Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Minnesota]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''Douglas County'''
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| link2= [[Minnesota, United States Genealogy|Minnesota]]
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| link5=[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy|Douglas County]]
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== County Courthouse  ==
Guide to '''Douglas County, Minnesota ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.


[http://www.co.douglas.mn.us/Home.htm Douglas County Courthouse]<br>305 Eighth Avenue West<br>Alexandria, MN 56308<br>Phone: 320-762-3033 (Court Administration)<br>Phone: 320-762-3877
{| style="width:18%; float:right"
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<center><div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Minnesota Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div></center>
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<center>{{Infobox U.S. County 2016
|organized= July 31, 1866<ref>[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/MN_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by [https://www.newberry.org/ Newberry Library]</ref>
|county seat= Alexandria
|parent county= [[Cass County, Minnesota Genealogy|Cass]], [[Pembina County, Minnesota Genealogy|Pembina]] (Extinct)<ref>[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/MN_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by [https://www.newberry.org/ Newberry Library]</ref>
|variant spellings=
|county1= [[Grant County, Minnesota Genealogy|Grant]]
|county2= [[Otter Tail County, Minnesota Genealogy|Otter Tail]]
|county3= [[Pope County, Minnesota Genealogy|Pope]]
|county4= [[Stearns County, Minnesota Genealogy|Stearns]]
|county5= [[Stevens County, Minnesota Genealogy|Stevens]]
|county6= [[Todd County, Minnesota Genealogy|Todd]]</br><center>[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy#Maps and Gazetteers|See County Maps]]</center>
|county7=
|county8=
|county9=
|county10=
|county courthouse= [[Image:Minnesota, Douglas County Courthouse.png|229px]]
|county location in state= [[Image:Minnesota Douglas County Map.svg.png|185x185px]]
|adoption=
}}
|}</center>
<div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
== County Information ==


County Recorder has birth, marriage, and death records from 1890, land records from late 1800’s and military records. <br>Clerk of Courts has divorce, probate and court records<ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Douglas County, Minnesota page 364, {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>  
=== Description ===
The county was named for Stephen Douglas, of Illinois. The county is located in the west-central area of the state.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Douglas County, Minnesota" in ''https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota'' accessed 12 Nov 2018</ref>


== History  ==
=== County Courthouse ===
{{MN Courthouse Intro|Douglas}}
'''Douglas County Courthouse'''<br> 305 Eighth Ave W<br>Alexandria, MN 56308<br>Phone: 320-762-3022<br>[http://www.co.douglas.mn.us Douglas County Website] <br><br>


==== Parent County ====
County Recorder has birth, marriage, and death records from 1890, land records from late 1800s and military records. <br>Clerk of Courts has divorce, probate and court records.<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Minnesota.{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref><br><br>


*'''1858--'''Douglas County was created 8 March 1858&nbsp;from [[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass]] and Pembina (Old) Counties.&nbsp; '''County seat: '''Alexandria <ref name="Handybook">''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>  
=== Douglas County, Minnesota Record Dates  ===
*For a brief history of how Douglas County was named, click [http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/index.cfm here,] then select Douglas County.
{{MN Record Dates Intro|Douglas}}
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" colspan="7" | <center>'''Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records'''<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Minnesota.{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref></center>
|-
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy#Death|Death*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Douglas County, Minnesota Genealogy#Census Records|Census]]'''
|-
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1890
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1890
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1890
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1867
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1862
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1868
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1836
|-
| colspan="7"| <center><nowiki>*</nowiki>Statewide registration started for births in 1900 and deaths in 1908. General compliance by 1915.</center>
|}


==== Boundary Changes  ====
=== Record Loss ===
{|
|-
|
'''1862'''  Records from pre-1862 were lost, except the first census of 1860. <br>


*In 1858 the territory of Douglas County was attached to Stearns County for civil and judicial purposes.
{{Fire+}}
|}
=== Boundary Changes ===
{{MN Boundary Changes Intro|Douglas}}
{|
|-
|
*'''1858--'''Douglas County was created 8 March 1858 from [[Cass County, Minnesota Genealogy|Cass]] and [[Pembina County, Minnesota Genealogy|Pembina]] (Extinct) Counties.<ref>[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/MN_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by [https://www.newberry.org/ Newberry Library]</ref>
*'''County seat:''' Alexandria<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Minnesota.{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref><br>
*'''Organized date:''' 31 Jul 1866<ref>[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/MN_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by [https://www.newberry.org/ Newberry Library]</ref>
*[http://www.mapofus.org/minnesota/ Interactive Map of Minnesota County Formation History] (1790-1897) - animated maps illustrating Minnesota county boundary changes
*[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/MN_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes] - list of all boundary changes by county provided by [https://www.newberry.org/ Newberry Library]
|}


==== Record Loss  ====
=== Populated Places ===
{{MN Populated Places Intro|Douglas}}


*At the time of the Indian uprising of 1862 all records which they had were lost.  
''''' Populated Places  '''''<br>
*However, the first census of 1860 survived which listed seventy-one men in the area of the county with thirty-five married and seventy-eight children. Most of the earliest settlers were in their twenties and thirties from New England.<br>
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit [https://minnesota.hometownlocator.com/counties/cities,cfips,041,c,douglas.cfm HomeTown Locator]. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Douglas County, Minnesota," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota, accessed 25 January 2020.</ref>


