CENSUS RECORDS

Federal censuses in Iowa began in 1850, and were taken every ten years. They are currently available through 1920, except for the mostly destroyed 1890 census. All but the 1910 census are indexed. There were several territorial censuses also taken for the area. The Wisconsin Territorial Census for 1836 includes the original counties of Dubuque and Des Moines, Iowa. Numerous censuses were conducted on the county level while under territorial and state status, with a variety still in existence for 1838-1897. Concerted efforts, however, were made for statewide enumerations in 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915 and 1925. These are some of the richest and informative censuses ever taken in this country. While the censuses from 1885-1895 provide much the same information as federal censuses, they also inquire as to county of birth if within the state of Iowa, as well as inquiries into military service. The 1905 and 1915 censuses inquire about parents' birth places as well. The 1925 is the most informative of all, asking for the names of parents and their birth place.

There is no state-wide index for the censuses of 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915 or 1925. Indexes, however, for counties or portions of counties are becoming available through individuals, chapters of the Iowa Genealogical Society, Hawkeye Heritage, or the staff of the State Historical Society. All extant state censuses are microfilmed, available for research at the State Historical Society of Iowa and the FHL.

Iowa Research Sources

Morford, Charles. Biographical Index to the County Histories of Iowa. Vol. 1. Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1979. (Provides surname indexes to numerous county histories.)

Eckhardt, Patricia, comp. Historical Organizations in Iowa, Iowa History Sources No. 2. Iowa City: Iowa Historical Department, Division of the State Historical Society, 1982.

Iowa Genealogical Society. Surname Index. 5 vols. Des Moines: Iowa Genealogical Society, 1972—90. (Includes a total of 149,000 surnames being researched by society members.)

Archives, Libraries and Societies.
Iowa State Archives
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 East Locust
Des Moines, IA 50319

Iowa Genealogical Society
6000 Douglas Ave.
P.O. Box 7735
Des Moines, IA 50322-7735

Iowa Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Records
Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Tel: 515-281-4944

State Historical Society of Iowa
Capitol Complex
State of Iowa Historical Building
600 East Locust
Des Moines, IA 50319
Tel: 515-281-3007
and
Iowa City
402 Iowa Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52240-1806
Call 319-335-3916

Iowa Genealogical Society/Library
6000 Douglas Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50322
Tel: 515-276-0287
Mail:
IGS-NET
P.O. Box 7735
Des Moines, IA 50322-7735

Iowa, State Library of
1112 East Grand
Des Moines, IA 50319
Tel: 515-281-4105
Email: siloweb@www.silo.lib.ia.us
http://www.silo.lib.ia.us

Iowa Historical Information
http://www.iowa-counties.com/historical/index.shtml

Iowa Biographies Project
http://www.netins.net/showcase/pafways/

North Central Iowa Genealogy Connection
http://www.netins.net/showcase/pafways/