Bannock County, Idaho Genealogy

United States

Idaho

Bannock County

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

Idaho Online Genealogy Records

County Facts County seat: Pocatello Organized: March 6, 1893 Parent County(s): Bingham Neighboring Counties Bingham • Caribou • Franklin • Oneida • Power See County Maps Courthouse Location Map Landscape near Pocatello, Bannock CO, Idaho, by Peg Owens

County Information

Description

Bannock County was named for the Bannock Indians, the first inhabitants of the area. The county is located in the southeastern area of the state.

County Courthouse

Bannock County Clerk
624 E. Center
Pocatello, ID 83201
Phone: 208-236-7379
Email:robertp@bannockcounty.us
Bannock County Website

County Clerk has birth and death records 1902, marriage records from 1893, divorce, probate and court records.

Bannock 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
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1902	1893	1902	1866	1880	1888	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

Parent County(s): Created from Bingham County, on 6 March, 1893.. County Seat: Pocatello Idaho Individual County Chronologies - Newberry Library list of all boundary changes by county Idaho Historical Borders - Map at Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; Also at: mapofus.org - animated maps illustrating Idaho 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:

Cities
Arimo Chubbuck Downey	Inkom Lava Hot Springs	McCammon Pocatello
Unincorporated communities
Blackrock Portneuf Red Rock Junction	Robin Swanlake	Virginia Zenda
Census-designated places
Fort Hall Tyhee

Resources

Biographies

• Progressive Men of Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Fremont, and Oneida Counties, Idaho. Chicago, Illinois : A.W. Bowen & Co., 1904. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Library of Congress, BYU Library Digital Collections.

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Bannock, Idaho online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online	Find a Grave BillionGraves USGW Tombstone Transcription Project
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)	FamilySearch Catalog WorldCat.org
List of Cemeteries in the County	Find a Grave FamilySearch Places Bannock County, Idaho Cemetery Records
See Idaho Cemeteries for more information

Census Records

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	11,702		—
1910	19,242		64.4%
1920	27,532		43.1%
1930	31,266		13.6%
1940	34,759		11.2%
1950	41,745		20.1%
1960	49,342		18.2%
1970	52,200		5.8%
1980	65,421		25.3%
1990	66,026		0.9%
2000	75,565		14.4%
sources:

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

• 1864-1976 Idaho Church Marriages, 1864-1976 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection - index

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

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

• List of Bannock County Stakes and Wards to about 1948.
• The following are local congregations (wards) which existed in Bannock 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.

Bancroft Bench Cambridge Chesterfield Cleveland Downey Eagle Rock Garden Creek Grace

Grace 2 Grant Hatch Hawkins Inkom Iona Ivins Kelly Kelly-Toponce

Lago Lava Lava Hot Springs Lund Marsh Center McCammon Merrill Mound Valley Oxford

Swan Lake Thatcher Topaz (Lava Hot Springs) Toponce Trout Creek Virginia Williams Wilson Woodland

List of Churches and Church Parishes

• FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

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.

FamilySearch Library, Bannock County Court Records.
Online Court Indexes and Records

• District Court:
• Judgment Index, 1892-1926
• Judgment Docket, 1893-1930
• Judgment Books, 1891-1927
• Civil Cases, 1920-1927
• Civil Case Files, nos. 4210-7999
• Record of Permits, n.d.
• Declaration of Intent (to become a naturalized citizen), v. 1-4, 1893-1911
• Naturalization Records, v. 1-3, 1893-1917
• County Court:
• Register of Civil Actions, 1919-1927
• Index to Civil Actions, 1919-1950
• Civil Case Files, nos. 1-2733, 3873-4500, 5201-7999
• Probate Court:
• Civil Cases, including divorces, ca. 1892-1920
• Case Files nos. 3000-8370
• County Recorder:
• Power of Attorney, 1866-1945
• Miscellaneous Records, 1892-1957

Directories

• 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary

Emigration and Immigration

The United States District Court, Eastern District, Pocatello, created records regarding naturalization and citizenship, as well as other court documents.
Available online at: Naturalization Records for Bannock County Idaho at FamilySearch

Admission of citizenship, 1893-1902
Declarations of Intent, nos. 1-815, 1906-1911
Petition and Record, nos. 1-370, 1908-1929
Petitions granted, 1929-1945
Naturalization certificates, 1929-1945

Funeral Homes

Cornelison Funeral Home in Pocatello Manning Wheatley Funeral Home in Pocatello Wilks Colonial Chapel in Pocatello Wilks Funeral Home in Chubbuck

Hall Funeral Home
Operated from about 1911 thru 1960, Records are located at the Pocatello Idaho FamilySearch Center

Genealogies

• Hale, Betty. The History of Bannock County, 1893-1993. Logan, Utah: Herff Jones, Inc., 1993.
• Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series, Number 10, Counties and County Seats, Reissued July, 1991.
• Saunders, Arthur C. The History of Bannock County, Idaho. Pocatello, Idaho: Tribune Co., 1915.

