EMERY COUNTY, UT HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

History of Sanpete and Emery Counties, Utah by W.H. Lever, (1898) – 792 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.05.1147.CD.AR

Utah Centennial County History Series by Utah State Legislature, (NA) – 419 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.10.09.1224.AR

Emery County, Utah: A Genealogical Overview

Situated in the rugged heart of east-central Utah, Emery County is a land of dramatic canyons, vast deserts, and stark beauty, dominated by the geologic wonder of the San Rafael Swell. Its human history is ancient, home to the enigmatic Fremont culture, and its modern story was forged by the perseverance of Mormon pioneers, the labor of coal miners, and the engineering of massive power plants. For genealogists, researching Emery County means delving into records that reflect a constant struggle to build communities and livelihoods in a remote and challenging environment.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Emery County was created as a large parent county from which two other major counties were later carved, a critical fact for locating records in the region.

  • 1880: County Formed: Emery County was created on February 12, 1880, by the Utah Territorial Legislature.
  • Parent County: It was formed from the eastern portion of Sanpete County. Any genealogical research for the first Mormon settlers in the Castle Valley area (1877-1880) must be conducted in the records of Sanpete County.
  • Subsequent Formations: Emery County was originally much larger. Its territory was later divided to create two other counties:
    • Grand County was created from its eastern portion in 1890.
    • Carbon County was created from its northern portion in 1894.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for George W. Emery, the Governor of the Utah Territory from 1875 to 1880, who signed the legislation creating the county.
  • County Seat History: The town of Castle Dale was designated as the county seat in 1880 and has remained the center of county government ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region is a world-renowned center of the prehistoric Fremont culture (c. 700 to 1300 A.D.). The county is home to some of the most spectacular Fremont rock art panels in North America, including the famous Buckhorn Wash Pictograph Panel. At the time of European contact, the area was the territory of the Ute people.
  • Exploration and Trails: The Old Spanish Trail, a major trade route between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California, passed through the present-day county, with a critical crossing of the Green River at the site of the modern town of Green River.
  • Mormon Colonization: The first permanent Euro-American settlement was established in 1877, when Brigham Young sent groups of Mormon pioneers to colonize the fertile Castle Valley. They founded the towns of Huntington, Orangeville, Ferron, and Castle Dale, immediately beginning the arduous work of building dams and irrigation canals to divert water from the San Rafael River and its tributaries.
  • Economic Development: While the initial economy was based on agriculture and cattle ranching, two developments spurred the county’s growth. The arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in 1883 at Green River connected the isolated valley to the outside world. Shortly thereafter, the discovery of vast coal seams led to the development of large-scale coal mining, which became the county’s dominant industry for over a century and attracted a diverse population of miners and their families. In the late 20th century, large coal-fired power plants were built near the mines, solidifying the county’s role as a major energy producer.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Research in Emery County often requires using both civil records and the extensive records kept by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

  • County Courthouse: The Emery County Courthouse, 95 E. Main Street, Castle Dale, UT 84513, is the central repository for historical county records.
    • County Clerk/Auditor: This office holds marriage licenses from 1880, county commission minutes, and some early probate records.
    • County Recorder: This office holds all land records, including deeds, mortgages, and mining claims.
    • Clerk of the Seventh District Court: This office maintains the records of the district court, which include civil and criminal cases, divorces, and naturalization records.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration began in Utah in 1905. Records from that point forward are held by the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses from 1880 to the present are held by the Emery County Clerk. Records for marriages taking place before 1880 are located in Sanpete County.
  • LDS Church Records: For any researcher with pioneer ancestry in the region, the records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are essential. Ward and stake membership records often serve as a vital records substitute, providing detailed information on births, blessings, baptisms, marriages, and family relationships. These records are accessible online through FamilySearch.org and at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City.
  • Libraries and Museums:
    • Emery County Pioneer Museum: Located in Castle Dale, this museum offers exhibits on local history and may have collections related to founding families.
    • Emery County Archives: Located in Green River, this facility preserves local historical documents.
    • The local branches of the Emery County Library are valuable resources for local histories, newspapers on microfilm, and other genealogical materials.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Carbon County (north)
    • Grand County (east)
    • Wayne County (south)
    • Sevier County (west)
    • Sanpete County (west)

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