Clay County, Iowa Genealogy
Guide to Clay 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
Clay County was named for Henry Clay Jr. and is located in northwestern Iowa.[3]
County Courthouse
Clay County Courthouse
215 West 4th Street
Spencer, IA 51301
Phone: 712-262-1569
Clay County Website
Clay 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 | 1866 | 1880 | 1869 | 1858 | 1871 | 1847 |
Record Loss
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
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 | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Clay County. To find more resources, go to the Iowa Bible Records page.
Biographies
- History of Clay County, Iowa, From its Earliest Settlement to 1909 : also biographical sketches of many prominent citizens. By Samuel Gillespie and James Steele. Chicago, IL: S.J. Clarke, 1909. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Hathitrust.
- Clay County, Iowa Biographies Project at RootsWeb — links to biographies and local histories
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Iowa, State Employees at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Cemeteries
Census Records
Iowa recorded not only federal, but state censuses for several in-between years as well. For more information, see the very informative Iowa Census article.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1860 | 52 | — |
| 1870 | 1,523 | 2828.8% |
| 1880 | 4,248 | 178.9% |
| 1890 | 9,309 | 119.1% |
| 1900 | 13,401 | 44.0% |
| 1910 | 12,766 | −4.7% |
| 1920 | 15,660 | 22.7% |
| 1930 | 16,107 | 2.9% |
| 1940 | 17,762 | 10.3% |
| 1950 | 18,103 | 1.9% |
| 1960 | 18,504 | 2.2% |
| 1970 | 18,464 | −0.2% |
| 1980 | 19,576 | 6.0% |
| 1990 | 17,585 | −10.2% |
| 2000 | 17,372 | −1.2% |
| 2010 | 16,667 | −4.1% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State Census
- 1885 Iowa State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1895 Iowa State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905 Iowa State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images (individual cards, not family context)
- 1915 Iowa State Census, 1915 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1925 Iowa State Census, 1925 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Church Records
Most church records are held by individual churches. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Iowa Church Records.
- 1845-1987 Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
Lutheran
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry ($)
Court Records
- 1870-1886 Complete Record of the Circuit Court, 1870-1886(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1906-1948 Divorce Records, 1906-1948(*); Clerk of the District 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
- Warner Funeral Homes and Crematory in Everly, Peterson and Spencer
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
- 1857-1867 Early entries (deeds), 1857-1867 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1857-1931 Deed records, 1857-1931; index, 1857-1902 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 Clay 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 Clay County, Iowa, From its Earliest Settlement to 1909. By Samuel Gillespie and James Steele. Chicago, IL: S.J. Clarke, 1909. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, HathiTrust; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Northwestern Iowa, its History and Traditions, Comprising the Counties of ...Clay. By Arthur Francis Allen. Chicago, IL: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1927. Online at: HathiTrust, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers
County and state maps, historical and more current, are valuable research tools. For online maps and collections in libraries and societies, see Iowa Maps. Historical maps may be especially useful.
for more resources
- 1860-1918 U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918, Clay County at Ancestry ($) - index.
- 1904-2007 Clay County 1904-2007 at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
- 1893-1946 Fire Insurance Maps for Clay County, Iowa at Library of Congress - various years between 1893 and 1946.
- Clay County Maps at FamilySearch Catalog.
- IAGenWeb - Clay County.
- Iowa Digital Library, Clay County at Iowa University Libraries.
- Standard Atlas of Clay County, Iowa(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
- The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Clay County at State Library of Iowa.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places.
Migration
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
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
- 1866-1932 Naturalization Record, 1866-1932; Index, 1866-1906(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1884-1906 Naturalization Calendar, 1884 - 1906(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Iowa, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1884-1936 Spencer Public Library Archives, Clay County at Spencer Public Library
- 1951-1959 The Spencer Daily Reporter, Spencer, IA, USA. Online at: Ancestry ($)
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 ($)
- 1870-1970 Probate Records, 1870-1952; General Index, ca. 1879-ca. 1970(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1871-1911 Probate Calendar, 1871-1911(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1894-1986 Will Register, 1894-1986(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1896-1903 Estate Book, 1896-1903(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 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 ($)
- 1838-1934 Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1880-1951 Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1951 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 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, U.S., Death Records, 1920-1967 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Clay 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
- Spencer Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Storm Lake Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Waseca County History Center - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Clay County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
Kirchner-French Memorial Library
101 Main Street
P.O. Box 203
Peterson, IA 51047-0203
Phone: 712-295-6705
Email: kirchner@iowatelecom.net
Website
Facebook
Ruthven Public Library
1301 Gowrie Street
P.O. Box 280
Ruthven, IA 51358-0280
Phone: 712-837-4820
Email: info@ruthven.lib.ia.us
Website
Facebook
Sioux Rapids Memorial Library
215 2nd Street
P.O. Box 445
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585-0445
Phone: 712-283-2064
Email: sxrlibrary@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Spencer Public Library
21 E 3rd Street
Spencer, IA 51301
Phone: 712-580-7290
Email: libraryinfo@spenceriowacity.com
Website
Facebook
Museums
Clay County Heritage Center
7 Grand Avenue
Spencer, IA 51301
Phone: 712-262-3304
Email: info@claycountyheritage.org
Website
Facebook
Societies
Listed below are societies in Clay County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Iowa Societies.
Websites
- Clay County at Cyndi's List - a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Clay County at Genealogy Trails - volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Clay County at Iowa USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Clay 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, "Clay, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Iowa.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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, "Clay County, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_County,_Iowa, accessed 30 August 2019.