In the state of Idaho, genealogy records are becoming very popular tools for families. Many people are taking the time to look back and learn about their families. How did you come to live where you do? Who made the decision to move into Idaho and how did your family come to the US? Even more interesting is the history of the Native Americans living in the area. The good news is that most people can find a great deal of information about themselves and their families by conducting research in the area.

The problem is there is not just one search for all of the Idaho genealogy records you will need. Rather, you will need to turn to numerous sources and compile the bits of information you get from each one. The state does have some records you can search. Many of these are on the local level. In Idaho, the state did not begin gathering registrations for births and deaths at the county level until 1907. This means that most records prior to this time are hard to find. You will need to look for them through local churches, hospitals, doctor records or even the mortuaries in the area. Some town clerks kept the information on file as well, but you will need to know the city.

In 1911, the state began requiring that all deaths and births in the state be recorded at the state level, not just at the counties. However, much of this data is not complete for the first years this law was put into place. If you need any birth, death or marriage records from 1911 onward, visit the Vital Records Department. You can visit or write to that agency at the following address:

State of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Vital Statistics Unit

450 West State Street

Boise, Idaho 83720

This agency does not have a complete list of all marriages from that time. Rather, you may wish to look to Ricks College in Rexburg for more information. It has an index of most marriages occurring prior to 1900 in Idaho on file. There are also other options for finding Idaho genealogy records.

The cemeteries in the state do have a great deal of information to share. Some of these in Bannock County have records you can search. This includes Byington, Grant, Redrock and the Unknown Cemetery. In Lincoln County, the Richfield Cemetery offers records to the public for these purposes as well.

You will find information that can help your Idaho genealogy records search through the Land Patents that occurred in the area. These are available through the counties and can provide some of the best information on individual information. You can check with local military bases as well.

Keep in mind that Idaho genealogy records are not as thorough as other states because the area remained remote for many years. However, churches and towns do have much of the information you may need. Keep the family history alive by conducting thorough investigations. It can pay off.

• Idaho Genealogy