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{{stub}} ''[[United States|United States ]] > [[Iowa|Iowa]] > Decatur County, Iowa''
{{Locality
|Name=Decatur County
|ID=394060
|Level=2
|Country=United States
|CountryID=1
|Locality1=Iowa
|Locality1id=364
|Locality2=Decatur County
|Locality2id=394060
}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2= [[Iowa, United States Genealogy|Iowa]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy|Decatur County]]
}}


== History and Tidbits  ==
Guide to '''Decatur County, Iowa ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.


=== Cities  ===
{| style="width:18%; float:right"
|-
|
<center><div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Iowa Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div></center>
|-
|
<center>{{Infobox U.S. County 2016
|organized= May 8 1850<ref>[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/IA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Iowa Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by [https://www.newberry.org/ Newberry Library]; accessed 23 July 2021.</ref>
|county seat= Leon
|parent county= Unorganized territory<ref>[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/IA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Iowa Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by [https://www.newberry.org/ Newberry Library]; accessed 23 July 2021.</ref>
|variant spellings=
|county1= [[Clarke County, Iowa Genealogy|Clarke]]
|county2= [[Lucas County, Iowa Genealogy|Lucas]]
|county3= [[Ringgold County, Iowa Genealogy|Ringgold]]
|county4= [[Union County, Iowa Genealogy|Union]]
|county5= [[Wayne County, Iowa Genealogy|Wayne]]
|county6= [[Harrison County, Missouri Genealogy|Harrison (MO)]]
|county7= [[Mercer County, Missouri Genealogy|Mercer (MO)]]</br><center>[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Maps and Gazetteers|See County Maps]]</center>
|county8=
|county9=
|county10=
|county courthouse= [[Image:Iowa, Decatur County Courthouse.png|245x245px]]
|county location in state= [[Image:Iowa Decatur Map.png|185x185px]]
|adoption=
}}
|}</center>
<div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
[[Image:Stephen Decatur.JPG|thumb|right|200px|<center>Stephen Decatur</center>]]


=== Townships  ===
== County Information ==


=== Communities  ===
=== Description ===
Decatur County was named for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Decatur Stephen Decatur Jr] and is located in southern Iowa.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur, Iowa," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Iowa.</ref>


=== County Government Site  ===
=== County Courthouse ===
{{IA Courthouse Intro|Decatur}}
'''Decatur County Courthouse'''<br>207 N Main Street<br>Leon, IA 50144-1647<br>Phone: 515-446-4331<br>[https://decaturcountyiowa.gov/ Decatur County Website]<br><br>


== Neighboring Counties ==
=== Decatur County, Iowa Record Dates ===
{{IA Record Dates Intro|Decatur}}
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" colspan="7" | <center>'''Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records'''<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref></center>
|-
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Death|Death*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy#Census Records|Census]]'''
|-
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1880
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1880
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1880
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1871
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1874
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1880
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1847
|-
| colspan="7"| <center>* Statewide registration started for births in July 1880 and for deaths January 1891. General compliance by 1924.</center>
|}


[[Clarke County, Iowa|Clarke]] | [[Lucas County, Iowa|Lucas]] | [[Ringgold County, Iowa|Ringgold]] | [[Union County, Iowa|Union]] | [[Wayne County, Iowa|Wayne]] | [[Harrison County, Missouri|Harrison County, Missouri]] | [[Mercer County, Missouri|Mercer County, Missouri]]
=== Record Loss ===
{|
|-
|
'''1874''' Courthouse was destroyed by fire on March 31 and most records were lost.


