This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you
should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me
and I will update the file.
 
Bill Green         bgreen@milo.nodak.edu     bill90@Delphi.Com
 
Date of last update: 4 November 1993
 
************************************************************************
 
       GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF IOWA
                   (C) Copyright 1990
                      Robert McLaren
                    7810 Kincardine Ct.
                 Alexandria, VA 22310-4025
 
The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical
societies in Iowa.  Included in the listing, where known, are telephone
numbers and yearly dues.  This listing is donated to the public domain and
may be freely copied.  Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used
in any other commercial fashion.  If you think this list has any value, then
donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National
Genealogical Society).
 
If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember
to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE).  Many of these societies
work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to
respond unless a SASE is included in
your letter.
 
     Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 7735
     Des Moines, IA 50322
       Dues:  $16.00 per year (single); $20.00 per year (family)
 
     State Historical Society of Iowa
     402 Iowa Avenue
     Iowa City, IA 52240
     (319) 335-3916
       Dues:
 
Adair County
 
     Adair County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 328
     c/o Greenfield Library
     Greenfield, IA 50849
       Dues:
 
Adams County
 
     Adams County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 177
     Prescott, IA 50859
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Appanoose County
 
     Appanoose County Chapter Iowa Genealogcial Society
     c/o Loretta Crow
     Shamrock Hghts. Apt.
     Centerville, IA 52544
       Dues:
 
Audubon County
 
     Audubon County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     511 Tracy Street
     Audubon, IA 50025
       Dues:
 
Benton County
 
     Benton County Historical Society
     612 First Avenue
     Vinton, IA 52349
       Dues:
 
Black Hawk County
 
     Northeast Iowa Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Grout Museum of History and Science
     503 South Street
     Waterloo, IA 50701
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $8.00 per year (family)
 
Boone County
 
     Boone County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Box 453
     Boone, IA 50036
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
     Boone County Historical Society
     P.O. Box 1
     Boone, IA 50036
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Bremer County
 
     Bremer County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Nancy S. Robinson
     Route 1, Box 32
     Plainfield, IA 50666
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $8.00 per year (family)
 
Buchanan County
 
     Buchanan County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 4
     Independence, IA 50644
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Buena Vista County
 
     Buena Vista County Historical Society
     Box 882
     824 West Fifth Street
     Storm Lake, IA 50588
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Calhoun County
 
     Calhoun County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     426 5th Street
     Rockwell City, IA 50579
       Dues:
 
Cass County
 
     Cass County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o R.R. 3, Box 47
     Atlantic, IA 50022
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Cedar County
 
     Cedar County Historical Society
     R.R. 2, Box 174
     Tipton, IA 52772
       Dues:
 
Cerro Gordo County
 
     North Central Iowa Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 237
     Mason City, IA 50401
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $6.00 per year (family)
 
Cherokee County
 
     Cherokee County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 247
     Cleghorn, IA 51014
       Dues:
 
Chickasaw County
 
     Chickasaw County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 434
     New Hampton, IA 50659
       Dues:  $3.00 per year
 
Clay County
 
     Iowa Lakes Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Esther Connell
     600 West 11th Street
     Spencer, IA 51301
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Clayton County
 
     Clayton County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Box 846
     Elkader, IA 52043
       Dues:  $4.00 per year (single); $5.00 per year (family)
 
Clinton County
 
     Gateway Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Mrs. Ruth Evans
     618 14th Ave.
     Camanche, IA 52730
       Dues:  $8.00 per year (single); $10.00 per year (family)
 
     Central Community Historical Society
     R.R. 2, Box 98
     De Witt, IA 52742
       Dues:
 
Crawford County
 
     Crawford County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Norelius Community Library
     1403 1st Avenue S.
     Denison, IA 51442
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Dallas County
 
     Dallas County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 264
     Dallas Center, IA 50063
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Davis County
 
     Davis County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     206 West Goode Street
     Bloomfield, IA 52537
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Decatur County
 
     Decatur County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Lamoni Public Library
     Lamoni, IA 50140
       Dues:
 
Delaware County
 
     Delaware County Genealogical Society
     c/o Tim Tutton
     823 East Howard Street
     Manchester, IA 52057
       Dues:
 
Des Moines County
 
     Des Moines Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 493
     Burlington, IA 52601
     (319) 753-2083
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Dubuque County
 
     Dubuque County - Key City Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 13
     Dubuque, IA 52004-0013
       Dues:  $6.00 per year (local); $4.00 per year (distant)
 
Fayette County
 
     Fayette County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     100 N. Walnut
     West Union, IA 52175
       Dues:  $2.00 per year
 
     Oelwein Area Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     115 W. Charles
     Oelwein, IA 50662
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Floyd County
 
     Cedar Valley Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Rt. 3, Box 231
     Charles City, IA 50616
       Dues:
 
