I believe that Iowa first began keeping official records in 1880, but I have found some at the county level much earlier. Jim

Could you please tell me when Iowa started recording vital stats.

NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME III 1804-1926 P. T. Beardsley Paul T. Beardsley, a veteran of World war, is now serving for the third term as sheriff of Woodbury county. His a past officer of Monahan Post, American Legion, having served one term as post adjutant, and one term as vice commander. During the period that Mr. Beardsley was an officer of Monahan Post he founded the Monahan Post News, a monthly publication thereof, inaugurated a system of bookkeeping for the post and was very active in the organization work of the Monahan Post Band. He went with this band on its first trip to a national convention, at Kansas City, at which time it participated in the band contest and took third prize, later taking so many first prizes at national conventions that it has become one of the most famous bands in the United States. Mr. Beardsley was born May 31, 1895, at Duluth, Minnesota, and is a son of Isaac Franklin and Ella Jean (Tyrer) Beardsley. At the time he was appointed sheriff of Woodbury county he was twenty-six years of age, probably one of the youngest sheriffs ever to hold office in the state of Iowa, especially for a county as large as Woodbury. On May 9, 1923, Mr. Beardsley was united in marriage to Miss Mary Edith Miller, at Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Mr. Beardsley has been a resident of Sioux City and Woodbury county, Iowa, for nearly thirty years, coming here when two years old. His education was acquired in the public schools. In 1907 he entered the employ of the Great Northern Express Company, where he spent five years, and from 1912 to 1916 was a salesman and clerk for the Wm. Warnock Company, automobile jobbers and distributors. In 1916 he resigned his position with the Wm. Warnock Company and entered the employ of the Ford Motor Company, and worked in their branches at Sioux City, Omaha and Buffalo, New York. Shortly after war was declared in 1917. Mr. Beardsley enlisted in the signal reserve corps and was called to service shortly afterward at Fort Omaha, Nebraska, thence going to Camp Funston and the signal officers' training school at Leon Springs, Texas. He went overseas with the Three Hundred Twenty-third Field Signal Battalion, spending eleven months in France, was honorably discharged June 1, 1919, at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Returning to Sioux City, Mr. Beardsley again entered the employ of the Wm. Warnock Company, as sales manager, acting in that capacity until December 19, 1921, at which time he was appointed sheriff of Woodbury county to fill the unexpired term of W. H. Jones, who resigned to become postmaster of Sioux City. Mr. Beardsley entered his work as sheriff under probably the most trying conditions ever experienced by any previous sheriff of Woodbury county. He assumed office when the packing house emplyes' strike of 1921 and 1922 was at its height. On the morning of December 19, 1921, W. H. Jones, the former sheriff, called Mr. Beardsley at two thirty, to assist him in the strike zone, and they arrived there about four o'clock in the morning. There was some rioting and about five o'clock Mr. Jones' son, Lewis Jones, a deputy sheriff, was shot to death. In view of this unfortunate circumstance and the fact that Mr. Jones' term would expire December 31, Judge C. C. Hamilton held a conference and asked Mr. Beardsley to take charge of the office until the end of the term to relieve Mr. Jones of the strenuous duties in view of his terrible experience in seeing his son shot to death. There were immediately sworn in more than three hundred special deputy sheriffs and this situation was maintained for more than three weeks, during which time Mr. Beardsley, by careful maneuvering and through the assistance of a great many friends and loyal citizens, who assisted in the command of the special deputy force, succeeded in quelling lawlessness, and peace and tranquility prevailed in the area, at which time the special deputies were relieved from duty. Mr. Beardsley is affiliated with the First Baptist church and has his political allegiance with the republican party. He is a member of Lodge No. 112, B. P. O. E., and a member of the following Masonic bodies: Triangle Lodge, No. 643, F. & A. M., Sioux City Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M., Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A. A. S. R., and Abu-Bekr Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a member of the Sioux City Country Club, the High Twelve Club, the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce and many other fraternal and civic organizations. Debbie Clough Gerischer

