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Community History Archives

Community History Archive Partner

Iowa Jewish Historical Society

Waukee, Iowa

Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Waukee.

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1Title

Explore publications and collections from the past.

2022Dates represented

See individual titles for available dates.

2,158Archive pages

Historical pages reported for this collection.

Explore local history

Discover the people, places, and stories of Waukee, Iowa.

Discover another side of Waukee, Iowa through census records preserved in the Iowa Jewish Historical Society's digital archive. The archive includes History Book - Census, with material from 2022.

You can open the archive using the link below.
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  • Selected title

    “History Book - Census” is shared here by Iowa Jewish Historical Society.

  • Free and open access

    No subscription or payment required.

  • Ways to explore

    Bring a personal interest or classroom question to the material, keeping what it shows separate from what you still need to establish.

The household details in a census can help connect a family story with a place and time, while the information recorded varies from one census to another. A census entry is one dated view of a household. Use the details it actually records to shape a family-history question, and leave uncertain identities open for further research. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.

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Titles in this collection

Explore History Book - Census through 2,158 digitized pages, with material from 2022. Through a partnership with Advantage Archives, Iowa Jewish Historical Society shares these sources from the past.

One title can lead to several questions. Begin with a person, place or date that matters to you.

History Book - Census

2,158 pages in 2022

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About the Archive

About The Iowa Jewish Historical Society's History Archives

The Iowa Jewish Historical Society (IJHS) offers free access to its extensive collection of historical documents, thanks to its partnership with Advantage Archives . This collaboration allows the community to explore, discover, and engage with local history through digitized primary sources. The archive includes a wealth of materials covering a wide span of years, providing invaluable insights into the collective history of the Jewish community in Iowa.

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About the Society

About The Iowa Jewish Historical Society

The Iowa Jewish Historical Society (IJHS) was established in 1989 following the 75th Anniversary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. With a mission to preserve and share the rich heritage of the Jewish community in Iowa, IJHS has become a crucial educational resource and engagement tool. The society collects, preserves, and makes accessible a wide range of materials that document the lives, events, and contributions of Jewish Iowans. Through community partnerships and outreach, IJHS ensures that this cultural asset remains a vibrant part of Iowa's history.

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Institution History

The History Of The Iowa Jewish Historical Society

The idea for the Iowa Jewish Historical Society (IJHS) was first discussed in 1989 after the 75th Anniversary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. Over the past 20 years, IJHS has made significant strides in preserving Jewish heritage. The society has been instrumental in collecting and digitizing a vast array of historical documents and artifacts. Community support and leadership have been pivotal in these efforts, with numerous awards and grants recognizing the society’s accomplishments. To support the growing collection and expanded programming, IJHS launched the 20th Anniversary Fund Drive, inviting donations to continue its important work.

About the Community

About Iowa

Iowa, located in the Midwestern United States, is known for its rich agricultural heritage and vibrant communities. The state has a diverse cultural history, with significant contributions from various immigrant groups, including the Jewish community. Iowa's cities and towns are characterized by their strong sense of community and commitment to preserving local history. The state's landscapes, from rolling plains to bustling urban centers, provide a unique backdrop to its historical narratives. Local historical societies and libraries play a crucial role in making Iowa's history accessible to all.

Local History

Did You Know?

  • The Jewish community in Iowa dates back to the mid-19th century, with the first Jewish settlers arriving in the 1850s.
  • The Iowa Jewish Historical Society's archives include rare documents that provide a firsthand account of Jewish life in Iowa over the years.
  • Iowa's Jewish population played a significant role in the state's economic and cultural development, contributing to various sectors, including business, education, and the arts.
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More ways to explore and share local history

Research Guidance

Trace a household carefully

If you are tracing a household in Waukee, start with the names and places in the census records shared by the Iowa Jewish Historical Society. Check ages, relationships, and other fields only where the record provides them, then use another date or source to test a possible link. Begin with the names listed together, then compare ages and relationships where shown. Treat each proposed link as a question to verify with another source.

Before following another lead, save the title, date, and page or item reference shown with the source. Compare that evidence with the question that brought you here, and let what the source does and does not show shape a thoughtful next search.

Keep source details beside each quotation or observation. If accounts differ, preserve both references and note what remains unresolved. Let the evidence, rather than a smooth retelling, show where the sources agree and where the story is still open.

Review collection titles

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Community Partnership

Keeping local history a community resource

This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Iowa Jewish Historical Society, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.

Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.

Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.

Learn about partnerships
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Read All About It

Stories, research tips, and archive news

Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.

Newest published articles

March 18, 2025

It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?

We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.
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