Death Records:
Beginning in the mid-1880s, reported deaths were
recorded at the county level and a county index may be
available. Keep in mind, however, that deaths often
were not reported and burials may have occurred in
family cemeteries or on private lands. Deaths were
generally recorded on the state level after 1896. NOTE,
HOWEVER, that births and deaths were NOT required
by law to be recorded at the county level between
mid-1904 and mid-1906. Therefore, few births and
deaths for these years are available at the county level,
and, sometimes, not at the state level. A statewide
index of deaths covering the approximate years of
1906 through 1916 does exist.
Some Additional Records:
The Iowa State Historical Library has a large collection
to newspapers published in Iowa; land records, county
vital records, city directories, as well as a huge
collection of books, including county and local
histories.
The Iowa State Archives contains the Adjutant General
Records of Iowa Civil War Units. These records
contain the names, ages and residence of soldiers,
movement of the unit, possible wounds received by
soldiers, death circumstances and dates, and any
letters which may have been written after the war for
information.
If your ancestor or relative was prominent in the
community, the archives may contain photographs or
family correspondence.
The Iowa Genealogical Society Library also has a
large collection of records, including, in part, county
vital records, Iowa G.A.R. Post files, WWI draft
registrations, Old Age Assistance applications,
Germans to America series, Iowa Pioneer Certificates,
family history files, obituary files, and thousands of
Iowa county publications and books, as well as a large
collection of publications and records relating to other
US states, and various countries.
Beginning in the mid-1880s, reported deaths were
recorded at the county level and a county index may be
available. Keep in mind, however, that deaths often
were not reported and burials may have occurred in
family cemeteries or on private lands. Deaths were
generally recorded on the state level after 1896. NOTE,
HOWEVER, that births and deaths were NOT required
by law to be recorded at the county level between
mid-1904 and mid-1906. Therefore, few births and
deaths for these years are available at the county level,
and, sometimes, not at the state level. A statewide
index of deaths covering the approximate years of
1906 through 1916 does exist.
Some Additional Records:
The Iowa State Historical Library has a large collection
to newspapers published in Iowa; land records, county
vital records, city directories, as well as a huge
collection of books, including county and local
histories.
The Iowa State Archives contains the Adjutant General
Records of Iowa Civil War Units. These records
contain the names, ages and residence of soldiers,
movement of the unit, possible wounds received by
soldiers, death circumstances and dates, and any
letters which may have been written after the war for
information.
If your ancestor or relative was prominent in the
community, the archives may contain photographs or
family correspondence.
The Iowa Genealogical Society Library also has a
large collection of records, including, in part, county
vital records, Iowa G.A.R. Post files, WWI draft
registrations, Old Age Assistance applications,
Germans to America series, Iowa Pioneer Certificates,
family history files, obituary files, and thousands of
Iowa county publications and books, as well as a large
collection of publications and records relating to other
US states, and various countries.
Other Iowa State Census:
In addition to the 1925 census noted above, Iowa
also conducted census in the following years,
which list, in part, the following data: 1836
(Dubuque and Des Moines counties only); 1856
(lists members of household and number of
years in Iowa); 1885 (lists members of
household and county of birth if born in Iowa);
1895 (lists members of household, Civil War
Company, Regiment and State of Service, and
county of birth if born in Iowa); 1905 (incomplete
and difficult to read); and 1915 (lists name, age,
occupation, total earnings, education, birthplace,
years in Iowa, marital status).
Birth Records:
The 1880 state legislature required that all births,
deaths and marriages be recorded at both the
county and state levels. However, many births
and deaths were not recorded on the state level
until 1921 when stricter laws were passed. No
statewide index of births exists. Births from the
mid-1880s to 1920s are more likely to be found
at the county level.
Marriage Records:
Marriages were recorded in records at the county
level even before Iowa became a territory. By
1880, legislation required that marriages be
recorded at both the county and state levels.
There is, however, no statewide index to
marriages, but most counties have indexed their
early marriage records.
In addition to the 1925 census noted above, Iowa
also conducted census in the following years,
which list, in part, the following data: 1836
(Dubuque and Des Moines counties only); 1856
(lists members of household and number of
years in Iowa); 1885 (lists members of
household and county of birth if born in Iowa);
1895 (lists members of household, Civil War
Company, Regiment and State of Service, and
county of birth if born in Iowa); 1905 (incomplete
and difficult to read); and 1915 (lists name, age,
occupation, total earnings, education, birthplace,
years in Iowa, marital status).
Birth Records:
The 1880 state legislature required that all births,
deaths and marriages be recorded at both the
county and state levels. However, many births
and deaths were not recorded on the state level
until 1921 when stricter laws were passed. No
statewide index of births exists. Births from the
mid-1880s to 1920s are more likely to be found
at the county level.
Marriage Records:
Marriages were recorded in records at the county
level even before Iowa became a territory. By
1880, legislation required that marriages be
recorded at both the county and state levels.
There is, however, no statewide index to
marriages, but most counties have indexed their
early marriage records.
Iowa Genealogy Research
Iowa and Other Records:
Special Iowa 1925 Census:
This census is unique among census! Most
importantly, it recorded the names of the parents
of all persons enumerated (including maiden
names) and, accordingly, if, for instance,
grandfather at age 83 was living with his children
in 1925, the census will list the names of
grandfather's parents. This could potentially
extend the line back to persons born as early as
1800. It also lists marriage and birth location,
parents' nativity, place of parents' marriage, age
of parent at last birthday, religion, military service,
etc.
importantly, it recorded the names of the parents
of all persons enumerated (including maiden
names) and, accordingly, if, for instance,
grandfather at age 83 was living with his children
in 1925, the census will list the names of
grandfather's parents. This could potentially
extend the line back to persons born as early as
1800. It also lists marriage and birth location,
parents' nativity, place of parents' marriage, age
of parent at last birthday, religion, military service,
etc.
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