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Washington County, Idaho Genealogy

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

County Facts
County seat: Weiser
Organized: February 20, 1879
Parent County(s): Ada, Boise
Neighboring Counties
Adams • Baker (OR) • Gem • Malheur (OR) • Payette
See County Maps
Courthouse
Idaho, Washington County Courthouse.png
Location Map
Washington faraway.gif

Parade at Fiddle Fest, Weiser City, Washington Co.,Idaho

County Information

Description

Washington County was named for George Washington and is located in the west-central area of the state.[1]

County Courthouse

Washington County Courthouse
256 East Court
Weiser, ID 83672-0670
Phone: 208-414-1700
Washington County Website

Washington 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[2]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1907 1879 1907 1879 1879 1879 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


History Timeline

  • 3 March 1911: Adams County created from part of Washington County

Resources

Bible Records

Biographies

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Washington, 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. %±
19006,882
—
191011,10161.3%
19209,424−15.1%
19307,962−15.5%
19408,85311.2%
19508,576−3.1%
19608,378−2.3%
19707,633−8.9%
19808,80315.3%
19908,550−2.9%
20009,97716.7%
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

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


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.

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

Directories

The Idaho State Archives has a collection of 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


The Weiser River outside Weiser, Idaho.jpg

The Idaho State Archives has microfilmed many deeds, homestead records, etc., of Washington County beginning 20 Feb 1879 when it was separated from Boise County, and these can be accessed by visiting the Archives in Boise, Idaho.

The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah has microfilmed originals of the followingrecords found in the Washington County Courthouse in Weiser, Idaho which can be accessed at the Library in Salt Lake City or in any of its FamilySearch Centers:

Local Histories

  • 1940-1941 A listing of all residents who had lived in Washington County for at least 50 years was made by the Weiser American newspaper. Their name, city in which they lived and how long they had lived in Washington County was given.Washington County Pioneers.
  • A Saga of Salubria and a History of Washington County (same as above) Revisited is also available in a digitized version at the FamilySearch Catalog.

Maps and Gazetteers

Baker CountyMalheur CountyAdams CountyPayette CountyGem CountyID WASHINGTON.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration

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

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

  • Upper County Reporter
  • Weiser Signal - American

Historical
Copies of issues of many Idaho newspapers are found 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. The following Washington County records have been microfilmed and are available for viewing at the Washington County courthouse in Wesier, Idaho, at the Idaho State Archives in Boise, Idaho or at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah or at any of the Library's FamilySearch Centers:

  • Washington-10 4 Miscellaneous Index, Direct, Book 1, pp A-E (con't on Washington-11/1) 1883-1968 Court
  • Washington-11 1 Miscellaneous Index, Direct, Book 1, pp E-Z (con't from Washington-10/4) 1883-1968 Court
  • Washington-11 2 Miscellaneous Index, Indirect, Book 1 1883-1968 Court
  • Washington-11 3 Record, Miscellaneous, v. 1, pp 1-155 (con't on Washington-12/1) 1892-1905 Court
  • Washington-12 1 Record, Miscellaneous, v. 1, pp 154-400 (con't from Washington-11/3) 1905-1915 Court
  • Washington-12 2 Miscellaneous Record, Book 2 1915-1921 Court
  • Washington-12 3 Miscellaneous Record, Book 3 1921-1931 Court

Periodicals

Probate Records

Online Probate Indexes and Records


The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah has microfilmed Wills of Washington County(1878-1946) which can be viewed at the Library in Salt Lake City, or in any of its FamilySearch Centers. The Idaho State Archives has also microfilmed some early probate records of Washington County, and these can be viewed at their facilities in Boise.

For other and later probate records, one can visit the county courthouse in Weiser.

School Records

Social Security Records

Tax Records

Vital Records

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

  • Cambridge District Library
    120 N Superior St
    Cambridge, ID 83610
    Phone: 208-257-3434
  • Midvale District Library
    70 E Bridge St
    Midvale, ID 83645
    Phone: 208-355-2213
    Website
  • Weiser Public Library
    628 East 1st Street
    Weiser, ID 83672
    Phone: 208-549-1243
    Website
  • Midvale Community Library
    70 Bridge St
    Midvale, ID 83645
    Phone: 208-355-2213
    Website

Museums

Societies

Listed below are societies in Washington 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
  • Washington County Historic Preservation Commission
    Website

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. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Washington County, Idaho," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_County,_Idaho.
  2. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Washington 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.
  3. ↑ WorldCat 50140092 FS Catalog CollectionHandybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002)
  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, "Valley County,Idaho," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_County,_Idaho#Communities, accessed 15 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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