Name (first, last):
To search for a census record by name, you can use the optional menus to the left of the name boxes to refine your search. Clicking on the down arrow produces the following list of options:

Provides a list of names, but it requires exact spelling
Example: looking for “Pederson,” enter only “Pederson”

Provides a list of names containing a sequence of letters entered, does not require exact spelling
Example: looking for “Pederson,” enter “derso”

Provides a list of names starting with the letters entered, does not require exact spelling
Example: looking for “Pederson,” enter “Ped”

Provides a list of names ending in the letters entered, does not require exact spelling
Example: looking for “Pederson,” enter “erson”

Soundex:
The Soundex boxes allow the researcher to search last names that may have a variety of spellings. For best results, the entire last name should be entered, but exact spelling is not required. For more information about Soundex and Extended Soundex, see Soundex FAQ.

Year of Census (or range):
If you wish to search a particular census year, select that year from the drop-down menu in the “Census Year” box. The default setting searches all census years.

County of Residence:
If the exact county of residence is known, select that county by clicking on it. If the exact county is not known, multiple counties may be selected by holding down the “control” key while clicking on the desired counties. The default setting searches all counties.

Township/City:
Add the township or city of residence if known. This can be helpful when looking for common names.

Results:
The results box permits the researcher to arrange how the results are displayed. By default, the index arranges the results alphabetically by last name. However, the results box can also be set to arrange the information by first name, age or county of residence. When either the “year of birth” or the “county of birth” option is selected, the results are first ordered by that selected option, then by last name, and finally by first name.

Search Suggestions:
1. Try alternate spellings. Historically, names may have been spelled differently. Or, this name may have simply been transcribed or entered incorrectly into the index. Be sure to make full use of options such as [Contains...], [Starts With...], [Ends With...], or Soundex.

2. Try different census years. Broaden the date range of your search to include more years or search across all years.

3. Try another county(s). Try selecting another county, or multiple counties, which can be done by holding down the “control” key while clicking on the desired counties.

3. Are you sure that the search subject(s) resided in Minnesota between 1865 and 1905?

If you would like to request census research by our staff, please let us know here. Staff will search for one individual or family name in one year of the census per request. Please provide as much information as possible about the individual or family in question to help make the search successful.

Other copy options may be found on the FAQ page.