Archives Genealogy Resources

Over the years material has been added to the collection through the efforts of the Historical Society, state government, genealogical societies, and private individuals. Today the collection continues to grow. Gifts of genealogy materials and cash enrich the collection and are tax-deductible. Donations may be made directly to the South Dakota State Archives.

Federal Census: South Dakota portions are on microfilm and available through interlibrary loan for 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, & 1930.

1885 Special Census: Only the following counties are listed in this census: Beadle, Butte, Charles Mix, Edmunds, Fall River, Faulk, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Hyde, Lake, Lincoln, Marshall, McPherson, Moody, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Stanley and Turner. On microfilm and available through interlibrary loan.

1890 Census: Records for only one family in Jefferson Township, Union County are all that survive. On microfilm and available through interlibrary loan.

Veterans Census: 1885 and 1890 - on microfilm and available through interlibrary loan.

South Dakota State Census: 1895 - Only Beadle, Brule, Pratt (now Jones), Presho (now Lyman), Campbell, Charles Mix, which includes part of Gregory & old Todd Counties are listed. On microfilm and available through interlibrary loan.

1905, 1915, 1925, 1935, 1945 - Microfilmed and available at the Archives. State Census microfilm also available through interlibrary loan.

WPA Graves Registration: From beginning of cemetery through 1941 (on microfilm and available through interlibrary loan). Some counties do not list burials and some cemeteries are updated (updates not on microfilm). Search the Cemetery Records Index

Newspapers:1000 titles are microfilmed and available through interlibrary loan. Currently 130 weeklies and 11 dailies are being filmed. See the Newspaper Collection for more information.

Centennial Atlases: Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Charles Mix, Clark, Clay, Codington, Davison, Day, Deuel, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hutchinson, Hyde, Jerauld, Jones, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, Lyman, McCook, McPherson, Marshall, Moody, Potter, Sanborn, Spink, Stanley, Sully, Turner, Union, Walworth, and Yankton counties. Must be used in the Archives.

Government Records: State records include population censuses (1895-1945), school censuses, naturalizations, probates, penitentiary prisoner files, various other county records, maps and veteran bonus files. Federal records include population censuses (1860-1920), homestead land tract books, military post returns during the 1800s, Bureau of Indian Affairs records, and WPA cemetery survey files. Of particular interest are the early reservation censuses which are written in Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota languages.

Library Materials: The collection contains approximately 26,000 volumes relating to South Dakota and northern great plains history. Included are state, county, town, and church histories; atlases; city and business directories; and family histories. The periodical section has hundreds of titles, including most newspapers ever published in the state. A significant collection of early New England genealogy assists those whose ancestors came from that region. A South Dakota authors file and a notable South Dakotans biographical file are also maintained.

Surname Reference File: This collection was created to enable researchers to communicate with others working on the same family lines.

Click on these buttons to submit a search request to Archives staff. There is a fee for this service, and prepayment is required. Please do not send credit card numbers by email. Contact our office by phone or fax if you wish to pay by credit card. Phone: 605-773-3804. Fax: 605-773-6041. These forms may also be printed and sent by mail with a personal check or money order made payable to the South Dakota State Archives.

Facilities: Located in the Cultural Heritage Center, the archives research room accommodates about 20 people and is equipped with microfilm reader/printers and some audio-visual equipment. Copying and photography services are available. Consult the current fee schedule for prices.

Use of Collection: Materials may be used by the public in the reading room, but may not be checked out. A few collections have restrictions placed on them by the donors. Finding aids to archives collections and an on-line library catalog are provided to expedite research.

Assistance: The public may use the collection anytime the archives is open. Limited assistance is provided by one staff person and several volunteers. Archives staff help locate pertinent sources, but usually cannot assist with personal research. A list of local genealogists who will do research for a fee is available upon request.

Only microfilm records are available through interlibrary loan. Patrons may borrow up to four reels of film for four weeks. Film must be viewed in the borrower’s library. Consult the current fee schedule for prices.

County Records: Many historical records such as wills, probates, marriage, and school records are maintained by the individual county in which the event occurred. You will need to write directly to the appropriate office within the particular county for help. More detailed information can be found in The Handy Book for Genealogists, 8th ed. (Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, Inc., 1991). An index to the county records available at the State Archives is also available for a select number of counties. It is a work in progress.

Vital Records: These records are on file at the Office of Vital Records, Pierre, SD 57501. A fee is charged for each search. South Dakota began keeping birth, death, marriage, and divorce records in 1905. Some records prior to 1905 may be found at county offices. Birth Records more than 100 years old can be searched online.

South Dakota Gen Web Project - hub and resource for genealogical research in South Dakota.	Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet - Categorized links to genealogy web sites.
National Archives Genealogy Page - Information about how to use records of the federal government for genealogical research.	Family Search - Internet Genealogy Search of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Genealogy of North and South Dakota - family history and census research group specializing in genealogy of Dakota Territory, North Dakota and South Dakota pioneer families.	American Historical Society of Germans From Russia - Society information and links to other Germans from Russia web sites.
Germans From Russia Heritage Collection, North Dakota State University - Collections, resources, and links to other Germans from Russia web sites.	Scandinavian Genealogical sites - Links to Scandinavian genealogical Sites.
Genealogy.com - Links to the Learning Center of Genealogy.com. The Learning Center will help you discover what the world of genealogy is all about and provide everything you need to start documenting your own family story.	South Dakota Geneaolgy Resources - Links to the SD Department of Health. During the summer of 2000, each Register of Deeds in South Dakota was surveyed about the information available in their county that might be useful to genealogists.
The Battery Conservancy-Castle Clinton National Monument was the official immigration center from 1855 to 1890. Castlegarden.org has a searchable database containing immigration information from 1830 to 1892.	African Heritage Project-Resources for African Americans to discover records documenting names and lives of slaves, freedpersons and their descendants.
GenealogyPlace.com-free genealogical search engine.	The US GenWeb Project-source for genealogical research in the United States.