IDAHO COUNTY, ID HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

History of Idaho County by Charles L. Kemp (1904) – 68 Pages
Source: Family Search
Book ID: CH.2025.06.04.0021.FS

Idaho County, Idaho: A Genealogical Overview

Located in north-central Idaho, Idaho County is the largest county by area in the state, a vast and rugged landscape dominated by national forests and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Its identity is deeply connected to the Nez Perce people, the dramatic gold rushes of the 19th century, and a lasting economy of ranching and timber. For genealogists, its history is a compelling story of exploration, conflict, and pioneer perseverance in a remote and challenging environment.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Idaho County’s creation and its role as a “mother county” to numerous others is essential for tracing ancestors and locating the correct records.

  • 1864: County Formed: Idaho County was officially created by the first Idaho Territorial Legislature on February 4, 1864. It was one of the original counties of the newly formed Idaho Territory.
  • Parent County: It was created from a massive, sparsely populated area of the original Idaho Territory and was not formed from a previously existing county within Idaho.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Idaho County was once much larger and has been partitioned multiple times. Researchers must be aware of these boundary changes. Portions of Idaho County were used to help form Valley (1917), Clearwater (1911), Lewis (1911), Adams (1911), Custer (1881), and Lemhi (1869) counties. Records for ancestors in these areas may be in Idaho County prior to the formation of the new county.
  • Name Origin: The county was named after the Idaho Territory. The word “Idaho” itself has a disputed origin, popularly believed to be a Shoshone phrase for “gem of the mountains,” but historical evidence suggests it may have been invented by mining lobbyist George M. Willing.
  • County Seat History: The county seat moved several times following the boom-and-bust cycles of mining camps. The first seat was Florence (1862), followed by Warren (1869), and then Mount Idaho (1875). In 1902, the county seat was permanently moved to Grangeville, where it remains today.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region is the ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people. Their history permeates the county, from the passage of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through their lands to the tragic Nez Perce War of 1877, a significant portion of which took place within the county’s historical boundaries.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first major influx of non-native settlers was triggered by a massive gold strike near Florence in 1861. This led to a classic gold rush, with thousands of miners establishing camps like Warren, Elk City, and Orogrande. As the gold rush subsided, the economy transitioned to cattle ranching, logging, and agriculture, which remain the primary industries today.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Idaho County.

  • Courthouse:Idaho County Courthouse: Located at 320 West Main Street, Grangeville, ID 83530. The County Clerk’s office is the primary repository for court records (probate, civil, criminal) and marriage licenses. Land records (deeds, mortgages) are held by the Idaho County Recorder, located in the same building.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Idaho began in July 1911. These records are held by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. For births and deaths between 1907 and 1911, and for any scarce records prior to that, researchers should check with the Idaho County Recorder.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from the county’s formation to the present are held by the Idaho County Recorder.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Grangeville Centennial Library: Located at 215 West North, Grangeville, ID 83530. This library has a local history collection and resources from the Idaho County Genealogical Society.
    • Historical Museum at St. Gertrude: Located in nearby Cottonwood (in Lewis County, but a major regional resource), this museum holds an extensive archival collection of photographs and documents related to the history of Idaho County and the surrounding area.
    • Idaho State Archives: Located in Boise, this is the central repository for historical records in the state, holding microfilm of newspapers, county records, and other essential genealogical collections.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Nez Perce County, ID
    • Lewis County, ID
    • Clearwater County, ID
    • Adams County, ID
    • Valley County, ID
    • Lemhi County, ID
    • Ravalli County, MT
    • Wallowa County, OR

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks