Step-by-Step Minnesota Research, 1880-Present
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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.
What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
- 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History at ThoughtCo.com
- Creating Oral Histories at FamilySearch Wiki
What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.
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Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.
- A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
- For each person living in a household (depending on the year), their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.
- Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
- Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.
Using clues to lead to census record searches.
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In a search of old papers in the home, this 50th wedding anniversary newspaper announcement for Mr. and Mrs. Erling Eide is found. As they had been married fifty years, they were probably at least 70 years old. |
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The first step would be to search for them in the 1950, 1940, and 1950 censuses of Minnesota, looking for Erling Eide, with children Betty, Mary Lou, and Roger.
In these three census records, we see the history of this little family. In 1950, the girls have left home. In 1940, all of the expected children are listed. In 1930, the two girls have been born, but not Roger.
Finding the next generation back.
Fortunately, in 1930, Erling and Mildren Eide are listed living in the home of his parents, Christian and Sophie Eide. Although Erling/Earl was born in Norway, his parents have listed children age 10 and 15 born in Minnesota. So they were in Minnesota during the 1920 census.
The next step would be to search for Christian and Sopie Wide in the 1920 census, and even hopefully in the 1910 census.
Using the three census records for Christian and Sophie Eide, we can identify all their children: Magnhild and Erling, born in Norway; Amalie, Riktor, Mabel, and Myrtle, born in Minnesota.
Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.
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Minnesota State Censuses
For more information, see Minnesota Census and United States Census.
Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
- In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations.
- A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
- A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.
Using census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents.
Example of an indexed birth record.
Using census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
Fequently, our main purpose for locating records for the marriages is to establish the maiden name of the wife. Also in some cases the names of the parents of the bride and groom are given.
Example of an indexed marriage record.
Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death:
- birth date and place of the deceased
- maiden name of the wife
- names of the deceased's parents
- birth places of the deceased's parents.
Some of the examples shown above are index entries. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. In some cases, the image of the original is found online. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate in other cases.
Gather as many birth, marriage, and death records as possible.
How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
- online databases
- writing to a county courthouse (prior to the beginning of state civil registration)
- purchasing them through the mail at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
Online databases, usually indexes, with some images
Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Minnesota Counties.
Order Certificates from Minnesota Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).
- Where to Write for Minnesota Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Minnesota, see How to Find Minnesota Birth Records, How to Find Minnesota Marriage Records, and How to Find Minnesota Death Records.
Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.
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Obituaries
- Dalby Database Obituaries at DalbyData — index
- Fargo Forum Obituary Indexat North Dakota State University Archives — index; covers Northwestern Minnesota
- Minnesota Genealogy Data at Genealogy Buff — index
- Minnesota Obituaries at ObitsArchive.com — index & images ($)
- Minnesota USGenWeb Obituary Project at USGenWeb Archives — index
- Online Minnesota Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index
Cemeteries
- 1900-1999 Web: Minnesota, U.S., Cemetery Index, 1900-1999 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1949-1969 United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- BillionGraves — index & images
- BillionGraves Index at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Findmypast ($)
- FindaGrave — index & images
- Find a Grave Index at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry ($)
- Minnesota Cemeteries at USGenWeb Tombstones — index
- Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties at Ancestry — index ($)
- Minnesota Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy — index
- Minnesota Death Records and Minnesota Cemetery Records at Interment.net — index
- Minnesota Gravestone Photo Project at Minnesota Gravestones — index & images
- Online Minnesota Obituary and Cemetery Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index
U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
- The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
- You can search these records online at
- 1935-2014 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index ($); Picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off by providing information filed in the application or claims process
- 1962-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.
For more information, see Minnesota Obituaries and Minnesota Cemeteries.
Step 5: Search military records: World War I and II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information.
Example of a World War I draft card.
Example of a World War II draft card and enlistment record.
Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- 1917-1918 United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1942 United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
For more information and additional collections, see Minnesota Military Records.
Step 6: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records.
- An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
- Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
- Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.
Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
Example of a church baptism record. Notice that two dates are recorded. The first is the birth date, and the second is the christening/baptism date.
Search for church records that can provide additional birth, marriage, and death information.
