Hancock County, Iowa
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Court Records | Vital Records | CENSUS Records | TAX Records | Military Records | Church & Cemetery |
Maps & Atlases | Genealogy Addresses | Genealogy Related Sites |

VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Hancock was created on January 15, 1851 (Organized in June 28, 1858) from Unorganized Territory. The County was named for John Hancock, the American patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence. The County Seat is Garner.

Counties adjacent to Hancock County are Winnebago County (north), Cerro Gordo County (east), Wright County (south), Kossuth County (west). Cities and Towns Include Britt, Corwith, Crystal Lake, Forest City (part), Garner, Goodell, Kanawha, Klemme, Woden.

Hancock County was established in 1851. It was named for John Hancock (president of the Continental Congress) and formed by an election held on June 28, 1858. Only two townships were set up following the election, Avery and Madison.

The first site for county business was in Amsterdam. A courthouse was planned and bid on, and $2,000 was let to B. A. Hill for the construction of the building. One month later, however, the administration of the county was changed, the contract was voided by the new administration, and no courthouse was built. County business was held in the Amsterdam school until November 1865, when it became apparent that the county would need a courthouse.

Land was donated by the Seymour family of New York and was designated as the county seat. The site was named Concord. Two small frame buildings were then constructed for the county offices on the Courthouse Square at a cost of $2,580. Officers of the county were notified on December 4, 1865 that suitable offices were ready.

Interest in a brick courthouse began to grow, and in 1867 a motion for the construction of a brick building was presented by the Board of Supervisors, defeated in an election; another petition was resubmitted and again sent to the voters -- all in the span of just two months. On the second election, the motion was passed by the voters, and construction of the new courthouse began in 1868.

Grover R. Maben was in charge of construction and he used brick and timber, both of which came from his farm. The bricks were fired at his farm and the timber cut from his grove and shipped to Waterloo for final cutting. The building cost $10,000 and was ready for occupation in 1869.

The county seat remained in Concord for nearly 30 years, to the disgruntlement of some Hancock residents. Then, in 1898, the highly organized residents of Britt launched a campaign for the relocation of the county seat. They had plans drawn up, pictures of the proposed building, land ready for construction, and, more importantly, $25,000. The residents of Garner countered this action by annexing Concord (just one mile south of Garner) and contributing $30,000 for the purchase of a land and construction cost.

After many legal battles and verbal exchanges, construction began in Garner. Architect F. W. Kinney designed the building, and construction was done by Gross Construction of La Crosse, Wisc. The new courthouse was turned over to the county on November 15, 1899.

In the meantime, the county officers remained in Concord, and Britt did not concede defeat. However, at a November 3, 1903 election, and by a vote of 2,057 for and 568 against, the Board of Supervisors finally declared Garner to be the county seat and gave the county officers 30 days to move to the Garner courthouse. Garner has been the home of county offices since that time. See also County History for more details.

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Records at the Hancock County Courthouse

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

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

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.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link below, calling or visiting the Hancock County Courthouse at 855 State Street, PO Box 70, Garner 50438; Tel: 641-923-2532. 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. Hancock County was attached to Boone & Webster County for a breif time. Some early records may be found there.

Hancock County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1838, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1860?.

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.

Hancock County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1876 and Court Records from 1829.

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.

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

  • Order County Court, Civil or Criminal Records Online
  • All Iowa Counties Clerks of Court Contact Information
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Hancock County, Iowa Court Books at Amazon.com
  • Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
  • Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
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Hancock County Vital Records

See Also Vital 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.
    • Cost: $15.00 per birth certificate & $10.00 per death certificate.
    • Processing Time: Filled requests take 30-45 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service. Genealogy requests take least 60 days. When ordered by mail (Application) or 2-5 Days when you order online
  • Divorces: Divorces on file are Brief statistical records only since 1906.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service
  • Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. In-person requests may also be paid in cash. 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.
  • 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.

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.

