Your Gateway To Information
The History Center Research Library is accessible by appointment only, Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library is closed Saturday through Monday. Appointments need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. This will allow sufficient time for staff to pull research material for your visit. The Research Library is free to use for members and $5 for non-members. To schedule a research appointment, please contact library@goodhistory.org.
- Public Access Computers with access to Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, Dalby Database, and Fold3.com
- County censuses on microfilm 1865-1905. Also Ancestry.com
- 1850 Territorial Census (partial)
- 1870 Red Wing, Featherstone, Hay Creek, Burnside censuses
- Directories and phone books 1860-present (years vary)
- Plat books 1877, 1894, 1914-present (years vary)
- County newspapers on microfilm: Cannon Falls, Goodhue, Kenyon, Pine Island, Wanamingo, Red Wing, Zumbrota. (years vary)
- Local Obituaries (years vary)
- Military information with partial listings of Goodhue County veterans
- Subject and Biography files. Topics and names vary.
- Red Wing First Lutheran Church records on microfilm 1855-1997
- Sanborn Fire Insurance maps 1884-1951 for Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Zumbrota, White Rock, Pine Island, Dennison, Goodhue, Kenyon, Skyberg, Burnside, Frontenac, Wanamingo, Stanton, and Welch (years vary). Also available on the Library of Congress Website
Click here for Church Listings.
Research Requests
The Goodhue County Historical Society does not have the capacity to conduct research on behalf of patrons. We are happy to assist researchers during a research appointment and can help navigate our collections and resources.
Research appointments are available in person only. We do not offer virtual or digital research appointments. Appointments need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. This will allow sufficient time for staff to pull research material for your visit.
If you are not local or are looking for someone to conduct genealogical or historical research on your behalf, the Minnesota Historical Society maintains a list of independent researchers who may be available for hire: Minnesota Historical Society – Independent Researchers
GCHS has a limited amount of genealogical resources available in our collection. For additional genealogical research assistance and resources, we also recommend the Minnesota Genealogical Society in Mendota Heights: Minnesota Genealogical Society
Vital and Land Records
GCHS does not have birth, death, marriage, or land records. These are kept at the Recorders Office at the old courthouse in Red Wing. They can be reached at 651-385-3000.
Send A Research Request Now
Interested in researching Goodhue County history or your family history? Please complete the form below and tell us a little about what you are looking for. This information helps us understand your research question and determine how we may be able to assist you.
Please note that GCHS does not conduct research on behalf of patrons. We do not have the capacity to complete genealogical or historical research requests for you. Instead, researchers are welcome to make an in-person research appointment at the History Center, where our staff can help you navigate our collections and research resources.
Genealogy research is available only to those who visit the History Center in person. We do not offer virtual or digital research appointments.
GCHS does not have birth, death, marriage or land records. These are kept at the Recorders Office at the courthouse in Red Wing. They can be reached at 651-385-3000.
Complete the form below and we will contact you regarding your request.