ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, IA HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

Past and Present of Allamakee County, Iowa Volume 1 by Ellery M. Hancock, (1913) – 578 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.18.1051.CD.AR

Past and Present of Allamakee County, Iowa Volume 2 by Ellery M. Hancock, (1913) – 622 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.18.1052.CD.AR

History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties Iowa by W.E. Alexander, (1882) – 768 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.18.1046.CD.AR

Allamakee County, Iowa: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the extreme northeastern corner of Iowa, Allamakee County is a region of dramatic bluffs, deep river valleys, and rolling farmland carved by the Mississippi River. As part of the unglaciated “Driftless Area,” its rugged topography stands in stark contrast to much of the state. Its history is defined by its ancient mound-building cultures, its role as a key settlement area for Norwegian, German, and Irish immigrants, and an economy rooted in agriculture and the river.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Allamakee County’s formation from larger parent counties is essential for tracing the earliest records of ancestors who settled in this part of Iowa.

  • 1847: County Formed: Allamakee County was established on February 20, 1847, by an act of the Iowa General Assembly.
  • Parent County: It was created from Fayette County. Researchers must seek records prior to 1847 in Fayette County records. The area was previously part of Clayton County (1837) and, originally, Dubuque County (1834).
  • Subsequent County Formations: The boundaries of Allamakee County have remained largely unchanged since its official organization in 1849.
  • Name Origin: The origin of the name “Allamakee” is not definitively known. The most common explanation is that it is a variation of a Native American name, possibly for a local leader or landmark. A less substantiated theory suggests it was named for trader Allan Makee.
  • County Seat History: The first county seat was Columbus, located on the Mississippi River. After a contentious “county seat war,” the seat of government was moved inland to the more central location of Waukon in 1861, where it has remained ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was inhabited for centuries by ancient peoples, including the Hopewell and the Effigy Mound builders, whose earthworks are preserved at Effigy Mounds National Monument. At the time of European contact, the area was home to the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Sauk, and Meskwaki (Fox) peoples.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant American settlement began in the late 1840s, initially by “Yankees” from New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. They were soon followed by large waves of European immigrants, particularly Norwegians who settled in the northern townships, Germans in the west-central areas, and Irish throughout the county. The economy was built upon lumber from the river valleys, wheat farming, dairy production, and livestock raising, with towns like Lansing and Harpers Ferry serving as important steamboat ports on the Mississippi.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Allamakee County.

  • County Courthouse: Allamakee County Courthouse: Located at 110 Allamakee St, Waukon, IA 52172. The County Recorder holds land records (deeds) and vital records (birth, death, marriage). The Clerk of the District Court holds probate (wills and estates), civil, and criminal court records.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: County-level registration in Iowa began in July 1880. Records from 1880 to the present are held by the Allamakee County Recorder. For records after 1921 (and some up to 1941), copies may also be obtained from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Records prior to 1880 are rare and must be sought in church, cemetery, and newspaper records.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1849 to the present are held by the Allamakee County Recorder.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Allamakee County Historical Society Museum: Located at 118 Allamakee St, Waukon, IA 52172. This is the primary local repository for family histories, photographs, and historical documents.
    • Robey Memorial Library: Located in Waukon, this library maintains a collection of local history materials, including microfilm of county newspapers. Public libraries in Lansing and Postville also have local collections.
    • State Historical Society of Iowa: (Located in Des Moines and Iowa City) This is the main state-level archive, holding extensive collections of Iowa newspapers on microfilm, state census records, and other genealogical materials.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Winneshiek County, IA
    • Clayton County, IA
    • Houston County, MN
    • Crawford County, WI
    • Vernon County, WI

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks