Iowa, 1851-1900 Marriage Index

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This data set contains information on approximately 157,000 individuals who were married between 1851 and 1900 in select Iowa counties. Fully indexed, it is a valuable resource because it brings together previously uncollected marriage records and provides easy access to information that you would otherwise have to obtain from local sources.

Information was collected from the following Iowa counties and time periods:

•	Adair (1854-1900)	•	Monona (1856-1880)
•	Appanoose (1851-1900)	•	Monroe (1887-1900)
•	Carroll (1854-1881)	•	Muscatine (1851-1900)
•	Chickasaw (1853-1900)	•	Plymouth (1860-1891)
•	Dallas (1851-1886)	•	Polk (1851-1861)
•	Delaware (1851-1860)	•	Scott (1855-1860)
•	Des Moines (1862-1879)	•	Taylor (1851-1865)
•	Guthrie (1852-1899)	•	Warren (1851-1879)
•	Hamilton (1857-1900)	•	Webster (1853-1890)
•	Louisa (1851-1899)	•	Woodbury (1881-1899)
•	Lucas (1851-1899)	•	Worth (1858-1900)
•	Marion (1851-1877)	•	Wright (1855-1869)

Recording of Iowa marriages often began at the local level with a county's organization. Early marriage records, some as early as 1850, may be obtained from county clerks. The Bureau of Vital Records has record of marriages (and birth and deaths) that occurred after July 1, 1880.

Please note that you may be able to learn a great deal of additional information by researching the original marriage record. This information often includes:
• Age of the bride and groom when married
• Parents' names
• Parents' residences
• Residences of the bride and groom
• Specific location where the wedding occurred

For the most part, a Family History Library microfilm roll is referenced with each marriage record included in this data set. You may wish to use this information to obtain the microfilm roll and verify the information included here or expand upon it.

Occasionally, a marriage may be listed more than once in this data set. This is to provide you with as much information as possible about a marriage. When two listings are available for a couple, it is most likely because one listing notes the filing of a marriage application while the other notes the actual marriage license. A couple would be listed twice, for example, if:
• they filed for an application in one location and were married in another
• different dates are noted on an application and a license
• names were spelled differently on an application and a license


More About This Data Set

The information included here is described in more detail below.

Name — In some records, you will find three question marks in place of the given name or surname. This indicates that the name was not listed on the original record. You may also find question marks in place of missing letters.

Spouse — This column lists the name of the individual's spouse.

Marriage date — Please note that the dates listed for each entry is most often a couple's marriage date. However, when no marriage date was given, the date of the license was substituted.

County — This is the county where the marriage was recorded.

Location of records — This tells you the Family History Library microfilm, microfiche, or book in which you may be able to find out additional information about your ancestors' wedding or verify the information listed here. It is important to note that, while microfilm can be borrowed from your local Family History Library, books and microfiche are usually not loaned out.