Big Stone County, Minnesota Genealogy

Guide to Big Stone County, Minnesota ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Minnesota Online Genealogy Records

Description
The County was named for the Big Stone Lake. The County is located in the west central area of the state.

County Courthouse
County Recorder has birth, marriage and land records from 1881, divorce and court records from 1885. Court Judge has probate records.

Parent County

 * 1862--Big Stone County was created 20 February 1862 from Pierce County; eliminated 20 Feb 1862. County seat: Ortonville

Record Loss
1885 Courthouse was destroyed by fire.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Neighboring Counties

 * Grant County, South Dakota
 * Lac Qui Parle
 * Roberts County, South Dakota
 * Stevens
 * Swift
 * Traverse

Census
State Census
 * 1865 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1885 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1905 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Church
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1912 - 1956 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Maps

 * FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places


 * 1874 Map of Big Stone, Grant, Stevens, and Traverse counties at David Rumsey Map Collections

World War II

 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1872-1962 - at FamilySearch — index

Obituaries

 * 1865-2006 - at FamilySearch— index and images

Probate
Online Probate Records
 * 1801 - 1999 Minnesota Wills and Probate Records 1801-1999 at Ancestry.com — index and images $

Birth

 * 1900-1934 Minnesota, Birth Index, 1900-1934 at MyHeritage($) — index

Marriage

 * 1850-2019 WEB: Minnesota, Marriages from the Minnesota Official Marriage System, 1850-2019 at Ancestry($) — index
 * 1860 - 1949 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1976-2003 Minnesota, Marriages, 1976-2003 at MyHeritage($) — index

Death

 * 1850-2001 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1887-2001 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1904-2001 Minnesota, Death Index, 1904-2001 at MyHeritage($) — index

Societies and Libraries

 * Big Stone County Historical Society and Museum 985 US Highway 12 Ortonville, MN 56278 Phone: 320-839-3359 Website Facebook
 * Ortonville Public Library 412 NW 2nd Stret Ortonville, MN 56278 Phone: 320-8390-2494
 * Graceville Public Library 415 Studdart Avenure PO Box 457 Graceville, MN 56240 Phone: 320-748-7332

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Websites

 * Big Stone County, Minnesota at MNGenWeb
 * Big Stone County listings at Cyndi's List
 * Big Stone County listings at Cyndi's List