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Des Moines 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
Des Moines County, Iowa Facts
When was Des Moines County, IA Created?
Des Moines County was established on October 1, 1834 from Michigan Territory. The county was named for the Des Moines River, river that once ran through the county
What is the County Seat of Des Moines County, IA?
The County Seat is located in Burlington and the county government website is http://co.des-moines.ia.us/
What counties are adjacent to Des Moines County, IA?
Bordering Counties are Louisa County, Mercer County, Illinois, Henderson County, Illinois, Lee County, Henry County.
What cities and towns are in Des Moines County, IA?
Cities and towns located in the County include Burlington, Danville, Mediapolis, Middletown, West Burlington.
Des Moines County, IA Vital Records
Where can find Des Moines County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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.
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- USGenweb Archives Iowa Marriage Project
- Iowa, Births and Christenings, 1830-1950
- Iowa, Births and Christenings Index, 1857-1947
- Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935
- Iowa State Court System; Divorce Records 1992 to December 2008
- Iowa State Public Record Offices; Marriage Records 1834 – 1900
- Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934
- Iowa Marriages to 1850
- Iowa, Marriages, 1851-1900
- Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992
- Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990
Des Moines County, IA Census Records
What Des Moines County, IA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Des Moines 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.
Des Moines Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Des Moines Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Des Moines 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
Des Moines County, IA Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Des Moines County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Des Moines 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. The Courthouse, along with some of the county records, was destroyed by a fire in 1873.
- Des Moines County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 513 N Main St, Burlington, IA 52601
- Phone: (319) 753-8203
- Des Moines 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: 1835
- Land Records: 1837
- Des Moines 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: 1835
- Court Records: 1835
- BLM Land Records
Des Moines County, IA Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Des Moines County, IA?
A list of Des Moines County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Iowa Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Des Moines County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 493, Burlington, Iowa 52601-0493
- Iowa State Archives & Records Program
- State Historical Society of Iowa, Capitol Complex, Des Moines, IA 50319
- Iowa Genealogical Society, 628 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Where can I connect with other Des Moines County, IA Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Iowa State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Iowa Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Des Moines County, Iowa Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Des Moines County, Iowa Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Des Moines County, IA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Des Moines 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.
Des Moines Co. IA Books, Newspapers & Publications
- Iowa Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- Iowa historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from Iowa (1837 – 1900) (genealogybank.com)
- Burlington Weekly Hawkeye, The (Burlington, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Burlington Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Weekly Hawk Eye And Telegraph (Burlington, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- The Weekly Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Burlington Tri Weekly Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Des Moines County, Iowa Books (amazon.com)
- Iowa Genealogical Society Publications for Des Moines County (shop.iowapioneers.com)
- Search Iowa Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Des Moines County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Des Moines Co. IA Cemeteries & Church Records
- Iowa Cemetery Research Guide
- Iowa Cemetery Records (search.ancestry.com) This collection is the largest compilation of the Iowa WPA cemetery records found in one single place.
- Des Moines Co., Iowa Graves (findagrave.com)
- Iowa WPA Graves Registration Survey (iagenweb.org) These records contain burials throughout much of Iowa that were compiled by WPA workers in the 1930 s, including grave markers which no longer exist today. Records may be searched within a county or state-wide.
- Des Moines County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Des Moines Co., Iowa Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Iowa Civil War Soldier Burial Records (search.ancestry.com) At least 75,000 soldiers enlisted from the state of Iowa during the Civil War and thousands more who served from other states settled in Iowa following the Rebellion. This database currently contains a listing of over 18,800 of these service men (and a few women) who died and were buried in the state, or who enlisted from the state of Iowa and are buried elsewhere.
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Des Moines County, Iowa
- Des Moines Co., Iowa Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Iowa Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Des Moines County, Iowa
- Des Moines County, Iowa Church Books (amazon.com)
Des Moines Co. IA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Iowa Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Des Moines Co. IA General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Iowa
- Des Moines County, Iowa Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent cit (search.ancestry.com)
- Des Moines County, Iowa Biographical Dictionary (search.ancestry.com)
- Brief History of Des Moines County (iowacounties.org)
- Des Moines County, Iowa Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Des Moines Co. IA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Des Moines County, Iowa (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Iowa – Counties – Des Moines (cyndislist.com)
- Des Moines County Iowa (genealogytrails.com)
- Des Moines County Courthouse History (iowacourtsonline.org)
- Des Moines Co. IAGenweb (iagenweb.org)
- Des Moines County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Des Moines Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Des Moines Co. IA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Iowa Links and Information
- 1895 Des Moines County Map (livgenmi.com)
- Des Moines County and City Maps (iowadot.gov)
Des Moines Co. IA Military Records
- Iowa Military Records Research Guide
- Iowa Military Records (fold3.com) provides you with easy access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents belonging to the Iowa both males and females which served. Just the thing for Des Moines County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.
- Iowa Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, 1885 (search.ancestry.com) This database contains a list of ex-soldiers, sailors, and marines who were living in Iowa in 1885.
Des Moines 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.
- Des Moines, Iowa Directory, 1889-91 (search.ancestry.com)