Minnesota Vital Records Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

Known Problems
Certificate numbers are incorrectly identified for many death certificates in this collection. If you know the Family History Library microfilm and wish to view the death certificate, it is recommended to use the certificate number listed in the Minnesota Historical Society's Minnesota Death Certificates Index online database.

Collection Time Period
This index covers events from 1850 through 1989.

Record Description
The index is an electronic database of information transcribed from original records.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in birth index entries may include:


 * Name of the child
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Christening date (if the source is a church record)
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

The key genealogical facts found in marriage index entries may include:


 * Name of the bride and groom
 * Names of the parents
 * Marriage date
 * Marriage place
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

The key genealogical facts found in death or burial index entries may include:


 * Name of the deceased
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Name of the spouse (if married)
 * Death or burial date
 * Death or burial place
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

How to Use the Record
Use this index to help you learn more about your ancestors. The information could help you identify family relationships and lineages as well as direct you to original records of your ancestors, which may contain additional information.

In birth or christening records, if a surname is not listed for the child, the indexer often assigns the father’s surname to the child. This surname may not be correct. So if you are looking for a birth or christening, search by the given name of the child, adding parents' names and as much locality information as is permitted.

Record History
For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This index is an index of the births, marriages, and deaths throughout Minnesota. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.

Why This Record Was Created
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored this index to help individuals find information about their ancestors.

Record Reliability
Church records and civil registration were official records and are some of the most reliable sources of information available for those who were born, married, or died in Minnesota.

Related Web Sites

 * Minnesota Death Certificates Index (1900-2001), available for free online, courtesy: Minnesota Historical Society. The certificate numbers listed on this website are more accurate than FamilySearch's citations.

Related Wiki Articles
Minnesota Vital Records

Sources of Information for This Collection
"Minnesota Births and Christenings, 1840-1980," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Minnesota.

"Minnesota Marriages, 1849-1950," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Minnesota.

"Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Minnesota.

Each entry in this index has a source listed. The index may be a compilation of records from a variety of sources, including the following:


 * Family Records
 * Church Records
 * Civil Registration

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection

 * Minnesota Births and Christening, 1840-1980. digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: January 21, 2011). Birth pf Alice Mary Johnson, 4 May 1907. Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, film number 1255860.
 * Minnesota Marriages, 1894-1950. digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: January 21, 2011). Marriage of Edward I. Frost to Elizabeth L Hancock, 21 October 1886, St, Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, film number 1314553.
 * Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990. digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: January 21, 2011). Death of Willie C. Privet, 16 November 1889, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, film number 1309404.