Access Houston County Genealogy Records
Houston County genealogy records are kept at the county courthouse in Caledonia and through the Houston County Historical Society, MNGenWeb project, and state archives. The county's records cover births, deaths, marriages, land transactions, and census data for families who settled along the Mississippi and Root River valleys in this southeastern corner of Minnesota.
Houston County Overview
Houston County Recorder
The Houston County Recorder in Caledonia is the primary office for vital records and land records in the county. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses are all on file there, along with deed books and property records. For certified copies, contact the recorder directly or request through the Minnesota Department of Health for state-registered vital records.
Statewide birth registration began in 1900 and death registration in 1908. Marriage records go back to the county's early years. Houston County was originally part of Fillmore County, so records for the very earliest settlers may be in Fillmore County's files.
| Office | Houston County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Location | Caledonia, MN |
| Records Held | Birth, death, marriage, land records |
| State Vital Records | Minnesota Department of Health |
Houston County Historical Society
The Houston County Historical Society in Caledonia holds local records, photographs, and family files relevant to genealogy research in the county. The society covers communities throughout the county including Caledonia, La Crescent, Spring Grove, and the surrounding townships. Staff can help with research questions and point you toward relevant collections.
The historical society is a key resource for records that don't appear in state or federal databases. Local church records, newspaper clippings, and family files maintained by the society can fill in gaps left by official vital records. Contact the society before visiting to confirm hours and research policies.
| Organization | Houston County Historical Society |
|---|---|
| Location | Caledonia, MN |
| Collections | Local records, photographs, family files |
Houston County MNGenWeb
The Houston County MNGenWeb site is a free online genealogy resource for Houston County as part of the statewide MNGenWeb project. The site includes transcribed records, history pages, biographies, maps, and contributed family research. It is a good starting point for online research before contacting the courthouse or historical society.
The MNGenWeb site for Houston County covers communities across the county and links to census records, vital record indexes, and other digitized sources available through FamilySearch and related archives. Volunteers maintain the site and welcome contributed research from anyone with Houston County family connections.
The Houston County MNGenWeb page is free to use and includes resources specific to this river valley county that you may not find on general genealogy platforms.
The MNGenWeb project for Houston County provides free transcribed records and contributed family research for this southeastern Minnesota county along the Mississippi River.
Houston County Government
The Houston County Government website provides contact information for county offices including the recorder, court administration, and other departments. The county courthouse in Caledonia holds court records, probate files, and land documents in addition to vital records from the recorder's office.
Probate records at the Houston County courthouse can be particularly valuable for genealogy research. These files often list all heirs, describe property in detail, and name family members who may not appear in any other record type. Court records going back to the county's founding are also on file at the courthouse.
The Houston County courthouse in Caledonia houses vital records, land files, probate records, and court documents spanning the county's full history from its formation in 1854.
Available Genealogy Records
Houston County holds a range of genealogical records that cover the county's main communities and townships. The MNGenWeb site, county recorder, historical society, and state archives together provide access to the main record types researchers need.
- History and biographies (MNGenWeb)
- Maps and plat records (MNGenWeb, County Recorder)
- Vital records: birth, death, marriage (County Recorder, MDH)
- Land records (County Recorder, BLM GLO Records)
- Probate records (County Courthouse)
- Census records 1850 to 1940 (FamilySearch, Ancestry)
Houston County was carved out of Fillmore County, so very early records for families who lived in the area before Houston County was formed in 1854 may be found in Fillmore County files. Always check the parent county when researching pre-formation dates.
How to Search Houston County Records
Start with the MHS People Records Search at the Minnesota Historical Society. This free tool covers birth records from 1900 to 1934, death records from 1904 to 2001, and state census data from 1849 to 1905. It is a quick way to confirm basic dates and names before digging into county-level sources.
For marriage records, the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) includes Houston County and lets you search by name, county, or date. Certified copies can be ordered online. Census records from 1850 to 1940 are available through FamilySearch and Ancestry.com.
For original land patents, the BLM GLO Records site has free access to federal land grants for Houston County. These can help you trace when and how land was first transferred to your ancestors from the federal government.
Note: Houston County was originally part of Fillmore County. If your ancestors were in the area before 1854, check Fillmore County records for earlier materials.
Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society Library in St. Paul holds naturalization records, military collections, and newspaper archives covering Houston County. The MHS Digital Newspaper Hub may include old Caledonia and La Crescent papers with obituaries and family notices not found elsewhere.
The MHS library reading room is open to researchers and staff can help identify which collections apply to Houston County families. For military records, MHS holds state-level files that complement federal records.
Nearby Counties
Houston County is Minnesota's southeastern-most county. Neighboring Fillmore and Winona counties may hold records for families with ties to the wider river valley region.