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Howard 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

Howard County, Iowa Facts

When was Howard County, IA Created?
Howard County was established on January 15, 1851 from Unorganized Land. The County was recreated on January 15, 1951 (Organized in July 17, 1855) from Unorganized Territory. The county was named in honor of Tilghman Ashurst Howard (1797–1844), an U.S. senator from Indiana and general in Tennessee and Indiana

What is the County Seat of Howard County, IA?
The County Seat is located in Cresco and the county government website is http://www.co.howard.ia.us/

What counties are adjacent to Howard County, IA?
Bordering Counties are Mower County, Minnesota, Fillmore County, Minnesota, Winnesheik County, Chickasaw County, Mitchell County, Floyd County.

What cities and towns are in Howard County, IA?
Cities and towns located in the County include Chester, Cresco, Elma, Lime Springs, Riceville.

Howard County, IA Vital Records

Where can find Howard County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Howard 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 Howard 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.

Howard County, IA Census Records


What Howard County, IA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Howard 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.

Howard Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Howard Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Howard 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

Howard County, IA Courthouse and Government Records

Howard County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Howard County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Howard 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. Howard County was attached to Floyd County for a breif time prior to organization September 15, 1855. Some early records may be found there. The courthouse at Cresco burned down on December 1, 1876. Few records survived.

  • Howard County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 218 N Elm St, Cresco, IA 52136
    • Phone: (563) 547-3309
  • Howard 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: 1875
    • Land Records: 1855
  • Howard 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: 1873
    • Court Records: 1873
  • BLM Land Records

Howard County, IA Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

What other genealogical resources are available in Howard County, IA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Howard 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.

Howard Co. IA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Howard Co. IA Cemeteries & Church Records

Howard Co. IA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Howard Co. IA General and History Websites

Howard Co. IA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Howard Co. IA Military Records

Howard 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.