Clarke County, Iowa Genealogy
Guide to Clarke 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
Clarke County was named for Gov. James Clarke and is located in south-central Iowa.[3]
County Courthouse
Clarke County Courthouse
100 S Main St
Osceola, IA 50213
Phone: 641-342-6096
Clarke County Website
Clarke 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 | 1850 | 1880 | 1865 | 1849 | 1865 | 1847 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
Town/city records in the FamilySearch
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 | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Clarke County. To find more resources, go to the Iowa Bible Records page.
Biographies
- Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke, Iowa. Chicago, IL: Lewis Pub. Co., 1886. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; Internet Archive.
- Clarke County, Iowa Biographies Project at RootsWeb — links to biographies and local histories
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Iowa, State Employees at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Cemeteries
Census Records
Iowa recorded not only federal, but state censuses for several in-between years as well. For more information, see the very informative Iowa Census article.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 79 | — |
| 1860 | 5,427 | 6769.6% |
| 1870 | 8,735 | 61.0% |
| 1880 | 11,513 | 31.8% |
| 1890 | 11,332 | −1.6% |
| 1900 | 12,440 | 9.8% |
| 1910 | 10,736 | −13.7% |
| 1920 | 10,506 | −2.1% |
| 1930 | 10,384 | −1.2% |
| 1940 | 10,233 | −1.5% |
| 1950 | 9,369 | −8.4% |
| 1960 | 8,222 | −12.2% |
| 1970 | 7,581 | −7.8% |
| 1980 | 8,612 | 13.6% |
| 1990 | 8,287 | −3.8% |
| 2000 | 9,133 | 10.2% |
| 2010 | 9,286 | 1.7% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State Census
- 1885 Iowa State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1895 Iowa State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905 Iowa State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images (individual cards, not family context)
- 1915 Iowa State Census, 1915 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1925 Iowa State Census, 1925 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Church Records
Most church records are held by individual churches. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Iowa Church Records.
Church Records and Indexes
- 1845-1987 Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
Lutheran
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry ($)
Court Records
- 1854-1920 District Court Records, 1854-1920(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1869-1890 Circuit Court Records, 1869-1890(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1873-1889 Lien Index for Circuit and District Courts, 1873-1889(*); Courts at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1881-1903 Insane Record v. 1, 1881-1903(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1882-1889 Appearance, Judgement, Execution Docket and Fee Book, 1882-1889(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
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
- Kale Funeral Home in Osceola
Genealogies
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
- 1838-1927 Land transfer books, 1838-1927; index 1863-1927 at FamilySearch Catalog - images and indexes
- 1853-1931 Deeds, 1853-1931; index, 1853-1902 at FamilySearch Catalog - images and indexes
- 1867-1930 Miscellaneous records, 1867-1930; index, ca. 1875-1976 at FamilySearch Catalog - images and indexes
- 1873-1965 Homestaed record, vol. 1, 1873-1965; original entry vol. 1, 1849-1856 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1879-1912 Town lot deeds, 1879-1912; index, 1853-1906 at FamilySearch Catalog - images and indexes
- 1883-1889 Treasurer's tax deeds, 1883-1889 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1935-1951 Index and record of income sales tax and old age assistance liens and releases, vol. 1, 1935-1951 at FamilySearch Catalog - images and indexes
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Clarke County, which may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see Iowa Local Histories.
- Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke, Iowa. Chicago, IL: Lewis Pub. Co., 1886. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers
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.
for more resources
- 1860-1918 U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918, Clarke County at Ancestry ($) - index.
- 1875-2007 Clarke County 1875-2007 at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
- 1886-1913 Fire Insurance Maps for Clarke County, Iowa at Library of Congress - various years between 1886 and 1913.
- Clarke County Maps at FamilySearch Catalog.
- Complete Atlas of Clarke County, Iowa(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
- IAGenWeb - Clarke County.
- Iowa Digital Library, Clarke County at Iowa University Libraries.
- The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Clarke County at State Library of Iowa.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places.
Migration
Early migration routes to and from Clarke County for European settlers included:
- Mormon Trail 1846 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah[9]
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Military Records
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
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 Clarke 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:
- - 6th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company F
- - 15th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company I
- - 18th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company B
- - 46th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company H
Naturalization and Citizenship
Please see the Iowa Naturalization and Citizenship page for state-wide information.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1859-1990 United States, Iowa Naturalization Records, 1859-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1870-1925 Naturalization Records, 1870-1925(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1930-1936 Naturalization Related Records, 1930-1936(*); District Court (Southern District) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Iowa, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries
Other Records
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 ($)
- 1853-1926 Probate Case Files, 1853-1926; Index, 1853-1926(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1853-1946 Wills, 1853-1946; Indexes, ca. 1853-1945(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1853-1973 Probate Records, 1853-1932 Index, 1878-1973(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 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 ($)
- 1838-1934 Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1880-1951 Iowa, Marriage Records, 1880-1951 at Ancestry ($) — index & images
- 1941-1951 Iowa, Marriage Records, 1941-1951 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Death
- 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, U.S., Death Records, 1920-1967 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Divorce
- 1906-1953 Divorce Records 1906-1953(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Clarke 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
- Indianola Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Osceola Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Red Rock Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Iowa Genealogical Society Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Clarke County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
Osceola Public Library
300 S Fillmore
Osceola, IA 50213
Phone: 641-342-2237
Email: osceolapubliclibrary@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Museums
Clarke County Historical Society Museum
1030 S Main Street
Osceola, IA 50213
Phone: 641-342-4838
Facebook
Societies
Listed below are societies in Clarke County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Iowa Societies.
Clarke County Genealogical Society
c/o Osceola Public Library
300 S Fillmore
Osceola, IA 50213
Website
Facebook
Clarke County Historical Society
1030 S Main Street
Osceola, IA 50213
641-342-3550 or 641-342-2773 or 641-342-2573
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Clarke County at Cyndi's List - a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Clarke County at Genealogy Trails - volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Clarke County at Iowa USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Clarke 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, "Clarke, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_County,_Iowa, accessed on 1 June 2021
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Clarke County, Iowa. Page 230-238 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 222-225.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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, "Clarke County, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_County,_Iowa, accessed 30 August 2019.
- ↑ National Park Service, "Auto Tour Route Maps" in Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail at http://www.nps.gov/mopi/planyourvisit/maps.htm (accessed 18 July 2011).