Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy: Difference between revisions

Historical populations
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United States

Iowa

Decatur County

Guide to Decatur 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:	Leon
Organized:	May 8 1850^[1]
Parent County(s):	Unorganized territory^[2]
Neighboring Counties
Clarke • Lucas • Ringgold • Union • Wayne • Harrison (MO) • Mercer (MO) See County Maps
Courthouse

Location Map

Stephen Decatur

County Information[edit | edit source]

Description[edit | edit source]

Decatur County was named for Stephen Decatur Jr and is located in southern Iowa.^[3]

County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

Decatur County Courthouse
207 N Main Street
Leon, IA 50144-1647
Phone: 515-446-4331
Decatur County Website

Decatur 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.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records^[4]
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1880	1880	1880	1871	1874	1880	1847
* Statewide registration started for births in July 1880 and for deaths January 1891. General compliance by 1924.

Record Loss[edit | edit source]

1874 Courthouse was destroyed by fire on March 31 and most records were lost.

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[edit | edit source]

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.^[5]
County seat: Leon^[6]
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[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:^[7]

Cities
Davis City Decatur City Garden Grove Grand River	Lamoni Leon Le Roy	Pleasanton Van Wert Weldon
Unincorporated communities

Townships
Bloomington Burrell Center Decatur Eden Fayette	Franklin Garden Grove Grand River Hamilton High Point	Long Creek Morgan New Buda Richland Woodland

History Timeline[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

Bible Records[edit | edit source]

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

Biographies[edit | edit source]

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa. Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, 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 - FamilySearch Digital Library; Vol. II - FamilySearch Digital Library; Vols. I & II - HathiTrust, Ancestry ($).
Decatur 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]

Cemeteries of Decatur County, Iowa online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online	BillionGraves Find a Grave IA Tombstone Transcription Project IAGenWeb Iowa Gravestone Photo Project USGenWeb Archives 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[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.

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
FamilySearch Places

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS Ward and Branch Records

Garden Grove

Lutheran

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

Court Records[edit | edit source]

1871-1922 Court Records, 1874-1920; Index, 1871-1922(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
1873-1886 Circuit Court General Index, 1873-1886 : Complete Record, vol. 1, 1874-1886(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
1886-1904 Miscellaneous Records, 1886-1902; Index, 1873-1904(*); County Recorder at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
1893-1903 Insane Record, vol. 2, 1893-1903(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
1925-1976 Lien Index, 1925-1976 : Index to Pigeon Holes & Flat Files(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & 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]

Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon

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

1856-1866 Copies of original entries, 1856-1866 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
1872-1945 Deeds and mortgages, 1872-1945; indexes, 1873-1901 at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
1881-1874 Abstract of conveyances by the state of Iowa of lands in Decatur County vol. 1, 1851-1874 at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
1886-1902 Miscellaneous records, 1886-1902; index, 1873-1904 at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
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 Decatur County, which may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see Iowa Local Histories.

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa. Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, HathiTrust; 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 - FamilySearch Digital Library; Vol. II - FamilySearch Digital Library; Vols. I & II - HathiTrust, Ancestry ($).

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.

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

1860-1918 U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918, Decatur County at Ancestry ($) - index.
1875-2007 Decatur County 1875-2007 at Historic Map Works - may include names of land-owners.
1886-1916 Fire Insurance Maps for Decatur County, Iowa at Library of Congress - various years between 1886 and 1916.
Decatur County Maps at FamilySearch Catalog.
IAGenWeb - Decatur County.
Iowa Digital Library, Decatur County at Iowa University Libraries.
The Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Decatur County at State Library of Iowa.
FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places.

Migration[edit | edit source]

Early migration routes to and from Decatur County for European settlers included:

	The usage of "Mormon" and "LDS" on this page is approved according to current policy.

Mormon Trail 1846 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah^[8]

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 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, Company D

- 17th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company A

- 48th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company C

Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]

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
1876-1928 Naturalization Records, 1876-1928(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog —index, images
1930-1936 Naturalization Related Records, 1930-1936(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog —images

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

1800s-Current Iowa, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1938 Leon Journal Record. 1938 Leon, IA, USA. Online at Ancestry ($)

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 ($)
1871-1952 Probate Records, 1871-1952; Index 1864-1926(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
General Index to Probate Records, No. 1(*); Probate Court 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

1926 Assessor's book 1926 New Buda Township, Decatur County, Iowa. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.

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]

1891-1991 Divorce Records, v. 1, 1891-1991(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Research Facilities[edit | edit source]

Archives[edit | edit source]

Listed below are archives in Decatur 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

Libraries[edit | edit source]

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

Lamoni Public Library
301 W Main Street
Lamoni, IA 50140
Phone: 641-784-6686
Email: lamonipl@grm.net
Website
Facebook

Leon Public Library
200 W 1st Street
Leon, IA 50144
Phone: 641-446-6332
Email: john@leon.lib.ia.us
Website
Facebook

