Minnesota genealogy records can help you to answer many of the questions you have about your family's history. If you are spending time working to build out your family tree, you will need to use as many resources as possible to learn about the members and their history. There are numerous resources to consider doing this with but some of the best are the most obscure. Take the time to learn about the history of your family through word of mouth first. Then, take the tidbits of information provided to search various directories and resources to determine more information. You can do this in several ways.
 

A good place to start is with the state's records. The state did take action to collect vital records early on. In fact, in 1870, it passed a law requiring the counties of each of the regions to gather the birth, death and marriage details for each person in the state as they happened. Some counties were already doing this and thus, some will have records that are much older. In 1907, the state then decided that some documentation or registration of those vital records should be kept at the state level. A new law required this in that year. Marriage documents are not kept by the state, though as only counties record these. If you are looking for any birth records from 1900 onward or death records from 1908 onward, you can write to or visit the following address:
 

Minnesota Department of Health

Section of Vital Statistics Registration

717 Delaware Street, SE

PO Box 9441

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
 

It is very important for individuals to use this as a first step in creasing Minnesota genealogy records, though. It often times will only provide basic information which may not be enough to help you to complete a thorough genealogy record of your family. There are other sources, though.

One of the options you have is to use the state's census data to help you to find property owners and family members in those years. The state participated in several of these, including the 1885 and 1895 censuses and the 1910 census. This information may help to provide you with some idea of the family member's lives.
 

Another option is to use the churches and cemeteries in the area. Some cemeteries in the region are quite old, often linked with the oldest churches in the area. These will contain a great deal of information in them that you can use. This includes information on the individual's birth, death and marriage, as well as information on their family in many cases. Next of kin information is often available through burial records. Churches often have information as well and contain family documents.
 

You can use any of these resources to help you to create thorough Minnesota genealogy records. However, the process to creating this information can be a long road. You will need to have as much information as possible in hand before you move forward with your search.

• Minnesota Genealogy