Skip to Main Content

Adoption Research: Overview

Overview

Finding information about adoptions can be one of the more challenging research tasks due to limited information and Minnesota Laws concerning adoption. 

If the adoption occurred 100 years ago or earlier, the information is public; if the adoption occurred less than 100 years ago the records may be restricted.

Adoption resources housed in the Minnesota Historical Society collections include: 

Court Recordsbirth records and civil case files in the records of the court where the adoption occurred
 

Orphanage Recordsadoption records pertaining to specific institutions where mothers or adopted children stayed
 

Birth Records in Minnesota People Records Search and in the records of individual counties
 

Books and Articlesabout adoption in Minnesota

Research Options

Related Research Guides & Webpages

Guide Author

Katie Jean Davey
Reference Librarian

Guide Author

Tracey Baker
Reference Librarian

MNHS Reference Staff

reading room bookshelves

 

Gale Family Library
Minnesota Historical Society Library

Located on the Second Floor of the Minnesota History Center
345 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102

Library Hours:
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday to Wednesday: Closed
 

More Information on Visiting the Library

 

Contact Us:

651-259-3300

Email Us

Visit our Main Website

Gale Family Library • Minnesota Historical Society • 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102-1906 • 651-259-3300
Hours and More InformationEmail us