== Places/Localities  ==
{{Populated places
<!--cities column------------------->
| cities-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria,_Minnesota Alexandria]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon,_Minnesota Brandon]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos,_Minnesota Carlos]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evansville,_Minnesota Evansville]
</div>
| cities-col2=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forada,_Minnesota Forada]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garfield,_Minnesota Garfield]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington,_Minnesota Kensington]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millerville,_Minnesota Millerville]
</div>
| cities-col3=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miltona,_Minnesota Miltona]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson,_Minnesota Nelson]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osakis,_Minnesota Osakis]
</div>
<!--unincorp column------------------->
| unincorp-col1=<div>
*Belle River
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_City,_Minnesota Holmes City]
</div>
| unincorp-col2=<div>
*Leaf Valley
</div>
| unincorp-col3=<div>
*Rose City
</div>
<!--townships column------------------->
| townships-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Alexandria]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_River_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Belle River]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Brandon]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Carlos]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evansville_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Evansville]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_City_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Holmes City]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Hudson]
</div>
| townships-col2=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Ida]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Grand_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota La Grand]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Mary_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Lake Mary]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_Valley_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Leaf_Valley]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lund_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Lund]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millerville_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Millerville]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miltona_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Miltona]
</div>
| townships-col3=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moe_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Moe]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Orange]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osakis_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Osakis]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solem_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Solem]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spruce_Hill_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Spruce Hill]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urness_Township,_Douglas_County,_Minnesota Urness]
</div>
}}


==== Populated Places  ====
=== History Timeline ===
{{MN Historical Timeline Intro|Douglas}}


===== Cities  =====
== Resources ==
{{MN Resources Intro|Douglas}}


[http://www.ci.alexandria.mn.us/ Alexandria] | [http://www.brandonmn.com/ Brandon] | Carlos | [http://www.evansvillemn.com/ Evansville] | Forada | [http://www.garfieldmn.com/ Garfield] | [http://www.kensingtonmn.com/ Kensington] | Millerville | Miltona | Nelson | [http://cityofosakis.com/ Osakis]
=== Bible Records ===
{{MN Bible Intro|Douglas}}


===== Townships =====
=== Biographies ===
{{MN Biographies Intro|Douglas}}
* Larson, Constant. ''History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Minnesota: their people, industries, and institutions;'' (Indianapolis, IN: B.F. Bowen &amp; Company, Inc, 1916); Vol 2 (biographical) online at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/349886-history-of-douglas-and-grant-counties-minnesota-their-people-industries-and-institutions?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://archive.org/details/historyofdouglas02lars Internet Archive]; Vol 1 and 2 online at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/23752/ Ancestry] ($).


Alexandria Township | Belle River Township | Brandon Township | Carlos Township | Evansville Township | Holmes City Township | Hudson Township&nbsp;| Ida Township | La Grand Township | Lake Mary Township | Leaf Valley Township | Lund Township | Millerville Township | Miltona Township | Moe Township | Orange Township | Osakis Township | Solem Township | Spruce Hill Township | Urness Township
=== Business, Commerce, and Occupations ===
{{MN Business Records Intro|Douglas}}


==== Neighboring Counties  ====
=== Cemeteries ===
{{MN Cemeteries Intro|Douglas}}


*[[Grant County, Minnesota|Grant]]  
{| style = "border:1px solid black; width:70%;  "
*[[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail]]  
|-
*[[Pope County, Minnesota|Pope]]  
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of Douglas County, Minnesota''' online and in print</center>
*[[Stearns County, Minnesota|Stearns]]  
|-
*[[Stevens County, Minnesota|Stevens]]  
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center>
*[[Todd County, Minnesota|Todd]]
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" |
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/results?cemetery_country=United%20States&cemetery_state=Minnesota&cemetery_county=Douglas&year_range=5&size=15 Billion Graves]
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=&middlename=&lastname=&birthyear=&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=Douglas%2C+County%2C+Minnesota%2C+United+States+of+America&locationId=county_1330 Find a Grave]
* [https://minnesotagravestones.org/cemeteries.php?selected_cid=21 Minnesota Gravestones]
* [http://www.usgwtombstones.org/minnesota/douglas.htm MN Tombstone Transcription Project]
* [http://douglas.mngenweb.net/cemeteries.html MN GenWeb]
* [http://usgwarchives.net/mn/douglas/douglas.html USGenWeb Archives]
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions in Print''' [[The Value of Cemetery Records in Print |(Often more complete)]]</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
* {{FSC|1120880|subject-id|disp=FamilySearch Library}}
* [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3Acemetery+Douglas+Minnesota&qt=results_page WorldCat]
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" |<center>'''List of Cemeteries in the County'''</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
* [https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=392834&reqParentsLabel=Douglas%2C%20Minnesota%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypes=20&reqTypeLabel=Cemetery FamilySearch Places]
* [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?cemetery-name=&cemetery-loc=Douglas%2C+County%2C+Minnesota%2C+United+States+of+America&only-with-cemeteries=cemOnly&locationId=county_1330 Find a Grave]
* [http://douglas.mngenweb.net/cemeteries.html MNGenWeb], listing of cemeteries only
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"|<center>See [[Minnesota Cemeteries|Minnesota Cemeteries]] for more information.<center>
|}


== Resources  ==
=== Census Records ===
{{MN Census Intro|Douglas}}


==== Cemeteries  ====
{{Historical populations
|type = USA
|heading = Census
|footnote = Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota#Demographics "Wikipedia.org".]
|1870 |4239
|1880 |9130
|1890 |14606
|1900 |17964
|1910 |17669
|1920 |19039
|1930 |18813
|1940 |20369
|1950 |21304
|1960 |21313
|1970 |22892
|1980 |27839
|1990 |28839
|2000 |32821
|2010 |36009
}}


There are seventy-one cemeteries and burial sites in the twenty townships located in Douglas County.&nbsp;This website has a&nbsp;detailed [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mndougla/cemeteries.html listing] of these cemeteries and their locations in the various townships. <br>  
'''State Census'''<br>


==== Church  ====
*'''1835-1890''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3555/ , U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1835-1890] at Ancestry ($)
*'''1849-1905''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ , U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905] at Ancestry ($)
* '''1865''' {{RecordSearch|1503054|Minnesota State Census, 1865}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota State Census, 1865 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images.
* '''1875''' {{RecordSearch|1503053|Minnesota State Census, 1875}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota State Census, 1875 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images.
* '''1885''' {{RecordSearch|1503044|Minnesota State Census, 1885}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images.
* '''1905''' {{RecordSearch|1503056|Minnesota State Census, 1905}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota State Census, 1905 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images.


