South Dakota Research Tips and Strategies

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Beginning Research

Guided Research Research Strategies Record Finder

Record Types

Adoption Bible Records Cemeteries Census Church Records Correctional Institutions Court Records Crime and Punishment Directories Emigration & Immigration Funeral Homes Genealogies Land & Property Military Records Naturalization & Citizenship Newspapers Obituaries Online Collections Periodicals Probate Records Taxation Vital Records Voter Records

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Local Research Resources

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South Dakota Research Strategies

Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in South Dakota

• South Dakota Online Genealogy Records
• How to find South Dakota Birth Records
• How to find South Dakota Marriage Records
• How to find South Dakota Death Records

South Dakota Research Tips

These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in South Dakota.

• Birth information: In July 1905 South Dakota started its vital records system. The best substitute record for locating birth information is death records (the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other substitute records.
• Finding Parents: Statewide recording of deaths in South Dakota began in 1905. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. Search South Dakota death records
• Look in all censuses: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. Search U.S. Censuses.

South Dakota Record Finder

This Record Finder is designed to help you determine the best record to search for the type of information you are looking for. It is most helpful for post-1850 research.

1. What you are looking for:	2. Try these records first:	3. Other useful records
Birth information	Birth records, Death records, Obituaries, Church records	Cemeteries, Naturalization and Citizenship, Bible records, Military records (pension)
Marriage information	Marriage records, Obituaries, Bible records	Church records, Probate records, Military records
Death information	Death Records, Cemeteries, Obituaries	Probate Records, Church Records, Bible Records
Parents	Birth records, Death records, Obituaries, Census, Church records	Biography, Genealogy
Maiden name	Marriage Records, Obituaries, Probate records	Church Records, Military Records (pension)
Immigration date	Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Census	Obituaries, Biography, History
Naturalization	Naturalization and Citizenship, Census, Court Records	Voting Registers, Biography, Periodicals
Physical description	Military Records, Naturalization and Citizenship (after 1906)	Biography, History

Further South Dakota Research

For more research on South Dakota, including research at the county level, visit the South Dakota page on the Research Wiki.

Search all of the South Dakota record collections at FamilySearch.