Step-by-Step Iowa Research, 1880-Present

Iowa Step-by-step research 1880--present

Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History


 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.

 * A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
 * For each person living in a household (depending on the year), their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.
 * Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
 * Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.

Finding an earlier generation.
'''These earlier census records show that Leroy Norman's parents are J. P. or Price J. and Minnie Norman. The census records show eleven of their children.'''







Finding yet an earlier generation.
'''Price was born in Iowa, and the next step would be finding him living with his parents when earlier censuses were taken. Here he is in 1885 and 1880 in the home of his parents, Michael and Nancy Norman.'''

Iowa State Censuses
- For more information, see Iowa Census and United States Census.

Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
 * In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations.
 * A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
 * A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents.

Using census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
Finding marriage records can:
 * establish the full identity of the wife, with her maiden name and possible birth details.
 * find the names of the parents of the bride and groom.



Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death:
 * birth date and place of the deceased
 * maiden name of the wife
 * names of the deceased's parents
 * birth places of the deceased's parents.

Some of the examples shown above are index entries. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. In some cases, the image of the original is found online. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate in other cases.

How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online databases
 * writing to a county courthouse (prior to the beginning of state civil registration)
 * purchasing them through the mail

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Iowa Counties.

Order Certificates from Iowa Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for Iowa Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Iowa, see How to Find Iowa Birth Records, How to Find Iowa Marriage Records, and How to Find Iowa Death Records.

Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.

Obituary Collections

 * Online Iowa Death Records Indexes and Obituaries, by county
 * IAGenWeb Obituaries
 * DistantCousin.com Iowa obituaries
 * Iowa Genealogical Society obituaries index
 * Iowa Statewide Obituary and Death Notice Collection, GenealogyBuff.com
 * Central Iowa Obituaries, GenealogyBuff.com
 * Iowa Obituaries
 * — index and images

Cemetery Record Collections

 * Find-A-Grave.com
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current at Ancestry
 * Billion Graves
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * BillionGraves Index at Findmypast ($)
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * Iowa Cemeteries at The Cemetery Site
 * Iowa Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy
 * Iowa Cemetery Records at Ancestry ($)
 * Iowa Cemetery Records at Interment
 * Iowa Gravestone Photo Project at Iowa Gravestones
 * Iowa Tombstone Transcription Project at USGenWeb Transcription Project
 * Iowa Graves Survey at Iowa WPA Graves
 * Online Iowa Obituary and Cemetery Indexes at DeathIndexes

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see Iowa Obituaries and Iowa Cemeteries.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card.



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see Iowa Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



Search for church records that can provide additional birth, marriage, and death information.

 * 1839-2004 at FamilySearch; index and some images — How to Use this Collection
 * 1830-1950 at FamilySearch; Index — How to Use this Collection
 * 1857-1947 Iowa Births and Christenings Index, 1857-1947 at Ancestry; Index ($)
 * 1837-1987 at FamilySearch; index and images — How to Use this Collection


 * 1809-1992 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: American Ancestors ($), Ancestry ($), MyHeritage ($)
 * 1836-1926 Iowa, Marriages, 1836 - 1926 at MyHeritage ($), index.
 * 1837-1989 at FamilySearch; index — How to Use this Collection


 * 1845-1987 at FamilySearch; index — How to Use this Collection
 * 1850-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: American Ancestors ($), Ancestry ($), MyHeritage ($)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 * Early church vital records, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Iowa at FamilySearch; e-book
 * Record of members, 1882-1941; annual genealogical report, Form E, 1907-1951, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Iowa District at FamilySearch

Dutch Reformed

 * 1639-1989 U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989, index and images, incomplete. at Ancestry ($)
 * 1701-1995 U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995, index and images, incomplete. at Ancestry ($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970, index and images, incomplete. at Ancestry ($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970, index and images, incomplete. at Ancestry ($)

