Clark County, Idaho Genealogy

United States

Idaho

Clark County

Guide to Clark 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: Dubois Organized: February 1, 1919 Parent County(s): Fremont Neighboring Counties Beaverhead (MT) • Butte • Fremont • Jefferson • Lemhi See County Maps Courthouse Location Map Minnetonka cave, Clark County, Idaho

County Information

Description

Clark County was named for Sam K. Clark, pioneer and state senator. The county is located in the east-central area of the state.

County Courthouse

Clark County Courthouse
320 West Main Street
Dubois, ID 83423-0007
Phone: 208-589-9872
Clark County Website

County Clerk has marriage, divorce, court and land records from 1919.

Clark 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
1911	1919	1911	1919	1919	1909	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 Fremont County, on 1 February 1919. County Seat: Dubois 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
Dubois Spencer
Unincorporated communities
Humphrey Kilgore

Other Communities

• Small
• Medicine Lodge
• U.S. Sheep Experiment Station
  

The preceding list of places includes incorporated cities and towns, unincorporated towns and communities, and place names that may have been used in family histories. Some have well-organized records and even have web sites. Some are simply social communities with no official records, but which may be referenced in small-town newspapers. The list is provided to help researchers identify localities within the county. As records or histories of these localities are identified, a page will be added for each of these place names.

Resources

Cemeteries

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

Census Records

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	1,886		—
1930	1,122		−40.5%
1940	1,005		−10.4%
1950	918		−8.7%
1960	915		−0.3%
1970	741		−19.0%
1980	798		7.7%
1990	762		−4.5%
2000	1,022		34.1%
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)

• List of Clark County stakes and wards to about 1948.
• In 1930, Clark County was part of Idaho Falls Stake.
• The following are local congregations (wards) which existed in Clark 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.

• Camas
• Kilgore
• Woodrow

List of Churches and Church Parishes

• FamilySearch 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.

• Clark County Court Records(*) at FamilySearch Catalog

Judgment Books

• Judgment book, 1893-1965; index, 1919-1986

Directories

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

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

• 1894-1966 Homestead Records, 1894-1966(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1890-1919 Land Office Patent Records, 1890-1919(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

Local Histories

Two published works are Settlers of the Silver Sage by Bonnie Stoddard (Clark County Historical Society) and Settlement of Idaho by Utah Pioneers: Clark, Fremont, and Teton Counties, by Mary N. P. Harris.

A brief history of Clark County History is posted at the Clark County GenWeb website.

A digital history is available at the Idaho Historical Society Idaho State Archives.

The Clark County, Idaho Historical Photographs collection has 5,000 photos online.

Maps and Gazetteers

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

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

Military Records

Because Clark County was not formed until 1919, those who were of military draft age for World War I were included in the draft registration records of Fremont County, the parent county of Clark.

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.

The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City has microfilmed some Clark County naturalizations, from 1914-1925. These films can be viewed in Salt Lake City or in any of its FamilySearch Centers 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
Historical
The Idaho State Archives has microfilmed the following Clark County newspapers: Clark County Enterprise, 1921: 1921:11:17-1922:10:26
Clark County Enterprise, 1959: 1959:7:24-1970:12:31
Clark County Enterprise, Misc: 1919:5:15, 1922:6:29, 1954:2:26
Clark County Enterprise-Banner: 1924:5:8 -1959:
Dubois Banner: 1917:6:1-1918:6:29
Dubois Enterprise,1914: 1914:8:27-1928:6:29
Dubois Enterprise,1919: 1919:02:20
Enterprise-Citizen: 1971:1:7-1972:12:28

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 Clark County. The originals are held in the Clark County courthouse in Dubois, 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.

Probate Records

Online Probate Indexes and Records

• 1857-1989 Idaho Wills and Probate Records 1857-1989 at Ancestry — index & images $
• 1909-1963 Idaho Wills, 1909-1963(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1915-1937 Idaho Orders and Decrees, 1915-1937(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1913-1986 Idaho Probate Registers, 1913-1986(*) 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 Clark 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 Clark 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
• 1878-1898;1903-1942 Idaho Marriages, 1878-1898; 1903-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index

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
• 1907-1965 Idaho Deaths and Burials, 1907-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• 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 Clark 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

• Rexburg Idaho FamilySearch Center
• St Anthony Idaho FamilySearch Center
• Terreton Idaho FamilySearch Center
• David O McKay Library - an affiliate library

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

• Clark County Public Library
  21 East Main St
  Dubois, ID 83423
  Phone: 208-374-5267
  

Museums

• Heritage Hall Museum
  110 South Reynolds Street
  Dubois, ID 83423
  

Societies

Listed below are societies in Clark 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
  
• Malad Valley Welsh Society
• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
  Idaho Chapter
  

Websites

• The Clark County Idaho GenWeb Project, a member of The IDGenWeb Project, an affiliate of The USGenWeb Project
• A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:Idaho, Clark County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
• Genealogy Trails Clark County
  
• 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.

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.

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

FamilySearch affiliate libraries may have access to center-only databases, but do not always have all services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.