South Dakota genealogy records provide an opportunity for families to get to know their history. There is no doubt that a range of outstanding opportunities is out there to help you to build a family tree. The problem is, there is not just one source to use to gather this information. Rather, you will need to compile information from various resources and add it together to create your family tree. The more information you put together, the more likely it is you will find exactly what you are looking for.

In South Dakota, genealogy records are available through various sources. A good place to start is with the state's records. In 1905, the state began collection of the birth, death and marriage records for those who lived in the area. This information was gathered and reported to the Department of Health. This organization does have on hand a number of records from prior to this time, too, but it is not considered a complete collection of data prior to 1905. You can write to or visit the location in person to gather this information for yourself. To do so, use the following address:

State Department of Health

Center for Health Statistics

445 East Capitol

Pierre, South Dakota 57501

If you are looking for data earlier than 1905, try this resource first. Then, turn to local resources. In South Dakota, there is a strong presence of local town clerks gathering information from the occurrences happening in the city and reporting that information. The information was kept with the towns and some of the towns in the state do have a record of this information. This is available sporadically and you would need to know the city in question to find this information. That does make it more challenging.

To complete your South Dakota genealogy records, turn to other sources. For example, there are a few old cemeteries in the state. Some of them do have records on file that provide a great deal of the information you need to learn about your family's history. Cemetery records may only be very basic information if they are from the 1800's or earlier, though.

The state did participate in the 1910 Census. The Census map can provide you with information regarding the people who lived and worked in the state as well as information regarding the individual's family members, property ownership and voting rights. This information is available through the state's archives.

For more information on South Dakota genealogy records, you will need to turn to churches. The churches in the area do have a wide range of details available, including the births, deaths and marriage records for those living there. This information is considered the most complete. It is also possible to turn to Native American records to gather this information. These records can provide a range of information but they are hard to come by unless you turn to Native American Registries. The more resources you use, the more likely it is for you to create a family history that is authentic and complete.

• South Dakota Genealogy