Franklin County
 
     Franklin County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     15 3rd Avenue N.W.
     Hampton, IA 50441
       Dues:  $6.00 per year
 
Fremont County
 
     Freemont County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     R.R.
     Sidney, IA 51652
       Dues:
 
     Freemont County Historical Society
     c/o Danette Hein-Snider
     P.O. Box 57
     Glenwood, IA 51534
       Dues:
 
Greene County
 
     Greene County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 133
     Jefferson, IA 50129
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Grundy County
 
     Grundy County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 2
     811 Pioneer Road
     Reinbeck, IA 50669
       Dues:
 
Guthrie County
 
     Gutherie County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 96
     Jamaica, IA 50128-0096
       Dues: $6.00 per year(single); $2.00 per year (each
             additional family member)
 
Hamilton County
 
     Hamilton Hunters Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 364
     Webster City, IA 50595
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $6.00 per year (family)
 
Hancock County
 
     Hancock County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Box 81
     Klemme, IA 50499
       Dues:
 
Hardin County
 
     Hardin County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 252
     Eldora, IA 50627
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Harrison County
 
     Harrison County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Elaine Ehlert
     Route 2, Box 135
     Woodbine, IA 51579
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Henry County
 
     Henry County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 81
     Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
              $1.00 per year (student)
 
Humboldt County
 
     Humboldt County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Humboldt Public Library
     30 Sixth Street North
     Humboldt, IA 50548
       Dues:  $3.00 per year
 
Iowa County
 
     Iowa County Historical Society
     c/o Pauline Lillie
     Ladora, IA 52251
       Dues:
 
Jackson County
 
     Jackson County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Chapter
     P.O. Box 1065
     Maquoketa, IA 52060
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Jasper County
 
     Jasper County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 163
     Newton, IA 50208
       Dues:  $7.50 per year (single); $8.50 per year (family)
 
Jefferson County
 
     Jefferson County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Route 1, Box 50
     Fairfield, IA 52556
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Johnson County
 
     Johnson County Historical Society
     P.O. Box 5081
     Coralville, IA 51141
       Dues:
 
     Iowa City Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 822
     Iowa City, IA 52244
       Dues:  $7.50 per year (single); $10.00 per year (family)
 
Jones County
 
     Jones County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 174
     Anamosa, IA 52205
       Dues:  $10.00 per year
 
Keokuk County
 
     Keomah Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Box 616
     Oskaloosa, IA 52577
       Dues:
 
Lee County
 
     Lee County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 303
     Keokuk, IA 52632-0303
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
     Old Fort Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 1
     Fort Madison, IA 52627
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Linn County
 
     Linn County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 175
     Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
       Dues:
 
Louisa County
 
     Louisa County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     R.R. 1, Box 264
     Letts, IA 52754
       Dues:
 
Lucas County
 
     Lucas County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Lucas County Library
     8th & Braden
     Chariton, IA 50049
       Dues:  $2.00 per year
 
Madison County
 
     Madison County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 26
     Winterset, IA 50273-0026
       Dues:  $4.00 per year
 
Mahaska County
 
     Keomah Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Box 616
     Oskaloosa, IA 52577
       Dues:
 
Marion County
 
     Marion County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 385
     Knoxville, IA 50138
       Dues:  $6.00 per year (single); $10.00 per year (family)
 
Marshall County
 
     Central Iowa Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 945
     Marshalltown, IA 50158
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Mills County
 
     Mills County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Glenwood Public Library
     109 North Vine Street
     Glenwood, IA 51534
       Dues:  $4.00 per year
 
     MIlls County Historical Society
     c/o Clarence Boles, Jr.
     403 North Chestnut
     Glenwood, IA 51534
       Dues:
 
Monona County
 
     Monona County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     901 12th Street
     Onawa, IA 51040
       Dues:
 
     Onawa Genealogical Society
     c/o Mike Walsh
     RFD 1
     Hornick, IA
       Dues:
 
Monroe County
 
     Monroe County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Albia Public Library
     203 Benton Avenue East
     Albia, IA 52531
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Montgomery County
 
     Montgomery County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     901 Washington Ave.
     Red Oak, IA 51566
       Dues:
 
Muscatine County
 
     Muscatine County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     323 Main
     Muscatine, IA 52761
       Dues:
 
Page County
 
     Page County Genealogical Socity
     Rural Route 2, Box 236
     Shenandoah, IA 51610
       Dues:
 
Palo Alto
 
     Palo Alto County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Sheila Farrell
     207 North Wallace Street
     Emmetsburg, IA 50536
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Plymouth County
 
     Northwest Iowa Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o LeMars Public Library
     46 First Street SW
     LeMars, IA 51031
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $6.00 per year (family)
 
Pocahontas County
 
     Laurens Genies Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 13
     Laurens, IA 50554
       Dues:
 
