Local Government Records
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Local Government Records

The primary responsibility for the care and preservation of local government records resides with the local governments. The State Archives does not mandate a centralized local government records program. It does, however, advise and assist local governments in how to identify records which requires permanent preservation and in how to maintain records so they will be available for future generations to use.

In conjunction with the Genealogical Society of Utah, the State Archives of Iowa has aided county governments in the preservation of some of the historical records generated at the county level. Microfilm copies of some county records are available through the State Historical Society of Iowa's reading room in Des Moines. Detailed guides to the records, by year and county, are also available in the reading room The original records are in the county courthouses. Local governments should contact the Local Records Coordinator of the State Archives of Iowa with concerns and questions regarding what has been filmed from their county:

Local Records Coordinator
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 East Locust
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
515-281-5655
Delpha.Musgrave@iowa.gov

 

Records Preserved on Microfilm 

  • Vital Statistics (births, deaths, marriages) 1880-1928
  • Vital Statistics (divorces) 1906-1980
  • Naturalizations 1844-1940
  • District Court (including probate & wills) 1838-1926
  • County Court Minutes 1856-1868 
  • Deed Records (land and town lots) 1838-1901
  • Land Patents 1870-1930
  • Homestead Record 1860-1940
  • Affidavits & Powers of Attorney 1850-1935
  • Original Entries, abstract 1840-1878
  • Miscellaneous Record 1860-1925
  • Military Discharge Record 1914-1940
  • Transfer of Real Estate Records 1850-1915

  • Old Age Assistance Records 1934-1936

Sources for Additional Information 

Table of Vital Records in County Microfilm Collection 

Iowa State Association of Counties

Iowa League of Cities

Iowa County Records Manual (Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1987)

Iowa Municipal Records Manual (Des Moines: Iowa State Historical Department, 1982)

Dolan, John P., Jr., and Lisa Lacher, Guide to Public Records of Iowa Counties (Des Moines: Iowa Title Company, 1986)

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