Winona County, Minnesota Genealogy
Guide to Winona County, Minnesota ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
The county was named for a Dakota legend regarding a woman, referred to as Winona, who was betrothed to marry a warrior whom she did not love. Rather than marry him, she is said to have leapt to her death from a rock now called "Maiden's Rock" on Lake Pepin. This legend is colloquially referred to as the Winona legend. The county is located in the southeast area of the state. [3]
County Courthouse
Winona County Courthouse
171 W 3rd Street
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-615-5183
Winona County Website
Clerk District Court has birth and death records from 1870 probate records from 1871 and school records 1909-1939. [4]
Winona County, Minnesota Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1870 | 1854 | 1870 | 1854 | 1853 | 1871 | 1836 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- Portrait and biographical record of Winona County, Minnesota; containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Lake City Publishers, Chicago, IL 1895. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, HathiTrust.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
For links to Federal, State, and Territorial censuses, see Minnesota Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1860 | 9,208 | — |
| 1870 | 22,319 | 142.4% |
| 1880 | 27,107 | 21.5% |
| 1890 | 33,797 | 24.7% |
| 1900 | 35,686 | 5.6% |
| 1910 | 33,398 | −6.4% |
| 1920 | 33,653 | 0.8% |
| 1930 | 35,144 | 4.4% |
| 1940 | 37,795 | 7.5% |
| 1950 | 39,841 | 5.4% |
| 1960 | 40,937 | 2.8% |
| 1970 | 44,409 | 8.5% |
| 1980 | 46,256 | 4.2% |
| 1990 | 47,828 | 3.4% |
| 2000 | 49,985 | 4.5% |
| 2010 | 51,461 | 3.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State Census
- 1835-1890 Minnesota, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1835-1890 at Ancestry ($)
- 1849-1905 Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 at Ancestry ($)
- 1865 Minnesota State Census, 1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images.
- 1875 Minnesota State Census, 1875 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images.
- 1885 Minnesota State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images.
- 1905 Minnesota State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images.
Church Records
Most church records are held by individual churches. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information, see Minnesota Church Records.
Lutheran
1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry ($)
Court Records
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
- Cemeteries in Winona County by Township; Table Talk, 2004. By Genealogy Roundtable of the Winona County Historical Society and Winona County Historical Society . Winona, MN : Genealogy Roundtable of the Winona County Historical Society, 2004. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
- Cemeteries in Winona County by Township; Table Talk, V.48. By Genealogy Roundtable of the Winona County Historical Society and Winona County Historical Society . Winona, MN : Genealogy Roundtable of the Winona County Historical Society, 2002. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
Emigration and Immigration
- 1912-1956 Minnesota Passenger and Crew Lists, 1912-1956 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images.
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
- Fawcett Junker Funeral Home and Crematory in Winona.
- Hoff Funeral and Cremation Services in Goodview, Lewiston, St. Charles and Winona.
- Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home in Winona.
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
The county register of deeds keeps land records once the land was transferred to private ownership. Abstracts and indexes for these records are generally available at the county courthouse.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Pre-1908 Minnesota, U.S., Homestead and Cash Entry Patents, Pre-1908 at Ancestry ($)
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Online Books
- Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), Henion, J. W. (John W.),and Balliet & Volk (Firm). Plat book of Winona County, Minnesota. C.M. Foote & Co. (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1894. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Minnesota Digital Library.
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Winona County. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Minnesota Local Histories.
- Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, Whipple, William Jay. The history of Winona County, Minnesota; v. 01 and 02. H.C. Cooper Jr. & Co., Chicago, IL 1913. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library Vol 1 and FamilySearch Digital Library Vol 2, Google Books Vol 1
- History of Winona and Olmsted Counties: together with biographical matter, ...; (Chicago: H.H.Hill and Company, Publishers, 1883) Online at FamilySearch Digital Library, HathiTrust, Google Books, Internet Archive.
- History of Winona, Olmsted, and Dodge counties together with biographical matter, statistics, etc; (Chicago, Illinois: H.H. Hill, 1884); Online at FamilySearch Digital Library, HathiTrust, Google Books.
- Bunnell, Dr. L.H., History of Wabasha County, (Chicago: H H Hill Publishers, 1884). Includes information on Winona County. Scroll down to find links to individual chapters. Also available at "The History of Wabasha County".
- Minnesota County History Name Index at Ancestry ($)
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Minnesota Maps at David Rumsey Map Collection
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- Minnesota Department of Transportation, Winona County municipality and township maps
Migration
Military Records
Multiple Wars
- 1861-1917 United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Free index, images ($)
- 1898-1899 Minnesota Volunteers in the Spanish American War and the Philippine Insurrection at Ancestry; Free index
Civil War
- 1861-1865 U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 at Ancestry; Free index
- 1861-1865 Minnesota, U.S., Civil War Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry; Free index
- 1861-1865 Minnesota Civil War Soldiers at Ancestry; Free index
- 1861-1934 U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 at Ancestry; Free index
Civil War service men from Winona County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are many companies or regiments that were formed from men of Winona County.
- - 2nd Regiment, Minnesota Infantry, Company A.
- - 2nd Regiment, Minnesota Cavalry, Companies G, I and L.
- - 3rd Regiment, Minnesota Infantry, Company K.
- - 7th Regiment, Minnesota Infantry, Companies B and D.
- - 9th Regiment, Minnesota Infantry, Company K
- - Brackett's Battalion, Minnesota Cavalry, Company A.
- - Hatch's Independent Battalion, Minnesota Cavalry, Company B.