FamilySearch Indexes
- 1798-1991 Minnesota, Church Records, 1798-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1835-1990 Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1840-1980 Minnesota Births and Christenings, 1840-1980 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1849-1950 Minnesota Marriages, 1849-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Ancestry.com Indexes
- 1840-1980 Minnesota, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1840-1980 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1849-1950 Minnesota, U.S., Marriages Index, 1849-1950 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1889-1917 New York, U.S., Frank S. Rowland Church Register, 1889-1917 at Ancestry — images ($)
Dutch Reformed
- 1639-1989 U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1701-1995 U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Lutheran
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800-1947 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Presbyterian
- 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Quaker (Society of Friends)
- Quaker Records : Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota Monthly Meetings, by Society of Friends. n.p.: n.p., n.d. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
Other Collections
- Early Minnesota Church Records, 1856-1913, by Lovell K. Lovett. n.p.:n.p., n.d. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
- For help with church records kept in Minnesota, see Minnesota Church Records.
- To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.
Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.
- County probate records include probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
- In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
- Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.
Search these indexes and images for probate records.
- 1801-1925 Minnesota, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1801-1925 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1849-1985 Minnesota Will Records, 1849-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each Minnesota county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Minnesota Counties
For more information, see Minnesota Probate Records and United States Probate Records.
Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.
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There is a full-length original naturalization record that this index reports.
Clicking on the URL gives a link to ordering this original.
Look for immigrant ancestors in shipping lists and citizenship sources.
Minnesota Immigration Records
- 1862-1868 Index of Wagon Train Emigrants From Minnesota to Montana at WikiTree — index
- 1918 Web: Minnesota, U.S., Alien Registration Index, 1918 at Ancestry — index & images ($); Also at: Iron Range Research Center
- 1922-1958 Minnesota, Duluth and Wisconsin, Superior Crew Lists, 1922-1958 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Minnesota Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records
- 1854-1957 Minnesota, U.S., Naturalization Records Index, 1854-1957 at Ancestry — index; Also at: Iron Range Research Center
- 1896-1989 Minnesota, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1896-1989 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1918 Web: Minnesota, U.S., Alien Registration Index, 1918 at Ancestry — index ($); Also at: Iron Range Research Center
- 1930-1988 Minnesota Naturalization Card Index, 1930-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Ancestry ($), MyHeritage ($)
Step 9: Search for printed local histories or biography collections online.
Local histories
- Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
- Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories:
- Hathi Trust Digital Library. Don't use the keywords Minnesota; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
- Google Books. Use keywords "Minnesota" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
- Family History Books
- Internet Archive. Use keywords "Minnesota" and the county name.
- Genealogy Book Links, Minnesota. Browse list; county histories are interspersed.
- Ancestry.com ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Minnesota and the name of the county.
- Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find out about local histories the library has by checking the FamilySearch Catalog. In the "place" field, type the name of your county and select it from the drop down list, then click "Search". A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, and History - Indexes.
Biographies
These collections of biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or use the "Find" function on a computer.
- 1915 Minnesota History and Biography, 1915 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Compendium of History and Biography of Central and Northern Minnesota, Chicago: Geo. A, Ogle and Co., 1904. Online at: HathiTrust
- Encyclopedia of Biography of Minnesota, by Flandrau, Charles E. Chicago: Century Publishing and Engraving Company, 1900. Online at: HathiTrust
- Memorial Record of Southwestern Minnesota, Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1897. Online at: HathiTrust
- Minnesota Biographies, 1655-1912, Volume 14, by Upham, Warren and Rose Barteau Dunlap. St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Historical Society, 1912. Online at: HathiTrust
- Minnesota Pioneer Sketches, by O'Brien, Frank. Minneapolis, Minn. : H.H.S. Rowell, 1904. Online at: Internet Archive
- The Book of Minnesotans, by Marquis, Albert Nelson. Chicago: A. N. Marquis and Company, 1907. Online at: HathiTrust
- Who's Who Among Minnesota Women, by Foster, Mary Dillon. n.p.: Mary Dillon Foster, 1924. Online at: HathiTrust
Step 10: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.
This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.
Step 11: Use other FamilySearch tools.Historical ImagesRecords collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
Minnesota Online Genealogy RecordsSearch any other online records listed in Minnesota Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Minnesota Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Minnesota.This article focused more on Minnesota state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Minnesota. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.
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