local history resources found in iowa libraries - State Historical ...

LOCAL HISTORY RESOURCES 

FOUND IN IOWA LIBRARIES 

The information in this list of local history resources was gathered during 1997 and 

1998 by the Local History Roundtable of the Iowa Library Association. We have found that 

there is a vast array of local history resources to be found in local public and other libraries, 

some of it of quite a surprising nature. We hope that by this list, we will help to make the 

research of historians, genealogists, and others interested in Iowa’s past a bit easier. 

In 1997 the Local History Roundtable distributed questionnaires to over 500 libraries 

around the state, asking the librarians to describe their local history materials. Over half of 

them responded, and it is these responses which are the basis of this list. Our primary 

concern was to canvass public libraries, and therefore local historical and genealogical 

societies were not queried, even though many of them have valuable libraries. The only two 

historical society libraries included are the Iowa City and Des Moines libraries of the State 

Historical Society. Although some academic libraries are included in this list, we did not 

particularly target them. We do not pretend to have prepared a comprehensive list of all 

historical resources in the libraries of Iowa, but we do hope that this will assist those doing 

historical and genealogical research in Iowa. 

The Roundtable would like to thank the many librarians around the state who took the 

time and expended the often considerable effort to provide us with the information which we 

herewith present to you, the researcher. 

ADAIR COUNTY 

Greenfield Public Library 

P.O. Box 328 

215 South First 

Greenfield, IA 50849 

(515) 743-6120 (phone) 

greenpl@mddc.com 

Microforms and print functions: yes 

COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES: 

Local histories 

County histories of county 

County atlases 

Plat maps of county 

Telephone books of town 

County histories of other counties 

Federal census for county: (1860-1920) 

State census for county: (1856-1915) 

Newspapers: 

Adair County Free Press (current year) 

(no index) 

Vital Statistics resources: 

Birth records for county 

Death records for county

Marriage records for county 

Cemetery records for county 

Probate records for county 

Cemetery records for town 

Special resource: 

Photograph collections 

Family histories 

A collection of 20 scrapbooks dating back to 1918 and going to the fifties. These were put together by local 

individuals interested in local news of the day. They include the following: obituaries, weddings, 

anniversaries, WWII clippings. Some are indexed. 

ADAMS COUNTY 

Corning Public Library 

603 Ninth Street 

Corning, IA, 50841 

(515) 322-3866 (phone) 

(515) 322-3491 (fax) 

cornpl@mddc.com 








State census for county: (1856, 1885-1925) 

Newspapers: 

Adams County Free Press (May 4, 1893-Dec. 31, 1987) film 

Adams County Free Press (Jan. 1, 1988 to present) print only) 

(no index ) 

Vital statistics resources: 


Death records for county 


ALLAMAKEE COUNTY 

Robey Memorial Library 

401 First Avenue N. W. 

Waukon, IA, 52172 

(319) 568-4424 (phone) 

(319) 568-4424 (fax) 

robeylib@ptel.net 

Microforms and print functions: no 

COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES 







County atlases of other counties 

Plat maps of other counties 

Telephone books of other towns

Federal census for county: 1850 

Newspapers (hard copy) 

Allamakee Journal (last few months) 

North Iowa Times (last few months) 

Waukon Standard (last few months) 

(no indexes) 



Special resources: 




Oral history collections (audio and video) 

APPANOOSE COUNTY 

Drake Free Public Library 

115 Drake Avenue 

Centerville, IA 52544 

(515) 856-6676 (phone) 

(515) 856-6135 (fax) 

drkpblib@se-iowa-net 






City directories of town 



Telephone books of other towns 


State census for county: (1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925) 

State census for Davis County: 1856, 1885, 1895 

State census for Lee County: 1856, 1885, 1895 

State census for Van Buren County: 1856, 1885, 1895 

Newspapers: (some incomplete; all on film) 

Appanoose Co. Chieftain (July 11, 1861) 

Centerville Loyal Citizen (July 27, 1864, Aug. 8, 1866-May 8, 1867) 

Centerville Weekly Citizen (Nov. 5, 1870-July 11, 1873) 

Appanoose Times (Jan. 6, 1881-June 28, 1882) 

Centerville Iowegian (April 7, 1883-Dec., 1995, Jan 1996 to present) 

Centerville Journal (April 4, 1883-Dec. 30, 1922) 

Centerville Citizen (Mar. 28, 1883-April 25, 1900) 

Appanoose Iowegian (April 1, 1886-Dec. 31, 1895) 

Centerville Daily Citizen (Jan. 2, 1895-May 31, 1916) 

Southern Iowa American (July 26, 1906-July 27, 1926) 

Semi-Weekly Iowegian (Jan. 2, 1903-Dec. 19, 1919) 







Obituary collection for county 

Probate records for county

Vital records for other counties: 

Lucas Co., IA, cemetery; Putnam Co., Mo. early marriages; Davis Co. , IA some cemeteries, early 

marriages, birth and death; Wayne Co., IA. early marriages, cemetery; Mills Co., IA. cemetery; Madison 

Co., IA. marriages 1849-1880; Monroe Co., IA. marriages 1845-1873; Monona Co., IA marriages 1856- 

1880; Calhoun Co., IA marriages 1856-1884. 



Oral histories (transcripts) 

AUDUBON COUNTY 

Audubon Public Library 

401 North Park 

Audubon, IA 50025 

(712) 563-3301 (phone) 

(712) 563-2580 (fax) 

audubo00@iren.net 








Newspapers: 

Audubon Advocate (1920-present) (print) 

Audubon Advocate (1/6/1881-3/24/1955) (film) 



Birth records for county (1880-1928) 

Death records for county (1897-1927) 

Marriage records for county (1868-1940) 

Obituary collection for county (some) 

Naturalization records (1880-1930’s) 

Divorces (1907-1984) 

Wills (1885-1941) 

Tax Ledger (1873-1881) 

Tax Sale Register (1881-1940) 


Some family histories 

BENTON COUNTY 

Blairstown Public Library 

P.O. Box 187 

303 Locust St. NW 

Blairstown, IA 52209 

(319) 454-6497 (phone and fax) 

btown@netins.net 

Microforms and print functions: film, but no printer 



County histories of county

County atlas 





(Adair Co. 1901, Blackhawk Co. 1910) 

Federal census of county: (1850-1920) 

State census of county: (1856, 1885-1925) 

Newspapers: (all on film) 

Blairstown Press (Mar. 1, 1918-Apr. 4, 1969; Apr. 15, 1976-Jan. 5, 1983; Oct. 12, 1983-May 8, 1985). 

Blairstown South Benton Star Press (Feb. 13, 1969-June 27, 1990) 

Belle Plaine Transcript-Union (sketchy holdings between Dec. 13, 1866-Aug. 1874) 

Belle Plaine Lever (sketchy holdings between Feb. 6, 1895-Dec. 24, 1896) 

Belle Plaine Independent (Mar. 21, 1883-May 12,, 1886) 

Belle Plaine Union (July 17, 1897-Sept. 12, 1940; sketchy holdings before May 16, 1906) 

Keystone Bulletin (June 20, 1912-Sept. 9, 1937) 

Van Horne Record (Jan. 5, 1917-Dec. 29, 1921) 

Benton County Star (Norway) (Jan. 4, 1952-Feb. 6, 1969) 

Vinton Eagle (Jan. 10, 1855-Feb. 25, 1926) 

Benton County Democrat (Oct. 2, 1856 Vol I through Vol. III) 

Benton County Herald (Sept. 13, 1878-June 30, 1885) 

Urbana Monitor (Mar. 19, 1897-Sept. 30, 1898) 

The Peoples Journal (1869-1871) 

Benton County Times (June 7, 1888-July 31, 1914) 

Cedar Valley Times (Nov. 8, 1915-Oct. 11, 1929) 



Birth records for county: 1880-1898 

Death records for county: 1880-1909 

Marriage records for county (index for 

1852-1910, record 1880-1910) 


Special resources; 

St. Martin’s Church records 

Des Moines Camp Dodge enlistment index 

Scrapbooks of local history 



Schroeder Public Library 

P. O. Box 147 

93 Main 

Keystone, IA 52249 

(319) 442-3329 (phone) 

(319) 442-3327 (fax) 

Keystonepl@netins.net 




County histories 




Newspapers: 

Keystone Bulletin (1911-1937) (film)




Obituary collection for town 



Vinton Public Library 

510 Second Avenue 

Vinton, IA 52349 

(319) 472-4208 (phone) 

(319) 472-2548 (fax) 

Vinton.Library@www.mebbs.com 








Newspapers: 

Vinton Eagle (1855-1920) (print and film) 

Cedar Valley Times (1916-1983) (film) 

(1974-present) (print) 

Benton County Times (1888-1915) (film) 


BLACK HAWK COUNTY 

Cedar Falls Public Library 


Cedar Falls, IA 50613 

(319) 273-8643 (phone) 

(319) 273-8648 (fax) 

cfplref1@iren.net 





County atlas 





City directories of Waterloo 


Newspapers: 

Cedar Falls Gazette (1860-1903, 1910-1912) film 

Cedar Falls Record (1922-1983) film 

Cedar Falls Sun (Aug. 17, 1983-Nov. 10, 1984) film 

Cedar Falls Citizen (Dec. 1984-Mar. 3, 1987) film


Hudson Public Library 

P. O. Box 480 

329 Fifth Street 

Hudson, IA 50643 

(319) 988-4217 (phone) 

(319) 988-3118 

hs10097@cedarnet.org 





County atlas 





Newspapers: 

Hudson Herald (1968-present) print 






Oral history collections (1 video) 

Hans Chryst Archival Library 

Grout Museum of History & Science 

503 South Street 

Waterloo, IA 50701 

(319) 234-6357 (phone) 

(319) 236-0500 (fax) 

grout@cedarnet.org 





County atlas 







Federal census for county: (1850, 1860) 

The library has census information for states east of Iowa reflecting the migration of people who eventually 

settled in this area. 

Newspapers: 

Waterloo Courier (1870-1891 and 1891-1934, 1954 Centennial Edition) film 

(indexed)


Marriage records for county (some) 



Vital records for other counties (some cemetery 

records) 





Oral history collections (audio and video) 

Postcard collections 

The library has a large historic photo collection, vertical files, biography files, maps, atlases, and historic 

books related to the history of Black Hawk county and the area of Northeast Iowa. 

Janesville Public Library 

P. O. Box 328 

227 Main Street 

Janesville, IA 50647 

(319) 987-2925 (phone and fax) 

JV10100@www.cedarnet.org 











Photograph collections (limited) 

Waterloo Public Library 

415 Commercial Street 

Waterloo, IA 50701 


(319) 291-4521 (phone) 

(319) 291-6736 (fax) 

w110136@www.cedarnet.org 





County atlas 






City directories of other towns 



State census for county: (1885, 1895, 1915, 1925) 

Other census materials: 1860 Iowa mortality schedules 

Newspapers:

Waterloo Courier (Nov. 29, 1859 to date) film 

(index: Nov. 29, 1859-May 11, 1865 and July 1, 1974-Dec. 31, 1991) film 

Vital statistics records: 




Waterloo Public Library has an extensive collection of materials related to the five Sullivan brothers of 

Waterloo. An overwhelming loss of life in one family—probably the greatest in American naval history— 

occurred with their deaths in World War II action in the South Pacific. 

Clippings file includes information on local agribusiness firms such as John Deere and Rath Packing. 

African-American local history is also documented. 

Early Waterloo history is the focus of a photograph display, centered on a large 1916 wall map. Two murals 

in the library, painted by Edgar Britton in 1940, are also notable as good examples of the 1930’s midwestern 

style of regional art. 

BOONE COUNTY 

Ericson Public Library 

702 Greene Street 

Boone, IA 50036 

(515) 432-3727 (phone) 

(515) 432-3727 (fax) 

cwatson@netins.net 





County atlas 






Obituary file from local paper—1880’s to present; indexed well from 1880-1920, later not as well. 

Madrid Public Library 

107 West Second 

Madrid, IA 50156 

(515) 795-3846 (phone) 

(515) 795-3697 (fax) 

madrid00@iren.net 

Microforms and print functions: film, but no printer

COLLECTION AND RESOURCES: 




Telephone books of county 


Newspapers: 

Madrid Register News (1907-1909, 1922-1993) film 




Leonard A. Good Community Library 

P. O. Box 696 

208 West Mulberry Street 

Ogden, IA 50212 

(515) 275-4550 (phone) 






Newspapers: 

Ogden Reporter (1874-1991) film 





BREMER COUNTY 

Waverly Public Library 

2000 Heritage Way 

Waverly, IA 50677 

(319) 352-1223 (phone) 

(319) 352-0872 (fax) 

waverlyp@bitnet.net 




County histories of county (indexed) 





Federal census for county: (1850-1920)


Newspapers: 

Bremer County Independent (1881-present) film 

Bremer County Phoenix (1862-1864) film 

Waverly Democrat (1880-present) film 

Waverly Journal (June 1932-Jan 1945) film 

Waverly Phoenix (German) (1892-1924) film 



Historic photographs—mostly Waverly and some Bremer County 

“Every Business That Ever Was—Pretty Much” (on computer database, indexed by business and owner)— 

Waverly and Bremer County 

Microfilmed church histories 

Courthouse records 

Cemetery records for Bremer County 

Notebook of historic homes 

Obituary records for 100 years--indexed 

BUCHANAN COUNTY 

Fairbank Public Library 

P. O. Box 426 


Fairbank, IA 50629 

(319) 635-2487 (phone) 

(319) 635-2487 (fax) 

fairbanklib@trxinc.com 







Jesup Public Library 

P. O. Box 585 

721 Sixth Street (319) 827-1533 (phone and fax) 

Jesup, IA 50648 











Federal Census for county: 1860, 1900 

Other census materials: Black Hawk county census 1860 and 1900 

Newspapers:

Jesup Citizen Herald (Jan. 10, 1901-Dec. 29, 1993) film 

Jesup Citizen Herald (current year) print 




A number of scrapbooks of newspaper clippings of weddings, obits, etc. over span of 40 years. 

Winthrop Public Library 

P. O. Box K 

344 West Madison Street 

Winthrop, IA 50682-0612 

(319) 935-3374 (phone) 

(319) 935-3574 (fax) 

Winlib@netins.net 








Newspapers: 

Winthrop News (Jan. 1995-present) print 

(no Index) 

BUENA VISTA COUNTY 

Rembrandt Public Library 

P. O. Box 186 

Rembrandt, IA 50576 

(712) 286-6801 (phone and fax) 

rembrandtlib@bvu.edu 





County atlas 






Newspapers: 

Rembrandt Booster (1942-1969) print 





Family histories

We keep local history scrapbook--have extensive vertical file. BV County Library Assoc. working on history 

collection. When finished, copy for State Historical Society, etc. 

