Find Genealogy Records in Redwood County

Redwood County genealogy records are held at the County Recorder's Office in Redwood Falls, with birth records starting in 1864, death records from 1869, and land and court records covering the county's full history since its organization in the 1860s. Researchers working on Redwood County family lines have access to a solid base of primary records through the county office and state resources.

Redwood County Recorder

The Redwood County Recorder in Redwood Falls is the primary source for vital records and land documents in the county. Birth records date to 1864, which is quite early for county-level records in Minnesota. Death records start in 1869. Marriage records are available through the Recorder as well. This depth of coverage makes Redwood County valuable for researchers tracing families who came to southwestern Minnesota in the first years of settlement after the Civil War.

A public viewing station is available for genealogy researchers who visit the office in person. This lets you browse indexed records before ordering copies. For records that you cannot find through online tools, an in-person visit or a direct inquiry to the Recorder's office is worth the effort.

Vital records are subject to access rules under Minnesota Statutes section 144.225. Births more than 100 years old and deaths more than 50 years old are open for genealogy copies. Newer records require proof of a qualifying relationship. Call 507-637-4032 to ask about a specific record or to learn what documentation you need to provide.

The Redwood County government website provides links to the Recorder's office, land records search tools, and county department information useful for genealogy research in Redwood Falls and surrounding areas.

The county website is the starting point for finding contact information and understanding what records are available through the Recorder's Office in Redwood Falls for genealogy purposes.

Vital Records for Redwood County Research

The Minnesota Department of Health holds statewide vital records with births from 1900 and deaths from 1908. For genealogy research, noncertified copies cost $13 each and must be requested by mail or fax to P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164. Visit health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords or call 651-201-5970 for forms and details.

Because Redwood County has birth records going back to 1864, the county office holds records that predate the MDH's central collection by several decades. If you are looking for a birth or death from the late 1800s, you may need to go directly to the county Recorder rather than through the state system. The county records from that era are not fully digitized or indexed online, so a direct request or in-person visit is often the most reliable approach.

Marriage records for Redwood County from 1958 to 2001 are searchable for free through MOMS at moms.mn.gov. For earlier or later marriages, the county Recorder and the MHS marriage index are your best sources. The MHS People Records Search at mnhs.org/search/people can also turn up relevant materials in the state archive.

Online Genealogy Resources

FamilySearch has a wiki page for Redwood County at familysearch.org that summarizes what records exist and where to find them. FamilySearch also holds some digitized Redwood County records. Checking the wiki first helps you understand what is available before you spend time contacting offices or traveling to Redwood Falls.

The MHS People Records Search covers multiple MHS databases and can return results for Redwood County names from census records, newspapers, and other historical collections. The MHS Gale Family Library at 345 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul, is open for in-person research Tuesday through Saturday. Their phone number is 651-259-3300.

Note: If you search for Redwood County family names online and come up empty, that does not mean records do not exist. Much of what the county holds for the 1860s through the early 1900s is only available by contacting the office directly.

Land Records and Probate

Federal land patents for Redwood County can be searched at no charge through the BLM General Land Office Records at glorecords.blm.gov. Homestead entries and pre-emption claims from the 1860s and 1870s are included and can show when families first came to the area. These patent records often include birthplace information and the exact land description that helps you locate family farms on historical maps.

Land records through the Redwood County Recorder cover transactions going back to the earliest settlement. Deeds and mortgages can help you trace property ownership across generations and confirm family relationships when vital records are missing. Probate records at the District Court in Redwood Falls include wills, estate inventories, and heir listings that provide family details not found elsewhere. Older probate files may have been transferred to the MHS in St. Paul.

Nearby Counties

Redwood County borders Brown, Cottonwood, Lyon, Murray, and Renville counties in southwestern Minnesota. Families frequently moved across these county lines, so checking neighboring county records often fills gaps.