Iowa, Poweshiek County Probate, School, and Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is In This Collection?
This collection includes probate proceedings from Poweshiek County for the years 1850-1954. They include estate files, wills, administrations, minutes, guardianships and other records related to probate.

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

Probate

Records include petitions, inventories, accounts, decrees and other court documents.
 * Name of testator or deceased
 * Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
 * Name of executor, administrator, or guardian
 * Names of witnesses
 * Residence of testator
 * Document and recording dates

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

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the Volume Title and Year to view the images.

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?

 * Use a probate record to identify guardians, heirs and relatives
 * Use a probate record to approximate a death date, then find a death certificate
 * For earlier years, use the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records
 * Use the information found in the record to find vital records such as birth, baptism and marriage
 * Use the information found in the record to find immigration and land records
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in census records
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family

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

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Iowa.
 * Beginning Research in United States Probate Records
 * Iowa Guided Research
 * Iowa Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

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.