A biography is a history of a person’s life. In a biography you may find the individual’s birth, marriage, and death information, and the names of his or her parents, children, or other family members. Biographies often include photographs, family traditions and stories, clues about an ancestor’s place of origin, places where he or she has lived, church affiliation, military service, and activities within the community. The information must be used carefully, however, because there may be inaccuracies. Biographies are often included in county and local histories.

The best collections of published biographies in Minnesota are at the Minnesota Historical Society Library, the University of Minnesota, and the Minneapolis Public Library. The state historical society has published an index to biographical sketches:

Upham, Warren, and Rose Barteau Dunlap. Minnesota Biographies, 1655–1912. Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society. Vol.14. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society, 1912. (FHL book 977.6 B4m vol.14; computer number 624579; film 1697445 item4; computer number 249136.) Indexes about 100,000 individuals. The references came from newspapers, periodicals, and books within the Minnesota Historical Society Libraries collection.

The Minnesota Biographies project began in 1976 and added another 50,000 names updating and enhancing the book Minnesota Biographies listed above. These are on 5" x 7" cards at the Minnesota Historical Society Library.

The Minnesota Historical Society Library also has:

Nielsen, Steven. Diaries in the Minnesota Historical Manuscript Collections. Typescript, 1979. This 61-page typescript is an alphabetical list with a brief description of each diary’s contents including dates covered. Also included is a 12-page addendum Women’s Diaries and Letters. (Not available at the Family History Library.)

For a list of some oral interviews of Minnesota individuals see:

Minnesota Historical Society. The Oral History Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1984. (FHL book 977.6 H2mh; computer number 487070.) This lists oral histories on tape at the Minnesota Historical Society and the regional research centers. The listings give the length of the interview and a brief description of the individual. Some oral histories are restricted while others may be checked out or copied at your request.

The Family History Library also has a major collection of biographical sources. Search statewide, regional, and county histories and atlases for biographical information. Some representative biographical works are:

Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Minnesota. Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1874. (FHL book 977.6 E7i; film 896864; computer number 246440.) This atlas has about 15,000 names of persons, by town, frequently giving their place of birth and occupation. A published index is:

Bakeman, Mary Hawker. A Comprehensive Index to A. T. Andreas’ Illustrated Historical Atlas of Minnesota–1874. Brooklyn Park, Minn.: Park Genealogical Books, 1992. (FHL book 977.6 E7iL index; computer number 664382.) This is arranged alphabetically and gives the place of birth for most persons listed.

Burnquist, Joseph Alfred Arner, ed. Minnesota and Its People. 4 vols. Chicago: S.J. Clarke, 1924. (On 2 FHL films. Vols.1–3 on films 928372; vol.4 on film 928374 item1; vols.1–4 on fiche 6051360; computer number 249871.) Volumes 3 and 4 are biographical. Contains 700–800 biographies of men who helped build the state, up to and including World War I. Each volume has its own index.

Castle, Henry Anson. Minnesota, Its Story and Biography. 3 vols. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1915. (FHL book 976.6 H2ch; film 1000251; computer number 249863.) Volumes 2 and 3 contain biographies. An index to the biographies is near the beginning of volume 1.

Marquis, Albert Nelson. The Book of Minnesotans: A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of the State of Minnesota. Chicago: A.N. Marquis, 1907. (FHL films 459633; computer 381733.) This book contains over 4,000 short biographical sketches of prominent men from business, politics, religion, and the arts. Patterned after the Who’s Who books.

Toensing, W. F. Minnesota Congressmen, Legislators and Other Elected Officials: An Alphabetical Checklist, 1849–1971. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society, 1971. (FHL book 977.6 N2t; computer number 114184.) Gives birth and death dates, county and post office of residence, office to which elected, and year(s) of service.

The Family History Library has Who’s Who in Minnesota for 1941, 1958, and 1964. An example is:

Cornwall, C. N. Who’s Who in Minnesota: 1941. Minneapolis, Minn.: Minnesota Editorial Association, 1942. (FHL book 977.6 D3w; computer number 567611.) This contains birth dates and places, and names of parents and spouse. Arranged alphabetically by name within each county.

The Family History Library has many publications and histories with biographical information. They are generally listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

MINNESOTA – BIOGRAPHYMINNESOTA, [COUNTY] – BIOGRAPHY

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