Minnesota, Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1816-1990.

Index to selected birth and baptism records. We do not have legal rights to publish the images associated with these indexed records.

Record Content
Birth and baptism records may contain the following information:
 * Birth date and place
 * Name at birth
 * Parents’ names and ages
 * Parents’ birthplace
 * Possibly other relatives
 * Race and gender

How to Use the Record
This section provides information on how to search the collection, what to do with information once found, some tips on how to find records, and what to do if no record is found.

When searching: As you are searching, it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, estimated birth year, and family relationships.

Search the Collection
To search by index: Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

Using the Information

 * Use the indexed birth and/or baptism information to obtain a copy of the original birth certificate.
 * Use the parents’ ages to calculate birth date.
 * Use the parent place of birth and estimated birth date to locate birth certificate.
 * Look at “other relatives” listed on index to find grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived nearby.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Search the records of nearby localities (or military units, counties, parishes, etc.).

General Information about These Records

 * Physical description or format of the original material
 * History of the record
 * Why the record was created
 * Reliability of the information in the record
 * Percentage of the population covered in the record
 * Preservation quality of the record

Related Websites

 * Minnesota Birth Certificate Index 1900-1934. There are approximately 2700 records indicated as "Pre 1900". Delayed and supplemental filings have been added. These include Pre-1900 records.
 * Minnesota Church Records Database

Related Wiki Articles

 * Minnesota Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Minnesota Church Records
 * Minnesota Vital Records
 * Minnesota

Citations for This Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually. Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):