Utah Genealogy Resources
Updated
Utah is home to the world’s largest genealogy library, which makes it a great place to research any family, not just Utah families. Its own records are rich too, especially for pioneer ancestors.
- Latter-day Saint pioneers began arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Utah became a territory in 1850 and a state in 1896.
- Statewide birth and death registration began in 1905.
- The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City is free and open to the public, with volunteers who will help you get started.
Start with the big two
FamilySearch
The largest free genealogy site in the world, run as a nonprofit by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A free account is all you need.
- Billions of names in historical records, many with images of the originals
- One shared, free Family Tree that relatives can build together
- The Research Wiki: how-to guides for every state and country
- Free help at thousands of FamilySearch Centers and the library in Salt Lake City
Ancestry
The biggest subscription site, with billions of records, helpful “hints,” and the largest consumer DNA database (AncestryDNA).
- Building a family tree is free; searching most records needs a subscription or free trial
- Strong U.S. census, military, immigration and newspaper collections
- Also owns Newspapers.com, Fold3 and Find a Grave
- Many public libraries offer Ancestry Library Edition free on site
State resources
FamilySearch Research Wiki: Utah
The best free overview of Utah records: what exists, which years, and where to find each one online or in person.
FamilySearch Library
The world’s largest genealogy library, in downtown Salt Lake City. Free to visit, with free help.
Utah Digital Newspapers
Free, searchable Utah newspapers from the 1850s onward, from the University of Utah.
Church History Biographical Database
Pioneer company rosters, missionary records and biographical information for early Church members.
Saints by Sea
Voyage accounts and passenger lists for Latter-day Saint emigrants who crossed the ocean between 1840 and 1890.
BYU Family History Library
Free classes, consultants and research guides at Brigham Young University in Provo.
Pioneer ancestors often left journals and autobiographies. Search their names in FamilySearch Memories and the Church History Biographical Database before anything else.
Looking for another state? See Genealogy Resources by State.