Genealogical Resource Materials
Center for Dubuque History
Academic Resource Center
Loras College
Dubuque, IA 52004-0178
(563) 588-7163
OPEN BY APPOINTMENT
(Phone in Advance)
Limited Staffing--Fees for Research
Coin-Operated Copy Machines Available
OBITUARY FILE
Obituaries appearing in the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald and its predecessors are available in a 3
x 5 card index in the lobby of the Center for Dubuque History (CDH) and at the Carnegie-Stout
Public Library (CSPL). Early obituaries (often nothing more than death notices) were indexed
by the WPA staff in the l930s and include many "early settlers". In the interval between the
initial indexing and January 1984 each library indexed certain obituaries, but the indexing was
not coordinated and cards were not duplicated. The Loras Library also indexed many Catholic
newspapers in Dubuque that the CSPL did not. Since l984, the local genealogical society and
others have performed the indexing and duplicate cards have been placed in each facility.
NEWSPAPERS ON MICROFILM
Microfilm of most of the newspapers published in Dubuque are available in the CDH and also at
the public library. The first newspaper published in Dubuque was the DuBuque Visitor in 1836
and this collection of newspapers dates from that time. In addition to English language
newspapers, there were a number of German-language newspapers published in Dubuque
including the Luxemburger Gazette (1871-1918) for which there is a surname index in a book
entitled Luxembourgers in the New World. There are also some newspapers from other Dubuque
county towns (Cascade, Farley, Dyersville) but they are not indexed.
WPA NEWSPAPER INDEX
The Works Progress Administration compiled an index to the local Dubuque newspapers, which
is available on 3 x 5 cards in the CDH. The index is arranged by subject headings, i.e. banks,
business firms, societies, etc. There is also a separate category for towns and cities in the
surrounding area. After the l940s, individuals should consult the newspaper index at the
Carnegie-Stout Public Library which is more up-to-date.
CENSUS RECORDS (Only Dubuque County census records are available)
The federal census for Dubuque County is on microfilm for the decimal years 1840-l930--except
for 1890, which was lost in a fire. A surname index was compiled for l840 and l850 and is
available in paper format in the Center for Dubuque History. There is also a paper copy of the
1836 census for Des Moines & DuBuque counties. In addition, there is a paper index for 1860 &
1870 at the CSPL. Also microfilm copies of the special State of Iowa Census records for
Dubuque County exists for the years 1854,1856,1885,1895, l905, 19l5 and 1925. The l925 has
an index for the city only, the other years are not indexed. 1915 is in alphabetical order. There
are also "special schedules" (agriculture, industry, mortality, and social statistics) for the years
l850, l860, l870, and l880.
DUBUQUE CITY DIRECTORIES
Dubuque City Directories from 1856 to the present [incomplete] are available on microfilm in
the Center for Dubuque History and also at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library.
DUBUQUE COUNTY PLAT BOOKS
Plat maps for Dubuque County (arranged by township) exist for the years 1874, 1892, and 1906
as well as very recent years beginning in the 1970s. These are available in the Center for
Dubuque History.
SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAPS
These informative maps show outlines of buildings, old and new street addresses, construction
materials used, etc. These are available for the city of Dubuque both on microfiche and in hard
copy beginning in 1897 including updates through the mid-l950s using the 1909 a base map.
Available in the Center for Dubuque History.
DUBUQUE COUNTY TAX LISTS
Arranged by township and property owners' name, they contain legal description, valuation of
property, taxes paid, lot numbers/section numbers, etc. They date from 1853 to 1906 (with some
gaps) with more recent years being located at the Dubuque County Court House. Available on
microfilm in CDH.
DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORIES
Biographical and historical information is available in both the l880 and l9l5 Dubuque county
history books available in the main library stacks of the Loras College Library as well as in the
Center for Dubuque History.
BOWERMAN FILE
More than 17,700 index cards containing names from over 70 sources (e.g. Miner's Compact,
Old Settlers Assoc. membership lists, militia rolls, etc.) between 1830 and 1917. Available in
the Center for Dubuque History.
MILITIA ROLLS
Three rolls of microfilm covering the period 1862 - 1909 listing male residents of Dubuque
county between the ages of 18 & 45 subject to militia duty. Available in the Center for Dubuque
History.
MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
Various other resource materials exist such as Intent to Become a Citizen Book (1832-1906); list
of original land entries (both city lots and rural or "out" lots); Township & Cemetery books
[incomplete]; abstract of information from the City Sexton's reports regarding burials in the city
cemetery (1855-1875); Marriage Records & Marriage License Records (1835-1861), etc. All of
these items are located in the Center for Dubuque History.
NOTE: Some of the items listed as being available in the CDH are available to researchers during regular library hours--call (563)
588-7009 for the hours. Other items listed as being in the Center for Dubuque History are available by appointment only.
Researchers are strongly urged to phone in advance for an appointment before traveling to the visit the Center.