Minnesota Genealogical Records

Minnesota Birth & Baptism Records

Minnesota Birth Index (1935-2002)

An index to almost 4.3 million births recorded by the state, includes name, date ane place of birth, parents' names and a reference to order a full birth certificate.

Minnesota Births and Christenings (1840-1980)

An index to over 1.2 million birth and baptism records, which may record name, gender, date and place of birth, race, parents' names and parents' places of birth. The index can be used to locate original records, which may include further details.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US Consular Reports of Births (1910-1945)

An index to and images of 36,000 birth records for children of US citizens registered abroad. Records contain child's name, date and place of birth, parents' names and ages, occupations, residence, passport numbers, consulate where registered, parents' naturalization dates, parents place of of birth and number of living children to the parents.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

Minnesota Marriage & Divorce Records

Minnesota County Marriages (1860-1949)

Digital images of various marriage documents that may list parents' names. Searchable by a name index.

Minnesota, Divorce Index (1970-1995)

An index to around 365,000 divorces, including the names of the husband and wife, their ages, date of divorce and county of divorce. The index can be used to locate further records.

Minnesota Marriage Collection (1958-2001)

An index to 2.7 million marriages, including names, ages and a reference to order a full marriage record, which will contain further details.

Minnesota Marriages (1849-1950)

An index to over 440,000 marriage records. The index may include ages and can be used to locate original records, which may contain further information.

Instant Checkmate (1980-Present)

A collection of billions of records on American citizens and residents. Includes records for addresses, phone numbers, voting, foreclosure, criminal activity and arrests, business affiliations, dates of birth, property, tax, weapon and hunting permits, vehicle ownership, marriages, divorces and more.

Minnesota Death & Burial Records

Minnesota Death Index (1908-2002)

An index to over 2.93 million deaths recorded in Minnesota. It may include name, date of birth, date and county of death, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a full death certificate.

Minnesota Death Records (1866-1916)

Transcripts of 385,000 death records, which may include date and place of death, gender, age and parents' names. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further information.

Minnesota Deaths and Burials (1835-1990)

An index to over 1.4 million deaths and burials, which may include name, gender, date and place of death, age, marital status, spouse's name and parents' names.

United States Social Security Death Index (1962-Present)

An index to over 93 million people whose death has been recorded by the Social Security Administration. It includes date of birth, date of death, last place of residence and other details. It can be used to located other records, such as death certificates, which will provide more information.

US Mortality Schedules (1849-1886)

Details of over 1.6 million people who died between 1849 and 1886. Entries may list name, gender, colour, marital status, place of birth, occupation, cause of death and more.

Minnesota Census & Population Lists

1905 Minnesota State Census (1905)

Images of schedules listing inhabitants of the state, including their name, address, gender, age, colour, place of birth, parents' places of birth, length of residence and occupation. The schedules can be searched by an index of 1.975 million names.

1895 Minnesota State Census (1895)

Images recording almost 1.6 million inhabitants of the state, arranged by household. Includes name, age, gender, colour, place of birth, length of residence, occupation, length of employment and other details. Entries can be located by a name index.

1885 Minnesota State Census (1885)

Digital images of schedules recording over 1.1 million inhabitants of the state, arranged by household. They list name, age, gender, colour, place of birth, details of parents and disabilities. Searchable by a name index.

1875 Minnesota State Census (1875)

Digital images of schedules recording over 600,000 inhabitants of the state, arranged by household. Includes name, age, gender, race, nativity and parents' nativity. Searchable by a name index.

1865 Minnesota State Census (1865)

An index to and images of schedules recording around 250,000 inhabitants of the state, arranged by household.

Newspapers Covering Minnesota

Minnesota Newspaper Headline Index (1825-1950)

An index to over 30,000 newspaper articles published by twenty-five newspapers published in Minnesota. The index contains births, marriages and deaths.

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

Newspapers.com (1728-Present)

A growing collection of text-searchable, digitalised newspapers from the United States of America. Contains thousands of titles and over 100 million pages.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Minnesota Wills & Probate Records

Minnesota Wills & Probate Records (1801-1925)

An index to and images of more than 680,000 wills and probate documents. They typically record details of the deceased's relatives; and sometimes describe real and personal property, sentiments, convictions, intended places of burial and more.

Minnesota Will Records (1849-1985)

Name indexes of the Probate Court will books for the counties of the state and territory of Minnesota.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. I (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. II (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Minnesota Immigration & Travel Records

Minnesota Naturalisation Card Index (1930-1988)

Cards recording the issuance of naturalisation certificates.

New York Passenger and Crew Lists (1909-1957)

Digital images of registers recording the arrival of passengers and crew at New York harbour. Varying details are included, such as name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, race, last place of residence, intended place of residence and more. The registers can be searched by a name index of over 28 million names.

Canada-US Border Crossings (1895-1956)

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border. It may include name, age, date and place of birth, gender, ethnicity/nationality, names of friends and relatives and more.

