Pierce County, North Dakota Genealogy
Guide to Pierce County, North Dakota ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Pierce County was named for Gilbert Ashville Pierce, governor of Dakota Territory from 1884 to 1886 and a representative of North Dakota in the United States Senate from 1889 to 1891.[2] The County is located in the north central area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Pierce County Courthouse
240 2nd Street
Rugby, ND 58368
Phone: 701.776.6161
Pierce County Website
District Court Clerk has birth, death and burial records from 1943, marriage records from 1888, divorce and court records from 1900, and probate records from 1898;
District Court Clerk Website
Register of Deeds has land records.[4]
Pierce County, North Dakota Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1893 | 1888 | 1893 | 1887 | 1887 | 1887 | 1836 |
Full compliance by 1924.[6] | ||||||
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Cities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
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Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Pierce County. To find more resources, go to the North Dakota Bible Records page.
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County Biographies on North Dakota Genealogy Trails website - Alphabetical list of early settlers and prominent individuals from county histories
- North Dakota Biography Index at North Dakota State University Archives - Index only; gives references to publications containing information on North Dakotans, living and deceased
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- Odessa Digital Library has cemetery transcriptions for cemeteries in Pierce County, providing name, date of birth, and date of death where available.
- 1877-1999 - North Dakota, Cemetery Records, 1877-1999 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1890 | 905 | — |
| 1900 | 4,765 | 426.5% |
| 1910 | 9,740 | 104.4% |
| 1920 | 9,283 | −4.7% |
| 1930 | 9,074 | −2.3% |
| 1940 | 9,208 | 1.5% |
| 1950 | 8,326 | −9.6% |
| 1960 | 7,394 | −11.2% |
| 1970 | 6,323 | −14.5% |
| 1980 | 6,166 | −2.5% |
| 1990 | 5,052 | −18.1% |
| 2000 | 4,675 | −7.5% |
| 2010 | 4,357 | −6.8% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Before North Dakota was a state in 1889, parts of North Dakota were included in the 1836 Iowa Territory census (also known as Wisconsin Territory), 1840 Iowa Territory census, 1850 Minnesota Territory census, and the 1860-1880 Dakota Territory censuses.[9] See links listed below.
Territory and State Census Records[edit | edit source]
- 1836 - 1836 Wisconsin Territory Census – index only; North Dakota was included in the 1836 Wisconsin Territory Census
- 1840 - United States Census, 1840 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1840 Iowa Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1850 - United States Census, 1850 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1850 Minnesota Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1860 - United States Census, 1860 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1860 Dakota Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1870 - United States Census, 1870 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1870 Dakota Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1880 - United States Census, 1880 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1880 Dakota Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1885 Dakota Territory 1885 Census Index at NDSU Archives – index only
- 1885, 1915, 1925 North Dakota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1885, 1915, 1925 at Ancestry.com – ($), index and images
- 1915 North Dakota Census, 1915 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1925 North Dakota Census, 1925 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
Federal Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Censuses were taken for the state of North Dakota starting in 1890, although no records survived. The 1900 Census is the next Federal Census available. For links to Federal census indexes, see North Dakota Census.
- 1890 Veterans Census, Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
- 1910, 1920, 1930 - Pierce County Census Records - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Church records can be found online, kept onsite at the church, or housed in a church archive or library. See North Dakota Church Records for more information on how to locate the records.
Online Church Records
Pierce County Church Histories
- Early Churches of Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
Lutheran Church
- 1875-1940 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Records, 1875-1940 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1909 Pierce County Attorneys (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1959 Pierce County Farm Directory (USGenWeb Archives)
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
- 1800-1953 - North Dakota, Red River Valley Genealogical Society, Pioneer Files, 1880-1953 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- Anderson Funeral Homes in Rugby
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
When the United States acquired North Dakota, most of the land became available for homesteading or purchase from the federal government. After land was transferred from the government to private owners, the registrar of deeds in each county recorded the land transactions in the form of deeds and mortgages. For more information, see North Dakota Land and Property.
- Index to Pierce County BLM Landowner Records by Surname (USGenWeb Archives)
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
- 1796-1907 - U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1863-1908 - U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index and images
For more information see North Dakota Land and Property
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories, including those of the county, are available for Pierce County. These histories can include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information.
