[Research Guidance: Iowa - Research Outline] Research Guidance Version Of Data : 6/8/2001

Table of Contents
Helps For Using This Research Outline
     References To The Family History Library Catalog
     References To Other Family History Library Publications
Archives And Libraries
     Computer Networks And Bulletin Boards
     Familysearch™
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
     Federal Censuses
     Mortality Schedules, 1850–1880
     Territorial Censuses
     State Censuses
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Divorce Records
Emigration And Immigration
     Routes To Iowa
Gazetteers
Genealogy
     Nationwide Indexes
     Statewide Collections And Indexes
Historical Geography
History
Land And Property
     Land Office Records
     Homestead Grants
     Other Iowa Land Records
     County Records
     Early Private Land Claims, 1700s–1837
     Territorial Papers Of Iowa, 1838–1852
Maps
     Land Ownership And Plat Maps
     County Atlases
Military Records
     Revolutionary War, 1775–1783
     Early Records Beginning With 1837
     Mexican War, 1846–1848
     Civil War, 1861–65
     Spanish-american War, 1898, And Philippine Insurrection, 1898–1902
     World War I, 1917–1918
     Military Discharge Records, 1860s–1950s
     Militia Records, 1860s–1900s
     National Guard Application Forms, 1870–1920
     Location Of Original Records
Minorities
Native Races
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Obituaries
Periodicals
Probate Records
Public Records
Schools
Societies
Taxation
Vital Records
     County Records Of Births And Deaths
     State Records Of Births And Deaths
Other Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

This outline describes major sources of genealogical information about families from Iowa. As you read this outline, study the United States Research Outline (30972), which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records.

HELPS FOR USING THIS RESEARCH OUTLINE

Before using this outline, you need to decide what you would like to learn about one of your ancestors, such as a birth date or a maiden name.

After you have decided what information you want to find, look at the Record Selection Table Look this term up in the glossary. on pages two and three in this outline. Column 1 lists the kinds of information you may need and columns 2 and 3 suggest the best types of records for finding that information.

There is a section in this outline for each type of record. These sections give more information about the records and how to find them. The sections are listed in alphabetical order.

References to the Family History Library Catalog

The Family History Library Catalog Look this term up in the glossary. is a listing of all the records available at the Family History Library. The catalog is available at the Family History Library and at each Family History Center. Staff there can help you learn to use the catalog.

This outline gives instructions for finding information in the catalog. For example, in the section of this outline called “Census,” you may find the following statement:

For more information about census records, look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
IOWA - CENSUSIOWA, [COUNTY]- CENSUSIOWA, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - CENSUS

This statement tells you to look in the catalog under:

Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.

A county in Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.

A town in a county in Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.

This outline includes many references to specific records. The references include call numbers and computer numbers and are listed in parentheses.

Call Numbers. The call number is used to find a record in the Family History Library (FHL).
Computer Numbers. Each record is assigned a number to identify it in the catalog. If you are using the Family History Library Catalog on computer or compact disc, you can search for the record by the computer number. This is the quickest way to find the catalog listing of the record.

For additional information on using the catalog, see Using the Family History Library Catalog (30966).

References to Other Family History Library Publications

The Family History Library has many other publications that may help you in your research. Some are referred to in this outline. Their titles are in italics and their order numbers are in parentheses. They are available at the Family History Library, the Salt Lake Distribution Center and on the Internet at www.familysearch.org.

RECORD SELECTION TABLE: IOWA

This table can help you decide which records to search. It is most helpful for research from 1800 to the present.Step 1. Choose an ancestor you would like to know more about. Decide what new information you would like to learn about that person. This new information is your research goal.Step 2. In column 1 of this table, find the goal you selected.Step 3. In column 2 of this table, find the types of records most likely to have the information you need; then read the sections in this outline about those types of records.Step 4. Look in the Family History Library Catalog and choose a specific record to search.Step 5. Look at the record.Step 6. If you do not find the information you need, go to column 3 and search those record types.Note: Records of previous research (Genealogy, Locality Search, History, Periodicals, and Societies) are useful for most goals, but they are not listed unless they are especially helpful.

1. If You Need

2. Search These Record Types First

3. Search These Record Types Next

Adoptions Probate Records, Court Records, Obituaries Census, Societies, Church Records, Probate Records

Age Census, Vital Records, Cemeteries Military Records, Obituaries, Naturalization and Citizenship

Birth date Vital Records, Church Records, Cemeteries Bible Records, Obituaries, Military Records

Birth place Vital Records, Church Records, Census Obituaries, Genealogy, Military Records

Boundaries and origins History, Maps Gazetteers, Historical Geography

Children Census, Probate Records, Obituaries, Genealogy Bible Records, Vital Records, Church Records, Land and Property

City or parish of foreign birth Vital Records, Naturalization and Citizenship Obituaries, Church Records

Country of foreign birth Census, Naturalization and Citizenship, Obituaries Military Records, Vital Records, Church Records

Death information Vital Records, Cemeteries, Probate Records Bible Records, Church Records, Obituaries

Divorce Court Records, Vital Records, Divorce Records Newspapers

Ethnic background Minorities, Native Races, Census Societies, Church Records, Naturalization and Citizenship

Historical background History, Periodicals, Biography Minorities

Immigration date Naturalization and Citizenship, Census, Emigration and Immigration Newspapers, Obituaries, Genealogy

Living relatives Genealogy, Directories, Obituaries Census, Church Records, Probate Records

Maiden name Vital Records, Church Records, Bible Records Cemeteries, Military Records, Probate Records, Obituaries

Marriage information Vital Records, Church Records, Census, Divorce Records Bible Records, Cemeteries, Probate Records, Land and Property

Naturalization Naturalization and Citizenship, Census Obituaries, Land and Property (sometimes in homestead records)

Occupations Census, Directories, Land and Property Court Records, Obituaries, Military Records

Other family members Census, Probate Records, Obituaries Bible Records, Genealogy, Land and Property

Parents Vital Records, Church Records, Census Probate Records, Obituaries, Land and Property

Physical description Military Records, Biography, Emigration and Immigration Naturalization and Citizenship (after Sept. 1906), Vital Records, Genealogy

Place-finding aids Gazetteers, Maps, Historical Geography History, Periodicals

Places of residencePlace of residence when you know only the state Census, Land and Property, GenealogyCensus (indexed), Genealogy, Military Records, Vital Records, and other records with a statewide index Military Records, Obituaries, DirectoriesBiography, Probate Records, History, Obituaries, Directories

Previous research Genealogy, Periodicals, Societies History, Biography

Record-finding aids Archives and Libraries Periodicals

Religion Church Records, Biography Cemeteries, Obituaries

Social activities History, Biography, Newspapers

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Version of Data: 6/8/2001]