Lincoln County, Nevada Genealogy
Guide to Lincoln County, Nevada ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States in 1866.[2] It is located in the southeastern area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Lincoln County Courthouse
181 Main Street
Pioche, NV 89043
Phone: 775-962-5390
Lincoln County Website
County Clerk has marriage, divorce, probate, court and land records from 1873.[4]
Lincoln County, Nevada Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1887 | 1873 | 1887 | 1873 | 1873 | 1873 | 1850 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
- Parent County: created 26 February 1866 from Nye
- County Seat: Pioche [6]
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Nevada - shows boundary changes for Nevada Counties
- Nevada Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
Lincoln County boundaries were modified on three other occasions. In 1867, a portion of the western edge of Lincoln County was ceded to Nye County. In 1875, the northern boundary was adjusted following the acquisition of the northeast corner of Nye County. But the largest boundary adjustment occurred in the year 1909, when Lincoln County was split in half and Clark County was formed from the southern half.
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
Planned development
- Coyote Springs — a proposed community for 240,000 people.
Ghost Towns
A selected list, previously posted on this page:
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History Timeline[edit | edit source]
- Until 1821 - New Spain controlled land that later would become Nevada. Some records of early settlers may have been sent to an archives in Seville, Spain, or to archives in Mexico City.
- In 1821 - Mexico obtained jurisdiction over the land that later would become Nevada. Records of this period may have been sent to archives in Mexico City.
- 18 Aug 1846 - During the war with Mexico, the US took control of Santa Fe and proclaimed sovereignty over land that later became the Nevada Territory.[8] Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
- 4 July 1848 - In the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Mexico ceded land that later became present day Nevada. [9] Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
- 9 Jan 1852 - New Mexico redefined the boundaries of previous counties and created new ones to cover all the land within its territory. The New Mexico counties of Taos, San Juan (1861-1862 only), Rio Arriba, Santa Ana, Bernalillo, Valencia, and Socorro counties covered land that would later become the southern part of Lincoln county.[10] [11] [12] Look for records in Dona Ana County, Socorro County, Bernalillo, Rio Arriba, Taos, and Valencia counties.
- 24 Feb 1863 - The US created the Arizona Territory from the western half of New Mexico Territory.[13] This territory contained land that would later become the southern part of Lincoln county. Look for records in the Arizona State Library and New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
- 10 Nov 1864 - Mohave County was created as one of the four original counties in Arizona.[14] [15] This county included land that would later become the southern part of Lincoln county. Look for records in Mohave County.
- 22 December 1865 - Pah-Ute County was created by Arizona out of the north part of Mohave County.[16] This county included land that would later become the southern part of Lincoln county. Look for records in Mohave County.
- 18 January 1867 - A large portion of Pah-Ute County and a smaller portion of Mohave County was given to Nevada by the US government.[17] Nevada used the land to increase Lincoln and Nye counties. Utah opposed this transfer of land by creating Rio Virgin County which extended out of Utah, covering a large portion of southern Lincoln and Nye counties. Arizona opposed loosing this land, twice petitioned Congress for repeal of the law. Up thru 1868, representatives from Pah-Ute county attended the Arizona legislature. Look for records in Mohave County AZ, Washington County UT, Nye County NV and Lincoln County NV.
- 18 February 1871 - Arizona discontinued Pah-Ute County, finally accepting the loss after exhausting all legal remedies. The remainder of Pah-Ute County AZ was restored to Mohave County AZ.[18] Look for records in Mohave County AZ
- 16 February 1872 - Utah discontinued Rio Virgin County, finally accepting the transfer after exhausting all legal remedies.[19] The tiny bit of Rio Virgin County actually in Utah was restored to Washington County.[20]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Print (Often more complete) |
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The following web site has additional information on Lincoln county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Nevada cemetery records by county.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1870 | 2,985 | — |
| 1880 | 2,637 | −11.7% |
| 1890 | 2,466 | −6.5% |
| 1900 | 3,284 | 33.2% |
| 1910 | 3,489 | 6.2% |
| 1920 | 2,287 | −34.5% |
| 1930 | 3,601 | 57.5% |
| 1940 | 4,130 | 14.7% |
| 1950 | 3,837 | −7.1% |
| 1960 | 2,431 | −36.6% |
| 1970 | 2,557 | 5.2% |
| 1980 | 3,732 | 46.0% |
| 1990 | 3,775 | 1.2% |
| 2000 | 4,165 | 10.3% |
| 2010 | 5,345 | 28.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
The first enumeration for Nevada before it was a state in 1864, was in the 1850 Census in both New Mexico and Utah Territories, but the area had not been divided into counties. Those living there may be in the Utah 1851 Census. For 1860, Nevada was again enumerated in New Mexico and Utah Territories. [21] A partial state census exists for Nevada in 1862 and 1863 and a full state census exists for 1875. [22] See links listed below.
