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Ida County, Iowa

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
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Ida was created on January 15, 1951 (Organized in 1859) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for possibly Ida Smith, the first European-American child born in the county. The County Seat is Ida Grove. On January 12, 1877, the courthouse burned, along with most of the county records.

Counties adjacent to Ida County are Cherokee County (north), Sac County (east), Crawford County (south), Woodbury County (west). Cities and Towns Include Arthur, Battle Creek, Galva, Holstein, Ida Grove.

Ida County was established in 1851. The county’s name is usually credited to Eliphalet Price, about 1852. Price was on a State Commission to name Iowa’s newly formed counties. The story claims he was camped east of the grove watching Indian campfires on the far ridge, and the image brought to mind Mount Ida in ancient Greece. Price called the county Ida, and even before settlement seriously began, the new county’s most significant landmark was know as Ida’s Grove. The Grove that someday would give Ida Grove its name and was one of only a few scattered timber groves in the county.

The first authentic account of the early settlement of Ida County states that in 1854, Robert Townsley and Edward Smith build a cabin and raised a small crop of corn. The first white child born in the county was a girl to Ed and Margaret Smith and was named Ida. (Some say she was named for the county; others say the county was named after her.)

At this point in history Ida Grove takes on the first hint of permanence with the arrival of Ebenezer Cornstock and John Moorehead. The Cornstocks and Mooreheads were farmers. They depended on the land to provide for their families and livestock.

It was the Moorehead’s cabin that was destined to become the center of slowly growing commerce in the area. The arrangement of early homesteads made his cabin on the south end of the grove the first human habitation after a 25 mile trek, and it was only natural that is would become a regular stage coach stop.

The official organization date of the county is just as unclear. The first settlements were made in 1856 near the Maple River, and some say the county was organized shortly afterwards in 1858, with a county population of 40. Others say that the correct date is January 1, 1859.

The county was originally divided into four townships: Douglass, Silver Creek, Corwin and Maple. From June 6, 1876 to January 4, 1881, the other townships were detached from the originals.

The county seat was officially located in Ida Grove on December 17, 1860 and the first regular meeting of the board of supervisors was January 1, 1866. Members present included: J.H. Moorehead, A.J. Teal and M.G. Aldrich.

The first courthouse of Ida County was built in the original town of Ida in 1871 and was nearly completed before any other building was begun near the site. On January 12, 1877, the courthouse burned, along with most of the county records. County offices were then located in various locations around the town.

Late in 1879 a building was constructed with private funds. The county had the option to either rent or buy the building. In 1880 the county moved its offices into the building.

On July 2, 1883, the letting of a contract to build a new courthouse and jail as per plans and specifications of J.P. Bryant was held with W. Townsend and J.M. Starbuck having the low bid of $28,145 with the erection and completion of the building to be on or before January 1, 1884.

The 66-foot x 82-foot brick structure is in ornate Victorian style. Due to state of repairs, in the 1960s the building did undergo some remodeling. The basement and large courtroom were remodeled into offices and storage space.

In 1974, the 1883 courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This makes it eligible for federal restoration funds and prohibits the use of federal funds for its destruction.

In 1970, the first of seven bond issues asking to build a new courthouse was defeated. On November 4, 1980 plans to erect “a new courthouse and renovate portions of the courthouse not previously remodeled at a total cost not to exceed $900,000 and use federal revenue sharing funds on hand to pay the cost thereof” was passed and the blending of the old and the new on courthouse hill seemed to be a suitable compromise to the courthouse issue. This building was dedicated to the present and future citizens of Ida County on September 25, 1983.

Ida County contains the following municipalities: Arthur, Battle Creek, Galva, Holstein and Ida Grove. There are 12 townships and the 2000 census shows a population of 7,837. The county is basically agricultural although there are three manufacturing companies that employ several hundred people.

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Records at the Ida County Courthouse

See Also Iowa Land Records, Marriage Records, Court, Tax & Probate Records

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.  

