About
Me:
I
am Sandra Bengtson and I live in
Sidney, Iowa and have assisted
individuals with their family
genealogy and researched at the
Fremont County Courthouse since 2012.
I have also researched for historians,
authors, and professional companies
looking for heirs relating to
estates.
When
researching a family, I use every
possible resource available. After
checking vital records, probate/will
filings, land records, court
records, tax assessment rolls,
cemetery records, newspaper
archives, etc. I can
compile a report that gives a story
and insight into your ancestor's
life.
I
mainly specialize in research and
retrieval of documents on file at the
Fremont County Courthouse. I will also
research at neighboring courthouses
(Page County, Iowa; Mills County,
Iowa; Otoe County, Nebraska) for a
minimal travel fee.
What
Courthouse Records Hold & Why An
Experienced Researcher is Needed
Often
families are interested in having
copies of the original documents
for their family records, rather than
the indexing of an event (birth,
marriage, death) that can be found
online. Other times finding an
original document might solve a family
mystery.
For
example if your ancestor disappeared
from the census after 1870 or 1880,
the answer might be found in these
records:
Divorces
- These were recorded in the
Court Dockets from the time Fremont
County was established in 1851. The
court record normally told why the
parties divorced, their current
whereabouts and who had custody of any
children.
Deed
Records/Estate Transfers - If
your ancestor owned real estate, the
final deed shows if they were living
at the time the property was sold or
if it was transferred through their
estate. Also shows whether a spouse
was still living that signed off on
the final deed.
Adoptions
- It is sometimes possible to find a
court record of the event in the late
1800’s to early 1900’s, prior to the
records being sealed. Finding this
kind of record usually answers
questions families have had for many
years.
Upon
completion of my research, all clients
receive a written report of my
findings, along with any relevant
copies of documents and pictures.
Keep in mind that historical
and genealogy research findings are
unpredictable so no guarantees can be
made. Sometimes there is no record
available to answer the question you are
seeking. If your ancestor lived in this
area, it is rare that no record of them
here can be found at all, but it can
happen. Often the research here that
rules out possibilities is necessary
before continuing on with your
searching.
Documents Page
This page contains images of the types
of documents and other
resources to which I have
access.
Rates:
My
flat rate for document or genealogy
research is $50 per hour. Many
research jobs can be completed in the
hour time frame. I do not charge
clients for travel time or report
preparation time.
If
I find more extensive research time is
required - such as looking through
several years of Court Dockets - I
will communicate with the client prior
to expending the time.
$25
Travel Fee - An additional flat fee is
charged for travel to the Courthouses
located in Page County, Iowa; Mills
County, Iowa; or Otoe County,
Nebraska.
Programs,
Publications, Interviews
Settlements
& Towns of Fremont County, Iowa
History
Program
Iowa
Western Community College
September
12, 2019
The
Famous and Infamous of Fremont
County, Iowa
History
Program
Iowa
Western Community College
September
2020 - Exact date To be
Announced
Author
of several short stories included in
“View
from the Attic”
published by the Fremont County
Historical Society in 2018.
KMA
Interview - April 7, 2017
Bengtson
Digs Deep
To
Find
Family Histories
In Fremont
County
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