Storm Lake Public Library 

609 Cayuga Street 

Storm Lake, IA 50588 

(712) 732-8026 (phone) 

(712) 732-7609 (fax) 

S1pl@NCN.net 



Local histories (Alta, Peterson, Sioux Rapids, 

Schaller) 





County histories of other counties (Kossuth, 

Humboldt, Sac, Pocahontas) 

Telephone books of other towns (current) 

Federal census for county: 1860-1920 

Newspapers: 

Buena Vista Vidette (Jan. 8, 1909-Jan. 5, 1917) (film) 

Storm Lake Register (June 28, 1917-Feb. 28, 1987) (film) 

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune (Oct. 26, 1870-Dec. 30, 1992) (film) 

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune (Jan. 1922-June 1972) (print) 

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune (current three months) 

Storm Lake Times (current three months) 




BUTLER COUNTY 

Clarksville Public Library 

P. O. Box 39 

103 West Green Street 

Clarksville, IA 50619 

(319) 278-1168 (phone and fax) 

lcld@netins.net 





County atlas 





Newspapers: 

Clarksville STAR (1873-current) (print and film) 


Vital statistics resources:




Complete file records of births, marriages and obits from local paper for Clarksville from 1873-1996 





New book published by library: Rudolf Priepke columns he had published in Star from 1976-1995, stories of 

community, school, families, etc. Excellent resource for town and its people. 

People searching for family history, etc. are amazed at the resources in our small town library. 

Greene Public Library 

P. O. Box 280 

231 W. Traer Street 

Greene, IA 50636 

(515) 823-5642 (phone) 

(515) 823-4838 (fax) 

grnpublic@netins.net 





County atlas 







Greene Community School yearbooks from1922 to 

present 

Newspapers: 

Greene Recorder (1876-1878 & 1884-1969) film 

Greene Recorder (July 24, 1985-present) print 





Oral history collections (audio) 

CALHOUN COUNTY 

Lake City Public Library 

120 North Illinois Street 

Lake City, IA 51449 

(712) 464-3413 (phone and fax) 

lakcit00@iren.net 





County atlas 



County histories of other counties (Crawford, Ida, 

Sac) 

Newspapers: 

Lake City Graphic (current year only) 

Rockwell City Public Library 


Rockwell City, IA 50579-1415 

(712) 297-9422 ( phone and fax) 

rclib@cal-net.net 





County atlas 


City directory of town (1932) 

Telephone books of town (1991+) 



Newspapers: 

Rockwell City Advocate (1893-July 1974) film 

Manson Journal (Jan. 1922-Jan. 1949) film 

Pomeroy Herald (Mar. 21, 1889-Dec. 26, 1929 (many issues lost) film 

Lake City Graphic (Dec. 18, 1886-Dec. 21, 1893; May 28, 1980-Aug. 5, 1981) film 




Obituary records for county 

Obituary collection begins in 1970s; cemetery records are tombstone readings compiled by WPA in 1942. 


Family histories by a few local authors 

Sanborn fire insurance map for Rockwell City, 1925. 

Plat maps representing decades 1880, 90, 01, 11, 20, 30, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90. 

Local museum has a telephone book collection for county. 

CARROLL COUNTY 

Carroll Public Library 

118 East Fifth Street 

Carroll, IA 51401 

(712) 792-3432 (phone) 

(712) 792-0141 (fax) 





County atlas 





Federal census for county: (1860 -1920) 

State census for county: (1856, 1885, 1895) 

State census: (1854, 1870, 1880) 

Newspapers (on microfilm): 

Carroll Herald (1870 to present) 

Carroll Sentinel (May 9, 1884-Aug. 8, 1911) 

Carroll Times (Jan. 4, 1906-Dec. 25, 1929) 

Carroll Today (Aug. 16, 1983-Dec. 31, 1993) 

Breda News (Jan. 3, 1990-Dec. 29, 1993) 

Manning Monitor (Jan. 4 1990-Dec. 30, 1993) 

(Index to Carroll Herald 1870-1883) 






Roster of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion (film) 

Camp Dodge soldier enlistment records (film) 

Copies of newspaper articles on a variety of local history subjects and people. 

Glidden Public Library 

P. O. Box 345 

131 Idaho Street 

Glidden, IA 51443 

(712) 659-3781 (phone only) 



County atlas 




Newspapers: 

Glidden Graphic (1901-1993) film 




CASS COUNTY 

Atlantic Public Library 

507 Poplar 

Atlantic, IA 50022 

(712) 243-5466 (phone and fax) 

atllib@netins.net





County atlas 




Newspapers: 

Atlantic News Telegraph (1874) film 









Griswold Public Library 

P. O. Box 190 (712) 778-4130 (phone) 

509 Main Street (712) 778-2619 (fax) 

Griswold, IA 51535 








State census for county: (1925) 

Newspapers: 

Griswold American (1920-1996) print and microfilm 

(index 1920-1996) 



CEDAR COUNTY 

Bennett Public Library 

P. O. Box 299 (319) 893-2238 (phone) 

203 Main (319) 893-2398 (fax) 

Bennett, IA 52721-0299 

benetlib@netins.net 

Microforms and print functions: no




County atlas 






Plat maps of other towns 






CERRO GORDO COUNTY 

North Iowa Area Community College Library 

500 College Drive 

Mason City, IA 50401 

(515) 422-4327 (phone) 

(515) 422-4131 (fax) 

dolekare@cheers.niacc.cc.la.us 






Local histories of other towns 

County histories of other towns 

Newspapers: 

Troy Tribune & NIACC Logos (1949 to date) 



Scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and other items on the history of the college. 

College catalogs, annuals date back to the 1920's. 

Centennial editions for Mason City from the Globe Gazette. 

CHEROKEE COUNTY 

Aurelia Public Library 

232 Main Street (712) 434-5330 (phone and fax) 

PO Box 188 

siloill@www.silo.lib.ia.us 

Aurelia, IA 5l005 





County atlas 




County histories of other counties

Newspapers: 

Aurelia Sentinel (4/12/1888-8/12/1981) film 





Ora l history collections 

Cherokee Public Library 

215 South Second Street 

Cherokee, IA 51012 

(712) 225-3498 (phone) 

(712) 225-4964 (fax) 

cherlib@ncn.net 





County atlas 




County histories of other counties (a few) 

Federal census for county: (1870 through 1920) 

State census for county: (1859, 1885 through 1925) 

Other census materials: 1790 Federal census for Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, New 

Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia. 

Federal 1850 census for Rock County, WI. 

Federal 1870 and 1880 census for Clinton County, IA. 

Newspapers: (all on film) 

Cherokee Times (Oct. 24, 1873-Dec. 26, 1878; Oct. 16, 1884-Sept. 27, 1888; Sept. 15, 1904-present) 

Cherokee Semi-Weekly Democrat (scattered issues from 1901-1921) 

Weekly Cherokean Democrat (Dec. 26, 1888-Dec. 23, 1891) 

Cherokee Weekly Times (Jan. 5, 1899-Dec. 28, 1899) 

Cherokee Times Herald (Sept. 17, 1903-Sept 12, 1904) 

Cherokee Democrat (scattered issues from Dec. 30, 1891-Dec. 28, 1900) 

Cherokee Cyclone (Aug. 6, 1884-Oct. 29, 1884) 

The Iowa Independent (Sept. 7, 1876-Sept. 22, 1876) 

Cherokee Leader (Apr. 24, 1872-Sept. 14, 1876) 

Weekly Cherokee (Dec. 22, 1885-Dec. 19, 1888) 

Cherokee Reporter (Apr. 6, 1878-Jan. 4, 1879) 








The Cherokee Area Archives has a wealth of information about the Cherokee area. They will be located in the 

library soon.

Marcus Public Library 

P. O. Box 528 

106 North Locust 

Marcus, IA 51035 

(712) 376-2328 (phone) 

(712) 376-4628 (fax) 

Microforms and print collections: yes 




County atlas 




Newspapers: 

Marcus News (9/22/1910-12/30/1993) (film) 

Marcus News (1/1947-12/1974; 1/1986-present) (print) 


CHICKASAW COUNTY 

Upham Memorial Library 

P.O. Box 281 

138 West Main Street 

Fredericksburg, IA 50630 

(319) 237-6498 (phone) 

(319) 237-5740 (fax) 

fburglib@sbt.net 

Microforms and print functions: No. 







Newspapers: 

Fredericksburg News (1954-1976) (print) 





Fredericksburg High school annuals, 1947-1980 

Index of FHS graduates by class, 1897 to present 

Family histories—Kottke family 

New Hampton Public Library 

20 West Spring Street (515) 394-2184 (phone) 

New Hampton, IA 50659 

(515) 394-5482 (fax) 

nhpl@sbt.net











State census for county: (1856, 1885, 1895, 1915, 1925) 

Newspapers on microfilm: 

Broken runs of many newspapers from January 27, 1862 through December 28, 1993. 

(incomplete index from 1876-1991) 











Many deed, will, mortgage, probate, etc. records from 1853-1912 

CLARKE COUNTY 

Osceola Public Library 

300 South Fillmore 

Osceola, IA 50213 

(515) 342-2237 phone 

(515) 342-6057 fax 

osceolib@pionet.net 










Federal census for county: (1850 ) print; (1860-1920) film 

State census for county: (1856, 1885-1925) film 

Census for other counties: Decatur (1856, 60, 70, 80, 1900) film; Lucas (1856) print, (1870, 1885, 1900) film; 

Madison (1870, 1900) film 

Newspapers: 

Osceola Sentinel [since 1983 Sentinel-Tribune] (1951-current) print 

Osceola Sentinel (1883-1994) film 

Osceola Tribune (1951-1982) print 

Osceola Tribune (1925-1982) film

Osceola Democrat (1898-1918, excepting 1915-1916) print 



Birth records for county (transcribed for 

1880-1997) 







Lucas, Ringgold, Warren & Madison marriages 

Lucas, Warren, some Union and some Ringgold cemeteries. 

We have a growing surname index card file of CCGS members' ancestors, obituary books & family history 

manuscripts. We add to it regularly. We are adding scrapbooks of local history items from 1902-1920 Osceola 

papers--they are indexed for marriages and deaths. 

CLAY COUNTY 

Kirchner-French Memorial (Peterson Public) Library 

P.O. Box 203 

(712) 295-6705 (phone) 


(712) 295-6705 (fax) 

Peterson, IA 51047 










Newspapers: 

Peterson Patriot (Oct. 21,1886-Dec. 27, 1979) film 

Peterson Patriot (Jan. 1995-current ) print 


Special resource: 


Peterson History books: Peterson 1856-1980; 

Peterson 1983 

Spencer Public Library 

21 East Third Street (712) 264-7290 (phone) 

Spencer, Iowa 51301 

(712) 262-7468 (fax) 

spencerpl@ncn.net 

Microforms and print functions: yes













Other census information: Special Iowa censuses : Mason City 1881; Algona 1888; Spencer 1891; N. Des 

Moines 1889; Emmetsburg 1891; Villisca 1891; Carroll, Eagle Grove, Estherville, Jefferson, Tama 1892. 

Newspapers: 

Spencer Newspapers (Jan 1, 1880 to current) film 







Vital records for other counties: Dickinson 




A very nice Iowa resource dept. 

An extensive general genealogical collection for various states and misc. topics 

CLAYTON COUNTY 

Elkader Public Library 

P.O. Box 310 

130 North Main 

Elkader, IA 52043 

(319) 245-1440 (phone) 

(319) 245-1440 (fax) 

elkdrlib@netins.net 







Newspapers: 

Clayton County Register (1855-1900) print and microfilm 

Clayton County Register (1980-present) print 

Volga City News (1917-1933) film 

Guttenberg Press (1897-1902) film 

Strawberry Point Press (1877-1886) film 

Garnavillo Clayton County Herald (1854-1857) film 

Guttenberg Mississippi Valley Register (1859-1861) film 

Postville Graphic (1898-1899) film

Postville Review (1873-1902) film 

North Iowa Times (McGregor) (1856-1907) film 

Postville-Iowa Volks Blatt (1892-1902) film 

(Index to local paper 1855-1893) 

Vital statistics resources; 




Garnavillo Public Library 


Garnavillo, IA 52049 

(319) 964-2119 (phone) 

(319) 964-2119 (fax) 

garnplib@netins.net 













Littleport Public Library 

P.O. Box 58 

155 W. Main Street 

Littleport, IA 52055 

(319) 245-2326 (phone) 

littleport@mwci.net 










Newspapers: 

Clayton County Register (current) print 


Birth records for county (some)

McGregor Public Library 

P.O. Box 398 


McGregor, IA 52157 

(319) 873-3318 (phone) 

McGregorPLib@cris.com 











Newspapers: 

North Iowa Times (Oct. 10, 1856-Nov. 29, 1865; Aug. 3, 1870-Dec. 27, 1888; June, 1897-Dec., 1910; Mar., 

1913-June, 1983) film 



Newspaper clippings in binders from early 1900s regarding local citizens, buildings, events. Indexed. 

CLINTON COUNTY 

Clinton Public Library 

306 Eighth Avenue South 

Clinton, IA 52732 

(319) 242-8441 (phone) 

(319) 242-8162 (fax) 

library@sanasys.com 







County histories of many other counties 






We have a paper copy of the 1840 census. We have federal census for many other Iowa counties and state 

census for some counties. 

Newspapers (all on microfilm): 

Clinton Daily Advertiser (April 1913-1927) 

Clinton Age (April 1871-May 1890) 

Clinton Daily Age (1891-1893) 

Clinton Herald (miscellaneous holdings 1856-1870; 1871-June 1885; 1886-present.) 

