Family History Resources
The term "Family History" encompasses both geneaology (study of family pedigrees) and more specialized studies, such as the study of people with common surnames or people who originate in one location.
Our Research Center contains many useful primary and secondary sources:
Death Records
- Cemetery Records
- Obituaries
- Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News Obituary indexes, 1850-1970 [available on microfilm at the Research Center]
Newspapers
- Newspapers [on microfilm]
- Newspaper Clipping Files
- Utah Digital Newspapers [This is a fully searchable database of newspapers from around the state, sponsored by the University of Utah.]
Property
Individual & Community History
- Biographical Information
- About 3,000 published autobiographies and biographies in books and pamphlets [search the catalog]
- Cache Valley Historical Society Collection
Microfilmed diaries, autobiographies, journals and other primary materials relating to the history of Cache Valley, Utah, and Idaho
- Joel E. Ricks Collection, 1847-1955
Microfilmed notes and transcriptions on Cache Valley and Utah history, including diaries, biographies, town histories, and notes
- WPA (Works Progress Administration) Biographical Sketches, ca. 1930-1940
Short biographies generated by the WPA from and about Utah's remaining pioneers and historical figures.
- Directories
- Telephone Directories (pdf), arranged alphabetically and dated from 1908-2000
- R. L. Polk City Directories. These annual listings provide the names, addresses and occupations of everyone in the city. [Hard copy and microfilm]
- Utah State Gazetteers, 1872-1928
Annual volumes that include virtually every community in the state, but unlike city directories they list only those who are involved with business enterprises, and they do not give home addresses.
- Family histories [search the catalog]
- Local histories from Utah city and towns [search the catalog]
- Yearbooks from Utah high school and college that have been donated to our Research Center
Census Records
State Archives Records
(also available at the Research Center)
State Archives has these records:
Vital statistics:
- Birth records
- Marriage records
- Death records
Court and Probate Records
- Criminal records - case files, pardons, prisoner and arrest records
- Probate court records - estates, wills, guardianships, name changes, and adoptions
- Records on the Utah Court System
Immigration & Naturalization
Land & Property
- Original title in territorial Utah
- Property research resources
Military
- Discharge and benefit records
- Service and burial records
- Records of wars and conflicts
Business
- Business Incorporation Records
Other Family History Resources
Brigham Young University Family History Library