<br>Forty-four churches were established between 1860 and 1910 by key ethnic groups in Douglas County. These ethnic groups included Norwegian (11 churches), German (10 churches), Swedish (20 churches), Finnish (2 churches), Danish (1 church), and American/British ethnicity (8 churches).<br>  
=== Church Records ===
{{MN Church Intro|Douglas}}
*'''''[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=392834&reqParentsLabel=Douglas%2C%20Minnesota%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=3&reqTypeLabel=Churches%20and%20Church%20Parishes FamilySearch Places] '''''<br>


=== Churches founded in Douglas County between 1860 - 1910  ===
'''''Lutheran'''''
*'''1800-1988''' [http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/01009.xml Evangelical Lutheran Church of America] at [http://www2.mnhs.org Minnesota Historical Society] ($)
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at [http://www.archives.com Archives.com] ($) has the following information:
**First English Lutheran Church, Alexandria
**East Moe Lutheran Church, Garfield
**Farwell Lutheran Church
**Our Savior's Lutheran Congregation, Evansville
**Trysil Lutheran Church, Farwell
**West Moe Lutheran Church, Garfield


==== Norwegian&nbsp;Churches:  ====
'''''Churches founded in Douglas County between 1860 - 1910'''''<br>


'''''Danish Churches'''''
*Osakis Township: Danish Lutheran Church (founded 1871)
'''''Finnish Churches'''''
*Urness Township: Finnish Apostolic Church (founded 1877)
*Moe Township: St. Paul's Lutheran Church (founded 1902)
'''''German Churches'''''
*Alexandria Township: St. Mary's Catholic Church (founded 1879); Zion Lutheran Church (founded 1880)
*Carlos Township: Immanuel Lutheran Church (founded 1874)
*Belle River Township: St. Nicholas Catholic Church (founded 1870)
*Ida Township: St. John's Lutheran Church (founded 1910)
*Brandon Township: St. Ann's Catholic Church (founded 1902)
*Leaf Valley Township: Ebenezer Lutheran Church (founded 1875)
*Miltona Township: St. Paul's Lutheran Church (founded 1890)
*Millerville Township: Trinity Lutheran Church (founded 1892); Church of Seven Dolors Catholic Church (founded 1867)
'''''Norwegian Churches'''''
*Alexandria Township: First Lutheran Church (founded 1872); Bethesda Lutheran Church (founded 1907)  
*Alexandria Township: First Lutheran Church (founded 1872); Bethesda Lutheran Church (founded 1907)  
*Brandon Township: Chippewa Lutheran Church (founded 1871); Grace Lutheran Church (founded 1881)  
*Brandon Township: Chippewa Lutheran Church (founded 1871); Grace Lutheran Church (founded 1881)  
Line 67: Line 280:
*Solem Township: Solem Lutheran Church (founded 1876)
*Solem Township: Solem Lutheran Church (founded 1876)


==== Danish Church  ====
'''''Swedish Churches'''''
 
*Osakis Township: Danish Lutheran Church (founded 1871)
 
==== Finnish Churches  ====
 
*Urness Township: Finnish Apostolic Church (founded 1877)
*Moe Township: St. Paul's Lutheran Church (founded 1902)
 
==== Swedish Churches ====
 
*Alexandria Township: First Baptist Church (founded 1881); Svea (Calvary) Lutheran Church (founded 1877)  
*Alexandria Township: First Baptist Church (founded 1881); Svea (Calvary) Lutheran Church (founded 1877)  
*Osakis Township: Fahlun Lutheran Church (founded 1871)  
*Osakis Township: Fahlun Lutheran Church (founded 1871)  
Line 89: Line 292:
*Spruce Hill Township: Free Mission Covenant Church (founded 1886); Rose City Swedish Baptist Church (founded ca. 1890); Spruce Hill Methodist Church (founded 1890s); Spruce Hill Lutheran Church (founded 1876)
*Spruce Hill Township: Free Mission Covenant Church (founded 1886); Rose City Swedish Baptist Church (founded ca. 1890); Spruce Hill Methodist Church (founded 1890s); Spruce Hill Lutheran Church (founded 1876)


==== German Churches  ====
'''''Yankee and British Churches'''''
*Alexandria Township: First Methodist Church (founded 1879); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (founded 1868); United Methodist Church (founded 1867); Congregational Church (founded 1867)
*Ida Township: First Presbyterian Church of Garfield (founded ca. 1900)
*Carlos Township: Carlos Presbyterian Church (founded ca. 1900)
*Hudson Township: Free Methodist Church (founded ca. 1891); Forada Presbyterian Church (founded ca.1898)
 
=== Court Records ===
{{MN Court Intro|Douglas}}
 
=== Directories ===
{{MN Directories Intro|Douglas}}
 
*'''1800-1991''' {{FSC|1445138|item|disp=Minnesota, Douglas County, Churches by Township, 1800-1991}}(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 
=== Emigration and Immigration ===
{{MN Emigration Intro|Douglas}}
 
* '''1912-1956''' {{RecordSearch|2426329|Minnesota Passenger and Crew Lists, 1912-1956}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota Passenger and Crew Lists - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images.
 
=== Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups ===
{{MN Ethnic Groups Intro|Douglas}}
 
=== Funeral Homes  ===
{{MN Funeral Homes Intro|Douglas}}
 
*[https://www.andersonfuneral.net/ Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory] in Alexandria
*[https://www.lindfamilyfh.com/ Lind Family Funeral and Cremation Services] in Alexandria.
*[https://www.royhetland.com/ Roy-Hetland Funeral Home] in Osakis.
 
