Ada County, Idaho Genealogy

United States Genealogy Idaho, United States Genealogy Ada County

Boise, Ada County, Idaho

Ada County, Idaho
Map
Location of Idaho in the U.S.
Facts
Founded	December 22, 1864
County Seat	Boise
Courthouse
Address	Ada County Courthouse Room 1196 200 W. Front Street Boise, Idaho 83702 Courts Phone: 208-287-6900 Recorder Phone: 208-287-6840 Ada County Courthouse Ada County Clerk Auditor Recorder

County Courthouse Ada County CH.jpg Ada County Courthouse Ada County Clerk Auditor Recorder Room 1196 200 W. Front Street Boise, Idaho 83702 Courts Phone: 208-287-6900 Recorder Phone: 208-287-6840 The County Clerk has divorce, probate, and court records from 1864. The Recorder has marriage and land records from 1864. Quick Facts Named for Ada Hobbs Riggs, first pioneer child born in the area, daughter of Henry C. and Mary E. (Lipscombe) Riggs, founder of city of Boise. Miss Riggs was married to John Riggs Coon 26 February 1884 at Caldwell, Canyon, Idaho Parent County 22 December 1864: Ada County, Idaho was formed from Boise County. Boundary Changes 7 February 1889: Elmore County set off from a portion of Ada and Alturas Counties. 7 March 1891: Canyon County set off. Record Loss Places/Localities The above list of places includes unincorporated towns and communities, and place names that may have been used in family histories. Some have well-organized records and even have web sites. Some are simply social communities with no official records, but which may be referenced in small-town newspapers. The list is provided to help researchers identify localities within the county. As records or histories of these localities are identified, a page will be added for each of these place names. This list of places in Ada County, Idaho was compiled from the Lists of Places in Idaho in Wikipedia and from the map of Ada County in Virtual Earth. Resources Many of the older court, land, naturalization, probate, pension, and vital records for Ada County have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and at the Idaho State Archivesin Boise. Details of the records in the Family History Library can be obtained from their online catalog. More recent records are in the county courthouse in Boise, as are some of the original manuscript records of those which have been microfilmed. Some of the older county records have be transferred to the State Archives. Cemeteries There are many cemeteries in Ada County. For a list of those that have been identified, and links to transcriptions and/or photographs of tombstones, go to Ada County, Idaho Cemetery Records. For the cemeteries in or immediately adjacent to the cities, please see the city pages for the cities listed above. Census Historical populations Census Pop. %± 1870 2,675 — 1880 4,674 74.7% 1890 8,638 84.8% 1900 11,559 33.8% 1910 29,088 151.6% 1920 35,213 21.1% 1930 37,925 7.7% 1940 50,401 32.9% 1950 70,649 40.2% 1960 93,460 32.3% 1970 112,230 20.1% 1980 173,036 54.2% 1990 205,775 18.9% 2000 300,904 46.2% sources: For a summary of census records for the state of Idaho, see Idaho Census Records. The 1890 federal census for Idaho was destroyed. However, the Idaho State Archives 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. Ada County is included in this reconstructed census. Church History and Records The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) Owyhee Branch (Church unit no longer in existence, members assigned to either Kuna or Boise area wards). Records of the original branch are available at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copies of the membership records may also be at a Family History Center in Boise. County Commissioners' Records Several volumes of County Commissioners' Minute Books, 1865-1899, have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise. The originals of these and later records of the County Commission are in the county courthouse in Boise. Court Records Some of the early court records of Ada County, Idaho have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise. The records filmed are for about 1865 through 1940 and include civil suits, divorce papers, and judgment dockets. Copies of these microfilmed court records are also available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City or at any of the Library's Family History Centers. Additional court records and more recent records are housed at the courthouse in Boise. Some of the records of the courts of Ada County that have been microfilmed include: District Court: Judgment Dockets, v. 1-4, 1865-1931 Judgment Books, v. A-W, 1865-1926 Declaration of Intent (to become a naturalized citizen), 1906-1939 Petition and Record for Naturalization, 1903-1935 Certificates of Naturalization, 1909-1926 Admission to Citizenship and Records, 1891-1906 County Court: Miscellaneous Records, v. 1-10, 1891-1926 Index to Miscellaneous Records, v. 1-2, 1890-1928 Power of Attorney, v. 1-4, 1865-1940 Index to Power of Attorney, 1865-1940 Revoked Power of Attorney, 1909-1967 Probate Court: Wills, 1869-1973 Probate Letters, 1899-1932 Probate Record Books, v. B-W, 1873-1927 Guardianship Records, v. B-F, 1892-1932 and other miscellaneous estate records, 1867-1908 Judgment Books Includes divorces, probate documents, civil and criminal actions and many other court actions. Among the records on microfilm are: Judgments vol. 2-4 1866-1931 Judgments vol. A-W 1865-1926 Dockets vol. 1-2 1865-1906 Note: Overlapping years may be a