Iowa Societies
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Societies[edit | edit source]
There are many societies which may help family historians. Genealogical, historical, lineage, veterans, and ethnic societies are especially helpful because of the records and resources they collect, transcribe, and publish. Often their records contain birth, marriage, death, and biographical information. See the United States Societies page.
Genealogical and historical societies often maintain a genealogical file for families in the area and may sponsor publications, some of which are cited in the Genealogy page. Many counties have their own Society.
- American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society
 P.O. Box 506
 Walcott, IA 52773
 Internet: American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society
- Decorah Genealogy Association
 202 Winnebago (Lower Level)
 Decorah, IA 52101
 Internet: Decorah Genealogy Association
- Des Moines County Genealogical Society
 P.O. Box 493
 Burlington, IA 52601
 Internet: Des Moines County Genealogical Society
- Dubuque County
 Key City Genealogical Society
 P.O. Box 13
 Dubuque, IA 52004-0013
 Internet: Dubuque County-Key City Genealogical Society
- Iowa City Genealogical Society
 P.O. Box 822
 Iowa City, IA 52244-0822
 Internet: Iowa City Genealogical Society
- Iowa Genealogical Society
 628 East Grand Avenue
 Des Moines, IA 50309
 Phone:(515)276-0287
 Internet: Iowa Genealogical Society
- Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America
 1670 So Robert St, #333
 West St Paul, MN 55118
 Internet: Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America
 Other Ostfriesen Societies are listed on this site for Iowa and surrounding states. Sites in Iowa include the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society and the Ostfriesian Heritage Society
- Pocahontas County Genealogical Societybr>Laurens Public Library
 273 N. Third St.
 Laurens, IA 50554
 Internet: Laurens Genealogical Society
- Northeast Iowa Genealogical Society
 Grant Museum
 503 South St.
 Waterloo, IA 50701
 Interne: Northeast Iowa Genealogical Society
- Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society
 P.O. Box 3132
 Davenport, IA 52808-3132
 Internet: Scott County Genealogical Society
- Woodbury County Genealogical Society 
 P.O. Box 624
 3412 Old Lakesport Road
 Sioux City, Iowa 51102
 Internet: Woodbury County Genealogical Society
Historical Societies[edit | edit source]
- Iowa State Historical Department
 402 Iowa Ave.
 Iowa City, IA 52240-1806
 Phone:(319) 335-3916
 Fax: (319) 335-3924
 Internet: Iowa City SHSI Location
- State Historical Society of Iowa
 600 E. Locust
 Des Moines, IA 50319
 Phone: (515)281-8837
 Fax: (515)282-0502
 Internet: Iowa History Archives
 State Historical Department
Lineage Societies[edit | edit source]
Lineage societies, such as the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Colonial Dames, General Society of Colonial Wars, the Sons of the American Revolution, and many others, require members to prove they are descended from certain people, such as colonists or soldiers. The applications for membership in these societies are preserved, and many are on microfilm at the Family History Library. See the Register of U. S. Lineage Societies (mentioned in the "Societies" for addresses, lists of microfilmed records, and publications.
One important society in Iowa is the Iowa Genealogical Society (see the "Archives and Libraries" page). The Iowa Genealogical Society has a number of chapters throughout the state. Many chapters actively extract and index original records, which the society publishes. For a list of the society chapters, see:
Mary Keysor Meyer’s directory lists ethnic genealogical groups and societies. [1]
Old Settlers’ Associations existed in many Iowa counties. Some of these records, with obituaries, are available on microfilm, such as: Old Settlers’ Association (Cedar County, Iowa). Annual Meeting Minutes and Obituaries of Settlers, 1917–1934.[2]
See also the "Archives and Libraries" page for other organizations with family history sources.
References[edit | edit source]
Family History Library Helps[edit | edit source]
- Society records are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: IOWA - SOCIETIES
- See the "Author/Title Search" of the Family History Library Catalog for many sources published by the Iowa Genealogical Society. There are, for example, birth, marriage, death and cemetery records; censuses (state and federal); newspaper obituaries; probates; city directories; adoption records; county assessors’ books; indexes to scrapbooks; and church records.
IOWA - [COUNTY] - SOCIETIES
- ↑ Meyer’s Directory of Genealogical Societies in the U.S.A. and Canada. (Cited fully in the "Societies" section.)
- ↑ Old Settlers’ Association (Cedar County, Iowa). Annual Meeting Minutes and Obituaries of Settlers, 1917–1934. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1976. (Family History Library film 987411 or 281275)