Minnesota Periodicals

Most family history periodicals publish transcriptions of local sources used in genealogical research. Information published in periodicals may include family histories, genealogies, historical background, maps, information about local records and archives, queries, census indexes, transcripts of family Bibles, church records, court records, cemetery records, land records, military records, obituaries, and wills. Often published by genealogical or historical societies, they typically focus on the records of a particular county, while a few may specialize in records of a particular ethnic group or religion. Among the periodicals at the Family History Library are:

Most family history periodicals include copies of local sources of genealogical value. These may include genealogies, information about local records and archives, queries, census indexes, and transcripts of family Bibles, biographies, church records, court records, guardianships, naturalizations, deed abstracts, vital records, cemetery records, land records, military records, tax lists, mortality schedules, obituaries, and wills. Some genealogical periodicals and magazines for Minnesota research are:


 * Dahlquist, Alfred J., ed. Minnesota Genealogical Journal, 1984–1987, 1992–. Published by Park Genealogical Book, P.O. 130968, Roseville, Minnesota 55113-0968. (Family History Library .) This contains extracts of early Minnesota newspapers, original records, and maps from state and county sources.
 * German Interest Group (series). [Newsletter] German Interest Group, a branch of the Minnesota Genealogical Society. 1980–1992. (Family History Library book .) In 1993 this society was renamed and started a new publication, Germanic Genealogy Society (series). [Newsletter] (Family History Library .) This newsletter describes activities of the society, tips for research, sources of records, and case studies focused on German family research.
 * Minnesota Genealogist. 1970–. Published by the Minnesota Genealogical Society, 5768 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55422-5014. Telephone: 612-595-9347 (Family History Library .) Includes cumulative indexes to 1988, and extracts of records, search strategies, case studies, and issues of interest to researchers in Minnesota records.
 * Minnesota History. 1915–. Published by the Minnesota Historical Society, 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul, Minnesota 55102-1906. (Family History Library .) There are three published indexes for this journal that are available from the Minnesota Historical Society: Volumes 1–10 (1915–1929); Volumes 11–40 (1930–1967); Volumes 41–50 (1968–1987). This journal contains articles on social, political, economic, intellectual, and cultural history of Minnesota and surrounding areas.
 * Prairieland Pioneer. 1984–. Published by the Prairieland Genealogical Society, Southwest Minnesota Historical Center, Social Science 141, Marshall, Minnesota 56258-1598. Telephone: 507-537-7373. (Family History Library .) This journal contains extracts of records and helps for doing research in southwestern Minnesota. Under this same call number, there are two indexes: one for volumes1–5, and one for volumes 6–10.
 * The Prairieland Register: Genealogical Records from Southwestern Minnesota. 1977–1983. Published by Prairieland Genealogical Society, 703 North Sixth Street, Marshall, Minnesota 56258. (Family History Library .) This journal contains extracts of records and helps for doing research in southwestern Minnesota.
 * Scandinavian Saga: A Newsletter for Members of the Scandinavian-American Genealogical Society, A Branch of the Minnesota Historical Society. 1979–, P.O. Box 16069, St. Paul, Minnesota 55116-0069. The newsletter describes activities of the society and contributions Scandinavians have made to their communities.

Indexes.
Some of the periodicals listed above have annual surname indexes in the final issue for the year. For nationwide indexes to some of these and other family history periodicals, see United States Periodicals. Also see the following:


 * Finnell, Arthur Louis. Minnesota Genealogical Periodical Index. A County Guide: Index to Periodicals through 1985. 1980. Reprint. St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Genealogical Society, 1987. (Family History Library ). An index of county records published in six Minnesota periodicals through 1985.
 * Periodical Source Index (PERSI). 31+ Volumes. Ft. Wayne, Indiana: Allen County Public Library Foundation, 1986-. (Family History Library [set of 40] (1847–1985);  [set of 15] (1986–1990).) This indexes over 1.1 million articles in over 5,000 English-language and French Canadian family history periodicals. For further instructions, see the Periodical Source Index Resource Guide (34119). For easier-to-use and more complete electronic editions of the index, see:
 * Periodical Source Index CD-ROM. Orem, Utah: Ancestry™, and the Allen County Public Library Foundation, 1997. (Family History Library compact disc no.61.) This disc does not circulate to Family History Centers. It merges all 31+ volumes into one index.
 * Periodical Source Index Search. In Ancestry.com [Internet site]. [Orem, Utah]: Ancestry, 1999. Available at: www.ancestry.com/ancestry/search/3165.htm. This online database is available only to Ancestry.com members for a subscription fee.

Once you locate an article in a periodical, check the FamilySearch Catalog and regional or local libraries for available copies.

Periodicals can be found on state, county and local levels. The Family History Library has many collected periodicals. These can be found by using a Place-name Search or a Title Search of the FamilySearch Catalog. Some periodicals may be found with a Keyword Search for the publishing society name. Societies may be also be found on state, county or local levels.

Additional resources for Illinois periodicals may be found in the Illinois-Periodical topic page of the FamilySearch Catalog. Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at Family History Centers. Also find Minnesota Periodical resources available at other libraries (WorldCat). As with the FamilySearch Catalog search, search WorldCat using society names, locality names, and periodical title names. Learn more about how to search WorldCat and the FamilySearch Catalog.

For more family history periodicals, check the FamilySearch Catalog Locality Search under:

MINNESOTA – PERIODICALS

MINNESOTA – GENEALOGY – PERIODICALS

MINNESOTA – SOCIETIES – PERIODICALS

MINNESOTA, [COUNTY] – PERIODICALS

MINNESOTA, [COUNTY] – GENEALOGY – PERIODICALS

MINNESOTA, [COUNTY] – SOCIETIES – PERIODICALS