San Francisco Passenger Lists (1893-1953)

Name index and images from passenger lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. Records details, such as place of birth and occupation of around 3 million people.

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (1892-Present)

Images of passenger and crew lists, searchable by an index of more than 51 million names. Lists may contain details such as age, gender, place of origin, occupation and much more.

Minnesota Military Records

Minnesota Civil War Records (1861-1865)

Periodic rolls recording the names of men enlisted in Minnesota units during The Civil War. Records may contain name, age or birth year, date and place of enlistment, regiment, birthplace, occupation, rank, physical description and residence.

Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records (1869-1940)

Membership records of the Minnesota Department Grand Army of the Republic. An organisation of Union army and navy veterans of the Civil War. The collection consists of registers, lists, adjutant and quartermaster reports and and descriptive books of local post (chapters) Records include town of residence, military unit, date of enlistment, date of discharge, age and birthplace.

Minnesota Civil War Soldiers (1861-1865)

A list of nearly over 26,000 men inducted into the army for Civil War Service. Records contain soldier's name, rank, induction date, discharge date, residence and age when inducted.

Minnesota Census & Substitutes Index (1835-1890)

An index to tax lists from the 1830s, the 1850 territorial census, several federal censuses and the 1890 veterans schedule.

MN Spanish-American War Musters & Casualty Lists (1898-1899)

This database includes muster-in and muster-out rolls for the four Minnesota regiments that served in the Spanish-American War: the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th regiments. Some field returns and casualty reports are also included.

Minnesota Indian Allotment Records (1888-1919)

This collection contains allotment records for Native Americans in Minnesota. The records may include names (English, Indian, or both), date of application, age, name of child if applying for a minor, tribe, location and or description of land, and gender.

US Passport Applications (1795-1925)

Digital images of applications for passports, which list name, date and place of birth, father's particulars, immigration and naturalisation details, residence, occupation, photograph and more. Searchable by a name index.

US Social Security Applications & Claims Index (1936-2007)

An index to 49 million applications and claims for social security. The index includes name, SSN, date and place of birth, nation of citizenship, gender, father's name, mother's maiden name and race.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Pension Office Correspondence (1889-1904)

Name index and images of the name and subject index to correspondence of the Records and Pension office. Searchable by an index of almost 800,000 names.

Minnesota Taxation Records

Minnesota Census & Substitutes Index (1835-1890)

An index to tax lists from the 1830s, the 1850 territorial census, several federal censuses and the 1890 veterans schedule.

IRS Tax Assessment Lists (1862-1918)

An index to and digital images of registers recording 8.8 million instances of taxation. The records list the name of the person or business being taxed: their address and details tax assessed and paid.

Minnesota Land & Property Records

US General Land Office Records (1796-1907)

An index to and digital images of 2.2 million land patents, primarily cash and homestead, from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Minnesota Homestead & Cash Entry Patents (1770-1908)

Documents recording land transfers. The records contain names, acreages, signatures, dates, mineral rights, bounds, descriptions of land and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Union Army Provost Marshals' Papers (1861-1867)

Over 235,000 documents relating to Union prisoners, legal proceedings, oaths, land forfeitures and more.

Minnesota Directories & Gazetteers

Minnesota State Gazetteer & Business Directory (1878)

A text index linked to digital images of a book that lists important information about the area and the names of its residents and businesses.

Minnesota State Business Directory (1873)

A searchable book containing information relating to the area, its residents and businesses.

Merwin's Business Directory of Minnesota (1869)

A searchable book containing information relating to the area, its residents and businesses.

Minnesota Gazetteer & Business Directory (1865-1872)

A text index linked to digital images from books that list important information about the area and the names of its residents and businesses.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

Minnesota Cemeteries

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index (1858-2000)

An index to around 600,000 names on gravestones in the state.

Minnesota Gravestones (1800-Present)

A growing database of over 100 gravestones, searchable by name and organised by cemetery.

US Veteran's Gravesites (1775-2008)

A database containing details of the burial of 7.6 million US military veterans. Entries may contain details of birth, next of kin and more.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

Minnesota Obituaries

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Obituary Collection (1700-Present)

A growing database containing 10s of millions of abstract obituaries with a reference to the publication it occurred in and a link to the full obituary if available online.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

Daily Obituary Digest (1995-Present)

A growing index to more than 16 million obituaries, citing name, age, residence and source publication.

Minnesota Histories & Books

The History of Minnesota (1873)

A history of the state, covering its topography, climate, Indians, trade, war, government and more.

Statistics of the State of Minnesota (1884)

An overview of agricultural statistics, demographics with breakdowns by county.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Mary Evans Picture Library (2000 BC-Present)

A database of over 300,000 photos, etchings, engravings and other mediums depicting places and events in the British Isles and the rest of the world.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Minnesota School & Education Records

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

A growing index to over 300 million entries in middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks linked to digital images of the yearbook pages. Yearbooks usually include name and photo, but may include biographical data, such as family relations, academic achievements and hobbies.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

An index to and digital images of over 20,000 year books, listing details of schools, students and staff. Many contain photographs.

