Boundary County, Idaho Genealogy

United States

Idaho

Boundary County

Guide to Boundary 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: Bonners Ferry Organized: January 23, 1915 Parent County(s): Bonner Neighboring Counties Bonner • British Columbia (Canada) • Lincoln (MT) • Pend Oreille (WA) See County Maps Courthouse Location Map Kootenai View, Boundary County, Idaho

County Information

Description

Boundary County was named because it borders Canada in the north, Washington on the west, and Montana on the east as well as Bonner County on the south. The county is located in the northern tip of the state.

County Courthouse

Boundary County Courthouse
6452 Kootenai St
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805-0419
Phone: 208-267-5504
Boundary County Website

County Clerk has marriage, land, probate and court records, some birth, death, divorce and military records.

Boundary 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
1907	1915	1907	1883	1886	1883	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 Bonner County on 23 Jan 1915. County Seat: Bonners Ferry 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
Bonners Ferry	Moyie Springs
Unincorporated communities
Copeland Eastport	Good Grief Naples	Porthill Curley Creek

Resources

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Boundary, 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 Boundary County, Idaho Cemetery Records
See Idaho Cemeteries for more information

Census Records

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	4,474		—
1930	4,555		1.8%
1940	5,987		31.4%
1950	5,908		−1.3%
1960	5,809		−1.7%
1970	6,371		9.7%
1980	7,289		14.4%
1990	8,332		14.3%
2000	9,871		18.5%
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

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.

1915--Boundary County, Idaho was created 23 January 1915 from parts of Bonner and Kootenai Counties. It was named because it borders on Canada. County seat: Bonners Ferry [2] In 1930, Boundary 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 Boundary 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.

• Bonner's Ferry

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

• Boundary County, Idaho(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1911-1924 Judgment records, 1911-1924; index, 1911-1924 at FamilySearch. Judgment records, 1911-1924; index, 1911-1924; Includes divorces, probate documents, civil and criminal actions, and many other court actions.

Directories

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

Funeral Homes

Bonners Ferry Funeral Home in Bonners Ferry

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

• Boundary County land and property records(*) FamilySearch Catalog
• Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

Local Histories

In 1988 the Boundary County Historical Society published the History of Boundary County, Idaho which can be found in the Boundary County Library, as well as many other libraries nationwide.

• Index, history of Boundary County, Idaho. c1988. By Twyla J. Stone. Sandpoint, Idaho : Keokee Co. Pub.. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
• The Faces Of History; Portraits Of The Men And Women Who Shaped Life In Boundary County, Idaho. c1996. By Stan DeHart. Bonners Ferry, Idaho : T.J. Stone. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).

Maps and Gazetteers

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

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

Military Records

World War I

• 1917-1918 World War I draft registration cards, 1917-1918(*) at FamilySearch Catalog

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

Online 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
Bonners Ferry Herald
P.O. Box 539
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
Ph. 208-267-5521
email - screnshaw@bonnersferryherald.com
Weekly Kootenai Valley Times

Historical
The Idaho State Archives has microfilmed several Boundary County newspapers which can be accessed by visiting their facility in Boise, Idaho: Barter Times: 1978:6:22 -1979:7:19
Bonners Ferry Herald: 1904: 12:31-9999
Boundary County Tribune: 1970:4:14-1970:6:9
Kootenai Herald: 1891:4: 4-1904: 12: 24
Kootenai Herald: 1900:11:02
Kootenai Valley Sentinel & Bonners Ferry Times: 1933:5:29: -1937:4:29
Kootenai Valley Times: 1989:5:3-9999
Port Hill News: 1916:04:01

Obituaries

• 1943-2013 Idaho, Southern Counties Obituaries, 1943-2013 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1891-2018 Boundary County at IdGenWeb - Obituary Index at IdGenWeb — 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 Boundary County. The originals are held in the Boundary County courthouse in Bonners Ferry, 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.

Pension Records

Old Age Pensions were provided by the State of Idaho from 1931 to 1936. The original papers for several counties have been transferred to the Idaho State Archives in Boise and have been indexed. Boundary County Old Age Pensions are included in that index.

Judgment Books

• 1891-1936 Judgment records, 1891-1936; index, 1884-1960

Probate Records

Online Probate Indexes and Records

• 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry — index & images $
• 1883-1936 Power of Attorney, 1883-1936(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1892-1933 Journal, 1892-1933; Index, 1892-1933(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1907-1947 Bond Records, 1907-1947(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1907-1934 Inventory and Appraisement, 1907-1934(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1907-1930 Letters of Administration Testamentary and Will, 1907-1930(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1910-1948 Decree of Settlement and Distribution 1910-1948(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1915-1933 Administrators Journal, 1915-1933(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

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

Vital Records

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

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; Marriage license and certificates v. 1 1915-1930.
• 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
• 1907-1965 Idaho Deaths and Burials, 1907-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• 1911-1956 A state-wide index to Idaho Deaths, 1911-1956
• 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 Boundary 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
• Libby Montana 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 Boundary County. For state-wide library facilities, see Idaho Archives and Libraries.

Museums

• Boundary County Historical Society and Museum
  7229 Main Street
  Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
  Phone: 208-267-7720
  Email: cmuseum@meadowcrk.com
  Website
  Facebook

Societies

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

• Idaho State Historical Society
  2205 Old Penitentiary Rd
  Boise, ID
  Phone: 208-334-2774
  Website
  Facebook
  
• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
  Idaho Chapter

Websites

• Boundary County IDGenWeb - regularly updated free online resources for genealogical research.
• Boundary County at Idaho 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.
• Boundary County Genealogy Trails
• Boundary 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.

References

References

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.

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

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

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

“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.

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