Additional years added to Birth Index

1917 to 1920 Added to Birth

Four years of records, 1917 through 1920, have been added to the Online Index to Birth Certificates. We now have more than 1 million birth records available. We're working hard to add more years. As in the past, you will be among the first to know when more data is added.

New In the Collections

A family history research tip

Here are some new items of interest to the family historian in the Minnesota Historical Society's library and archives. Not all of these records are cataloged yet, some may not appear in the online MnPALS catalog. Check with the Reference staff if you want to use any of them.

• Fillmore County District Court
  Miscellaneous record book dating from 1853-1901, including declarations of intent to become a citizen, marriage records, coroner’s inquest files (1900-1957), grand jury reports (1912-1926), ministers’ ordination credentials (1867-1868, 1875), and reports of prisoners in jail (1897-1945). Much of this information pre-dates similar records for Fillmore County and is a wonderful addition to the State Archives. It should be noted that these declarations of intent are not included on the existing microfilm of Fillmore County naturalization records and, therefore, are not included in the online or print versions of the Iron Range Research Center's naturalization indexes.

• Mankato High School student records, 1880-99

• Murray County, School District #56
  (Belfast Township, King School) records, 1883-1949
  
  
  
  

• Ramsey County Coroner
  Family historians in our Library often use coroner records regarding the deaths of ancestors and many researchers have inquired about the existence of Ramsey County coroner records. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner transferred coroner records dating from 1901 to the 1950s, and they are a welcome addition to the State Archives collection. Records include autopsy record books (1901-1908), autopsy reports (1905-1920), coroner’s record books (1921-1955) and index (ca. 1910-1959), and a photograph album of unclaimed and/or unidentified bodies (ca. 1914-1930s).

• Koochiching County Courts
  The Koochiching County courts were underrepresented in the State Archives and this acquisition helped rectify that situation. Koochiching County was established in December 1906 and these civil and criminal case files are from the earliest years of the county. District Court: civil and criminal case files (1907-1918), civil and criminal case file transcripts and exhibits (ca. 1909-1941), business name record index (1913-1978), court commissioner’s record (1917-1961), minister’s ordination record (1907-1958), oaths and bonds record for village and township officers (1907-1980); Probate Court: will records (1907-1975), and mother’s pension lists (1919-1937).
  
• Wright County Courts
  Judgment books and other court records received from Wright County continue or complement existing series already in the archives. Probate Court: judgment books (1960-1972); County Court: judgment books (1972-1982); District Court: minute book (1975-1984), coroner’s certificates register (1966-1990), land registration docket (1909-1984) and decree record (1922-1971), judgment book (1980-1982), business name certificates (1911-1978), marriage record index cards (1856-1885), naturalization index cards (ca. 1872-1940).

• Agricultural Society, Century Farm Application Forms (2004-2005) for Minnesota residents who wish to have their farms declared century farms, signifying that the farm has been in the same family for 100 or more years. The forms give biographical and genealogical information, and ownership history of the farm. Some forms include additional supporting documentation and/or reminiscences. These records continue an existing set dating back to the 1970s. This collection is cataloged in MnPALS Search for "century farm application forms".

• Olmsted County District Court
  Coroner’s inquest files (1871-1981), and civil case files exhibits (1949-1958) and transcripts (1936-1948). The State Archives has such records from about two-thirds of Minnesota's counties. This collection is cataloged in MnPALS .

Ramsey County Marriage Records

We continue to make user copies of the microfilm of Ramsey County marriage records and they are now available into June 1955. You can purchase a marriage record online.

Tracing Your Family History Class

Learn how to research your family history from the experts!

Paula Stuart-Warren will share methods for researching your family history using online resources and offline tools.

$14 for MHS/MGS members
$16 for non-members

Saturday, October 7, 2006 at the Minnesota History Center Register online.

Minnesota Court Records Class

Probate court, civil court, criminal court, justice-of-the-peace court, municipal court, district court, supreme court, appellate court-how do you ever find anything? This class will feature a history of the court system in Minnesota, what is found in the records of each type of court, and how to access and use those records. Join Duane Swanson, Government Records Specialist , and discover the variety of materials that can be accessed in the Library's collections.

$6 for MHS members; $8 for non-members

Saturday, November 11, 2006 at the Minnesota History Center
Register online.