North Dakota Archives, Societies & Publications

It is a good idea to familiarize personally with just about any repository in North Dakota that you simply might travel to by communicating with to the best suited archive or library in advance.

Most, if not all, North Dakota repositories have written and published content that present its collections as well as research policy.

North Dakota archives and historical organizations usually have On-line sites that provide equivalent details. Several also contain down loadable data for some or parts of their collections.

List of North Dakota Archives

  • National Archives-Rocky Mountain Region, Denver Federal Center, Building 48, West 6th Avenue and Kipling Street, Denver, Colorado 80225-0307. States covered are Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming; Mailing Address: P.O. Box 25307, Denver, Colorado 80225-0307; Tel: 303-236-0817, E-mail: denver.archives@nara.gov, Fax: 303-236-9297
  • State Archives and Historical Research Library, State Historical Society of North Dakota, 12 E. Blvd. Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505-0179; The archives and historical research library is operated as one unit by the State Historical Society of North Dakota and holds several categories of records that are discussed elsewhere. The staff will do a limited search in censuses and newspapers if specific information is known. Guide to the North Dakota State Archives (Bismarck, N.Dak.: State Historical Society of North Dakota, North Dakota Heritage Center, 1985) is available to assist in using the library’s collection. Many of the territorial records for the Dakotas are housed at the State Archives of North Dakota including Dakota Territorial Papers (1877–86), the Office of Indian Affairs Correspondence for the years 1824 through 1887, and the Indian Treaty negotiations between 1801 and 1869.
  • North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies, North Dakota State University Library, Fargo, ND 58105; Manuscript sources here constitute one of the major collections in the state and include the Germans from Russia collection. They also have a biography index and access to the index for the Fargo Forum newspaper.
  • Bismarck Family History Center, 1500 County W. Rd., Bismarck, ND 58503; A branch of the FHL, this is the state’s major research access to microfilm from the library in Salt Lake City.
  • North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies & University Archives, North Dakota State University Libraries, NDSU Dept #2080, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, 701-231-8914
  • Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota PO BOX 9000, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9000, 701-777-4625

List of North Dakota Libraries & Museums

  • North Dakota State Library, Liberty Memorial Bldg., Capitol Grounds, Bismarck, ND 58505; The State Library holds printed volumes of source materials, as it is the primary library and coordinates the various libraries throughout the state. While its collection for genealogical research is limited, it does have county histories and other similar printed sources that circulate on interlibrary loan.
  • Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9000; The family history room holds a variety of national and North Dakota printed source materials in addition to those cited in various sections above.
  • Buffalo Trails Museum, c/o Duane Syverson, P. O. Box 22, Epping, ND 58843; 701-859-4981 or 701-859-4361
  • Bowdon Museum & Library, 232 40th Ave. NE, Bowdon, ND 58418
  • Cando Pioneer Foundation Museum, 7342 72nd Ave NE, Cando, ND 58324-0142, 701-968-3490
  • Childrens’ Museum at Yunker Farm, 1201 28th Avenue North, Fargo, ND 58102
  • Dale and Martha Hawk Foundation & Museum, HC1 Box 19 , 4839 78th St., Streeter, ND 58385, 701-583-2381 or 701-583-2532
  • Dakota Territory Air Museum, P. O. Box 195 , 100 34th Ave. N.E., Minot, ND 58701-0195, 701-852-8500
  • Dakota Dinosaur Museum, 200 East Museum Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601, 701-225-3466
  • Dickinson Museum Center, 188 East Museum Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601, 701-456-6225
  • Fargo Air Museum,1609 19th Ave. N., Fargo, ND 58102, 701-293-8103
  • Flickertail Village Museum, Hwy. 2, P. O. Box 718, Stanley, ND 58784, 701-628-2802
  • Frontier Museum , 423 1st Ave. West, Williston, ND 58801 , 701-572-2258
  • Glen Ullin Museum & Auxiliary, 6285 46th St., Glen Ullin, ND 58631, 701-348-3740
  • Hatton-Eielson Museum and Historical Association, P. O. Box 33, Hatton, ND 58240-0033, 701-543-4092
  • Heritage House Museum, 416 6th St., P. O. Box 245, Devils Lake, ND 58301
  • LaMoure County Museum, 7019 County Road 63, LaMoure, ND 58458, 701-883-5546
  • Lidgerwood Community Museum, Inc., P. O. Box 36, Lidgerwood, ND 58053-0036
  • Litchville Community Museum, c/o Eugene Olson, 5499 107th Avenue SE, Litchville ND 58461, 701-762-3694
  • Lewis and Clark Trail Museum, P. O. Box 343, Alexander, ND 58831-0343, 701-828-3595
  • Manfred Heritage Museum, Inc.P. O. Box 321, Harvey, ND 58341-0321, 701-547-2564 (summer) or 701-324-2027
  • Mott Gallery of History & Art, Mott Drug Store, Brown Ave., Mott, ND 58646, 701-824-2552
  • National Buffalo Museum, 500 17th St. S.E., Jamestown, ND 58402, 701-252-8648 or 1-800-807-1511
  • New Leipzig Museum, P. O. Box 19, New Leipzig, ND 58562-0019, 701-584-2348
  • North Dakota State Railroad Museum,3102 37th St NW, Mandan, North Dakota 58554; (701)663-9322
  • Pembina State Museum , 805 Hwy 59, P. O. Box 456, Pembina, ND 58271-0456, 701-825-6840
  • Pfenning Wildlife Museum, 6148 3rd Street NW, Beulah, ND 58523
  • Plaza Community Museum, P. O. Box 65, Plaza, ND 58771, 701-497-3454
  • Railroad Museum of Minot, P. O. Box 74 , Minot, ND 58701-0074, 701-852-7091
  • Rosebud Museum ,P. O. Box 27, Fullerton, ND 58441, 701-375-7521
  • Sheyenne Log Cabin Museum, 1226 1st Ave N, New Rockford, ND 58356-1415, 701-996-2316
  • Stutsman County Memorial Museum, P. O. Box 1002, Jamestown, ND 58401-1002, 701-252-6741
  • Three Affiliated Tribes Museum, P. O. Box 147 , New Town, ND 58763, 701-627-4477
  • Toy Farmer Museum, 7496 106th Ave. SE, LaMoure, ND 58458-9404, 701-883-5206
  • Unique Antique Car Museum, 305 1st Street West, Marmarth, ND 58643, 701-279-5904 or 701-523-6193
  • Ukrainian Cultural Institute, 1221 Villard St. W., Dickinson, ND 58601, 701-483-1486
  • Wimbledon Community Museum, Inc., Pres, P. O. Box 223, Wimbledon, ND 58492, 701-435-2239

