Davis County, Iowa Genealogy
Guide to Davis 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
Davis County was named for Garrett Davis and is located in southeastern Iowa.[3]
County Courthouse
Davis County Courthouse
100 Courthouse Square #9
Bloomfield, IA 52537
Phone: 641-664-2101
Davis County Website
Davis 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 | 1844 | 1880 | 1844 | 1847 | 1844 | 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 | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Davis County. To find more resources, go to the Iowa Bible Records page.
Biographies
- History of Davis County, Iowa: Containing... a Biographical Directory. Des Moines, IA: State Historical Co., 1882. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat). Index at: Iowa GenWeb.
- Mennonite family history...move from Ohio to Iowa in 1853. By J Lemar and Lois Ann Mast. Morgantown, PA: Mennonite Family History, 1999. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Davis County, Iowa Biographies Project at RootsWeb — links to biographies and local histories
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Iowa, State Employees at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Cemeteries
Census Records
Iowa recorded not only federal, but state censuses for several in-between years as well. For more information, see the very informative Iowa Census article.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 7,264 | — |
| 1860 | 13,764 | 89.5% |
| 1870 | 15,565 | 13.1% |
| 1880 | 16,468 | 5.8% |
| 1890 | 15,258 | −7.3% |
| 1900 | 15,620 | 2.4% |
| 1910 | 13,315 | −14.8% |
| 1920 | 12,574 | −5.6% |
| 1930 | 11,150 | −11.3% |
| 1940 | 11,136 | −0.1% |
| 1950 | 9,959 | −10.6% |
| 1960 | 9,199 | −7.6% |
| 1970 | 8,207 | −10.8% |
| 1980 | 9,104 | 10.9% |
| 1990 | 8,312 | −8.7% |
| 2000 | 8,541 | 2.8% |
| 2010 | 8,753 | 2.5% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State Census
- 1885 Iowa State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1895 Iowa State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905 Iowa State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images (individual cards, not family context)
- 1915 Iowa State Census, 1915 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1925 Iowa State Census, 1925 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Church Records
Most church records are held by individual churches. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Iowa Church Records.
- 1845-1987 Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
Church Records and Indexes
- FamilySearch Places
- A list of churches is available on the Visit Davis County Iowa website.
Lutheran
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry ($)
Mennonite
- 1850-1925 Early records of the members, 1850-1925 of the Pulaski Mennonite Church, Pulaski, Iowa at FamilySearch Catalog - images. This contains records of the local Baptist and Mennonite Churchs.
Court Records
- 1844-1927 Court Records, 1844-1925; Index, 1844-1927(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1855-1868 Minute Book, 1855-1868(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1869-1884 General Index to Journals, Judgements, Fee Books, and Execution Dockets, 1869-1884(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & 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
- Mennonite family history...move from Ohio to Iowa in 1853. 1999. J Lemar and Lois Ann Mast. Morgantown, PA: Mennonite Family History. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Mennonites in Iowa. 1939. Melvin Gingerich. Iowa City, IA: State Historical Society of Iowa. Online at: Hathitrust
Funeral Homes
- Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield
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
- 1846-1911 deed books and index, 1846-1911 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1846-1904 Town lots deeds and mortgages, 1846-1904; index, 1846-1904 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 Davis County, which may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see Iowa Local Histories.
- Davis County Pictorial History, 1976. Davis County Bicentennial Committee. Walsworth Pub. Co., Marceline, MO., 1976. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- History of Davis County, Iowa. State Historical Co., Des Moines, IA, 1882. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat). Index at: Iowa GenWeb.
- Pioneer History of Davis County, Iowa. 1924-1927. Federated Women's Clubs (Davis County, Iowa). Bloomfield Democrat, Bloomfield, IA. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
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, Davis County at Ancestry ($) - index.
- 1875-2007 Davis County 1875-2007 at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
- 1883-1913 Fire Insurance Maps for Davis County, Iowa at Library of Congress - various years between 1883 and 1913.
- Davis County Maps at FamilySearch Catalog.
- General Highway and Transportation Map, Davis County, Iowa at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- IAGenWeb - Davis County.
- Iowa Digital Library, Davis County at Iowa University Libraries.
- Standard Atlas of Davis County, Iowa(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
- The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Davis County at State Library of Iowa.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places.
Migration
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Early migration routes to and from Davis County for European settlers included:
- Mormon Trail 1846 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah[9]
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 Davis 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:
- - 2nd Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company G
- - 3rd Regiment, Iowa Cavalry , Companies A, D and E
- - 30th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Companies B and F
- - 45th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company D
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
- 1879-1901 Naturalizations, Books 1 and 2 at IAGenWeb, Davis County.
- 1879-1929 Naturalization Records, 1879-1929(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — 3 indexes, images
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Iowa, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1854-1900's The Western Gazette at IAGenWeb was published in Davis County.
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 ($)
- 1844-1864 Probate Minutes, 1844-1864(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1844-1939 Probate Records, 1844-1939; index, 1844-1925(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1856-1938 Probate Bonds, 1856-1938(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1862-1993 Probate Deeds, 1862-1993(*); County Recorder at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1869-1938 Guardian Docket and Index, 1869-1938(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1871-1928 Probate Inventory Records, 1871-1928(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1879-1940 Will Records, 1879-1940(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- Index to boxes of District Court Papers(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 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($)
- 1880-1992 Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1880-1883 Davis County, Iowa Deaths 1880-1883 at IAGenWeb - index
- 1884 Davis County, Iowa Deaths 1884 at IAGenWeb - index
- 1885-1893 Davis County, Iowa Deaths 1885-1893 at IAGenWeb - index
- 1897-1900 Davis County, Iowa Deaths 1897-1900 at IAGenWeb - index
- 1888-1904 Iowa, Death Records, 1888-1904 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images, coverage may vary
- 1900-1939 Iowa Death Index, 1900-1939 at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 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
- 1887-1968 Divorce Records, 1887-1968(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Davis 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
- Centerville Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Fairfield Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Kirksville Missouri FamilySearch Center
- Oskaloosa Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Ottumwa Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Red Rock Iowa FamilySearch Center
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Davis County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
Bloomfield Public Library
107 N Columbia Street
Bloomfield, IA 52537
Phone: 641-664-2209
Email: bpl@netins.net
Website
Facebook
Museums
Davis County Historical Complex
205 S Dodge Street
Bloomfield, IA 52537
Phone: 641-664-1855
Email: cherricasteel@gmail.com
Facebook
Societies
Listed below are societies in Davis County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Iowa Societies.
Davis County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 94
200 W Locust
Bloomfield, IA 52537-0094
Phone: 641-664-1501
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Davis County at Cyndi's List - a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Davis County at Genealogy Trails - volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Davis County at Iowa USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Davis 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, "Davis, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_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, "Davis County, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_County%2C_Iowa#Communities, accessed 2 September 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).