Available Genealogical Records
About Us
Bureau County was founded in February 1837, at the time the largest county was Putnam and it was split into several counties. Thomas Mercer was elected the first County Clerk in June and there have since been 18 County Clerks, each responsible for holding the County’s vital records in their custody. Protecting the documents for the individuals filing them and for future generations interested in learning more about their history.
Kami Hieronymus is our current County Clerk and only the second female Clerk in our history. Kami and her staff work together to make sure these treasured records are protected for all time. The way in which the staff tracks the records hasn’t really changed much from 1837. They still use large index books that lead them to where the document can be found. Kami has lead the effort to preserve all of the county’s vital records by scanning the documents and creating this website to allow access to Bureau’s genealogical records from anywhere.
State Statutes make birth certificates over 75 years, marriage certificates over 50 years and death certificates over 20 years available as genealogical records.
This website allows visitors to search for free and the opportunity to purchase the actual record we have on file.
All genealogical copies are unofficial, as they are not certified by the County, and they remain for personal use in research of ancestral records.