The following chapter is on the Iowa History Site. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STORIES OF IOWA FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CHAPTER XXVII ON THE HIGHWAY TO-DAY the California Limited whisks Iowans west for the winter, and automobiles speed comfortably along the new Iowa roads. But a trip in pioneer days was not such an easy undertaking. The first travellers in Iowa, the hunters and trappers, had only the trails of the Indian for roads. But twelve-inch Indian paths were not wide enough for a yoke of oxen, so the pioneer widened the trails. Nor was it long before roads were laid out between settlements. Year by year the surveyors drove stakes in the prairies and blazed trees in the timber to mark out the new roads. The ox teams slowly cut tracks in the matted sod, and in time Iowa became crossed and crisscrossed with a network of highways. Many of the early roads followed the ridges, for it was difficult to haul loads through the low places where there were many sloughs. This explains why the roads in eastern Iowa do not run straight east and west and north and south. In western Iowa where the land was surveyed before the settlers came the roads follow the section lines in a checkerboard pattern. As soon as possible after Iowa was opened for settlement the government established roads known as territorial or military highways. The longest military road in Iowa began at Dubuque and ran through the counties of Dubuque, Jones, Linn, Johnson, Washington, Henry, and Van Buren to the Missouri line. Debbie Clough Gerischer

Hi gordon: In 1900 CHEROKEE 3-WD CHEROKEE Ludwig G b.Dec 1869 in Norway was listed with wife Dorthea W b. June 1878 in Sweden and dau Florence L b. Apr 1899 in Iowa In same house was. Mother in Law Louise C Wallier? b. Feb 1844 Sweden Brother in Law Axel B. Wallier? b. Apr 1881 Sweden Sister in Law Emma? V b. Dec 1886 Sweden In 1910 they added 3 kids and got rid of the mother in law(smart move--lol) Kids were David H age 7 Roy C Age 6 carl E Age 5/12 This census was taken april 26 1910 so carl was born either Dec 1909 or jan 1910. In 1920 they are all still there but carl is now spelt with a K Karl Ludwig is listed as a Janitor at a Boust House? Florence is a bookeeper at a bank David is a delivery boy for a grocery store I found these particular ones at heritage quest which is a pay site but available through my local library which I can access from my home computer. You may want to check to see if your library subscribes. Ancestry.com(the largest pay genealogy website) is available free at any LDS church that has a genealogy room. You don't have to be Morman to use it--I'm not. I did find other Sagness people in other states but it looks like these are the ones you want. Scott 2 other Sagness researchers Mardelle Sagness, viking@hawaii.rr.com vjacobs@pressenter.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Contact the Tama County Recorder.

As we are neighbors, can't resist sharing! Over the last several months the WIGenWeb Project Archives has received Tombstone Photos from basically one couple (others are now joining in!) I don't exaggerate when I say there are thousands of photos, encompassing thus far 19 of our 72 counties. My very special thanks to Larry and Linda Kopet and the many other contributors for this terrific resource! http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/wi/cemetery/ Please visit and explore! Tina

You don't have to prove relationship if the record is more than 75 years old. You could try writing to the county, otherwise you need someone to go look it up for you. I can look for you at the Genealogy or Historical library and make a copy. LaWanda Nepstad ______________________________ Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 13:11:14 -0500 From: "Wendy Wright-Cao" To: IOWA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: vital records Does anyone know how copies of Iowa vital records can be obtained if one is not exactly the direct line of descent but in the family? I am researching my 1st cousin twice removed - Elizabeth R. [Stebbings] PUGH who died 02 Jan 1887 in Toledo, Tama Co., IA and her grandparents: Ezra BAILEY who died 21 Apr 1908 in Toledo, Tama Co., IA Sophia [Briggs] BAILEY who died probably between 1886 and 09 Jun 1891 Thanks in advance for any help. Wendy ______________________________

I bought a book at a flea market here in Misouri called Historical Annual, National Guard, State of Iowa, 1938. It is full of pictures and information, history and some bios. If anyone wants a look-up, please let me know.

NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME III 1804-1926 F. M. Barnard The death of a man of enterprise, ability and public spirit is always a loss to his community, and of this type was Francis M. Barnard, for many years a leader in business circles of Spencer. He was born October 1, 1852, in Lyons, New York, and his parents, George W. and Harriet (Gilkey) Barnard, were also natives of the Empire state. To their union were born three children, all of whom are deceased. Mr. Barnard was educated in the east and in 1869, when a youth of seventeen, responded to the call of the west, coming to Iowa. For about eight years he was identified with the newspaper business at Ackley and in 1881 purchased the Spencer Reporter, which he conducted for eighteen years. He made the paper a valuable news medium, devoted to the best interests of the locality, and as the years passed the Reporter grew steadily in popular favor as a result of his personal influence. On retiring from the field of journalism Mr. Barnard turned his attention to the real estate business, with which he was connected until his death in September, 1891. He was a sagacious, farsighted business man whose word was always to be relied upon, and many important property transfers were effected through his agency. On March 1, 1880, Mr. Barnard married Miss Grace A. Phelps, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of Dwight and Addie A. (Wheeler) Phelps, both of whom were born in Syracuse, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps were the parents of four children: Isa L., the wife of Thomas Hill, of Spring Green, Wisconsin; Jennie M., who married C. A./ Daley and is living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Grace A.; and Edward D., deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnard were born five children: George W. and Charles D., who make their home in Clay county; Jennie L. and Addie W., who died in fancy; and Francis M., also a resident of Clay county. Mr. Barnard cast his ballot for the candidates of the republican party and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Along fraternal lines he was identified with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He always supported moral interests, fair dealing and constructive measures, and was a force for good in the community, enjoying to the full the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. Debbie Clough Gerischer

NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME III 1804-1926 Peter Balkema Following the example of many well known lawyers, Peter Balkema utilized educational work as a stepping-stone to his success in the legal profession and his industry and ability have placed him with the leading members of the Sioux City bar. He was born April 1, 1888, in Sioux County, Iowa, and is of Holland Dutch stock. He is a son of Albert and Everdene (Hyink) Belkema, the former of whom migrated from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Iowa and purchased a farm in Sioux county. Peter Belkema attended the public schools of Orange City, Iowa, and the Northwestern Classical Academy of that place. He next matriculated at Buena Vista College of Storm Lake, Iowa, from which he received the A. B. degree in 1907, and for a year was superintendent of schools at Ireton. In 1908 he took the civil service examination, which he passed with high honors, and was appointed traveling supervisor of public school teachers in the Philippine islands. He acted in that capacity for two years and on his return to the United States entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he won the degree of J. D. in 1913. After his graduation he came to Sioux City and for three years was associated with the law firm of Shull-Gill-Sammis & Stilwill. Mr. Balkema has practiced under his own name since 1916 and has enjoyed a large and lucrative clientele. He is well versed in the fundamental principles of jurisprudence and has correctly applied his knowledge to the points in litigation. An able advocate, he has won a large percentage of his cases. Since January 1, 1926, he has been retained and is now acting as legal counsel for the Tolerton & Warfield Company and its allied houses and interests. At Storm Lake, Iowa, in 1914, Mr. Balkema was married to Miss Oma Foster, a daughter of W. D. and Mattie A. Foster and of Scotch, Irish and Dutch descent. Her father spent his early life in Illinois and afterward resided in Pocahontas, Iowa, moving to Storm Lake about 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Balkema have two children: Dean W., who was born October 24, 1919; and Ruth L., born October 26, 1921. Mr. Balkema's interest centers in his profession and his connection with social or fraternal organizations is limited to membership in Sioux City Lodge, No. 112, of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics Mr. Balkema is a republican, and in church activities a Presbyterian, in which connection he is a trustee of Buena Vista College of Storm Lake, Iowa. Mr. Balkema is a past president and member of the Sioux City Bar Association and a member of the Iowa State and the American Bar Associations. Earnest, purposeful and studious, he is steadily advancing in his chosen vocation and the respect accorded him is well deserved. Debbie Clough Gerischer

The following chapter is on the Iowa History Site. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STORIES OF IOWA FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CHAPTER XXVI EARNING A LIVING Earning a living in pioneer times was not an easy task. Before a crop could be put in, the tough prairie sod had to be broken. This was done with a huge breaking plow drawn by five or six yoke of oxen. Such a plow cut shallow furrows about twenty-four inches wide. To plant the first crop of corn, the pioneer farmer used an ax to cut gashes in the sod two or three feet apart. Then he dropped about four kernels of corn into each gash, and a child or a man following after covered the corn with a hoe. Crows often pulled up the young sprouts of corn to get the kernel at the root. Boys and girls had to chase the crows away by screaming at them or by beating on pans. The corn was gathered in the fall with the husks on and piled in the barn to dry. Later, a "husking bee," a party for husking corn, brought the neighbors together for fun as well as work. After the first crop had been gathered, the field was plowed again and the sod was broken up into finer particles. It was then possible to mark out the field with a stick or by a marker drawn by a horse. Lines were thus made across the field three feet apart in each direction. At the place where the lines crossed kernels of corn were dropped and covered by hand. Often the whole family - father, mother, boys and girls - would help to plant corn. Wheat and oats were sown by hand. Back and forth across the black loam walked the sower, with a bag slung from his shoulder and his right arm swinging back and forth scattering the seed evenly. Debbie Clough Gerischer

Ginny - have you found the exact location of the land in Clarke County, Iowa that your ancestor received for his Mexican War Service? <this from your 31-January-2005 post to this list. There is a rootsweb site that shows that area of Clarke County in fairly precise detail. The site address is: www.rootsweb.com/!iaclarke/twpfrank.html and www.rootsweb.com/!iaclarke/frankowners.html On the Franklin Township map - look for Section 25 Township 71 Range 24 the names in Section 25 may include your ancestor. With that description you might want to write to the Clarke County Recorder or Register of Deeds for more information. I can't remember what they charge for copies. Good Luck in your search Clara in NE

There is a Sagness family in 1900 Cherokee Co Iowa: Dorothea W Sagness Florence L Sagness Ludwig G Sagness It would be very helpful if you could list first name, birth years, places, etc.

