Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy

United States

Iowa

Dubuque County

Guide to Dubuque County, Iowa ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Iowa Online Genealogy Records

Dubuque County, Iowa
Map
Location in the state of Iowa, United States Genealogy
Location of Iowa in the U.S.
Facts
Founded	October 1, 1834
County Seat	Dubuque
Courthouse
Address	Dubuque County Courthouse 720 Central Avenue Dubuque, IA 52001 Phone:(319) 589-4418 Dubuque County Website

County Information

Description

The County was named for the Julien Dubuque. The County has Dubuque as its seat and the County was created 1834. The County is located in the east area of the state.

Dubuque County, Iowa Record Dates

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1880	1840	1880	1836	1836	1835	1847
Statewide registration started for births in July 1880 and for deaths Jan 1891. General compliance by 1924.

County Courthouse

Dubuque County Courthouse
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001

(319) 589-4418

Dubuque County

History

Parent County

1834--Dubuque County was created 1 October 1834 from Michigan Territory. County seat:  Dubuque

Boundary Changes

For animated maps illustrating Iowa County boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Iowa County Boundary Maps" (1816-1872) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Record Loss

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Places/Localities

Town/city records in the FamilySearch Catalog

Populated Places

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Cities
Asbury Balltown Bankston Bernard Cascade Centralia Dubuque	Durango Dyersville Epworth Farley Graf Holy Cross Luxemburg	New Vienna Peosta Richardsville Sageville Sherrill Wothington Zwingle
Unincorporated communities
Fillmore	Key West	Washington Mills
Townships
Cascade Center Concord Dodge Dubuque Township	Iowa Township Jefferson Township Mosalem Township New Wine Townshp	Peru Township Table Mound Township Taylor Township Washington Township

Neighboring Counties

Clayton • Delaware • Jackson • Jones • Jo Daviess County, Illinois • Grant County, Wisconsin

Biography

• Portrait and biographical record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa : containing biographical sketches of prominent a at Ancestry.com ($)

Cemeteries

Tombstone Transcriptions Online	Tombstone Transcriptions in Print	List of Cemeteries in the county
Findagrave.com	Family History Library	Findagrave.com
IAGenWeb	WorldCat	Billion Graves
IAGenWeb Archives		FamilySearch Places
Tombstone Project
Iowa Gravestones
Billion Graves
See Iowa Cemeteries for more information.

Census

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1840	3,059	—
1850	10,841	254.4%
1860	31,164	187.5%
1870	38,969	25.0%
1880	42,996	10.3%
1890	49,848	15.9%
1900	56,403	13.1%
1910	57,450	1.9%
1920	58,262	1.4%
1930	61,214	5.1%
1940	63,768	4.2%
1950	71,337	11.9%
1960	80,048	12.2%
1970	90,609	13.2%
1980	93,745	3.5%
1990	86,403	−7.8%
2000	89,143	3.2%
2010	93,653	5.1%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

Iowa recorded not only the federal census but state census through out the years too. The state census contains very valuable genealogical information. Where the census information can be found, what years it was taken, mortality schedules, census substitutions and much more is discussed in the very informative Iowa Census article.

State Census

• 1836 - The first census of the original counties of Dubuque and Demoine (Iowa) taken in July, 1836 at Ancestry.com ($)
• 1895 - Iowa State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — index and images
• 1905 - Iowa State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — index and images
• 1915 - Iowa State Census, 1915 at FamilySearch — index and images
• 1925 - Iowa State Census. 1925 at FamilySearch — index and images

Church

Most church records are held by individual churches. For contact information, check a phone directory, such as SearchBug or Dex Knows. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Iowa Church Records.

List of Churches and Church Parishes

• FamilySearch Places

Lutheran

• Records of the American Lutheran Church, Dubuque, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).

St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Dubuque

• Records of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Dubuque, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).

Directories

• Seventh edition of the Dubuque and Dubuque County directory, 1909 : containing an alphabetically arranged list of business firm Online at: Ancestry.com ($)

Land

The indexes and deeds are now online -   http://cotthosting.com/iadubuque/LandRecords/protected/SrchQuickName.aspx  There is a tab for the index books back to 1834.  Once the book and page are found, use the Record Book using the boxes on the right part of the page.  Be sure to try all types of the record books as the early deeds aren't in obvious places all the time.   

Local Histories

Local histories are available for Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Iowa Local Histories.

• Dubuque County Early Settlers' Association. Brief early history of Iowa and Dubuque County. Dubuque, Iowa : Times-Journal, [1910?].
  • Online at FamilySearch (Free)
• Dubuque County Early Settlers' Association. [Dubuque County Early Settlers' Association]. Dubuque, Iowa : Iowa Farmer, [1906].
  • Online at FamilySearch (Free) and at Internetarchive (Free)
• The History of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of the northwest, history of Iowa, map of Dubuque County, constitution of the United States, miscellaneous matters,. Chicago, Western Historical, 1880.
  • Online at FamilySearch (Free) and at Googlebooks (Free)
• Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County, Iowa : being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest settlement to the present time. Chicago, Illinois : Goodspeed Historical Association, [1911?]
  • On line at Internetarchive (Free)
• Portrait and biographical record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa : containing biographical sketches of prominent a at Ancestry.com ($)
• Dubuque County history, Iowa at Ancestry.com ($)
• History of the Trappist abbey of New Melleray, in Dubuque County, Iowa at Ancestry.com ($)
• Antique Dubuque, 1673-1833. By Hoffmann, M. M.. Dubuque: Telegraph-Herald Press, 1930. Online at: Ancestry.com ($)

