Decatur County, Iowa Genealogy
Guide to Decatur County, Iowa ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Decatur County was named for Stephen Decatur Jr and is located in southern Iowa.[3]
County Courthouse
Decatur County Courthouse
207 N Main Street
Leon, IA 50144-1647
Phone: 515-446-4331
Decatur County Website
Decatur County, Iowa Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1880 | 1880 | 1880 | 1871 | 1874 | 1880 | 1847 |
Record Loss
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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:
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Decatur County. To find more resources, go to the Iowa Bible Records page.
Biographies
- 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 ($).
- Decatur County, Iowa Biographies Project at RootsWeb — links to biographies and local histories
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Iowa, State Employees at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Cemeteries
Census Records
Iowa recorded not only federal, but state censuses for several in-between years as well. For more information, see the very informative Iowa Census article.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 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". | ||
State Census
- 1885 Iowa State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1895 Iowa State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1905 Iowa State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images (individual cards, not family context)
- 1915 Iowa State Census, 1915 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1925 Iowa State Census, 1925 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
Church Records
Most church records are held by individual churches. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Iowa Church Records.
- 1845-1987 Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and 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
- 1871-1922 Court Records, 1874-1920; Index, 1871-1922(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index and images
- 1873-1886 Circuit Court General Index, 1873-1886 : Complete Record, vol. 1, 1874-1886(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index and images
- 1886-1904 Miscellaneous Records, 1886-1902; Index, 1873-1904(*); County Recorder at FamilySearch Catalog — index and 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 and images
Directories
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
- Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. They include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Iowa Land and Property for information about early Iowa land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, transactions were usually recorded and housed at the county courthouse.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 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 and images
- 1881-1874 Abstract of conveyances by the state of Iowa of lands in Decatur County vol. 1, 1851-1874 at FamilySearch Catalog - index and images
- 1886-1902 Miscellaneous records, 1886-1902; index, 1873-1904 at FamilySearch Catalog - index and images
Local Histories
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
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, 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
Early migration routes to and from Decatur County for European settlers included:
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- Mormon Trail 1846 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah[8]
Military Records
Multiple Wars
- 1835-1998 Iowa, Armed Forces Grave Registrations, ca. 1835-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index only
- 1862-1910 Iowa, Records of Persons Subject to Military Duty, 1862-1910 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
Civil War
- 1861-1949 Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and 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
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 and 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
- 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 ($)
Obituaries
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
In most counties in Iowa, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1758-1997 Iowa, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 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
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Iowa tax records complement land records and can supplement the years between censuses. Iowa's unique Old Age Assistance tax gives names, addresses and birth years. There may be gaps of several years. For more information, see the wiki page Iowa Taxation.
Online Tax Indexes and Records
- 1926 Assessor's book 1926 New Buda Township, Decatur County, Iowa. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- 1934-1958 Iowa, Old Age Tax Assistance Records, 1934-1958 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded by civil officials on registers, certificates, and other documents. Copies or extracts may be purchased from the Iowa Department of Public Health or the County Clerk's office. See also Iowa Vital Records.
Birth
- 1850-1939 Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1880-1935 Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1921-1942 Iowa, Birth Records, 1921-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
Marriage
- 1518-1996 Iowa, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1809-1992 Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992 at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1836-1926 Iowa, Marriages, 1836 - 1926 at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1838-1934 Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1880-1951 Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1951 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1941-1951 Iowa, Marriage Records, 1941-1951 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Death
- 1845-1987 Iowa, Church and Civil Deaths, 1845-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
- 1850-1990 Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and some images; Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1880-1992 Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1900-1939 Iowa Death Index, 1900-1939 at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1904-1951 Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1920-1967 Iowa, U.S., Death Records, 1920-1967 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Divorce
- 1891-1991 Divorce Records, v. 1, 1891-1991(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Decatur County. For state-wide library facilities, see Iowa Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries
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
Liberty Hall
1138 W Main Street
Lamoni, IA 50140
Phone: 641-784-6133
Email: libhall@grm.net
Website
Facebook
Societies
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
- 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
References
- ↑ 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).