<br>
{{Fire+}}
|}
=== Boundary Changes ===
{{IA Boundary Changes Intro|Decatur}}
{|
|-
|
*'''1846--'''Decatur County was created 13 January 1846 from unorganized territory. It was attached to Davis County prior to being fully organized 8 May 1850.<ref>[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/IA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Iowa Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 25 July 2021.</ref><br>''
*'''County seat:''' Leon<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref><br>
*[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/IA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Iowa Individual County Chronologies] - Newberry Library list of all boundary changes by county
*[https://publications.newberry.org/ahcb/map/map.html#IA Iowa Historical Borders - Map] at Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; ''Also at:'' [http://www.mapofus.org/iowa/ mapofus.org] - animated maps illustrating Iowa county boundary changes
|}


== Resources  ==
=== Populated Places ===
{{IA Populated Places Intro|Decatur}}


=== Cemeteries  ===
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit [https://iowa.hometownlocator.com/counties/cities,cfips,053,c,decatur.cfm HomeTown Locator]. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur County, Iowa," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Iowa, accessed 2 September 2019.</ref>


== Genealogy and History Websites  ==
{{Populated places
<!--cities column------------------->
| cities-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_City,_Iowa Davis City]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_City,_Iowa Decatur City]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_Grove,_Iowa Garden Grove]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_River,_Iowa Grand River]
</div>
| cities-col2=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamoni,_Iowa Lamoni]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon,_Iowa Leon]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Roy,_Iowa Le Roy]
</div>
| cities-col3=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasanton,_Iowa Pleasanton]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Wert,_Iowa Van Wert]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weldon,_Iowa Weldon]
</div>
<!--unincorp column------------------->
| unincorp-col1=<div>


[[Category:Decatur_County,_Iowa]]
</div>
| unincorp-col2=<div></div>
| unincorp-col3=<div></div>
<!--townships column------------------->
| townships-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomington_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Bloomington]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrell_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Burrell]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Center]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Decatur]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Eden]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fayette_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Fayette]
</div>
| townships-col2=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Franklin]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_Grove_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Garden Grove]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_River_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Grand River]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Hamilton]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Point_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa High Point]
</div>
| townships-col3=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Creek_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Long Creek]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Morgan]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Buda_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa New Buda]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richland_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Richland]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodland_Township,_Decatur_County,_Iowa Woodland]
</div>
}}
 
=== History Timeline ===
{{IA Historical Timeline Intro|Decatur}}
 
== Resources ==
{{IA Resources Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Bible Records ===
{{IA Bible Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Biographies  ===
{{IA Biographies Intro|Decatur}}
 
*''Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa''.  Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/162405-biographical-and-historical-record-of-ringgold-and-decatur-counties-iowa?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://archive.org/details/biographicalhist02chic Internet Archive], [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=iau.31858034606883&view=1up&seq=9&skin=2021 HathiTrust].
* ''History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its People''. 2 volumes.  By J.M. Howell and C Smith Heman. Chicago, IL: J. S. Clarke Publishing Co., 1915. '''''Online at:''''' Vol. I -  [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/584039-history-of-decatur-county-iowa-and-its-people-v-1?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]; Vol. II - [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/415759-history-of-decatur-county-iowa-and-its-people-v-2?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]; Vols. I & II - [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008652888 HathiTrust], [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/23751/ Ancestry] ($).
* [http://sites.rootsweb.com/~iabiog/decatur/decatur.html Decatur County, Iowa Biographies Project] at RootsWeb — links to biographies and local histories<br>
 
=== Business, Commerce, and Occupations ===
{{IA Business Records Intro|Decatur}}
* [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20287/iowa-state-employees?s=275764761 Iowa, State Employees] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 
=== Cemeteries ===
{{IA Cemeteries Intro|Decatur}}
 
{| style = "border:1px solid black; width:70%;  "
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of Decatur County, Iowa''' online and in print</center>
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" |
 
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/results?cemetery_country=United%20States&cemetery_state=Iowa&cemetery_county=Decatur&year_range=5&size=15  BillionGraves]
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=&middlename=&lastname=&birthyear=&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=Decatur%2C+County%2C+Iowa%2C+United+States+of+America&locationId=county_573 Find a Grave]
*[http://www.usgwtombstones.org/iowa/decatur.html IA Tombstone Transcription Project]
* [http://iagenweb.org/decatur/cemeteryDocs/cem_index.html IAGenWeb]
*[http://iowagravestones.org/cemeteries.php?cid=27 Iowa Gravestone Photo Project]
* [http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/decatur/cemetery.html USGenWeb Archives]
* [https://iowawpagraves.org/index.php?cid=27 WPA 1930's Graves Registration Survey]
*{{RecordSearch|2366613|Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths (cemetery records)}}, incomplete
 
