IA RESOURCES
STATE QUICKLINKS
OTHER GENEALOGY RESOURCES
SPONSORS
Hardin 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
Hardin County, Iowa Facts
When was Hardin County, IA Created?
Hardin County was established on January 15, 1851 (Organized in 1853) from Unorganized Territory. The county was named in honor of John J. Hardin (1810–1847), a soldier in the Black Hawk War and Mexican-American War in which he lost his life
What is the County Seat of Hardin County, IA?
The County Seat is located in Eldora and the county government website is http://www.co.hardin.ia.us/
What counties are adjacent to Hardin County, IA?
Bordering Counties are Franklin County, Butler County, Grundy County, Marshall County, Story County, Hamilton County.
What cities and towns are in Hardin County, IA?
Cities and towns located in the County include Ackley, Alden, Buckeye, Eldora, Hubbard, Iowa Falls, New Providence, Owasa, Radcliffe, Steamboat Rock, Union, Whitten.
Hardin County, IA Vital Records
Where can find Hardin County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Hardin 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 Hardin 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
Hardin County, IA Census Records
What Hardin County, IA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Hardin County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Hardin Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Hardin Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Hardin 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
Hardin County, IA Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Hardin County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Hardin 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. Hardin County was attached to Marshall County for a breif time prior to organization March 2, 1853. Some early records may be found there. The first courthouse has been described as a small frame building, which burned down in 1854 or 1855
- Hardin County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 1215 Edgington Ave, Eldora, IA 50627
- Phone: (641) 858-2328
- Hardin 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: 1853
- Land Records: 1849
- Hardin 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: 1854
- Court Records: 1853
- BLM Land Records
Hardin County, IA Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Hardin County, IA?
A list of Hardin County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Iowa Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Hardin County Historical Society, 1603 Washington St., P. O. Box 187, Eldora, IA 50627; (515) 858-5173
- Iowa Falls Historical Society, 320 Stevens St., Iowa Falls, IA 50126-2213; (641)648-4603
- 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 Hardin County, IA Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Iowa State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Iowa Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Hardin County, Iowa Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Hardin County, Iowa Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Hardin County, IA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Hardin 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.
Hardin 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)
- Hardin County Index (Eldora, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Eldora Herald Ledger (Eldora, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- The Eldora Herald Ledger (Eldora, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Iowa Falls Citizen Hardin County Times (Iowa Falls, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Hardin County, Iowa Books (amazon.com)
- Iowa Genealogical Society Publications for Hardin County (shop.iowapioneers.com)
- Search Iowa Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Hardin County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Hardin 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.
- Hardin 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.
- Hardin County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Hardin 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 Hardin County, Iowa
- Hardin Co., Iowa Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Iowa Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Hardin County, Iowa
- Hardin County, Iowa Church Books (amazon.com)
Hardin Co. IA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Iowa Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Hardin Co. IA General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Iowa
- Hardin County, Iowa Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Brief History of Hardin County (iowacounties.org)
- Hardin County, Iowa Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Hardin Co. IA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Hardin County, Iowa (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Iowa – Counties – Hardin (cyndislist.com)
- Hardin County Iowa (genealogytrails.com)
- Hardin County Courthouse History (iowacourtsonline.org)
- Hardin Co. IAGenweb (iagenweb.org)
- Hardin County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Hardin Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Hardin Co. IA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Iowa Links and Information
- 1895 Hardin County Map (livgenmi.com)
- Hardin County and City Maps (iowadot.gov)
Hardin 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 Hardin 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.
Hardin 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.