Douglas County Recorder's Office History

The first Recorder of the Carson Valley was Richard Bently, a Mormon Missionary, who took office in 1856, during which time the area was considered Utah Territory. The office of Clerk was separated from the office of the Recorder in an election of that year. Bently returned to Salt Lake City and Kinsey, still functioning as County Clerk accepted the added responsibility as Deputy Recorder in September 1857. He had in his possession almost all of the County Records. The record books Kinsey established are some of the earliest official records established in the Carson Valley. During 1854 through 1861 the area was called the Nevada Territory.  In 1864 it became the State of Nevada.

The earliest records were housed in Genoa, the County seat for Douglas County, since its creation in December of 1861. The Genoa Courthouse was the first courthouse built after Nevada was established as a state. It was completed in 1865. The Genoa fire of 1910 destroyed some of the records prior to 1887, however many of the records were rushed to the vault in the Courthouse for safekeeping. Property for a new more centrally located Courthouse was donated by Mr. Danberg. The Douglas County Courthouse in Minden was completed in 1916 at which time all of the records for the Recorder's Office were transferred to this site, where they still remain today.

Today, the Recorder's position is an elected four-year term. The current recorder is Karen Ellison. Chief Deputy Recorder is Erin Inman, with over 20 years experience with Douglas County, she continues to insure that the Recorder's Office provides excellent service to the community. Records Management Supervisor, Barbara Clark has 10 years with the county. The Records Management Center is the responsibility of the County Recorder.