Welcome

We are so excited you found us. Come join us and see why the unraveling of family history is the fastest growing hobby in the land. All members of Idaho Genealogical Society and persons interested in their family history are welcome. The Idaho Genealogical Society meets 11 months out of the year.

IGS History

The Idaho Genealogical Society
We are a non‐profit organization, established in 1958, granted 501( c )(3) status in 1982.

Our Mission: To become a preferred first stop for those researching their ancestry in Idaho, by reaching out to a statewide audience, preserving Idaho specific records, maximizing grant requests to fund our projects, and making member’s Idaho research meaningful and successful. IDAHO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

IGS BRIEF CHRONOLOGY

1950s
Idaho Genealogical Society (IGS) was formed in 1958
Partnership with Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS) and LDS Genealogical Society
Acquisition of Genealogical book and microfilm collection
Publication of the IGS Quarterly Journal initiated

1960s and 1970s
Formation of chapters around Idaho, continuing into 1980s
Extractions of cemetery records, newspaper records, birth and death records by IGS members
Extracted records published in installment form in the Quarterly Journal
Cemetery records published in booklet form for the Genealogical library
Publication of the 1870 Idaho Census
Creation of surname indices for the Quarterly Journal

1980s
Genealogical Library moved to Territorial Prison in Boise
Genealogical Library moved back to ISHS Library on State Street Boise
Over 6000 titles in Genealogical Library shelf list, 250,000 cards in the surname index
Use of computers initiated by Library staff and IGS members
Dissolution of chapter network begins, continuing through the 1990s
ISHS volunteers to become responsible for the Genealogical Library Collection
IGS enters into donor agreement with ISHS
IGS partnership with ISHS and LDS Genealogical Society dissolved
Genealogical Library collection continues to expand under auspices of ISHS
IGS opens office on Overland Road in Boise, Idaho

1990s and 2000s
Creation of Pioneer, Early Settler and Oregon Trail Certificate programs
IGS concentration on publications – census indices and Footprints
New logo created and used for cover of Quarterly journal
Expansion of the Quarterly Journal
Quarterly Journal accepted for indexing by PERSI (Periodical Source Index)
Release of Overland Road office in Boise, Idaho
Establishment and continued enhancement of virtual office with Website and the Post Office Box
IGS Board of Directors meeting held in ISHS library and archives
Celebration of 50th Anniversary in 2008
Cemetery Assessment Project and DNA Project begins
Vision & Mission & Goals Statements Revised 2010


IDAHO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Reprinted from IGS Quarterly, Volume 1, No. 1, September 1958 (edited minimally)

Nearly 200 ancestor‐minded Idahoans met February 8, 1958 at the Idaho Historical Museum, Julia Davis Park,Boise, Idaho, to organize the Idaho Genealogical Society. In attendance at this meeting were genealogists from Boise, Weiser, Nampa, Caldwell, Emmett, Meridian, Mountain Home and from Ontario, Oregon.  Mrs. Joyce Owen of Boise, served as temporary chairman of the organization; she being very instrumental in starting this society. A committee was appointed to draw up a constitution and to nominate permanent officers.  Members of this committee included Mrs. Dean Ingerham, Mrs. Frank Wilson and Mrs. Lillis Melander, all of Boise; Mrs. Jacob Jensen, Emmett; Dayton Raff and Richard L. Maus, Nampa; Mrs. Bessie Kepler, Caldwell; and Alice Hicks, Mountain Home. Mrs Iola Stocking was named secretary pro‐tem.

On March 8, 1958, a general meeting was held and the constitution was presented and adopted. The following officers were nominated and elected:

President………………..Iola L Stocking……………..Meridian
Vice‐President………......Earl M. McCandless…….....Nampa
Secretary………….…….Mrs. Jacob Jensen……...….Emmett
Treasurer…………...…...Roy B. Arnold, Jr..……...…Boise

Board of Directors:
Dayton Raff…………..……..Nampa
Joyce Owen……………..….Boise
Dale Walden………………..Boise
Murray Badgley…………….Boise
Mrs. Frank Wilson………….Boise
Alice Hicks…………............Mountain Home

The objectives of this society are:
To give mutual assistance in genealogical research.
To collect and preserve genealogical records.
The membership in the Idaho Genealogical Society is maintained through the payment of $3.00 yearly dues for married couples; $2.00 for single memberships. Membership in the society includes a subscription to the Idaho Genealogical Society Quarterly, a publication issued quarterly.