The Fairbank Cemetery is a unique cemetery, in that it lies in two counties, Buchanan and Fayette. It is also very close to the Bremer County line. People researching their family histories might need to be prepared to visit the county courthouses of each of these counties to find more records regarding their ancestors.

Please note - I used the City Cemetery records to compile this index. I wish to express my appreciation for the help and cooperation provided to me by the City Clerk's Office.

Since the City Burial records were used, the dates given for each name are birth date and BURIAL date, rather than death date. This is important for further research. The earliest birth dates go back to the 1790's up to the present. There are people still alive who are listed on this list. They have purchased a headstone and lots but are still alive and well.

The first section included is a simple every-name index of the names found in all the records. The final three sections are the names as copied directly from the records, so that many people may be found with other members of their family in the "family" plot. It is divided into the Original section - which has the oldest graves, for the most part; the Oran Twp., Buchanan County section and the Fairbank Twp, Fayette County. I did this simply because that is the way the records were divided at the City Clerk's Office.

The cemetery is basically divided into three sections - the Original Plat, the Fayette, Ia, Oran Twp. plat and the Buchanan Cty list. I specifically have kept all three sections separate on my records, since that is the way they were kept at the City Clerks office. However, in the list they are all merged in alpha order. I also have a copy of the layout of the cemetery so I could probably locate the actual gravesite.

There are now two entrances to the cemetery - the original one, over which is a cast iron "sign" which says "1888 - 1918" and the new one, north of the original site, is very nice, and is of brick "wings". The entrance through the original site, on the records, is called "the Buggy Road".

If you wish to have more information on a specific records, please e-mail Karlyn and she will be happy to assist you.

I hope this is useful in the years ahead.