Clinton Herald (Every other day, 1895; January-June 1897; January-June 1898)

Clinton Herald (Saturday issues only: January 1866-September 1867) 

Clinton Mirror (1896-April 1917) 

Clinton Morning Age (1894-1900; July 1901-1904) 

Clinton Morning News (August 1883-1885; July 1886-1887; July 1888-May 1890) 

Clinton Semi-Weekly Age (1897; 1899; 1901) 

Clinton Semi-Weekly Herald (September 1867-May 1869) 

Clinton Tri-Weekly Herald (July-December 1899; July-December 1900) 

Clinton Weekly Age (May 1890-1899; 1901) 

Clinton Weekly Herald (June 1869-1870; 1884-1885; 1888-1889; 1892-1894; 1905-1907) 

Clinton Weekly News (1886) 

Iowa Age (April 1869-April 1871) 

Lyons City Advocate (1856-1861; 1866-1873) 

Lyons Clinton County Advertiser (March 1874-May 1876; April 1878-April 1881) 

Lyons Mirror (June 1856-May 1858) 

Lyons Weekly Mirror (June 1870-May 1884; May 1885-May 1888; May 1890-April 1892) 

(working on index, have 1967-1993) 

Vital statistics records: 

Iowa marriages to 1850 





Ship passenger lists 1800-1906 

DALLAS COUNTY 

Adel Public Library 

820 Prairie Street 

Adel, IA 50003 

(515) 993-3512 (phone) 

(515)993-3191 (fax) 

adelpl@netins.net 







Newspapers: 

Da llas County News (1976-present) print 







Scrapbooks from Dallas County News on Adel, 1949-1958 

Roy R. Estle Memorial Library

P.O. Box 521 

1308 Walnut Street 

Dallas Center, IA 50063 

(515) 992-3185 (phone) 

(515) 992-4929 (fax) 

rrestle@netins.net 








Newspapers: 

Dallas County News (April 1877-February 1961) film; current years in hard copy (indexed) 

Dallas Center newspapers (various titles) from December 1876-1987 (film) (indexed) 

Redfield Review (May 1904-August 1941) (film) (indexed) 

Perry Advertiser (January 1886-June 1916) (film) 

There is a card catalog abstract of births/deaths/marriages for most of the above listed newspapers. 

Card catalog abstract for Perry Advertiser is available in Perry. 


Birth records for county Probate records for county (1860-1990) 

Death records for county Marriage records for county (1847-1920) 

Cemetery records for county Wills (1881-1910) 




Vital records for other counties nearby 



Perry Public Library 

1101 Willis Avenue 

Perry, IA 50220-1649 

(515) 465-3569 (phone) 

(515) 465-9881 (fax) 

Perry00@iren.net 












Newspapers: 

Perry Chief (1983-present) print

Dallas County News (1989-present) print 





DAVIS COUNTY 

Bloomfield Public Library 

104 North Columbia Street 

Bloomfield, IA 52537 

(525) 664-2209 (phone) 

(515) 664-2209 (fax) 











Also, 1790 First U. S. Census 

1850 Clay County, Indiana census 

Newspapers: 

Bloomfield Democrat (1854-1927) film 

Republican (1876-1982) film 













DECATUR COUNTY 

Leon Public Library 

200 West First Street 

Leon, IA 50144 

(515) 446-6332 (phone) 

(515) 446-3746 (fax) 

leonpl@netins.net 







State census for county: (1856, 1915) 


Newspapers: 

Decatur Journal (1883-1921) film 





(1978-present) 





A number of scrapbooks of newspaper articles from the Leon Journal-Reporter 

DELAWARE COUNTY 

Colesburg Public Library 

Main Street 

Colesburg, IA 52035 

(319) 856-5800 (phone) 

(319) 856-5800 (fax) 



Newspapers: 

Manchester Press (June 16, 1871-June 4, 1875; September 30, 1897-January 5, 1900; January 7, 1904-August 

9, 1906; January 7, 1909-August 10, 1911) film 

Edgewood Journal (September 2, 1915-July 18, 1918) (film) 

Greeley Home Press (January 5, 1922-October 7, 1926) (film) 




Marriage records 1842-1928 (indexed) 

Birth records 1880-1929 (indexed) 

Will records 1855-1925 (indexed) 

Death records 1906-1920 (some indexing) 

Divorce records 1921-1929 (no index) 

Church records 



Ruth Suckow Memorial Library 

P. O. Box 189 

138 Northern Avenue 

Earlville, IA 52041-0189 

(319) 923-5235 (phone) 

rslibrary@mwci.net 


COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES:





Newspapers: 

Earlville Review (1926-1929; 1930-1937 scattered issues) print 


Hopkinton Public Library 

P.O. Box 220 

Main Street 

Hopkinton, IA 52237 

(319) 926-2514 (phone) 

hopkintonlib@mwci.net 







Federal census for county: (1850) 

Newspapers: 

Delaware County Leader (1980-1984; 1992-1996) print 

Manchester Press (1992, 1995, 1996) print 






Special Resources: 


Newspaper clippings of weddings, military records, deaths. 

Manchester Public Library 

300 North Franklin 

Manchester, IA 52057 

(319) 927-3719 (phone) 

(319) 927-3058 (fax) 

mnchstoo@iren.net 










State census for county: (1856, 1885, 1895, 1905)

Newspapers: (all on microfilm) 

Manchester Democrat-Radio (1922-1978) 

Delhi Monitor (1872-1887) 

Hopkinton Leader (1884-1896) 

Edgewood Journal (1915-1928) 

Dyersville Commercial (1893-1897) 

Greeley Home Press (1921-1926) 

Manchester Press (1871-1995) 








DES MOINES COUNTY 

Burlington Public Library 

501 North Fourth 

Burlington, IA 52601 

(319) 753-1647 (phone) 

(319) 753-5316 (fax) 

kweiss@aeal6.kl2.ia.us 





County atlas of county 







Federal census for county: (1850-1920) (assorted census rolls from outside Iowa) 

State census for county: 1925 

Federal mortality schedules for Iowa, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 

Newspapers: 

Burlington Hawk Eye (September 30, 1843-present) film 

Burlington Daily Gazette and Argus (April 1867-February 1871) film 

Burlington Daily Gazette (March 1871-June 30, 1933) film 

Des Moines Bulletin (January 1870-December 1870) film 

Illinois Patriot (October 27, 1832-November 30, 1833) film 

Iowa Patriot Hawk Eye (June 6, 1839-December 31, 1846) film 

Burlington Weekly Telegraph (August 10, 1850-July 1857) film 

Iowa State Gazette (June 2, 1837-April 10, 1859) film 

Burlington Daily Globe (December 7, 1857-July 7, 1858) film 

Burlington Saturday Evening Post (August 19, 1882-November 17, 1933) film 

Burlington High School Purple and Gray (Assorted dates) (40 microfiche) 

Des Moines County News (Current year) print 

Burlington Herald (August 18, 1949-Feb 22, 1951) (microfiche) 

(no indexes—one under construction)


Cemetery records for town Obituary collection for town (limited) 

Birth records for county Probate records for county 



Obituary collection for county (limited) 


Wills (1874-1908) 



Postcard collections (local sites and events) 

Sanborn Fire maps (1886, 1892, 1900, 1931) 

Iowa Territorial Papers 

Naturalization records (1882-1906) 

Land record indexes (1852-1887) 

American State Papers (8 vol.) 

Gale Passenger and Immigration List Indexes (through 1995) 

Germans to America (25 vol.) 

DAR Lineage Books 

National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (25 vol.) 

16 drawer local history file includes background information on people, places, buildings, business 

and activities related to Burlington and Des Moines County. 

DICKINSON COUNTY 

Milford Public Library 

1020 Tenth Street 

Milford, IA 51351 

(712) 338-4643 (phone) 

(712) 338-4643 (fax) 

milflib@rconnect.com 









Newspapers: 

Milford Mail (1894-present) film 


Spirit Lake Public Library 

702 Sixteenth Street 

Spirit Lake, IA 51360 

(712) 336-2667 (phone) 

(712) 336-0511 (fax) 

publib@spirit-lake.k12.ia.us 










Newspapers: 

Spirit Lake Beacon (1873-1993) (film) 

Spirit Lake Beacon (1994-present) (print) 


DUBUQUE COUNTY 

Carnegie Stout Public Library 

360 West Eleventh Street 

Dubuque, IA 52001 

(319) 589-4225 (phone) 

(319) 589-4217 (fax) 

cspl@stout.dubuque.lib.ia.us 















Newspapers: 

Dubuque Herald (1860-1900) (film) 

Dubuque Times-Journal (1906-1927) (film) 

Telegraph Herald (1901-present) (film) 

(indexed 1860 to present) 

Vital statis tics resources: 






Obituary and biography index 1857-present 

Vertical file on Dubuque people and history 

Bound Dubuque and Iowa magazines. 

Wahlert Memorial Library 

Loras College 

1450 AltaVista 

Dubuque, IA 52001 

(319) 588-7163 (phone) 

(319) 588-7292 (fax)

klein@loras.edu 











State census for county: (1854, 1856, 1885-1925) 

Newspapers: 

Dubuque Telegraph Herald (and all of its predecessors of varying titles) (1836-present) (film) 

(Incomplete WPA index) 







Oral history collections (audio, video and transcripts) 

The Center for Dubuque History is located at the library. Many resources for the county are available. 

Matthias M. Hoffman Public Library 

340 First Avenue East 

Dyersville, IA 52040 

(319) 875-8912 (phone) 

(319) 875-8912 (fax) 

hofman00@mwci.net 


COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES: (Dubuque and Delaware counties) 






Federal census for county: (1850-1920) (Dubuque & Delaware counties) 

State census for county: (1854, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925) (Dubuque and Delaware counties) 

Newspapers: 

Dyersville Commercial (1859-present) (film) 

(index in progress) 





Family histories

EMMET COUNTY 

Armstrong Public Library 

P. O. Box 46 

Sixth Street 

Armstrong, IA 50514-0046 

(712) 864-3353 (phone) 








Newspapers: 

Armstrong Journal (1893-June 1993) film 

(all indexed) 





Estherville Public Library 

613 Central Avenue 

Estherville, IA 51334 

(712) 362-7731 (phone) 

(712) 462-3509 (fax) 

pubjim@ncn.net 









Phone books of other towns 

Federal census for county: Genealogy club is in the process of bringing the census into the library. 

Newspapers: 

Estherville Daily News (August 25, 1882-present) film 




Ringsted Public Library

PO Box #98 

8 West Maple 

Ringsted, IA 50578 

(712) 866-0878 (phone) 

(712) 866-0878 (fax) 

Library@ncn.net 





Armed Forces Graves Registration records 

(Ringsted area) 




Newspapers: 

Ringsted Dispatch (1916-1994) film 

Ringsted Dispatch (1991-present) print 






FAYETTE COUNTY 

Heiserman Memorial Library 

210 North Vine 

West Union, IA 52175 

(319) 422-3103 (phone) 

(319) 422-3103 (fax) 

wulibrary@trxinc.com 









Newspapers: 

Fayette County Union (1937-1994) print 


FLOYD COUNTY 

Charles City Public Library 

106 Milwaukee Mall 

Charles City, IA 50616-2281 

(515) 257-6319 (phone) 

(515) 257-6325 (fax) 

vruzicka@charles-city.lib.ia.us









Federal census for county: (1850, cd-rom,; 1860-1910, film) 


Newspapers: 

Charles City Press (January 1, 1859-present) film 






Rockford Public Library 

202 West Main Avenue 

Rockford, IA 50468 

(515) 756-3725 (phone) 

(515) 756-3725 (fax) 

rkfdlib@netins.net 







Newspapers: 

Rockford Register (1887-1984) film 

Rockford Register (1984-present) print 


FREMONT COUNTY 

Sidney Public Library 

604 Clay Street 

P. O. Box 479 

Sidney, IA 51652 

(712) 374-2223 (phone) 

(712) 374-2821 (fax) 










GREENE COUNTY 

Jefferson Public Library 

200 West Lincolnway 

Jefferson, IA 50129 

(515) 386-2835 (phone) 

(525) 386-8163 (fax) 

jeflib@netins.net 












1860 census for Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Dallas and Guthrie counties 

1900 census for Guthrie County 

Newspapers: 

Jefferson Bee (1871-1993) film 

Jefferson Bee (1994-present) print 

Jefferson Herald (1917-1993) film 

Jefferson Hera ld (1994-present) print 









GRUNDY COUNTY 

Conrad Public Library 

P. O. Box 189 

102 East Grundy 

Conrad, IA 50621 

(515) 366-2583 (phone) 

(515) 366-3105 (fax) 

conradlib@mtnia.com 






Plat maps of county







Other census materials: Federal census from 1800-1920 for many states and Iowa counties (too numerous 

to elaborate) 

Newspapers: (all on microfilm) 

Conrad Record (September 9, 1880-June 24, 1993) 

Grundy Republican (Jan. 6, 1921-May 3, 1923) 

Grundy Register (May 3, 1923-July 18, 1985) 

Reinbeck-Grundy Courier (November 7, 1891-July 31, 1903) 

Reinbeck Courier (August 7, 1903-December 30, 1976) 

Marietta Weekly Express (December 9, 1857-February 29, 1860) 

Marshall County Times (March 9, 1859-April 17, 1873) 

Marshalltown Times Republican (January 1894-December 1914; January 13, 1916-May 5, 1936) 

Marshalltown Evening Times Republican (June 1, 1915-May 31, 1919) 

Beaman Bee (April 15, 1896) 

Beaman Advertiser (May 1, 1912-April 25, 1918) 

Beaman Everybody’s Advertiser (September 6, 1928-October 19, 1961) 

Beaman News (July 26, 1946-January 27, 1950) 











Revolutionary War records 

Grundy County Naturalization records, and Declaration of Intention 

Grundy Center Public Library 

706 Seventh Street 

Grundy Center, IA 50638 

(319) 824-3607 (phone) 

(319) 824-5863 (fax) 









Newspapers: 

Grundy Register (1868-present) film and print 

(Previous titles of papers have been Grundy County Democrat, Grundy Center Dispatch, Grundy 

Center Herald, Grundy County Republican) 



Family histories

Reinbeck Public Library 

501 Clark 

Reinbeck, IA 50669 

(319) 345-2652 (phone) 

rnbeck00@iren.net 











Newspapers: 

Reinbeck Courier (current week only) 






Vertical file of articles on Reinbeck history 

Wellsburg Public Library 

515 North Adams 

Wellsburg, IA 50680 

(515) 869-5234 (phone) 

(515) 869-5238(fax) 

wlsbrg00@iren.net 







Newspapers: 

Wellsburg Herald (December 1906-April 1966) film 

Grundy Register (April 1966-December 1987) film 

Grundy Register/Wellsburg Herald (January 1989-December 1993) (1988 missing) film 




A 36 volume set of the German Ortsippenbuch Church records pertaining to birth, deaths, marriages in the 

Ostfriesian area. We are an Ostfriesian community and we are now beginning to preserve our heritage. The 

Ostfriesian Heritage Center has asked us to become their research library. They have donated books pertaining 

to tracing your roots, and also books about the Ostfriesian area in Germany.

