North Dakota, Red River Valley Genealogical Society, Pioneer Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains an index and images of a Pioneer biography file name index compiled by the Red River Valley Genealogical Society in Fargo, North Dakota. Records include names of individuals and often includes birth date and places, as well as information about spouses.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Cemetery Records may include:
 * Name
 * Occupation
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Death date

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * Approximate date of birth
 * Resident city of ancestor

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Look at the actual image of the record, if you can, to verify the information and to find additional information.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information found in the record to locate the death record
 * Search for vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Search for an obituary in a local newspaper
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records, or to find additional family members in census records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of North Dakota.
 * North Dakota Guided Research
 * North Dakota Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step North Dakota Research, 1893-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Biography of early settlers of North Dakota
 * Historical data project; pioneer biography files
 * Pioneer mothers project records, ca. 1938-1953 and n.d.

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * North Dakota Census, 1925
 * North Dakota Census, 1915
 * North Dakota, County Marriages, 1872-1958

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.