Spanish-American War
- 1898 U.S., Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898 at Ancestry; Free index
- 1898-1899 Minnesota, U.S., Spanish American War Muster Rolls and Casualty Lists, 1898-1899 at Ancestry; Free index
World War I
- 1917-1918 U.S., World War I Civilian Draft Registrations, 1917-1918 at Ancestry (Free collection)
- 1917-1918 U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at Ancestry; Free index
- 1918-1941 Minnesota, World War I Records, 1918-1941 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection
World War II
- 1940-1947 Minnesota, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1940-1947 U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 at Ancestry; Free index
- 1942 U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 at Ancestry; Free index
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1849-1985 Web: Minnesota, U.S., Naturalization Index, 1849-1985 at Ancestry (Free collection)
- 1872-1962 Minnesota Naturalization Records and Indexes, 1872-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1880-1920 Minnesota, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1880-1920 at Ancestry ($)
- 1918 Web: Minnesota, U.S., Alien Registration Index, 1918 at Ancestry (Free collection)
Newspapers
- Minnesota Newspapers Directory Locations and contact information for Winona County newspapers.
- Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub at Minnesota Historical Society; narrow to county or city, search for surname, limit by date.
- Winona Newspapers at Krueger Library, Winona State University. Online archive of four Winona city newspapers spanning from 1855 through 1976.
- 1800s-Current Minnesota, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries
- 1813-Onward Minnesota Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1865-2006 Minnesota, Obituaries 1865-2006 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1891-2003 Web: Minnesota, U.S., Obituary Index, 1891-2003 at Ancestry (Free collection)
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records may include wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. They may include the decedent’s date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, etc. See Minnesota Probate Records for additional information.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1801-1925 Minnesota, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1801-1925 at Ancestry ($)
- 1849-1985 Minnesota Will Records, 1849-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1856-1971 Minnesota, Winona County, Will Records, 1856-1971(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($); index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Since Minnesota tax records include only persons who owned taxable property, many residents were not included. Still they complement land records and can be used in place of missing censuses or the years between censuses. There may also be gaps. For more information, see the wiki page Minnesota Taxation.
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents.
A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. See also Minnesota Vital Records.
Birth
- 1840-1980 Minnesota, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1840-1980 at Ancestry ($)
- 1900-1934 Minnesota People Records Search - Births at Minnesota Historical Society - free index, images ($)
- 1900-1934 Minnesota, Birth Index, 1900-1934 at MyHeritage; index ($)
- 1935-2000 Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1935-2000 at Ancestry ($)
- Minnesota, Births at MyHeritage — index ($)
Marriage
- 1850-2019 Web: Minnesota, U.S., Marriages from the Minnesota Official Marriage System, 1850-2019 at Ancestry (Free collection)
- 1850-Onward Minnesota, Marriages at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1860-1949 Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1885-present Minnesota Official Marriage System at MOMS.mn.gov; search by county, name or date, and request copy.
- 1970-2003 Minnesota Marriage Records Index, 1970-2003 at Archives ($)
- 1976-2003 Minnesota, Marriages, 1976-2003 at MyHeritage; index ($)
Death
- 1850-2001 Minnesota, County Deaths, 1850-2001 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1887-2001 Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1904-2001 Minnesota People Records Search - Deaths at Minnesota Historical Society - free index, images ($)
- 1904-2001 Minnesota, Death Index, 1904-2001 at MyHeritage; index ($)
- 1908-2017 Minnesota, U.S., Death Index, 1908-2017 at Ancestry ($)
Divorce
- 1970-1995 Minnesota, U.S., Divorce Index, 1970-1995 at Ancestry ($)
- 1970-2003 Minnesota Divorce Records Index, 1970-2003 at Archives ($)
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Winona County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Minnesota Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Austin Minnesota FamilySearch Center
- LaCrosse Wisconsin FamilySearch Center
- Rochester Minnesota FamilySearch Center
- Cannon Falls Library - an affiliate library.
- La Crosse Public Library-Archives Department - an affiliate library.
- Rochester Public Library - an affiliate library.
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Winona County. For state-wide library facilities, see Minnesota Archives and Libraries.
Darrell W. Krueger Library
Winona State University
175 W Mark St
PO Box 5838
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-457-5140
Email: library@winona.edu
Website
Facebook
Fitzgerald Library
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #26
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-457-1561
Email: wlibrary@smumn.edu
Website
Facebook
Laird Lucas Memorial Library and Archives
160 Johnson St
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-454-2723
Email: archives@winonahistory.org
Website
St. Charles Public Library
125 West 11th St
St Charles, MN 55972
Phone: 507-932-3227
Email: scill@selco.info
Website
Facebook
Winona Public Library
151 West 5th St
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-452-4582
Website
Facebook
Museums
Polish Cultural Institute and Museum
102 Liberty St
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-454-3431
Email: info@polishmuseumwinona.org
Website
Facebook
Winona County History Museums
160 Johnson St
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-454-2723
Email: info@winonahistory.org
Website
Facebook
Societies
Listed below are societies in Winona County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Minnesota Societies.
Minnesota City Historical Association
Minnesota City, MN
Phone: 507-689-4103
Website
Facebook
Winona County Historical Society
160 Johnson St
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-454-2723
Email: info@winonahistory.org
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Research at Minnesota Historical Society — links to Records and Indexes; See also MHS Wiki Page
- Winona County, a member of MNGenWeb Archives
- Iron Range Research Center
- Winona County, a member of The MNGenWeb Project, an affiliate of The USGenWeb Project.
- Cyndi's List: Winona County
- Minnesota Genealogy Trails
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 5 February 2021.
- ↑ Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 5 February 2021.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Winona County, Minnesota" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winona_County,_Minnesota accessed 5 March 2021
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Minnesota.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Minnesota.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 5 February 2021.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Minnesota.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Winona County, Minnesota," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winona_County,_Minnesota, accessed 5 March 2021.