GUTHRIE COUNTY 

Duncan Memorial Library 

P. O. Box 178 

610 Antique Country Drive 

Casey, IA 50048-0178 

(515) 746-2670 (phone) 

caseylib@netins.net 











County histories of other counties (Adair) County atlases of other counties (Adair) 

Plat maps of other counties (Adair) 

Newspapers: 

Casey Vindicator (1878-1946) (incomplete) film 

Casey Vindicator (1926-1938) (unbound) print 

Adair News with the Casey Vindicator (1950-present) print 



Cemetery records for: Dalmanutha, Monthieth, 

Valley twps; Im. Lutheran 

& St. John’s Lutheran 

Marriage records for county (March 30, 

1852-December 31, 1899) 





Oral history collections 

Casey High School graduation class pictures 1913, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1925-1957 

Adair-Casey graduation class pictures 1958, 1961, 1962, 1964 

Adair-Casey annuals: a few from 1970s, 1989-present. 

Guthrie Center Public Library 

507 State 

Guthrie Center, IA 50115 

(515) 747-8110 (phone) 

(515) 747-8110 (fax) 

gthrie00@pionet.net 








Newspapers: 

Guthrie Center Times (January 1913-October 1987) film

Guthrian (1884-July 1985) film 









A large collection of genealogy materials from the Joe & Belle Bailey estate; also the Herald Joe & Ardith Bell 

Bailey collection. This includes wills, genealogical and local history collections from many states in the East 

and South; passenger lists; marriage, death, courts records from many states. 

Bagley Public Library 

P. O. Box 206 

First and Main 

Bagley, IA 50026 

(515) 427-5214 (phone) 

(515) 427-5214 (fax) 











Newspapers: 

Bagley Gazette (YJB issue) (1967-1984) film 

Bagley Gazette (Bayard Press) (1985-1996) print 







Ce metery records for county 




Oral history collections (video) 

Local video 

Alumni annuals 

Bagley high school pictures. 

Bayard Public Library 

P. O. Box 338 


Bayard, IA 50029 

(712) 651-2238 (phone) 

(712) 651-2420 (fax) 

bayardoo@iren.net 











Newspapers: 

Bayard Advocate (February 1, 1884-September 26, 1884; April 3, 1885-September 26, 1885; 

July 27, 1889-December 9, 1909; January 2, 1910-1934) film 

Bayard News (1934-1972) film 




HAMILTON COUNTY 

Montgomery Memorial Library 

P. O. Box 400 


Jewell, IA 50130 

(515) 827-5112 (phone) 

(515) 827-5112 (fax) 






Newspapers: 

Jewell Record (1905-1971) print, some film 

South Hamilton Record (1974 to present) print & film 





Stratford Public Library 

P. O. Box 278 

816 Shakespeare 

Stratford, IA 50249 

(515) 838-2131 (phone) 

(515) 838-2131 (fax) 

stratlib@netins.net 




County atlas 

Plat maps of county

Federal census for county: (1860, 1870) 

Newspapers: 

Stratford Courier (January 21, 1892 to July 25, 1957) film 

Stratford Courier (April 4, 1978 to present) print 

(indexed for marriages, births, deaths only, 1892-1898, 1907-1956, 1978-1987) 








Kendall Young Library 

1201 Willson Avenue 

Webster City, IA 50595 

(515) 832-9100 (phone) 

(515) 832-9102 (fax) 

CWEISS@netins.net 







Town histories 







Other census materials: Heads of Families at the First Census of the US Taken in the Year 1790; Heads of 

Families, 1840 census of Iowa; 1800 census of New York; census of North Carolina 1784-1787. 

Newspapers: 

Hamilton Freeman (June 29, 1857-December 31, 1890) film 

Webster City Freeman (January 7, 1891-December 29, 1919) film 

The Daily Freeman Journal (January 1920-present) film 

Webster City Journal (November 6, 1902-April 27, 1916) film 

Webster City Tribune (April 14, 1893-December 29, 1916) film 

Webster City Graphic (April 11, 1951-April 12, 1954) paper 

Webster City Daily News (June 1921-December 1925) paper 

Webster City Observer (September 26, 1940-March 4, 1943) paper 

Webster City Tribune (July 16,1886-July 8, 1887; 1889-1898; 1900-1902; 1905-1917) 

(Index to Freeman-Journal 1859-1883) 









Cemetery records for county

Information on historic homes in Webster City 

Slide/script sets on a number of Hamilton county towns. 

Clipping file from the local newspaper dealing with events, institutions and individuals 

HANCOCK COUNTY 

Corwith Public Library 

102 Elm Street 

Corwith, IA 50430 

(515) 583-2536 (phone) 

(515) 583-2536 (fax) 

clibrary@stewardnet.com 




Garner Public Library 

P. O. Box 406 

416 State Street 

Garner, IA 50438-0406 

(515) 923-2850 (phone) 

(515) 923-2339 (fax) 

garnerpl@ncn.net 










Newspapers: 

Britt News Tribune (1922-1942) film 

Britt Weekly News (1894-1921) film 

Corwith Herald (1949-1951) film 

Garner Herald (1900-1901, 1932-1936) film 

Garner Leader (1921-1994) film 

Garner Signal (1902-1928) film 

Hancock County Democrat (1887-1920) film 

Hancock Signal (1874-1902) film 

Kanawha Record (1916) film 

Klemme Times (1895-1929) film 




HARDIN COUNTY

Baker Memorial Library & Hardin County Historical Society 

PO Box 187 

1603 South Washington 

Eldora, IA 50627 

















Tax records for county starting in 1854 





HARRISON COUNTY 

Logan Public Library 

121 East Sixth Street 

Logan, IA 52546 

(712) 644-2551 (phone) 

(712) 644-2551 (fax) 

loganpl@pionet.net 

















Harrison County has a web site for genealogy: www.rootsweb.com/~iaharris/index.htm, or in Yahoo 

type Harrison county genealogy. 

Missouri Valley Public Library 

119 North Fifth Street Missouri Valley, IA 51555

(712) 642-4111 (phone) 

(712) 642-4172 (fax) 

Mvpub@neonramp.com 









Newspapers: 

Missouri Valley Times (1872-present) film and print 


HENRY COUNTY 

Mt. Pleasant Public Library 


Mt. Pleasant, IA 53641 

(319) 385-1490 (phone) 

(319) 385-1491 (fax) 

mttpl05@se-iowa.net 












Newspapers: 

New London Journal (1915-1993) film 

Mt. Pleasant Journal (1894-1914) film 

Mt. Pleasant News (1892-present) film 

Mt. Pleasant Henry County Free Press (1868-1917) film 

Salem Weekly News (1896-1954) film 



Cemetery records for town Obituary collection for town 








Winfield Public Library P. O. Box 47

112 West Ash 

Winfield, IA 

(319) 257-3247 (phone) 








Newspapers: 

Winfield Beacon (1980) print 





HOWARD COUNTY 

Cresco Public Library 

320 North Elm 

Cresco, IA 52136 

(319) 547-2540 (phone) 

(319) 547-3345 (fax) 

cresco_public_library@pit.net 








Federal census for county: (1860, 1870, 1880) 

Other census information: Winneshiek County census (1850, 1870) 

Newspapers: 

Howard County Times (1859-1942) film 

Times Plain Dealer (Cresco paper) (1942-present) film 








Church directories; WPA Tombstone records; Howard County church records; Winneshiek County cemeteries. 

IDA COUNTY 

Ida Grove Public Library

103 East Second Street 

Ida Grove, IA 51445 

(712) 364-2306 (phone) 

(712) 364-3228 (fax) 












Newspapers: 

Ida County Courier (1975-1993) film (print for current year) 

Ida County Pioneer Record (1883-1993) film 



Birth records for county (1872-1894) film 

Death records for county (1872-1894) film 

Marriage records for county (1872-1894) film 



Fami ly histories 

IOWA COUNTY 

Marengo Public Library 

P. O. Box 245 

1020 Marengo Avenue 

Marengo, IA 52301-1524 

(319) 642-3825 (phone) 

(319) 642-3825 (fax) 

marngo00@iren.net 








Newspapers: 

Marengo Democrat (May 4, 1893-May 6, 1926) film 

Marengo Republican (January 2, 1895-November 3, 1927) film 

Pioneer Republican (September 25, 1924-December 30, 1993) film 

Pioneer Republican (1994-present) print 



Special resources:


JACKSON COUNTY 

Bellevue Public Library 

106 North Third 

Bellevue, IA 52031 

(319) 872-4991 (phone) 

(319) 872-4094 (fax) 

blibrary@illowa.net 













Newspapers: 

Bellevue Leader (1875-January 1961) film 

Bellevue Herald (1887-present) film 

Bellevue Herald-Leader 

(obituary index for all papers) 

Iowa Indian Newspaper (December 1841-July 1844) film 

Western Democrat (November 1849-October 1852) film 

Jackson Press (October 1852-May 1854) film 




Obituary records for town 





Oral history collections (audio, transcripts) 


Sanborn fire maps 

2 files on local history 

Maquoketa Public Library 

126 South Second Street 

Maquoketa, IA 52060 

(319) 652-3874 (phone) 

(319) 652-3874 (fax) 

mlibrary@caves.net 











1850 U. S. Census index for six midwest states 

Newspapers: 

Maquoketa Sentinel (1893-1943, 1951-1980) film 

Maquoketa Record (1897-1904) film 

Maquoketa Excelsior (1860-1930) film 

Maquoketa Community Press (1951-1980) film 

Maquoketa Sentinel Press (1981-1993) film 

Maquoketa Sentinel Press (1955-1975, 1995-present) paper 


We have not developed our collection extensively because of the resources of the Jackson County Genealogical 

Society, located at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Maquoketa. 

JASPER COUNTY 

Newton Public Library 

P. O. Box 746 

100 North Third Avenue West 

Newton, IA 50208 

(515) 792-4108 (phone) 

( 515) 791-0729 (fax) 

Newton00@iren.net 











Newspapers: 

Newton Free Press (March 24, 1870; October 30, 1872-June 17, 1874) film 

Newton Journal (February 15, 1877-April 30, 1913) film 

Newton Herald (June 2, 1893-May 1, 1913) film 

Newton Record (August 3, 1894-July 17, 1902) film 

Iowa State Democrat (December 2, 1897-October 20, 1898; November 24, 1898-December 26, 1901) film 

Newton Daily Record (May 9, 1898-July 30, 1898) film 

Newton Daily Herald (May 19, 1902-May 19, 1903) film 

Newton Daily News (May 20, 1903-present) film 





JEFFERSON COUNTY 

Fairfield Public Library 

104 West Adams 

Fairfield, IA 52556 

(515) 472-6551 (phone) 

(515) 472-3249 (fax) 

library@lisco.com 

Microforms and print functions: 












Newspapers: 

Iowa Sentinel (June 12, 1847-July 13, 1849) film 

Fairfield Ledger (March 24, 1853-December 31, 1913) film 

Industrial Era (January 10, 1874-January 6, 1875) film 

The Evening Journal (October 16, 1880-March 6, 1882) film 

Jefferson County Republican (July 1, 1897-December 27, 1917) film 

Fairfield Tribune (broken holdings March 5, 1879-April 12, 1923) film 

Fairfield Journal (daily) (June 5, 1904-August 20, 1921) film 

Fairfield Journal (weekly) (June 22, 1904-December 27, 1911) film 

The Weekly Ledger-Journal (May 26, 1921-December 27, 1928) film 

The Fairfield Ledger (weekly) (January 6, 1921-May 12, 1921) film 

The Fairfield Daily Ledger-Journal (August 22, 1921-June 30, 1923) film 

The Fairfield Daily Ledger (July 2, 1923-present) film 

Lockridge Herald (October 1, 1909-December 31, 1915) film 

Lockridge Times (September 22, 1916-May 18, 1967) film 

Batavia News (January 6, 1916-October 26, 1933) film 

(index for Fairfield paper 1847-1872 for death notices and legal notices) 


Probate records for county (index 1839-1961) Obituary collection for town (1882-1982) 

Obituary collection for county (1880s-present) Cemetery records for county (1839-1990) 




Cemetery records for town (1870-1990) 


Family histories (201 histories) 

Wills reproduced 1839-l876 

Bound books containing 1900 family group sheets 

File drawers containing 3200 additional family group sheets: these are of Jefferson county early pioneers 

married prior to 1900. 

Thirty-nine rolls of film of information filmed by the Latter Day Saints in 1974, including church, bibles, 

families, schools and much miscellaneous, all indexed 

Funeral home records for Fairfield (1890-1909)

JOHNSON COUNTY 

Coralville Public Library 


Coralville, IA 52241 

(319) 351-2163 (phone) 

(319) 351-1837 (fax) 










Newspapers: 

Coralville Courier (1968-1983) print and film 

Coralville Weekly Courier (1983-1989) print and film 


Iowa City Public Library 

123 South Linn Street 

Iowa City, IA 52240 

(319) 356-5200 (phone) 

(319) 356-5494 (fax) 

icpublib@wade.iowa-city.lib.ia.us 












Newspapers: 

Note: Until the Iowa City Press Citizen began in 1920, none of the papers listed below has a complete run. 

Iowa Capitol Reporter (1841-1846) film 

Iowa Republican (1846-1852, 1859) film 

Iowa City Legislative Reporter (1854-1855) film 

Daily Evening Reporter (1856) film 

Iowa City Daily Crescent (1857) film 

Iowa State Weekly Reporter (1858-1861) film 

Iowa City Daily Bulletin (1865) film 

Iowa City Daily Press (1871-1880; 1904-1920) film 

Anti-Monopolist (1873-1874) film 

Iowa City Daily Republican (1876-1895) film 

Iowa City Weekly Republican (1895-1898) film 

Daily Iowa State Press (1898-1904) film 

Iowa City Press Citizen (1920-present) film 

Daily Iowan (1986-present) film

(index to Press-Citizen and Daily Iowan, 1972-present) 









Oral history collections (Ellen Buchanan has done interviews on video with over 70 Iowa City residents) 

We have a collection of 8 volumes of Iowa City history compiled from columns in the Iowa City Press citizen 

written by Irving Weber. He has also done a series of videos on Iowa City history. 

State Historical Society of Iowa 

402 Iowa Avenue (319) 335-3916 (phone) 

Iowa City, IA 52240 

(319) 335-3935 (fax) 




County histories of all Iowa counties 

County atlases of all Iowa counties 

City directories of most Iowa towns 

Telephone books of most Iowa towns 

Plat maps of all Iowa counties 

Federal census for all Iowa counties: (1850-1920) 

State census for all Iowa counties (1856-1925) 

Other census materials: Federal census for most states, 1790-1850 

Newspapers: 

We have many newspapers from all over the state. Most are on microfilm, but some are still on paper. Paper 

copies are available for use, depending on condition. A detailed list of titles and issues held may be found in 

the publication, State Historical Society of Iowa Newspaper Holdings, (1991) 


Vital Statistics Resources: 

Vital records for entire state, incomplete, most in printed form, compiled by local groups all over the state. 




