Adair County, Iowa Genealogy
Guide to Adair County, Iowa ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Adair County was named for John Adair and is located in southwestern Iowa.[3]
County Courthouse
Adair County Courthouse
400 Public Square Ste. 5
Greenfield, IA 50849
Phone: 641-743-2546
Adair County Website
Clerk of the District Court has birth and death records from 1880, marriage records from 1870, divorce, probate and clerk records from 1852.[4]
Adair County, Iowa Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1880 | 1870 | 1880 | 1852 | 1854 | 1852 | 1847 |
Record Loss
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Townships | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
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History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Adair County. To find more resources, go to the Iowa Bible Records page.
- Adair County Bible Records at USGenWeb Iowa Archives
Biographies
- History of Guthrie and Adair counties, Iowa. Springfield, IL: Continental Historical Co., 1884. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, HathiTrust, Ancestry ($).
- History of the Adair County, Iowa, and its People. By Lucian Moody Kilburn. Chicago, IL: Pioneer Pub. Co., 1915. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; index at IAGenWeb Vol 2.
- Adair County, Iowa Biographies Project at Rootsweb.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Iowa, State Employees at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Cemeteries
Census Records
Iowa recorded not only federal, but state censuses for several in-between years as well. For more information, see the very informative Iowa Census article.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1860 | 984 | — |
| 1870 | 3,982 | 304.7% |
| 1880 | 11,667 | 193.0% |
| 1890 | 14,534 | 24.6% |
| 1900 | 16,192 | 11.4% |
| 1910 | 14,420 | −10.9% |
| 1920 | 14,259 | −1.1% |
| 1930 | 13,891 | −2.6% |
| 1940 | 13,196 | −5.0% |
| 1950 | 12,292 | −6.9% |
| 1960 | 10,893 | −11.4% |
| 1970 | 9,487 | −12.9% |
| 1980 | 9,509 | 0.2% |
| 1990 | 8,409 | −11.6% |
| 2000 | 8,243 | −2.0% |
| 2010 | 7,682 | −6.8% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State Census
- 1885 Iowa State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1895 Iowa State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905 Iowa State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images (individual cards, not family context)
- 1915 Iowa State Census, 1915 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1925 Iowa State Census, 1925 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Church Records
Most church records are held by individual churches. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Iowa Church Records.
- 1845-1987 Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Lutheran
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Court Records
For more information about the courts in Iowa see the Iowa Court Records page.
- 1907-1924 Affidavit index, 1907-1924(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — Affidavits concerning land transactions.
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
- Johnson Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Stuart
- Mullen Funeral Home in Adair
- Schmidt Family Funeral Homes in Adair
- Steen Funeral Homes in Greenfield and Fontanelle
Genealogies
- Ancestral lineage, Mildred Olive Bates McCann: Adair County, Iowa, Prince George County, Virginia; with index at Ancestry ($)
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. They include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Iowa Land and Property for information about early Iowa land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, transactions were usually recorded and housed at the county courthouse.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1854-1929 Deed Records, 1854-1929; Indexes, 1854-1904(*); County Recorder at FamilySearch Catalog - images & indexes
- 1855-1918 Town Lot Deed Records, 1855-1918(*); County Recorder at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1855-1920 Land Transfer Records, 1858-1916; Index, 1855-1920(*); County Recorder at FamilySearch Catalog - images & indexes
- 1873-1954 Tax Deed Records, 1873-1954(*); County Treasurer at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Adair County, which may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see Iowa Local Histories.
- History of Guthrie and Adair counties, Iowa. Springfield, IL: Continental Historical Co., 1884. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, HathiTrust, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of the Adair County, Iowa, and its People. By Lucian Moody Kilburn. Chicago, IL: Pioneer Pub. Co., 1915. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library; At various libraries (WorldCat). Index at IAGenWeb.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
County and state maps, historical and more current, are valuable research tools. For online maps and collections in libraries and societies, see Iowa Maps. Historical maps may be especially useful.
- 1883-1915 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for Adair County, Iowa at Library of Congress - various years between 1883 and 1915.
- 1860-1918 U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918, Adair County at Ancestry ($) - index
- 1901 Adair County 1901 at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
- Iowa Digital Library, Adair County at Iowa University Libraries
- The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Adair County at State Library of Iowa
- Maps at IAGenWeb
- Standard Atlas for Adair County, Iowa: including a plat book of the villages, cities and townships of the county.(*) Online at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- FamilySearch Places: Cities and Towns - How to Use FS Places
Migration
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Early migration routes to and from Adair County for European settlers included:
- 1846 Mormon Trail from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Military Records
For more information about the military in Adair see the Iowa Military Records page.
