State Archives Collection

Records added this month to the State Archives continue existing sets of records preserved in the collection; below is a fuller description of the records.  The Douglas County tax lists are useful for family and local history research, and the Faribault County court records are valuable for family history research and to protect the civil and legal rights of individuals.  Over the years State Archives staff have had an ongoing relationship with former Lt. Gov. Marlene Johnson, and recently transferred records are a welcome addition to the collection.

July 2025 Acquisitions

• Douglas County.  Auditor.  Tax lists dated 2010-2011 which continue the existing set dating from 1867.  12 boxes.
• Faribault County.  District Court.  Civil case files dated 1937-1950 which continue the existing set dating from 1858, and adoption case files dated 1881-1944.  31 boxes.
• Lieutenant Governor.  Marlene Johnson.  Notebooks dated 1975-1992, subject files dated 1978-approximately 2016, and photographs and a scrapbook dated 1981-1990.  Most of the records document Ms. Johnson’s tenure as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota and the first woman to hold the office.  The records complement the extensive set of Ms. Johnson’s records preserved in the State Archives collection.  Lt. Governor Johnson focused on strengthening and expanding the state’s connections with the rest of the world in trade, tourism, education and the arts.  She was a particularly outspoken advocate of international educational exchange at the secondary and post-secondary level.  2 boxes.

Records added this month to the State Archives collection document important government functions, and will be valuable for a variety of research topics.  The records complement existing sets of records in the collection.

• Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Agendas and minutes dated October 2014-February 2025, chronological file (correspondence) dated 2014-2024, Olmstead Subcabinet meeting packets dated 2021-2023, newspaper clippings dated 1968, 1981-2025, and published records and reports dated 2002-2024.  Continue the Council’s records that date from 1973.  According to the Council’s mission statement, it promotes the development of a consumer and family-centered comprehensive system and coordinates an array of culturally competent services;  supports and provides assistance designed to achieve independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion into the community for individuals with developmental disabilities.  4 boxes.
• Ramsey County.  Saint Paul:  Mayor.  Photograph album:  sister city Lawaaikamp, South Africa, July-December 1989. Black and white, and color photographs documenting the City of St. Paul’s support of its sister city, Lawaaikamp, and its resistance to the forced removal of Lawaaikamp residents from their homes and the support of the anti-apartheid movement. Depicts the sending off ceremony for the trip to Lawaaikamp by St. Paul Council member Don Wilson and Rev. Oliver White; meetings with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the George Civic Association, Black Sash members, the Southern Committee Against Removals (SCAR), public officials and residents; locations include Johannesburg, Kleinskool, Lawaaikamp, Potsdam, Sandkraal, Soweto and Thornehill.  Also, depict scenes of the trip’s return ceremony of Mr. Wilson and Rev. White, the trip celebration at the  Martin Luther King Center, and a press conference, with St. Paul high school and Pilgrim Baptist Church Academy students present, celebrating the forestalling of the forced removal.  Complements existing sister city files in the State Archives and Manuscripts collection.  1 box.
• Zoological Board.  Files of Board Chair Patricia Davies, dated 1976-1987, 1999; annual report dated 2005; published records and reports dated 1985-1986, 2002.  Complements Board records dating from 1969. 1 box.  

Records added this month to the State Archives document a number of different functions and will be useful for a variety of research topics including services provided to Minnesota’s senior citizens, local and family history, and delivery of public education services in rural Minnesota.

• Aging Board.  Program operations committee meeting files dated 1995-2001.  Complement other records dating from the 1950s of the Aging Board which was previously known as the Governor's Citizens Council on Aging and the Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans.
• Isanti County.  Independent School District No. 314 (Braham).  Community task force records (meeting minutes, reports, correspondence) dated 1982-1983, and school board agenda packets dated July 1983-June 1992.  Complement an existing set of records, dating from 1922, of the school district.
• Itasca County.  Sheriff.  Jail register dated 1893-1896. 

Records added this month to the State Archives document rather unique functions and activities, and are welcome additions to the collection.  In 2000 the state legislature commissioned the Electronic Real Estate Recording Task Force which was authorized to establish statewide standards for electronic real estate recording in Minnesota. The task force reported annually to the Minnesota State Legislature. In addition, the task force had the authority to appoint subcommittees. The task force's authority ended in 2008; its work was transferred to the Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission.  State Archivist Shawn Rounds, as a permanent member of the Commission, transferred meeting files dated 2021-2024, which continue the existing set of records.

The Technology and Information Educational Services (TIES) was a consortium of 48 school districts that provided student and financial data processing services.  It was originally established in 1967 as the Minnesota School Districts Data Processing Joint Board, and dissolved in 2018.  Included in the donation of records (dated 1967-1018) are governance documents and building purchase documents.

