Can someone tell me how far back the birth records go in DesMoines Co?
I need two from the 1870's.

Birth records start in 1880 in Des Moines County

Birth records start in late1880 and those are kept in the capitol city Des Moines, Polk Coo. IA. However in the Des Moines Co Court house you can find some going quite far back. I've found some back in the 1850's. Just depends on whether someone recorded it or not. Also marriages and deaths. Now the tough part is, is if write and ask them to do it nothing will be done. Your best bet is to go in person and look yourself. I haven't done it in years, but it was possible back in the late 80's.
Good luck
Marilyn

The best way to get records from Des Moines Country, if you can't go to the library yourself, is to contact the Des Moines Country Genealogical Society. They will copy the record for you for a small fee. I live in Texas and they have helped me immeasurably. You might see if they have a web site.
Good Luck