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

  • VitalChek Express Certificate Service - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
  • Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical Iowa newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
  • Hancock County, Iowa Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
  • Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
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Hancock 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 Hancock County, Iowa are1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Hancock 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 Hancock County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Census Online - Iowa Census Records
  • Iowa Census, 1838-70: This collection contains the following indexes: 1838 Territorial Census; 1840 Federal Census Index; 1840 Pensioners List; 1841-1849 Tax Lists; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1851 State Census Index; 1852 State Census Index; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1870 Federal Census Index.
  • Iowa State Census 1885: This database is an index to the 1885 Iowa State Census (U.S.A.). It covers several counties and contains the following information: the names of every member of the household, their genders, ages, birthplaces, lcation (town, county, state), marital status, and much more.
  • Iowa State Census, 1895: This database contains information for 91 counties from the 1895 Iowa State Census in the united States. Information listed includes the name of every member of the household, their sex, age, birthplace, and location (town and county).
  • Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925: This database contains Iowa state censuses for the following years: 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, and 1925. It also includes some head of household censuses and other special censuses from 1836-1897. Information available for an individual will vary according to the census year and the information requested on the census form. Some of the information contained in this database though includes: name, age, gender, race, birthplace, marital status, and place of enumeration.
  • The USGenWeb Archives Iowa CENSUS IMAGES PROJECT
  • Hancock County, Iowa Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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Hancock County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Iowa showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Iowa showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Iowa Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

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

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Hancock County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Iowa

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

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

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Hancock County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

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.

Old age pension tax is a resource genealogists should consider in Iowa. A 1934 directive to collect an old age assistance tax was based on a list of all persons over twenty-one years of age. Although the tax was discontinued in 1936, the information included could be important: name, address, sex, date of birth, place of birth, and names of both parents. Many counties have had these lists microfilmed and they are available through the FHL.

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

  • Hancock 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.
  • Hancock County, Iowa Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Hancock County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Iowa Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

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

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Hancock County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Iowa

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

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

Predominant church groups in Iowa include Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist. Less in size, but equally important in religious history in the state are the Quakers, Mormons, Mennonites, and Congregationalists. The first church building in Iowa, a Methodist church built of logs, was constructed in Dubuque in 1834. A year later the Catholics erected a parish building in the same city. In 1843 the “Iowa Band” of Congregational and Presbyterian clergy began ministering to the settlers in Iowa. In 1854 a small group of the Community of True Inspiration arrived from Germany, settling along the Iowa River in the mid-section of the state. A year later additional members of their group joined them, establishing the unique Amana colonies of present-day Iowa.

Many of the local chapters of the Iowa Genealogical Society have publications of cemetery records in their respective counties which can be ordered through the chapter. A state-wide publication listing is available through the state society. A large number of cemetery transcription collections as well as records of funeral homes, casket lists, and obituary indexes are held by the FHL

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

  • Find Obituaries in The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of Iowa obituaries to help you research your family history. Search for a Iowa newspaper obituary about your ancestor or a celebrity. Begin your search today and find death notices and funeral announcements printed in newspapers from Indiana.
  • IOWA WPA GRAVES REGISTRATION SURVEY - These records contain burials throughout much of Iowa that were compiled by WPA workers in the 1930 s, including grave markers which no longer exist today. Records may be searched within a county or state-wide.
  • Iowa Cemetery Records: These cemetery records represent seventy-six counties and Graceland Cemetery of Sioux City, Iowa, in the united States, that were transcribed by the Works Project Administration. Records in this database generally include the page number where the record can be found in the WPA index, the name of the deceased, birth date, death date, age, cemetery name, town name, and additional comments if any.
  • Iowa Civil War Soldier Burial Records: Listing of 30,000 Civil War veterans who served or lived in Iowa following the war.
  • Hancock County, Iowa Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
  • Hancock County, Iowa Church Books at Amazon.com
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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Hancock County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Hancock County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

  • Search 60 Years Of Everton Data: For the first time ever you can get access to more than 150,000 pedigree files and family group sheets from Evertons. Learn More
  • Search the Family Tree DNA Project- Use DNA testing to break through your genealogical barriers!
  • Sites on USGenweb: [ Hancock County ] [ Iowa ] [ Main Page ]
  • [GenForum Message Boards] [Rootsweb Message Boards]
  • Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
  • Iowa Family Group Sheets
  • Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
  • Family Trees - Ancestry has thousands of family trees shared by other members. They can help you identify how ancestors are related and give you clues about birth, marriage, and death information. Family trees are an excellent resource for filling in gaps in your research or even to simply know where to begin.
  • Pictures - One of the more exciting discoveries in doing family history research is finding a photograph of your ancestors or their residence. Finding historic postcard photos and drawings of towns and important events throughout history can also give you a visual look into your ancestors lives.
  • Reference Materials & Finding Aids - Reference materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other how-to books, can be tremendously helpful in finding and interpreting historical documents. Many of these books can help you learn where to look for more information and how to use what you've already found to uncover more clues.
  • Hancock County USGenweb Archives
  • Hancock County, Iowa Family Books at Amazon.com

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County History

From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

Hancock County is in the second tier from the northern line of the state, and about midway between the east and west boundaries. It contains 576 square miles, equal to 368,640 acres.

