Latah County's Genealogy
By: EmilieRae Smith
Latah County's history is rich with interesting and diverse
families. In Latah County, we are lucky enough to have many extensive accounts
related to the experiences of the people who shaped this reason. Not only does
our historical society have many small collections related to family
genealogies, but website's like “Genealogy Trails” offer birth, death, marriage
and biography records of locals extending back to the founding of Latah
County's towns.[1]
People from the community are able to upload their own records to help expand
the information available. The University of Idaho also has collections with
extensive material for genealogists.
Browsing the Latah County Historical Society's genealogy
collections, you can learn a lot about some of the first settlers and long
lasting contributions they had on the county.
I researched two different accounts, John and Meta Meyer and
the Fredman/Hast family. John Meyer's parents, Claus and Katherine, came to the
United States from Meyenburg, Germany in 1882. His parents then started a
family and settled in Utah. John and Meta were enamored with Idaho's rich
farmlands, which were similar to the German lowlands they grew up on. The
school system that had been established and the metropolis that was Moscow also
convinced them that this was the right place to call home. The Meyer's settled
in the Genesee valley and established deep roots in the county. This account of
the Meyer's was submitted by their granddaughter, Evelyn in 1989.[2] Eveleyn
lives on Bainbridge Island in Washington but grew up hearing the pioneering
stories of her grandparents.
 |
John and Meta Meyer. Picture from the Latah County
Historical Society. Pictures: Meyer.JC.02 and Meyer.Me.01.
|
The Fredman/Hast family put down roots in Troy. They came to
Idaho after emigrating from Alvsborg Lan, Sweden in the 1880s. The documents on
the Fredman/Hast family available at the historical society show the emigration
records upon entering the United States. Like most records, it accounts for all
family members, their date of birth, marital status and occupations. This
account has no added personal histories, just the facts. With these types of
records, you don't get the insight that is offered through oral histories, like
the Meyer's, but they still offer the exact information to trace a familial
lineage back to its place of origin.[3]
 |
| Feldman/Hast family. Picture from Latah County Historical Society. Picture: SC-GENEALOGIES |
These two examples show the different kind of genealogical
information available at the historical society. The information on the Meyers
is a genealogical history told through a series of oral histories passed down
through the generations. In the case of the Fredman/Hast family, it is a
genealogical history told through formal immigration records. Both offer vast
information on the story of a family's experiences.
The Latah County historical society has multiple archives
showcasing the different types of genealogical history of local families. For
budding historians or fellow history lovers, genealogy is an important factor
of cultural history. By looking at genealogy, we can understand where certain
traditions may arise from, what businesses are established, etc. All different
areas of history are effected with familial lineages and studying genealogy
gives us further insight into cultural and societal histories.
If you are interested in Latah County's genealogical
history, visit the Latah County Historical Society, ask to see the Genealogy
archives and enjoy delving into the past of local community members.
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