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions in Print''' [[The Value of Cemetery Records in Print |(Often more complete)]]</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
* {{FSC|United States, Iowa, Decatur - Cemeteries|subject|subject-id=29080312|disp=FamilySearch Library}}
* [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3Acemetery+Decatur+Iowa&qt=advanced&dblist=638 WorldCat]
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" |<center>'''List of Cemeteries in the County'''</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
* [https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=394060&reqParentsLabel=Decatur%2C%20Iowa%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypes=20&reqTypeLabel=Cemetery FamilySearch Places]
* [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?cemetery-name=&cemetery-loc=Decatur%2C+County%2C+Iowa%2C+United+States+of+America&only-with-cemeteries=cemOnly&locationId=county_573 Find a Grave]
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"|<center>See [[Iowa Cemeteries|Iowa Cemeteries]] for more information.<center>
|}
 
=== Census Records ===
{{IA Census Intro|Decatur}}
 
{{Historical populations
|type = USA
|heading = Census
|footnote = Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Iowa#Demographics "Wikipedia.org".]
|1850 |965
|1860 |8677
|1870 |12018
|1880 |15336
|1890 |15643
|1900 |18115
|1910 |16347
|1920 |16566
|1930 |14903
|1940 |14012
|1950 |12601
|1960 |10539
|1970 |9737
|1980 |9794
|1990 |8338
|2000 |8689
|2010 |8457
}}
 
'''''State Census'''''<br>
* '''1885''' {{RecordSearch|1803643|Iowa State Census, 1885}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1895''' {{RecordSearch|1803957|Iowa State Census, 1895}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa State Census, 1895 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1905''' {{RecordSearch|2126961|Iowa State Census, 1905}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa State Census, 1905 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images (individual cards, not family context)
* '''1915''' {{RecordSearch|2240483|Iowa State Census, 1915}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa State Census, 1915 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1925''' {{RecordSearch|2224537|Iowa State Census, 1925}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa State Census, 1925 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
 
=== Church Records ===
{{IA Church Intro|Decatur}}
 
*'''1845-1987''' {{RecordSearch|2366613|Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records <br>
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=394060&reqParentsLabel=Decatur%2C%20Iowa%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=3&reqTypeLabel=Churches%20and%20Church%20Parishes FamilySearch Places]'''
 
'''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'''
LDS Ward and Branch Records
*Garden Grove
 
'''''Lutheran'''''<br>
* '''1781-1969''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/?clickref=1011ldrarFJZ&o_lid=01100l4xJr&o_sch=Affiliate%2BExternal&o_xid=01100l4xJr U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969] at Ancestry ($)
 
=== Court Records ===
{{IA Court Intro|Decatur}}
 
* '''1871-1922''' {{FSC|414497|item|disp=Court Records, 1874-1920; Index, 1871-1922}}(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1873-1886''' {{FSC|414442|item|disp=Circuit Court General Index, 1873-1886 : Complete Record, vol. 1, 1874-1886}}(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1886-1904''' {{FSC|553943|item|disp=Miscellaneous Records, 1886-1902; Index, 1873-1904}}(*); County Recorder at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1893-1903''' {{FSC|414434|item|disp=Insane Record, vol. 2, 1893-1903}}(*); District Court  at FamilySearch Catalog — images
* '''1925-1976''' {{FSC|414422|item|disp=Lien Index, 1925-1976 : Index to Pigeon Holes & Flat Files}}(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 
=== Directories ===
{{IA Directories Intro|Decatur}}
*'''1970-2024''' {{RecordSearch|5000290|United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Residence Database - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, coverage may vary
 
=== Emigration and Immigration  ===
{{IA Emigration Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups ===
{{IA Ethnic Groups Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Funeral Homes  ===
{{IA Funeral Homes Intro|Decatur}}
 
*[https://www.sladefuneralhome.com/ Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home] in Leon<br>
 
