Search Nobles County Genealogy Records
Nobles County genealogy records include births, deaths, marriages, land deeds, probate files, and court records dating back to 1872. The County Recorder in Worthington holds the primary collection, while Genealogy Trails, the Nobles County Historical Society, and FamilySearch provide free online resources for tracing families in this southwest Minnesota county.
Nobles County Overview
Nobles County Recorder and Courthouse
The Nobles County Recorder holds vital and land records for the county going back to 1872. Birth, death, and marriage records from that year are on file, as are land records and deeds. The courthouse is located at 315 10th Street, Worthington, MN 56187. You can reach the main county line at 507-295-5200.
For certified copies of birth, death, or marriage records, you will need to visit in person or submit a mail request. Bring valid photo ID and proof of relationship to the person named in the record. The County Recorder can confirm whether a specific record is on file and explain the current fee schedule before you submit a formal request.
Court records, divorce records from 1882, and probate records are held through Court Administration at the same courthouse. Probate files from the 1870s and 1880s can be especially valuable for tracing early Nobles County families. These files often name multiple relatives and describe property in detail.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| County Courthouse | 315 10th Street, Worthington, MN 56187 |
| Main Phone | 507-295-5200 |
| Vital Records | Birth, death, marriage from 1872 |
| Land Records | From 1872 |
| Court Records | From 1874; Divorce from 1882 |
| Probate Records | Files from 1873-1983 |
Nobles County Historical Society
The Nobles County Historical Society (NCHS) operates Pioneer Village at 225 Ninth St, PO Box 614, Worthington, MN 56187. Phone: 507-295-5397. Email: nchsociety@gmail.com. The society holds local history collections, photographs, and genealogy research materials that supplement the official county records. Pioneer Village itself preserves historic buildings and artifacts from early Nobles County settlement.
The historical society's archives may include early newspapers, plat maps, cemetery transcriptions, family histories, and donated documents. These materials can add context to names and dates in official records. The county had significant German and Scandinavian settler populations, and the society's collections reflect that heritage. Research assistance is available by appointment or by emailing the society at nchsociety@gmail.com.
Local county histories in the collection include "An Illustrated History of Nobles County" by Arthur P. Rose (1908) and "Nobles County History" by Al Goff (1958). Both books contain biographical sketches of early residents that are not available in any other format. If you have an ancestor who was a landowner or community figure in Nobles County before 1910, there is a good chance they appear in Rose's 1908 volume.
Nobles County Genealogy Trails
The Nobles County Genealogy Trails site at genealogytrails.com/minn/nobles is a free online resource with transcribed records for the county. Genealogy Trails is a volunteer-driven project that publishes cemetery transcriptions, obituaries, vital records indexes, and historical materials contributed by researchers who have worked in Nobles County collections.
This site is a good starting point for online research before contacting offices in Worthington. It can help you confirm an ancestor's presence in the county and narrow the date range before requesting a certified record. The site also links to related resources and may include items that are not available through FamilySearch or Ancestry.
The Nobles County Genealogy Trails resource shown below provides free transcribed records and links for family history research in Worthington and surrounding townships.
Visit the Nobles County Genealogy Trails site for free transcribed cemetery records, obituaries, and historical materials.
The transcriptions on Genealogy Trails are a fast way to check for Nobles County ancestor names before making a formal records request at the courthouse or historical society.
Available Records in Nobles County
Nobles County has a well-preserved set of genealogy records. Here is a summary of what is available and where to find it:
- Birth records from 1872 (County Recorder; MDH for certified copies from 1900)
- Death records from 1872 (County Recorder; MDH statewide from 1908)
- Marriage records from 1872 (County Recorder; MOMS index at moms.mn.gov)
- Land records from 1872 (County Recorder)
- Court records from 1874 (Court Administration)
- Divorce records from 1882 (Court Administration)
- Probate case files from 1873-1983; Will records 1880-1982 (FamilySearch Catalog)
- Federal census records 1880-1940 (FamilySearch, Ancestry)
- State census records 1865, 1875, 1885, 1905 (MHS)
FamilySearch has digitized Nobles County will records from 1880 to 1982, which are searchable at no cost. The FamilySearch wiki for Nobles County at familysearch.org lists all available digital collections and research tips specific to this county.
How to Search Nobles County Genealogy Records
Use the free Minnesota Official Marriage System at moms.mn.gov to find Nobles County marriage records from 1850 onward. Search by name and confirm a record exists before ordering a certified copy from the county or state.
The MHS People Records Search at mnhs.org/search/people is free and covers birth records from 1900 to 1934, death records from 1904 to 2001, and state census records. Use this tool for older death records or to search between federal census years.
For certified vital record copies, contact the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records by mail or fax. Their mailing address is PO Box 9441, Minneapolis, MN 55440. Phone: 651-201-5970. Certified birth records cost $26 and death records cost $13. Access rules are set by Minnesota Statute 144.225.
Note: For probate records before 1900, contact Court Administration at the Nobles County Courthouse to ask about record condition and access procedures.
MHS and State Resources
The Minnesota Historical Society Gale Family Library (345 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul, 651-259-3300) holds naturalization records, probate files, state census collections, and newspaper archives for Nobles County. The library is open Tuesday through Saturday. Many collections require an in-person visit because they have not been digitized.
The Southwest Minnesota Historical Center in Marshall (507-537-7373) is the regional MHS research center serving Nobles County. This center holds southwest Minnesota collections and is much closer to Worthington than the main library in St. Paul. Call ahead to confirm which collections are available in Marshall.
Federal land patents before 1908 are free at glorecords.blm.gov. These records show the original grantee for each parcel and can confirm when an ancestor first acquired land in Nobles County. The Minnesota Genealogical Society at mngs.org (651-330-9312) offers additional databases and research tools.
Nearby Counties
Nobles County borders Jackson, Murray, Pipestone, and Rock Counties in Minnesota, and also shares borders with Iowa and South Dakota. If an ancestor lived near a county line, records may be held in a neighboring county.