Muscatine County, Iowa Genealogy
Guide to Muscatine 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
Muscatine County was named for the Mascouten tribe and is located in southeastern Iowa.[3]
County Courthouse
Muscatine County Courthouse
401 East 3rd Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
Phone: 563-263-6511
Muscatine County Website
Muscatine 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 | 1838 | 1880 | 1839 | 1838 | 1838 | 1847 |
Record Loss
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1864 Courthouse was destroyed by fire, but no records were reported lost. |
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:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Townships | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Muscatine County. To find more resources, go to the Iowa Bible Records page.
- Bible Records, Muscatine Co IA and Vicinity at Muscatine County Iowa Genealogy Home page via Rootsweb — transcriptions
Biographies
- A History of Muscatine County, Iowa: Containing Biographical Sketches of Citizens. Chicago, IL: Western Historical Co., 1879. Online at: Internet Archive, HathiTrust.
- History of Muscatine County, Iowa, From the Earliest Settlements to the Present Time. 2 volumes. By Irving Berdine Richman. Chicago, IL: S.J Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. Online at: Vol. I - Internet Archive, HathiTrust; Vol. II - Internet Archive. Vol. I contains history, Vol. II contains biographies.
- Portrait and Biographical Album of Muscatine County, Iowa. Chicago, IL: Acme Publishing Co., 1889. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, HathiTrust, Ancestry ($).
- Muscatine County, Iowa Biographies Project at RootsWeb — links to biographies and local histories
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Iowa, State Employees at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
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 | 5,731 | — |
| 1860 | 16,444 | 186.9% |
| 1870 | 21,688 | 31.9% |
| 1880 | 23,170 | 6.8% |
| 1890 | 24,504 | 5.8% |
| 1900 | 28,242 | 15.3% |
| 1910 | 29,505 | 4.5% |
| 1920 | 29,042 | −1.6% |
| 1930 | 29,385 | 1.2% |
| 1940 | 31,296 | 6.5% |
| 1950 | 32,148 | 2.7% |
| 1960 | 33,840 | 5.3% |
| 1970 | 37,181 | 9.9% |
| 1980 | 40,436 | 8.8% |
| 1990 | 39,907 | −1.3% |
| 2000 | 41,722 | 4.5% |
| 2010 | 42,745 | 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
Lutheran
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Court Records
- 1838-1992 Probate Records, 1838-1992(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1839-1930 District Court Records, 1839-1930(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1853-1869 County Judge Minutes, 1853-1869(*); County Judge at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Directories
- 1876- Muscatine County History and Directory(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1879 Owen's Gazetteer and Directory of Muscatine County, Iowa(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1899 Atlas of Muscatine County, Iowa : Containing Maps of Villages, Cities and Townships of the County; Farmer's Directory; Business Directory(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
- Muscatine, Iowa Directory, 1891-93 at Ancestry ($)
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
- Bentley Funeral Home in Durant and Wilton
- Henderson-Barker Funeral Homes in West Liberty
- Nichols Bewlley Funeral and Cremation Services in Muscatine
- Ralph J Wittick Riley Freers Funeral Home in Muscatine
- Snyder and Hollenburgh Funeral and Cremation Homes in Muscatine
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
- 1838-1930 Land and Lot deed records, 1838-1930 at FamilySearch Catalog – index & 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 Muscatine 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 Muscatine County, Iowa, From the Earliest Settlements to the Present Time. 2 volumes. By Irving Berdine Richman. Chicago, IL: S.J Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. Online at: Vol. I - Internet Archive, HathiTrust; Vol. II - Internet Archive. Vol. I contains history, Vol. II contains biographies.
- Early Recollections of Bloomington and Its Surroundings. 1887. Josiah Proctor Walton. n.p.: n.p., 1887. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- The Fork of the Rivers: History and Partial Genealogy of People of Oakland-Orono Townships, (Louisa-Muscatine Counties, Iowa). By Mabel Estle Brown. Conesville, IA: Brown, 1978. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Log Cabin History of the Settlement of Wapsinonoc, Pike and Springdale townships. By L.O. Mosher, West Liberty, IA: Enterprise Printing House, 1903. 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, Muscatine County at Ancestry ($) - index.
- 1874-2007 Muscatine County 1874-2007 at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
- 1883-1941 Fire Insurance Maps for Muscatine County, Iowa at Library of Congress - various years between 1883 and 1941.
- Atlas of Muscatine County, Iowa-repro:Harrison & Warner(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
- Atlas of Muscatine County, Iowa-repro:Huebinger(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
- IAGenWeb - Muscatine County.
- Iowa Digital Library, Muscatine County at Iowa University Libraries.
- Muscatine County Maps at FamilySearch Catalog.
- The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Muscatine County at State Library of Iowa.
- Township Map of 1875 Muscatine County, Iowa at My Genealogy Hound; enlarged views of each township.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places.
Migration
Military Records
Multiple Wars
- 1835-1998 Iowa, Armed Forces Grave Registrations, ca. 1835-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index only
- 1862-1910 Iowa, Records of Persons Subject to Military Duty, 1862-1910 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Civil War
- 1861-1949 Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Muscatine County, Iowa Civil War Soldiers at Ancestry ($)
Civil War service men in Muscatine 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:
- - 1st Regiment, Iowa Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company A and C
- - 2nd Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Company A and G
- - 7th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Company A
- - 11th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company A, D, H, and I
- - 16th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company C
- - 18th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company E and K
- - 44th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company B
Naturalization and Citizenship
Please see the Iowa Naturalization and Citizenship page for state-wide information.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1829-1953 Naturalization Records, 1829-1953(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1837-1945 Naturalization Records, 1855-1945; Indexes, 1837-1944(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog —some index, images
- 1859-1990 United States, Iowa Naturalization Records, 1859-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Iowa, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1940, 1952 The Muscatine Journal. 1940 and 1952. Muscatine, IA, USA. Online at Ancestry ($)
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 ($)
- 1838-1992 Probate Records, 1838-1992 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1839-1930 District Court Records, 1839-1930 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 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
- 1907-1950 Divorce Records, 1907-1950(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Muscatine 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
- Davenport Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Iowa City Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Muscatine Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Iowa City Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Muscatine County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
Musser Public Library
408 East 2nd Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
Phone: 563-263-3065
Website
Facebook
- Many genealogy databases available using your library barcode: Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest, Newspaper Archive, Newspapers.com, Sanborn Maps, and additional digital archives related to Muscatine.
- Many genealogy databases available using your library barcode: Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest, Newspaper Archive, Newspapers.com, Sanborn Maps, and additional digital archives related to Muscatine.
West Liberty Public Library
400 N. Spencer Street
West Liberty, IA 52776
Phone: 319-627-2084
Email: wllibrary@wlpl.org
Website
Wilton Public Library
1215 Cypress Street
PO Box 447
Wilton, IA 52778
Phone: 563-732-2583
Email: wplstaff@netwtc.net
Website
Facebook
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Muscatine County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Iowa Societies.
Muscatine County Genealogical Society
323 Main
Muscatine, IA 52761-3867
Email: ebmccleary@machlink.com
Website
Websites
- Muscatine County at Cyndi's List - a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Muscatine County at Genealogy Trails - volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Muscatine County at Iowa USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Muscatine 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, "Muscatine, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscatine_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.
- ↑ 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, "Muscatine County, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscatine_County,_Iowa#Communities, accessed 20 October 2019.