CENSUS RECORDS

The first federal census for the state of Idaho was in 1870. They were taken every ten years after and are currently available through 1920 (excepting the destroyed 1890 census). All are indexed in at least one format.
In 1860, that portion of Idaho north of 46 degrees north latitude was enumerated as part of Spokane County, Washington Territory. The 1860 federal census of Cache County, Utah Territory, included some persons living in what is now the southeastern corner of the Bear Lake area of Idaho. The 1870 Idaho census is extant for all counties and has been indexed, although the unorganized area of Kootenai was enumerated with Nez Perce County. A portion of Bear Lake and the Franklin County areas were enumerated with Cache County, Utah. Any population in the Yellowstone National Park area of Idaho for 1880 was enumerated in the Wyoming census rather than with Idaho.
There are no known state-sponsored enumerations for Idaho, nor are there any discerned white inhabitants prior to those censuses described above.

Idaho Research Sources

An Illustrated History of the State of Idaho: Containing a History of the State of Idaho from the Earliest Period of Its Discovery to the Present Time, Together With Glimpses of Its Auspicious Futures; Illustrations...and Biographical Mention of Many Pioneers and Prominent Citizens of Today. 4 vols. in 2. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1899. (This two-volume set covers the history of Idaho and contains biographical sketches.)
Hawley, James H., ed. History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains. 4 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1920. (Vol. 1 is a standard history of the state, while the other volumes consist of biographical sketches.)
Defenbach, Byron. Idaho, the Place and Its People: A History of the Gem State from Prehistoric to Present Days. 3 vols. Chicago: American Historical Society, Inc., 1933. (Vol. 1 covers the history of the state, and vols. 2 and 3 contain biographical sketches.)

Archives, Libraries and Societies
Idaho State Historical Library and Archives
325 West State Street
Boise, ID 83702

Mailing address of genealogical library:
610 North Julia Davis Drive
Boise, ID 83702 Idaho Genealogical Society
4620 Overland Road #204
Boise, ID 83705-2867