(This page's most recent update is September 2024)
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Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors unfortunately got in trouble with the law. And records were kept from arrests through court cases to prison documents. Now, more and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and are being made available online.
Types of Records
- Criminal court proceedings
- Police reports
- Prison and jail admission registers
- Arrest records
- Mug books
- Pardon and discharge information
- Hospital record books
- Workhouse records
Types of Information
- Name
- Age
- Birth date
- Height
- Weight
- Complexion
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Education
- Habits (alcohol use)
- Relations (parents living)
- Date incarcerated
- Court where charged
- Recommitments
- How and when discharged
Note: Some links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.
Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the state; the first list is for multi-state collections:
Iowa Criminal Records
United States
- Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
- Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
- Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages
Iowa
- Anamosa Penitentiary History
- Anamosa State Prison, Staff Index, 1915
- Anamosa State Prison, Transfers from the Ft. Madison Penitentiary, 1873
- Cerro Gordo County Convicts 1867-1910
- Cerro Gordo County, Pardons, Suspensions, Commutations and Remissions, 1876-1918
- Decatur County, Criminal and Court Cases
- Executions in Iowa
- Hardin County, 1895 Iowa Industrial School Census Surnames A-D
- Hardin County, 1895 Iowa Industrial School Census Surnames E – H
- Hardin County, 1895 Iowa Industrial School Census Surnames N – Z
- Hardin County, Eldora Training School Cemetery
- Hardin County,1895 Iowa Industrial School Census Surnames I – M
- Henry County, 1880 Census, Prisoners
- Iowa, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, Prisoners, Insane, In Hospitals, 1917-1918
- Jones County, Anamosa State Penitentiary 1915 Employee Index
- Jones County, Anamosa State Prison
- Jones County, Anamosa State Prison 1915 Index
- Lee County, Ft. Madison Penitentiary, Inmates from 1870 Census
- Polk County, Iowa Industrial School for Girls Cemetery
- Polk County, Probate Records, 1852-1967
- Scott County, Jail Prisoners, 1910 Census
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!