=== Genealogies  ===
{{MN Genealogies Intro|Douglas}}
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1224849?availability=Family%20History%20Library Douglas County, Minnesota family files] at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/ FamilySearch Catalog]; Scroll down to Film/Digital Notes, then select the camera icon to view images.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1445129?availability=Family%20History%20Library Minnesota, Douglas County, family files, 1700-2007] at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/ FamilySearch Catalog]; Scroll down to Film/Digital Notes, then select the camera icon to view images.
*Pottle, Beverly Campbell and Pottle, Norman; ''Some ancestors and descendants of George J. and Anna Edna (Johnson) Olson: Iowa-Minnesota;'' Online at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/154734-some-ancestors-and-descendants-of-george-j-and-anna-edna-johnson-olson-iowa-minnesota?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library].
 
=== Guardianship ===
{{MN Guardianship Intro|Douglas}}


*Alexandria Township: St. Mary's Catholic Church (founded 1879); Zion Lutheran Church (founded 1880)  
=== Land and Property Records ===
*Carlos Township: Immanual Lutheran Church (founded 1874)  
{{MN Land Intro|Douglas}}
*Belle River Township: St. Nicholas Catholic Church (founded 1870)  
 
*Ida Township: St. John's Lutheran Church (founded 1910)  
''Online Land Indexes and Records''<br>
*Brandon Township: St. Ann's Catholic Church (founded 1902)  
*'''1860-1876''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1445134?availability=Family%20History%20Library Minnesota, Douglas County land transactions, 1860-1876] at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/ FamilySearch Catalog]; Scroll down to Film/Digital Notes, then select the camera icon to view images.
*Leaf Valley Township: Ebenezer Lutheran Church (founded 1875)  
* '''Pre-1908''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2076/ , U.S., Homestead and Cash Entry Patents, Pre-1908] at [https://ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry] ($)
*Miltona Township: St. Paul's Lutheran Church (founded 1890)  
*Thomas O Nelson Co.; ''Plat book of Douglas County, Minnesota: containing plats of each township, a county road map, rural directory of farmers, and a summer resort directory;'' (Fergus Falls, Minnesota: Thomas O. Nelson Co., 1950); '''Online at:''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/131298-plat-book-of-douglas-county-minnesota-containing-plats-of-each-township-a-county-road-map-rural-directory-of-farmers-and-a-summer-resort-directory?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]
*Millerville Township: Trinity Lutheran Church (founded 1892); Church of Seven Dolors Catholic Church (founded 1867)
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Land Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]
 
 
=== Local Histories ===
{{MN Histories Intro|Douglas}}
 
* ''Douglas County Album of the Ages;'' (Douglas County Historical Society: Taylor Publishing Co., 1982); Online at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/634667-douglas-county-album-of-the-ages?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]
* Larson, Constant. ''History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Minnesota: their people, industries, and institutions;'' (Indianapolis, IN: B.F. Bowen &amp; Company, Inc, 1916); Vol 1 (historical) online at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/349886-history-of-douglas-and-grant-counties-minnesota-their-people-industries-and-institutions?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]; Vol 1 and 2 online at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/23752/ Ancestry] ($).
 
=== Maps and Gazetteers ===
{{MN Maps Intro|Douglas}}
{{MN Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{MN Douglas County}}}}
*[https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/view/search/where/Douglas%2BCounty%2B%2528Minn.%2529?q=douglas+county%2c+minnesota&sort=Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No Douglas County, MN map] at [https://www.davidrumsey.com/ David Rumsey Map Collections]
*[http://www.historygeo.com/v3/search/ Family Maps of Douglas County] (land patent maps) at [http://www.historygeo.com HistoryGeo.com] ($). Free surname search.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=392834&reqParentsLabel=Douglas%2C%20Minnesota%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=8&reqTypeLabel=Cities%20and%20Towns FamilySearch Places]: Map of cities and towns in this county - [[FamilySearch Places|How to Use FS Places]]
*Minnesota Department of Transportation, [https://www.dot.state.mn.us/maps/gdma/data/mapfinder/countyHTMLs/douglas.html Douglas County municipality and township maps]
 
=== Migration ===
{{MN Migration Intro|Douglas}}
 
=== Military Records ===
{{MN Military Intro|Douglas}}
'''''Multiple Wars'''''<br>
* '''1898-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4816/ Minnesota Volunteers in the Spanish American War and the Philippine Insurrection] at Ancestry (Free Index).
 
'''''Civil War'''''<br>
 
* '''1861-1934''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4654/ U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934] at Ancestry  (Free collection)
* '''1861-1865''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1138/ U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865] at Ancestry  (Free collection)
*'''1861-1865''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1715/ , U.S., Civil War Records, 1861-1865] at Ancestry (Free collection)
* '''1861-1865''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3729/ Minnesota Civil War Soldiers] at Ancestry (Free collection)
* '''1861-1917''' {{RecordSearch|1471019|United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Civil War and Later Pension Files Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
 
'''''Spanish-American War'''''<br>
* '''1898''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2400/  U.S., Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898] at Ancestry (Free collection)
*'''1898-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6070/ , U.S., Spanish American War Muster Rolls and Casualty Lists, 1898-1899] at Ancestry (Free index)
 
'''''World War I'''''<br>
 
* '''1917-1918''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3172/ U.S., World War I Civilian Draft Registrations, 1917-1918]  at Ancestry (Free collection)
* '''1917-1918''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6482/ U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918] at Ancestry ($)
* '''1918-1941''' {{RecordSearch|2421524|Minnesota, World War I Records, 1918-1941}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota, World War I Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]].
 