• Legislature.  Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission.  Meeting files, 2021-2024.  The Commission did not meet in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic.  1 folder.
• Technology and Information Educational Services records dated 1967-2018.  7 folders.

A wide variety of functions and topics, useful for a breadth of research topics, are represented in records added to the State Archives this month.  The tribal relations files received from the Natural Resources Department are especially valuable because of the content, comprehensiveness and lengthy date span.  The other records continue existing record series, many dating from the 1970s, preserved in the State Archives.

• Agricultural Society.  Century farm applications, dated 2025, which continue a set dating from 1976 http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00094.xml.  The applications will be digitized and posted online.  3 folders.
• Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board.  2021 terminated campaign finance files for principal campaign committees, political committees and funds; economic interest statements for 2021 public officials terminations; annual report dated FY 2020; lobbyist summary dated 2021; campaign finance summaries dated 2019-2020.  Continue existing records series dating from the 1970s. The Board, the first of its kind in the nation, was originally known as the Ethical Practices Board.  7 boxes.
• Legislative Auditor.  Audit reports of the Financial Audits Division, program evaluation reports of the Program Evaluation Division, and a special review report; dated 2024-2025.  Continue existing record series dating from the 1970s.  1 box.
• Municipal Board.  The Board acts on all boundary adjustments between a city and the adjacent land, and rules on incorporations of cities.  The function is now managed by the Municipal Boundary Adjustment Unit of the Office of Administrative Hearings.  Annexation files dated 2012-2021, detachment files dated 2012-2021, incorporation files dated 2014-2021, and orderly annexation files dated 1972-2021.  Orderly annexations are a different type of annexation involving joint agreements between cities and townships. The Board first started doing orderly annexations in the early 1970s; these files started out as regular annexations but the cities and townships settled their dispute by doing an orderly annexation agreement.  The files continue record series dating from the 1950s.  Municipal Board agency history.  98 boxes.
• Natural Resources Department.  Tribal relations files dated approximately 1978-2013.  Documents gathered from several Natural Resources Department offices concerning a wide variety of interactions between the Department and Minnesota’s tribal bands;  transferred by the Department’s library.  Included are legal documents, memos, correspondence, news releases, meeting minutes, reports; and copies of news clippings, case law, treaties, and U.S. House and Senate proceedings.  The copies of case law, treaties, and U.S. House and Senate proceedings may be dated earlier than 1978, with some documents dating from 1842.  A spreadsheet listing the documents accompanied the records and will be posted when the records are cataloged allowing easier access to the records.  8 boxes.

Ramsey County. District Court. Coroner’s certificates dated 1970-1981 (incomplete) which continue an existing set of records dating from 1901. Information includes name, cause of death, location of the deceased, and corresponding civil case file number. These records are useful for family history research, and the State Archives collection preserves similar records for most of Minnesota’s 87 counties. 4 boxes.

A variety of research topics and important Minnesota government functions are represented in records added this month to the State Archives collection.  The Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design Board transferred records dated 1921-2015;  the records complement a set of the Board’s records dating from 1921 preserved in the collection.  The Board regulates the professions, as noted in the Board’s name, and enforces Minnesota statutes and rules to protect the health, safety and welfare of the Minnesota public.  The records are also useful for family history research.

The family of Thaddeus Surber, via staff at the Natural Resources Department/Fisheries Section regional office in New Ulm, transferred records of Mr. Surber, who was a zoologist and ichthyologist, managed the Duluth hatchery for the period 1914-1916 as well as other state hatcheries. The Game and Fish Department was a predecessor of the Natural Resources Department.  Mr. Surber was also a biologist and Superintendent of Fish Propagation for the Department for the period 1917-1937.  Topics in the records include hatcheries’ statistics, commercial fishing, fish culture, and an extensive report about the Pine County lakes, streams and birds written by Mr. Surber in 1918-1919.  The records are valuable to document how the state has protected Minnesota's natural environment which is a collecting priority of the State Archives.

Minnesota has been a leader in promoting and supporting charter schools but, unfortunately, they often have to close for a number of reasons.  Soon after closing in 2024, staff of the SAGE (Students Achieving Global Excellence) Academy charter school transferred administrative files (undated, 2001-2004), including awards and certificates, bylaws, financial reports and management letters, and related records.  Located in Brooklyn Park, the charter school opened its doors in 2002 with the purpose to create a new type of high school, focused on diversity and global education, to serve the community.  The school  provided a personalized learning experience founded in experimental learning.   The records are useful to help document the functioning of charter schools, and for the history of education in Minnesota.

• Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design Board.  Records dated 1921-2015, including registers of certified professionals (1967-1993), lists of registrants (1921-1949, 1993-2005), subject files (1921-1996), published reports and records (1955-2015).  3 boxes.
• Game and Fish Department.  Records of Thaddeus Surber, undated and 1918-1933, including correspondence and subject files.  1 box
• Hennepin County. Students Achieving Global Excellence (SAGE) Academy charter school administrative files, undated, 2001-2004.  1 box.

Many of the records added this month to the State Archives collection are valuable for  family and local history research, and always of great importance for genealogical  research are vital records.  Records received from the Olmsted County History Center (OCHC) include birth and death records (dated 1871-1940) for the City of Rochester, the Village of Stewartville (1930-1943), and Haverhill Township (1880s-1921).  The City of Rochester and Haverhill Township records complement existing records preserved in the collection.

Also received from the OCHC are postcards dated approximately 1905-1920, and addressed to Dr. Arthur Kilbourne or Dr. Laura Linton at the Rochester State Hospital.  The postcard messages inquire about the condition and status of patients residing at the hospital, noting presents or packages being sent separately, thanking the doctors for their care of former patients, and general greetings.  The postcards give a glimpse of the concerns and inquiries the patients’ families made about persons residing at the hospital, and complement other records of the Hospital which is well-documented in the collection.

Useful for determining the general topography and street elevations in the City of St. Paul are street profile maps which are undated, but probably date from the 1880s.  The maps illustrate, in a sense, “the lay of the land” early in the history of the downtown area’s development and growth.

The Accountancy Board transferred records which help document its functions of protecting the public through the regulation of the accounting practice, ensuring standards of competency, and enforcing the laws, rules and standards governing the accountancy practice.  The records complement other records of the Board in the collection.

• Accountancy Board.  Register of certified public accountants dated 1909-1976, receipt and disbursement registers dated 1910-1976, and a list of certified public accountants dated 1980-1981.  1 box.
• Olmsted County.  Birth and death records dated 1871-1943.  9 boxes.
• Ramsey County.  St. Paul (city).  St. Paul street profile maps, undated [approximately 1880s).  29 oversize sheets.
• Rochester State Hospital.  Postcards dated approximately 1905-1920.  1 folder.

Many of the records added this month to the State Archives collection are valuable for family and local history research. The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County transferred records of Kurtz Township, dated 1892-1977, including town record books/clerk’s books, treasurer’s books, road record book, birth and death records, and other records. The historical society also transferred McDonald Home Hospital (Barnesville) registers dated 1931-1939. The maternity hospital registers inter-file with the existing set of maternity hospital registers, dated 1918-1958, preserved in the State Archives collection. And the City of Maple Lake (Wright County) transferred justice court dockets dated 1888-1939 and 1959, and birth and death records dated 1893-1953.

Important functions of Minnesota state government are documented with the transfer of House of Representatives House Bills dated 2021-2022; the house bills continue the existing set dating from 1957. The Revisor of Statutes transferred rules and regulations (photocopies), dated 1945-1980, concerning the Social Security Department/Social Welfare Division, and its successor the Public Welfare Department. The records complement the Secretary of State’s set of rules and regulations, dated 1933-1991, preserved in the State Archives collection.

• Clay County. Kurtz Township. Records dated 1892-1977. 2 boxes.
• Health Department. Hospital Services Division. McDonald Home Hospital (Barnesville) registers dated 1931-1939. 1 box.
• Legislature. House of Representatives. House bills dated 2021-2022. 57 boxes.
• Revisor of Statutes. Rules and regulations (photocopies) dated 1945-1980. 2 boxes.
• Wright County. Maple Lake (village/city). Records dated 1888-1959. 1 box.

Primary sources valuable for conducting family and local history research are a strength of the State Archives collection, and records added this month are welcome additions.

• Clay County. Auditor. Tax lists dated 2000-2001. The records continue the existing set http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00372.xml, dating from 1872, preserved in the State Archives. 15 boxes.
• War Records Commission. World War I soldiers’ photographs dated 1916-1940. Over 400 black and white photographs that inter-file with the existing set of photographs preserved in the collection http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00131.xml. The photographs include the geographic location where the enlistment occurred and, often, biographical information can be found on the reverse of the soldier’s photographs. Once the photographs are cataloged, they will be digitized by our archival digitization staff and included with the existing set of photographs available online. 2 small boxes.

Collecting and preserving local government records with permanent historical value is a strength of the State Archives collection, and records added this month enhance that strength. The transferred records will be especially useful for local and family history research.