State and Territory Census Records[edit | edit source]
- 1850 United States Census, 1850 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; Nevada was included in both the 1850 New Mexico and Utah Territory Censuses. - How to Use this Collection
- 1860 United States Census, 1860 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; Nevada was included in both the 1860 New Mexico and Utah Territory Censuses. - How to Use this Collection
- 1860 Nevada, Compiled Census Index, 1860-1910 at Ancestry ($), index
- 1862-1863 1862-1863 Nevada Territory Tax List - Index
- 1875 Nevada State Census, 1875 at Ancestry ($), index
Federal Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Censuses were taken for the state of Nevada starting in 1870. Although, those living in south-eastern Nevada in 1870 may be enumerated in Utah or Arizona because of disputed boundaries with Nevada.[23] For links to Federal Census indexes, see Nevada Census.
Transcriptions of many Lincoln County federal census records are available online as part of The USGenWeb Project. Click on the links below to search a particular census.
1870 Census | 1880 Census | 1880 Mortality Schedules | 1890 Special Census | 1900 Census | 1900 Indian Census
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Most church records are held by individual churches. For contact information, check a phone directory, such as SearchBug or Dex Knows. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Nevada Church Records.
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Alamo
- Caliente
- Panaca
- Pioche
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1868-1869 Nevada Directory 1868-1869 at Ancestry ($), index only, includes settlers of Nevada
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
The county recorder's office keeps land records once the land was transferred to private ownership. Abstracts and indexes for these records are generally available at the county courthouse.
In the FamilySearch Catalog, land records for Nevada are listed in the Place Search under: NEVADA, Lincoln – LAND AND PROPERTY
Record Highlights: Real estate deeds, mortgages, mining deeds and notices, maps, and early vital records (births, marriages, and deaths). Note, only births and deaths prior to 1911 are accessible to the public. Researchers can also access bound volumes of early Lincoln County newspapers, such as the Pioche Daily Record, 1872-1876.
On-site researchers can obtain photocopies of documents from the recorder's office. Researchers are also allowed to take digital photographs of documents. Check with the office for current fees.
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1863-1908 U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry.com ($), index and images
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
For more information see Nevada Land and Property
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
County histories may include biographies of early settlers and residents, church and school information, and local military regiments at the time of publication.
- A History of Lincoln County, Nevada, 1776-1874. c1959. By Richard E. Gillies. Salt Lake city, Utah: University of Utah. Church History Library; At various libraries(WorldCat).
- An Overview of the History of Lincoln County. c1978. By Ralph Joseph Roske. Las Vegas, Nevada: University of Nevada. At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Delamar, Nevada. c1992. By Donald Thomas Clark. Lake Grove, Or. : The Depot. FamilySearch Books; At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Lincoln County, Nevada, 1864-1909: History of a Mining Region. c1971. By James W. Hulse. Reno, Nevada: University of Nevada Press. At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Treasures of Tempiute. c1967. By Eva Hyde Koyen. Sparks, Nevada : Western Print & Pub. Co. At various libraries(WorldCat).
Online County Histories
- Lincoln County: Land of Many Frontiers. c1981. By James W. Hulse. N.p: n.p. Online at: University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada Historical Society Quarterly; At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Settlement of Lincoln County and White Pine County, Nevada, by Utah Pioneers. c2006. By Mary N. Porte Harris. Salt Lake City, Utah : Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Online at: Family Search Catalog; At various libraries(WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Nevada - shows boundary changes for Nevada Counties
- Historical Maps and Atlases of Nevada - maps and atlases of Nevada
Migration[edit | edit source]
Early migration routes to and from Lincoln County, Nevada Genealogy for emigrant settlers included:
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- Mormon Trail 1846 to 1869 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah[24]
- Mormon Trail to Southern California 1847 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Los Angeles, California[25]
- Union Pacific Railroad 1869 Ogden, Utah (among others) to Omaha, Nebraska[26]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Online Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections are unique to Nevada. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and Nevada Military Records.
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Nevada, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index- How to Use this Collection
- 1863-1866 Nevada Civil War Volunteers, 1863-1866 ($) at Ancestry — index
World War I
World War II
- Nevada Casualties of World War II
- 1940-1945 - Nevada, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
Korea War
- Nevada Military Killed in Action in Korea
- U.S. Military Fatal Casualties of the Korean War for Nevada
Vietnam War
- Nevada Military Killed in Action in Vietnam
- The Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Nevada
- Vietnam Conflict Casualty Lists - Nevada
Other Conflicts
For further information see Nevada Military Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
- 1956-1991 Nevada, Naturalization Petitions, 1956-1991 at Ancestry ($), index
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see Nevada Newspapers.
- The Lincoln County Record is the official newspaper of Lincoln County. It is published weekly every Thursday. The paper's roots trace back to the early 1870s. Over the course of its history, the paper has been known by several titles: The Ely Record,1870-1872; Pioche Daily Record, 1872-1876; Pioche Weekly Record, 1877-1900; Lincoln County Record, 1900-1905; Pioche Weekly Record, 1906-1908; Pioche Daily Record, 1908-1925; Lincoln County Record, 1925-1932; Pioche Record, 1932-1968; and since 1968, the newspaper has been titled the Lincoln County Record.