List of North Dakota Historical & Genealogical Societies

For almost every state there is a state genealogical society, a state genealogical council, or both.

In addition to their own work, North Dakota groups many times help coordinate the efforts of local societies throughout the North Dakota.

Their unique publications, newsletters and quarterlies, supplement those created through the area societies.

Regional and State Societies

County, Township and City Societies

  • Almont Historical Society, 4149 Co Rd 86, Almont, ND 58520, 701-843-7515
  • Bagg Bonanza Farm Historic Preservation Society, P. O. Box 702, Mooreton, ND 58075, 701-274-8989
  • Barnes County Historical Society, c/o Wes Anderson, 315 Central Ave. N., Valley City, ND 58072-0661, 701-845-0966
  • Billings County Historical Society Museum, P. O. Box 364, Medora, ND 58645, 701-623-4829
  • Bottineau County Historical Society, 1093 Hwy 5 NE, Bottineau, ND 58318, 701-228-3800
  • Brenorsome Historical Society, c/o Louis Garcia, P. O. Box 232, Tokio, ND 58379, 701-294-3351
  • Bismarck-Mandan Historical and Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 485, Bismarck, ND 58502-0485; As one of three genealogical societies producing publications, this association makes state research possible through the Historical Research Library. Other societies at Fargo (Red River Valley Genealogical Society) and Minot (Mouse River Loop Genealogical Society ) have a more limited scope.
  • Burke County Historical Society, 9129 Powers Lake Road, Powers Lake, ND 58773
  • Buffalo Historical Society, PO Box 14, Buffalo, ND 58011-0014, 701-633-5343
  • Cass County Historical Society, P. O. Box 719, West Fargo, ND 58078-0719, 701-282-2822
  • Camp Hancock State Historic Site, 101 W. Main Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501, 701-328-2666
  • Casselton Historical Society, P. O. Box 86, Casselton, ND 58012, 701-347-4163
  • Cavalier County Historical Society, 10123 95th Street NE, Langdon, ND 58249, 701-256-3342
  • Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, , P. O. Box 106, Medora, ND 58645, 701-623-4355 or 701-328-2666
  • City of Buffalo Historic Preservation Commission, P. O. Box 126, Buffalo, ND 58011-0126, 701-633-5387
  • Crosby Historical Society, Crosby 58730
  • Dakota Buttes Historical Society, c/o Ceil Anne Clement, P.O. Box 1273, Hettinger, ND 58639, 701-567-4218
  • Devils Lake Historic Preservation Commission, 1203 4th Avenue NE, Devils Lake, ND 58301, 701-662-3334
  • Dickey County Historical Society, 9225 104th Ave. SE, Oakes, ND 58474 , 701-783-4361
  • Divide County Historical Society & Crosby Museum, 708 1st Street SE, Crosby ND 58730, 701-965-5500 or 701-570-2162
  • Dunn County Historical Society, P. O. Box 86, Dunn Center, ND 58626, 701-548-8111
  • Edmore Historical Society, P. O. Box 8, Edmore, ND 58330-0008, 701-644-2291
  • Enderlin Historical Society & Museum, Inc., 13296 55th St. SE, Enderlin, ND 58027, 701-437-3205 or 701-799-0725
  • Eddy County Museum & Historical Society, 6840 18th Street NE, New Rockford, ND 58356-1707, 701-947-5405
  • Ellendale Historical Society, Inc., 8836 92nd St SE, Ellendale, ND 58436, 701-349-4329
  • Emmons County Historical Society, P. O. Box 567 | 110 W Oak Avenue, Linton, ND 58552, 701-254-4390
  • Fargo Historic Preservation Commission, City of Fargo, 200 N. 3rd St., Fargo, ND 58102, 701-476-6751
  • Fargo-Moorhead Heritage Society, 823 8th Street South, Fargo, ND 58103, 701-235-4112
  • Flasher Historical Society / Pioneer Square Community Center, c/o Ted Riehl, P. O. Box 181, Flasher, ND 58535-0181, 701-597-3783
  • Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site, 612 East Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501, 701-328-2666
  • Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 4480 Fort Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554, 701-663-9571
  • Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site, P. O. Box 148, Abercrombie, ND 58001, 701-553-8513 or 701-328-2666
  • Fort Buford State Historic Site, 15349 39th Lane NW, Williston, ND 58801, 701-572-9034 or 701-328-2666