Oral history collections (audio, transcripts—some of these are unavailable for use) 

Sanborn Fire Maps for entire state 

Newspaper clipping file 

Large genealogical collection, specializing in Iowa genealogy and genealogical records, but also including 

significant material from other midwestern, eastern and southern states 

Labor history collection 

Newsletters of Iowa organizations 

World War II clippings on microfilm 

JONES COUNTY 

Anamosa Public Library

100 East First Street 

Anamosa, IA 52205 

(319) 462-2183 (phone) 

(319) 462-2183 (fax) 

anmosa00@iren.net 









Newspapers: 

Anamosa Journal (1885-1979) film 

Anamosa Eureka (1856-1979) film 

Anamosa Journal-Eureka (1979-present) film 






Oral histories (transcripts) 

Wregie Memorial Library 

105 West Broadway (319) 486-2400 (phone) 

Oxford Junction, IA 52323 

(319) 486-2400 (fax) 

Wregieml@netins.net 








Newspapers: 

Oxford Junction Mirror (1879-1953) film 





KEOKUK COUNTY 

Richland Public Library

100 East Main 

Richland, IA 52585 

(319) 456-6541 (phone) 

(319) 456-6541 (fax) 

richlib@lisco.com 












Federal census for county: (1850, 1860, 1870, 1900) 

Newspapers: 

Richland Clarion (October 12, 1882-December 30, 1993) print and film 









Sigourney Public Library 

203 North Jefferson 

Sigourney, IA 52591 

(515) 622-2890 (phone) 

(515) 622-2890 (fax) 

sigopl@se-iowa.net 









Newspapers: 

Sigourney News Review (five years back) print 



Genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County (1903) 

The Keokuk County Historical Society is 2 blocks east of the library. They have cemetery records & obituaries 

cut from past issues of the local paper. The local courthouse also has cemetery records.

South English Public Library 

P. O. Box 162 

407 Ives Street 

South English, IA 52335 

(319) 667-2715 (phone) 








Newspapers: 

North English Record (weekly) (no dates given) print 





Vertical file—data on Alumni Association for South English 

County families history book for Keokuk County 

Books on area churches with membership pictures 

KOSSUTH COUNTY 

Algona Public Library 

210 North Phillips 

Algona, IA 50511 

(515) 245-5476 (phone) 

(515) 295-3307 (fax) 

algonapl@ncn.net 











Newspapers: 

Algona Courier (1893-1918) film 

Algona Upper Des Moines (1866-1997) print and film 

Kossuth County Advance (1906-1959) film 

Algona Republican (1872-1902) film 


Titonka Public Library

P. O. Box 323 


Titonka, IA 50480 

(515) 928-2509 (phone) 

(515) 928-2509 (fax) 

tykeplib@netins.net 

Microforms and print functions: film, no print 






Newspapers: 

Titonka Topic (since 1900) print 


Wesley Public Library 

P. O. Box 37 


Wesley, IA 50483 

(515) 679-4214 (phone) 

(515) 679-4214 (fax) 

wpl@ncn.net 








Newspapers: 

Wesley News (March 23, 1899-March 7, 1902) film 

Wesley News-World (March 7, 1902-November 17, 1938) (incomplete) film 






LEE COUNTY 

Cattermole Memorial Library 

614 Seventh Street 

Fort Madison, IA 52627 

(319) 372-2071 (phone) 

ftmadiso@interl.net 







City directories of town (back to 1868) 

Plat maps of other counties

Telephone books of town (back to 1940s) 





Henry County, Iowa census (1860) 

Census indexes from other states and counties in Iowa 

Newspapers: 

Evening Democrat (also called Weekly Democrat and Daily Democrat) (1838-present) film 

Ft. Madison Patriot (March 24, 1838-May 27, 1841, many issues missing) film 

Six Iowa frontier newspapers from 1841-1844 on film 

Jackson Press, Bellevue, IA (October 20, 1852) film 

Lee County Democrat (December 11, 1841-July 13, 1844) film 

Iowa Statesman (July 20, 1850-July 12, 1851) film 

Ft. Madison Plain Dealer (1857-1873) film 

Daily Potowonok (July 7, 1884-January 6, 1885) film 











Obituary file indexed to microfilm 


Keokuk Public Library 

210 North Fifth Street 

Keokuk, IA 52632 

(319) 524-1483 (phone) 

(319) 524-2320 (fax) 

keokukpl@interl.net 











Newspapers: (all papers on film) 

Keokuk Daily Gate City (also under various names) (1849-present) 

Constitution (December 1861-March 26, 1888) 

Keokuk Weekly Constitution (December 1861-March, 1898) 

Constitution-Democrat (March 1888-April 3, 1916) 

Keokuk Democrat (January 9, 1883-March 1888) 

Democratic Standard (1858?-1860?) 

Des Moines Valley Whig (1855-November 11, 1861)

Keokuk Dispatch (May 20, 1848-October 1855) 

Evening Press (1897-1899) 

Weekly Gate City (1862-1872, 1876-1878, 1879-1895, 1897-1903) 

Daily Gate City (March 1855-1916) 

Daily Gate City and Constitution-Democrat (April 3, 1916-October 21, 1957) 

Morning Glory (January 1-September 14, 1855) 

Keokuk News (December 10, 1881-December 16, 1882) 

Keokuk Daily Post (October 28, 1855-January 22, 1858) 

Keokuk Register (May 26, 1847-March 15, 1849) 

Keokuk Saturday Post (November 10, 1855-January 1858) 

Sunbeam (August 1860-July 1861) 

Sunday Standard (March 17, 1895-March 11, 1900) 

Valley Whig and Keokuk Register (March 29, 1849-April 10, 1851) 

Keokuk Daily Whig (September 9, 1854-March 6, 1855) 





Marriage records for town 





Death records for town 

Birth records for town 




Papers of Caleb Forbes Davis—autobiographical and biographical information on early settlers of Keokuk 

(microfilm) 

Bickel collection—approximately 30 notebooks of newspaper clippings, grouped by subject and indexed 

Mississippi River—photographic record of building of lock, dam and power plant 

Resources dealing with Keokuk and the Civil War and the Mormon settlement are also available. 

LINN COUNTY 

Cedar Rapids Public Library 

500 First Street SE 

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 

(319) 398-5123 (phone) 

(319) 398-0476 (fax) 

ill@crpl.cedar-rapids.lib.ia.us 














Other census materials: 1840 Federal census 

Newspapers: 

Cedar Rapids Gazette (1883-present) film

Cedar Valley times (1860-1869, incomplete) film 



Cemetery census for Linn County on microfilm 


Oral history collection (audio) 

Newspaper clipping file for Cedar Rapids, 1920s to present 

Newspaper clipping file for Iowa, 1960s to present 

Iowa Masonic Library 

P. O. Box 279 

813 First Avenue SE 

Cedar Rapids, IA 52406 

(319) 365-1438 (phone) 

(319) 365-1439 (fax) 

grand_lodge_ia@msn.com 












Newspapers: 

Cedar Rapids Democrat (June 24, 1856-June 23, 1857 weekly) film 

Cedar Valley Times (broken holdings from September 3, 1857-March 21, 1868 weekly) film 

Cedar Rapids Times (May 28-October 8, 1868 weekly) film 

Cedar Rapids Weekly Times (October 1868-September 1893) film 

Cedar Rapids Morning Observer (September-November 1870 weekly) film 

Cedar Rapids Daily Observer (November 1870-February 1871; September 1-16, 1871 weekly) film 

Farmer’s Journal /Western Stock Journal and Farmer (May 1872-February 1882 monthly) film 

Cedar Rapids Republican (September 1872-April 1927 daily) film 

Cedar Rapids Gazette (January 1883-December 1987 daily ) film 

Cedar Rapids Weekly Republican (January-December 1897; January-April 1905) film 

Cedar Rapids Evening Times (July 3, 1905-June 30, 1909) film 

Cedar Rapids Republican and Times (November 1, 1921-September 29, 1922) film 

Marion newspapers: 

Linn County Register (broken holdings June 22, 1865-February 24, 1869) film 

Marion Weekly Register (February 24, 1869-December 31, 1874) film 

Semi-Weekly Register (January 12, 1870-January 26, 1871) film 

Marion Tribune and Real Estate Journal (April 1871-March 1872) film 

Linn County Pilot (August 1877-August 1881) film 

Mount Vernon newspapers: 

Mount Vernon Citizen (April 26-May 31, 1867) film 

Mount Vernon Hawkeye (b roken holdings September 2, 1870-December 25, 1891) film 

Anti-Fraternal newspapers: 

Birmingham, Iowa Free Press (January 22, 1885-January 14, 1886) (newspaper against all fraternal 

societies)



Cemetery census for Linn County on microfilm 



Masonic records 

Proceedings of Grand Bodies of non-Masonic organizations (e.g. Odd Fellows) 

Extensive Civil War collection 

LOUISA COUNTY 

Mellinger Memorial Public Library 

P. O. Box 8 (319) 868-7505 (phone and fax) 

Division Street 

mslib@netins.net 

Morning Sun, IA 52640 











Newspapers: 

News-Herald (no dates given) 







Schools (county) 

Churches (county) 

Rural Mail Delivery-Postal (town) 

Keck Memorial Library 

119 North Second Street 

Wapello, IA 52653 

(319) 523-5261 (phone) 

(319) 523-5261 (fax) 

keckl@hotmail.com 







Plat maps of county



Newspapers: 

Columbus Junction Gazette (1888-1993) film 

Columbus Junction Safeguard (1859-1877, 1878-1923, scattered issues) film 

Columbus Junction Enterprise (1859 and 1896-97) film 

Columbus Junction NonPareil (1875-1877) film 

Columbus Junction Union Farmer (1920-1924, 1945-1956) film 

Letts Record (1912-1923) film 

Oakville Sentinel (1902-1945) film 

Morning Sun Herald (1883-1897) film 

Morning Sun News-Herald (1897-1992) film 

Louisa County Record (1895-1897) film 

Wapello Tribune (1898-1923) film 

Wapello Republican (1870-1992) film 



Marriage records for county (early) 

Obituary collection for county (early) 



Photograph collections (high school annuals) 


Florence Potter scrapbooks of local events for years 

LUCAS COUNTY 

Chariton Public Library 

803 Braden 

Chariton, IA 50049 

(515) 774-5514 (phone) 

(515) 774-8695 (fax) 

chariton@netins.net 











Newspapers: 

Russell Union (1920-1959) film 

Chariton Herald Patriot (1879-1993) film 

Chariton Leader (1874-1990) film 



Obituary collection for county





LYON COUNTY 

Little Rock Public Library 

P. O. Box 308 


Little Rock, IA 51243-0308 

(712) 479-2298 (phone) 

(712) 479-2298 (fax) 

lrbooks@mtcnet.net 



Local histories Telephone books of town 



Rock Rapids Public Library 

102 South Greene 

Rock Rapids, IA 51246 

(712) 472-3541 (phone) 

(712) 472-3541 (fax) 

rckrpd00@iren.net (email) 











Newspapers: 

Alvord Register (1929 & 1937) film 

Doon Press (1903-1992) film 

Inwood Herald (1890-1974) film 

Rock Rapids Review (1873-1928) film 

Rock Rapids Journal (1871-1872) film 

Lyon County News (George) (1916-1984, 1988-1991) film 

Little Rock Free Lance (1900-1951) film 

Lyon County Reporter (1881-present) film 

West Lyon Herald (1976-1992) film 

Lyon County Leader (1932-1944) film 

Larchwood Leader (1888-1932) film 


Vital statistics resources:




MADISON COUNTY 

Winterset Public Library 

124 West Court 

Winterset, IA 50273-1545 

(515) 462-1731 (phone) 

(515) 462-4196 (fax) 

jiw@netins.net 











Newspapers: 

Winterset Madisonian (January 1, 1874-present) film 

Winterset News (January 1886-April 19, 1945) film 



Obituary collection for county (limited) 







John Wayne Collection 

Bridges of Madison County 

MAHASKA COUNTY 

Oskaloosa Public Library 

301 South Market 

Oskaloosa, IA 52577 

(515) 673-0441 (phone) 

(515) 673-6237 (fax) 

osklsapl@Se-iowa.net 








Telephone books of town



Newspapers: 

Saturday Times-Globe (1922-1930) film 

Oskaloosa Weekly Herald (August 1852-December 1918) film 

Oskaloosa Saturday Herald (July 1884-September 1916) film 

Oskaloosa Daily Herald (September 1887-December 1985) film 

Oskaloosa Daily Herald (January 1986-present) print 



Death records for county (early) 



Obituary collection for county (recent) 



Local history clipping file 

Sanborn fire insurance maps on microfiche 

Index to local history books 

Oskaloosa High School annuals 

MARION COUNTY 

Knoxville Public Library 

213 East Montgomery 

Knoxville, IA 50138 

(515) 828-0585 (phone) 

(515) 828-0585 (fax) 

knoxvillelib@se-iowa.net 









City directories of other towns (old) 


(a few, old) 



Newspapers: 

Knoxville Journal (October 4, 1856-July 29, 1975) film 

Knoxville Express (June 13, 1893-July 17, 1975) film 

Knoxville Journal Express (July 17, 1975-December 30, 1989) film 

Knoxville Journal Express ((1995-present) print 

Bussey Record (October 12, 1911-June 1, 1951 incomplete) film 

Pleasantville Marion County News (November 10, 1932-May 10, 1984 incomplete) film 

Pella Gazette (February 1, 1855-February 22, 1860) film 

Pella Republican (May 23, 1890-September 19, 1891) film 

Pella Copperhead (January 15, 1868 single issue) film 

Pella Weekly Visitor (February 23, 1880-September 27, 1883) film 

Pella Weekly Herald (September 26, 1891-May 31, 1895) film 

Pella Blade (May 4, 1865-December 25, 1894) film

Pella Times (August 16, 1895-November 23, 1895) film 

Pella Chronicle (August 23, 1901-June 28, 1991) film 

Pella Chronicle (current month) print 

Oskaloosa Herald (current month) print 

Marion County News (current month) print 











Lucas county probate 

Warren county probate 



Carnegie-Viersen Public Library 

823 Broadway 

Pella, IA 50219 

(515) 628-4268 (phone) 

(515) 628-1326 (fax) 

Cvpl@central.edu 










Census materials: 

Dutch Households in the US Population: 1850, 1860, 1870 (3 vol.) 

