MADISON COUNTY, ID HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Madison County, Idaho: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of the Upper Snake River Valley in southeastern Idaho, Madison County is a region defined by its rich agricultural heritage and its central role in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the state. It is home to Brigham Young University-Idaho, which shapes the county’s cultural and economic landscape. The county’s history is a compelling story of Mormon pioneer settlement, the taming of a wild landscape through irrigation, and the remarkable resilience of its people in the face of natural disaster.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Madison County’s formation from a larger parent county is critical for locating the correct records for ancestors who lived in the area before 1913.

  • 1913: County Formed: Madison County was established by an act of the state legislature on February 18, 1913.
  • Parent County: It was created entirely from the southern portion of Fremont County. All government records for this geographic area prior to February 1913, including land, court, and marriage records, are located in Fremont County records.
  • Subsequent County Formations: The boundaries of Madison County have remained stable since its creation in 1913. It has not been partitioned to form other counties.
  • Name Origin: The county is named in honor of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.
  • County Seat History: The city of Rexburg was established as the county seat at the time of the county’s formation and has remained the county seat ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Prior to settlement, the area was traditional hunting and gathering grounds for the Shoshone and Bannock peoples, who traveled through the Snake River Valley.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant non-native settlement was established in 1883 when Mormon pioneers, led by Thomas E. Ricks and sent from Utah, founded the community of Rexburg. The economy was, and remains, overwhelmingly based on agriculture, particularly potatoes, hay, grain, and sugar beets, made possible by an extensive system of irrigation canals. A defining event in the county’s history was the catastrophic failure of the Teton Dam on June 5, 1976, which flooded Rexburg and surrounding communities, causing immense destruction but also showcasing the community’s profound unity in the rebuilding effort.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

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

  • Courthouse:Madison County Courthouse: Located at 159 E Main St, Rexburg, ID 83440. The Clerk of the District Court holds probate (wills and estates), civil and criminal court cases, and marriage licenses from the county’s 1913 formation. Land records (deeds) are held by the Madison County Recorder at the same location.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Idaho began in July 1911. As Madison County was formed after this date, all official birth and death records are held by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. For records prior to 1913, researchers should check church records (especially LDS ward records), newspapers, and cemetery inscriptions.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1913 to the present are held by the Madison County Recorder. For marriages in this area before 1913, researchers must look in Fremont County records.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • BYU-Idaho David O. McKay Library: Located on the BYU-Idaho campus in Rexburg, this is a premier genealogical resource for the entire region. It has extensive family history resources, access to global databases like FamilySearch and Ancestry, and specialized collections.
    • Madison Library District: The public library in Rexburg offers local history collections, newspapers on microfilm, and public access computers for research.
    • FamilySearch Centers: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates several FamilySearch Centers in the county, which provide free access to a vast collection of microfilmed and digital genealogical records from around the world.
    • Teton Flood Museum: Located in Rexburg, this museum contains invaluable local history, photographs, and personal accounts from the 1976 flood, which can be a source for family information.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Fremont County, ID
    • Teton County, ID
    • Bonneville County, ID
    • Jefferson County, ID

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