Whether you're conducting research online or using the History Center's renowned Gale Family Library, these essential tools, materials and services will provide information and guidance.

Records & Indexes | Research Help

Records & Indexes

Historical data and primary source materials.

Search Collections

Search a wealth of records and images from MNHS collections. Includes photographs, artifacts, maps and atlases, oral histories, works of art, sound recordings and much more.

Library and Archives Catalog

Start your research with an online search of MNHS library and archival collections.

Minnesota People Records Search

Use Minnesota People Records Search to discover materials associated with a particular person or name. Includes birth, death, census, veterans graves, and Gold Star Roll records.

Digital Newspapers

MNHS provides access to hundreds of thousands of digital newspaper pages through the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub and other projects.

Archival Collection Finding Aids

Inventories that list the contents of selected archival collections.

Minnesota Place Names

Provides quick access to the stories behind the names of Minnesota's counties, cities, towns, townships, lakes and streams.

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Research Help

Tools, tips and guidance.

Research Guides by Topic

Subject guides, how-tos and other useful research resources.

Family History Guide

An essential tool for genealogists researching Minnesota family, local and state history.

Newspaper Resources

Overview of MNHS and other newspaper collections, as well as guidelines and tips for researching newspapers in the library and online.

Research Services

The Gale Family Library offers a variety of services. A fee is charged for all research performed by staff.