US School Catalogues (1765-1935)

A variety of publications listing names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with US universities, seminaries and theological institutes, normal schools, medical schools, academies, military schools, etc. Records include catalogues, obituary records and necrologies, class histories, speeches and addresses, commencement exercises, class reports, registers, prospectus, circulars, proceedings, annual reports, magazines and other documents.

High School Student Lists (1821-1923)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated primarily with preparatory and similar schools, including academies, high schools, seminaries, reform schools, institutes, industrial schools, military academies, dance schools, grammar schools, Latin schools and others. Searchable by an index of around 650,000 names.

US College Student Lists (1763-1924)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of college students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with places of learning. They include catalouges of students and officers, histories, biographical sketches, retrospectives, memorials, registers, anniversary books, annual reports, addresses and commencement exercises, alumni lists, lists of lectures and courses, board proceedings, catalogues of fraternity members, and other items.

Minnesota Occupation & Business Records

Northern Pacific Railway Company Personnel Files (1890-1960)

An index to and digital images of company correspondence, job history, salary and promotion documents, leaves of absence and more.

Minnesota Railroads (1849-1875)

A series of articles detailing the situations of railroads in the state's early history.

Minnesota Crew Lists (1929-1956)

An index to and digital images of lists recording crew arriving on vessels at Minnesota ports. Includes names, age, gender, nationality, residence, date and place of birth, ports of arrival and departure, date of arrival and name of carrying vessel.

Chicago & North Western Railroad Employment Records (1935-1970)

An index to and images of records detailing around 10,000 employees of the line. Records may list name, occupation, address, SSNs, dates of birth, dates of death, parents' names and more.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Minnesota

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (1620-1938)

Pedigrees of women who were descendants of one or more servicemen of The American Revolutionary War. Contains 100,000s of names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Families in the US (1600-1920)

Genealogical charts, and coats of arms where appropriate, of prominent families in America's early history.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

Minnesota Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

History of England Society & Government (56 BC-1867)

A lengthy history of England detailing the country's connection to the U.S.A. Includes much detail on royalty, nobility and other historical figures of note.

Minnesota Church Records

US Quaker Meeting Records (1681-1935)

An index to and digital images of documents recording almost 6 million names. They include registers of births, marriages and deaths; lists of members; movement of members between congregations; records of discipline; disownment; burials and more.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Index to Quaker Records (1680-1940)

An index to close to 900,000 names occurring in Quaker meeting records. These cover items such as discipline, admittance, movement between meetings, some vital events and much more.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US & Canada Quaker Annual Reports (1808-1930)

Digital images of records from the highest bodies in the Quaker church. The minutes contain names of representatives and committee members, memorials and obituary notices, along with business news.

Biographical Directories Covering Minnesota

Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans (1904)

A ten volume work containing close to 20,000 biographies of notable Americans.

American Biographical Library (1774-1949)

Over 75,000 biographies covering congressmen, women, military and other notable individuals.

Biography & Genealogy Master Index (1600-Present)

An index to millions of biographies, listing names, dates of birth and death and the biography's source publication.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

American Genealogical-Biographical Index (1450-Present)

This database contains millions of records of people whose names have appeared in printed genealogical records and family histories.

Minnesota Maps

US Enumeration District Maps & Descriptions (1940)

Maps recording districts used to allot areas in which census takers would operate. Searchable by street name and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Civil War Maps (1861-1865)

A collection of around 2,000 reconnaissance, sketch, and theater-of-war maps.

Minnesota Reference Works

Statistics of the State of Minnesota (1884)

An overview of agricultural statistics, demographics with breakdowns by county.

Periodical Source Index (1825-Present)

An index to over 2.7 million articles published in various genealogical, historical and ethnographic publications.

US Free Genealogical Data Search Engine (1513-Present)

A search engine that covers over 2.5 million pages of vital records, family trees, biographies and other genealogical resources.

A Guide to the NARA Field Branches (1988)

Details of record collections held by numerous sub-branches of The National Archives.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

Historical Description

MINNESOTA (Territory.) This was formerly a part of the vast country belonging to the United States which was acquired by the Louisiana purchase in 1803. It was then, with the surrounding regions, a rugged and unmeasured wilderness peopled only by savages, and had never been systematically explored by civilized man until about the period of its transfer. The tract now embraced within the limits of the territory was duly organized, and its boundaries defined, by an act of Congress, passed March 3, 1849, “to establish the territorial government of Minnesota.”

