Resources - State and Local

Last updated 05 April 2018

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Washington County Courthouse

County Website

Mailing Address:
PO Box 889
Washington, IA 52353-0889

Physical Location:
211 W. Main,
Washington, Iowa 52353

Phone: 319-653-7727

Hours of Operation:
Mon- Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT

Recorder’s Office Records
These records are indexed except as noted below. Certified copies are $15.00 and photo copies are $5.00. Photo copies of Land Records are $.40.

Birth 1880 to present (not indexed prior to 1880)
Death 1880 to present
Marriage 1840 to present (not indexed 1840-1990)
Land Deeds and Patents 1840 to present (not indexed prior to November 1992)
Iowa Land Records This is a source for information about recorded real estate documents in Iowa.

Clerk’s Office Records
These records are indexed from February 1997 to the present. Photo copies are $.50.

Probate 1830
Court Files
Wills
Criminal Actions
Civil Actions
Divorce Records

NOTE: The county's old tax books and many transcribed courthouse records are stored and are available in the Washington County Genealogical Library in the basement of the Public Library, see below.

Libraries and Genealogical Societies

Washington County Genealogical Society (WCGS)

Maintains the Genealogical Library that has a collection that focuses on Washington County and includes historical record archives, books, microfilm, and CDs, inlcuding: Family Histories; Marriage, Birth & Death Records; Obituaries; Cemetery and Grave Records; Family & Bible Records; Family Reunions; Church Records; Census Records; School Records; Plat Books; Atlases; City Directories; Township Histories; Various Iowa County Histories; Immigration Records; Pension records; Chattel Mortgage Books; Probate & Wills; Military Records (includes Civil War Roster & Records of Iowa Soldiers); and Newspaper Collection for 9 county newspapers and some from surrounding counties.

Volunteers will do research for a fee. For assistance, complete and submit the form @ this website: Genealogy Request Form

Email Address: genealogy@washington.lib.ia.us

The Washington County Historical Society

Was founded in 1959. It's mission is to "Preserve our county's rich past." The Society maintains four historical sites in Washington County, aids with oral history recordings, preserves paper and memorabilia of the County's history, and hosts special exhibits, events and tours. Unfortunately the WCHS website has been suspended.

Hours of Operation:
Historical sites are open for special events or upon request

The Kalona Historical Village and Museums

Established in 1969, there is a restored 1800's village with 15 authentic buildings, The Kalona Quilt and Textile Museum, and the Iowa Mennonite Museum and Archives.

The Mennonite Museum and Archives has historical artifacts related to the Mennonite culture and Mennonite history.The Archives have a repository of Mennonite records. The Mennonite Historical Society of Iowa publishes a quarterly newsletter. For more information, contact them at PO Box 576 Kalona, IA 52247 or phone (319) 656-3271

Physical Location:
715 D Avenue
Kalona, IA 52347

Phone: 319-656-2519

Hours of Operation:
April - October:
Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
November - March
Mon - Sat 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM CT

The State Historical Society of Iowa

Maintains the Iowa Library and Archives programs to identify, record, collect, preserve, and share research on Iowa history. Anyone interested in researching an Iowa topic, past or present, is likely to find useful original information in the library and archives collections.

The library and archives maintain a large collection of materials related to the history of Iowa and the Upper Midwest. The collection includes 210,000 volumes, 35,000 reels of microfilms, 6,000 sheets of maps, 1.5 million photographs, 4,000 autographs, 8,000 linear feet of manuscripts, 1,800 reels of oral history tapes, an extensive set of bound Iowa newspapers, plus video tapes, sound recordings, and other ephemera.

Physical Locations:
East Locust
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-6200

402 Iowa Avenue
Iowa City, IA
52240-1806

Iowa Genealogical Society

Maintains an extensive collection of books, microforms, and periodicals on Iowa. Resources include: 20,000 volumes and 15,000 microforms covering Iowa, the United States as well as many other countries. These vital records, histories, federal and state census records, military records, and other information combined with a large family history collection provide the researcher with an abundance of sources - many are one of a kind.

View the Online Card Catalog

Physical Location
628 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-1924
(It is across the street from the Iowa State Historical Building)

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