'''''World War II'''''<br>
* '''1940-1947''' {{RecordSearch|2759155|Minnesota, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1947}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota, World War II Draft Registration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images.
* '''1940-1947''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/ U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947] at Ancestry ($)
* '''1942''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1002/ U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942] at Ancestry ($)
 
=== Naturalization and Citizenship ===
{{MN Naturalization Intro|Douglas}}
 
'''''Naturalization and Citizenship'''''<br>
 
''Online Naturalization Indexes and Records''<br>
* '''1849-1985''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70800/ Web: Minnesota, U.S., Naturalization Index, 1849-1985] at Ancestry (Free Collection)
* '''1872-1962''' {{RecordSearch|2632486|Minnesota Naturalization Records and Indexes, 1872-1962}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota Naturalization Records and Indexes - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images.
*'''1880-1920''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61202/ , U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1880-1920] at Ancestry ($)
* '''1918''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70801/ Web: , U.S., Alien Registration Index, 1918] at Ancestry (Free collection)
 
=== Newspapers ===
{{MN Newspapers Intro|Douglas}}
 
* [https://newspapers.mnhs.org/jsp/browse.jsp Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub] at [https://www.mnhs.org/ Minnesota Historical Society] — narrow to county (55 listed) or city (106 listed), search for surname, limit by date.
*'''1800s-Current''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62364/ Minnesota, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 
=== Obituaries ===
{{MN Obituaries Intro|Douglas}}
*'''1860-1990''' {{RecordSearch|4373186|Minnesota, Douglas County, Obituaries, 1860-1990}} at FamilySearch - [[Minnesota,_Douglas_County,_Obituaries_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
* '''1865-2006''' {{RecordSearch|2469546|Minnesota Obituaries 1865-2006}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota, Obituaries - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images.
* '''1891-2003''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70827/ Web: Minnesota, U.S., Obituary Index, 1891-2003] at Ancestry (Free Index)
 
=== Other Records ===
{{MN Other Records Intro|Douglas}}
 
=== Periodicals ===
{{MN Periodicals Intro|Douglas}}
 
=== Probate Records ===
{{MN Probate Intro|Douglas}}


==== Yankee and British Churches  ====
''Online Probate Indexes and Records''<br>
*'''1801-1925''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9070/ Minnesota, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1801-1925] at [https://ancestry.com/ Ancestry] ($)
*'''1849-1985''' {{RecordSearch|1607922|Minnesota Will Records, 1849-1985}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota Will Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1867-1982''' {{FSC|1779404|item|disp=Minnesota, Douglas County, Will Records, 1867-1982}}(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]


*Alexandria Township: First Methodist Church (founded 1879); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (founded 1868); United Methodist Church (founded 1867); Congregational Church (founded 1867)
*Ida Township: First Presbyterian Church of Garfield (founded ca. 1900)
*Carlos Township: Carlos Prebyterian Church (founded ca. 1900)
*Hudson Township: Free Methodist Church (founded ca. 1891); Forada Presbyterian Church (founded ca.1898)


<br>
=== School Records ===
{{MN Schools Intro|Douglas}}


==== Court  ====
=== Social Security Records ===
*'''1935-2014''' {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at FamilySearch — [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index. ''Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ Ancestry], [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/social-security-death-index findmypast], [https://www.fold3.com/title/830/ Fold3], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank], [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi?s=270606331 MyHeritage], and [https://stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse].'' [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007] at Ancestry ($) — index, [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Applications and Claims Index|click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' {{RecordSearch|5000016|United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


==== Land  ====
=== Tax Records ===
{{MN Tax Intro|Douglas}}


*County Recorder has land records from the late 1800s.
=== Vital Records ===
*The government land office, headquarters for a large area of the northwest, was located in Alexandria beginning 1868.
{{MN Vital Intro|Douglas}}
*The land office moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota in 1876 because most of the land in Douglas County had either been bought or homesteaded.<br>
*The Recorder's Office at the Douglas County Courthouse, located in Alexandria, Minnesota has all the Indexes and the Land Abstracts digitized. These records extend back to the late 1860s. In order to access these records you need to tell them the address of the house or farm or else the Plat map description so that they can determine the Block and Lot numbers. Copies of the Index listings for that Block and Lot Land description as well as the matching Land Abstracts can be obtained for $.50 per page, as of 1 Nov 2011.
*The original Land Transfer Books for Douglas County (previously kept at the Courthouse) are available at the Douglas County Historical Society in Alexandria. They begin about 1869 and extend to about 1970. Information is recorded under the Township numbers and then Block and Lot numbers. The name of the last Grantee (person’s signature) and the Date of Transfer are also recorded.


==== Local Histories  ====
==== Birth ====
{{MN Birth Intro|Douglas}}


*''Douglas County Album of the Ages. ''(Douglas County Historical Society: Taylor Publishing Co., 1982)  
* '''1840-1980''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2550/ Minnesota, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1840-1980] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry] ($)
*Larson, Constant. ''History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Minnesota: their people, industries, and institutions. ''(Indianapolis, IN: B.F. Bowen &amp; Company, Inc, 1916).<br>
* '''1900-1934''' [https://www.mnhs.org/search/people Minnesota People Records Search - Births] at Minnesota Historical Society - free index, images ($)
* '''1900-1934''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10828/minnesota-birth-index-1900-1934?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=feb20historicalrecords&utm_content=feb20historicalrecords Minnesota, Birth Index, 1900-1934] at MyHeritage; index ($)
* '''1935-2000''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8742/ Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1935-2000] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry] ($)


==== Maps  ====
==== Marriage ====
{{MN Marriage Intro|Douglas}}


==== Military  ====
* '''1850-2019''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70873/ Web: Minnesota, U.S., Marriages from the Minnesota Official Marriage System, 1850-2019] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry] (Free collection)
* '''1860-1949''' {{RecordSearch|1803974|Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860-1949}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — [[Minnesota, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images
* '''1885-present''' [https://moms.mn.gov/ Minnesota Official Marriage System] at [https://moms.mn.gov/LearnMore MOMS.mn.gov]; search by county, name or date, and request copy.
* '''1970-2003''' [https://www.archives.com/genealogy/records-minnesota-marriage-index.html Minnesota Marriage Records Index, 1970-2003] at [https://www.archives.com/genealogy/ Archives] ($)
* '''1976-2003''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10210/minnesota-marriages-1976-2003?s=275764761 Minnesota, Marriages, 1976-2003] at MyHeritage; index ($)