Boundaries and Extent

Bounded on the north by the boundary line between the possessions of the United States and Great Britain; east and south of east by said boundary line to Lake Superior, and by a straight line thence to the northernmost point of Wisconsin in said lake; also along the western boundary of Wisconsin to the Mississippi River, and down the main channel of said river to the point where the line of 43 ½° north latitude crosses the same; south on said line, being the northern boundary of Iowa, to the north-west corner of that state, whence the boundary proceeds southerly along the western limit of Iowa, until it strikes the Missouri River; and west by the main channel of said river, as far as the mouth of Whiteearth River, and by the main channel of the latter until it strikes the boundary of the British possessions. The territory, at its northern extremity, reaches from east to west between the 90th and 103d degrees of west longitude, and comprehends an area of 83,000 square miles.

Government

The government is, of course, temporary, subject to such alterations, and to such further division of the territory, as may be determined by act of Congress. All free white inhabitants, 21 years of age, are voters, and were eligible for any territorial office at the first election. A Council and House of Representatives compose the legislative assembly; the former consisting of 9 members, chosen for two years, the latter comprising 18 members, elected annually. The legislature may increase the Council to 15 members, and the representatives to 39. The governor is appointed for four years, by the President and Senate of the United States. The secretary of state, in like manner appointed, is acting governor in the absence of the executive magistrate.

Judiciary

The Supreme Court is composed of a chief justice and two associates, appointed for four years by the President of the United States. Two of these constitute a quorum. This tribunal holds an annual session at the seat of government. There are three judicial districts, in each of which one of the justices must reside, and hold a District Court, having the jurisdiction of the United.States District and Circuit Courts. Both courts possess chancery powers. The laws of Wisconsin, until repealed or modified, are valid in this territory.

Education

To this subject all due regard is given. Two sections in each township are set apart for the support of schools. In all the settled places, school-houses are among the first edifices erected. In some towns public libraries are established, and courses of instructive lectures maintained.

Finances

By returns from five counties in the territory, made in January, 1851, it appears that the assessed value of property in those counties amounts to somewhat over $800,000; and measures are in progress for completing the valuation of the residue. The salaries of the territorial officers, as in other and like cases, are provided for by the general government. By the act of organization, $20,000 were appropriated for the erection of public buildings at the capital, and $5000 for the purchase of a territorial library.

Surface, Soil, &c.-The face of the country, in the central parts of the territory, is gently undulating in its general character, and exhibits about equal proportions of prairie and timber land, intersected in every direction by clear and beautiful streams, tributary to the Mississippi and Minnesota or St. Peter’s Rivers, and navigable always in the spring for flat boats. This region also abounds in lakes of pure water; and its soil is represented as being unrivalled in fertility. With some modification, the same remarks may apply to the other sections of the territory. The valley of the Red River of the north, extending south some 300 miles, from the northern boundary of the territory into the centre, is about 150 miles wide, and perfectly level, with the exception of a few tracts of wet prairie, and is admirably adapted to the culture of wheat and other grains. The soil, for the most part, throughout the territory, consists of a mixture of sand and black loam, and, being loose and porous, is peculiarly favorable to the rapid growth of bulbous and other roots. Potatoes have been known to yield 450 bushels to the acre. Vegetable crops of all kinds, and in luxuriant profusion, are brought earlier to maturity than in many regions farther south. In the valley of Minnesota River, the strawberry vine commonly attains a height of twelve inches. A large part of the territory is overspread with vast forests of excellent pine and other trees of great value for building.

Rivers, &c.-Almost the entire eastern boundary, by the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers, is navigable water: steamboats ply upon the former, within the territory, for upwards of 300 miles. At the north-east, the territory is bounded by that immense expanse of waters, Lake Superior. The Minnesota winds through a delightful valley, in a south and easterly direction, and has been ascended more than 200 miles. The Big Sioux, and other tributaries of the Missouri, flow southerly and westwardly. The Red River of the north, taking its rise near the centre of the territory, flows northerly, and is navigable for some 400 miles before passing into the British possessions. The Missouri, which constitutes a great portion of the western boundary, affords navigation during nearly its whole course along the territory. There are many other fine streams, and numerous large lakes, all presenting facilities for inland commerce, such as are possessed by no one state or other territory in the Union.

Internal Improvements

A canal, to connect Lake Superior with Lake Huron, has been much talked of, and probably at no distant day will be constructed; as such a work will secure uninterrupted water communication down the great chain of lakes to the Atlantic coast. The removal of obstructions in the Mississippi and other rivers-surveys for which purpose have been authorized by Congress-will add many hundred miles to the already immense extent of navigable waters lying within and around this territory. The aid of railroads will of course soon be called in, to complete that system of internal improvements which Nature herself seems to have suggested.

Minerals

In this newly-settled country no explorations on any considerable scale, for the purpose of developing its mineral resources, have as yet been undertaken. There can be no doubt that this territory possesses its full share of geological treasures, which in due time will excite the attention and repay the industry of its hardy and enterprising people.

