Mower County Genealogy Records

Mower County genealogy records are available at the county courthouse in Austin and at the Mower County Historical Society, with birth and death records dating from 1870, marriage records from 1865, and land records from 1856. Researchers can access vital records, probate files, land documents, and local history collections through county offices and state genealogy databases.

Mower County Courthouse Records

The Mower County courthouse at 201 1st Street NE in Austin holds the core genealogy records for this county. The Clerk of District Court maintains vital records and court files. Birth records go back to 1870. Death records also start in 1870. Marriage records begin in 1865. Divorce records are on file from 1900. Probate records go back to 1856, the year land records also begin. The Clerk of District Court is the primary contact for these files, and the County Recorder maintains the land documents.

Probate records in Mower County span a long and detailed period starting in 1856. Will records from 1857 through 1970 have been cataloged and are searchable through the FamilySearch Catalog. This is a substantial collection that covers over a century of estate filings. These records name heirs by relationship, list personal property in inventories, and sometimes include guardian appointments for minor children. They can be among the most genealogically rich documents in the county.

Land records at the County Recorder go back to 1856. Deed abstracts trace every transfer of a given parcel. If your ancestor owned property in Mower County, the land records can show when they arrived, when they sold or mortgaged the land, and who inherited it after they died. Original federal land patents for the county are searchable free at glorecords.blm.gov.

The Mower County government site at co.mower.mn.us lists county departments and contact details for researchers.

Check the county site before writing or calling to confirm which office holds the specific records you need and current hours.

Mower County Historical Society

The Mower County Historical Society at 1303 6th Ave SW in Austin is one of the larger local history organizations in southern Minnesota. The Society holds a research library with genealogy materials specific to Mower County families. These collections include family histories, local newspapers, cemetery records, and photographs. Staff can assist with genealogy research inquiries. The Society is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM, with after-hours appointments available. Call ahead for special hours or holidays.

The Tombstone Trails database, available through the Austin Public Library, covers Mower County cemeteries and can help confirm burial locations for ancestors who died in this area. This database is a useful tool for researchers who know where an ancestor likely died but cannot confirm the exact burial site. Cross-reference any cemetery finding with the courthouse death record to confirm the match.

The Society's campus in Austin includes over 20 buildings and exhibits. The research library within this complex holds the genealogy collections. Published county histories can also supplement official records. Three histories of Mower County are available: the 1884 "History of Mower County, Minnesota," the 1911 "History of Mower County" by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, and the 1984 "Mill on the Willow: a History of Mower County." These books often contain biographical sketches and family information that official records lack.

Minnesota State Resources for Mower County

The Minnesota Historical Society People Records Search at mnhs.org/search/people covers birth records statewide from 1900 to 1934 and death records from 1904 to 2001. Mower County records are included. This free tool is a practical first step before requesting any certified copy. You can also search for veterans graves registration and state census information through the same portal.

Statewide marriage records from 1850 through 2019 are available through the Minnesota Official Marriage System at moms.mn.gov. Mower County's marriage records from 1865 are within the MOMS database for much of the covered period. Search by name, county, or date range. Certified copies can be ordered directly through the site. For marriages outside the MOMS window, contact the Clerk of District Court in Austin.

Certified copies of birth and death records are available from the Minnesota Department of Health by mail or fax. Send requests to MDH Vital Records, PO Box 9441, Minneapolis, MN 55440. Call 651-201-5970 for information or visit health.state.mn.us for current fees and forms. Birth certificates are $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, state census records, and newspapers covering Mower County. The library is accessible for in-person research and many collections are available through mnhs.org/library. The FamilySearch wiki for Mower County at familysearch.org is a useful planning tool for deciding where to focus your research.

Census Records and Other Sources

Federal census records for Mower County begin in 1860. The county was organized in 1855, and the 1860 census captures the earliest settler families. Each census lists household members by name, age, birthplace, and relationship to the head of household. The 1860 and 1870 censuses show the pioneer generation. By 1880, farming communities in Mower County were well established. The 1900 census is especially useful for immigrant families because it lists immigration year and years in the U.S. for foreign-born individuals.

Minnesota state censuses from 1865, 1875, 1885, and 1905 fill the gaps between federal census years. These records are on microfilm at the MHS and many are indexed through FamilySearch. The 1905 state census lists each person's birthplace and parentage, making it particularly useful for tracking Mower County families with immigrant parents. This census often captures detail that federal records from the same era do not include.

Naturalization records in Mower County courts document the citizenship filings of immigrant settlers. Declarations of intent and petitions for citizenship include the applicant's exact birth date, home country, and arrival date in the U.S. Some Mower County naturalization files are digitized through FamilySearch, while others remain in the county court archive or on MHS microfilm.

Church records from the many Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, and other congregations that served Austin and surrounding communities can complement courthouse vital records. Baptism, marriage, and burial registers held by local churches often predate or supplement the courthouse records. The Minnesota Genealogical Society at mngs.org can help locate specific church record collections for Mower County communities.

Nearby Counties

Ancestors near Mower County's borders may have records in neighboring courthouses. Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, and Steele counties all share borders with Mower County.