Iowa, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Vital Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains births, marriages, and deaths from Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian congregations in Iowa. Images provided by ArkivDigital.


 * Albert City; Our Saviors Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1877-1886, Vol. 1
 * Algona; First Lutheran Church: Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1888-1919, Vol. 2
 * Alta; Trinity Lutheran Church: Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1882-1885, Vol. 1
 * Chariton; First Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, 1881-1893, Vol. 1
 * Clarinda; Bethesda Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1870-1881, Vol. 1
 * Creston; Salem Lutheran Church: Births, 1886-1887, Vol. 3
 * Dayton; Emanuel Lutheran Church: Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1885-1919, Vol. 6
 * Des Moines; First Lutheran Church: Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1892-1907, Vol. 6
 * Essex; St. Johns Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1870s-1886, Vol. 1


 * Gowrie Zion; Lutheran Church: Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1877-1895, Vol. 3
 * Lockridge; New Sweden Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, 1878, Vol. 1
 * Lockridge; New Sweden Lutheran Church: Vigselbok, 1883-1886, Vol. 4
 * Madrid; St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church: Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1880-1901, Vol. 3
 * Marcus; Carmel Lutheran Church: Församlingsbok, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1876-1892, Vol. 1
 * Ogden: Swede Valley Lutheran Church: Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1889-1915, Vol. 4
 * Pomeroy; Elfsborg Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, 1873-1875, Vol. 1
 * Red Oak; Bethlehem Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, Births, Marriage, 1890, Vol. 1
 * Stratford: Calvary Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, Births, Marriages, 1895-1914, Vol. 2
 * Stratford; Calvary Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, Births, Marriages, 1874-1895, Vol. 1
 * Swedesburg; Evangelical Lutheran Church: Congregation Book, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1866-1874, Vol. 1

Reading These Records
These records are written in Danish, Swedish and Norwegian For help reading them see: • 3

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Birth or Baptism
 * Name of baptized child
 * Date and place of birth
 * Date of baptism and location
 * Gender
 * Parents' names, status, place of birth, religion
 * Names of godparents
 * Whether child was legitimate or illegitimate or stillborn
 * Additional remarks

Marriage
 * Date and Place of Marriage
 * Groom's Age, Marital Status, Occupation and Residence
 * Names of Groom's Parents, including Maiden Name of Mother
 * Bride's Age, Marital Status, Occupation and Residence
 * Names of Bride's Parents, including Maiden Name of Mother
 * Birthplaces of Bride and Groom
 * Witnesses' Names, Age and Occupation

Death and Burial
 * Date and Place of Death and Burial
 * Name and Age of Deceased
 * Cause of Death
 * Father of Deceased and his Occupation
 * Date and Birthplace of Deceased
 * Marital Status of Deceased
 * If Married, the Name of the Spouse

Sample Images
The earliest records are generally very similar to those used in the "old country" and were often written the native language of the congregation. Over time these were replaced with the English language books useed by the synod with which the church was affiliated. Sample images can be seen at Denmark, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records, Norway_Church_Books_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records, and Sweden_Church_Records_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Be sure to check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Iowa.
 * Iowa Guided Research
 * Iowa Record Finder
 * Iowa Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Iowa Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Iowa, Church Records, 1839-2004
 * Iowa, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms, 1837-1987
 * Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987
 * Iowa, Church and Civil Marriages, 1837-1989

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.