Genealogy and Local Research Materials at the Carver County Historical Society Library
State and federal census records for Carver County on microfilm:
- 1850, 1857, 1860, 1865, 1870, 1875, 1880, 1885, 1895, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1920, 1930 There are indexes for the 1860 (book), and 1870 (book & microfilm) censuses.
- Non-population schedules (agriculture, manufacturing, mortality and social statistics) 1860, 1870, 1880.
- Compendium of the Eleventh Census: 1890, Part 1 - Population
Carver County naturalization records on microfilm 1862-1943
Carver County plat maps, and plat books from 1874, 1880, 1898, 1911, 1916, 1927, and 1940's-present.
(See complete list under ‘Library Resources’, in “Atlases, Maps, Plat Books & Plat Maps” pdf.)
Sanborn Fire Insurance maps:
- City of Carver 1894, 1900, 1910, 1911, 1928
- City of Chaska 1885, 1891, 1899, 1910, 1911, 1924, 1935
Carver County newspapers on microfilm or hardcopy:
| Carver County Democrat | 1859 (partial) |
| Carver County News | 1887-2019 (Watertown & Waconia) |
| Carver Free Press | 1884-1897 |
| Carver Valley Transcript | 1862 (partial) |
| Chanhassen Sailor | 1988-1990 |
| Chanhassen Villager | 1988-2024 |
| East Union News | 1891-1899 |
| News & Times | 2019-2023 |
| Norwood Times | 1890-2019 |
| Patriot | 2023-present |
| Victoria Gazette | 1979-2023 |
| Waconia Patriot | 1903-2023 |
| Weekly Valley (Chaska)Herald | 1862-1880; 1882-2024 |
| Young America Eagle | 1904-1943; 1945-1947 |
Other newspapers covering Carver County on microfilm or hardcopy:
| Lester Prairie Journal | 1897-1991 |
| Lester Prairie News | 1901-1980 |
| Herald Journal | 2013-present |
Newspaper index.
All past newspapers have been indexed; indexing of current newspapers is up to date within 2-3 months. This index is searchable on and off-site.
County Vital Statistics Indexes*
- Birth Index 1870-1936
- Marriage Index 1856-1986
- Death Index 1870-1936
*The Carver County Recorder's Office has the birth, death, marriage and land records.
Photograph Archive.
- Over 10,000 photographs indexed, and searchable by surname and by subject.
Various family histories.
- Compiled and donated to the Historical society by family members. (For complete list of surnames, see ‘Family Names’ pdf under Library Resources.)
Personal papers.
- Items of interest are letters, clippings, journals, scrapbooks, funeral/memorial service folders.
Cemetery Records.
- Including most of the cemeteries for the townships and churches of Carver County.
Church Records.
- Anniversary and centennial books, church histories, member directories; Catholic church records on microfilm.
Reference Books for International Genealogy Research.
