Ward County, North Dakota Genealogy
Guide to Ward County, North Dakota ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Named for Mark Ward, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Counties.[2] The County is located in north center area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Ward County Courthouse
315 3rd St SE
Minot, ND 58701-6498
Phone: 701.857.6460
Ward County Website
District Court Clerk has birth, death, burial and divorce records from 1900;
County Judge has marriage and probate records;
Register of Deeds has land records.[4]
Ward 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 |
| 1900 | 1888 | 1900 | 1885 | 1885 | 1885 | 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 | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
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Indian Reservation
A portion of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation is located in Ward County. The remainder of the reservation is in Mountrail, McKenzie, Mercer, and Dunn Counties.
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Ward County. To find more resources, go to the North Dakota Bible Records page.
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- Ward County Biographies and Family Histories (USGenWeb Project)
- Ward 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]
- 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 | 1,681 | — |
| 1900 | 7,961 | 373.6% |
| 1910 | 25,221 | 216.8% |
| 1920 | 28,811 | 14.2% |
| 1930 | 33,597 | 16.6% |
| 1940 | 31,981 | −4.8% |
| 1950 | 34,782 | 8.8% |
| 1960 | 47,072 | 35.3% |
| 1970 | 58,560 | 24.4% |
| 1980 | 58,392 | −0.3% |
| 1990 | 57,921 | −0.8% |
| 2000 | 58,975 | 1.8% |
| 2010 | 61,675 | 4.6% |
| 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 – ($), index and images
- 1915 North Dakota Census, 1915 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1925 North Dakota Census, 1925 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
Federal Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Censuses were taken for the state of North Dakota starting in 1890, although no records survived. The 1900 Census is the next Federal Census available. For links to Federal census indexes, see North Dakota Census.
- 1900 Index of Ward County Census - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1910 Index of Ward County Census - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1920 Index of Ward County Census - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1930 Index of Ward County Census - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Church records can be found online, kept onsite at the church, or housed in a church archive or library. See North Dakota Church Records for more information on how to locate the records.
Online Church Records
Lutheran Church
- 1875-1940 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Records, 1875-1940 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
- Records of First Lutheran Church, Minot, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).[10]
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1822-1995 U.S. City Directories 1822-1995 at Ancestry ($) - collection for the City of Minot
- 1909 Ward County Attorneys (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]
- Thomas Family Funeral Home in Minot
- Thompson-Larson Funeral Home in Minot
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.
Online Land Records
- Index to Ward County BLM Land Records (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 - ($), index and images
For more information see North Dakota Land and Property
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories, including those of the county, are available for Ward County. These histories can include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information.
- People, places & events, Minot-Ward County: bridging the century. 1986. By Janet Rosecrans. Minot, North Dakota : Centennial Book Committee (Minot, North Dakota). Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Yesterdays of the Sawyer area. 1989. By Patty Francis Heldenbrand. PMinot, North Dakota : Mouse River Loop Genealogical Society. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; At various libraries (WorldCat). see index.
- Ward County History (Genealogy Trails)
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of North Dakota - shows boundary changes for North Dakota Counties
- North Dakota Maps at NDGenWeb - historical maps
- Ward County Township Maps (USGenWeb Archives)
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Online Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections are unique to North Dakota. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and North Dakota Military Records.
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Dakota Territory Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1890 United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
World War I
- 1917-1918 North Dakota Military Men 1917-1918 at Ancestry ($)
- 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, Ward County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
World War II
- World War II Army Casualties, Ward County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
- World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, Ward County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
Korean War
- 1950-1957 Korean War Casualties, Ward County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
Vietnam War
- 1957-1995 Vietnam War Casualties, Ward 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
- 1886-1954 - Declarations of intention, 1886-1954(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1888-1955 - Final or second papers and petitions, 1888-1955(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1905-1906 - Final or second papers, 1905-1906(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1929-1960 - Miscellaneous naturalization records, 1929-1960(*); 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 ($)
- Papers from the Past at Community History Archives
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Ward County Obituaries and Death Notices (Genealogy Trails)
- Index to Ward County Obituaries - Scroll down to "Obituaries." (USGenWeb Archives)
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records, including wills and estates, are at the county clerk's office. See also North Dakota Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1800–1985 North Dakota and South Dakota Wills and Probate Records 1800-1985 at Ancestry.com — index and images ($)
School Records[edit | edit source]
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.
- Ward County Vital Records - Scroll down to "Vital Records." (USGenWeb Archives)
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
- Ward 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
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Ward 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
- Lake Region Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Ward County. For state-wide library facilities, see North Dakota Archives and Libraries.
Ward County Public Library
225 Third Ave SE
Minot, ND 58701
701-852-5388 or 800-932-8932
Email: library@wardnd.com
Website
Facebook
Museums[edit | edit source]
Ward County Historical Museum
8181 Highway 2/52 West
Burlington, ND 58722
701-839-0785
Website
Facebook
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Ward County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see North Dakota Societies.
Ryder Historical Society
20510 184th St SW
Ryder, ND 58779
701-758-2527
Scandinavian Heritage Association
1020 S Broadway
PO Box 862
Minot, ND 58702
701-852-9161
Email to: scandha@srt.com
Website
Ward County Historical Society
8181 Highway 2/52 West
Burlington, ND 58722
701-839-0785
Email: berganwa@minot.com
Website
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Ward County at Cyndi's List — a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Ward County at Genealogy Trails — volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Ward County at North Dakota USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Ward County at North Dakota USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
- Ward County, North Dakota at Linkpendium - genealogy and family history
- Ward 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).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails: Ward County, North Dakota, Genealogy and History
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Ward, North Dakota," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_County,_North_Dakota accessed 8/28/2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ward County, North Dakota. Page 527 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ward County, North Dakota. Page 527 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), 519.
- ↑ 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, "Ward 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.
- ↑ "Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: An Inventory of Selected Congregational Records of the American Lutheran Church in Minnesota at the Minnesota Historical Society," Collection Finding Aids, Minnesota Historical Society.