The Cottonwood County Recorder transferred permanent pupil cards (dated 1916-1960s) and pupil census cards compiled in the 1960s of the now defunct county Superintendent of Schools; complement other records of the office preserved in the State Archives collection. Also transferred are birth, death and marriage records (dated 1946-1981) on microfilm (positive use copies and duplicate negatives). The Royalton Township (Pine County) Clerk transferred burial and corpse transportation permits dated 1907-1949 and 1959; complement the township’s birth and death records, dated 1880-1953, preserved in the collection. And the Grey Cloud Island Township (Washington County) Clerk transferred planning commission meeting minutes dated 2001-2022; complement the township’s records, dated 1899-2022, preserved in the collection.

Programmatic evaluation reports and financial audits (dated 1977-2023) of the Office of the Legislative Auditor preserved in the collection are valuable for documenting key functions, policies and activities of Minnesota state government. The Office transferred correspondence of the Legislative Audit Commission chairs, dated 1984-2016, that complement these records.

• Cottonwood County. Permanent pupil cards (dated 1916-1960s) and pupil census cards compiled in the 1960s of the now defunct county Superintendent of Schools. Birth, death and marriage records (dated 1946-1981) on microfilm. 5 boxes.
• Legislative Audit Commission. Correspondence of the Legislative Audit Commission chairs dated 1984-2016. 1 folder.
• Pine County. Royalton Township. Burial and corpse transportation permits dated 1907-1949 and 1959. 1 folder.
• Washington County. Grey Cloud Island Township. Planning Commission meeting minutes dated 2001-2022. 1 folder.

Records added this month to the State Archives collection are useful to document a number of important state and local government functions, and also are valuable for family and local history research. The City of Maple Plain transferred village/city council minute books dated 1912-2012; planning commission minute books dated 1962-2012; civil and criminal docket books dated 1929-1962; birth and death records dated 1907, 1912-1952; village treasurer and village clerk financial records dated 1912-1946; ordinance record dated 1912-1983. These are the first records the State Archives has received from the city, and are valuable for local and family history research.

Staff of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System transferred Board of Trustees minutes, dated July 1995-December 2008, which continue a set of minutes of the now defunct State University Board. Also, State Board of Vocational-Technical Education minutes dated August 1983-June 1995 which fill in gaps and complement the existing set of minutes in the State Archives. The law creating the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1991 and went into effect July 1, 1995. The law merged the state's community colleges, technical colleges and state universities into one system. Instead of three separate governing boards and three chancellors, there is now one board and one chancellor for the entire system. Valuable for documenting the governance of the state colleges and universities system, these records are a welcome addition to the State Archives.

Natural Resources Department staff transferred off highway vehicle (OHV) management program files, dated 1977-2012 (bulk dated 1999-2012), concerning the regulation and use of all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, dirt bikes and other off highway vehicles on state forest lands and other public lands. Include correspondence, memoranda, reports and white papers, planning and development documents, position papers, newspaper clippings (photocopies), maps, and legal documents (copies). A collecting priority of the State Archives is documenting how the State of Minnesota protects the natural environment, and these records help fulfill that priority.

MNHS Development and Membership Department staff coordinated the donation of records of the Horace Mann School and Edgcumbe School (St. Paul School District) which include scrapbooks, class photographs and PTA Board meeting minutes dated 1931-2007. The records complement existing records of the two schools preserved in the State Archives. The Steele County District Court transferred corpse transportation permits, dated 1957, for remains of soldiers who died outside of Minnesota and returned home for reburial. Also, an Ellendale Township burial permit dated 1948, and Owatonna (city) burial permits dated 1946-1953. The corpse transportation permits filed with the District Court complement similar permits (dated 1948-1949) for the remains of soldiers who died overseas during World War II, and the burial permits for the City of Owatonna complement the the city’s set of birth and death records (dated 1871-1953) preserved in the State Archives. These records will be useful for local and family history research.

August 2024 Acquisitions

• Hennepin County. Maple Plain (village/city). Records, dated 1907, 1912-2012. 4 boxes.
• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Minutes dated 1983-2008. 2 boxes.
• Natural Resources Department. Trails and Waterways Division. Off highway vehicle management program files, dated 1977-2012 (bulk dated 1999-2012). 1 box.
• Ramsey County. Independent School District No. 625 (St. Paul). Horace Mann School scrapbooks, and subject files including class photographs dated 1931-2007. Edgcumbe School records, dated 1931-1975, including PTA board meeting minutes, class photographs and scrapbooks. 8 boxes.
• Steele County. District Court. Burial and corpse transportation permits dated 1946-1953, 1957. 5 folders.