Iowa, Benton County District Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of court cases in Benton County, Iowa, from the years 1857 to 1936. These legal documents can include land disputes (such as the sample images) and other court cases.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
These legal documents can contain:
 * Names of individuals involved in court disputes
 * Names and locations of courts
 * Court dates
 * Details of disputes
 * Financial details of cases
 * Witness names

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The ancestor’s name
 * The approximate year the ancestor was in Benton county

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the  Record Type, Volume, and Year Range 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 the probate record to identify adoptions, guardians, heirs and relatives
 * Search for vital records, such as birth, marriage and death
 * 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

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, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Iowa.
 * 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.