Explanations are necessary regarding the transcription of the Mills County Death Index and Records. Discrepancies exist between the index and the records. The records have not been changed with a few exceptions; sometimes the correct spelling was determined after checking cemetery and other records.
The transcription for Death Records 1891-97 is not from the original records, but is from LDS FHLC Microfilm # 1503210. Both the index and the death records in the microfilm were transcribed years ago. This index is for Book 1 of the years 1880-1897. The death records for the years 1880-1890 done by Bev Boileau are already online.
Death records in Book 2 have peculiar page numbering. The death records are in near alphabetical order; however many page numbers are missing.
The 1891-1899 index refers to the page where the death record is located. The column headings on the death records are as follows:
Name / Sex / Birth Place / Age / Marital Status / Residence (how long in state) / Death Date / Death Place / Burial Place.
The following abbreviations should be noted:
ng = not given
Marital Status: s = single; m = married; w = widow or widower
Age: y = year; m = month; d = day; hrs = hours
Death Place: # after d. Glenwood: refers to the Ward where the person lived
IIFMC = Iowa Institute for Feeble Minded Children, sometimes indicated on a death record but more often it says Glenwood.
Glnwd St Ce = Glenwood State Cemetery.
At one time the Glenwood Institute was called the Soldier's Orphans Home. Today is called the Glenwood State School. The Institute opened its doors in 1876. By the turn of the century approximately 1000 children (referred to as inmates) from all over the State of Iowa lived at the IIFMC. The percentage of deaths of children and teenagers was much higher than in other Iowa counties. Also many times little was known about the child's age and background. There was a State Cemetery for burial of the residents of the Institution but it is not indexed in the Mills County Cemetery Book.
Transcribed by Cay Merryman
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