Fayette County, Iowa Records

Fayette County, Iowa (Map It) was created on December 21, 1837 (Organized in February 7, 1859) from Dubuque County. Fayette County was named in honor of Marie-Joseph-Paul-Roch-Yves-Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, the French general in the American Revolutionary War.

Fayette County is bordered by Allamakee County (northeast), Black Hawk County (southwest), Buchanan County (south), Bremer County (west), Chickasaw County (northwest), Clayton County (east), Delaware County (southeast), Winneshiek County (north).

Fayette County Cities and Towns include Arlington, Clermont, Elgin, Fayette, Fairbank, Hawkeye, Maynard, Oelwein, Randalia, St. Lucas, Stanley, Wadena, Waucoma, West Union, Westgate.

A Fayette County, Iowa County and City Maps contains detailed information about roads and boundaries, these maps may include rural communities, churches, and cemeteries.

MapGeeks.org has is a collection of old Iowa maps.

Fayette County, Iowa Courthouse Records

The Fayette County Courthouse is located in West Union, Iowa. Fayette County was attached to Clayton County for a breif time prior to organiztoin February 7, 1859. Some early records may be found there. The Courthouse burned in 1872 when a prisoner set fire to the courthouse during and escape attempt. Learn More About State of Iowa Court, Tax, Land and Probate Records.

The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research.

The following dates indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Fayette county. The date listed for each record is usually the earliest registration filed. The date does not indicate that there are alot records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually filed with the clerk.

• Fayette County Recorder's Office has Birth / Death Records from 1880 / ca. 1860, has Marriage Records from 1851 and has Land Records from 1851. he County Recorder's Office maintains 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. 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.
• Fayette County Clerk of Court has Probate Records from 1859and has Court Records from 1859. The County Clerk of Court 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.
• Fayette County Tax Assessor is responsible for assess and appraise all real estate and personal property, to have access to all public records of the county for the purpose of securing information pertaining to accurate listings of taxable property.

Fayette County, Iowa Census Records

• Learn More: State of Iowa Census Records
• U.S. Federal Population Schedules: 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragmented), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940
• State Population Schedules: State Census Collection, 1836-1925, Census Collection, 1838-1870,
• U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules: 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880
• Selected U.S. Federal Census Agriculture Schedules: 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880
• Selected U.S. Federal Census Industry Schedules: 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880
• Union Veterans Schedules: 1890

Fayette County, Iowa Vital Records

• Learn More: State of Iowa Vital Records
• Birth, Marriage and Death Records: from July 1880 to present.
• Divorce Records: since 1906.
• Locations: Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Records/Statistics, Lucas State Office Bldg., First Floor, Des Moines, IA 50319
• Vital Records Online: USAVital or Social Security Death Index
• Vital Records by Mail:  Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate Applications.

Fayette County, Iowa Resources

• State of Iowa Archives and Societies
• RAOGK Volunteers for Iowa
• Fayette County Historical & Genealogical Society
• Oelwein Area genealogical Society
• Fayette County, Iowa Message Boards

Fayette County, Iowa External Links

• Iowa Historical Newspapers - Newspapers.com
• Fayette County, Iowa Books - Amazon
• Iowa Genealogical Society Publications for Fayette County
• Iowa, Fayette County Probate Records, 1851-1927 Fayette County probate case files located at the Fayette County courthouse in West Union. This collection is being published as images become available.
• Fayette Co., Iowa - FindaGrave
• Iowa Indexed Historical Records - Familysearch
• Fayette County, Iowa Links - Cyndi's List
• Historical Newspapers from Iowa (1837 - 1900)
• Fayette Co. IAGenweb
• Fayette County, Iowa Ancestry Database Collections
• Fayette County, Iowa Military Records