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Nez Perce County, Idaho Genealogy

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

County Facts
County seat: Lewiston
Organized: 03 Mar 1863
Parent County(s): Original
Neighboring Counties
Asotin (WA) • Clearwater • Idaho • Latah • Lewis • Wallowa (OR) • Whitman (WA)
See County Maps
Courthouse
Idaho, Nez Perce County Courthouse.png
Location Map
NezPerce faraway.gif

Snake River, Nez Perce County, Idaho

County Information

Description

Nez Perce County was named for the Nez Perce Indians and is located in the northwestern area of the state.[1]

County Courthouse

Nez Perce County Courthouse
1230 Main Street
Lewiston, ID 83501-0896
Phone: 208-799-3040
Nez County Website

County Clerk has birth and death records from 1900-1911, marriage, divorce, probate, court and land records from 1860. [2]

Nez Perce 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
1900 1860 1900 1860 1860 1860 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 Home Town Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[5]

Cities
Unincorporated communities
  • Myrtle
  • Southwick
Census-designated places


History Timeline

  • 22 December 1864 Kootenai County created from part of Nez Perce County
  • 14 May 1888 Latah County created from part of Nez Perce County
  • 3 March 1911 Lewis County created from part of Nez Perce County

Resources

Bible Records

Biographies

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Nez Perce, 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. %±
190013,748
—
191024,86080.8%
192015,253−38.6%
193017,59115.3%
194018,8737.3%
195022,56819.6%
196027,06619.9%
197030,27611.9%
198033,2209.7%
199033,7541.6%
200037,41010.8%
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

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, Nez Perce 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 Nez Perce 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 Library in Salt Lake City and at its FamilySearch Centers.
1864--Nez Perce County was created 4 February 1864 as an original county. County seat: Lewiston.
  • Lewiston

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.

Online Court Indexes and Records

  • Nez Perce County Court Records at FamilySearch Catalog
  • District court records, 1870-1927
  • Mary E. Goddard case, 1895
  • Powers of attorney, 1864-1944; index, 1864-1944
  • McGruder murder case

Judgment Books

  • Judgment records, 1864-1930

Directories

The Idaho State Archives has in its collections city, county, state and regional 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.

Online Land Indexes and Records


Local Histories

A brief history of county is available online at the Nez Perce County Historical Society's website.

The digitized book An illustrated history of north Idaho embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho is available online at archive.org.

Maps and Gazetteers

Whitman CountyAsotin CountyWallowa CountyLatah CountyClearwater CountyLewis CountyIdaho CountyID NEZ PERCE.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 Naturalization Indexes and Records

Newspapers

Current

Historical
Copies of issues of many Idaho newspapers are in the collections of the Idaho State Archives.

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.

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 Nez Perce County. The originals are held in the Nez Perce County courthouse in Lewiston, 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

Mothers' 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 and have been indexed. Nez Perce County Mothers' Pensions are included in that index which is available online.

These records have been microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah and can be viewed in Salt Lake City or in any of the Library's FamilySearch Centers. They are also available at the Nez Perce county courthouse in Lewiston, Idaho.

Periodicals

Probate Records

Online Probate Indexes and Records

  • 1864-1927 Court Records 1864-1927
  • 1887-1929 Various Inventory accounts 1887-1929
  • 1901-1905 Judgment records 1901-1905
  • 1891-1917 Orders and Decrees 1891-1917
  • 1887-1931 Will 1887-1931 (with index)


School Records

Social Security Records

Tax Records

Online Tax Indexes and Records

Vital Records

Birth records, 1911 to present, for individuals born in Nez Perce 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 Nez Perce 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 Nez Perce 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 Nez Perce County. For state-wide library facilities, see Idaho Archives and Libraries.

  • Lewiston City Public Library
    411 D Street
    Lewiston, ID 83501
    Phone: 208-743-6519
    Website
  • Prairie-River District Library- Nez Perce Community
    602 4th Avenue
    Nez Perce, ID 83543
    Phone: 208-937-2458
    Website

Museums

Societies

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

  • Nez Perce County Historical Society, Inc. and Museum
    0306 Third Street
    Lewiston, ID 83501
    Phone: 208-743-2535
    Website
  • 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

  • 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, “Nez Perce, Idaho Genealogy and History”, "http://genealogytrails.com/ida/nezperce/."
  2. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Nez Perce, Idaho page 179, 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), Nez Perce 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, "NezPerce County,Idaho," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nez_Perce_County,_Idaho#Communities, accessed 11 June 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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