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Research Topic - Immigrants Iowa, as with the United States, was originally populated by many Immigrant groups. Some came for religious reasons, some for political, some for the rich, newly opened land. The land filled so swiftly that by the turn of the century, from 19th to 20th century, Iowa was considered a formidable force in Washington, DC. Below you will find links & materials for many of these groups. The Mormons passed through on the Mormon Trail & the Handcart Expedition, the Amish and Amana Society stayed. The Icarians tried to build a utopia that lasted for a time. Many nationalities came and settled, worked the land and formed communities.

Links

Amish -
http://www.iowa-counties.com/historical/index.shtml

The Des Moines Register has done a wonderful series on Iowa's Immigrant Roots. The first link is to the first page or index page of that series and then the following links are to specific immigrant groups. Each group has an article about Iowa citizens of that group, then a history of their coming and an explanation of where they settled. So with each group there are three links. the history and settlement links might be the most important for understanding the movement of the immigrant groups.

Des Moines Register's IOWA ROOTS SERIES - http://DesMoinesRegister.com/extras/immigration/index.html

Scandinavians -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/scandinavians.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/scandinavians_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/scandinavians_settled.html

English -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/english.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/english_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/english_settled.html

Irish -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/irish.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/irish_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/irish_settled.html

Germans - This is Iowa's largest immigrant group by percent of the population
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/germans.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/germans_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/germans_settled.html

Dutch -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/dutch.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/dutch_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/dutch_settled.html

Bohemians -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/bohemians.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/bohemians_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/bohemians_settled.html

Italians -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/italians.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/italians_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/italians_settled.html

Eastern Europeans -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/europeans.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/europeans_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/europeans_settled.html

Russians -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/russians.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/russians_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/russians_settled.html

Hispanics -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/hispanics.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/hispanics_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/hispanics_settled.html

Africans -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/africans.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/africans_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/africans_settled.html

Asians -
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/asians.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/asians_history.html
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/immigration/asians_settled.html

Andreas, A.T., Illustrated historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 , Iowa City, Iowa, State Historical Society of Iowa, 1970

Bergmanmann, Leolla Marjorie (Nelson) and Petersen, William John, The Negro in Iowa, Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1969

Fargo, O.J., editor, A History of Iowa Immigrants, Creston, Iowa, Green Valley AEA, 1983

Fargo, O.J., editor, A History of Iowa the Mormons, Creston, Iowa, Green Valley AEA, 1983

Galland, Isaac, Iowa Emmigrant: containing a map and general description of Iowa Territory, Iowa City, 1950?

Iowa. Iowa: the home for immigrants; being a treatise on the resources of Iowa and giving useful information with regard to the State for the benefit of immigrants and others. Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1970

Outside in African American History in Iowa, 1830 - 2000, Des Moines, Iowa, State Historical Society of Iowa, 2001

Tips for Stagecoach Travelers, Cedar Falls, Iowa ; University of Northern Iowa, 19..?

Yambura, Barbara (Schneider). A Change and a Parting; My Story of Amana. Ames, Iowa: State University Press, 1960

Questions about the assignments can be addressed to:rmilder@regina.pvt.k12.ia.us , June 4, 2002