Dutch Immigrants in US ship passenger manifest 1820-1880 (2 vol.) 

Dutch Immigrants to the US, South Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, 1835-1880. 

Newspapers: 

Pella Chronicle (1901-present) film 

Pella Advertiser (January 10, 1896-November 20, 1897) film 

(index in process for the Chronicle: 1901-1905) 


Pella necrology 1870-present 





MARSHALL COUNTY 

Pioneer Heritage Library 

P. O.Box 188 

204 North Vine Street

LeGrand, IA 50142-0188 

(515) 479-2122 (phone) 

(515) 479-2122 (fax) 

pioner00@marshallnet.com 



Local histories (some) 



Photograph collections (LeGrand area) 

Marshalltown Public Library 

36 North Center Street 

Marshalltown, IA 50158 

(515) 754-5738 (phone) 

(515) 754-5708 (fax) 

Library@marshallnet.com 













1810 Pennsylvania census (Bedford-Chester counties) 

1850 Vermont census (Addison County) 

Newspapers: 

Marshalltown Times-Republican (June 1888-present) film 

Marshalltown Statesman (July 31, 1875-June 29, 1888) film 

Marshall County Times (1858-1859) film 

Marshalltown Electric Light (May 19, 1883-December 24, 1887) film 

Marietta Weekly Express (December 9, 1857-February 29, 1860) film 

Gilman Dispatch (August 17, 1916-September 12, 1918) film 

LeGrand Herald (August 30, 1870-January 7, 1898; January 7, 1916-October 23, 1943) film 

Melbourne Record (January 6, 1916-June 15, 1984) film 

State Center Enterprise (August 1, 1901-December 29, 1994) film 





Cemetery records for town Wills (1853-1928) 

Probate records for county (1851-1880) 




Family histories (books and transcripts) 

Pamphlet file on Marshalltown, Marshall County, and Iowa history 

MILLS COUNTY 

Emerson Public Library 

P. O. Box 2 

410 Manchester Street 

Emerson, IA 51533-0313 

(712) 824-7256 (phone) 

(712) 824-7845 (fax) 










Newspapers: 

Opinion Tribune (current only) 

Malvern (current only) 

Red Oak Express (current only) 





Collection of 1982 flood of Emerson scrapbook 

Scrapbook of Emerson Women’s Club back to 1800’s 

Glenwood Public Library 

109 North Vine Street 

Glenwood, IA 51534-1516 

(712) 527-5252 (phone) 

(712) 527-3619 (fax) 

denise@net.ins.net 













1840-1860 Federal census on microfilm for all the Iowa counties 

Newspapers: 

Mills County Tribune (July 1891-March 1927) film 

Mills County Tribune (January 1901-March 1927) print

Glenwood Opinion & Opinion Tribune (August 1897-June 30, 1993) film 

Glenwood Opinion & Opinion Tribune (April 1927-December 1995) print 

Malvern Leader (August 1879-December 1991) film 

Tabor Beacon (July 1887-December 1988) film 

Pacific City Enterprise (June 1857-June 1858) film 





War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (130 vol.) 


MITCHELL COUNTY 

Osage Public Library 


Osage, IA 50461-1125 

(515) 732-3323 (phone) 

(515) 732-4419 (fax) 

Osagepl@osage.net 







Plat maps of other counties (Floyd) 




County histories of other counties (Worth) 


State census for county: (1856-1925) (1915 Soundex for Mitchell County.) 

Several Federal & State census microfilm reels also contain Mills, Monroe, Marshall and Monona counties: 

1856—Marshall, Mills, Monroe; 1885-Mills; 1910 and 1920 Monona & Monroe 

Newspapers: 

Mitchell County Republican (March 1857-February 1859) film 

North Iowan (August 1859-November 1860; March 1865-October 1868) film 

Osage Journal (October 1898-September 1899; January 1903-December 1903; January 1912-December 

1912; January 1916-December 1916) film 

Osage Sun (October 1897-September 1898) film 

North Iowa Standard (roll ends as Osage Weekly—January 1864-May 1869) film 

Osage News (October 1883-December 1915) film 

Mitchell County Press News (April 1866-present) film 

Saturday Herald (April 1902-June 1902) film 

Mitchell County Press News (1926-present) print 



Cemetery records for county (pre-1900) 


Family histories

MONONA COUNTY 

Onawa Public Library 

707 Iowa Avenue 

Onawa, IA 51040 

(712) 423-1733 (phone) 

(712) 423-3828 (fax) 

onawalib@willinet.net 












Federal census for county: (1850, 1860, 1880-1920) 


Newspapers: 

Onawa Democrat (1890-present) print and film 

Onawa Sentinel (1921-present) print and film 








Special collections: 




MONTGOMERY COUNTY 

Red Oak Public Library 

400 North Second Street 

Red Oak, IA 51566 

(712) 623-6516 (phone) 

(712) 623-6518 (fax) 

redoak00@iren.net 














Newspapers: 

Red Oak Express (1874-1917, incomplete; 1917-present) film 

Other titles which have been absorbed by the Express: Red Oak Independent, Red Oak Republican, 

Stanton Call 

Red Oak Sun (1884-1955) film 

Villisca Mercury & Villisca Weekly Review (1871-1880, incomplete; 1880-1906) film 









Our county seat library is strong in local history for Red Oak and Montgomery County. We hold the “Peoples 

Art”—a project including 7,000 slide images of original calendars printed in the T. D. Murphy Co. plant in Red 

Oak. Indexes to these images and other reference materials re: calendar/commercial art. 39 panel exhibit “The 

People’s Art”. 

Villisca Public Library 

204 South Third Avenue 

Villisca, IA 50864 

(712) 826-2452 (phone) 










Newspapers: 

Villisca Review (1977-present) print 







MUSCATINE COUNTY 

West Liberty Public Library 

400 North Spencer (319) 627-2084 (phone) 

West Liberty, IA 52776 

(319) 627-2135 (fax)

wllibrary@netins.net 


COLLECTIONS AND RES OURCES: 








Newspapers: 

West Liberty Index (1881-1974) film 

West Liberty Index (1975-present) print 







We have every shred of paper relating to our library: receipt stubs, bills, inventories, all old accession books, 

clippings. 

O’BRIEN COUNTY 

General N. B. Baker Public Library 

P. O. Box 280 

315 Ash Street 

Sutherland, IA 51058-0280 

(712) 446-3839 (phone) 

(712) 446-3839 (fax) 







Newspapers: 

Sutherland Courier (July 1885-present; missing 1889-1895 and 1899-1907) film 






OSCEOLA COUNTY 

Sibley Public Library 

406 Ninth Street Sibley, IA 51249-1803

(712) 754-2888 (phone) 

(712) 754-2590 (fax) 

siblib@rconnect.com 











Newspapers: 

Sibley Gazette (1883-1889, 1893-1941, 1943-1993) film 

Ocheyedan Press (1916-1926, 1976-1984) film 

Melvin Argus (1915-1917, 1976-1978) film 




PAGE COUNTY 

Clarinda Public Library 

300 North Sixteenth Street 

Clarinda, IA 51632-1635 

(712) 542-3590 (fax) 

(712) 542-2416 (phone) 

clarlib@clarinda.heartland.net 








Newspapers: 

Page County Herald (June 3, 1859-May 30, 1862) film 

Page County Democrat (August 20, 1868-1874, October 9, 1884-1886) film 

Clarinda Herald & Herald Journal (July 10, 1889-present) film 



Cemetery records for county (some) 

Cemetery records for town (some) 



Shenandoah Public Library 

201 South Elm 

Shenandoah, IA 52601 

(712) 246-2315 (phone) 

(712) 246-5847 (fax) 

shenlib@shenessex.heartland.net 









Federal census for Fremont County for some years 

State census for Fremont County (1925) 

Soundex Reference Guide (paper) 

Newspapers: 

Shenandoah Sentinel/Evening Sentinel (November 25, 1887-February 4, 1994) film 

Shenandoah Daily World (November 9, 1897-April 15, 1925) film 

Shenandoah Evening Sentinel World (April 15, 1925-May 22, 1926) film 

Shenandoah The Fire Brand (November 8, 1888, single issue; January 1900-December 1902) film 

Shenandoah Sentinel Post Biweekly (September 1, 1908-December 31, 1915) film 

Shenandoah Sentinel Post Triweekly (January 3, 1916-December 30, 1921) film 

Shenandoah Valley News (January 4, 1992-March 30, 1993) film 

Coin Gazette/Eagle (1882-1934) film 

(index for obituaries 1894-1992) 




Fremont County cemetery records 

Atchison County (Mo) cemetery records 





Sanborn Fire Insurance maps (Shenandoah) on film 

Grave registrations, war veterans of Page County, IA Civil War-1942 (indexed). 

PALO ALTO COUNTY 

Emmetsburg Public Library 

707 North Superior Street 

Emmetsburg, IA 50536-2410 

(712) 852-3785 (fax) 

meleners@ilcc.cc.ia.us 

(712) 852-4009 (phone) 










Newspapers: 

Emmetsburg weekly newspapers since 1875 (various titles); most in print, some film 

(no index, but short obit index) 





Vital records for other counties: Emmet and Kossuth 


Obituary collection for county (some) 





Mallard Public Library 

P. O. Box 248 (712) 425-3330 (phone) 

607 Inman (712) 425-3330 (fax) 

Mallard, IA 50562 

mallardl@ncn.net 









PLYMOUTH COUNTY 

Akron Public Library 

P. O. Box 348 

Akron, IA 51001 

(712) 568-2601 (phone) 

(712) 568-2601 (fax) 

akronlib@heartlandtel.com 






Plat maps of county


Newspapers: 

Akron Register-Tribune (1897-present) film 




LeMars Public Library 

46 First Street SW 

LeMars. IA 51031-3696 

(712) 546-5004 (phone) 

(712) 546-5797 (fax) 

library@lemars.ia.frontiercomm.net 







City directories of town (recent) 

Telephone books of town (recent) 




Newspapers: 

LeMars newspapers (1881-present) film 

(index for 1881-1907; 1988-present) 






Cemetery records for Sioux and O’Brien counties; obits for Sheldon 

Marriage records for county (1860-1880, 1891-1900) 




Social Security Death Index 

WPA grave registrations for Plymouth, Sioux and O’Brien counties 

Collection of centennial/history books of surrounding towns in Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury, Clay and 

Crawford counties 

POCAHONTAS COUNTY 

Laurens Public Library 

273 North Third Street 

Laurens, IA 50554 


(712) 845-4612 (phone) 

(712) 845-4612 (fax) 

laurenspl@ncn.net 












Census for Loudoun & Louisa counties, VA, 1850 

Census for Crawford, Door & Douglas counties, WI, 1860 

Census for Woodford County, IL, 1860 

Newspapers: 

Laurens Sun (September 3, 1885-1996, except 1950) film 

Laurens Sun (1990-1996) print 

The Pilot Tribune (Storm Lake) (3 mos.-present) print 

Pocahontas Record Democrat (3 mos.-present) print 



Obituary collection for town (incomplete) 

Obituary collection for county (incomplete) Cemetery records for town 





Cemetery records for Clay County (1876-1980) 



Oral history collections (audio, video, transcripts) 

We have a growing genealogy collection, thanks to the support of the local genealogy group. 

Plover Public Library 


Plover, IA 50573 

(712) 857-3532 (phone) 




Pocahontas Public Library 

14 Second Avenue NW 

Pocahontas, IA 50574 

(712) 335-4471 (phone) 

(712) 335-4471 (fax) 

pokypl@ncn.net 











Newspapers: 

Pocahontas Democrat (1901-1922) film 

Pocahontas Record (1884-1888, 1900-1922) film 

Pocahontas Record Democrat (1923-1996) film 











Oral history collections (video, transcripts) 

Video collection of interviews of those remembering early Pocahontas 

Documentary called “Main Street, Pocahontas” (video) 

Video collection of interviews of those remembering home dances, barn dances, early dance halls in early 1900s 

Video to be produced soon combining interviews. 

Rolfe Public Library 

401 Garfield 

Rolfe, IA 50581 

(712) 848-3435 (phone) 

(712) 848-3435 (fax) 

bbrink@ncn.net 





Local school annuals 

Federal census for county: (1860, 1870, 1880, 1910, 1920) 


Newspapers: 

Rolfe Arrow (and earlier names of same paper) (1884-1990) film 

Rolfe Arrow (1990-present) print 

In 1990 our paper was absorbed by the Pocahontas Record Democrat. Our printed index includes all the 

information in that paper from 1990 to present. 

(index for genealogical purposes only) 


Birth records for county (before 1900) 

Death records for county (before 1900) 

Marriage records for county (before 1900) 

Cemetery records for county (D.A.R.) 

Cemetery records for town (D.A.R.) 

Microfilm of records in City Hall

Index to records at local funeral home 



Oral history collections (audio, transcripts—100 relating to local history with an emphasis on transportation) 

Scrapbooks of pictures of local people in Iowa’s Bicentennial Year (over 1000 people) 

Scrapbooks of local businessmen’s snapshots 

Copies of photodirectories of local churches 

POLK COUNTY 

Grimes Public Library 

P. O. Box 280 

200 North James 

Grimes, IA 50111-0280 

(515) 986-3551 (phone) 

(515) 986-9553 (fax) 

pfaffk@desk2.grimes.lib.ia.us 







Plat maps of other counties (Dallas County) 

Newspapers: 

Northeast Dallas County Record (1987-present) print 

Public Library of Des Moines 

100 Locust Street 

Des Moines, IA 50309 

(515) 283-4152 (phone) 

(515) 237-1654 (fax) 

dsmlib@netins.net 











City directories of other towns (current year) 

Telephone books of other towns (current) 

State Census for county: (1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925) 

Newspapers: 

Des Moines Register (1871-present) film 

Des Moines Tribune (1907-September 25, 1982 some gaps) film 

Daily Iowa Capitol (March 14, 1888-April 20, 1890) film 

Des Moines Daily Record (1926-1949, many gaps) film 

Des Moines Daily Record (1949-1987) print 

Iowa Bystander (1894-1987, gaps) film, some print 

Communicator (1987-present) print

Cityview (July 8, 1992-present) print 

Des Moines Skywalker (April 20, 1983-July 1992) print 

Business Record (October 1983-present) print 

(indexes for Des Moines Register: card file by subject 1946-1984; printed ISU index June 1975-June 

1987; Library’s computerized index 1986-present) 


Obituary collection for town—part of our newspaper index and obits available on microfilm 




Extensive clipping file covering Des Moines and Iowa, as well as bound volumes of biographical clippings 

from 1909 to date on prominent Iowans 

Sanborn fire maps for Des Moines 

State Archives of Iowa 

600 East Locust Street (515) 281-8875 (phone) 

Des Moines, Iowa 50319 

(515) 282-0502 (fax) 



Original government records such as court cases, legislative material, adjutant general records, land survey 

records, maps, private manuscripts. Collections cover entire state. 