- GenealogyBank ($), contains images of Nevada newspapers
- Newspaper Archive ($), contains images of Nevada newspapers
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Nevada newspapers; searching tips
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records may include, wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. They may include the decedent’s date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, etc. See Nevada Probate Records for additional information.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Nevada tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records. Most tax records can be obtained from the county treasurer or assessor. For more information, see the wiki page Nevada Taxation. The Family History Library does not have copies of Nevada tax records (as of June 2013).
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents.
A copy or an extract of most Nevada original records can be purchased from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. See also Nevada Vital Records. For information about restrictions and costs for certificates, see the CDC Where to Write for Vital Records site.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1871-1992 Nevada County Birth and Death Records, 1871-1992 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1975-2012 Nevada Birth Index 1975-2012 at Ancestry ($)
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1809-2011 Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 - Index, incomplete, list of counties included
- 1862-1992 Nevada County Marriages, 1862-1993 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1956-2005 Nevada Marriage Index 1956-2005 at Ancestry ($)
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1871-1992 Nevada County Birth and Death Records, 1871-1992 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1968-2015 Nevada Divorce Records 1968-2015 at Ancestry ($)
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Lincoln County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Nevada Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Lincoln County. For state-wide library facilities, see Nevada Archives and Libraries.
- Caliente Branch Library
100 Depot Avenue
Caliente, NV 89008
Phone: 775-726-3104 - Alamo Branch Library
100 South First West
Alamo, NV 89001
Phone: 775-725-3343 - Lincoln County Library
63 Main Street
Pioche, NV 89043
Phone: 775-962-5244
Museums[edit | edit source]
- Lincoln County Historical Museum
69 Main Street
Pioche, NV 89043
Phone: 775-962-5207
- Million Dollar Courthouse
25 Lacour Street
Pioche, NV 89043
Phone: 775-962-5182
- Record highlights: The museum houses several early original record volumes including tax records, license books, school ledgers, deed indexes, and more. Of particular interest is the grantor/grantee index to Lincoln County Deeds, 1871-1873. These records, for whatever reason, are not included in the master deed index found at the Lincoln County Courthouse.
- For a brief history of the "Million Dollar Courthouse," see the Lincoln County Courthouse entry found in the Online Nevada Encyclopedia.
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Lincoln County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Nevada Societies.
- Lincoln County Historical Society
63 Main St
PO Box 515
Pioche, NV 89043 - Lincoln County Museum
716 Main St
Pioche, NV 89043
(775) 962-5182
Website - Nevada State Genealogical Society
PO Box 20666
Reno, NV 89515-0666
Facebook - Clark County Nevada Genealogy Society
PO Box 1929
Las Vegas, NV 89125-1929
Website - Nevada Historical Society
1650 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503
Phone: 775-688-1190
Fax: 775-688-2917
Website - Tri-State Genealogical Society
For Arizona, California, Nevada
PO Box 21902
Bullhead City, AZ 86439
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- The Lincoln County NV GenWeb Project, a member of The NVGenWeb Project, an affiliate of The USGenWeb Project
- Official Website of Lincoln County, Nevada
- FamilySearch Catalog - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Lincoln County, Nevada Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/nev/lincoln/ accessed 3/27/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lincoln County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County,_Nevada 3/27/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Lincoln County, Oregon page 442, At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Lincoln County, Nevada. Page 442. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 428.
- ↑ Sam P. Davis, editor, The History of Nevada, vol. 1 (Reno, Nevada: Elms Publishing Co., 1913), 212-13.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lincoln County, Nevada," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County%2C_Nevada accessed 16 March 2017.
- ↑ Williams 108-110
- ↑ U.S. Stat., vol. 9, pp. 922-943; Parry, 102: 29-59; Van Zandt, 11, 28-29; Walker and Bufkin, 19, 20A
- ↑ William Thorndale, and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1987), 26. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/69672637/editions At various libraries (WorldCat)]; [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/545087 FHL Book 973 X2th].
- ↑ Original Counties of New Mexico Territory (map) at
(accessed 9 August 2011).
- ↑ N.M. Terr. Laws 1851, 1st assy., 2d sess. /p. 292
- ↑ U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 56[1863]/pp. 664-665; Ariz. Terr. Laws 1864, 1st assy./ pp. vii-viii; Van Zandt, 162
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Howell Code, Ariz. Terr. Laws 1864, 1st assy., ch. 2/ pp. 24-25
- ↑ Arizona Territorial Laws 1865, 2d assy. pp. 19-20
- ↑ U.S. Stat., vol. 14, ch. 73[1866]/p. 43; Sacks, 25; Van Zandt, p. 158, 165
- ↑ Arizona Territorial Laws 1871, 6th assy. p. 87
- ↑ Utah Terr. Laws 1872, 20th session, ch. 19, sec. 2, p. 28
- ↑ Greer, 162
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 211.
- ↑ ’'Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 437. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ‘’Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources,’’ 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 2004), 422. Free online version; FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004; WorldCat entry.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 212.
- ↑ "The Pioneer Story: The Mormon Pioneer Trail" in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/pioneer-trek (accessed 18 July 2011).
- ↑ "Jefferson Hunt" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Hunt (accessed 6 September 2011).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Union Pacific Railroad" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_Railroad (accessed 14 September 2011).
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