cataloging error as the volumes may be for different local courts. Most volumes individually indexed. Funeral Homes Cloverdale Funeral Home 200 N Cloverdale Rd Boise, Idaho 83701 (208) 375-2212 Gibson Funeral Home 507 W Idaho St Boise, Idaho 83701 (208)342-8221 Summers funeral Home 1205 W Bannock St Boise, Idaho 83701 Relyes Funeral Home 318 N Latah St Boise, Idaho 83701 (208) 644-44441 Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel 5400 W Fairview Ave Boise, Idaho 83701 (208) 376-5400 Directories City Directories Farm Directories The Gem State Rural's 1917-18 Farm Directory of Ada County, Idaho is available at the Idaho State Archives and at the Albertson Library at Boise State University. It lists landowners by town, including those owning land in these two counties, but residing elsewhere. The size of the family, amount of acreage owned, the location of the land, and a list of crops and livestock raised on each farm is also included. History The Ada County Historic Preservation Council has published a brochure entitled 2006 Preservation Plan. Included in this brochure are several pages (pp. 11-36) of the history of Ada County, including a detailed timeline of historic events in Ada County and the State of Idaho. Several photographs of historic sites in the county are also included. The Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series includes a short history of Ada County as well, available at the Idaho Digital Resources website. Land and Property Records Many of the early land records of Ada County have been microfilmed, including homestead records (1865 to 1911) and deeds (1865-1901). Microfilm copies of the records are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise, Idaho and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah or at any of the Library's Family History Centers. Original copies of these and later records are housed at the courthouse in Boise. Among the land records of Ada County which have been microfilmed are: Deeds, 1865-1901 Index to Deeds, 1865-1924 Homestead records, 1865-1911 Patent Records, 1869-1912 Index to Patents, 1869-1954 Water Rights In addition to the land records, some records of water rights for Ada County, 1865-1943, have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise. Maps A map showing the townships and ranges of Ada County is available online through the Ada County Assessor's Office in Boise. An 1895 map of Ada and surrounding counties is available online. A digital Ada County Idaho map is available online. Map of Ada County, Idaho is available online. Migration Early migration routes to and from Ada County, Idaho Genealogy for European and African American settlers included: Snake River Oregon Trail 1830s to 1890s from western Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon Military History and Records Civil War The 1890 Census Veterans Schedules for Boise Barracks (Fort Boise) are available on roll 118 of "Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War" (NARA M123). The schedules list veterans and their widows who served as Union soldiers in the Civil War. For more information on the 1890 Veterans Schedules see Union Census Records. WWI World War I draft registration cards, 1917-1918, for Ada County and for Boise City have been microfilmed. Copies of these records are available at the Family History Library (their microfilm number 1452106 for Ada County and microfilm numbers 1452109 and 14521106 for Boise City). They are also available online at Ancestry.com, for a subscription fee for both Ada County and for Boise City. 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. Other Records An Index to Military and Naval Discharges for Ada County has also been microfilmed and is available at both the Idaho State Archives and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. 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. Among the records which have been microfilmed are:  Index vol. 1-2 1890-1928 Miscellaneous records vol. 1-10 1891-1926 Copies of the microfilm are at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and at the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City, Utah or at any of the Library's Family History Centers. Naturalization and Citizenship Records of the naturalization of people born outside of the United States were often kept in the county courthouses of the respective counties of Idaho. Three volumes of Ada County naturalization records are included in a Naturalization Index at the Idaho State Archives in Boise, and available online. Also in the holdings of the Idaho State Archives and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah or at any of the Library's Family History Centers are the following microfilmed naturalization records for Ada County: Declaration of Intent (to become a naturalized citizen), 1906-1939 Petition and Record for Naturalization, 1903-1935 Certificates of Naturalization, 1909-1926 Admission to Citizenship and Records, 1891-1906 Newspapers Current The following newspapers are currently being published in Ada County: Idaho Statesman -- published in Boise Kuna Melba News -- published in Kuna The Valley Times -- published online; serving Meridian, Eagle, and Star Historical Copies of many newspapers published in Ada County, 1867 to present, are part of the collections of the Idaho State Archives in Boise. Included are newspapers from the following cities in Ada County: Boise -- many titles -- 1867 to present Eagle -- 4 titles -- 1926, 1958-1960, 1982, 1988-1989 Garden City -- 4 titles -- 1954-1968, 1980-1981 Kuna -- 3 titles -- 1914-1968, 1978-present Meridian -- 7 titles -- 1909-1974, 1976-1996 Star -- 2 titles -- 1908, 1919-1920 Pension Records Mothers' Pensions were provided by the State of Idaho for widows and/or orphans, under certain conditions. Petitions for those pensions were filed with the probate court in each county. The original papers for several counties have been transferred to the Idaho State Archives in Boise and have been indexed. Ada County Mothers' Pensions are included in that index. Old Age Pensions were also provided by the State of Idaho from 1931 to 1936. The original records for these pensions in the Idaho State Archives have also been indexed. Ada County Old Age Pensions are included in that index. Probate Records Some probate records for Ada County have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise, Idaho and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah or in any of the Library's Family History Centers. Other probate files remain with the county courthouse in Boise. Included among the records that have been microfilmed are: Wills, 1869-1973 Probate Letters, 1899-1932 Probate Record Books, v. B-W, 1873-1927 Guardianship Records, v. B-F, 1892-1932 and other miscellaneous estate records, 1867-1908 Taxation The tax assessment rolls, 1865-1890, and the delinquent tax lists, 1878-1890, for Ada County have been microfilmed. Copies are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Original tax records for Ada County for additional years may be in the county courthouse in Boise or at the Idaho State Archives. Vital Records Births The birth registers for Ada County, 1907-1911 have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Birth records, 1911 to present, for individuals born in Ada 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. See the Vital Records section under the subject Idaho for more details. The Family History Library has made available online Idaho Births and Christenings, 1856-1965, and Ada County has 11,044 births recorded there. Marriages Many of the early marriage records for Ada County have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Included are: Marriage Records Books, v. 1-20, 1865-1928 Index to Marriage Records, 1864-1928 Ministers' Marriage Register, 1907-1943 Marriage Licenses, 1895-1905 Marriage Certificates, 1865-1894 The Family History Library has also made available online Idaho Marriages, 1878-1898, 1903-1942, and there are 21,691 Ada County marriages therein. Marriages from other sources. Over 21,000 marriages for Ada County residents from 1864-1949, are available on the Western States Marriage Index Deaths The death registers for Ada County, 1907-1911 have been microfilmed and are available at the Idaho State Archives in Boise and at the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City, Utah. After 1911, deaths occuring in Ada County 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 section under Idaho for details. Copies of death certificates from 1911-1954 are on microfilm and can be viewed at the Idaho State Archives, the Family History Library, BYU-Idaho University Library in Rexburg and several other locations. A state-wide index to Idaho Deaths, 1911-1956 is available online. Efforts to expand this index to 1960 are underway. Another version is the US Genweb Idaho Death Index 1911-1956. The Family History Library has also made available online Idaho Deaths and Burials, 1907-1965, and there are 1069 Ada County deaths listed. Deaths from other sources.  Idaho Statesman Obituary Index, 1967 to present.(2011) Societies, Libraries and Museums 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. The following libraries may have some resources of value, but use of some or all of them may require a visit to the library. Idaho State Archives -- definitely needed, it is linked from most county and state pages, but all right to have it here, too National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Boise Chapter The Idaho Welsh Society -- excellent cultural and historical site Ada County Historic Preservation Council Boise Public Library -- has some significant genealogy collections The Basque Center There are several Family History Centers in the Boise area. The largest is just off Overland and near the Boise Temple. It has a large collection of books and microfilm plus they can assist patrons as they order and use microfilm from the main library in Salt Lake City. They maintain a large collection of local records for research purposes. Albertson's Library Boise State University 1910 University Drive Boise, ID 83725-1430 Phone: 208-426-1204 The Albertson Library at Boise State has several special collections of local history. Family History Centers Introduction to Family History Centers Boise Idaho Family History Center Eagle Idaho Family History Center Idaho State Correctional Facility Family History Center Kuna Idaho Family History Center Boise Idaho Amity Family History Center Meridian Idaho East Family History Center Meridian Idaho West Family History Center Websites The Ada County ID GenWeb Project, a member of The IDGenWeb Project The USGenWeb Archives Project The USGenWeb Archives Project (backup site) Ada County, Idaho Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium) FamilySearch.org Family History Library Catalog for Ada County. References

Family History Library