  • Fort Clark State Historic Site, 612 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501, 701-794-8832 or 701-328-2666
  • Fort Ransom State Park Visitor Center, 5981 Walt Hjelle Park Way, Fort Ransom, ND 58033, 701-973-4331
  • Fort Totten State Historic Site, P. O. Box 224, Fort Totten, ND 58335, 701-766-4441
  • Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, 15550 Hwy. 1804, Williston, ND 58801, 701-572-9083
  • Fort Pembina Historical Society, 163 Chippewa Street West, Pembina, ND 58271
  • Fort Stevenson State Park, 1252A 41st St. NW, Garrison, ND 58540, 701-337-5576
  • Foster County Historical Society, 756 Main Street, Carrington, ND 58421, 701-652-1313
  • Fullerton Community / Carroll House Historic Hotel, 1395 Evergreen Ave, Oakes, ND 58474-2317, 701-375-6671
  • Garrison Heritage Park Foundation, P. O. Box 726, Garrison, ND 58540-0726, 701-463-2064
  • Geographical Center Historical Society, P. O. Box 232, Rugby, ND 58368-0232, 701-776-6414
  • Glen Ullin Historical Society Archives, P. O. Box 209, Glen Ullin, ND 58631-0209, 701-348-3175
  • Goose River Heritage Center, Inc. , 320 1st Street NW, Mayville, ND 58257
  • Golden Valley County Historical Society, P. O. Box 384, Beach, ND 58621-0384, 701-872-4987
  • Grand Forks County Historical Society 2405 Belmont Rd, Grand Forks, ND 58201, 701-775-2216
  • Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission, P. O. Box 13876, Grand Forks, ND 58208-3876, 701-772-8756
  • Grant County Historical Society, 6930 67th Ave. SW, Elgin, ND 58533
  • Griggs County Historical Society, P. O. Box 242, Cooperstown, ND 58425-0242, 701-797-2159
  • Hazelton Historical Society, 201 Western Avenue, Hazelton, ND 58544, 701-782-6293
  • Hebron Historical & Arts Society, 23 N. Grove St., Hebron, ND 58638-0123, 701-878-4891
  • Heritage Village at Grafton, 695 West 12th Street, Grafton, ND 58237, 701-352-3280 or 701-520-1207
  • James River Genealogy Club, 651 4th St., Carrington, ND 58421, 701-652-2587
  • Kidder County Historical Society, P. O. Box 383, Steele, ND 58482-0383, 701-475-2741
  • Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, P. O. Box 9 , Stanton, ND 58571-0009, 701-745-3309
  • Lake Region Pioneer Daughters Museum at Fort Totten State Historic Site, c/o Bonnie McNaughton, 817 7th St. NE, Devils Lake, ND 58301-2634, 701-662-7345
  • Lake County Historical Society, P. O. Box 83, Kenmare, ND 58746 , 701-385-4248
  • Lansford Threshers and Historical Association, Inc., c/o Glen Carlson , P. O. Box 26 , Lansford, ND 58750 , 701-784-5897
  • Larimore Community Museum & Historical Society, 1865 39th Street NE, Larimore, ND 58251, 701-343-2238
  • Logan County Historical Society, 208 5th St. E, Napoleon, ND 58561-7217, 701-754-2640
  • Mandan Historical Society, 411 West Main St, Mandan, ND 58554, 701-751-2983
  • Manvel Historical Society, 2890 15th St NE, Manvel, ND 58256-9754
  • Marmarth Historical Society, P. O. Box 93, Marmarth, ND 58643, 701-279-6996
  • McHenry County Historical Society, 6491 Berwick Lane, Towner, ND 58788-3100, 701-537-5541
  • McIntosh County Historical Society, 615 Center Ave. N, Ashley, ND 58413, 701-288-3374
  • McKenzie County Museum & Historical Society, Inc., 11542 Highway 23, Watford City, ND 58854
  • McKenzie County Heritage Association, P. O. Box 512, Watford City, ND 58854
  • McLean County Historical Society, P. O. Box 345, Washburn, ND 58577-0345, 701-462-3744 or 701-462-3660
  • McLean County Genealogical Society , P. O. Box 99, Garrison, ND 58540-0099, 701-463-2834
  • Mercer County Historical Society, P. O. Box 1134, Beulah, ND 58523, 701-873-5070 or 701-745-3523
  • Missouri Valley Historical Society, Buckstop Junction , P. O. Box 941, 3805 E Bismarck Expy, Bismarck, ND 58501-0941, 701-258-6787 or 701-250-8575
  • Morton County Historical Society, 4248 43rd Ave, New Salem, ND 58563-9805
  • Mountrail County Historical Society, P. O. Box 582, Stanley, ND 58784, 701-628-2772
  • Michigan Historical Society, 11753 Hwy 2, Michigan, ND 58259
  • Minnkota Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 12744, Grand Forks, ND 58208-2744
  • Minnewaukan Historical Society, c/o Richard Peterson, P. O. Box 183, Minnewaukan, ND 58351-0183, 701-473-5436
