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Wyoming possesses a unique and rugged history steeped in the spirit of the American West. Its records can be equally expansive and sparse, stretching from territorial times in the late 19th century to modern-day. To successfully trace your Wyoming family roots, you must not only understand the region’s unique historical circumstances and ever-changing boundaries, but you also need to know how to pinpoint and access the specific records that will help confirm relationships and family milestones. This guide lays out systematic, step-by-step strategies to uncover the genealogical documents that trace your ancestors’ lives in the Equality State.
Research your ancestors on MyHeritage
Understand the History
- Why It Matters: A solid grasp of Wyoming’s broader history—shaped by frontier settlement, the expansion of railroads, the cattle industry, and mining—helps you interpret the records you find, explains why your ancestors might have settled where they did, and illuminates historical events that could have influenced their movements.
- Key Historical Milestones:
- 1803 – The United States acquired much of Wyoming’s land through the Louisiana Purchase.
- 1847-1869 – Oregon Trail travelers crossed future Wyoming territory in large numbers.
- 1868 – The Wyoming Territory was officially formed.
- 1890 – Wyoming became the 44th state.
- Early 1900s – Coal, oil, and mineral discoveries attracted new waves of settlers.
- How to Apply: Read state histories or county-specific histories to see if events (e.g., railroad expansion) influenced your ancestors’ settlement patterns or employment opportunities.
Understand the Geography and Jurisdiction
- Key Considerations:
- Wyoming is geographically large but has a relatively small population compared to other states.
- Most record types (vital records, land, probate) are found at the county level, but some might still reside at the state or territorial level.
- Knowing which county or territory held jurisdiction at a particular time is crucial to accessing the right records.
- How to Apply: Use maps and historical resources to pinpoint where an event may have taken place. Confirm whether the county boundaries were the same then as they are now or if another jurisdiction might hold the records.
State Boundaries
- Overview:
- Why It Matters:
- Your ancestor may have lived in “Wyoming,” but official boundary changes over time could place their residence in a neighboring territory, meaning records might be housed elsewhere.
- How to Apply: Investigate boundary changes with old atlases, historical maps, and official state/territorial government records to see if a place where your ancestor lived was reclassified.
County Boundaries
- Overview:
- Wyoming’s county organization traces back to the Dakota and Utah Territories, undergoing several boundary adjustments in the early years. By 1923, the 23 counties familiar to us today were fully established. Because many record collections are maintained at the county level, it’s crucial to research across historical boundaries for a comprehensive view.
- Wyoming has 23 counties, some of which formed or changed boundaries in the late 19th to early 20th century.
- County boundary shifts can alter where birth, marriage, land, and probate records are located.
- Research Tips:
- Visit the Wyoming State Archives or county government sites for county formation details.
- Online genealogical platforms may provide interactive county boundary maps showing boundary changes by year.
- How to Apply: If a county was formed from another, check records in both the parent county and the new county to ensure no crucial files were overlooked.
Migration
- Importance: Understanding migration patterns—such as trails (Oregon, Mormon, Bozeman), railroad development, and economic booms—can give clues about your ancestors’ routes and reasons for moving.
- Sources:
- Diaries, letters, or personal accounts of travel through Wyoming.
- Local histories that detail who settled where and why.
- How to Apply: Map out potential migration routes that your ancestor may have taken. Look for any relevant records (land deeds, church registries, or newspaper mentions) in towns or stops along the way.
Vital Records – Birth, Death, and Marriage
- Where to Find:
- State Level: The Wyoming Department of Health’s Vital Statistics Services maintains birth and death records from 1909 onward and marriage/divorce records from May 1941 onward.
- County Level: Local county clerks have earlier marriage records, often dating to county formation. Some counties have earlier birth and death registers (although registration was not mandatory until the early 20th century).
- Research Tips:
- If an event occurred prior to 1909, look for church records, newspapers (obituaries, marriage announcements), or county birth/death registers.
- Use the Wyoming State Archives for older or less-accessible records.
- How to Apply: Request official certificates from the state when possible. If no official records exist, explore alternative sources like church registries, family Bibles, or newspaper announcements.
Census Records – Federal and State
- Federal Census Records:
- Wyoming residents begin to appear in the federal census under “Wyoming Territory” in 1870. Prior to 1870, they may be recorded under other territories (Dakota, Nebraska, or Utah) if they lived in those areas before 1868.
- In the 1850 Federal Census, portions of what is now Wyoming were enumerated under the Utah Territory. Additionally, the 1890 Special Veterans and Widows Census survived the 1921 warehouse fire, making it a valuable resource for uncovering information about Union Civil War veterans and their widows.
- Federal censuses are taken every 10 years, with most recent available being 1950.
- State Censuses: Wyoming conducted a limited state census in certain years. Check with the Wyoming State Archives to see if schedules exist (not all were preserved).
- Research Tips:
- Use online databases (MyHeritage, etc.) for federal census returns.
- Note that certain counties may have enumerations listed separately or recorded under older territorial names.
- How to Apply: Compare census data across multiple decades to track family movements, changes in household composition, and economic status.
Immigration and Naturalization Records
- Overview:
- Where to Look:
- County Courts: Early naturalization documents (Declarations of Intention, Petitions for Naturalization).
- Federal Courts: After 1906, immigration and naturalization processes fell under federal jurisdiction, so look for records in federal court archives.
- How to Apply: Identify where your ancestor might have filed for naturalization. County records prior to 1906 often contain limited information; after 1906, documents usually contain birthplace and immigration data useful for tracking overseas origins.
