Researching Your Minnesota Ancestors

Postal Code:MNAbbreviation: Minn.
State Capital: St. Paul
Eastern Minnesota became Part of the United States: 1783; 1787 part of Northwest Territory.
Western Minnesota was acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. 1836: part of Wisconsin Territory.
1849 Minnesota became a territory.
Admitted as the 32nd state 1858
First mostly extant census: 1840 (some traders enumerated in 1830 Chippewa County)
Statewide birth and death records: 1900
Statewide marriage records: 1958
(Earlier vital records found in the counties)
Public land state

There is nothing more helpful that a handy reference book with information specific to the area you are researching. I've listed below those that I know about.

(find in a library) will give you a link to help you find the book in the library closest to you. Most will show libraries near Ann Arbor... to change the location, type in your zip code and you can find libraries near you.

All of the three books listed below have a small section covering each state that includes maps, historical information, vital records coverage and a bibliography of resources for that state.

1. Handybook for Genealogists ( 11th edition) (find in a library) (note: some libraries may have earleir editions; those are perfectly usable)
2. Ancestry's Redbook (you'll want the 3rd edition) (find in a library)
3. The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogical Research (find in a library)

Here are some books specific to Minnesota Research

Lind. Continuing Your Genealogical Research in Minnesota.
Warren. Research in Minnesota

* FHL Minnesota Research Outline
* Minnesota Gen Web
* ALHN Minnesota page
* Minnesota Historical Society & Archives (family history)
* Minnesota Genealogical Society
* Minnesota Genealogy Society Directory
* Minnesota Newspaper Project
* Minnesota Vital Records (official)
* Vitalrec Minnesota Page
* Minnesota Black Sheep Ancestors
* Minnesota Chruch Archives
More links:
* Rootsweb: U.S. Resources: Minnesota
* Genealink's Minnesota Page
* Access Genealogy's List of Minnesota Links
* Cyndi's List Minnesota Page