Iowa Research Tips and Strategies

Iowa Research Strategies
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Iowa


 * Iowa Online Genealogy Records
 * How to find Iowa Birth Records
 * How to find Iowa Marriage Records
 * How to find Iowa Death Records

Iowa Research Tips
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Iowa.


 * Birth information: Statewide registration of births began in July 1, 1880 in Iowa and was generally complied with by 1924. The best substitute record for locating birth information is death records (the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other substitute records.
 * Finding Parents: Statewide registration of deaths began in 1899 in Iowa; however, general compliance did not begin until 1917. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. Search Iowa death records
 * Look in all censuses: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. Search U.S. Censuses.

Iowa Record Finder
This Record Finder is designed to help you determine the best record to search for the type of information you are looking for. It is most helpful for post-1850 research.

To look for more Iowa records, go here

Further Iowa Research
For more research on Iowa, including research at the county level, visit the Iowa page on the Research Wiki.

Search all of the Iowa record collections at FamilySearch.