DAVIS COUNTY, UT HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Davis County, Utah: A Genealogical Overview

Situated on the Wasatch Front between Salt Lake City and Ogden, Davis County is one of Utah’s original and most historically significant counties. Settled by Mormon pioneers just months after their arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, the county evolved from the “Garden of Utah,” an agricultural breadbasket, into a bustling suburban and commercial hub. Its development has been profoundly shaped by its pioneer heritage and, in the 20th century, by the immense economic and cultural impact of Hill Air Force Base, making it a key area for tracing both early Utah families and more recent arrivals.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Davis County was one of the first counties created after the settlement of the Salt Lake Valley, making its early records foundational to Utah history.

  • 1850: County Formed: The county was created on October 5, 1850, by the legislature of the provisional State of Deseret. Its creation was ratified by the Utah Territorial Legislature in 1852.
  • Parent County: Davis County was formed entirely from the northern portion of the original, massive Salt Lake County. All records for residents in the area prior to 1850 are located in the records of Salt Lake County.
  • Subsequent Formations: A portion of the county’s mountainous eastern territory was used in the creation of Morgan County in 1862.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for Captain Daniel C. Davis, a prominent leader of the Mormon Battalion and an early settler in the Farmington area.
  • County Seat History: Farmington was selected as the county seat in 1852 due to its central location. It has remained the seat of county government throughout its history.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Prior to settlement, the lands along the shore of the Great Salt Lake were utilized by the Ute and Northwestern Shoshone peoples.
  • Mormon Pioneer Settlement: Settlement began with extraordinary speed. In the fall of 1847, just months after the first pioneers arrived in Utah, Hector C. Haight and others explored the area. Shortly after, Perrigrine Sessions established the first permanent settlement at what is now Bountiful, making it the second community founded in Utah after Salt Lake City. Other towns like Farmington, Kaysville, and Layton were established in quick succession between 1848 and the early 1850s by Latter-day Saint families directed to settle there.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • Agricultural Foundation: The county’s initial purpose was purely agricultural, with its fertile soil providing essential food for the burgeoning population of the Salt Lake Valley.
    • Transportation Hub: The arrival of the Utah Central Railroad in 1870 connected the county’s farming communities to larger markets in Salt Lake City and Ogden. Later, the Bamberger Electric interurban line became a vital commuter link.
    • Hill Air Force Base: The single most transformative event in the county’s history was the establishment of Hill Field (now Hill Air Force Base) in the early 1940s. The base became a massive logistics and maintenance depot, attracting tens of thousands of military and civilian personnel. This spurred explosive population growth, shifted the economy from agriculture to defense and technology, and led to the rapid suburbanization of the entire county.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Research in Davis County benefits from excellent civil records and the uniquely detailed ecclesiastical records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

  • County Courthouse: The Davis County Memorial Courthouse, 28 E. State Street, Farmington, UT 84025, is the main repository for local government records.
    • Davis County Clerk/Auditor: This office holds marriage licenses from 1852 to the present, as well as official minutes and records of the county government.
    • Davis County Recorder: Holds all land and property records (deeds, mortgages, plats) from the county’s formation.
    • Clerk of the District Court: Maintains all court records, including civil and criminal cases, divorce decrees, and probate records (wills and estates).
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Utah began in 1905. Records from that date onward should be obtained from the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1852 to the present are held by the Davis County Clerk.
  • Latter-day Saint (LDS) Church Records: This is a critical resource. Since the county was settled by and has been predominantly populated by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, church records are an essential genealogical source. Ward membership records, records of blessings, baptisms, and temple ordinances often contain detailed family information. The vast majority of these records have been microfilmed and digitized and are available online through FamilySearch.org or in person at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
  • Libraries and Museums:
    • Davis County Library System: The various branches, particularly the Central Library in Layton, have collections on local history.
    • Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) Museum: The DUP operates a museum in Farmington that contains artifacts, photographs, and histories of the county’s founding families.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Weber County (north)
    • Morgan County (east)
    • Salt Lake County (south)
    • Tooele County (west, across the Great Salt Lake)

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