The Ancestor Hunt regularly adds and updates new collection links, as well as searches for and fixes broken links.
(This page's most recent update is January 2025)
______________________________________
Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors, unfortunately, got into trouble with the law. Records were kept, from arrests through court cases to prison documents. More and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and made available online.
Types of Records
- Criminal court proceedings
- Police reports
- Prison and jail admission registers
- Arrest records
- Mug books
- Pardon and discharge information
- Hospital record books
- Workhouse records
Types of Information
- Name
- Age
- Birth date
- Height
- Weight
- Complexion
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Education
- Habits (alcohol use)
- Relations (parents living)
- Date incarcerated
- Court where charged
- Recommitments
- How and when discharged
Note: Some links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.
Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the district; the first list is for multi-state collections:
Idaho Criminal Records
United States
- Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
- Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
- Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages
Idaho
- Ada County, Idaho County Inmates at the State Penitentiary
- Ada County, Idaho State Penitentiary Cemetery
- Ada County, The Old Idaho State Penitentiary Cemetery
- Bingham County Historical Society, Bingham County Records, 1885-1920
- Bingham County, Register of Prisoners, 1959-1977
- Bingham County, Sheriff’s Records, 1895-1933
- Executions In Idaho
- Fremont County, Idaho Industrial Reform School Cemetery
- Fremont County, Idaho Industrial Training School 1930 Census
- Idaho County, Murders, Poisonings and Executions
- Idaho, Idaho Penitentiary Index of Inmates Associated with the Mining Industry 1864-1910
- Idaho, Idaho Penitentiary Inmates Files Collection 1948-1975
- Idaho, Idaho Penitentiary Inmates, Women, 1864-1947
- Idaho, Inmates of the Idaho Penitentiary 1864-1947
- Idaho, Penitentiary Female Inmates 1864-1947
- Idaho, Penitentiary Inmates 1864-1947
- Idaho, Penitentiary Inmates Who Were Miners, 1864-1947
- Idaho, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, Prisoners, Insane, In Hospitals, 1917-1918
- Old Idaho Penitentiary Inmates Catalog
- Oneida County, Civil and Criminal Records, 1882-1923; Register of Actions, 1867-1908
- Oneida County, Register of Prisoners, 1894-1915
- Territorial Index, Alturas County Criminal Cases
- Territorial Index, Alturas Criminal Cases
- Territorial Index, Boise County Civil and Criminal Cases 1863-1920
- Territorial Index, Territorial Supreme Court Cases
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!