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.

Online Land Indexes and Records

• Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

• Many of the early land records of Bannock County have been microfilmed, including homestead patents (1880 to 1945) and deeds (about 1883 to 1927). Microfilm copies of the records are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah or at any of its FamilySearch Centers. Original copies of these and later records are housed at the courthouse in Pocatello.
• Deeds, v. 1-58, 1865-1928
• Index to Deeds, v. 1-5, 1880-1927
• Tax deeds, v. 1-9, 1921-1957
• Patent records, v. 1-3, 1880-1901
• Homestead records, 1889-1957

Local Histories

The Idaho Digital Resources website has historical images of Bannock County residents, buildings and scenes.

Online County Histories

• A Century of Transition, 1890-1990. c1990. By Karen Fisher. Pocatello : Idaho State University Press. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
• Back in Time: A Bannock County Collection. c2001. By Idaho State Journal. Pocatello, Idaho : Idaho State Journal. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
• History of Arimo: Including Arkansas, Hawkins Basin, Marsh Center, and Robin. c1999. By Arimo Centennial History Committee. [Arimo, Idaho] : Arimo Centennial History Committee. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
• History of Bannock County, 1893-1993. c1993. By Betty Hale. Logan, Utah : Herff Jones. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
• History of Fort Hall from Early Records. c1925. Pocatello, Idaho : Pocatello Tribune. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, At various libraries (WorldCat).
• Settlement of Idaho by Utah Pioneers: Oneida, Bannock, and Power Counties. c2004. By Anne Miller Eckman. [Salt Lake City, Utah] : Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
• The History of Bannock County, Idaho. c2012. By Arthur C. Saunders. Salt Lake City, Utah : Digitized by the Genealogical Society of Utah. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; At various libraries (WorldCat).
• The History of Oxford, Franklin; Oneida and Bannock Counties. c1978. [Logan, Utah]. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).

Maps and Gazetteers

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

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

Migration

Early migration routes to and from Bannock County for European and African American settlers included:

• Snake River
• Oregon Trail 1830s to 1890s from western Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon
• California Trail 1846 to 1869 from western Missouri to northern California

Military Records

World War I

• 1917-1918 World War I draft registration cards, 1917-1918, for Bannock County have been microfilmed. Copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library at Idaho, World War I Selective Service System draft registration cards, 1917-1918) and are also Ancestry.com ($).

World War II

• 1940-1946 A record of military servicemen from Bannock County, 1940-1946, is available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and at the World War II military records of Pocatello and surrounding areas at FamilySearch.
• 1940-1945 Idaho, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• World War II military records of Pocatello and surrounding areasat FamilySearch.

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
Naturalization and citizenship records for Bannock County, 1893-1945, have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives and at the Idaho Naturalization Records, 1893-1945 at FamilySearch Catalog.

In addition to the records of the county courts, the United States District Court, Eastern District, Pocatello, created records regarding naturalization and citizenship, as well as other court documents. The originals of the naturalization records are in the Federal Courthouse in Boise. Many have been microfilmed, including:

• Admission of citizenship, 1893-1902
• Declarations of Intent, nos. 1-815, 1906-1911
• Petition and Record, nos. 1-370, 1908-1929
• Petitions granted, 1929-1945
• Naturalization certificates, 1929-1945
• 1892-1990 Idaho Naturalization Records, 1892-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Newspapers

• 1800s-Current Idaho, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)

Current
The primary newspaper for Bannock County is the Idaho State Journal, published in Pocatello.

Historical
Newspapers have been published in several of the cities and towns of Bannock County for varying time periods. Copies of some issues are held by the Idaho State Archives in Boise. They have compiled a list by towns within the state. Bannock County towns represented in this collection include Pocatello, Aberdeen, Alameda, Downey, Lava Hot Springs, and McCammon.

Copies of the Idaho State Journal for Oct. 1949 through Dec. 1977, published in Pocatello, are also available online at Ancestry.com, a subscription website.

Copies of the Idaho State Journal from begining to current are located at the Marshall public Library in Pocatello Idaho, and also at the Idaho State University Library in Pocatello Idaho.