On January 12, 1877, the courthouse burned, along with most of the county records.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link below, calling or visiting the Ida County Courthouse at 401 Moorehead Street, Ida Grove 51445; Tel: 712-364-2628. See Also Courthouse Street Addresses for current courthouse addresses for all Iowa Counties. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Ida County was attached to Woodbury County for a breif time. Some early records may be found there.

Ida County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1868, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1856.

The Recorder's Office was created in 1839 by the First Legislative Assembly. The Recorder continues to maintain 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. Instruments that are recorded are not only important for today, but serve as a historical library for all of the tomorrows.

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.

Ida County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1870 and Court Records from 1875.

In each of Iowa's 99 counties, a clerk of district court office 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.

The Iowa district court has general jurisdiction of all civil, criminal and juvenile cases and probate matters in the state. The district court, which is also known as the trial court, is the point of entry in the court system for most cases. The Iowa district court is composed of different kinds of judicial officers with varying amounts of jurisdiction-judicial magistrates, associate juvenile judges, associate probate judges, district associate judges, and district court judges.

Ida County Tax Assesors Office. The Treasurer is responsible for collection of property taxes and other fees for state, county, city, school districts, community colleges, and other taxing entities such as townships, fire districts, and drainage districts.

The tax rolls for personal property and real estate were kept by the auditor or the treasurer of each county. A few of these records have been microfilmed and are available at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Original county tax rolls are usually not transferred.

Search Local County Court Records - Many court records are not digitized yet, which means the only way to obtain these records is by going to the actual courthouses. Someone from our network of court-runners will go retrieve the records and then send you the results. Average response time is 38 hours. Civil Records include Lawsuits, Bankruptcies, Liens and judgments, Marriage/divorce litigation, Child custody, Civil rights violations ands Other. Criminal Records include Violent crimes, Theft and robbery, DUI/DWI's, Drugs and alcohol, Sexual offenses, Some traffic violations, Behavioral.

Below is a list of online resources for Ida County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Ida County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Ida County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Iowa

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Lucas State Office Building, 1st Floor, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-4944 recording, Iowa prefers you get all Vital Records from the State Office in Des Moines and NOT at the County Clerk's office. They have the following records:

  • Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates: In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate.
  • Divorces: Divorces on file are Brief statistical records only since 1906.

Local registrars are located in county recorders offices and maintain records of birth, death and marriages that have occurred in that county. County registrars do not have code authority to have Birth, death, and marriage records between the years 1921 to 1941.

Ordering Vital Records - You can also order

  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail. Order Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records or Death Records.

    Ordering Vital Records by Mail - $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate. Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Checks must be drawn from the applicant's account; money orders must be in the name of the applicant. Fees must be paid at the time of the application. Filled requests take 30-45 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service. Genealogy requests take least 60 days. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates or Death Certificates.

    Walk-In Service:  Walk-in service is available for in-person requests at the state vital records office between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for state-observed holidays. The office is located at the address listed below, just inside the main north entrance and to the right of the main lobby. The Lucas building is the first state office building east of the state Capitol building, on the south side of Grand Avenue. Written applications must be satisfactorily completed and signed. Applicants must also provide valid, current government-issued photo identification. Copies may either be picked up after two days or mailed to an entitled person. In-person requests may also be paid in cash.

    Below is a list of online resources for Ida County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Ida County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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    Ida County Census Records

    See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Iowa

    Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

    Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Ida County, Iowa are 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Ida County, Iowa are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

    Below is a list of online resources for Ida County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Ida County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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    Ida County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Iowa

    Below is a list of online resources for Ida County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Ida County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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    Ida County Genealogical Addresses

    See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

    Below is a list of online resources for Ida County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Ida County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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    Ida County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Iowa

    There are many churches and cemeteries in Ida County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Ida County Tombstone Transcription Project.

    Below is a list of online resources for Ida County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Ida County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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    County Church & Bible Records

    See Also Research In Church Records or Church & Bible Records in Iowa

     

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    Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

     

    Below is a list of online resources for Ida County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Ida County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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