Clay County, Iowa Genealogy

∣ Societies and Family History Resources ∣ Government Records ∣ Genealogy Links ∣ Publications ∣ Census Records ∣
∣ Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records ∣ Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records ∣
∣ Cemeteries & Graveyards ∣ Church & Bible Records ∣ County History ∣ Military Records ∣ Schools & Directories ∣

Clay County, Iowa genealogy and family tree research page. Discover links to record collections, history, and genealogy information that can help you trace your Clay Co., ancestors. Begin by creating a Free Family Tree.

Clay County

Clay County was established on January 15, 1851 (Organized in 1858) from Unorganized Territory. The county was named in honor of Henry Clay, Jr.  (1807–1847), a general who died during the Mexican-American War and the son of Henry Clay, the famous U.S. statesman

The County Seat is located in Spencer and the county government website is http://www.co.clay.ia.us/

Areas adjacent to Clay County are Dickinson County (north), Palo Alto County (east), Buena Vista County (south), O'Brien County (west).

Cities and towns located in the county include Dickens, Everly, Fostoria, Gillett Grove, Greenville, Peterson, Rossie, Royal, Spencer, Webb.

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Clay County Society and Family History Resources

A list of Clay County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also Iowa Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

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Clay County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers frequently forget the importance of Clay County court, probate, and land files as a resource of genealogy and family history information and facts. Buried away in Iowa courthouses and archives everywhere could be the desires and frustrations of countless Iowa residents.

The possibilities are excellent that your ancestors and forefathers have left a in-depth document of at least quite a few factors of their lives in the Clay County court records. Even if your ancestors is not discussed in a Court case, give some thought to all of the other procedures which could have lead to her or him to appear in court records.

Remember to contact the clerk's department to validate hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics prior to visiting or requesting information because of many times changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The records and documents are available to interested parties, barring confidential issues. The majority of employees will help persons in locating the materials, but it's up to the person to undertake the basic research.

The following details shows what birth, death, marriage, property, probate, and legal records will be in Clay County. The years indicated below tend to be the first widely known records for this particular county. Clay County was attached to Woodbury County for a breif time rior to organization October 15, 1858. Some early records may be found there.

  • Clay County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 215 W 4th St, Spencer, IA 51301
    • Phone: (712) 262-7651
  • Clay 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.
    • Birth / Death Records: 1880
    • Marriage Records: 1866
    • Land Records: 1858
  • Clay 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.
    • Probate Records: 1870 
    • Court Records: 1880? 
  • Clay 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.
  • Iowa Office of Vital Records has copies of birth, marriage, divorce and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Iowa for current fees and application process. Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.
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Clay County Genealogy Links

The following are links to Genealogy, Records and Resources associated to Clay County. Many of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a cost. This is simply a list which has been compiled or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site over another. Feel free to furnish your own preferred Clay County genealogy or family history related sites.

Clay Co. IA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Clay Co. IA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Clay Co. IA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Clay Co. IA Census Records

Clay Co. IA Cemeteries & Graveyards

Clay Co. IA Church & Bible Records

Clay Co. IA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Clay Co. IA General and History Websites

Clay Co. IA Immigration & Naturalization

Clay Co. IA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Clay Co. IA Military Records

Clay Co. IA Schools & Directories

  • Iowa Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1884-1885  (search.ancestry.com) This database contains the 1884-85 Iowa gazetteer and business directory. The gazetteer covers each city, town, village, and settlement in Iowa and includes a description of each place and a directory of the people engaged in business or the professions located there. 
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