Iowa Substitute Records

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Vital Records

Iowa Substitute Records

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Background

From the beginning of record keeping, record loss has been a factor. Fire, flood, insects, weather, and other reasons impacted the survival of records. Below are substitute records that can be used in place of the missing records.

• Substitute records can include additional details about an ancestor and clues regarding record loss
• Use records of neighboring counties to help when there is county record loss

Substitutes for Birth, Marriage, or Death Records

Substitute records are documents that were created by various organizations that may include genealogical events or information. These records were created by churches, businesses, governments, and other entities. Use these substitute records to locate missing information not located in birth, marriage, and death documents. Substitute records can contain conflicting information when compared to other sources.

Links below are to Iowa wiki pages describing alternate sources.

Iowa Vital Records Substitutes
Cemetery Records	Cemetery transcriptions are available online and published. Check early publications of Iowa periodicals of cemeteries that may no longer exist. Information may be included: Death information and often birth date or age May suggest family relationships War service or affiliation to organizations
Census Records	Census records may: Locate the family - the place to search for other records about the family Suggest information about marriages and migration information based on ages and birthplaces of children focusing on gaps of years Indication of death, when an individual disappears from the census 1850 and later federal censuses give names, ages, and places of birth for all household members Iowa has State-funded censuses available between Federal censuses
Church Records	Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death, may include witnesses that may be relatives, and immigration information
Local Histories	Local histories, family histories and biographies are secondary sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found at county-level under "Histories" or "Biographies."
Military Records	Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information. In addition, soldiers' homes records can include information.
Newspapers	In addition to obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns.
Obituaries	Obituaries found in newspapers can list the age of the deceased, birth date and place, names of parents, death date and place, and names of living relatives and their residences
Periodicals	Check local genealogical and historical societies in Iowa. They often published periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.
Probate Records	Probate records give a close estimate of when an individual has died. It also includes relatives and relationships. After 1900, probate records often contain the exact death date.
Social Security Records	In the 1940s, many adults applied for delayed birth certificates in order to be eligible for Social Security benefits. Major online resources are: 1) The United States Social Security Death Index and 2) Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT)
Tax Records	Tax records prove residence and can help in differentiating between individuals with the same name. Also may give occupation, description of land and personal property. Check Old Age Assistance Tax, 1934-1958 for lists the elderly people receiving a "pension" from this tax, with date and place of birth, names of parents. (Selected counties)

See also:

• Iowa Guided Research
• Iowa Record Finder
• Substitute Records For United States Birth Information
• Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information
• Substitute Records For United States Death Information

Substitutes for Census Records

• Taxaton: Tax records may include the name and residence of the taxpayer, occupation, description of the real estate and name of the original purchaser, description of some personal property, number of males over 21, and other information. Annual tax lists can help establish ages, residences, relationships, and the year an individual died or left the area.

Substitutes for Land Records

• Probate Records: Probate records, including wills, inventories, and estate records, usually mention land and other items held by an individual at the time of death and names of those who inherit them.
• Taxation: Tax records may include the name and residence of the taxpayer, occupation, description of the real estate and name of the original purchaser, description of some personal property, number of males over 21, and other information. Annual tax lists can help establish ages, residences, relationships, and the year an individual died or left the area.