=== Genealogies  ===
{{IA Genealogies Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Guardianship ===
{{IA Guardianship Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Land and Property Records ===
{{IA Land Intro|Decatur}}
 
''Online Land Indexes and Records''<br>
*'''1856-1866'''  {{FSC|405522|item|disp=Copies of original entries, 1856-1866}}  at FamilySearch Catalog - images
*'''1872-1945'''  {{FSC|414414|item|disp=Deeds and mortgages, 1872-1945; indexes, 1873-1901}}  at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
*'''1881-1874'''  {{FSC|405532|item|disp=Abstract of conveyances by the state of Iowa of lands in Decatur County vol. 1, 1851-1874}}  at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
*'''1886-1902'''  {{FSC|553943|item|disp=Miscellaneous records, 1886-1902; index, 1873-1904}}  at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Land Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]
 
 
=== Local Histories ===
{{IA Histories Intro|Decatur}}
 
*''Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa''.  Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/162405-biographical-and-historical-record-of-ringgold-and-decatur-counties-iowa?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://archive.org/details/biographicalhist02chic Internet Archive], [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=iau.31858034606883&view=1up&seq=9&skin=2021 HathiTrust]; {{WorldCat|1041618418|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}.
* ''History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its People''. 2 volumes.  By J.M. Howell and C Smith Heman. Chicago, IL: J. S. Clarke Publishing Co., 1915. '''''Online at:''''' Vol. I - [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/584039-history-of-decatur-county-iowa-and-its-people-v-1?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]; Vol. II - [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/415759-history-of-decatur-county-iowa-and-its-people-v-2?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]; Vols. I & II - [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008652888 HathiTrust], [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/23751/ Ancestry] ($).
 
=== Maps and Gazetteers ===
{{IA Maps Intro|Decatur}}
 
{{IA Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{IA Decatur County}}}}
* '''1860-1918''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1127/?residence=_decatur-iowa-usa_846 U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918, Decatur County] at Ancestry ($) - index.
* '''1875-2007''' [http://www.historicmapworks.com/Search/city.php?query=Decatur+County&State=IA&x=0&y=0 Decatur County 1875-2007] at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
* '''1886-1916''' [https://www.loc.gov/maps/?q=Decatur+County,+Iowa&st=gallery Fire Insurance Maps for Decatur County, Iowa] at Library of Congress - various years between 1886 and 1916.
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1321&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Iowa%2C%20Decatur%22 Decatur County Maps] at FamilySearch Catalog.
* IAGenWeb - [http://iagenweb.org/decatur/ Decatur County].
* [https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/islandora/search/Decatur%20County%2C%20Iowa?type=edismax&cp=ui%3Aatlases Iowa Digital Library, Decatur County] at Iowa University Libraries.
* [https://www.iowaheritage.org/search?query=Decatur+County%2C+Iowa+Atlases+and+Maps The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Decatur County] at State Library of Iowa.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=394060&reqParentsLabel=Decatur%2C%20Iowa%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=8&reqTypeLabel=Cities%20and%20Towns FamilySearch Places]: Map of cities and towns in this county - [[FamilySearch Places|How to Use FS Places]].
 
=== Migration ===
{{IA Migration Intro|Decatur}}
 
Early migration routes to and from Decatur County for European settlers included:
{| style="float:right;
|-
|{{MormonLDSRemoval}}
|}
*[[Mormon Trail]] 1846 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah<ref>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).</ref>
 
=== Military Records ===
{{IA Military Intro|Decatur}}
 
'''''Multiple Wars'''''
* '''1835-1998''' {{RecordSearch|2515886|Iowa, Armed Forces Grave Registrations, ca. 1835-1998}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Armed Forces Grave Registrations - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index only
* '''1862-1910''' {{RecordSearch|2821291|Iowa, Records of Persons Subject to Military Duty, 1862-1910}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Records of Persons Subject to Military Duty - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
 
'''''Civil War'''''<br>
* '''1861-1949''' {{RecordSearch|2351982|Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1949}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
Civil War service men in Decatur 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|4th Regiment, Iowa Infantry]], Company D
:- [[17th Regiment, Iowa Infantry|17th Regiment, Iowa Infantry]], Company A
:- [[48th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864)|48th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864)]], Company C
 