==== Naturalization Records  ====
==== Death ====
{{MN Death Intro|Douglas}}


*[http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/SAM022.xml &nbsp;Douglas County Naturalization Records]&nbsp; 1867 to 1947
* '''1850-2001''' {{RecordSearch|2185953|Minnesota, County Deaths, 1850-2001}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota, County Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images
* '''1887-2001''' {{RecordSearch|3398461|Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001}} at FamilySearch — [[Minnesota Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images
* '''1904-2001''' [https://www.mnhs.org/search/people Minnesota People Records Search - Deaths] at Minnesota Historical Society - free index, images ($)
* '''1904-2001''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10859/minnesota-death-index-1904-2001?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=feb20historicalrecords&utm_content=feb20historicalrecords Minnesota, Death Index, 1904-2001] at MyHeritage; index ($)
* '''1908-2017''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7316/ Minnesota, U.S., Death Index, 1908-2017] at [https://ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry] ($)


==== Newspapers  ====
==== Divorce ====
{{MN Divorce Intro|Douglas}}


*Douglas County newspapers which begin in 1871 are available on microfilm for searching at the Douglas County Historical Society. They can also be obtained through Interlibrary Loan from the Minnesota Historical Society. As of 10 Nov 2011 the charge by the Minnesota Historical Society is $3.00 per microfilm. The local library requesting the microfilm may also charge an additional fee, which is usually less than $10. For a list of the Alexandria area newspapers and the years they existed, see the website of the Douglas County Historical Society. (Click on the link on this page under Societies and Libraries.)
* '''1970-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1081/ Minnesota, U.S., Divorce Index, 1970-1995] at [https://ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry] ($)
* '''1970-2003''' [https://www.archives.com/genealogy/records-minnesota-divorce-index.html Minnesota Divorce Records Index, 1970-2003] at [https://www.archives.com/genealogy/ Archives] ($)


==== Probate  ====
== Research Facilities ==
{{MN Research Facilities Intro|Douglas}}


==== Taxation  ====
=== Archives ===
{{MN Archives Intro|Douglas}}


*Personal property tax records that cover the period of about 1869 to about 1950 are available at the Douglas County Historical Society. They provide information on the property held by an individual at a specific time period and the dollar value of the property.
=== FamilySearch Centers ===
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}


==== Vital Records  ====
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/mn/alexandria/1427-lake-street Alexandria Minnesota FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/mn/st-cloud/1420-29th-avenue-north St Cloud Minnesota FamilySearch Center]
*[https://griver.org/ Great River Regional Library - multiple branches] - an affiliate library.
*[https://www.stevenshistorymuseum.com/ Stevens County Historical Society & Museum] - an affiliate library.


*County Recorder has birth, marriage, and death records from 1890
=== Libraries ===
{{MN Libraries Intro|Douglas}}


== Societies and Libraries  ==
'''Douglas County Library'''<br>720 Fillmore St<br>Alexandria, MN 56308<br>Phone: 320-762-3014<br>Email: [mailto:library@douglascountylibrary.org library@douglascountylibrary.org]<br>[https://douglascountylibrary.org/ Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/douglaslibrarymn Facebook]<br>


*[http://www.dchsmn.org// Douglas County Historical Society]
=== Museums ===
{{MN Museums Intro|Douglas}}


==== Family History Centers  ====
'''Runestone Museum Foundation'''<br>206 Broadway St<br>Alexandria, MN 56308<br>Phone: 320-763-3160<br>Email: [mailto:director@runestonemuseum.org director@runestonemuseum.org]<br>[https://runestonemuseum.org Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/KRunestone/ Facebook]<br><br>
'''Legacy of the Lakes Museum'''<br>205 3rd Ave W<br>PO Box 1216<br>Alexandria, MN 56308<br>Phone: 320-759-1114<br>Email: [mailto:museum@legacyofthelakes.org museum@legacyofthelakes.org]<br>[https://legacyofthelakes.org Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/LegacyoftheLakes/ Facebook]<br>


*[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers]]
== Societies ==
*[[Alexandria Minnesota Family History Center]]
{{MN Societies Intro|Douglas}}


== Web Sites  ==
'''Douglas County Genealogical Guild'''<br>1219 Nokomis St<br>Alexandria, MN 56308-3712<br>Phone: 320-762-0382<br>[https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mndougla/dcgs.html Website]<br><br>
'''Douglas County Historical Society'''<br>1219 Nokomis St<br>Alexandria, MN 56308-3712<br>Phone: 320-762-0382<br>Email: [mailto:historic@dchsmn.org historic@dchsmn.org]<br>[https://www.dchsmn.org/ Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/dchsmn Facebook]<br><br>
'''Evansville Historical Foundation'''<br>304 S Gran St<br>PO Box 337<br>Evansville, MN 56326<br>Phone: 218-948-2010<br>Email: [mailto:ehf@gctel.com ehf@gctel.com]<br>[https://evansvillehistory.org/ Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/www.evansvillemn.net Facebook]<br><br>
'''Osakis Area Heritage Center'''<br>11 E Main St<br>PO Box 8<br>Osakis, MN 56360<br>Phone: 320-859-3777<br>Email: [mailto:osakis@midwestinfo.com osakis@midwestinfo.com]<br>[https://nllndirectory.omeka.net/items/show/39 Website]<br><br>
'''West Central Minnesota Historical Research Center'''<br>University of Minnesota, Morris<br>600 E 4th St<br>Morris, MN 5626<br>Phone: 888-866-3382, 320-589-6172<br>Email: [mailto:grosssj@morris.umn.edu grosssj@morris.umn.edu]<br>[https://library.morris.umn.edu/collections/west-central-minnesota-historical-research-center Website]<br>