Obituaries

• 1943-2013 Idaho, Southern Counties Obituaries, 1943-2013 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

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.

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 Bannock County. The originals are held in the Bannock County courthouse in Pocatello, Idaho and can be accessed by visiting there. Copies in the Idaho State Archives Collections are available for viewing in Boise many are now digitized online. Those held by the FamilySearch Library can be viewed either at the Library in Salt Lake City or at any of its FamilySearch Centers.

Pension Records

• Mother's pensions were provided by the State of Idaho for widows and/or orphans, under certain conditions. Petitions for those pensions were filed with the probate court in each county. The original papers for several counties have been transferred to the Idaho State Archives in Boise.
• Old age pensions were also provided by the State of Idaho from 1931 to 1936. The original records for these pensions in the Idaho State Archives have also been indexed. Bannock County Old Age Pensions are included in that index.

Photographs

• Idaho State University has many photographic images of Pocatello, Lava Hot Springs, and the Indians at Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Bannock County Idaho Old Photos

Probate Records

Online Probate Indexes and Records

• 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry ($)
• Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

The wills, 1888-1955, and an index to estates and guardianships prior to 1919 for Bannock County have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Historical Society in Boise, Idaho and at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, or in any of the Library's FamilySearch Centers. Other probate files remain with the county courthouse in Pocatello and can be accessed by visiting there.

Social Security Records

• 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index 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 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Tax Records

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

Vital Records

Birth records, 1911 to present, for individuals born in Bannock 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 Bannock 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

• 1856-1965 Idaho Births and Christenings, 1856-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• 1861-1911 Idaho, Birth Index, 1861-1911 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• 1883-1929 Idaho, County Birth and Death Records, 1883-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1905-1915 Births, 1905-1915(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images

Marriage

• 1800-1987 Idaho, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
• 1864-1962 Idaho, County Marriages, 1864-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1878-1898;1903-1942 Idaho Marriages, 1878-1898; 1903-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• 1905-1915 Marriages, 1905-1915(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
• 1947-1961 Idaho Marriage Index, 1947-1961 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• Western States Marriage Index

Death

• 1883-1929 Idaho, County Birth and Death Records, 1883-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1905-1915 Deaths, 1905-1915(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
• 1907-1965 Idaho Deaths and Burials, 1907-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• 1911-1956 State-wide Index to Idaho Deaths, 1911-1956
• Idaho, Deaths at MyHeritage — index ($)

Divorce

• 1947-1963 Idaho Divorce Index, 1947-1963 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index

Voting Records

• 1920-Onward Idaho, Voter Registrations at MyHeritage — index ($)

Research Facilities

Archives

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

• Idaho State Archives Digital Collections - Enter County in Search Bar
  Website
• Idaho State Archives
  Website

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

• American Falls Idaho FamilySearch Center
• Arimo Idaho FamilySearch Center
• Bancroft Idaho FamilySearch Center
• Fort Hall Idaho FamilySearch Center
• Grace Idaho FamilySearch Center
• McCammon Idaho FamilySearch Center
• Pocatello Idaho FamilySearch Library
• Soda Springs Idaho FamilySearch Center

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 Bannock County. For state-wide library facilities, see Idaho Archives and Libraries.

• Idaho State University
  850 S. 9th Avenue
  Pocatello, ID 83209
  Department of Special Collections and University Archives Manuscript Collection
  

Societies

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

• Bannock County Historical Society
  3000 Ave. of the Chiefs
  PO Box 253
  Pocatello, ID 83204
  bancohismus@gmail.com
  Website
• Idaho State Historical Society
  2205 Old Penitentiary Rd
  Boise, Idaho
  208-334-2774
  Website
• Malad Valley Welsh Society
• South Bannock County Historical Center
  110 East Main
  Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246
• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Idaho Chapter

Websites

• Idaho Genealogy
• The Bannock County ID GenWeb Project, Idaho GenWeb

• 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.

This table contains the dates the local or state government began recording in the county or county equivalent. Use substitute records for earlier dates. If you believe there is an error, email us at wikisupport@familysearch.org.

County boundary maps are currently unavailable. Download information instead.

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

Users should verify which locations and dates are included in this collection.

This website requires a paid subscription for full access. Some subscription websites are available for free at your local FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library.

“Current” indicates records are available as recently as privacy laws allow. This date can change from year to year. To determine the exact dates available, contact the respective organization/repository.

Due to contractual agreements, some images and/or databases on FamilySearch.org may only be viewed at a FamilySearch Center or FamilySearch Affiliate Library.