Manufactures

The only manufacturing branches now carried on to any great extent are those which are connected with the business of house-building, especially the manufacture of lumber. Of this article, although the work was begun so recently, a sufficiency is produced, not only to supply the home demand, but to furnish annually some 20,000,000 feet of boards, logs, &c., for exportation to the markets below, on the Mississippi. A number of steam and saw mills have already been erected; and so numerous are the mill sites, and so immense the water power within the territory, that this pursuit, together with others to which these advantages will apply, especially the manufacture of flour, must naturally add greatly to the public prosperity.

Indians

There are several tribes, or parts of tribes, still inhabiting certain tracts at the northern and western parts of the territory. To some of these, the Chippewas and others, lands had formerly been ceded; but negotiations for the removal of the former have been entered into, and treaties for the extinction of the Indian title to other tracts have been provided for by Congress. Many of the most civilized are solicitous to become subjects of the laws of the territory, and to participate in its free institutions.

Climate

Considering its high northern latitude, Minnesota enjoys a climate quite mild, in comparison with that of the more eastern states on the same parallel. The winters are less severe, except at some points in the neighborhood of the great lake; but the weather is uniform, regular, and subject to few or no sudden changes. The summers are temperate, and of sufficient length to bring forth and perfect the numerous agricultural products for which the soil is so well adapted. With abundance of pure water, and a salubrious atmosphere throughout the year, the people cannot but be favored with an uncommon measure of health.

Religion

There are four beautiful church edifices in St. Paul, the capital, and several others in the towns of St. Anthony Falls and Stillwater. The several denominations of Christians consist of such as are usually found in the New England States.

Population

The inhabitants of this territory, at the census of 1850, numbered but 6038, exclusive of Indians. But so desirable a country must soon attract towards it large reenforcements from the Northern and Eastern States. The tide of emigration, in fact, is already turned, and is moving with so strong an impulse in that direction, that long before the next decennial enumeration, Minnesota will no doubt have acquired the complement of inhabitants necessary to her admission as an independent state.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States (1854) by Thomas Baldwin