=== Naturalization and Citizenship ===
{{IA Naturalization Intro|Decatur}}
 
''Online Naturalization Indexes and Records''<br>
* '''1859-1990''' {{RecordSearch|3155890|United States, Iowa Naturalization Records, 1859-1990}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Iowa Naturalization Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1876-1928''' {{FSC|490055|item|disp=Naturalization Records, 1876-1928}}(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog —index, images
* '''1930-1936''' {{FSC|712491|item|disp=Naturalization Related Records, 1930-1936}}(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog —images
 
=== Newspapers ===
{{IA Newspapers Intro|Decatur}}
 
*'''1800s-Current''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/50040/ Iowa, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
* '''1938''' ''[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8392 Leon Journal Record.]'' 1938 Leon, IA, USA. Online at Ancestry ($)
 
=== Obituaries ===
{{IA Obituaries Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Other Records ===
{{IA Other Records Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Periodicals ===
{{IA Periodicals Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Probate Records ===
{{IA Probate Intro|Decatur}}
 
''Online Probate Indexes and Records''<br>
* '''1758-1997''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9064/ Iowa, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1871-1952'''  {{FSC|423100|item|disp=Probate Records, 1871-1952; Index 1864-1926}}(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
* {{FSC|121014|item|disp=General Index to Probate Records, No. 1}}(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]
 
 
=== School Records ===
{{IA Schools Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Social Security Records ===
*'''1935-2014''' {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at FamilySearch — [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index. ''Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ Ancestry], [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/social-security-death-index findmypast], [https://www.fold3.com/title/830/ Fold3], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank], [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi?s=270606331 MyHeritage], and [https://stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse].'' [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1936-2007''' {{RecordSearch|5000016|United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
 
=== Tax Records ===
{{IA Tax Intro|Decatur}}
 
''Online Tax Indexes and Records''<br>
* '''1926''' ''Assessor's book 1926 New Buda Township, Decatur County, Iowa''. '''Online at:''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/533657-assessor-s-book-1926-new-buda-township-decatur-county-iowa?viewer=1&offset=8#page=1&viewer=picture&o=&n=0&q= FamilySearch Digital Library].
 
* '''1934-1958''' {{RecordSearch|2573700|Iowa, Old Age Tax Assistance Records, 1934-1958}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Old Age Tax Assistance Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
 
=== Vital Records ===
{{IA Vital Intro|Decatur}}
 
==== Birth ====
{{IA Birth Intro|Decatur}}
 
* '''1850-1939''' {{RecordSearch|2527591|Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Delayed Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1880-1935''' {{RecordSearch|1821206|Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, County Births - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1921-1942''' {{RecordSearch|2849548|Iowa, Birth Records, 1921-1942}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1921-1947''' {{RecordSearch|2849548|Iowa, Birth and Stillbirth Records, 1921-1947}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Birth and Stillbirth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images, coverage may vary
 
==== Marriage ====
{{IA Marriage Intro|Decatur}}
 
*'''1518-1996''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=iowa%2cia Iowa, United States Marriages] at Findmypast — index ($)
*'''1809-1992''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30192/iowa-marriages-1809-1992?s=275764761 Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1836-1926''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10206/iowa-marriages-1836-1926?s=275764761 Iowa, Marriages, 1836 - 1926] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1838-1934''' {{RecordSearch|1805551|Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1880-1951''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8823/ Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1951] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
* '''1941-1951''' {{RecordSearch|4127799|Iowa, Marriage Records, 1941-1951}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
 