*[http://genforum.com/mn/douglas/ Douglas County, MN Genealogy Forum] (GenForum)
== Websites ==
*{{FHL|Minnesota%2C+Douglas|subject|disp=Family History Library Catalog}}  
{{MN Websites Intro|Douglas}}
*[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mndougla/ Douglas County GenWeb]
*[http://www.cyndislist.com/us/mn/counties/douglas/ Cyndi's List:&nbsp;Douglas County]


== References  ==
*[https://www.mnhs.org/ Minnesota Historical Society]
*[http://usgwarchives.net/mn/douglas/douglas.html Douglas County USGW Archives], a member of [http://usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm MN USGenWeb Archives], an affiliate of [http://www.usgwarchives.net/ USGenWebArchives].
*[http://douglas.mngenweb.net Douglas County GenWeb], a member of [http://www.mngenweb.net/counties.htm MNGenWeb Project], an affiliate of [http://usgenweb.org/about/projects.html USGenWeb Project].
*[https://www.ironrangeresearchcenter.org/ Range Research Center] The IronRange Research Center contains one of the largest collections of genealogical and local history research materials in the Upper Midwest and includes census, naturalization records, passenger arrival records, mining company newsletters, and a survey of Women in Industry taken in 1919, among many others
*[http://www.cyndislist.com/us/mn/counties/douglas/ Cyndi's List: Douglas County]
*{{FSC Place IDNum|547|Minnesota|Douglas}} – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use [https://familysearch.org/search/ Historical Records] to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.


<references />
== Research Guides ==
{{MN Research Guides Intro|Douglas}}


{{Minnesota|Minnesota}}
== References ==
<references />


[[Category:Minnesota_counties]] [[Category:Douglas_County,_Minnesota]]
{{Minnesota|Minnesota}}
[[Category:Douglas County, Minnesota]][[Category:Minnesota Counties]]

Latest revision as of 15:53, 6 May 2024

Guide to Douglas County, Minnesota ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Alexandria
Organized: July 31, 1866[1]
Parent County(s): Cass, Pembina (Extinct)[2]
Neighboring Counties
Grant • Otter Tail • Pope • Stearns • Stevens • Todd
See County Maps
Courthouse
Minnesota, Douglas County Courthouse.png
Location Map
Minnesota Douglas County Map.svg.png

County Information[edit | edit source]

Description[edit | edit source]

The county was named for Stephen Douglas, of Illinois. The county is located in the west-central area of the state.[3]

County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

Douglas County Courthouse
305 Eighth Ave W
Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-762-3022
Douglas County Website

County Recorder has birth, marriage, and death records from 1890, land records from late 1800s and military records.
Clerk of Courts has divorce, probate and court records.[4]

Douglas County, Minnesota Record Dates[edit | edit source]

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.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[5]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1890 1890 1890 1867 1862 1868 1836
*Statewide registration started for births in 1900 and deaths in 1908. General compliance by 1915.

Record Loss[edit | edit source]

1862 Records from pre-1862 were lost, except the first census of 1860.

For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:

Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]

Populated Places[edit | edit source]

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:[9]

Cities
Unincorporated communities
  • Leaf Valley
  • Rose City
Townships


History Timeline[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

Bible Records[edit | edit source]

Biographies[edit | edit source]

  • Larson, Constant. History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Minnesota: their people, industries, and institutions; (Indianapolis, IN: B.F. Bowen & Company, Inc, 1916); Vol 2 (biographical) online at FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; Vol 1 and 2 online at Ancestry ($).

Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries of Douglas County, Minnesota online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See Minnesota Cemeteries for more information.


Census Records[edit | edit source]

For links to Federal, State, and Territorial censuses, see Minnesota Census.

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1870 4,239 —
1880 9,130 115.4%
1890 14,606 60.0%
1900 17,964 23.0%
1910 17,669 −1.6%
1920 19,039 7.8%
1930 18,813 −1.2%
1940 20,369 8.3%
1950 21,304 4.6%
1960 21,313 0.0%
1970 22,892 7.4%
1980 27,839 21.6%
1990 28,839 3.6%
2000 32,821 13.8%
2010 36,009 9.7%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

State Census

Church Records[edit | edit source]

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

  • 1800-1988 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America at Minnesota Historical Society ($)
  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($) has the following information:
    • First English Lutheran Church, Alexandria
    • East Moe Lutheran Church, Garfield
    • Farwell Lutheran Church
    • Our Savior's Lutheran Congregation, Evansville
    • Trysil Lutheran Church, Farwell
    • West Moe Lutheran Church, Garfield

Churches founded in Douglas County between 1860 - 1910

Danish Churches

  • Osakis Township: Danish Lutheran Church (founded 1871)

Finnish Churches

  • Urness Township: Finnish Apostolic Church (founded 1877)
  • Moe Township: St. Paul's Lutheran Church (founded 1902)

German Churches

  • Alexandria Township: St. Mary's Catholic Church (founded 1879); Zion Lutheran Church (founded 1880)
  • Carlos Township: Immanuel Lutheran Church (founded 1874)
  • Belle River Township: St. Nicholas Catholic Church (founded 1870)
  • Ida Township: St. John's Lutheran Church (founded 1910)
  • Brandon Township: St. Ann's Catholic Church (founded 1902)
  • Leaf Valley Township: Ebenezer Lutheran Church (founded 1875)
  • Miltona Township: St. Paul's Lutheran Church (founded 1890)
  • Millerville Township: Trinity Lutheran Church (founded 1892); Church of Seven Dolors Catholic Church (founded 1867)