Federal census for county: All available federal census records for Iowa 

State census for county: All available state census records for Iowa 


State Archives is the repository for all vital records in Iowa. Microfilm is available. State level records are 

available when 75 years old and not otherwise restricted. 






The State Archives preserves all permanently valuable state government records. It also holds photographs, 

maps, ephemera and private manuscripts related to Iowa history. Finding aids are available. 

State Historical Society of Iowa Library 

600 East Locust, Capitol Complex 

Des Moines, IA 50319 

(515) 281-6200 (phone) 

(515) 282-0502 (fax) 




County histories of all Iowa counties 

County atlases of all Iowa counties 

Plat maps of all Iowa counties 

City directories of most Iowa towns 

Telephone books of most Iowa towns 

Federal census for state: (1850-1920) 

State census for state: (1856, 1885-1925) 

Indexes to out-of-state censuses 

1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 Mortality, Agricultural and Industrial schedules of the Federal census 

Some county censuses for Iowa. 

Newspapers: 

Newspapers from all counties in Iowa. There are indexes to papers from the following towns: Des 

Moines, Sioux City, Boone, Afton, Panora, Waterloo, Knoxville, Decorah 


Probate records for state 

Birth records for state 

Death records for state 

Marriage records for state 

Cemetery records for state 





Vertical file on Iowa 

Sanborn fire insurance maps 

WPA cemetery transcripts 

Legislative files. 

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY 

Council Bluffs Public Library 

400 Willow Avenue 

Council Bluffs, IA 51503 

(712) 323-7553 (phone) 

(712) 323-1269 (fax) 

jgodsey@server.silo.lib.ia.us 







Plat maps of other counties (Harrison) 







Newspapers: 

Frontier Guardian (February 1849-June 1852) film 

Daily Morning Bugle (July 1857-December 1868) film 

Daily Evening Bugle (January 1869-June 1870) film 

Weekly Nonpareil (May 18, 1857-June 1881) film

Council Bluffs Globe (October 1883-June 30, 1897) film 

Daily Nonpareil (January 1881-present) film 

(Index to Nonpareil on computer October 1995 to date. Before this date extensive clipping and card 

files 1950-October 1995 with some indexing 1849 to date) 








Oral history collections (transcripts) 

Pencil sketches by George Simons from 1850s 

23 volumes of letters of General Grenville Dodge with his own handwritten corrections and additions; many 

correspondence items written by Amelia Bloomer. 

Probate records available at local genealogical society 

POWESHIEK COUNTY 

Burling Library 

P. O. Box 805 

Grinnell College 

Grinnell, IA 50112-0811 

(515) 269-3350 (Phone) 

(515) 269-4283 (fax) 

czechowl@ac.grin.edu 











Newspapers: 

Grinnell Herald (1888-1936) film 

Grinnell Register (1911-1937) film 

Grinnell Herald Register (1936-present) film 


: 




Burling Library has materials relating to Grinnell College including many photographs, papers of faculty 

and alumni, and historical information from the Iowa Band. It also has materials relating to persons and 

organizations from the community including many documents of the Congregational Church.

Stewart Library 

P. O. Box 390 (515) 236-2661 (phone) 

926 Broad Street (515) 236-2667 (fax) 

Grinnell, IA 50112 

stewrt00@iren.net 











Newspapers: 

Grinnell Register (1911-1937) film 

Grinnell Herald (August 16, 1871-February 11, 1936) film 

Grinnell Herald Register (May 13, 1937-present) film 

Poweshiek County Herald (January 6, 1870-July 26, 1871) film 

Montezuma Standard (September 6, 1871-March 6, 1872) film 

Malcom Bulletin (February 3, 1871-August 18, 1871) film 

Grinnell Independent (February 16, 1879-April 29, 1880) film 









We have developed and are gradually adding items to our vertical file. We also have a unique oral history 

collection compiled by Friends of Stewart Library in 1992. It is entitled “Grinnell’s Voices from the Past: The 

Depression and World War II.” The collection includes interviews with 20 long-time Grinnell residents that 

have been transcribed. There are also photographs of each interviewee suitable for display. A videotape 

entitled “Testaments” interviews several of the project participants in some detail. The video, transcripts and 

photographs can be checked out. 

Poweshiek County Historical & Genealogical Library 

P. O. Box 280 (515) 623-3322 (phone) 

206 North Mill Street 

Montezuma, IA 50171 






Plat maps of county










Obituary collections for towns 

Marriage records for county from 1848 

Ce metery records for county 

Cemetery records for towns 



Photograph collections (small) 


RINGGOLD COUNTY 

Mount Ayr Public Library 

121 West Monroe 

Mount Ayr, IA 50854 

(515) 464-2159 (phone) 

(515) 464-2159 (fax) 










Newspapers: 

Ringgold Record (1872-1908) film 

Twice-a-Week News (1892-1907) film 

Mount Ayr Journal (1893-1920) film 

Kellerton Globe (1894-1907) film 

Mount Ayr Record News (1908-1989) film 

Redding Herald (1915-1919, 1926-1947) film 

Redding Rustler and Redding Register (1901 and 1906) film 

Shannon City Messenger (1915-1918) film 

Diagonal Reporter (1918-1972) film 

Tingley Vindicator (1903-1948) film 

Ringgold County “Old Timers” Bulletin (1930-1946) 



Register of marriages 1855-1912 Death records for county (index 1880-1897) 

Birth records for county (index 1880-1897) Marriage records for county (index 1880-1913) 

Index to wills (1858-1880) 


Gravestone records (1800-1930) 



Family histories


Various county church records 1800-1924 

Bohemian settlers, 1856-1900 

Zaruba family records 1864-1900 

Ringgold County Beall directories 1896 & 1899 

We also have several cassette tapes of interviews with various old-timers pertaining to histories of towns and 

areas within the county, as well as accounts of some historical events within the county. 

SAC COUNTY 

Wall Lake Public Library 

P. O. Box 29 


Wall Lake, IA 51466-0029 

(712) 664-2983 (phone) 

(712) 664-2577 (fax) 

wll@netins.net 








Newspapers: 

The Chronicle (Wall Lake edition) 1984-1991) film 

The Chronicle (Wall Lake edition) (1984-1996) print 

The Wall Lake Blade (1890-1984) print and film 




SCOTT COUNTY 

Davenport Public Library 


Davenport, IA 52801 

(319) 326-7902 (phone) 

(319) 326-7809 (fax) 

krunge@libby.rbls.lib.il.us 














State census for county: (1856-1895, 1915, 1925)

Other Census materials: 1850, 1860, 1870 Federal census for all Iowa counties 

Soundex for all Iowa counties 

1850, 1860, 1870 printed census indexes for Iowa 

Most federal and state census schedules for Cedar, Clinton, Muscatine and Louisa counties 

Newspapers: 

Daily Davenport Democrat (April 20, 1864-August 15, 1874) film 

Daily Democrat and News (October 11, 1859-April 19, 1864) film 

Daily Iowa State Democrat (July 4, 1856-October 9, 1859) film 

Daily Morning News (March 31, 1858-December 31, 1858) film 

Davenport Daily Gazette (September 13, 1849-August 31, 1854; October 16, 1854-May 2, 1857; January 1, 

1880-December 31, 1880; July 1, 1881-December 31, 1881; July 1, 1883-November 23, 1883; March 

1, 1887-December 4, 1888) film 

Davenport Daily Leader (includes weekly) (July 1894-December 1894; February 2, 1900-June 29, 1900; 

January 1903-June, 1903) film 

Davenport Daily Republican (April 1897-March, 1898; April 1903-September 1904) film 

Davenport Daily Times (October 1887-May 1964) film 

Davenport Democrat (August 17, 1874-January 30, 1884; August 19, 1884-June 3, 1887; January 2, 1890- 

May 1964) film 

Davenport Democrat Gazette (December 5, 1888-December 31, 1889) film 

Davenport Democrat Weekly (January 14, 1877-December 29, 1880) film 

Davenport Gazette (August 26, 1841-August 19, 1847) film 

Davenport Semi Weekly Times (August 9, 1899-December 31, 1901) film 

Davenport Weekly Democrat (January 2, 1889-December 31, 1896) film 

Davenport Weekly Republican (April 7, 1897-March 30, 1898; April 2, 1903-March 15, 1904) film 

Davenport Weekly Times (May 1887-December 1895; January 1899-August 5, 1899) film 

Iowa Reform (German language) (July 1894-June 22, 1897) film 

Morning Democrat (January 1, 1890-January 31, 1897) film 

Morning Democrat Gazette (June 7, 1887-December 31, 1889) film 

North Scott Press (June 1, 1976-April 30, 1992) film 

Quad-City Times (February 1975-present) film 

Times Democrat (June 1964-January 1975) film 

Tri City Star and Davenport Morning Star (September 17, 1904-February 14, 1905) film 

(indexes for these papers: local news 1983-1993 card file; 1993-present on computer; vital records 

(birth, marriage, death) 1899-1946; obits 1950-1954, 1986-1989 card file; 1990-present on 

computer) 






Cemetery records for town Probate records for county 





SHELBY COUNTY 

Harlan Community Library 

718 Court Street 

Harlan, IA 51537 

(712) 755-5934 (phone) 

(712) 755-3952 (fax) 

harlan@netins.net 

Microforms and print functions: yes







County histories of other counties (Audubon) 




Newspapers: 

Shelby News (1879-1920 and 1953-1969) film 

Harlan Herald (1878-1883) print and film 

Harlan Hub (1880-1883) print and film 

Harlan Republican (1921-1937) print and film 

Harlan Tribune (1979-present) print, film to 1992 

Harlan News-Advertiser (1936-present) print, film to 1992 







Probate records for county Cemetery records for town 


Some church records on microfilm from the county 

Harlan High School Yearbooks (The Harpoon) from 1894-1994. 


SIOUX COUNTY 

Alton Public Library 

P. O. Box 379 

905 Third Avenue 

Alton, IA 51003-0379 

(712) 756-4516 (phone) 

(712) 756-8999 (fax) 

altonlib@nwidt.com 







Newspapers: 

Alton Democrat (Later called Sioux County Capital-Democrat) (1884-1996) print and some film 





Family histories (a few)

Orange City Public Library 

112 Albany Avenue SE 

Orange City, IA 51041 

(712) 737-4302 (phone) 

(712) 737-4431 (fax) 

Orange00@iren.net 









Newspapers: 

Sioux County Capital-Democrat (December 19, 1935-present) film 

Siouxland Press (December 7, 1988-present) print? 



See below 


Family histories (a few) 


We have a collection of Dutch costume patterns researched and drawn up locally, which are available for people 

to copy. 

Vital statistics records are kept in the Clerk of District Court’s office at the courthouse. The Recorder’s office 

has county histories and county atlases. The Auditor’s office has county directories, the 1900, 1910 and 1920 

censuses. 

Sioux Center Public Library 

327 First avenue NE 

Sioux Center, IA 51250 

(712) 722-2138 (phone) 

(712) 722-1235 (fax) 

Sclib@dordt.edu 









Other census material: Marion County for 1850 and 1860 

Newspapers: 

Sioux Center Nieuwsblad (April 1896-October 1953) film 

Sioux Center News (August 20, 1930-December 1975) film







Extensive collection of genealogical and historical materials, including passenger and immigration lists 

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio census indexes for early years 

Church histories 

High school yearbooks 

Genealogical indexes. 

STORY COUNTY 

Iowa Department of Transportation Library 

800 Lincoln Way 1-800-262-0003 ext. 1200 (phone) 

Ames, IA 50010 

(515) 239 1639 (fax) 

Hzalete@iadot.e-mail.com 





State highway maps 1919-present 

Huebinger Iowa road atlases 1912, 1913, 1917, 1923 

Iowa Highway Commission County road atlases 1938-present. 



Postcard collection 

800 photographs of Iowa parks (1920-1950) 

10,000 photographs of Iowa roads and bridges (1915-present) 

3 linear feet of historic road documentation (e.g., Lincoln Highway) 

2,000 newspaper clippings on Rock Island Railroad 

1,000 newspaper clippings on Chicago Northwestern Railroad 

6 linear feet of clippings relating to Iowa Transportation (e.g., airports, transit trails, automobiles, interstates, 

etc.) 

University Library 

Iowa State University 

(515) 294-1442 (phone) 

Ames, IA 50011 (515) 294-2112 (fax) 

Cdobson@iastate.edu 






Plat maps of county







Newspapers: 

Ames Evening Times (1892-1919) film 

Daily Tribune (Ames) (1919-present) film 



Cemetery records for college cemetery 






Sanborn fire maps for Iowa 

Nevada Public Library 

631 K Avenue (515) 382-2628 (phone) 

Nevada, IA 50201-1931 

(515) 382-3552 (fax) 

Nevada00@iren.net 












Newspapers: 

Nevada Journal (1895-present) film 

Nevada Representative (1870-1919) film 

Story County Watchman (1877-1906) film 






Probate records for county (early vault boxes) 



Roland Public Library 

P. O. Box 409 

218 North Main

(515) 388-4086 (phone) 

Roland, IA 50236-0409 

rolandlib@timberidge.com 









Newspapers: 

Roland Record (1897-1975) film 




Records for Howard Township 



Newspaper clippings in scrapbook; The years of basketball from late 40’s-1950, Gary Thompson was local 

athlete 

Several community authors have written about their personal lives in Iowa. 

Zearing Public Library 

P. O. Box 197 (515) 487-7888 (phone) 

101 East Main (515) 487-7888 (fax) 

Zearing, IA 50278 

jeanwatts@netins.net 












Newspapers: 

The Reporter (October 14, 1992-present) print 



Photograph collections (Zearing history) 


We have three different history books about Zearing, one of McCallsburg, one of Saint Anthony, and a history 

of Marshall County.

TAMA COUNTY 

Dysart Public Library 

P. O. Box 519 


Dysart, IA 52224-0519 

(319) 476-5210 (phone) 

(319) 476-2761 (fax) 

dysartpl@netins.net 






1892 Tama county plat book 

1917 Benton county atlas 









Toledo Public Library 

206 East High Street 

Toledo, IA 52342 

(515) 484-3362 (phone) 

(515) 484-3362 (fax) 

tpl@gte.net 









TAYLOR COUNTY 

Bedford Public Library 

507 Jefferson Street 

Bedford, IA 50833 

(712) 523-2828 (phone) 

bedforl@bedford.heartland.net 












Other census material: Indexes from Dakota, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, 

Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin. 

