Bonner County, Idaho Genealogy
Guide to Bonner County, Idaho ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Bonner County was named after Edwin L. Bonner who established a ferry on the Kootenai River in 1864 near present day Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The county is located in the northern area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Bonner County Courthouse
215 South First Ave
Sandpoint, ID 83864-1392
Phone: 208-265-1432
Bonner County Website
County Clerk has birth and death records 1907-1911 marriage, divorce and court records from 1907 probate from 1890 and land records from 1889. [2]
Bonner 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.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1907 | 1907 | 1907 | 1907 | 1890 | 1890 | 1870 |
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:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Many of the older court, land, naturalization, probate, pension, and vital records for Bonner County have been microfilmed and are available at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City and at the Idaho State Archives in Boise. Details of the county records in these respective institutions can be obtained from their online catalogs or listings. Original records which have been microfilmed and more recent records are in the county courthouse in Sandpoint. [7]
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 13,588 | ||
| 1920 | 12,957 | −4.6% | |
| 1930 | 13,152 | 1.5% | |
| 1940 | 15,667 | 19.1% | |
| 1950 | 14,853 | −5.2% | |
| 1960 | 15,587 | 4.9% | |
| 1970 | 15,560 | −0.2% | |
| 1980 | 24,163 | 55.3% | |
| 1990 | 26,622 | 10.2% | |
| 2000 | 36,835 | 38.4% | |
| sources:[8][9] | |||
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
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)
In 1930, Bonner County was part of Northwestern States Mission. There were no stake organized in the area at the time.
- The following are local congregations (wards) which existed in Bonner 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.
- Sandpoint
- 21 February 1907: Bonner County was created from Kootenai County, Idaho.
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.
Online Court Indexes and Records
- Bonner County Court Records(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - Civil actions, 1904-1928; register, 1911-1912; index, 1904-1911; Power of attorney, 1883-1938; index, 1891-1986; Judgments, 1891-1931; index, 1882-1949
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
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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.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Bonner County records(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - Civil actions, 1904-1928; register, 1911-1912; index, 1904-1911; Deeds, 1885-1906; index, 1885-1910; Miscellaneous court records, 1905-1933
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- Beautiful Bonner, The History Of Bonner County, Idaho. c1991. By Bonner County History Book Committee; Marylyn Cork, project director. Dallas, Texas : Curtis Media. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Beautiful Bonner: History and Memories. c1991. Marceline, Missouri. : Walsworth Publishing Co. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Hoodoo Valley History. c2004. By Virginia Judge Overland. [S.l.] : Morton History Committee. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Morton Valley Memories. c1996. By the Morton History Committee; Virginia J. Overland, editor. [S.l.] : Morton History Committee. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- A digital Bonner County Idaho map is available online.
- Map of Bonner County, Idaho is available online.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
- 1917-1918 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at FamilySearch
- 1917-1918 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at Ancestry.com ($)
- 1917-1918 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at Bonner County GenWeb
World War II
- 1940-1945 Idaho, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Naturalization and Citizenship
Records of the citizenship or naturalization of people born outside of the United States were kept in the county courthouses. Many volumes are included at the Idaho State Archives in Boise.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1892-1990 Idaho Naturalization Records, 1892-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Idaho, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
Current
- Bonner County Bee
- Priest River Times
Historical
The Idaho State Archives has microfilmed some of the early Sandpoint newspapers as well as other Bonner County newspapers which can be accessed by visiting the Archives in Boise, Idaho. The newspapers are listed under the name or town where the newspaper was published.
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 Bonner County. The originals are held in the Bonner County courthouse in Sandpoint, Idaho and can be accessed by visiting there. Copies in the Idaho State Archives are available for viewing in Boise. Those held by the FamilySearch Library can be viewed either at the Library in Salt Lake City or at any of its FamilySearch Centers.
- Judgments, 1891-1931; index, 1882-1949
(Includes divorces, probate documents, civil and criminal actions and many other court actions.) Miscellaneous records are outlined in the Miscellaneous Series below.
Periodicals
Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry — index & images $
- 1905-1933 Miscellaneous probate court records, 1905-1933(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
- 1911-1933 Probate journal, 1891-1929; docket index, 1890-1900; journal index, 1911-1933(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
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
Vital Records
Birth records, 1911 to present, for individuals born in Bonner 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 Bonner 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
- 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
Marriage
- 1800-1987 Idaho, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
- 1864-1976 Idaho Church Marriages, 1864-1976 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Privacy law can't publish
- 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
- 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
- 1911-1956 State-wide index to Idaho Deaths
- 1938-1961 Idaho Death Certificates, 1938-1961 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 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 Bonner County. For state-wide facilities, see Idaho Archives and Libraries.
- Idaho State Archives Digital Collections - Enter County in Search Bar
- Idaho State Archives
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
- Bonners Ferry Idaho FamilySearch Center
- Hayden Lake Idaho FamilySearch Center
- Priest River Idaho FamilySearch Center
- Sandpoint 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 Bonner County. For state-wide library facilities, see Idaho Archives and Libraries.
- West Bonner District Library
219 Main St
Priest River, ID 83856
Phone: 208-448-2207
Website
Facebook - East Bonner County District Library
1407 Cedar St
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Phone: 208-263-6930
Website
Facebook - Priest Lake District Library
28769 Hwy 57
Priest Lake, ID 83856
Phone: 208-443-2454
Website
Facebook
Museums
Bonner County Historical Society and Museum
611 S. Ella Ave
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Phone: 208-263-2344
Website
Societies
Listed below are societies in Bonner County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Idaho Societies.
- Bonner County Genealogy Society
602 Schweitzer Cut-off Road
Sandpoint, ID
Website - Idaho State Historical Society
2205 Old Penitentiary Rd
Boise, ID
Phone: 208-334-2774
Website - National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Idaho Chapter
Websites
- Bonner County IDGenWeb regularly updated online resources for genealogical research
- Bonner County at USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
- USGenWeb May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Bonner County, Idaho at Linkpendium - genealogy and family history
- 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
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Bonner County, Idaho Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ida/bonner/
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Bonner, Idaho page 177, At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Bonner 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.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Bonner County, Idaho," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonner_County, Idaho, accessed 3 April 2019.
- ↑ Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series, Number 10, Counties and County Seats, Reissued July, 1991.
- ↑ census.gov - Idaho population by county, 1900-90 accessed 2009-05-03
- ↑ quickfacts.census.gov - Canyon County accessed 2009-05-03