Military Records
- Why Important: Military documents can provide a rich source of personal data including birth date, birthplace, next of kin, and service details.
- Sources:
- State Archives: May have muster rolls for state militia or National Guard units.
- National Archives: Holds federal military records, pension files, and service records.
- Conflicts to Check:
- Civil War veterans may have moved to Wyoming post-war.
- Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War records can be explored for 20th-century service members.
- How to Apply: Search for service records by name in major online genealogy databases or request pension files from the National Archives to glean family information.
Land and Property Records
- Key Location: Generally housed with county clerk’s offices.
- Content: Deeds, surveys, mortgages, homestead filings, and other land transactions often reveal residences, family relationships, and even genealogical clues when property was transferred between relatives.
- Federal Land Records: Because Wyoming was largely public domain land, many early settlers acquired property via the Homestead Act, Mining Act, or Railroad Act. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Land Office Records website provides searchable land patent information.
- How to Apply: Check both county land records and federal land patent documents. Examine deeds for mention of heirs or family members involved in the land’s transfer.
Court Records
- County-Level Courts: District Courts often hold civil, criminal, and divorce records.
- What You Can Find:
- Lawsuits and personal disputes that may mention relatives.
- Guardianship cases for minors.
- How to Apply: Inquire with the local clerk of courts to learn where historic records are stored. Older dockets might be transferred to the Wyoming State Archives for preservation.
Wills and Probate Records
- Why Important: Probate files can provide evidence of family relationships, list property, and name heirs or dependents.
- Where to Look: Typically in the county probate court or with the county clerk (depending on local organization).
- Timeframe: Some probate files can date back to the territorial days if the county was established before statehood.
- How to Apply: Search indexes for your ancestor’s name, then request the complete probate packet. These can reveal children’s full names, married names for daughters, and approximate death dates.
Tax Records
- Overview: Tax lists can fill gaps when no census is available. They place an individual in a location at a particular time.
- Where to Find: Usually with county treasurers’ offices or in county archives. Some may reside in the state archives if they were transferred.
- How to Apply: Compare annual tax lists to see if an ancestor appeared consistently, and note any abrupt appearances/disappearances that could suggest immigration, migration, or death.
Church and Cemetery Records
- Importance: Vital records were not always recorded by civil authorities, especially in early territorial days. Churches often kept detailed baptism, marriage, and burial registers.
- Cemetery Records: Gravestone inscriptions and burial records can confirm death dates, relationships, and sometimes birth details.
- How to Apply: Identify which religious denomination your ancestors likely belonged to. Contact local churches, diocese, or denominational archives for membership rolls or sacramental records. Check local genealogical societies’ cemetery surveys and transcriptions.
African-American and Indigenous Records
- African-American Records:
- Though small in number, Wyoming’s African-American communities can be traced through census data, Freedmen’s Bureau records (if they migrated from the South), and local newspapers.
- Look for special church or social organization records.
- Indigenous Records:
- Wyoming is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho, among others.
- Tribal enrollment records, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) documents, and reservation records may be stored in federal repositories or with tribal councils.
- How to Apply:
- Confirm tribal affiliation (if applicable) by reviewing genealogical data across family lines.
- Use specialized resources like the National Archives’ American Indian Records portal and contact tribal agencies directly.
Historical Newspapers
- What They Offer: Birth notices, obituaries, local events, business ads, social columns, and even legal announcements that can yield key genealogical details.
- Where to Find:
- Wyoming State Archives and public libraries often house microfilm or digital collections.
- Online newspaper databases (Chronicling America, OldNews, GenealogyBank) may include Wyoming titles.
- How to Apply: Search for obituaries or announcements around known life events (e.g., marriage, death). Small-town newspapers often published detailed local happenings, which can be valuable for genealogical leads.
Local and State Repositories
- Wyoming State Archives:
- A primary destination for territorial, state, and many county records.
- Offers research services, guides, and often has an online catalog.
- County Libraries and Archives:
- Some maintain special collections, such as vertical files, local newspaper archives, and genealogical data.
- University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center:
- Holds manuscript collections, newspapers, and historical resources, including diaries, correspondence, and photographs.
- How to Apply: Consult finding aids or online catalogs before visiting. If you cannot travel, inquire about remote research and document duplication services.
Genealogical and Historical Societies
- Role: These organizations collect records, compile indexes, and may maintain local genealogical libraries. Many volunteers are knowledgeable about local families and can help guide your research.
- Examples:
- Wyoming State Historical Society
- County-level historical or genealogical societies (e.g., Laramie County Genealogical Society, Fremont County Genealogical Society)
- How to Apply:
- Join or contact societies in the counties where your ancestors lived.
- Ask for local indexes, family files, or special publications compiled by society members.
Conclusion
Wyoming’s genealogical riches can be found scattered across state and county lines, reflecting a vibrant history of settlement, migration, ranching, and resource development. Your research should blend a broad historical perspective with local detective work, using vital records, county records, state repositories, and specialized collections such as church registers and military archives. Persist, verify findings through multiple record types, and do not overlook local genealogical societies that often possess the best insider knowledge.
Explore more about Wyoming research strategies
- Wyoming - Collection Catalog at MyHeritage
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries Project - Wyoming - The Newberry Library
- Chronicling America – Wyoming Newspapers - Library of Congress
- Wyoming - Cyndi's List
- Wyoming Vital Records
- Wyoming Gen Web
- Wyoming State Archives
- Wyoming State Library
- Wyoming Historical Society
- USGenWeb Archives Project - Wyoming