Washington County, Iowa Genealogy
Guide to Washington County, Iowa ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Washington County was named for Pres. George Washington and is located in southeastern Iowa.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Washington County Courthouse
224 West Main Street
Washington, IA 52353
Phone: 319-653-7741
Washington County Website
Washington County, Iowa Record Dates[edit | edit source]
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 | 1836 | 1839 | 1836 | 1847 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
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:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
|
||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Washington County. To find more resources, go to the Iowa Bible Records page.
- Washington County Bible Records at USGenWeb Iowa Archives
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- The History of Washington County, Iowa, and Its Cities, Towns, a Biographical Directory of Its Citizens. Des Moines, IA: Union Historical Company, 1880. Online at: Internet Archive, HathiTrust.
- History of Washington County, Iowa From the First White Settlers to 1908, Also Biographical Sketches. By Howard A. Burrell. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1908. Online at: Vol. I - Internet Archive, HathiTrust; Vol. II - Internet Archive, HathiTrust.
- Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches. Chicago: Acme Publishing Co., 1887. Online at: Internet Archive, HathiTrust, Ancestry ($), index ($).
- Washington County, Iowa Biographies Project at RootsWeb — links to biographies and local histories
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
- Iowa, State Employees at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Iowa recorded not only federal, but state censuses for several in-between years as well. For more information, see the very informative Iowa Census article.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 4,957 | — |
| 1860 | 14,235 | 187.2% |
| 1870 | 18,952 | 33.1% |
| 1880 | 20,374 | 7.5% |
| 1890 | 18,468 | −9.4% |
| 1900 | 20,718 | 12.2% |
| 1910 | 19,925 | −3.8% |
| 1920 | 20,421 | 2.5% |
| 1930 | 19,822 | −2.9% |
| 1940 | 20,055 | 1.2% |
| 1950 | 19,557 | −2.5% |
| 1960 | 19,406 | −0.8% |
| 1970 | 18,967 | −2.3% |
| 1980 | 20,141 | 6.2% |
| 1990 | 19,612 | −2.6% |
| 2000 | 20,670 | 5.4% |
| 2010 | 21,704 | 5.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State Census
- 1885 Iowa State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1895 Iowa State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905 Iowa State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images (individual cards, not family context)
- 1915 Iowa State Census, 1915 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1925 Iowa State Census, 1925 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Most church records are held by individual churches. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Iowa Church Records.
- 1845-1987 Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
Lutheran
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Court Records[edit | edit source]
- 1838-1927 Court Records, 1838-1927(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1861-1866 Dockets, 1861-1866(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1864-1976 Sale Book, 1864-1976(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1865-1886 Court Records, 1865-1886(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1867-1923 Justice's Docket, 1867-1923(*); Justice of the Peace Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1907-1928 Powers of Attorney and Affidavits index, 1907-1928(*); Clerk of the District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — indexes & images
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- Beatty and Peterseim Funeral and Monument Services in Kalona and Washington
- Powell Funeral Homes in Kalona and Wellman
- Snyder and Hollenburgh Funeral and Cremation Services in Riverside
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
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
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Washington County, which may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see Iowa Local Histories.
- The History of Washington County, Iowa, and Its Cities, Towns, a Biographical Directory of Its Citizens. Des Moines, IA: Union Historical Company, 1880. Online at: Internet Archive, HathiTrust.
- History of Washington County, Iowa From the First White Settlers to 1908, Also Biographical Sketches. By Howard A. Burrell. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1908. Online at: Vol. I - Internet Archive, HathiTrust; Vol. II - Internet Archive, HathiTrust.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
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, Washington County at Ancestry ($) - index.
- 1875-2007 Washington County 1875-2007 at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
- 1885-1933 Fire Insurance Maps for Washington County, Iowa at Library of Congress - various years between 1885 and 1933.
- Atlas of Washington County(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
- Atlas of Washington County, Iowa(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
- Atlas of Washington County, Iowa(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images.
- General Highway and Transportation Map, Washington County, Iowa at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- IAGenWeb - Washington County.
- Iowa Digital Library, Washington County at Iowa University Libraries.
- The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Washington County at State Library of Iowa.
- Washington County Maps at FamilySearch Catalog.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places.
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
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 Washington 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 Cavalry, Company F
- - 2nd Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company H
- - 7th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company H
- - 8th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company C
- - 10th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company E
- - 11th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company F
- - 13th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company I and K
- - 17th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company D
- - 18th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company I
- - 19th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company C
- - 25th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company A and I
- - 30th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company E and K
- - 31st Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company K
- - 45th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company B
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Please see the Iowa Naturalization and Citizenship page for state-wide information.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1838-1927 Court Records, 1838-1927(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1854-1929 Naturalization Papers, 1854-1929(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1859-1990 United States, Iowa Naturalization Records, 1859-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- 1800s-Current Iowa, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1939 — Wellman Advance at Ancestry.com ($) — Wellman, IA, USA
- 1949 — Evening Journal Farm Edition at Ancestry.com ($) — Washington, IA, USA
- Washington County Newspapers etc
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
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 ($)
- 1838-1968 Probate Records, 1838-1968(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1862-1868 Record of Heirs and Estates of Decedents, 1862-1868(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1879-1905 Miscellaneous Land Records, 1879-1905 [Washington County, Iowa](*); County Recorder at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
- 1838-1927 Court Records, 1838-1927(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1906-1923 Record of Divorces, v. 1, 1906-1923(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Washington County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]
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
- Fairfield Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Iowa City Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Muscatine Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Iowa City Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Washington County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
Kalona Public Library
510 C Avenue
PO Box 1212
Kalona, IA 52247-1212
Phone: 319-656-3501
Email: director@kalonalibrary.org
Website
Facebook
Washington Public Library
115 W Washington
Washington, IA 52353
Phone: 319-653-2726; Text: 319-284-8883
Email: admin@washington.lib.ia.us
Website
Facebook
Museums[edit | edit source]
Conger House Museum
903 E Washington Street
Washington, IA 52353
Phone: 319-653-3125
Email: info@washingtoniowa.org
Website
Kalona Historical Village
715 D Avenue
Kalona, IA 52247
Phone: 319-656-3232
Email: kalonatours@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Washington County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Iowa Societies.
Kalona Historical Society
715 D Avenue
Kalona, IA 52247
Phone: 319-656-3232
Email:kalonatours@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Washington County Genealogical Society, IAGenWeb Project
PO Box 446
Washington, IA 52353-0446
Email: genealogy@washington.lib.ia.us
Website
Facebook
Washington County Historical Society
PO Box 924
Washington, IA 52353-0924
Phone: 319-653-4329
Email: wchsiowa@yahoo.com
Website
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- 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
- Washington County at Cyndi's List - a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Washington County at Genealogy Trails - volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Washington County at Iowa USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Washington County at Iowa USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
- Washington County at Linkpendium - genealogy and family history
- 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[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed July 29, 2021.
- ↑ Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed July 29, 2021.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Washington, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_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.
- ↑ 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, "Washington County, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_County,_Iowa, accessed 2 November 2019.