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Sioux 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
Sioux County, Iowa Facts
When was Sioux County, IA Created?
Sioux County was established on January 15, 1851 (Organized in January 20, 1860) from Unorganized Territory The county was named in honor of Sioux Native American tribe, which was once prosperous in the Iowa and Minnesota area. The tribe was also known as the Dakota tribe. Sioux means “Snakes” or “Little Snakes.”
What is the County Seat of Sioux County, IA?
The County Seat is located in Orange City and the county government website is http://www.siouxcounty.org
What counties are adjacent to Sioux County, IA?
Bordering Counties are Lyon County, O’Brien County, Plymouth County, Union County, South Dakota, Lincoln County, South Dakota.
What cities and towns are in Sioux County, IA?
Cities and towns located in the County include Alton, Boyden, Chatsworth, Granville, Hawarden, Hospers, Hull, Ireton, Matlock, Maurice, Orange City, Rock Valley, Sheldon, Sioux Center.
Sioux County, IA Vital Records
Where can find Sioux County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Sioux 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 Sioux 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
Sioux County, IA Census Records
What Sioux County, IA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Sioux 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.
Sioux Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Sioux Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Sioux 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
Sioux County, IA Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Sioux County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Sioux 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. Sioux County was attached to Woodbury County for a breif time prior to organization January 1, 1860. Some early records may be found there.
- Sioux County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 210 Central Ave SW, Orange City, IA 51041
- Phone: (712) 737-2286
- Sioux 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: 1871
- Land Records: 1856
- Sioux 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: 1870
- Court Records: 1871
- BLM Land Records
Sioux County, IA Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Sioux County, IA?
A list of Sioux County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Iowa Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society, 102 So. Main Ave. Sioux Center IA 51250
- Hawarden Public Library, 803 10th Street, Hawarden IA 51023; Phone (712) 551-2244
- Orange City Public Library, 112 Albany Ave. SE, Box 346, Orange City IA 51041; Phone (712) 737-4302
- Rock Valley Public Library, 1531 Main Street, Rock Valley IA 51247; Phone (712) 476-5651
- Sioux Center Public Library, 327 1st Ave. NE, Sioux Center IA 51250; Phone (712) 722-2138
- 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 Sioux County, IA Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Iowa State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Iowa Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Sioux County, Iowa Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Sioux County, Iowa Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Sioux County, IA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Sioux 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.
Sioux 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)
- Alton Democrat (Alton, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Boyden Reporter (Boyden, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Sioux County Capital (Orange City, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Sioux Center News (Sioux Center, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Sioux County Index (Hull, Iowa) (search.ancestry.com)
- Sioux County, Iowa Books (amazon.com)
- Iowa Genealogical Society Publications for Sioux County (shop.iowapioneers.com)
- Search Iowa Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Sioux County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Sioux 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.
- Sioux 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.
- Sioux County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Sioux 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 Sioux County, Iowa
- Sioux Co., Iowa Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Iowa Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Sioux County, Iowa
- Sioux County, Iowa Church Books (amazon.com)
Sioux Co. IA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Iowa Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Sioux Co. IA General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Iowa
- Sioux County, Iowa Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Brief History of Sioux County (iowacounties.org)
- Sioux County, Iowa Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Sioux Co. IA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Sioux County, Iowa (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Iowa – Counties – Sioux (cyndislist.com)
- Sioux County Iowa (genealogytrails.com)
- Sioux County Courthouse History (iowacourtsonline.org)
- Sioux Co. IAGenweb (iagenweb.org)
- Sioux County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Sioux Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Sioux Co. IA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Iowa Links and Information
- 1895 Sioux County Map (livgenmi.com)
- Sioux County and City Maps (iowadot.gov)
Sioux 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 Sioux 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.
Sioux 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.