McPherson County, South Dakota Genealogy
Guide to McPherson County, South Dakota ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county is named after American Civil War General James B. McPherson.[2] It is located in the central area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
McPherson County Courthouse
PO Box L;
Leola, SD 57456
Phone: 605.439.3351
Clerk Court has probate records from 1893, court records from 1889, naturalization records from 1884 and divorce records;
Register of Deeds has birth and death records from 1905, burial records from 1941, marriage (as early as 1884)[4] and land records.[5]
McPherson County, South 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 |
| 1905 | 1884 | 1905 | 1889 | 1873 | 1893 | 1850 |
Compliance for recording births was 1906 and 1932 for deaths.[7] | ||||||
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]
The following are locations in the county[9]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- McPherson County cemeteries listing by odessa.org show the names of deceased, dates of death and birth, and names of parents or spouses where available.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1890 | 5,940 | — |
| 1900 | 6,327 | 6.5% |
| 1910 | 6,791 | 7.3% |
| 1920 | 7,705 | 13.5% |
| 1930 | 8,774 | 13.9% |
| 1940 | 8,353 | −4.8% |
| 1950 | 7,071 | −15.3% |
| 1960 | 5,821 | −17.7% |
| 1970 | 5,022 | −13.7% |
| 1980 | 4,027 | −19.8% |
| 1990 | 3,228 | −19.8% |
| 2000 | 2,904 | −10.0% |
| 2010 | 2,459 | −15.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Before South Dakota was a state in 1889, parts of South 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.[10] See links listed below.
Territory and State Census Records[edit | edit source]
- 1836 - 1836 Wisconsin Territory Census – index only; South Dakota was included in the 1836 Wisconsin Territory Census
- 1840 - United States Census, 1840 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection; South Dakota was included in the 1840 Iowa Territory Census
- 1850 - United States Census, 1850 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection; South Dakota was included in the 1850 Minnesota Territory Census
- 1860 - United States Census, 1860 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection; South Dakota was included in the 1860 Dakota Territory Census
- 1870 - United States Census, 1870 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection; South Dakota was included in the 1870 Dakota Territory Census
- 1880 - United States Census, 1880 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection; South Dakota was included in the 1880 Dakota Territory Census
- 1885 - South Dakota, Territorial Census, 1885 at Ancestry — ($); index and images
- 1895 - South Dakota, State Census, 1895 at Ancestry — ($); index and images
- 1905 - South Dakota State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1915 - South Dakota State Census, 1915 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1925 - South Dakota State Census, 1925 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1935 - South Dakota State Census, 1935 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1945 - South Dakota State Census, 1945 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 South Dakota starting in 1890, although only one page survived. The 1900 Census is the next Federal Census available. For links to Federal census indexes, see South Dakota Census.
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about South Dakota denominations, view the South Dakota Church Records wiki page.
Online Church Records
Lutheran Church
- 1875-1940 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Records, 1875-1940 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
Presbyterian Church
- 1701-1970 - U.S., Presbyterian Records, 1701-1970 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See South Dakota Land and Property for additional information about early South Dakota land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
Online Land Records
- 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
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for McPherson County, South Dakota Genealogy. County and town histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section South Dakota Local Histories.
- Eureka, 1887-1937. 1998. By Eureka's Golden Jubilee Organization. Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah. Online at: ; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Historical information on South Dakota counties of Campbell, McPherson, Walworth, Edmunds, Potter and Faulk. 1993?. By Maurice & Florence Krueger. [Mina, South Dakota] : North Central Genealogical Society. Online at: ; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of South Dakota - shows boundary changes for South Dakota Counties
- Historical Maps and Atlases of South Dakota - maps and atlases of South Dakota
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Online Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections are unique to South Dakota. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and South Dakota Military Records.
- 1861 - 1941 South Dakota, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1941 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1940 - 1941 South Dakota, Veteran Graves Registration Records, 1940-1941 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
Civil War
- 1861 - 1865 Dakota Territory Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection.
- 1885 Civil War Veteran's 1885 Census in South Dakota - Index only, Union and Confederate included
- 1890 United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection.
World War I
- South Dakota WWI Honor Roll by SDGenWeb - Alphabetical index; List by County
World War II
For further information see South Dakota Military Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
- 1904 - 1928 South Dakota, Federal Naturalization Records, 1904-1928 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
- 1865 - 1972 South Dakota County Naturalization Records, 1865-1972 at FamilySearch — images - How to Use this Collection
- South Dakota Naturalization Records Index:First Papers — index
- South Dakota Naturalization Records Index:Second Papers — index
- Name Index to Naturalization Records from Dakota Territory and South Dakota at National Archives, Kansas City — index
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see South Dakota Newspapers.
South Dakota Newspapers Online
- GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of South Dakota newspapers
- Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of South Dakota newspapers
- Chronicling America - contains images of some South Dakota newspapers; searching tips
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
South Dakota Newspaper Catalogs
- 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.
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
In most counties in South Dakota, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.
The FamilySearch Catalog lists films of probate records. To find the records for this county, use the Place Search for South Dakota, McPherson then click Probate records.
Online 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]
- 1879 - 1970 South Dakota, School Records, 1879-1970 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1879 - 1970 South Dakota, School Records,1879-1970 at Ancestry — images
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
South Dakota tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the records.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. See the CDC Where to Write website for information on acquiring copies of these records.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1843 - 1914 South Dakota, Department of Health, Index to Births 1843-1914 and Marriages 1950-2014 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1856 - 1950 South Dakota, Birth Index, 1856-1915 at Ancestry — index ($)
- Birth Record Search Site For South Dakota Birth Records With Birth Dates Over 100 Years — index
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1950 - 2014 South Dakota, Department of Health, Index to Births 1843-1914 and Marriages 1950-014 — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1905 - 2013 South Dakota, Marriages, 1905-2013 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1879 - 1955 South Dakota, Death Index, 1879-1955 at Ancestry — index($)
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in McPherson County. For state-wide archival repositories, see South Dakota Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
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]
Museums[edit | edit source]
Eureka Pioneer Museum of McPherson County
Highway #10
mailing address: 1210 North Lake Drive
Euerka, SD 57437
Telephone Number:605-284-2711
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in McPherson County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see South Dakota Societies.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Meade County SDGenWeb
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- FamilySearch Catalog
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McPherson_County,_South_Dakota accessed 1/31/2017
- ↑ http://genealogytrails.com/sdak/mcpherson/ accessed 1/31/2017
- ↑ South Dakota Department of Health, “McPherson County Resources”, http://doh.sd.gov/records/county/mcpherson.aspx/ accessed 21 June 2017.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002)McPherson County, South Dakota, p.626
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), McPherson County, South Dakota. Page 626 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), 622.
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Rev. ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 1992), 671; 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, "McPherson County, South Dakota," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McPherson_County%2C_South_Dakota accessed 6 November 2016.
- ↑ ’'Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 617. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