Multiple Wars
- 1835-1998 Iowa, Armed Forces Grave Registrations, ca. 1835-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index only
- 1862-1910 Iowa, Records of Persons Subject to Military Duty, 1862-1910 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1887-1952 Soldiers discharge record, 1887-1952 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Civil War
- 1861-1949 Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Civil War service men in Adair county served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed here:
- - 4th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Company I
- - 29th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company D
Naturalization and Citizenship
Please see the Iowa Naturalization and Citizenship page for state-wide information.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1858-1904 Naturalization Records, 1858-1904; index, 1858-1899(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1859-1990 United States, Iowa Naturalization Records, 1859-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Iowa, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Adair News at Newspapers.com ($)
- Historical Iowa Newspapers at NewspaperArchive ($)
Obituaries
- 1907-1959 Adair County, Iowa obituaries, 1907-1959(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Other Records
- Adair County History in Photos at IAGenWeb Project
Periodicals
Probate Records
In most counties in Iowa, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1758-1997 Iowa, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1854-1926 Probate Packets, 1854-1926; Index, 1854-1926(*) District Court; at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1857-1965 Probate Records 1857-1952; Index, 1857-1965(*) District Court; at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1858-1902 Administrator's, Executor's, and Guardian's Bonds, 1858-1902(*) District Court; at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1858-1979 Will Records, 1858-1979(*) District Court; at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1868-1886 Probate Register, 1868-1886(*) Circuit Court; at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Iowa tax records complement land records and can supplement the years between censuses. Iowa's unique Old Age Assistance tax gives names, addresses and birth years. There may be gaps of several years. For more information, see the wiki page Iowa Taxation.
Online Tax Indexes and Records
- 1934-1958 Iowa, Old Age Tax Assistance Records, 1934-1958 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded by civil officials on registers, certificates, and other documents. Copies or extracts may be purchased from the Iowa Department of Public Health or the County Clerk's office. See also Iowa Vital Records.
Birth
- 1850-1939 Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1880-1935 Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1921-1942 Iowa, Birth Records, 1921-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1921-1947 Iowa, Birth and Stillbirth Records, 1921-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images, coverage may vary
Marriage
- 1518-1996 Iowa, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1809-1992 Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992 at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1836-1926 Iowa, Marriages, 1836 - 1926 at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1838-1934 Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1854-1900 Adair County, Iowa marriages, 1854-1900 at FamilySearch.
- 1880-1951 Iowa, Marriage Records, 1880-1951 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1941-1951 Iowa, Marriage Records, 1941-1951 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Death
- 1845-1987 Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
- 1850-1990 Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and some images; Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1880-1992 Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1888-1904 Iowa, Death Records, 1888-1904 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images, coverage may vary
- 1900-1939 Iowa Death Index, 1900-1939 at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1904-1951 Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1920-1967 Iowa, Death Records, 1920-1967 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Divorce
- 1917-1919 Divorce Cards, 1917-1919(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Adair County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Des Moines Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Osceola Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Museum of Danish America - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Adair County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
Adair Public Library
310 Audubon
Adair, IA 50002-0276
Phone: 641-742-3323
Website
Casey Public Library
P.O. Box 178
Casey, IA 500048
Phone: 641-746-2670
Email: caseylib@netins.net
Website
Greenfield Public Library
202 S First St
P.O. Box 328
Greenfield, IA 50849
Phone: 641-743-6120
Email: greenpl@iowatelecom.net
Website
Museums
Adair County Historical Museum
2393 S Lakeview Dr
Greenfield, IA 50849
Phone: 641-743-2232
Facebook
Societies
Listed below are societies in Adair County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Iowa Societies.
Adair County Anquestors Genealogy Society
c/o Greenfield Public Library
P.O. Box 328
Greenfield, IA 50849-0328
Website
Adair County Iowa Historical Society
2393 S Lakeview Dr
Greenfield, IA 50849
Phone: 641-743-2232
Facebook
Websites
- Adair County at Cyndi's List - a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Adair County at Genealogy Trails - volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Adair County at Iowa USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Adair County at Iowa USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
- State Historical Society of Iowa — select from research collection topics
- State Library of Iowa — electronic depository of documents intended for the general public produced by Iowa agencies
- The Iowa Heritage Digital Collection — digital images from a variety of Iowa cultural institutions
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Iowa Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed on 11 April 2021.
- ↑ Iowa Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed on 11 April 2021.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Adair, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adair_County,_Iowa." accessed on 11 April 2021
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), p. 244.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Iowa Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed on 11 April 2021.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Adair County, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adair_County,_Iowa, accessed 11 April 2021.