Minnesota, Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of:
 * Naturalization records
 * Tax records (to 1901)
 * Military records

Records are from the Minnesota Historical Society. Naturalization records are available from 1850 to 1950. Tax records are available from 1867 to 1900, and military records are available from 1917 to 1918.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The information in the records varies by record type, and may include:
 * The name of primary individual
 * Date and place of event
 * Age, gender, and race of individual
 * The names of parents or other family members
 * Current residence
 * Occupation
 * Names of witnesses
 * Dates documents were written and recorded
 * Description and value of property or land
 * Military information such as company, rank and service dates
 * Statistical information about members of the household

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The age of your ancestor
 * The place where your ancestor lived
 * The names of other family members

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.

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

 * Use the information found in these records to locate the family in immigration records
 * Use the information found in these records to locate the family in census records
 * Use the information found in these records to locate the family in church records
 * Use the information found in these records to locate the family in land records
 * Use the information found in these records to locate the family in additional military records
 * Use the information found in these records to locate the family in additional county and town records

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Minnesota.
 * Minnesota Guided Research
 * Minnesota Record Finder
 * Minnesota Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Minnesota Research, 1880-Present

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.