Benton County, Minnesota Genealogy

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

Description
The County was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri. The County is located in the central area of the state.

County Courthouse
County Recorder has birth records from 1870, marriage records from 1887, death records from 1871 and land records from 1850. Court Administrator has divorce and court records from 1900 and probate records from 1850.

Parent County

 * 1849--Benton County was created 27 October 1849 from St. Croix County, Eliminated 27 Oct 1849. County seat: Foley

Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Minnesota County boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Minnesota County Boundary Maps" (1849-1960) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Record Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Cities
Foley | Gilman | Rice | Ronneby | Royalton | Sartell | Sauk Rapids | St. Cloud

Townships
Alberta Township | Gilmanton Township | Glendorado Township | Graham Township | Granite Ledge Township | Langola Township | Mayhew Lake Township | Maywood Township | Minden Township | Sauk Rapids Township St. George Township | Watab Township

Unincorporated Communities
Brennyville | Bushville | Duelm | Fruitville | Glendorado | Granite Ledge | Jakeville | Mayhew | Minden | North Benton | Novak's Corner | Oak Park | Parent | Popple Creek | Rum River | Silver Corners | Watab

Neighboring Counties

 * Mille Lacs
 * Morrison
 * Sherburne
 * Stearns

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

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1912 - 1956 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Civil War
Civil War service men from Benton County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies or regiments that were formed from men of Benton County.


 * - 7th Regiment, Minnesota Infantry, Company I.

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 $

Marriage

 * 1860 - 1949 at FamilySearch — index and images

Death

 * 1850-2001 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Societies and Libraries
Benton County Historical Society 218-1st Street North Box 426 Sauk Rapids 56379 Telephone: 320 253-9614 Website

Sartell Historical Society PO Box 1907 Sartell, MN 56377 Website 

Central Minnesota Historical Center Centennial Hall Room 148 St. Cloud University St. Cloud, MN 5630 Website

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Websites

 * Benton County, MN History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Minnesota Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Minnesota Genealogy Network Group on Facebook


 * Benton County, MN Genealogy Forum (GenForum)
 * Benton County GenWeb
 * Cyndi's List: Benton County
 * Cyndi's List: Benton County