Does anyone know how copies of Iowa vital records can be obtained if one is not exactly the direct line of descent but in the family? I am researching my 1st cousin twice removed - Elizabeth R. [Stebbings] PUGH who died 02 Jan 1887 in Toledo, Tama Co., IA and her grandparents: Ezra BAILEY who died 21 Apr 1908 in Toledo, Tama Co., IA Sophia [Briggs] BAILEY who died probably between 1886 and 09 Jun 1891 Thanks in advance for any help. Wendy

Feb. 15, 2005 Lana: Thanks so much for your prompt reply. I will give you as much information as I can; most of it garnered from other relatives. I am searching for information on this family: FRANK HOREJSH/HORYSH/HOREJSI, Jr. born about 1892 in Perth Twp., Walsh Co., ND, married ROSE MATEJCEK, born abt. 1895, same place. I don't know when they married. They went to the area of Dodsland, Sask., Canada [I would suspect before 1920]. Frank might have died before 1976. Rose abt. 1992. They had two children: Gordon born abt. 1918, married to Lillian Olson, was killed in an auto accident abt. Dec. 1973; They had children: Sheryl, Rosemary, and Larry. Daughter Gladys was married to a John Stacey and had two sons, and lived in Plenty, Sask., Canada. One son's name might have been Brad. It was thought that John Stacey may have died about 1971. There are others that also moved to that area but I will cover them later. I have been working on my family trees for over 32 years and want to fill in these missing blanks soon, as I am in my twilight years of life. Any clues on how to obtain obituaries or death certificates would be most helpful. Again my deepest appreciation for any help. LaVerne Miller --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.857 / Virus Database: 584 - Release Date: 2/10/05

Hello, I am looking for information on the following Iowa relatives that seem to be impossible to find. Help! 1) Lillie N. Black-Virgil, born July 3 1884 near Alta Iowa. married George Edward Virgil August 14, 1900. Died July 12, 1919 in a car wreck with a few of her children. I have very little information on her life and looking for more. Her parents were James Black, born June 1852 in Ohio, and Jane? Black, born May 1859 in New York. 2) George William Virgil AKA G.W. or G. William, father of William George Virgil, born in NY 1843,but settled in Iowa. William George was married in Newton, Sept. 1867 to Rebecca Kegley. Looking for any information on George William Virgil-1800's and his immediate family, who he married, birthday, death date, etc. Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks! Ann Virgil ----- Original Message ----- From: <IOWA-D-request@rootsweb.com> To: <IOWA-D@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 9:41 PM Subject: IOWA-D Digest V05 #37

NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME III 1804-1926 F. M. Barringer Emmet P. Barringer, of Ruthven, has long been identified with the general business interests of this section of the state and is widely known as one of its leading financiers, being president of the Farmers' Savings Bank. Equally noted as a citizen whose useful career has conferred credit on his community and whose marked abilities and sterling qualities have won for him much more than local repute, he holds distinctive precedence as one of the most progressive men who have ever inaugurated and carried to successful consummation large and important undertakings in this locality. He was born in Big Springs, Adams county, Wisconsin, on the 6th of April, 1857, and is a son of Peter E. and Amanda (Ward) Barringer, the former born in New York state, while the latter was a native of Ohio. In 1873 they left Big Springs, Wisconsin, and came to Iowa, settling in Palo Alto county, about four miles east of Ruthven. The mother died on that farm in 1891, and the father was later married to Miss Mary Pease. Soon afterwards they moved to Ruthven, where the father died in 1909, at the age of eighty-six years. Emmet P. Barringer received his education in the district schools of Wisconsin, and in 1872 came to Iowa, preceding his parents one year. He worked on the Palo Alto farm during the summers and attended school during the winters. In 1874 he entered the Emmetsburg high school, attending two years. After the first term, he took up teaching and taught fourteen terms of school. In 1887 he spent six months as land inspector for the American Investment Company of Emmetsburg, and in December of that year was appointed deputy county treasurer, in which position he served two years. In 1892 he was elected county supervisor and was twice re-elected to the office, resigning during the last year of his third term in order to run for the legislature. He was elected in one of the hardest-fought district fights ever seen in the state. Mr. Barringer ran on the straight republican ticket and was opposed by a free-silver republican and a free-silver democrat, over whom he had a plurality of over six hundred, while he also ran far ahead of his ticket. Prior to this he had served four years as chairman of the republican county committee. While in the legislature, he became one of the incorporators of the American Life Insurance Company, of Des Moines, of which he was made vice president, in which position he served for many years. In 1902 Mr. Barringer, in company with M. L. Brown, of Emmetsburg, went into Saskatchewan, Canada, and bought thirty thousand acres of land, after which they formed a corporation, the American Colonization Company, of which he was made vice president and general manager. The company was incorporated for a millon dollars and had a paid-up capital of one hundred and ninety-two thousand dollars. They were successful in this enterprise and continued to buy and sell land until they had bought over fifty-six thousand acres. In 1909 this corporation was dissolved and the Brown & Barringer Syndicate, organized for the purpose, took over the holdings and are still conducting the business. In 1892 Mr. Barringer became identified with the banking business of Palo Alto county, founding the Ruthven Savings Bank, of which he was elected president. In 1894 a private bank at Ayrshire failed and Mr. Barringer was appointed assignee. Immediately thereafter, in association with M. L. Brown, he opened a private bank at that place, and in 1896 it was incorporated as the First National Bank of Ayrshire. Mr. Barringer was the cashier of this bank for several years and is still a member of its board of directors. He also served one year as a director of the First National Bank of Emmetsburg. In later years he opened a private bank in Ruthven but it was later incorporated as the Farmers SAvings Bank, since which time he has been its president. About 1918 Mr. Barringer became actively identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Iowa and became chairman of the finance committee of the grand lodge, in which position he has served continuously to the present time. Two years after assuming that position, he was elected a member of the board of director of the farm loan board and is the holder of extensive landed interests in California and other places. Mr. Barringer was married in 1882 to Miss Margaret G. Ruthven, and to them were born three children: Orie Irene; Ray E., who is a farmer in Palo Alto county; and Harold E., also a farmer of this county. On April 8, 1918, Mr. Barr inger was married to Mrs. Della Karsch. He is a member of Highland Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Earnest Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M.; Ruthven Lodge, I. O. O. F.; and Esterville Lodge, B. P. O. E. His activities have been most varied in character. His extensive business interests are but the legitimate outcome of consecutive effort, directed and controlled by good judgment. Strong mental powers and an invincible courage have so entered into his makeup as to render him a dominating power in the business world and a leader of men in important enterprises. He has not only been interested in the advancement of his individual affairs, but his influence has also been felt in a very definite way in the advancement of the community which has so long been honored by his citizenship. Debbie Clough Gerischer

The following is part of the chapter. The whole chapter can be seen on the Iowa History Site. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STORIES OF IOWA FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CHAPTER XXV AROUND THE FIREPLACE You have read how the pioneers came to Iowa with their ox teams, and how they built their houses. But people could not live in an empty house. They had to have a stove or a fireplace where they could cook their food. Then they needed a table and chairs so that they could eat their meals, and they wanted beds in which to sleep at night. If there were trees near-by, the pioneer cabin often had a fireplace. Around this the father and mother and the boys and girls gathered to keep warm in the winter. Here the mother also cooked the food. She could bake bread by putting the loaves in a covered pan and piling hot coals all over them. Often these pioneers did not have wheat flour. They had to eat corn bread or corn "dodger." This could be baked in a skillet or frying pan held over the fire, or it could be laid upon a "johnny-cake board," tilted toward the fire, and left to bake in the heat. Meat might be fried in the skillet. Large pieced of pork or venison or venison or turkey were often hung before the fire on a twisted string. As the string unwound, the meat turned and was browned on all sides. Sometimes, of course, the string was burned or broke and the meat fell in the ashes. A pan, usually called the dripping pan, was placed under the roasting meat to catch the fat and meat juices. Upsetting this pan meant getting the "fat in the fire." Meat and vegetables might be cooked in an iron pot hung over the coals. If the cabin were on the prairie where there were no trees, a stove has to be used instead of the fireplace. This was easier to cook with, but it was hard to get wood to burn. Often the mother had to burn the wild hay. This was twisted up into a long hard roll and pushed into the stove as it burned off at the end. Sometimes ears of corn were burned in the stove, for corn could not be taken to market and the pioneers had no money to buy coal. Debbie Clough Gerischer

Hi I am asking to see if there is anyone that might have information on both the Sagness And Levier Families in and around the Cherokee Iowa area. Or if no one has that info available could someone maybe point me in a helpful direction where I might be able to find information.