Most Common Surnames in Minnesota

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Johnson85,1781:733.88%2
2Anderson60,0351:1045.92%8
3Nelson39,5781:1587.37%39
4Olson37,8111:16517.55%135
5Peterson36,5741:17110.01%59
6Larson27,1341:23016.15%213
7Miller25,8531:2421.90%7
8Carlson22,4771:27813.27%207
9Hanson21,4691:29114.40%242
10Erickson18,9271:33016.77%327
11Brown16,8551:3710.95%4
12Thompson16,5471:3782.10%20
13Williams14,5581:4290.76%3
14Jones13,0571:4790.79%5
15Meyer12,9771:4826.21%142
16Lee12,6081:4961.50%15
17Schmidt12,3761:5056.26%160
18Swanson11,7781:53111.03%355
19Davis11,1661:5600.80%6
20Hansen11,1001:5635.90%174
21Jensen10,9681:5706.96%229
22Schultz9,3101:6716.66%262
23Wilson9,1281:6850.94%9
24Martin8,6721:7211.06%17
25Berg8,2571:75711.94%595
26Thomas7,7851:8030.89%12
27Yang7,2491:8627.51%404
28Jacobson7,1001:88010.81%640
29Vang7,0361:88827.17%1,742
30Clark7,0261:8900.98%22
31Taylor6,9631:8980.78%11
32White6,9271:9020.85%18
33Benson6,8101:9185.79%307
34Jackson6,7371:9280.81%16
35Moore6,5541:9540.76%13
36Wagner6,5091:9603.10%139
37Young6,4791:9651.08%31
38Christensen6,4161:9746.21%372
39Swenson6,3701:98119.57%1,378
40Baker6,2141:1,0061.15%36
41Murphy6,1541:1,0161.60%58
42Hall6,0741:1,0290.98%30
43Hill6,0711:1,0301.12%35
44Weber6,0691:1,0304.09%244
45Nguyen6,0291:1,0371.49%53
46Becker5,9531:1,0504.73%287
47Allen5,6961:1,0970.91%28
48Adams5,6641:1,1041.02%34
49Fischer5,6551:1,1055.56%382
50Hoffman5,6461:1,1073.06%178
51King5,6371:1,1091.00%32
52Lewis5,6261:1,1110.87%25
53Petersen5,6071:1,1157.04%507
54Knutson5,6031:1,11623.24%1,890
55Robinson5,5381:1,1290.88%27
56Schroeder5,5071:1,1355.94%426
57Harris5,4521:1,1470.71%21
58Walker5,4371:1,1500.86%26
59Scott5,4031:1,1571.01%38
60Schneider5,3871:1,1603.80%258
61Dahl5,1061:1,22416.84%1,481
62Pearson5,0791:1,2313.84%279
63Gustafson4,9621:1,26013.02%1,157
64Ryan4,9461:1,2642.59%170
65Bauer4,9401:1,2655.40%432
66Campbell4,9221:1,2701.00%41
67Mueller4,8861:1,2795.25%422
68Pederson4,8761:1,28222.99%2,164
69Hagen4,7371:1,32014.52%1,374
70Kelly4,7001:1,3301.43%72
71Paulson4,6871:1,33417.08%1,641
72Green4,6791:1,3360.87%37
73Wright4,6531:1,3430.84%33
74Roberts4,5881:1,3620.97%43
75Lund4,4521:1,40412.95%1,294
76Xiong4,4211:1,41421.55%2,243
77Sullivan4,3791:1,4271.49%83
78Cook4,3561:1,4351.10%56
79Evans4,3501:1,4370.96%46
80Mitchell4,2231:1,4800.93%45
81Larsen4,2091:1,4855.34%512
82Schmitz4,1541:1,50512.73%1,373
83Olsen4,0951:1,5265.03%497
84Krueger4,0101:1,5597.66%817
85Peters3,9511:1,5822.26%198
86Fisher3,9361:1,5881.42%94
87Schwartz3,9161:1,5963.18%296
88Collins3,8621:1,6190.92%50
89Wood3,8361:1,6301.14%69
90Rasmussen3,8221:1,6367.67%857
91Klein3,7811:1,6533.22%310
92Ross3,7441:1,6701.27%80
93Hughes3,7291:1,6761.22%78
94Phillips3,7221:1,6790.85%47
95Mattson3,6691:1,70416.80%2,102
96Hendrickson3,6561:1,7109.32%1,109
97Rogers3,5831:1,7450.93%57
98Stewart3,5361:1,7680.88%54
99McDonald3,5191:1,7761.50%122
100Carter3,5051:1,7830.72%42
101Reed3,4771:1,7981.00%66
102Ward3,4401:1,8171.04%71
103Stevens3,4261:1,8251.45%119
104Smith3,4091:1,8340.12%1
105Morris3,4031:1,8370.85%55
106Gunderson3,3181:1,88418.09%2,489
107Foster3,2951:1,8971.12%81
108Iverson3,2821:1,90515.10%2,110
109Haugen3,2091:1,94825.16%3,535
110Garcia3,2031:1,9520.35%10
111Morgan3,2001:1,9530.88%60
112Johnston3,1941:1,9571.81%193
113Turner3,1911:1,9590.74%48
114Bennett3,1841:1,9630.98%74
115Fox3,1741:1,9691.55%147
116Nielsen3,1621:1,9775.46%727
117Edwards3,1331:1,9950.74%49
118Kennedy3,1321:1,9961.38%129
119Palmer3,1201:2,0041.58%159
120Kramer3,1051:2,0133.45%441
121Zimmerman3,0941:2,0202.77%333
122Murray3,0671:2,0381.33%124
123Hernandez3,0661:2,0390.43%23
123Sorenson3,0661:2,03913.32%2,004
125Burns3,0621:2,0411.38%131
125Keller3,0621:2,0412.29%274
127Myers3,0271:2,0651.03%84
128Wolf3,0261:2,0663.00%388
129Martinez3,0051:2,0800.37%19
129Parker3,0051:2,0800.72%51