Museums[edit | edit source]

Liberty Hall
1138 W Main Street
Lamoni, IA 50140
Phone: 641-784-6133
Email: libhall@grm.net
Website
Facebook

Societies[edit | edit source]

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

Decatur County Genealogical Society
Lamoni Public Library
301 West Main
Lamoni, IA 50140
Phone: 641-784-6686
Email: lamonipl@grm.net
Facebook

Decatur County Historical Society
100 Block of North Main
Leon, IA 50140
Email: rjbixby@grm.net
Website
Facebook

Websites[edit | edit source]

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

References[edit | edit source]

↑ Iowa Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 23 July 2021.
↑ Iowa Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 23 July 2021.
↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_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 25 July 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, "Decatur County, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Iowa, accessed 2 September 2019.
↑ 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).

[1] Iowa Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 23 July 2021.

[2] Iowa Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 23 July 2021.

[3] Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Iowa.

[4] 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.

[5] Iowa Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 25 July 2021.

[6] 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.

[7] Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur County, Iowa," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Iowa, accessed 2 September 2019.

[8] 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).

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{breadcrumb
+{{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]]
@@ Line 49: / Line 59: @@
 === Decatur County, Iowa Record Dates  ===
 {{IA Record Dates Intro|Decatur}}
-{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
+{| 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>
@@ Line 87: / Line 97: @@
 *'''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>
-*[http://www.mapofus.org/Iowa/ Interactive Map of Iowa County Formation History] (1790-1897) - animated maps illustrating Iowa county boundary changes
+*[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://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
+*[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
 |}
@@ Line 187: / Line 197: @@
 | 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|364895|subject-id|disp=FamilySearch Library}}
+* {{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]
 |-
@@ Line 225: / Line 235: @@
 '''''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 and images
+* '''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 and 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 and images (individual cards, not family context)
+* '''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 and images
+* '''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 and 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 and images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records <br>
+*'''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]'''
@@ Line 247: / Line 257: @@
 {{IA Court Intro|Decatur}}
-* '''1871-1922''' {{FSC|414497|item|disp=Court Records, 1874-1920; Index, 1871-1922}}(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index and images
+* '''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 and 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 and 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 and 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  ===
@@ Line 278: / Line 289: @@
 ''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 and 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 and 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 and 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]
@@ Line 297: / Line 309: @@
 * '''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=202028&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Iowa%2C%20Decatur%22 Decatur County Maps] at FamilySearch Catalog.
+* [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.
@@ Line 318: / Line 330: @@
 '''''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 and images
+* '''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 and images
+* '''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
+{{Block indent|- [[4th Regiment, Iowa Infantry|4th Regiment, Iowa Infantry]], Company D}}
-:- [[17th Regiment, Iowa Infantry|17th Regiment, Iowa Infantry]], Company A
+{{Block indent|- [[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
+{{Block indent|- [[48th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864)|48th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864)]], Company C}}
 === Naturalization and Citizenship ===
@@ Line 331: / Line 343: @@
 ''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 and images
+* '''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
@@ Line 357: / Line 369: @@
 *'''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]
@@ Line 373: / Line 386: @@
 * '''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 and images
+* '''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 ===
@@ Line 381: / Line 394: @@
 {{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 and images
+* '''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 and 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 and 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 ====
@@ Line 391: / Line 405: @@
 *'''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 and images
+*'''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 ($)
 * '''1941-1951''' {{RecordSearch|4127799|Iowa, Marriage Records, 1941-1951}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
@@ Line 398: / Line 412: @@
 {{IA Death Intro|Decatur}}
-*'''1845-1987''' {{RecordSearch|2366613|Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records <br>
+*'''1845-1987''' {{RecordSearch|2366613|Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records <br>
 * '''1850-1990''' {{RecordSearch|1674841|Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and some images; ''Also at: [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30191/iowa-deaths-burials-1850-1990?s=275764761 MyHeritage]($)''
-* '''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 and images
+* '''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 ($)
-* '''1904-1951''' {{RecordSearch|2531337|Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images
+* '''1904-1951''' {{RecordSearch|2531337|Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
 * '''1920-1967''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61442/ Iowa, U.S., Death Records, 1920-1967] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
@@ Line 449: / Line 464: @@
 * [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|202028|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.
+*{{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 ==

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	965	—
1860	8,677	799.2%
1870	12,018	38.5%
1880	15,336	27.6%
1890	15,643	2.0%
1900	18,115	15.8%
1910	16,347	−9.8%
1920	16,566	1.3%
1930	14,903	−10.0%
1940	14,012	−6.0%
1950	12,601	−10.1%
1960	10,539	−16.4%
1970	9,737	−7.6%
1980	9,794	0.6%
1990	8,338	−14.9%
2000	8,689	4.2%
2010	8,457	−2.7%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".