Step-by-Step South Dakota Research, 1850-1905

Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History


 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2: Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.
Example of a census record.
 * A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
 * For each person living in a household (depending on the year), their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.
 * Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
 * Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.



Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.

 * 1860 census: Ancestry.com
 * 1870 census: Ancestry.com
 * 1880 census: Ancestry.com
 * 1900 census: Ancestry.com
 * 1910 census: Ancestry.com
 * 1920 census: Ancestry.com
 * 1930 census: Ancestry.com
 * 1940 census: Ancestry.com
 * 1950 census: NARA Index FamilySearch Images
 * Indian census rolls from 1885-1940 - for those living on Indian Reservations in the United States

South Dakota State and Territory Censuses
- For more information, see South Dakota Census and United States Census.
 * 1895 state census ($)
 * 1885 territorial census ($)
 * 1885 territorial census ($)

Step 3: Try to find additional details about your ancestors in Social Security, obituary and cemetery records online.
When a person dies, several records will be created: death certificates, Social Security records, obituaries, and cemetery records.
 * Death certificates can give birth information for people born before actual birth registration began. Death certificates frequently give the birth date and place, parents' names, and birth places of parents.


 * The Social Security Death Index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits. The index entries give the person's full birth date, last known residence, and residence at the time they first enrolled.


 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index provides information filed in the application or claims process, including valuable details such as birth date, birth place, and parents’ names.


 * Cemetery records can be as simple as the information on the headstone or, in some FindAGrave records, they can report more thorough information about birth, parents, spouses, children, and siblings.

Example of a FindAGrave cemetery record.
 * South Dakota Find A Grave.png

Death Index

 * 1879-1955 South Dakota, Death Index, 1879-1955 at Ancestry ($)

Writing for Full Death Certificates
The full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).
 * Where to Write for South Dakota Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

Obituaries and cemeteries

 * South Dakota Obituaries Help. Click here to see an example. In this site, you will select a newspaper, then select the "Obituaries" link at that newspaper. Sometimes there is a required subscription fee.
 * ObituaryLinks South Dakota, index. This site gives lots of death record "how-to" advice before you come to obituary links. Scroll down quite a way to find the obituary links. Click here to see at example.

Cemeteries

 * South Dakota Cemetery Record Search.
 * South Dakota Cemetery Records at Interment.net.
 * Findagrave.com South Dakota Cemetery Records.
 * Billiongraves.com South Dakota Cemeteries.
 * USGenWeb South Dakota Tombstone Transcription Project.
 * I Dream of Genealogy South Dakota Cemeteries

U.S. Social Security Records

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see South Dakota Obituaries and South Dakota Cemeteries.

Step 4: Search for county birth and marriage records online.
'''Vital records registration of births and marriages at the state level started in 1905. Prior to that the individual counties kept some records. The starting dates of those records vary from county to county, depending on when the county was formed.''' Example of a county birth index entry.

Online Databases
Births: Marriages:
 * 1856-1917 South Dakota, U.S., Birth Index, 1856-1917 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1843-1914 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1905-2017 South Dakota, U.S., Marriages, 1905-2017 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1843-1914 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

For Native American ancestors
If your ancestor was Native American, there are Indian Agency Microfilm numbers lead to digitized online records.
 * birth records
 * marriage records
 * death records.

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: South Dakota Counties.

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in South Dakota, see How to Find South Dakota Birth Records, How to Find South Dakota Marriage Records, and How to Find South Dakota Death Records.

Step 5: If your ancestors were German, search Germans from Russia collections online.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a mass migration from German colonies in the Black Sea region of Russia to the state of South Dakota. Most individuals of German descent in South Dakota were Black Sea Germans from Russia. You can search a fairly complete collection of the parish registers of German churches in South Dakota at the Odessa3 website of the Germans from Russia Society for births, marriages, and deaths. Click here to see a sample of the records.

Step 6: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card.



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see South Dakota Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 7: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



FamilySearch

 * 1875-1993 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images, incomplete

Dutch Reformed

 * 1639-1989 U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1701-1995 U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)

Lutheran

 * 1781-1969 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * Germans from Russia parish register collection

Presbyterian

 * 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)

Quakers

 * Quaker records : Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota Monthly Meetings, e-book.