131Howard2,9911:2,0900.90%70
132Snyder2,9811:2,0971.43%144
133Moe2,9621:2,11018.96%2,919
134Bell2,9301:2,1330.81%62
135Brandt2,9291:2,1345.59%815
136Rodriguez2,9281:2,1350.34%14
137Braun2,8911:2,1625.90%877
138Danielson2,8761:2,17416.19%2,576
139Obrien2,8701:2,1782.48%315
140Long2,8571:2,1881.00%87
141Rice2,8221:2,2151.48%169
142Gilbertson2,8181:2,21823.90%3,825
143Christenson2,8121:2,22318.66%3,031
144Christianson2,8101:2,22517.37%2,816
145Cole2,8071:2,2271.11%109
146Cooper2,7701:2,2570.76%61
147Henderson2,7451:2,2771.00%99
148Gray2,7391:2,2820.85%75
149Beck2,7301:2,2902.07%282
150Richardson2,7211:2,2970.87%77
151Hayes2,7201:2,2981.11%114
152Jacobs2,7151:2,3021.72%228
153Henry2,7051:2,3111.29%138
154Halverson2,7011:2,31416.59%2,796
155Thao2,6651:2,34625.54%4,327
156Frank2,6561:2,3542.82%419
157James2,6231:2,3830.87%79
158Walsh2,6081:2,3971.82%251
159Reynolds2,6061:2,3991.02%105
160Watson2,5971:2,4070.81%76
161Lang2,5921:2,4123.09%480
162Rose2,5911:2,4131.29%156
163Winter2,5831:2,4205.62%933
164Schaefer2,5761:2,4274.43%721
165Lynch2,5611:2,4411.67%236
166Lopez2,5511:2,4500.38%24
167Cox2,5361:2,4650.74%67
168Lange2,5281:2,4735.89%1,008
169Severson2,5171:2,48417.96%3,256
170Ness2,5071:2,49316.50%3,005
171Koch2,5001:2,5003.63%600
172Holm2,4971:2,50313.49%2,461
173Hamilton2,4921:2,5080.96%102
174Moen2,4711:2,53022.85%4,185
175West2,4631:2,5380.96%104
176Barnes2,4561:2,5450.88%89
177Coleman2,4511:2,5500.88%92
177Sanders2,4511:2,5500.87%90
179Krause2,4461:2,5565.07%891
180Simon2,4441:2,5582.35%366
181Holmes2,4411:2,5611.27%168
182Amundson2,4381:2,56426.22%4,807
183Andersen2,4341:2,5684.84%847
184Novak2,4101:2,5944.85%861
185Armstrong2,4081:2,5961.37%196
186Halvorson2,3971:2,60827.61%5,121
187Warner2,3951:2,6102.17%336
188Russell2,3911:2,6140.86%95
189Lindquist2,3741:2,63314.47%2,772
190Schmitt2,3731:2,6344.84%876
191Brooks2,3681:2,6400.72%73
192Butler2,3531:2,6570.83%88
193Arnold2,3431:2,6681.25%175
194Graham2,3401:2,6710.91%103
195Freeman2,3381:2,6741.08%133
196Pierce2,3291:2,6841.33%199
197Strand2,3231:2,69115.49%3,049
198Hart2,3221:2,6921.29%186
199Stone2,3091:2,7071.16%157
200Porter2,2981:2,7201.14%153
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Johnson15,1891:513.97%2
2Anderson9,6831:816.63%17
3Peterson7,1771:10914.63%79
4Olson6,4451:12132.60%275
5Smith5,7171:1370.91%1
6Nelson5,7081:1378.24%47
7Hanson4,4951:17417.48%200
8Oleson4,4901:17435.33%482
9Larson4,3371:18027.97%381
10Miller3,6531:2141.30%6
11Thompson3,0831:2531.96%13
12Brown2,9901:2610.84%3
13Erickson2,6841:29132.90%775
14Jones1,9211:4060.60%5
15Clark1,8581:4201.11%10
16Davis1,6731:4670.66%7
17Wilson1,6581:4710.88%8
18Williams1,6091:4850.50%4
19Murphy1,5511:5031.64%32
20Jacobson1,3941:56023.28%1,083
21Carlson1,3701:57022.49%1,057
22Hall1,3301:5871.10%20
23Martin1,2941:6030.88%15
24Lee1,2491:6251.51%35
25White1,2331:6330.76%11
26Baker1,1861:6581.06%25
27Olsen1,1601:67318.62%1,034
28Swenson1,1381:68639.25%2,199
29King1,1301:6911.07%27
30Ryan1,1271:6932.12%69
31Young1,0701:7300.93%24
32Nilson1,0501:74438.49%2,326
33Swanson1,0481:74513.64%818
34Allen1,0311:7570.86%21
35Taylor1,0301:7580.61%9
36Sullivan1,0191:7661.52%48
37Campbell9591:8141.11%34
38Moore9361:8340.59%12
39Schmidt9281:8413.80%214
40Lewis9151:8530.77%22
41Benson9011:8675.01%315
42Hill8981:8700.85%28
43Cook8951:8721.02%33
44Kelly8931:8741.23%44
45Thomas8821:8850.60%16
46Green8731:8940.72%19
47Halvorson8311:94052.26%3,804
48Robinson8301:9410.80%30
49Paulson8281:94333.19%2,540
49McDonald8281:9431.59%72
51Wright7951:9820.74%26
52Meyer7941:9832.46%159
53Hansen7841:9968.48%676
54Scott7821:9980.75%29
55Wood7781:1,0040.97%38
56Knudson7771:1,00530.57%2,492
57Schultz7511:1,0405.59%452
57Adams7511:1,0400.77%31
59Knutson7491:1,04243.07%3,523
60Fisher7421:1,0521.11%49
61Christianson7391:1,05725.85%2,240
62O'Brien7301:1,0701.85%119
63Kelley7291:1,0711.54%82
64Burns7281:1,0731.42%74
65Kennedy7131:1,0951.76%114
66Berg7111:1,09813.75%1,239
67Gunderson7031:1,11130.03%2,704
67Parker7031:1,1110.88%37
69Welch6951:1,1231.72%115
70Stevens6941:1,1251.49%85
71Iverson6931:1,12728.44%2,611
72Pederson6841:1,14240.19%3,591
72Jenson6841:1,14227.83%2,587
74Walker6791:1,1500.58%23
75Wagner6671:1,1712.16%166
75Jackson6671:1,1710.45%14
77Foster6611:1,1811.11%62
78Rice6591:1,1851.43%91
78Stewart6591:1,1850.92%45
80Harris6501:1,2010.51%18
81Roberts6401:1,2200.80%39
82Collins6291:1,2410.83%41
83Ward6171:1,2660.92%50
84Reed6101:1,2800.81%42
85Rogers6061:1,2880.97%55
86Cole6021:1,2971.16%73
87Evans5971:1,3080.81%43
87Palmer5971:1,3081.44%110
89Chase5911:1,3212.54%228
90Wheeler5801:1,3461.48%120
91Lynch5791:1,3491.58%137
92Larsen5781:1,35115.15%1,691
93Gray5751:1,3580.97%61
94Becker5741:1,3603.36%334
95Bailey5651:1,3821.03%66
96Richardson5601:1,3940.96%64
97Mitchell5481:1,4250.86%54
97Carpenter5481:1,4251.47%130
99Warner5461:1,4301.89%175
100Porter5351:1,4591.18%95
101Gilbertson5291:1,47636.86%4,165
102McCarthy5191:1,5042.85%307
103Hoffman5141:1,5191.59%158
104Day5121:1,5251.62%163
105Evenson5101:1,53142.54%4,899
106Dahl5071:1,54027.16%3,301
107Peters5041:1,5491.84%191
108Petterson5021:1,55527.66%3,399
109Murray5001:1,5621.32%128
110Stone4941:1,5811.23%116
110Dunn4941:1,5811.17%109
112Nichols4881:1,6001.39%146
113Christenson4851:1,61026.08%3,315
114Hughes4821:1,6201.04%89
115Halverson4811:1,62325.05%3,218
115Pierce4811:1,6231.30%133
117Reynolds4701:1,6610.97%81
118Turner4661:1,6760.59%40
118Howard4661:1,6760.75%56
120Christopherson4651:1,67941.89%5,233
120Morgan4651:1,6790.72%53
122Hendrickson4631:1,6867.91%1,104
123Severson4611:1,69430.49%3,986
124Weber4601:1,6972.52%302
125Randall4581:1,7052.86%369
126Russell4511:1,7310.97%86
126Monson4511:1,73125.93%3,523
126Armstrong4511:1,7311.19%129
129Hayes4501:1,7351.43%164
130Hart4471:1,7471.09%112
131Hunt4461:1,7511.03%102
132Chapman4451:1,7551.29%151
133West4441:1,7590.96%90
134Bennett4431:1,7630.83%70
135Graham4401:1,7750.95%88
135Erikson4401:1,77535.34%4,740
137Fuller4391:1,7791.32%157
138Henry4381:1,7831.03%107
139Doyle4351:1,7951.78%215
140Perry4281:1,8240.92%87
140Mills4281:1,8241.17%138
142Ross4191:1,8640.83%76
143Norton4181:1,8681.90%242
144Griffin4171:1,8720.93%98
144Zimmerman4171:1,8722.55%356
146Morrison4131:1,8911.42%174
147Riley4121:1,8950.96%104
148Grant4101:1,9041.29%161
149Burke4091:1,9091.46%187
150Jensen4081:1,9148.93%1,436
151Danielson4071:1,91827.69%4,088
152Bell4061:1,9230.61%51
153Perkins4041:1,9331.11%139
154Patterson4011:1,9470.80%75
155Dean4001:1,9521.44%189
156Lund3971:1,96715.73%2,509
157Pratt3951:1,9771.83%245
158Flynn3921:1,9922.09%292
159Butler3901:2,0020.74%71
160Casey3881:2,0121.99%279
161Edwards3871:2,0180.59%52
162Fox3851:2,0280.97%118
162Gardner3851:2,0281.05%136
162Mattson3851:2,02834.53%5,209
162Schneider3851:2,0282.61%407
166Schroeder3841:2,0334.55%745
167Cooper3811:2,0490.64%60
168Whitney3791:2,0602.31%352
168Phillips3791:2,0600.63%59
170Quinn3781:2,0661.60%223
170Rose3781:2,0661.23%167
170Davidson3781:2,0661.53%211
170Ellingson3781:2,06645.71%6,682
170Wolf3781:2,0661.30%173
175Sherman3751:2,0821.79%252
176Barrett3741:2,0881.61%229
176Webster3741:2,0881.61%230
178Arnold3721:2,0991.03%140
179Thorson3711:2,10535.60%5,504
180Brooks3671:2,1280.67%68
181Morris3661:2,1330.53%46
182Gordon3621:2,1571.26%178
183Ford3611:2,1630.80%96
183Howe3611:2,1632.22%359
185Austin3591:2,1751.26%182
186Harrison3581:2,1810.82%100
187Leonard3561:2,1931.43%209
188Mason3551:2,1990.82%101
188Shaw3551:2,1990.82%103
188Myers3551:2,1990.61%65
191Buck3521:2,2182.33%395
191Baldwin3521:2,2181.39%207
193Wilcox3481:2,2441.80%283
193Henderson3481:2,2440.69%77
195Potter3471:2,2501.46%221
195Snyder3471:2,2500.74%84
197Barnes3421:2,2830.72%83
198Foley3411:2,2901.96%325
199Knudtson3401:2,29737.90%6,260
200Ellis3381:2,3100.75%94