Lemhi County, Idaho Genealogy

Guide to Lemhi 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 Fort Lemhi, which was named for King Lemhi in the Book of Mormon. Lewis and Clark were the first white men in this area.

County Courthouse
Lemhi County Courthouse 206 Courthouse Drive Salmon, ID 83467-3943 Phone: 208-756-2815 Lemhi County Website

Count Clerk Recorder has birth and death records 1907-1911, marriage, land and military discharge records from 1888 and naturalization from 1869.

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

 * 8 January 1881 -- Custer County created from parts of Alturas and Lemhi Counties
 * 4 March 1893 -- Fremont County created from parts of Bingham and Lemhi Counties

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
A list of current churches in Lemhi County is available on the USGenWebsite for the county.

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) Fort Lemhi was established on a tributary of the Salmon River June 15, 1855. This mission, called the Salmon River Mission, proved to be a very dangerous one. Becasue of Indian depredations the settlement of Fort Lemhi was abandoned in 1858.
 * In 1930, Lemhi County was part of Northwestern States Mission. There were no stake organized in the area at the time.
 * 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.


 * Leadore
 * Lemhi
 * Salmon
 * Silver Creek

 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
 * 1868-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images
 * Coroner's inquest, 1905-1916
 * Court records, 1878-1934
 * District court Idaho territory records, 1868-1877
 * Power of attorney, 1889-1941; index, 1878-1984
 * Power of attorney, 1889-1941; index, 1878-1984

Judgment Books
 * Judgments, 1878-1929; index, 1883-1929

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 1867-1892 Deeds and water rights, 1867-1892
 * 1868-1915 Deeds, 1868-1915; index 1871-1930
 * 1884-1932 Estate records, 1884-1932
 * 1880-1914 Homestead claims, 1880-1914; index, 1880-1986
 * 1878-1929 Judgments, 1878-1929; index, 1883-1929
 * 1883-1915 Salmon townsite deeds, 1883-1915
 * 1883-1915 Salmon townsite deeds, 1883-1915

Maps and Gazetteers

 * An 1895 map of Lemhi and surrounding counties is available online.
 * A digital Lemhi County Idaho map is available online.
 * Map of Lemhi County, Idaho is available online.
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Military Records

 * 1917-1918
 * 1917-1918 World War I draft registration cards, 1917-1918 at Ancestry.com

World War I
 * 1917-1960 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index/Images

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
 * Recorder- Herald

Historical The Idaho State Archives had a fine collection of newspapers from Idaho.

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

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry.com $
 * {{FSC|731274|subject-id|disp=Lemhi County probate records}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog

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

Tax Records
Online Tax Indexes and Records
 * (*) FamilySearch Catalog
 * Inheritance Tax Records 1907-1912 at Idaho State Archives

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
 * 1911-1956 State-wide index to Idaho Deaths, 1911-1956 Idaho Deaths.
 * Eastern Idaho Death 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
 * Challis Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Dillon Montana FamilySearch Center
 * Garden Valley Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Lima Montana FamilySearch Center
 * McCall Idaho FamilySearch Center
 * Salmon Idaho FamilySearch Center

Libraries

 * Salmon Public Library 300 Main St Salmon, ID 83467 Phone: (208) 756-2311 Website

Societies

 * Lemhi County Historical Society 210 Main Street Salmon, Idaho 83467 (208) 756-3342 Website
 * 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

Websites

 * Lemhi County ID GenWeb, 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.