- For help with church records kept in South Dakota, see South Dakota Church Records. To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 8: Search for wills and probate packets.

 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.

Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: South Dakota
 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Dakota Territory
 * North Dakota and South Dakota, Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1985, ($), index and images, incomplete.

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each South Dakota county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: South Dakota Counties

For more information, see South Dakota Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 9: Search land records online.
These records will give the They can contain clues to
 * names of the buyer (grantee) and seller (grantor),
 * previous or new residence of the parties to the deed
 * the date they obtained the land,
 * the description of exact location of the land, sometimes mentioning neighbors.
 * family members who shared ownership of the land,
 * sold or gave land to a child, or
 * officially witnessed the sale.

Search for any ancestor's land records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: South Dakota== Online Resources ==
 * 1788-1960s U.S. Land Patent Search at Bureau of Land Management, index and some records
 * 1820-1908 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only
 * 1861-1932 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection - images
 * 1863-1908 U.S., Homestead Records, 1863-1908 at Ancestry - index and images ($)
 * South Dakota Land Patents Database at Moody County Museum
 * Survey Plats and Field Notes at Bureau of Land Management - index
 * Land Owner Search at Historygeo.com ($), index to maps of original land owners

For more information, see South Dakota Land and Property and United States Land and Property.

Step 10: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.



South Dakota Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records
 * 1500s-1900s All U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s at Ancestry - index only ($); Also at MyHeritage; index only ($); includes those with Destination of South Dakota
 * 1821-1989 U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1895-1956 United States, Border Crossings from Canada, 1895-1956 at MyHeritage - index & images ($); includes those with Destination of South Dakota
 * 1898-1899 South Dakota State Historical Society: South Dakota State Brand Book (Index), 1898-1899
 * 1900 Little Gem Brand Book, 1900

Cultural Groups

 * 1920-1939 Germany, Bremen Emigration Lists, 1920-1939 at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of South Dakota
 * Germans Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of South Dakota
 * Italians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of South Dakota
 * Russians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of South Dakota
 * Odessa3: Germans from Russia

Passport Records Online

 * 1795-1925 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1795-1925 U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 Index and images, at Ancestry ($)

South Dakota Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * 1795-1925 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1851-1883 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1865-1972 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1918 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection — index
 * 1944-2003 U.S., Index to Alien Case Files, 1944-2003 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * South Dakota Naturalization Records Index:First Papers.
 * South Dakota Naturalization Records Index:Second Papers.
 * Name Index to Naturalization Records from Dakota Territory and South Dakota, at National Archives, Kansas City
 * South Dakota, Federal Naturalization Records, 1904-1928, index & images ($).

For more information, see South Dakota Emigration and Immigration and South Dakota Naturalization and Citizenship.

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: South Dakota; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "South Dakota" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * County and Town Histories
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "South Dakota" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use South Dakota and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections

 * County and Town Histories, South Carolina with biographies
 * Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state. J. C. Hemphill, editor-in-chief. Illustrated with many full page photo-steel engraved portraits. v. 1,
 * Vol. 2,]
 * Vol. 3
 * County and Town Histories, South Carolina, with biographies
 * Vol. 3

For more information, see South Dakota Biography.

Step 12: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.

 * Historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the area.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.


 * Find the society on the internet, and they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, one of their members can be hired to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Note: some South Dakota counties are so sparsely populated that they do not have the population to support a society.

Step 13: If your family was Native American, search Indian agency records online.

 * If your ancestor was Native American, there are Indian Agency birth records and marriage records and death records. Click on each type of record in the previous sentence for numbers of microfilm records which can be searched at the FamilySearch Library or your local FamilySearch center.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * South Dakota, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * South Dakota, United States Historical Images, Old Version

South Dakota Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in South Dakota Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the South Dakota Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * South Dakota Online Genealogy Records

Step 15: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in South Dakota.
This article focused more on South Dakota state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in South Dakota. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.