Norwegian Churches

  • Alexandria Township: First Lutheran Church (founded 1872); Bethesda Lutheran Church (founded 1907)
  • Brandon Township: Chippewa Lutheran Church (founded 1871); Grace Lutheran Church (founded 1881)
  • Evansville Township: Our Savior's Lutheran Church (founded 1869)
  • Moe Township: West Moe Lutheran Church (founded 1867); East Moe Lutheran Church (founded 1886)
  • Urness Township: St. Petri Lutheran Church (founded 1887)
  • Osakis Township: Our Savior's Lutheran Church (founded 1871)
  • Holmes City Township: Trysil Lutheran Church (founded 1870)
  • Solem Township: Solem Lutheran Church (founded 1876)

Swedish Churches

  • Alexandria Township: First Baptist Church (founded 1881); Svea (Calvary) Lutheran Church (founded 1877)
  • Osakis Township: Fahlun Lutheran Church (founded 1871)
  • Holmes City Township: Trinity Lutheran Church (founded 1875); Oscar Lake Lutheran Church (founded 1866); Swedish Baptist Church (founded 1904)
  • Urness Township: Fryksende Lutheran Church (founded 1877)
  • Lund Township: Christian Lake Lutheran Church (founded 1871)
  • Millerville Township (founded ca. 1880)
  • Ida Township: St. Luke's Lutheran Church (founded 1869); Ida Mission Covenant Church (founded 1889)
  • Solem Township: Wennersborg Lutheran Church (founded ca. 1879); Kensington Covenant Church (founded 1875)
  • Evansville Township: Immanuel Lutheran Church (founded 1883); Zionsborg Lutheran Church (founded 1884); Calvary Mission Covenant Church (founded 1887)
  • Spruce Hill Township: Free Mission Covenant Church (founded 1886); Rose City Swedish Baptist Church (founded ca. 1890); Spruce Hill Methodist Church (founded 1890s); Spruce Hill Lutheran Church (founded 1876)

Yankee and British Churches

  • Alexandria Township: First Methodist Church (founded 1879); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (founded 1868); United Methodist Church (founded 1867); Congregational Church (founded 1867)
  • Ida Township: First Presbyterian Church of Garfield (founded ca. 1900)
  • Carlos Township: Carlos Presbyterian Church (founded ca. 1900)
  • Hudson Township: Free Methodist Church (founded ca. 1891); Forada Presbyterian Church (founded ca.1898)

Court Records[edit | edit source]

Directories[edit | edit source]

Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]

Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]

Genealogies[edit | edit source]

Guardianship[edit | edit source]

Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]

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


Local Histories[edit | edit source]

Local histories are available for Douglas 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.

  • Douglas County Album of the Ages; (Douglas County Historical Society: Taylor Publishing Co., 1982); Online at FamilySearch Digital Library
  • Larson, Constant. History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Minnesota: their people, industries, and institutions; (Indianapolis, IN: B.F. Bowen & Company, Inc, 1916); Vol 1 (historical) online at FamilySearch Digital Library; Vol 1 and 2 online at Ancestry ($).

Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]

Otter Tail CountyTodd CountyStearns CountyPope CountyStevens CountyGrant CountyMN DOUGLAS.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration[edit | edit source]

Military Records[edit | edit source]

Multiple Wars

Civil War

Spanish-American War

World War I

World War II

Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]

Naturalization and Citizenship

Online Naturalization Indexes and Records

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Obituaries[edit | edit source]

Other Records[edit | edit source]

Periodicals[edit | edit source]

Probate Records[edit | edit source]

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


School Records[edit | edit source]

Social Security Records[edit | edit source]

Tax Records[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

Marriage[edit | edit source]

Death[edit | edit source]

Divorce[edit | edit source]

Research Facilities[edit | edit source]

Archives[edit | edit source]

Listed below are archives in Douglas County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Minnesota Archives and Libraries.

FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]

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

Libraries[edit | edit source]

Listed below are libraries in Douglas County. For state-wide library facilities, see Minnesota Archives and Libraries.

Douglas County Library
720 Fillmore St
Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-762-3014
Email: library@douglascountylibrary.org
Website
Facebook

Museums[edit | edit source]

Runestone Museum Foundation
206 Broadway St
Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-763-3160
Email: director@runestonemuseum.org
Website
Facebook

Legacy of the Lakes Museum
205 3rd Ave W
PO Box 1216
Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-759-1114
Email: museum@legacyofthelakes.org
Website
Facebook

Societies[edit | edit source]

Listed below are societies in Douglas County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Minnesota Societies.

Douglas County Genealogical Guild
1219 Nokomis St
Alexandria, MN 56308-3712
Phone: 320-762-0382
Website

Douglas County Historical Society
1219 Nokomis St
Alexandria, MN 56308-3712
Phone: 320-762-0382
Email: historic@dchsmn.org
Website
Facebook

Evansville Historical Foundation
304 S Gran St
PO Box 337
Evansville, MN 56326
Phone: 218-948-2010
Email: ehf@gctel.com
Website
Facebook

Osakis Area Heritage Center
11 E Main St
PO Box 8
Osakis, MN 56360
Phone: 320-859-3777
Email: osakis@midwestinfo.com
Website

West Central Minnesota Historical Research Center
University of Minnesota, Morris
600 E 4th St
Morris, MN 5626
Phone: 888-866-3382, 320-589-6172
Email: grosssj@morris.umn.edu
Website

Websites[edit | edit source]

Research Guides[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
  2. ↑ Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
  3. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Douglas County, Minnesota" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota accessed 12 Nov 2018
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Minnesota Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
  9. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Douglas County, Minnesota," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota, accessed 25 January 2020.
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Extinct
Counties
Major
Repositories
Online Records · National Archives at Chicago · Minnesota Historical Society · MHS Regional Centers: Central · Northeast · Northwest · Southern · Southwest · West Central · Minnesota Genealogical Society · Immigration History Research Center · Iron Range Research Center · Stearns History Museum Research Center · University of Minnesota Wilson Library · Newberry Library · Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library
Migration
Routes
References
  1. ↑ Prior to Minnesota becoming a territory much of north eastern Minnesota was in Saint Croix County (now located only in Wisconsin)

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