Shoshone County, Idaho Genealogy

United States

Idaho

Shoshone County

Guide to Shoshone 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: Wallace Organized: February 4, 1864 Parent County(s): Original Neighboring Counties Benewah • Bonner • Clearwater • Kootenai • Latah • Mineral (MT) • Sanders (MT) See County Maps Courthouse Location Map St. Joe River Valley, Avery, Shoshone CO., Idaho

County Information

Description

Shoshone County was named for the Native American Shoshone Tribe and is located in the northern area of the state.

County Courthouse

Shoshone County Courthouse
700 High Bank Street
Wallace, ID 83873
Phone: 208-752-1264
County Website

County Clerk has birth and death records from 1907-1911, marriage records from 1875, divorce records from 1887, probate records from 1885, court records from 1884, and land records records from 1871.

Shoshone 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	1875	1907	1884	1871	1885	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 Spokane county on 09 Jan 1861. County Seat: Wallace 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 Home Town Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Cities
Kellogg Mullan	Osburn Pinehurst	Smelterville Wallace
Unincorporated communities
Adair Avery Big Creek Calder	Cataldo Clarkia Clarkia Gold Creek	Kingston Murray Pine Creek Silverton
Ghost towns
Burke

Resources

Cemeteries

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

Census Records

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1870	722		—
1880	469		−35.0%
1890	5,382		1,047.5%
1900	11,950		122.0%
1910	13,963		16.8%
1920	14,250		2.1%
1930	19,060		33.8%
1940	21,230		11.4%
1950	22,806		7.4%
1960	20,876		−8.5%
1970	19,718		−5.5%
1980	19,226		−2.5%
1990	13,931		−27.5%
2000	13,771		−1.1%
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)

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

In 1930, Shoshone 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 Shoshone 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.

• 1864--Shoshone County was created 4 February 1864 as an original county.
• Kellogg-Wallace

List of Churches and Church Parishes

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

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

• Shoshone County Court Records(*) at the FamilySearch Catalog - Court journal, 1868-1934 Idaho; Power of attorney, 1884-1929 Idaho.
• Shoshone County Court Records at Idaho State Archives - civil suits, divorce papers, judgment dockets, etc.

Judgment Books

• Judgments, 1866-1931 Idaho. District Court (Shoshone County)
• Judgments, 1893-1927 Idaho. Circuit Court (Shoshone County)
  

Directories

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

The Idaho State Archives has in its collections copies of many city, county, state and regional directories.

Funeral Homes

Shoshone Funeral Services in Kellogg

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

• 1871-1904; 1871-1900 Deeds, 1871-1904; indexes, 1871-1900(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1896-1908 Land patent records, 1896-1908(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1888-1896; 1896-1905 Tax deeds, 1888-1896; index 1896-1905(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• Shoshone County Land records at Idaho State Archives
• Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

Local Histories

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

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

• 1895 1895 map of Shoshone and surrounding counties.
• A digital Shoshone County Idaho map.
• Map of Shoshone County, Idaho.
• 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 registration cards 1917-1918 for Oneida County at microfilm number 1452220 FamilySearch
• 1917-1918 World War I registration cards 1917-1918 for Oneida County available online at Ancestry ($)
• The original cards are maintained in the Southeast Regional Archives of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in East Point, Georgia and have been microfilmed by the National Archives as their Microcopy M1509.

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 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
Shoshone News - Press
401 Main Street
Kellogg, ID 83837
Ph. 208-783-1107
email - ddrewry@hagadone.com
Weekly

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

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 Shoshone County. The originals are held in the Shoshone County courthouse in Wallace, 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 $
• 1871-1885 Wills 1871-1885(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• 1885-1928 Probate Records 1885-1928(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
• Shoshone County Probate Records at Idaho State Archives
• 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

Tax Records

Online Tax Indexes and Records

• 1889 Shoshone County, Idaho, 1889 taxpayer's(*) at Familysearch Catalog
• 1888-1896; 1896-1905 Tax deeds, 1888-1896; index 1896-1905(*) at Familysearch Catalog

Vital Records

Birth records, 1911 to present, for individuals born in Shoshone 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 Shoshone 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
• Idaho Births and Christenings

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
• Idaho Marriages

Death

• 1883-1929 Idaho, County Birth and Death Records, 1883-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1938-1961 Idaho Death Certificates, 1938-1961 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• 1907-1911 State-wide index to Idaho Deaths, 1911-1956.
• Idaho, Deaths at MyHeritage — index ($)
• Idaho Deaths and Burials

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 Shoshone 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

• Hayden Lake Idaho FamilySearch Center
• Kellogg Idaho FamilySearch Center
• St Maries Idaho FamilySearch Center
• Thompson Falls Public 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 Shoshone County. For state-wide library facilities, see Idaho Archives and Libraries.

• Clarkia District Library
  377 Poplar St
  Clarkia, ID 83812
  Phone: 208-245-2908
• Mullan Public Library
  117 Hunter Ave
  Mullan, ID 83846
  Phone: 208-744-1220
• Osburn Public Library
  921 Mullan Ave
  Osburn, ID 83849
  Phone: 208-752-9711
  Website
• Wallace Public Library
  415 River St
  Wallace, ID 83873
  Phone: 208-752-4571
  Website
• Kellogg Public Library
  16 W Market Ave
  Kellogg, ID 83837
  Phone: 208-786-7231
  Website

Societies

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

• Hughes House Historical Society
  538 Main Avenue
  Saint Maries, ID 83861-2061
  Phone: 208-245-1501
  Website
  
• 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

• Shoshone County IDGenWeb - regularly updated online resources for genealogical research.
• Shoshone 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.
• Shoshone 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.

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.

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

National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.

“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.

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