Episcopal

 * 1853-1886 Church records, 1853-1886, Episcopal Church. Diocese of Iowa Browse images at FamilySearch

Lutheran

 * 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969, index and images, incomplete. at Ancestry ($)
 * 1800-1947 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947, index and images, incomplete. at Ancestry ($)
 * 1866-1919 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Methodist

 * Iowa Churches: A File at the Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa (online) films 956387–417. This file consists of church histories, names of early members, anniversary programs, and newspaper clippings. It is arranged by towns or by the name of the church.
 * Ministerial Biographies: A File in the Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa (online) films 956418–42. These films contain biographies, mainly of Methodist ministers.

Presbyterian

 * 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, index and images, incomplete. at Ancestry ($)

Quakers

 * The William Wade Hinshaw index to Iowa Quaker meeting records at FamilySearch
 * 1800-1950 U.S., Quaker Cemetery Records, 1800-1990, index and images, at Ancestry ($)

- For help with church records kept in Iowa, see Iowa Church Records. To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.

 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.

Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Iowa
 * Iowa, Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997, ($), index and images, incomplete.

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each Iowa county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Iowa Counties

For more information, see Iowa Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.



Iowa Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records
 * 1500s-1900s All U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s at Ancestry - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Iowa; Also at MyHeritage; index only ($)
 * 1895-1956 United States, Border Crossings from Canada, 1895-1956 at MyHeritage - index & images ($); includes those with Destination of Iowa

Cultural Groups

 * 1920-1939 Germany, Bremen Emigration Lists, 1920-1939 at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Iowa
 * Germans Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Iowa
 * Italians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Iowa
 * Russians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Iowa

Passport Records Online

 * 1795-1925 at FamilySearch; index and images — How to Use this Collection
 * 1795-1925 U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 Index and images, at Ancestry ($)

Iowa Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes for Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, 1791-1992 at Ancestry; Index ($)
 * Iowa, Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1937, at Ancestry - index & images ($).
 * at FamilySearch; index and images — How to Use this Collection
 * 1944-2003 U.S., Index to Alien Case Files, 1944-2003 at Ancestry — index ($)

For more information, see Iowa Emigration and Immigration and Iowa Naturalization and Citizenship.

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Iowa; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "Iowa" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * County and Town Histories:*Internet Archive.Use keywords "Iowa" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Iowa and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections

 * County and Town Histories of Iowa, with biographies.
 * IAGenWeb Iowa History - A Narrative History of the People of Iowa.
 * Iowa Biographies Project.
 * Access Genealogy Iowa Biographies.
 * African American Women Students at the University of Iowa, 1910-1960.
 * Iowa Biographical Dictionary, 1878 ($)
 * Men of Iowa : a collection of portraits of representative men in business, professional and official life in the great state of ($)
 * Iowa Progressive Men, ($). index.
 * A Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, ($), index, images.
 * Biographies and portraits of the progressive men of Iowa : leaders in business, politics and the professions: together with an original and authentic history of the state., ($), index, images.
 * Iowa pioneer foundations, ($), index, images.
 * Recollections and sketches of notable lawyers and public men of early Iowa : belonging to the first and second generations..., ($), index, images.
 * The Germans of Iowa and their achievements (Die Deutschen von Iowa und deren Errungenschaften), ($), index, images. (in German)
 * Iowa History and Its Foremost Citizens, ($), index, images.
 * Historical sketches of Iowa Baptists, ($), index, images.
 * A narrative history of the people of Iowa, Vol. 1, e-book, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5
 * History of Iowa from the earliest times to the beginning of the twentieth century, 1903, e-book

For more information, see Iowa Biography.

Step 10: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.

 * County historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.


 * If you can find the society on the internet, they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, you can hire one of their members to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.



Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * Iowa, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * Iowa, United States Historical Images, Old Version

Iowa Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Iowa Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Iowa Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * Iowa Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Iowa.
This article focused more on Iowa state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Iowa. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.