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Adams County, Idaho Genealogy

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Guide to Adams County, Idaho ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Council
Organized: March 15, 1911
Parent County(s): Washington
Neighboring Counties
Baker (OR) • Gem • Idaho • Valley • Wallowa (OR) • Washington
See County Maps
Courthouse
Idaho, Adams County Courthouse.png
Location Map
Idaho Adams County Map.png

Seven Devils Mountains. Hells Canyon Wilderness, Payette National Forest, Adams County, Idaho

County Information

Description

Adams County was named for John Adams, the second President of the United States. The county is located in the west-central area of the state.[1]

County Courthouse

Adams County Courthouse
201 Industrial
Council, ID 83612
Phone: 208-454-7455
Adams County Website

County Clerk has marriage, divorce, probate, court, and land records from 1900. [2]. The original courthouse was built in 1915 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been replaced by a modern, more efficient courthouse which now serves the people of the county.

Adams County, Idaho Record Dates

Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[3]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1911 1900 1911 1900 1900 1900 1870
*Statewide registration for births and deaths started in 1911. General compliance in the 1920s.

Record Loss

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Boundary Changes

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:[5]

Cities
Unincorporated communities
  • Pine Ridge
  • Starkey
  • Tamarack[22] - (not Tamarack Resort in Valley Co.)
  • Wildhorse
  • Woodland


History Timeline

Resources

Bible Records

Biographies

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Adams, Idaho online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See Idaho Cemeteries for more information

Census Records

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
19202,966
—
19302,867−3.3%
19403,40718.8%
19503,347−1.8%
19602,978−11.0%
19702,877−3.4%
19803,34716.3%
19903,254−2.8%
20003,4766.8%
sources:[6][7]
  • 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

Catholic Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)

Green check.png
The usage of "Mormon" and "LDS" on this page is approved according to current policy.


In 1930, Adams County was part of Union Stake, Oregon.

  • The following are local congregations (wards) which existed in Adams County, Idaho prior to 1950.
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

Court Records

Many of your ancestors may be found in court records as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence, occupations, and other family history information. See Idaho Court Records for the various courts through the years.

Judgment Books

Includes divorces, probate documents, civil and criminal actions, and many other court actions.
  • Some information about the records of the courts of Adams County can be found at court records:
District Court:
Judgment Books, v. 1-2, 1911-1929
Index to Judgment Books, 1911-1924
Probate Court:
Wills, 1889-1936
Notice of Action, v. A, 1886-1911

Directories

Emigration and Immigration

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

Funeral Homes

Genealogies

Guardianship

Land and Property Records

Land and Property records are generally recorded in the county courthouse. Many early records have been microfilmed. For more information, see Idaho Land and Property. Some of the early land records of Adams County have been microfilmed. Since Adams County was not created until 1911 from Washington County, some of these records are transcripts from those found in the parent county. Microfilm copies of the records are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise. Original copies of these and later records are housed at the Adams County courthouse in Council.

Online Land Indexes and Records


Among the land records of Adams County which have been microfilmed are:

  • Deeds, 1876-1907
  • Index to Deeds, 1881-1935
  • Possessory land claim records, v. A, 1884-1916

Mining Records
Some records of mining claims and other records pertaining to mining in Adams County, 1902-1927, have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City.

Local Histories

A brief history of the county is available online at the Adams County website, including short histories of each of the major communities of the county.

A combined History of Washington County and Adams County was written by Frank Harris. The two counties were also the subject of Salute to Pioneers of Washington and Adams counties. A History of the Council Valley Area is also available online at the Adams County Historical Preservation Commission website.

Council Valley Museum, has various histories of the area and links to area historical pages and sites.

Maps and Gazetteers

Wallowa CountyBaker CountyIdaho CountyValley CountyGem CountyWashington CountyID ADAMS.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration

Military Records

World War I

World War II

Naturalization and Citizenship

Records of the citizenship or naturalization of people born outside of the United States were kept in the county courthouses. Many volumes are included at the Idaho State Archives in Boise.

Online Records

Newspapers

Current
Adams County Record
P.O. Box R
Council, ID 83612
Phone: 208-253-6961
Website

Historical
The following newspapers have been published in Adams County, Idaho. Copies for the dates indicated are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise.

City Title of Newspaper Dates Available
Council Adams County leader 1918:3:29 -1996:12:31
Council Advance 1902:7:24 -1902:
Council Council journal 1901:7:13 -1902:2:1
Council Council journal 1901:4:13
Council Council leader 1908: 10:9-1915:9:17
Council Council record, 1979 1978:1:4 -1978:12:27
Council Council record, 1990 1990:1:3 -1991:12:26
Council High country 1977:7-1981:12
Council Record 1979:1:3-1989:12:27
Fruitvale Fruitvale echo 1912:4:10-1912:10:16
Meadows Meadows eagle 1903:10:15, 1911:12:28, 1913:6:20
Meadows Meadows eagle 1906:5:17-1909:12:30
New Meadows Adams County advance 1914:12:4
New Meadows New Meadows tribune 1912:1:2, 3:7

Obituaries

Other Records

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.

Periodicals

Probate Records

Online Probate Indexes and Records

School Records

Online School Indexes and Records
The Idaho State Archives in Boise, Idaho and the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah have copies of the Adams County School Census Marshall's Report 1913-1926. This School Census can be viewed at the Adams County courthouse in Council, Idaho by visiting there, or at the Idaho State Archives by visiting the Archives in Boise. The FamilySearch Library can be viewed at the Library in Salt Lake City or at any of its FamilySearch centers.

Social Security Records

Tax Records

Online Tax Indexes and Records
Any existing tax assessment rolls for Adams County should be in the courthouse in Council and would need to be accessed by visiting there.

Vital Records

Birth records, 1911 to present, for individuals born in Adams County are included in and recorded at the state level. These records are restricted for a period of one hundred years from the time of the individual's birth but can be obtained by following the guidelines as issued by the State of Idaho. Deaths occurring in Adams County after 1915 are included in the state-wide registration program. These records are restricted for a period of fifty years from the time of the individual's death but can be obtained by following the guidelines as issued by the State of Idaho. See the Vital Records.

Birth

Marriage

Death

Divorce

Voting Records

Research Facilities

Archives

Listed below are archives in Adams County. For state-wide facilities, see Idaho Archives and Libraries.

FamilySearch Centers

FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries

  • FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
  • FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

Libraries

Many public libraries provide internet access to sites of value to the family historian. Some have special collections of historical and cultural interest, as well. Listed below are libraries in Adams County. For state-wide library facilities, see Idaho Archives and Libraries.

Museums

  • Council Valley Museum
    2202 Ridge Road
    Council, ID 83612
    208-253-4582
    Website

Societies

Listed below are societies in Adams County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Idaho Societies.

  • Adams County Historical Society
    101 S Commercial Ave
    New Meadows, ID 83654
  • Idaho State Historical Society - Adams County
    Website

Websites

  • FamilySearch Catalog – 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

References

  1. ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Adams County, Idaho Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ida/adams/
  2. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Adams County, Idaho page 177, At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  3. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Adams County, Idaho. Page 177-180 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 180-181.
  4. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  5. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, Adams County, Idaho," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adams_County,_Idaho#Communities, accessed 24 Frebruary 2019.
  6. ↑ census.gov - Idaho population by county, 1900-90 accessed 2009-05-03
  7. ↑ quickfacts.census.gov - Canyon County accessed 2009-05-03
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