Maps

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

• Old Antique Atlases & Maps of Iowa
• FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places

Military

• 1835-1998 - Iowa, Armed Forces Grave Registrations, ca. 1835-1998 at FamilySearch — index
• 1861-1949 - Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1949 at FamilySearch — index and images
• 1862-1910 - Iowa, Records of Persons Subject to Military Duty, 1862-1910 at FamilySearch — index

Civil War

Regiments. Service men in Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy:

- 1st Regiment, Iowa Infantry (3 months, 1861), Companies H and I

- 3rd Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company A

- 4th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Company B

- 6th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Companies B and M

- 9th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company C

- 16th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Companies G and H

- 20th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Companies C, E, F and I

- 44th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company A

- 46th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company A

- Engineer Regiment of the West, Missouri Volunteers (Union), Company F
:- 16th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company G
:- 16th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company H
:- 1st Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Company G
:- 1st Regiment, Iowa Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company H
:- 1st Regiment, Iowa Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company I
:- 20th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company C
:- 20th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company E
:- 20th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company F
:- 20th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company I
:- 3rd Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company A
:- 44th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company A
:- 46th Regiment, Iowa Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company A
:- 4th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Company B
:- 6th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Company B
:- 6th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Company M
:- 9th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Company C

Naturalization and Citizenship

• 1859-1990 - United States, Iowa Naturalization Records, 1859-1990 at FamilySearch — index and images
• Index to Naturalization Petitions for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa & Wisconsin
  

Naturalization and citizenship (microfilmed originals or published transcripts) are listed in the FamilySearch Library Catalog for Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy. For other libraries (local and national) or to gain access to items of interest, see  Some of the microfilms may be available at the state archives or at state and county historical societies.

Newspapers

NewspaperArchive.com ($) has a large collection of digitized Iowa newspapers online. This database is sometimes free at libraries.

• Weekly Times. 1859-1862, 1868 Dubuque, IA, USA. Online at: Ancestry.com ($)
• Dyersville Commerrial. 1853, 1859 Dyersville, IA, USA. Online at: Ancestry.com ($)
• Du Buque Visitor. 1836, 1837 Du Buque, WI, USA. Online at: Ancestry.com ($)

Probate

Online Probate Records

• 1758 - 1997 Iowa Wills and Probate Records 1758-1997 at Ancestry.com — index and images $

In most counties in Iowa, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.

The FamilySearch Catalog lists films of probate records. To find the records for this county, use the Place Search for Iowa - Dubuque - Probate records.

Taxation

• 1934-1958 - Iowa, Old Age Tax Assistance Records, 1934-1958 at FamilySearch — index

Iowa tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. Tax lists were usually made every year, however, there may be gaps of several years. For more information, see the wiki page Iowa Taxation.

Vital Records

Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Iowa Department of Public Health or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. See also How to order Iowa Vital Records or order electronically online.

Births

• 1850-1939 - Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939 at FamilySearch — index and images
• 1921-1942 - Iowa, Birth Records, 1921-1942 at FamilySearch — index and images

Marriages

• 1518-1996 - Iowa, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
• 1809-1992 Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992 at MyHeritage ($) — index
• 1836-1926 Iowa, Marriages, 1836 - 1926 at MyHeritage ($) — index
• 1838-1934 - Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
• 1880-1951 Iowa, Marriage Records, 1880-1951 at Ancestry.com ($) — index and images

Deaths

• 1850-1990 - Iowa, Deaths and Burials 1850-1990 at FamilySearch - index
• 1880-1992 - Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992 at FamilySearch — index
  
• 1900-1939 Iowa Death Index, 1900-1939 at MyHeritage ($) — index
• 1904-1951 - Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951 at FamilySearch — index and images
• 1920-1967 Iowa, Death Records, 1920-1967 at Ancestry.com ($) — index and images

Societies and Libraries

Family History Centers

• Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
  

FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.

• Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator

Local Centers and Libraries

• Dubuque Iowa Family History Center 685 Fremont Ave, Dubuque IA 52003 United States Location Map

Websites

45px The usage of "Mormon" and "LDS" on this page is approved according to current policy.

Sites with online indexes or images of records pertaining to Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy
State Historical Society of Iowa	Free	Select from research collection topics
The Iowa Heritage Digital Collection	Free	digital images from a variety of Iowa cultural institutions - results of "dubuque county" in the search box
State Library of Iowa	Free	electronic depository of documents intended for the general public produced by Iowa agencies - results of "dubuque county" in the search box
IAGenWeb Project	Free	Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions
USGenWeb Archives	Free	Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
genealogytrails.com	Free	Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions
[1] [2][3] FamilySearch	Free	Births, 1880-1935; Deaths 1880-1992; Marriages, 1838-1934; all indexes

Sites that search for links pertaining to Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy
RootsWeb Resources	Free	Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
Linkpendium	Free	Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
CyndisList	Free	Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
Dubuque County IA at LDS Genealogy	Free	Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
StateofUS.com	Free	family history resources and government records

Major catalogs for hard copy collections of Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy Books, microfilm, or manuscripts of genealogical records
FamilySearch Catalog	Select topics. To select towns, add a comma to the search box.
WorldCat	To find nearby libraries that have specific items, see WorldCat Online Catalog.
Allen County Public Library	located in Indiana They are heavily involved in digitizing.
See also local libraries and Iowa Archives and Libraries

Social networking sites pertaining to Dubuque County, Iowa Genealogy
GeneaBloggers	enter "Iowa" in search box to see list and links to Iowa blogs
Facebook	list of groups from "Iowa Genealogy" search
genealogy.com	IA Genealogy Forum
ancestry.com	Dubuque County Message Board

Sources and Footnotes

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