Access Martin County Genealogy Records

Martin County genealogy records are held at the county courthouse in Fairmont and at the Martin County Historical Society, with vital records dating back to 1866. Researchers tracing ancestors in this southern Minnesota county can find birth, death, marriage, land, and probate records through county offices, the Historical Society, and statewide databases.

Martin County Courthouse Records

The Martin County courthouse in Fairmont holds the core genealogy records for this county. Martin County was formed in 1857, but effective record-keeping began around 1866. Birth records go back to 1866. Death records also start in 1866. Marriage records begin in 1866. The County Recorder holds vital records and land documents. The Clerk of District Court maintains probate files, court records, and civil proceedings.

Land records in Martin County are among the earliest and most consistently maintained records in this part of southern Minnesota. The County Recorder holds deeds, mortgages, and plat maps from the 1860s forward. These records can show when an ancestor first acquired land here, how the property was transferred across generations, and when the family eventually sold or lost it. Original federal land patents for Martin County are searchable free at glorecords.blm.gov.

Probate records from the Clerk of District Court often contain the most detailed family information in the courthouse. Wills name heirs and their relationship to the deceased. Estate inventories list property and personal belongings. When someone died without a will, the intestate proceedings name all legal heirs. Guardianship papers for minor children are also held here. The FamilySearch Catalog indexes some Martin County probate records, so check there first.

The Martin County government site at co.martin.mn.us lists county offices and contact information for researchers.

Check the county site first to confirm hours and which office holds the specific records you need.

Martin County Historical Society

The Martin County Historical Society in Fairmont holds genealogy collections that go beyond the courthouse records. The society collects family histories, photographs, local newspapers, cemetery records, and plat maps. For southern Minnesota counties like Martin, local newspapers from the Fairmont area are an especially rich source. Obituaries published here often listed full names of surviving children and spouses, places of birth, and sometimes immigration details that don't appear anywhere else.

Cemetery records held by the Historical Society cover Martin County's many rural burial grounds. The county has both old township cemeteries and church-affiliated burial sites. Finding the right cemetery can confirm a death date, reveal family plot locations that group relatives together, and sometimes lead to church membership records that document the whole family over many years. Cross-reference any cemetery finding with the courthouse death record to confirm the match.

The Historical Society accepts genealogy research inquiries. Contact them directly for current hours, access policies, and any fees for staff-assisted research. Membership in the society may offer additional access to their collections and research services.

Note: The FamilySearch wiki for Martin County at familysearch.org is a useful planning tool that explains what records exist and where they are held.

Minnesota State Resources for Martin County

The Minnesota Historical Society People Records Search at mnhs.org/search/people covers statewide birth records from 1900 to 1934 and death records from 1904 to 2001. Martin County records are included. This free tool lets you check whether an ancestor's record is indexed before you request a certified copy from the county or state health department.

Statewide marriage records from 1850 through 2019 are searchable through the Minnesota Official Marriage System at moms.mn.gov. Search by name, county, or date range. Martin County marriages from 1866 forward fall within the MOMS database coverage for most of this period. Certified copies can be ordered directly through the site.

Certified copies of birth and death records are available from the Minnesota Department of Health. Mail requests to MDH Vital Records, PO Box 9441, Minneapolis, MN 55440. Phone is 651-201-5970. Current fees and forms are at health.state.mn.us. Birth certificates cost $26 per certified copy. Death records are $13.

The MHS Gale Family Library at 345 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul (651-259-3300) holds microfilm, newspapers, and state census records covering Martin County. Many digital collections from the MHS are accessible through mnhs.org/library without a trip to St. Paul. The Minnesota Genealogical Society at mngs.org can also provide guidance on locating specific record types in Martin County.

Census Records for Martin County

Federal census records for Martin County begin in 1860. The county was formed in 1857 and organized enough to appear in the 1860 census. Each census lists household members by name, age, birthplace, and relationship. The 1860 and 1870 censuses capture the earliest wave of settlement. By 1880, many farms were well established and family structures more stable.

Minnesota state censuses from 1865, 1875, 1885, and 1905 provide coverage between federal census years and are held at the MHS. These records are especially useful for tracing Martin County families between the 1880 and 1900 federal censuses, a period when many families were growing and moving. The 1905 state census is particularly detailed, listing birthplace and parentage for each household member. Many entries are indexed through FamilySearch.

Naturalization records in Martin County reflect the Norwegian, Swedish, German, and other European immigrant communities that settled southern Minnesota. Court-filed declarations of intent and petitions for citizenship can give you an exact birthdate, home country, and arrival year that vital records often omit. Some Martin County naturalization records are digitized through FamilySearch, while others remain on microfilm at the MHS or in the county court files.

Nearby Counties

Ancestors near Martin County's borders may have filed records in neighboring counties. Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, and Watonwan counties all share borders with Martin County.