- A century of area history : Pierce County and Rugby North Dakota 1886-1986. 1986. [S.l. : s.n.]. Online at: ; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- A history of Pierce County compiled in connection with Diamond Jubilee, Rugby, North Dakota. 1961?. S.l. : s.n.,. Online at: ; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Knox area history. 1977. By Thomas Newgard. [S.l. : s.n.]. Online at:; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Pierce County in 2011 : 125 years of history. 2011. [S.l. : s.n.]. Online at:; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of North Dakota - shows boundary changes for North Dakota Counties
- North Dakota Maps at NDGenWeb -historical maps
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Online Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections are unique to North Dakota. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and North Dakota Military Records.
Civil War
- 1861-1865 - Dakota Territory Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1890 - United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1890 Veterans Census Records, Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
World War I
- 1917-1918 - North Dakota Military Men 1917-1918 at Ancestry ($)
- 1917-1918 - Roster of the men and women who served in the army or naval service (including the Marine Corps) of the United States or its allies from the state of North Dakota in the World War, 1917-1918, Vols. 1-4 at Ancestry ($)
- World War I Casualties, Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
World War II
- World War II Army Casualties, Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
- World War II Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Casualties, Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
Korean War
- Korean War Casualties, Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
Vietnam War
- Vietnam War Casualties, Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
For further information see North Dakota Military Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Please see the North Dakota Naturalization and Citizenship page for state-wide information.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1868-1924 - North Dakota, Naturalization Records, 1868-1924 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1889-1953 - Declarations of intention, 1889-1953(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1889-1955 - Final or second papers and petitions, 1889-1955; miscellaneous records, 1930-1955(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- North Dakota Naturalization Records Index at NDSU Archives – index only, covers various dates and counties
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see North Dakota Newspapers.
North Dakota Newspaper Catalogs
- State Historical Society of North Dakota - contains inventory and catalog of all known ND newspapers
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
North Dakota Newspapers Online
- Chronicling America - contains images of some North Dakota newspapers; searching tips
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
- GenealogyBank ($)
- Newspaper Archive ($)
- Papers from the Past at Community History Archives
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County Obituaries and Death Notices (Genealogy Trails)
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records, including wills and estates, are at the county clerk's office. See also North Dakota Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1878–1928 North Dakota and South Dakota, Wills and Probate Records, 1878-1928 at Ancestry.com — index and images ($)
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Early Schools of Pierce County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
County tax records are at the county treasurer's, auditor's or clerk's office in the county courthouse. Some tax records may have been moved to the North Dakota State Archives.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Birth, marriage, death, and divorce records may be recorded on registers, certificates, or other documents at the county clerk's office. Many records are also being digitized and put online. See North Dakota Vital Records for more information about availability and how to access them.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1872-1958 - North Dakota, County Marriages, 1872-1958 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1872-2017 North Dakota, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1872-2017 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- Pierce County Marriage Announcements (Genealogy Trails)
Death[edit | edit source]
Online Death Indexes and Records
- 1892-present - NDDH Public Death Index, 1892-present at North Dakota Dept. of Health – index only
- Pierce County Obituaries and Death Notices (Genealogy Trails)
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Pierce County. For state-wide archival repositories, see North Dakota Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Pierce County. For state-wide library facilities, see North Dakota Archives and Libraries.
Heart of America Library
201 3rd St SW
Rugby, ND 58368
701-776-6223
Email: heartofamerica@hotmail.com
Website
Facebook
Museums[edit | edit source]
Prairie Village Museum
102 Highway 2 SE, Ste A
Rugby, ND, ND 58368
701-776-6414
Email: prairievillagemuseum@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Pierce County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see North Dakota Societies.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County at Cyndi's List — a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Pierce County at Genealogy Trails — volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Pierce County at North Dakota USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Pierce County at North Dakota USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
- Pierce County, North Dakota at Linkpendium - genealogy and family history
- Pierce County, North Dakota Genealogy at LDSGenealogy.com - collection of links by state, county, city, and record type
- FamilySearch Catalog The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Pierce County, North Dakota Genealogy and History (Genealogy Trails)
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Pierce, North Dakota," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce_County,_North_Dakota accessed 8/28/2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pierce County, North Dakota. Page 525 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pierce County, North Dakota. Page 525 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 518.
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Rev. ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 1992), 562; Alice M. Hetzel, U.S. Vital Statistics System: Major Activities and Developments, 1950-95 (Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, [1997]), 58.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Pierce County, North Dakota," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia.
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, ‘’Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources,’’ 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 2004), 511. Free online version; FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004; WorldCat entry.