==== Death ====
{{IA Death Intro|Decatur}}
 
*'''1845-1987''' {{RecordSearch|2366613|Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records <br>
* '''1850-1990''' {{RecordSearch|1674841|Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and some images; ''Also at: [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30191/iowa-deaths-burials-1850-1990?s=275764761 MyHeritage]($)''
* '''1880-1992''' {{RecordSearch|2110820|Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, County Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1888-1904''' {{RecordSearch|5000144|Iowa, Death Records, 1888-1904}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images, coverage may vary
*'''1900-1939''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10186/iowa-death-index-1900-1939?s=275764761 Iowa Death Index, 1900-1939] at MyHeritage — index ($)
* '''1904-1951''' {{RecordSearch|2531337|Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1920-1967''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61442/ Iowa, U.S., Death Records, 1920-1967] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 
==== Divorce ====
{{IA Divorce Intro|Decatur}}
* '''1891-1991''' {{FSC|489969|item|disp=Divorce Records, v. 1, 1891-1991}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 
== Research Facilities ==
{{IA Research Facilities Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== Archives ===
{{IA Archives Intro|Decatur}}
 
=== FamilySearch Centers ===
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}
 
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/ia/osceola/2519-e-hwy-34 Osceola Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/mo/trenton/2930-oklahoma-avenue Trenton Missouri FamilySearch Center]
 
=== Libraries ===
{{IA Libraries Intro|Decatur}}
 
'''Lamoni Public Library'''<br>301 W Main Street<br>Lamoni, IA 50140<br>Phone: 641-784-6686<br>Email: [mailto:lamonipl@grm.net lamonipl@grm.net]<br>[https://www.lamonilibrary.org Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/lamonipl/ Facebook]<br><br>
'''Leon Public Library'''<br>200 W 1st Street<br>Leon, IA 50144<br>Phone: 641-446-6332<br>Email: [mailto:john@leon.lib.ia.us john@leon.lib.ia.us]<br>[https://www.leon.lib.ia.us Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/leonlibrary/ Facebook]<br><br>
 
=== Museums ===
{{IA Museums Intro|Decatur}}
 
'''Liberty Hall'''<br>1138 W Main Street<br>Lamoni, IA 50140<br>Phone: 641-784-6133<br>Email: [mailto:libhall@grm.net libhall@grm.net]<br>[https://www.cofchrist.org/visit-lamoni Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/Liberty-Hall-Historic-Center-Joseph-Smith-III-Home-136048299826815/ Facebook]<br><br>
'''
 
== Societies ==
{{IA Societies Intro|Decatur}}
 
'''Decatur County Genealogical Society'''<br>Lamoni Public Library<br>301 West Main<br>Lamoni, IA 50140<br>Phone: 641-784-6686<br>Email: [mailto:lamonipl@grm.net lamonipl@grm.net]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/DecaturCoIA/?ref=page_internal Facebook]<br><br>
'''Decatur County Historical Society'''<br>100 Block of North Main<br>Leon, IA 50140<br>Email: [mailto:rjbixby@grm.net rjbixby@grm.net]<br>[http://iagenweb.org/decatur/Hist_Soc/Decatur_Hist_Society.html Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/460942027270339/?ref=group_cover Facebook]<br><br>
 
== Websites ==
{{IA Websites Intro|Decatur}}
 
* [http://www.cyndislist.com/us/ia/counties/Decatur/ Decatur County] at Cyndi's List - a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
* [https://genealogytrails.com/iowa/decatur Decatur County] at Genealogy Trails - volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
* [http://iagenweb.org/decatur/ Decatur County] at Iowa USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
* [http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/decatur/decatur.htm Decatur County] at Iowa USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
* [https://iowaculture.gov/history/research/collections State Historical Society of Iowa] —  select from research collection topics
* [http://publications.iowa.gov/cgi/search/simple?q=decatur+county&_action_search=Search&_order=-byyear%2Fbytitle&basic_srchtype=ALL&_satisfyall=ALL State Library of Iowa] —  electronic depository of documents intended for the general public produced by Iowa agencies
* [http://www.iowaheritage.org/items/browse?search=decatur+county&submit_search=Search+All The Iowa Heritage Digital Collection] —  digital images from a variety of Iowa cultural institutions
*{{FSC Place IDNum|1321|Iowa|Decatur}} – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use [https://familysearch.org/search/ Historical Records] to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
 
== Research Guides ==
{{IA Research Guides Intro|Decatur}}
 
== References ==
<references />
 
{{Iowa|Iowa}}
[[Category:Decatur County, Iowa]][[Category:Iowa Counties]]
LeeA
Reviewer, editor, pagecreator
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