Search For Your Ancestors

IA RESOURCES

STATE QUICKLINKS

AL AZ AR CA CO CT
DE FL GA ID IL IN
IA KS KY LA MA MD
ME MI MN MS MO MT
NE NV NH NJ NM NY
NC ND OH OK OR PA
RI SC SD TN TX UT
VT VA WA WV WI WY

OTHER GENEALOGY RESOURCES

TOP FREE ANCESTRY DATABASES

SPONSORS

Louisa County, Iowa
Genealogy, History & Facts

County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links

Louisa County, Iowa Facts

When was Louisa County, IA Created?
Louisa County was established on December 7, 1836 from Des Moines County. The county was named in honor of either Louisa Massey of Dubuque, Iowa, who, according to legend, killed the murderer of her brother; or Louisa County, Virginia

What is the County Seat of Louisa County, IA?
The County Seat is located in Wapello and the county government website is http://www.louisacountyiowa.org/

What counties are adjacent to Louisa County, IA?
Bordering Counties are Johnson County, Muscatine County, Rock Island County, Illinois, Mercer County, Illinois, Des Moines County, Henry County, Washington County.

What cities and towns are in Louisa County, IA?
Cities and towns located in the County include Columbus City, Columbus Junction, Cotter, Fredonia, Grandview, Letts, Morning Sun, Oakville, Wapello.

Louisa County, IA Vital Records

Where can find Louisa County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Louisa County vital records can be found at the Iowa Office of Vital Records which has copies of birth, marriage and death records from July 1880. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Iowa for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Louisa County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Iowa Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate Application to mail.

Louisa County, IA Census Records


What Louisa County, IA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Louisa County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

Louisa Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Louisa Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Louisa Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890.

Another Iowa census is the Iowa State Census Collection from 1836-1925. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Iowa Census Records Research Guide

Louisa County, IA Courthouse and Government Records

Louisa County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Louisa County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Louisa County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Iowa Corthouse Records Research Guide.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk’s department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The files are available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many staff will guide individuals in locating the materials, however it’s up to the person to carry out the research.

  • Louisa County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 117 S Main St, Wapello, IA 52653
    • Phone: (319) 523-4541
  • Louisa County Recorder’s Office maintains official records of documents affecting title to real estate. Every real estate transaction that takes place begins in the Recorder’s Office. One of the major duties of the office is the management of public records. As a result, accuracy and preservation of records are a must in the Recorder’s Office. In addition to real estate transactions, the Recorder’s Office issues titles and liens; records veterans discharge papers; processes passport applications; accepts marriage applications and issues the subsequent license; issues certified copies of birth, death and marriage records as well as other numerous duties.
    • Birth / Death Records: 1880
    • Marriage Records: 1842
    • Land Records: 1839
  • Louisa County Clerk of Court manages and maintains all trial court records, including pleadings, evidence and orders. The clerks of court have hundreds of administrative duties. They accept and process fines, fees and court costs owed to the state, child support checks, and civil judgments owed to litigants. They maintain a record of liens on all real estate in the county. Clerks help with involuntary hospitalization cases. They have the authority to dispose of scheduled violations which are not contested and do not require a court hearing. Clerks are also responsible for informing state and local government agencies of court orders.
    • Probate Records: 1838
    • Court Records: 1839
  • BLM Land Records

Louisa County, IA Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Louisa County, IA?
A list of Louisa County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Iowa Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Louisa County, IA Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Louisa County, IA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Louisa County. Many of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a cost. This is simply a list which has been compiled or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site over another.

Louisa Co. IA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Louisa Co. IA Cemeteries & Church Records

Louisa Co. IA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Louisa Co. IA General and History Websites

Louisa Co. IA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Louisa Co. IA Military Records

Louisa Co. IA Schools & Directories

  • Iowa Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1884-1885  (search.ancestry.com) This database contains the 1884-85 Iowa gazetteer and business directory. The gazetteer covers each city, town, village, and settlement in Iowa and includes a description of each place and a directory of the people engaged in business or the professions located there.