Genealogy Basics
Learn more about how to do genealogical research with free library and internet resources.
Handouts for Genealogy Basics:
- Four Generation Ancestor Chart
- FREE Internet Resources for Genealogy Research
- Interview a Relative
- Family Group Sheet
Research Tools:
Ancestry for Libraries - Available for *free* at all Great River Regional Libraries!
FamilySearch.org - Requires a *free* account to access records. Expanded availability if you are using this website inside a GRRL branch
Find A Grave - The World's largest gravesite collection, volunteer and crowdsourced cemetery information
St. Michael Historical Society Research Page - A great collection of research sources tied to European Minnesota roots
USGenWeb Project - An award-winning nationwide site that offers *free* genealogy sources; searchable by state, county and city
Minnesota Specific Research Tools:
Minnesota Birth/Death Index - Through the Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Marriage Index - Minnesota's Official Marriage System
Obituaries
To search the St. Cloud Times Index:
https://www.griver.org/sctimes-index
Other Obituaries:
Legacy.com - Search for obituaries from more than 1,500 newspapers and 3,500 funeral homes
Chronicling America - Historic digital newspapers through the Library of Congress
Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub - Through the Minnesota Historical Society
General and Country Specific Search Sites:
Cyndi's List - A massive, cross-referenced list of links for every genealogical research sites online
Freedman's Bureau Records - United States Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands records
Stephen Morse's One-Step Immigration - contains tools for finding immigration records, census records, vital records, and more!
U.S. First Nations - Native Indian Law Library
Foundation for East European Family History Studies
Translation sites:
Looking for more? Reach out to your local county historical society!
Benton County Historical Society: https://mnbentonhistory.org/
Morrison County Historical Society: https://morrisoncountyhistory.org/
Stearns History Museum: https://www.stearnshistorymuseum.org/research/
Sherburne County Historical Society: https://sherburnehistorycenter.org/
St. Michael Historical Society: https://saintmichaelhistory.org
Todd County Historical Society: https://www.toddcountymuseum.org/
Wright County Historical Society: https://www.wrighthistory.org/