Martin County
Fairmont in 1890 – Photo courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
Locations within Martin County where Poles settled include:
East Chain Township, Silver Lake Township, and Fairmont
County-Wide Resources
Catholic Churches and Cemeteries
The church was a central point in the lives of Polish immigrants. Learn more about the churches and cemeteries in Martin County where Polish families worshiped.
Vital Records and Land Records
The Martin County Recorder’s Office maintains birth, marriage, death and land records.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management has General Land Office Records where you can pick the state and county, then type a surname. If an ancestor purchased land, you will likely be able to see the document and details about the land and purchase.
Census Records
United States Census Records
You can find a lot of information about the U.S. Census records on the National Archives website. The U.S. Census was done every ten years from 1790 through 1950. (the site has direct links to census records for 1940 and 1950). FamilySearch and Ancestry also have census records (Ancestry requires a paid subscription).
Minnesota State Census Records
- The first Minnesota Territorial Census was taken in 1849, and was taken again in 1850, 1853, 1855, and 1857.
- After Minnesota became a State in 1858, the Minnesota State Census was taken every 10 years, in years that ended with a 5: 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905.
- 1905 was the last year of the Minnesota State Census.
Historical and Genealogy Societies
Historical Societies and Genealogy Societies can provide you with resources related to genealogy and the history of Martin County.
General Genealogy Links
The following are websites with general resources and genealogy information about Martin County:
- Wikipedia
- Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
- County Veterans Memorial (includes names of veterans)
Books
| title | Author/Publisher | comments |
|---|---|---|
| Images of America – Martin County | by Chris Hanning Arcadia Publishing, 2010 | To Order – Arcadia Publishing |
| Tales of Martin County’s Past | by Lenny Tvedten | Can be ordered through the Martin County Historical Society |
Maps
Plat maps are helpful in showing who owned the land that year. Click on the area you are interested in until you get to the detail level with names.
Silver Lake Township
Book
Silver Lake Township, Martin County
by Iustinus Tim Avery
Cel Publishing, 2012
Link to Order
East Chain Township
General Genealogy Links
The following are websites with general resources and genealogy information about East Chain Township:
PGS-MN Newsletter Article
| newsletter | page | title/Author |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2010 | 1 | Drobne Echa Article – Installment #19: East Chain and Fairmont From Wiarus and Katolik, 1886 – 1906 (includes a photo of the original church in East Chain) |
Book
| Title | Author/Publisher | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| History of East Chain | by Dona Paris Martin County Historical Society | Can be ordered through the Martin County Historical Society |
Fairmont
Public Library
Public libraries have valuable resources related to genealogy, local history and culture.
General Genealogy Links
The following are websites with general resources and genealogy information about Fairmont:
Books
| title | Author | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Our Town: Fairmont Minnesota, Then and Now | by Troy Meeker | |
| Historical Fairmont in Pictures, 1860-1960 Extended Version | by George Champine | Can be ordered through the Martin County Historical Society |
| 80 Years of Change in Downtown Fairmont, Minnesota, 1906-1986 | by Albert Niss | Can be ordered through the Martin County Historical Society |