Minnesota, County Birth Records, 1863-1983

What is in This Collection?

This collection includes birth records from various county courthouses, and covers the years 1863 to 1983. However, most of the county’s records end before 1950.

Notes about this collection:

• The year range will vary by county
• Confidential information (illegitimate births and adoptions) has been masked from this collection
• Some of the records in this collection may be duplicated in the collection "Minnesota City and Township Birth Records 1871-1947"

Some counties and towns began recording births as soon they were incorporated with some as early as 1864. However because there was no law requiring births to be recorded, compliance was not good in the early years.

In 1901, Congress passed a resolution asking states to gather information about the births and deaths that occur within their borders. Many states responded, but because Congress did not fund the request, it took several years until all the states were keeping these records consistently. Birth records were usually filled out by a witness, midwife, or a medical professional. The certificate was then sent to the county, and the county sent a copy to the state.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

To Browse This Collection

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Birth

• Full name and gender of child
• Date and place of birth
• Legitimacy
• Father's name
• Mother's maiden name
• Parents' residence, age and race
• Parents' birth place
• Parents' occupation
• Number of births for mother
• Number of children living
• Name of person attending birth such as midwife or doctor

Collection Content

Sample Images

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  1898 Birth Record

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  1899 Birth Record