Allamakee was created on February 20, 1847 (Organized in 1849) from Fayette and Clayton County. The County was named for either Allan Makee, a trapper and trader, or is of Native American origin. (Unique county name). The County Seat is Waukon.
Counties adjacent to Allamakee County are Houston County, Minnesota (north), Vernon County, Wisconsin (northeast), Crawford County, Wisconsin (east), Clayton County (south), Winneshiek County (west), Fayette County (southwest). Cities and Towns Include Harpers Ferry, Lansing, New Albin, Postville, Waterville, Waukon.
The first county seat was located just northwest of Rossville, at a place called "The Old Stake." This site was considered useless as there were other points of greater importance already settled in Allamakee County.
In April 1851 the voters went to the polls to select a county seat. The towns Vailsville, Smith's Mill and Columbus were the choices. None of them received a majority of the votes. A second election was held the following May, with Columbus receiving the most votes. Soon after Columbus was selected as the county seat, a rivalry developed between Columbus and Lansing. Due to this a commission was appointed to select the county seat. The site they selected was Waukon. This choice went to an election. Even though Columbus fought the decision, the results were overwhelmingly for Waukon.
A courthouse was built in Waukon in 1853. It was a small frame structure that cost $325 to construct. It was used until 1857, when a similar building was constructed next to it. These two buildings served the county until 1861, when the county seat was moved again.
A heated contest between the towns of Waukon and Lansing developed. Both towns agreed to build on suitable lots and both towns offered substantial "rewards" for the county seat. Lansing offered $8,000 and Waukon offered $5,000 towards the courthouse.
Between 1860-1861, following an election, a $13,000 courthouse was built at Waukon. The city paid $5,000 as promised. Although Waukon had a courthouse, it was not the county seat. That distinction went to "The Point." Located between Lansing and Capoli, "The Point" became the site of a $5,000, stone structure courthouse. The cost was paid by the citizens of Lansing.
In the summer of 1866 the citizens of Waukon attempted to regain the county seat. A gang of 30 men from Waukon tried to steal the county records from the courthouse at "The Point." This attempt failed, but the one in 1867 did not. A 10th county seat election was held. Waukon won out, after a 25-year long battle. See also County History and County Courthouse for more details.
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 Allamakee County Courthouse at 110 Allamakee Street,PO Box 248, Waukon 52172; Tel: 563-568-6351. 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.
Allamakee County Recorder's Office has Birth Records from 1880, Marriage Records from 1849, Death Records from 1880 and Land Records from 1851.
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.
Allamakee County Clerk of Court Office has Probate Records from 1854 and Court Records from 1849. 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 Allamakee County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Allamakee County Court Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Iowa Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.
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 and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering below
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 Allamakee County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Allamakee County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
Click Here to Search Iowa Voter Lists & Census Records! - 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 Allamakee County, Iowa are 1840,1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Allamakee County, Iowa are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 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 Allamakee County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Allamakee County Census Records by clicking the link below:
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.
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 Allamakee County Maps. Email us with websites containing Allamakee County Maps by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Iowa Military Records! - 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 Allamakee County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Allamakee County Military Records by clicking the link below:
Southern Claims Commission from the State of Iowa (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents In the 1870s, southerners claimed compensation from the U.S. government for items used by the Union Army, ranging from corn and horses, to trees and church buildings.
Iowa Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, 1885: This database contains a list of ex-soldiers, sailors, and marines who were living in Iowa in 1885. These individuals were supposed to have served in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, or the Civil War. Information found in this list includes name of...
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 Allamakee County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Allamakee County Tax Records by clicking the link below:
Allamakee 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 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 Allamakee County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Allamakee County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
Iowa Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
Click Here to Search Iowa Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. 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.
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 Allamakee County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Allamakee 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.
Click Here to Search Iowa Family Tree Records! - 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 Allamakee County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Allamakee County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:
Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
Iowa Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
Allamakee County was established in 1847 by act of the First General Assembly. The name is of Indian origin says Fulton in his "Red Men of Iowa"; while other authorities claim that it took its name from "Allen Makee" a famous Indian trader and trapper who established a trading post within its limits at an early day. The county was formerly a part of Fayette and occupies the extreme northeastern portion of the State and, geologically considered, is the oldest formation. The eastern boundary consists of the Mississippi River and the northern is the Minnesota line. It embraces five townships north and south and from three to four east and west, containing six hundred fifty-eight square miles. Much of the county has a rough surface of hills, ravines and narrow valleys. The bluffs along the Mississippi River are abrupt and in many places have an altitude of four hundred feet above the water, thence having a gradual ascent westward reaching a height of six hundred feet. A large portion of the county was originally covered with a growth of hazel brush and trees of many varieties. It is well watered by the Upper Iowa and Yellow rivers and numerous rapidly flowing creeks of pure water. A series of large sloughs extend along the Mississippi River in width of from one to three miles. The "Iowa Slough" extends from the northern line of the county to near Lansing.
