Iowa, Jasper County Poor Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection consists of
 * An account book listing indigent residents of Jasper County.
 * Jasper County poor farm records including details about housing accommodations and farm labor jobs
 * Jasper County Poor Farm Cemetery
 * Jasper county widow's pensions which were usually granted to widows with no other type of support or income.

The records cover the years 1913 to 1938.

Record Content
The records may list any of the following:


 * Name
 * Age at the time of assistance or birth date
 * Previous residence (some residents came from other states or counties)
 * Dates of residence, assistance or pension
 * Previous occupations
 * Death date and burial information

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know


 * Name of your ancestor
 * Identifying information such as residence and assistance dates

Search the Collection
To search the collection: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the appropriate "Record Type, Volume, and Year Range" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Make a photocopy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example; use the residence and names to locate church and census records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Previous occupations listed can lead you to other types of records such as employment records or military records.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Some counties were subdivided or the boundaries may have changed. Consider searching neighboring counties as well since that courthouse may have been more convenient for the person.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Search other records within Jasper County.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities.

Related Websites

 * Iowa Poorhouse History
 * History of the Jasper County Poor Farm
 * Jasper County Poor Farm Cemetery

Related Wiki Articles

 * Iowa Genealogy
 * Jasper County, Iowa Genealogy

Citations for This Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually.

Collection Citation:

Image Citation: