Iowa Historical and Genealogical Societies

Iowa State Historical Society
The second largest research collection in the state is located at the Iowa City branch of the State Historical Society’s research facilities. Holdings include local, state, and national histories; biographies; government documents, and current historical periodicals not all identical to the facility at Des Moines. Microfilm holdings are loaned between the collections. Of specific interest to genealogists are county histories, state census data, cemetery records, atlases, and plat books. Iowa newspapers, beginning in 1836, can be found in 10,000 bound volumes and 12,000 microfilm rolls (microfilm available through interlibrary loan). Fire insurance maps include more than 700 Iowa communities. Over 100,000 photographic images can be located by standard subject headings, geographical designations, or the portrait index.

Iowa Genealogical Society
Maintains an extensive genealogical reference library (shelf list available), publishes Hawkeye Heritage and a member newsletter, and publishes in cooperation with its chapters a wide variety of genealogical reference works, primarily Iowa vital records.

Resources of Iowa research can be found in a multitude of other locations in the state. County/city level archival programs exist, for example, in Dubuque and both Polk and Scott counties.

See Also: Iowa Archives and Libraries

2 thoughts on “Iowa Historical and Genealogical Societies”

  1. Hello,
    My name is Karen Berry McMillan and I have been working on my Dad’s side of the family – Berry. Right now I am flooded with notebooks featuring the Berry family starting with my grandfather Harley Robert Berry. I have researched the family and have found connections to the Cory, Stambaugh, and a connection to Thomas Berry (my 4th great grandfather) born in Leuchars, Fife, Scotland. I am also related to the Kleinknecht (Kleineck) family from Germany . My grandmother Faye Kleineck married Harley Berry. Also the connections include the White and Campbell families. Many Berrys, and Stambaughs are buried there.
    My purpose in sending this email is that I wish to donate my notebooks full of information and pictures to anyone of the many Iowa genealogy societies. I am hoping you would be able to help me . I have moved from Rock Island, Ill to Florida and really need to donate the information I have. If you can help you can reach me at email address below.
    Thank you, Karen Berry McMillan

    Reply

  2. My name is Ruth Ann Easter, great grand daughter of Mabel Beatrice (Berry) Minick 1871-1949). She was born in Iowa and later with four little girls moved to Colony, Washita County, Oklahoma. Her father was Henry Nathanial Berry (1844-1916) born in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, and his father, Jesse Berry born 1814 in Virginia and died in 1859, killed on his farm in Iowa City. Johnson County, Iowa by a tornado in Iowa. I have a photo of early settlers in Iowa and some pictures of Berry family members in Oklahoma. I am hoping there are other family member’s photo I can compare to one day. If there is anyway to obtain a copy Karen Berry McMillan’s work, I would be thrilled.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.