Allamakee was in the limits of the "Neutral Ground" and was long held as a peaceful hunting land over which hostile Indians pursued the chase without collisions. It was given to the Winnebago Indians in 1833, when they were forced to surrender their Wisconsin homes. In 1846 they exchanged the "Neutral Ground" for land in Minnesota and two years later removed to their new homes. There is a tradition that as early as 1818 some white trappers and Indian traders made a settlement on the west bank of the Mississippi within the limits of Allamakee County, remaining there many years. But all traces of their cabins had disappeared before the Indian title was extinguished; but no record of their names has been preserved. As early as 1828 Colonel Zachary Taylor, who was in command at Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien), sent a detail of soldiers across the Mississippi River to erect a saw mill near the mouth of Yellow River where a large amount of lumber was made for buildings at the fort. Lieutenant Jefferson Davis was among the officers at Fort Crawford and the future President of the Southern Confederacy was a frequent visitor to the Iowa shore. In 1835 Colonel Taylor established an Indian Mission not far from the old saw mill. This Mission was in charge of the farm, gave them instruction in growing crops and raising stock. But little success attended these efforts. The warriors considered labor degrading and after a few years the Mission was abandoned.
In 1838 Patrick Keenan and Richard Cassidy settled in Makee township and William Gamsin and John Haney at Lansing. In 1839 Henry Johnson, a discharged soldier, built a cabin near the mouth of Paint Creek where he lived several years with Indian wives. Johnsonport was named for him. A military road was opened by the Government about this time, on the west side of the Mississippi between Fort Crawford and Fort Atkinson and, in 1841, Joel Post obtained permission to keep a public house in the Government building. Here at the "Half Way House" he and his wife often entertained Captains E. V. Sumner, Nathaniel Lyon, Lieutenants Alfred Pleasanton and Jefferson Davis at that time young officers in the regular army but afterwards famous leaders in the War of the Rebellion. The village of Postville now occupies the ground where the old public house stood and takes its name from the landlord of pioneer times. In 1840 Jesse Danley built a dam across the Yellow River and erected a saw mill. In 1841 Jacob Rynerson settled in the Old Mission and, after the removal of the Winnebago Indians, the property was purchased by Thomas C. Linton who was selected sheriff in 1848 to organize the county.
The first county-seat was located a mile and a half northwest of Rossville and was named Columbus. In 1848 Archy Whaley settled east of Waukon and William C. Thompson and Professor Whaley came in 1849. The first county officers were chosen the same year: Elias Topliff, county judge; John B. Twiford, clerk; James M. Sumner, recorder and treasurer. In 1851 Father Thomas Hore, a Catholic missionary, settled at Wexford where he founded a colony of his countrymen from Ireland. He there built the first church in the county. In 1848 H. H. Houghton made a claim where Lansing stands and in 1851 he and John Hainey laid out the town of Lansing. The first houses were rude log cabins. The first court was held in Columbus in July, 1852, by Judge Thomas S. Wilson. In 1851 the first newspaper was established by W. H. Sumner at Lansing and was named the Intelligencer and later becoming the Lansing Mirror. In the fall of 1849 G. C. Shattuck made a claim where Waukon stands. The town was laid out by Mr. Shattuck in December, 1853, and forty acres deeded to the county upon condition that it be made the county-seat. The proposition was accepted and Waukon remained the county-seat until 1861 when it was removed to Lansing be a vote of the people, but in 1867, Waukon again became the county-seat and has so remained. It was not until 1872 that a railroad was built into the county, running along the Mississippi River from Dubuque to Lansing.
Excerpts from the "The History of Iowa", by Benjamin F. Gue. Copyright 1903
Allamakee County Courthouse
In Allamakee County, the towns of Lansing and Waukon had a prolonged and bitter fight over which would be the county seat. Originally, the Iowa legislature selected Jefferson Township as the county seat. At an 1851 election this place and others were rejected by the county voters and Columbus became the seat of justice. In 1853, the legislature granted a petition to seek a county seat closer to the geographic center of the county. Waukon was approved in a two-thirds vote. The battle continued into early 1859, when Lansing offered to build an $8,000 courthouse if the county seat was moved there. Waukon countered with their own offer and won the issue by 420 votes.
A courthouse was completed in Waukon in 1861 for a cost of $13,635. In 1861, Columbus and Lansing teamed up to fight for the county seat. They beat out Waukon by 22 votes in an 1862 election. Waukon was unsuccessful in getting the county seat back in an 1864 election. In June of 1866, the county sheriff, also a resident of Waukon, led a posse to the courthouse site in Lancing and removed the county records. On their way back to Waukon, the posse was intercepted by Lancing horsemen who subdued the men and returned the records to Lancing.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1867 that Waukon was indeed the county seat and the present county courthouse was erected there in 1939. A Civil War monument also stands on the courthouse grounds. The statue dates back to the 1920's.
In Allamakee County, the towns of Lansing and Waukon had a prolonged and bitter fight over which would be the county seat. Originally, the Iowa legislature selected Jefferson Township as the county seat. At an 1851 election this place and others were rejected by the county voters and Columbus became the seat of justice. In 1853, the legislature granted a petition to seek a county seat closer to the geographic center of the county. Waukon was approved in a two-thirds vote. The battle continued into early 1859, when Lansing offered to build an $8,000 courthouse if the county seat was moved there. Waukon countered with their own offer and won the issue by 420 votes. 