Downwinders Information

For Minidoka County Residents and Families

During the 1950s and 1960s, nuclear weapons testing in the western United States exposed many communities to radioactive fallout. Residents of southern Idaho, including those in Minidoka County, may have been affected. Individuals who lived in designated areas during this time, as well as certain surviving family members, may be eligible for compensation through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

If you’re already working on a Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) claim, you may be looking for records that help document residency or family history in Minidoka County during the 1950s and 1960s.

DeMary Library can help point you toward local resources that may support your search.

Local Research at DeMary Library

While we don’t have city directories or complete residency records from that time period, we do offer:

• • • Historical newspapers from the Minidoka County area
      These may include birth announcements, obituaries, school activities, and community news that can help establish that an individual lived in the area during specific years.

Library staff are happy to assist you in searching these materials and getting started.

Additional Local Resources

For more detailed or specialized records, you may also want to contact:

• • • Minidoka County Historical Society
      They may have access to archives, family records, photographs, and other historical materials that could help document residency or family connections.

Official RECA Information

For claim requirements, accepted documentation, and application details, refer to:

• • • U.S. Department of Justice RECA Program
    • Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

These sources provide the most up-to-date guidance on the required documentation.

If you’re gathering proof for yourself or a family member, local records can sometimes help fill in the gaps. DeMary Library is here to help you navigate what’s available in our community.

Stop by or contact us anytime; we’re glad to assist with your research as much as we are able.