  • Mouse River Loop Genealogy Society, P. O. Box 1391, Minot, ND 58701-1391
  • New Salem Historical Society, 4248 43rd Ave, New Salem, ND 58563-9805, 701-843-7384
  • New Town Historical Society, P. O. Box 342, New Town, ND 58763-0342, 701-627-3518
  • Nelson County Historical Society, P. O. Box 141, Pekin, ND 58361, 701-247-2374
  • Niagara Community Historical Society, P. O. Box 26, Niagara, ND 58266, 701-397-5830
  • Nome Community Historical Assoc., Inc., c/o Richard Birklid, 12128 59th Street SE, Nome, ND 58062, 701-924-8303
  • Northwood Pioneer Museum & Historical Association, P. O. Box 111, Northwood, ND 58267
  • Oliver County Historical Society, P. O. Box 344, Center, ND 58530
  • Ox Cart Trails Historical Society, Inc. , 709 Dakota Court, Drayton, ND 58225, 701-454-6103
  • Pembina County Historical Society, 13571 Hwy. 5, Cavalier, ND 58220, 701-265-8196 or 701-265-4941
  • Pioneer Trails Historical Society, Hanks, 2310 University Ave., Williston, ND 58801, 701-572-4759
  • Pioneer Village of Ayr,1514 3rd Avenue South, Fargo, ND 58007-1514
  • Pioneer Heritage, Inc., P. O. Box 872 , Linton, ND 58552, 701-336-7103
  • Pioneer Historical Society for Sheridan County, 609 Frank Street West, Goodrich, ND 58444, 701-884-2567
  • Pioneer Museum of McKenzie County, P. O. Box 126, Watford City, ND 58854-0126, 701-444-2990 or 701-444-5804
  • President’s House Preservation Society, c/o Becky Heise, 940 6th St. SW, Valley City, ND 58072, 701-845-3617
  • Putnam House, 533 Main St., Carrington, ND 58421, 701-652-1213 or 701-652-2090
  • Ransom County Historical Society, 6231 121 Avenue SE, Fort Ransom, ND 58033, 701-973-8303 or 701-973-2259
  • Ramsey County Historical Society, 502 4th Street , P. O. Box 245, Devils Lake, ND 58301, 701-662-3701
  • Ray Opera House Museum Society, 420 4th Avenue East, Ray, ND 58849, 701-568-3437
  • Renville County Historical Society, P. O. Box 213, Sherwood, ND 58782, 701-459-2450
  • Red River Valley Genealogy Society, P. O. Box 9284, Fargo, ND 58106, 701-239-4129 or 701-282-2076
  • Reynolds Historical Society, RR 1 Box 1G, Reynolds, ND 58275
  • Richland County Historical Society, 525 1st St. S, Wahpeton, ND 58075, 701-642-4813
  • Rolette County Historical Society, P. O. Box 377, St. John, ND 58369-0377, 701-263-4564
  • Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site, P. O. Box 6, Cooperstown ND 58425-0006
  • Ryder Historical Society, 20510 184th St. S.W., Ryder, ND 58779, 701-758-2527
  • Sargent County Historical Society, 13443 88th St. SE , 8987 Hwy 32, Forman, ND 58032, 701-724-3194, 701-724-3720, or 701-680-1633
  • Sims Historical Society, 4145 County Road 86, Sims, ND 58520, 701-843-7634
  • South Central Threshing Association, P. O. Box 1 , Braddock, ND 58524
  • Stark County Historical Society, P. O. Box 146, Dickinson, ND 58602-0146, 701-456-6225
  • Steele County Historical Society, P. O. Box 144, 301 Steele Ave, Hope, ND 58046; Phone:(701) 945-2394
  • Tioga Historical Society, Inc. / Norseman Museum, P. O. Box 697, Tioga, ND 58852-0697, 701-664-2702
  • Towner County Historical Society Museum, 108 4th Avenue, Munich, ND 58352 , 701-682-5106
  • Traill County Historical Society , P. O. Box 173, Hillsboro, ND 58045-0173, 701-636-5571
  • Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park – South Unit, P. O. Box 7, Medora, ND 58645, 701-623-4466
  • Walsh County Historical Society & Museum, 12859 66th Street NE, Park River, ND 58270, (701) 284-6828
  • Walsh County Historic Preservation Commission, Red River Regional Council, Chase Building, 516 Cooper Ave., Suite 101, Grafton, ND 58237, 701-352-3550
  • Ward County Historical Society, P. O. Box 994, Minot, ND 58702, 701-838-9679
  • Whitestone Historical Society, 8692 98th Ave. SE, Monango, ND 58436
  • Whitestone Hill State Historic Site, 612 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501, 701-396-7731 or 701-328-2666
  • Wells County Historical Society, 903 4th St. N.E., Fessenden, ND 58438, 701-547-3684
  • Williams County Historical Society, 519 11th Avenue W, Williston, ND 58801-4727; 701-577-4504
  • Wilkin-Richland Counties Genealogy Guild, 2018 320th Street, Breckenridge, MN 56520, 218-643-2532