Newspapers: 

Iowa Southwest (January 24, 1867-December 28, 1867; January 9, 1875-July 22, 1876; July 29, 1876- 

September 6, 1879) film 

Bedford Argus (January-December 1879) film 

Taylor County Republican (January 5, 1878-December 2, 1878; January 1, 1880-December 30, 1880; 

January 1882-December 7, 1882; January 3, 1883-July 24, 1884) film 

Southwest Democrat (1888) film 

Taylor County Democrat (July 22, 1893-July 6, 1895) film 

Daily Republican (July 1898, June 1904 incomplete) film 

Bedford Free Press (scattered holdings between June 13, 1895-December 1926) film 

Bedford Times Republican (October 3, 1901-December 31, 1931) film 

Taylor County Herald (August 1932-October 22, 1945) film 

Bedford Times Press (March 2, 1933-November 15, 1979) film 

Bedford Times Press (1979-present) print 






UNION COUNTY 

Gibson Memorial Library 

124 North Maple 

Creston, IA 50801 

(515) 782-2277 (phone) 

(515) 782-4604 (fax) 

cstanger@aea14.k12.ia.us 













Newspapers: 

Creston News Advertiser (1921-present; before 1921 is very spotty) film 














VAN BUREN COUNTY 

Bonaparte Public Library 

Washington Street 

Bonaparte, IA 52620 

(319) 592-3677 (phone) 





Telephone books of town (current) 

Newspapers: 

Many clipped items from local weekly newspapers 






Marriage records for county (early) 



Photograph collection (small) 

Keosauqua Public Library 

P. O. Box 158 (319) 293-3766 (phone) 

618 First Street (319) 293-3766 (fax) 

Keosauqua, IA 52565-0158 

keolib@worf.netins.net 












Newspapers: 

Keosauqua Republican (1859-1939) film 

Van Buren County Register (1941-1973; 1981-1985) film

State Line Democrat (1894-1920) film 

Van Buren County Record (Bonaparte) (1911-1983) film 

Birmingham Enterprise (1874-1936) film 

Farmington Tri County (1898-1974) film 

Stockport News (1918-1924) film 

Milton Herald (1878-1921) film 







Obituary collection for town Cemetery records for town 



Fairly extensive local history collection, including “gold rush” diaries, etc. 

Many miscellaneous church , school, land records, scrapbooks, etc. on microfilm done by Mormon Church in 

1970s 

Roster of Iowa soldiers in the Civil War. 

WAPELLO COUNTY 

Ottumwa Public Library 

102 West Fourth Street 

Ottumwa, IA 52501-2509 

(515) 682-7563 (phone) 

(515) 682-4970 (fax) 

00@iren.net 












Newspapers: 

Ottumwa Courier (1871-present) film 





Cemetery records for count 



WARREN COUNTY 

Indianola Public Library

207 North B Street 

Indianola, IA 50125 

(515) 961-9418 (phone) 

(515) 961-9419 (fax) 

winston@netins.net 












Newspapers: 

Indianola Record/Herald (1921-present) film 

Advocate Tribune (August 1876-1921) film 













New Virginia Public Library 

408 West Street 

New Virginia, IA 50210-0304 

(515) 449-3614 (phone) 







Newspapers: 

The New Virginian (1970s to late 80s complete) print 







Cemetery records for town Obituary collection for town 



Postcard collections

WASHINGTON COUNTY 

Washington Public Library 

120 East Main Street 

Washington, IA 52353 

(319) 653-2726 (phone) 

(319) 653-2097 (fax) 

washlib@netins.net 














State census for county: (1851, 1852, 1854 , 1856) 

Other census information: 1900 census of Los Angeles, Ca.; Mortality schedule 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880. 

Newspapers: 

Brighton Enterprise (June 24, 1882-June 11, 1968) film 

Keota Eagle (May 13, 1876-June 13, 1985) film 

Kalona News (November 19, 1891-July 7, 1983; September 6, 1984-December 31, 1987) film 

Riverside Leader (July 30, 1925-July 8, 1943; April 19, 1978-December 29, 1989) film 

Wayland News (March 30, 1905-December 29, 1932; September 12, 1935-December 24, 1953, scattered 

issues; January 3, 1951-February 17, 1972) film 

Wellman Advance (September 20, 1889-June 24, 1993) film 

Washington Evening Journal (March 1895-December 1994) film 

Washington Press (April 1856-October 1918) film 

Washington Gazette (January 1881-December 1903) film 

Crawfordsville paper (various dates) film 

Ainsworth paper (various dates) film 

Winfield Beacon (1885-December 1989) film 

Richland paper (October 1882-December 1991) film 

Fairfield Ledger (March 1853-December 1908) film 

Mt. Pleasant News (January 1895-July 30, 1990) film 

Columbus Junction Gazette (January 1889-December 1990) film 

Columbus Safeguard (January 1859-December 1921) film 

Riverside paper (1887-1928, misc. 1882-on) film 

Brighton paper (1869, June 1882-December 1970) film 










Vertical file 

Collection of historical books from General H. Scofield collection 

Native American artifacts

Local art collection funded by ongoing trust 

Church records on film 

Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers. 

WAYNE COUNTY 

LeCompte Memorial Library 

110 South Franklin 

Corydon, IA 50060 

(515) 872-1621 (phone) 

lecompte@netins.net 














Federal census for other states than Iowa 

Newspapers: 

Allerton Advance (1948-1949) film 

Seymour Herald (1947-1958) film 

Corydon Democrat (1891-1925) film 

Corydon Times-Republican (1902-1993) film 

Humeston New Era (1922-1984) film 

Lineville Tribune (1890-1947) film 

Allerton News (1894-1940) film 







Obituary collection for county Obituary collection for town 


Vital records for other counties 




Seymour Community Library 

123 North Fifth Street (515) 898-2966 (phone) 

Seymour, IA 52590 

(515) 898-7540 (fax) 











County histories of other counties County atlases of other counties 




Newspapers: 

Seymour Democrat (February 27, 1908-November 13, 1913) film 

Seymour Press (July 10, 1890-April 24, 1919) film 

Seymour Herald (April 24, 1919-December 27, 1990) film 







Obituary collection for county Cemetery records for town 




Family histories and genealogies 

School yearbooks 

Cemetery inscriptions 1846-1991. 

WEBSTER COUNTY 

Fort Dodge Public Library 

605 First Avenue North 

Fort Dodge, IA 50501 

(515) 573-8167 (phone) 

(515) 573-5422 (fax) 

libstaff@dodgenet.com 







City directories of town (1889-1929 on film) 

County histories of other counties (limited) 

City directories of other towns (limited) 




Indexes to the 1885 and 1895 State Censuses for Webster County 

Military Census (1862-1876) 

Newspapers: 

Fort Dodge Democrat (July 27, 1861 through 1862) film 

Fort Dodge Republican (March 16, 1864) film 

Iowa Northwest (October 17, 1864-June 24, 1869; July 1, 1869) film 

Webster County Gazette (February 2, 1877-June 4, 1880) film 

Northwest Chronicle (October 29, 1884-August 1, 1888) film

Saturday Evening Post (December 10, 1892-December 30, 1893) film 

Fort Dodge Messenger (April 25, 1872-present—see various names below) film 

Fort Dodge Evening Messenger (March 31, 1892-December 31, 1902) film 

Fort Dodge Messenger (semi weekly) (January 3, 1896-December 28, 1906) film 

Fort Dodge Daily Chronicle (August 18, 1906-June 30, 1917) film 

Fort Dodge Messenger and Chronicle (February 2, 1918-December 31, 1945) film 

Fort Dodge Messenger (April 1946-present) film 

(Index 1856-1883 covers newspapers owned by the local Historical Society; 1903-1916) 







Will records (some) 


Deed records 

Naturalization records 

Homestead index and records 

WINNEBAGO COUNTY 

Forest City Public Library 

115 East “L” Street (515) 582-2939 (fax) 

Forest City, IA 50436 

fcpublib@netins.net 











Newspapers: 

Winnebago/Forest City Summit (November 26, 1874-June 29, 1993) film 

The Independent (May 16, 1895-November 3, 1921) film 

Forest City Winnebago Republican (January 6, 1904-August 26, 1914) film 







Probate records for county Obituary collection for town 




FCPL is one of two recipients of the proceeds of a trust fund established to procure Scandinavian materials. We 

have many fine histories of the various Scandinavian countries, as well as histories of immigrants from

Scandinavia to the US. Most unique is our reasonably wide selection of “bygdebok”—Norwegian 

family/farm histories—probably best in the state other than Vesterheim. 

WINNESHIEK COUNTY 

Wilder Learning Resources 

Northeast Iowa Community College 

P. O. Box 400 

Calmar, IA 52132 

(319) 562-3263 (phone) 

(319) 562-4361 (fax) 

epperlyj@nicc.cc.ia.us 







Special resources 

We have a very nice collection of books on agricultural machines, their history and histories of companies. 

Decorah Public Library 

202 Winnebago Street (319) 382-3717 (phone) 

Decorah, IA 52101 

(319) 382-4524 (fax) 

Borowslo@luther.edu 














Early Minnesota census, southern counties of Houston and Filmore, MN 

Census of Allamakee County & Howard County, IA 

Newspapers: 

Decorah Journal (no dates given) print 

Decorah Republican (no dates given) print 

Public Opinion (no dates given) print 



Birth records for county (1865-present) 

Death records for county (1880-present) 

Marriage records for county (1856-present) 


Obituary collection for county Cemetery records for town

Probate records for county Obituary collection for town 




Social Security Death Index on CD-Rom 

We have a unique genealogy library housed in the basement of the Decorah Public Library, run by volunteers of 

the Decorah Genealogy Association. Some of the holdings listed are theirs. They are a very energetic group 

and have developed an extensive collection of information. 

WOODBURY COUNTY 

Correctionville Public Library 

532 Driftwood Street (712) 372-4203 (phone) 

Correctionville, IA 51016 






Newspapers: 

Correctionville News (1994-present) print 


Cord Memorial Library 

215 Main Street (712) 883-2207 (phone) 

Danbury, IA 51019 








Newspapers: 

Danbury Review (1910-1995) print and film 





Sioux City Public Library 

529 Pierce Street 

Sioux City, IA 51101-1203 

(712) 255-2933 (phone) 

(712) 279-6432 (fax) 

Conniemck@mail.sc.lib.ia.us













All of Iowa census for 1850 and 1860, and most of Iowa for 1870 

Federal census for a variety of other states 

Newspapers: 

Sioux City Journal (April 20, 1870-present) film 

Sioux City Tribune (January 31, 1893-December 31, 1948) film 

Sioux City Weekly Journal (November 17, 1870-1873; February 1, 1877-February 25, 1886; February 2, 

1888-January 10, 1889; January 22, 1891-January 14, 1892) film 

Sioux City Eagle (July 4, 1857-August 21, 1858; August 28, 1858-October 15, 1859) film 

Sioux City Oracle (August 11, 1894-March 16, 1895) film 

Sioux City Register (August 19, 1858-July 21, 1859; June 7, 1924-September 30, 1924) film 

Sioux City Daily Times (October 3, 1869-March 2, 1872; August 1, 1881-December 31, 1884) film 

Sioux City Weekly Times (June 2, 1869-December 29, 1883) film 

Sioux City Daily News (January 1, 1916-April 30, 1916) film 

(Index from around 1900 to 1981, some years are spotty—mainly 20s and 30s. December 1981 to 

December 31, 1993 on computer printout, January 1994 to present on our Dynix system.) 


Probate records for county (1856-1889) 

Cemetery records for town (index of public 

cemeteries) 

Marriage records for Dakota County, NE 

Marriage records for Monona County IA 1856-1880 

Marriage records for Madison County, IA 1849-1880 

Marriage records for Plymouth County, IA 1860-1880) 




Clippings file for Sioux City and Iowa 

Clippings file of Siouxland businesses 

WORTH COUNTY 

Joice Public Library 


P. O. Box 183 

Joice, IA 50446-0183 

(515) 588-3330 (phone) 

(515) 588-3330 (fax) 

jhawk@netins.net 








Telephone books of town





Northwood Public Library 

P. O. Box 106 (515) 324-1340 (phone) 

906 First Avenue South nwdpublib@willowtree.com 

Northwood, IA 50459 










Newspapers: 

Manly Signal (January 3, 1918-January 9, 1975) film 

Northwood Anchor (1912-June 6, 1991) film 

Worth County Index (1884-1922) film 







Church records—Silver Lake Lutheran, Immanual Lutheran 

WRIGHT COUNTY 

Clarion Public Library 


Clarion, IA 50525 

(515) 532-3673 (phone) 

(515) 532-3673 (fax) 

Cpl@trvnet.net 










Newspapers:

Wright County Monitor (1870-1986) film 

Wright County Monitor (latest six months) print 









Eagle Grove Memorial Library 

101 South Cadwell 

Eagle Grove, IA 50533-2121 

(515) 448-4115 (phone) 

(515) 448-5279 (fax) 

Eaglelib@netins.net 








1860 Federal census for Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Howard, Humboldt, Ida counties 

1870 Federal census for Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin counties 

Newspapers: 

Eagle Grove Eagle ( 1921, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1932, 1934, 1936 to present) print 

Eagle Grove Eagle (February 27, 1895-October 22, 1936 [missing 1908]; January 3, 1990-December 30, 

1992) film 

Eagle Grove Boone Valley Gazette (February 10, 1882-September 8, 1898, some issues missing) film 

Eagle Grove Times Gazette (January 20, 1888-September 1, 1921 [missing 1889, 1892-1896, 1900, 1908- 

1914, 1916-1917]) film 

Goldfield Booster (November 21, 1929-April 9, 1931) film 

Goldfield Chronicle (September 22, 1893-September 28, 1894; December 31, 1897-October 20, 1899; 

January 9, 1903-December 3, 1904; January 11, 1906-March 15, 1907; January 3, 1918-November 

7, 1918; October 2, 1919-September 18, 1924, miscellaneous issues missing) film 

Goldfield Gazette (April 9, 1931-November 17, 1932; June 7, 1934-November 28, 1935; August 29, 1935- 

November 4, 1948, miscellaneous issues missing) film 


Cemetery records for county (incomplete) 



High school annuals

local history resources found in iowa libraries - State Historical ...

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