The first white settlement in Hancock County was at Upper Grove, on the Iowa River, by Anson Avery, September 9, 1854. He now resides near where he first located. George Nelson settled in October of the same year. These were the only families who spent the Winter of 1854-'55 in the county. In the Summer of 1855, Orick and Reuben Church, Thomas Magill, Sr., and Malcolm Magill, and Benoni Haskins joined the settlement. Among the early settlers in the vicinity were; William Gilpin and Charles Church, who still reside in the county.

The next settlement was started at Ellington, on Lime Creek, the pioneers were John Maben and Jacob Ward, and the date of their location, September 27, 1855. In December of the same year, Barnard and Andrew Balsinger, and Joseph and Lewis Barth, settled in the same vicinity. Francis and Richard Colburn, J. and H. Rice, O. R. and J. J. Wright, and others came in 1856. The settlements at Upper Grove and Ellington embraced nearly all the inhabitants of the county up to 1865, when a settlement was commenced at Crystal Lake, by Edwin Trumbull and Myron Booth.

The first death which occurred was that of Mrs. Richard Coleman, in May, 1857. The next was that of C. R. Wright, in September, 1859. He was the first county surveyor, and held the office up to the time of his death.

The county was organized in 1857-8, the following being the first county officers who were chosen at an election held June 28, 1858, per order of Judge Clark of Winnebago county; M. P. Rosecrans, Judge; George Louppee, Clerk; Reuben Church, Treasurer and Recorder; Benoni Haskins, Sheriff; Charles R. Wright, Surveyor; G. R. Mabin, Superintendent; and James C. Boner, Drainage Commissioner.

Before the location of the county seat at Concord the public business was transacted at Ellington, Upper Grove, or wherever the county officials happened to reside. On the 4th of November, 1865, John I. Popejoy and James Goodwin, commissioners appointed for the purpose, made selection of a location for the county seat. They selected the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 31, township 96, range 23. The land was donated to the county by Thomas Seymour, of the state of New York. In May, 1867, the land was surveyed into town lots, and the place named Concord. The next year a good brick court house was erected on the public square set apart for that purpose, at a cost of $10,000.

The first newspaper issued in the county was the Hancock Sentinel, commenced in 1860, by D. E. Coon at Ellington. It was continued by him up to 1863.

CONCORD. – This is the county seat, and is located in the eastern part of the county on the headwaters of Iowa River. It is on a gently rolling prairie, surrounded by a fertile farming and grazing country.

GARNER. – This is the chief railroad town in the county, and is immediately north of Concord. It is a trading and shipping point for a large extent of country, and is fast growing into importance. It was platted July 30, 1870, by John Mabin. It contains several stores and mechanic ships, two hotels, one public school building, and has one weekly paper, the Signal, which was established in April, 1871; it is now under the editorial management of W. C. Hayward. Garner is about one mile north of the county seat, Concord, and is the point where the commercial interests of the county center. It has, with its neighboring town, Concord, an enterprising, intelligent and moral population, leading traits of the citizens generally of Hancock County.

UPPER GROVE. – This is the name of a post office on Iowa River in the southeast part of the county. The village laid out at this point was called Amsterdam. In 1861, a newspaper called the Independent, was published here a few months by Brainard & Noyes.

BRITT. – This is a station and post office in the western part of the county, on the line of the Iowa division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad.

ELLINGTON. – This is a post office in the Lime Creek Settlement in the northeast part of the county. It is in the midst of a thriving farming community.

CRYSTAL LAKE. – This is a post office in the northwest part of the county. There is now a thriving settlement of farmers here around the borders of the beautiful little lake for which the post office is named.

Hancock County Courthouse

The population of Hancock County grew after the Civil War and Truman Seymor, a man from New York donated a plot of land for the first county seat. The location was called "Concord" and two small buildings were erected in 1865, at a cost of $2,000.

In just two years these buildings were too small for the growing county's business and a new $10,000 courthouse was begun. A local English immigrant made the bricks for the building in Lime Creek and hauled them over to Concord. The building was completed in 1868.

In the 1890's, the city of Garner annexed Concord and a battle to relocate the county seat began between Garner and Britt. Garner eventually won the honor when a number of businessmen there decided to buy a site, build a courthouse, and give them to the county. Citizens on the east side of the county contributed $25,000 to complete the project. The courthouse was completed in 1899 and serves Hancock County today.

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