Ave Emmett, ID 83617 Phone: (208) 365-6057 Website
 * Ola District Library 11475 Ola School Rd Ola, ID 83657 Phone: (208) 584-3589

Museums

 * Gem County Historical Museum Complex 501 E. 1st Street Emmett, Idaho 83617 Phone: (208) 365-9530 or 365-4340 Email: [mailto:gemcohs@bigskytel.com gemcohs@bigskytel.com] Website

Societies

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

Websites

 * The Gem County Idaho GenWeb Project, a member of ID GenWeb


 * – 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.