Guthrie County, Iowa Genealogy

United States

Iowa

Guthrie County

Guide to Guthrie County, Iowa ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

Iowa Online Genealogy Records

County Facts County seat: Guthrie Center Organized: October 16, 1851 Parent County(s): Unorganized territory Neighboring Counties Adair • Audubon • Carroll • Cass • Dallas • Greene • Madison See County Maps Courthouse Location Map

County Information

Description

Guthrie County was named for Capt. Edwin B. Guthrie and is located in southwestern Iowa.

County Courthouse

Guthrie County Courthouse
200 North 5th Street
Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115
Phone: 641-747-3415
Guthrie County Website

Guthrie 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.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1880	1852	1880	1916	1852	1881	1847
* Statewide registration started for births in July 1880 and for deaths January 1891. General compliance by 1924.

Record Loss

1857 All county records were destroyed. 1882 The courthouse was destroyed by fire on March 3, 1882; most records were saved. 1963 The courthouse was destroyed by fire, with some record loss. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see: Burned Counties. By Michael John Neill at 24-7 Family History Circle. When the Records are Gone. By Arlene Eakle at Arlene Eakle's Tennessee Blog. Burned Counties Research in the FamilySearch Research Wiki. List of counties in the United States with Record Loss

Boundary Changes

1851--Guthrie County was created 15 January 1851 from unorganized territory. Organized Date: 16 October 1851 County seat: Guthrie Center Iowa Individual County Chronologies - Newberry Library list of all boundary changes by county Iowa Historical Borders - Map at Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; Also at: mapofus.org - animated maps illustrating Iowa county boundary changes

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:

Cities
Adair Bagley Bayard Casey	Coon Rapids Guthrie Center Jamaica Menlo	Panora Stuart Yale
Census-designated places
Diamondhead Lake	Lake Panorama
Townships
Baker Bear Grove Beaver Cass Dodge Grant	Highland Jackson Orange Penn Richland Seely	Stuart Thompson Union Valley Victory

Resources

Bible Records

Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Guthrie County. To find more resources, go to the Iowa Bible Records page.

• Emmons Family Bible at IAGenWeb Project

Biographies

• Centennial History of Guthrie County, Iowa. By Sadie B Maxwell. Des Moines, IA: Carter, Hussey & Curl Printers, 1876. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; Internet Archive; Hathitrust.
• History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa Together With ... Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens. Springfield, IL: Continental Historical Co., 1884. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust; Internet Archive, Ancestry ($).
• Past and Present of Guthrie County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of its Prominent and leading Citizens. Chicago, IL: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive.
• A Record, History, Biography, Memory, Pioneer Times and Peoples, Guthrie Center, Iowa. By Elbert Wright Weeks. Self Published, 1932. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; Ancestry ($).

• Guthrie County, Iowa Biographies Project at RootsWeb — links to biographies and local histories
  

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

• Iowa, State Employees at MyHeritage — index & images ($)

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Guthrie County, Iowa online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online	BillionGraves Find a Grave IA Tombstone Transcription Project IAGenWeb Iowa Gravestone Photo Project WPA 1930's Graves Registration Survey Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths (cemetery records), incomplete
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)	FamilySearch Library WorldCat
List of Cemeteries in the County	FamilySearch Places Find a Grave
See Iowa Cemeteries for more information.

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	3,058	—
1870	7,061	130.9%
1880	14,394	103.9%
1890	17,380	20.7%
1900	18,729	7.8%
1910	17,374	−7.2%
1920	17,596	1.3%
1930	17,324	−1.5%
1940	17,210	−0.7%
1950	15,197	−11.7%
1960	13,607	−10.5%
1970	12,243	−10.0%
1980	11,983	−2.1%
1990	10,935	−8.7%
2000	11,353	3.8%
2010	10,954	−3.5%
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
  
• FamilySearch Places

Lutheran

• 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry ($)

Directories

• 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary

Funeral Homes

• Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids
  
• Johnson Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Stuart
  
• Ohde Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Bayard/Coon Rapids
  
• Schmidt Family Funeral Homes in Adair
  
• Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center and Panora
  

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

• 1852-1939 Deed records, 1852-1939; general index, 1852-1902 at FamilySearch Catalog - images and indexes
• 1861-1903 Village deed records, 1861-1903; general index, 1870-1904 at FamilySearch Catalog - images and indexes
• 1862-1917 Miscellaneous land records, 1862-1917, 1957-1962; general index, 1870-1893, 1902-1934 at FamilySearch Catalog - images and indexes
• 1866-1926 Transfer of town lots, 1866-1926 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 Guthrie County, which may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see Iowa Local Histories.

• Centennial History of Guthrie County, Iowa. By Sadie B Maxwell. Des Moines, IA: Carter, Hussey & Curl Printers, 1876. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; Internet Archive; Hathitrust.
• Guthrie County Centennial 100 Years of Progress, 1851-1951. Guthrie Center, IA: Guthrie County Historical Society, 1951. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
• History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa. Springfield, IL: Continental Historical Co., 1884. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust; Internet Archive, Ancestry ($).
• Past and Present of Guthrie County, Iowa. Chicago, IL: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive.
• A Record, History, Biography, Memory, Pioneer Times and Peoples, Guthrie Center, Iowa. By Elbert Wright Weeks. Self Published, 1932. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; Ancestry ($).

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.

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

• 1860-1918 U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918, Guthrie County at Ancestry ($) - index.
• 1875-2007 Guthrie County 1875-2007 at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
• 1883-1933 Fire Insurance Maps for Guthrie County, Iowa at Library of Congress - various years between 1883 and 1933.
• Atlas and Plat Book of Guthrie County, Iowa(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
• Guthrie County Maps at FamilySearch Catalog.
• IAGenWeb - Guthrie County.
• Iowa Digital Library, Guthrie County at Iowa University Libraries.
• The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Guthrie County at State Library of Iowa.
• FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places.

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 Guthrie 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 Infantry, Company C

- 29th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company I and K

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
• 1906-1920 Naturalization Card File Index, 1906-1920(*); Clerk of the 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 ($)
• 1884-1977 Bayard News. Bayard, Iowa, United States Of America. Online at Ancestry ($)
• 1951-1972 The Guthrian. Guthrie County, IA, USA. Online at Ancestry ($)

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 ($)
• 1859-1932 Probate Records, 1859-1932(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - images
• 1859-1933 Register of Wills, 1859-1933 [Guthrie County, Iowa](*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - images
• 1872-1966 Probate Records Card Index, 1872-1966(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog - images
• Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

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 ($)

Research Facilities

Archives

Listed below are archives in Guthrie 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
• Danish Immigrant Museum - an affiliate library
• Iowa Genealogical Society Library - an affiliate library

Libraries

Listed below are libraries in Guthrie County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.

Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library
400 Grand Street
Guthrie Center, IA 50115
Phone: 641-747-8110
Email: mjblib@guthriecenter.lib.ia.us
Website
Facebook

Museums

Guthrie County Historical Village and Museum
206 W South Street
Panora, IA 50216
Phone: 641-755-2989
Email: gchv@netins.net
Website
Facebook

Societies

Listed below are societies in Guthrie County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Iowa Societies.

Guthrie County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 96B
Jamaica, IA 50128-0096
Phone: 641-429-3362
Email: chnwsltrguth@outlook.com
Website

Websites

• Guthrie County at Cyndi's List - a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
• Guthrie County at Genealogy Trails - volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
• Guthrie County at Iowa USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
• Guthrie 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.