Polk County
 
     Pioneer Sons and Daughters Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
 
     P.O. Box 2103
     Des Moines, IA 50310
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.00 per year (family);
              $3.00 per year (juniors and seniors);
              $6.00 per year (senior family)
 
     Ankeny Area Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 58
     Ankeny, IA 50021
       Dues:
 
     Tree Shakers Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Nancy Davidson
     3911 Hull Avenue
     Des Moines, IA 50317
       Dues:  $3.00 per year (single); $5.00 per year (family)
 
Pottawattamie County
 
     Botna Valley Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     East Pottawattamie County
     P.O. Box 633
     Oakland, IA 51560
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.00 per year (family)
              $1.00 per year (junior)
 
     Greater Omaha Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 4011
     Omaha, NE 68104
       Dues:  $15.00 per year (single); $20.00 per year (family)
 
 
Poweshiek County
 
     Poweshiek County Historical and Genealogical Chapter IGS
     P.O. Box 70
     114 South Third Street
     Montezuma, IA 50171
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Ringgold County
 
     Ringgold County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     204 W. Jefferson
     Mount Ayr, IA 50854
       Dues:
 
Sac County
 
     Sac County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 234
     509 Walnut
     Lytton, IA 50561
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Scott County
 
     Scott County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 3132
     Davenport, IA 52808-3132
       Dues:  $10.00 per year (single); $12.00 per year (family)
 
     Mid-America Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 316
     Davenport, IA 52801
       Dues:
 
Shelby County
 
     Nishnabotna Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     Rt. 2, Box 186
     Harlan, IA 51537
       Dues:
 
Sioux County
 
     Greater Sioux County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Sioux Center Public Library
     327 First Ave. NE
     Sioux Center, IA 51250
       Dues:
 
Story County
 
     Story County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     1911 Buchanan Dr.
     Ames, IA 50010
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Tama County
 
     Tama County Tracers Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     200 North Broadway
     P.O. Box 84
     Toledo, IA 52342
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Taylor County
 
     Taylor County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 8
     Gravity, IA 50848
       Dues:
 
Union County
 
     Union County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     c/o Gibson Memorial Library
     310 North Maple Street
     Creston, IA 50801
       Dues:  $4.00 per year (single); $7.00 per year (family)
 
Van Buren County
 
     Van Buren County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 158
     Keosauqua, IA 52565
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Wapello County
 
     Wapello County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 163
     Ottumwa, IA 52501
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Warren County
 
     Warren County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     306 West Salem
     Indianola, IA 50125
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Washington County
 
     Washington County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 446
     Washington, IA 52353
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.50 per year (family)
 
Wayne County
 
     Wayne County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     304 North Franklin
     Corydon, IA 50060
       Dues:
 
Webster County
 
     Webster County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 1584
     Fort Dodge, IA 50501
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Winnebago County
 
     Lime Creek Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     115 East L Street
     Forest City, IA 50436
       Dues:  $3.00 per year
 
Winneshiek County
 
     Winneshiek County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 344
     Decorah, IA 52101
       Dues:  $3.00 per year (single); $5.00 per year (family)
 
     Bloomfield Township Historical Society
     c/o Judith M. Friedrich
     Castalia, IA 52133
       Dues:
 
Woodbury County
 
     Woodbury County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 624
     Sioux City, IA 51102
       Dues:
 
Wright County
 
     Wright County Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 225
     Clarion, IA 50525
       DUes:
 
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                       VITAL RECORDS
 
A few counties in Iowa began to register vital statistics by 1870. A state
law passed in July 1880 required the counties to register births and deaths.
This law was generally complied with by 1924. The delayed registrations of
births began in most counties by 1940. All of these files are maintained by
the clerk of the district court of the respective county.
 
State Records of Births and Deaths
 
The state has copies of birth records from July 1880, and death records from
January 1891.  You can obtain copies by writing to:
 
        Iowa Department of Public Health
        Vital Records Section
        Lucas State Office Building
        Des Moines, IA 50319
 
State your relationship to the individual and the reason you want the
information. Copies of the records are available only to immediate family
members.
 
Marriage and Divorce Records
 
County clerks began recording marriages in the 1850s. Many of these important
documents have been transcribed and published by the DAR and other
organizations. You can obtain copies of the original records by contacting
the office of the clerk of the district court in the county where the license
was issued.
 
The Iowa Department of Public Health (address above) has copies of marriage
records from 1880. They have an index to records after July 1916.
 
Early divorce proceedings are also located in the district court of each
county. Beginning in 1906 the records were transcribed and a copy sent to the
state.
                                        (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
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                       STATE ARCHIVES
 
***************************************************************************
 
                NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS
 
 
****************************************************************************
*   Bill Green       Minot, North Dakota  58701  *       Home of the       *
*            bgreen@milo.NoDak.Edu               *      NORSK H0STFEST     *
*              Bill90@Delphi.Com                 *       Velkommen!        *
****************************************************************************
 
 
 