Religious and Ethnic Societies

North Dakota Newspapers & Publications

North Dakota Genealogical publications (magazines, newsletters, periodicals, books, etc.) contain all types of invaluable information about specific ancestors, whole lineages and families, places in time, and about all sorts of genealogical records and repositories.

Newspapers

The State Archives and Historical Research Library holds records of newspapers in North Dakota from the turn of the century onward. They are available through the inter-library loan program.

There is also an index available, which is organized according to the county, city, and newspaper name.

The pioneer women of North Dakota were featured in 173 profiles within the Fargo Forum between April 5, 1931 and October 28, 1934. They were printed in the “Quarter Sections and Wide Horizons” section. Almost all of those women were Dakota Territory residents, and, as such, they lived in the area before North Dakota became a state, which was in 1889.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota’s website has a listing of available North Dakota newspaper records.

Periodicals

Genealogical journals provide you with plenty of sources of information and facts, they are generally overlooked by genealogy and family history researchers and genealogist in looking around for family history.

Many regional and county genealogical and/or historical societies produce periodicals which have records relating to the region or vicinity they operate.

Frequently these publications have articles involving records that are not obtainable somewhere else.

  • North Dakota History (formerly North Dakota Historical Quarterly) is published by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. This is the major statewide periodical for historical material, publishing helpful background for research.

Books