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  • Pennington County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Jul 17, 2009
    • Formed from:  portions of unorganized land in the Dakota Territory during the gold rush in 1875.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1877
    County Seat:  Rapid City, South Dakota

    County history - Pennington County is named in honor of John L. Pennington, Governor of the Dakota Territory from January 1874 to May 1878.

    Pennington Courthouse
    1. Pennington County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found)
    2. Pennington County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From EPodunk
    3. Pennington County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
          The Minnilusa Historical Association
          Minnilusa Pionéer Museum
          222 New York Street
          Rapid City, SD 57701
      		    West Boulevard Neighborhood Association
         PO Box 8004
         Rapid City, SD 57709-8004
         Telephone: (605) 343-6415
    4. Pennington County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Pennington County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Pennington County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Pennington County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Pennington County Vital Records - Pennington County Register of Deeds, 315 St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
    9. Rapid City Township - Rapid City Society for Genealogical Research, Inc.
      Census Information:
    10. 1900 Census (T) - County:  ED-37, pg 1 of 4, ED-37, pg 2 of 4, ED-37, pg 3 of 4, ED-37, pg 4 of 4.
    11. 1900 Census (T) - County:  ED-38, pg 1 of 2, ED-38, pg 2 of 2.
    12. 1900 Census (T) - County:  ED-39, pg 1 of 1.


  • Perkins County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 13, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Harding and Butte Counties.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1909
    County Seat:  Bison, South Dakota

    County history - Perkins County is named in honor of Henry E. Perkins, a native of Vermont, who was a lawyer and State Senator from Sturgis from 1903-1911. Perkins was instrumental in securing the passage of the act that created the county.

    Perkins Courthouse
    1. Perkins County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Perkins County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Perkins County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Perkins County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Perkins County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Perkins County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Perkins County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Perkins County Vital Records - Perkins County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 127, Bison, SD 57620.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.


  • Potter County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 13, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Buffalo County.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1875
    County Seat:  Gettysburg, South Dakota

    County history - Potter County, created in 1875 as Ashmore County; the name was later changed to Potter in 1877 to honor Dr. Joel A. Potter, a member of the Legislature of that year.

    Potter Courthouse
    1. Potter County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Potter County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Potter County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Potter County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Potter County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Potter County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Potter County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Potter County Vital Records - Potter County Register of Deeds, 201 South Exene, Gettysburg, SD 57442-1521.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
    9. Potter County - Time Passages, Genealogy of the Dakotas


  • Roberts County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Jan 6, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Grant County.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1883
    County Seat:  Sisseton, South Dakota

    County history - Roberts County is named in honor of either S. G. Roberts, a book publisher who was a member of the council in the Territorial Legislature of Fargo, North Dakota, or for Solomon Robar, early French fur trader.
             The county seat was originally located at Travare. Wilmot wanted the county seat and a court battle followed. Travare won but the records were taken by force and moved to Wilmot where it stayed until 1898 when by a similar situation the records were taken from Wilmot to Sisseton.


    Roberts Courthouse
    1. Roberts County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Roberts County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Roberts County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Roberts County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Roberts County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Roberts County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Roberts County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Roberts County Vital Records - Roberts County Register of Deeds, 411 Second Avenue East, Sisseton, SD 57262-1403.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.


  • Sanborn County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 25, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Miner County.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1883
    County Seat:  Woonsocket, South Dakota

    County history - Sanborn County is named in honor of George W. Sanborn, who was division superintendent of the Milwaukee Railroad at the time the line was built through Sanborn County.

    Sanborn Courthouse
    1. Sanborn County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Sanborn County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Sanborn County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Sanborn County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Sanborn County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Sanborn County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Sanborn County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Sanborn County Vital Records - Sanborn County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 295, Woonsocket, SD 57385.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.


  • Shannon County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 26, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Fall River County.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1875
    County Seat:  No County Seat

    County history - Shannon County is named in honor of Peter Shannon, Chief Justice of the Dakota Territory Supreme Court, 1873-82.
             Hot Springs in neighboring Fall River County serves as its administrative center.

    No Shannon Courthouse
    Administrated by Fall River County
    1. Shannon County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Shannon County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Shannon County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Shannon County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Shannon County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Shannon County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Shannon County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Shannon County Vital Records - Shannon County Register of Deeds, 906 North River, Hot Springs, SD 57747.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.


  • Stanley County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 24, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of unorganized territorial lands.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1873
    County Seat:  Ft. Pierre, South Dakota (pronounced Fort Peer)

    County history - Stanley County is named in honor of David Sloane Stanley (June 1, 1828  March 13, 1902) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Second Battle of Franklin.

    Stanley Courthouse
    1. Stanley County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Stanley County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Stanley County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Stanley County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Stanley County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Stanley County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Stanley County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Stanley County Vital Records - Stanley County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 596, Fort Pierre, SD 57532.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
    9. Society/Museum/Assn - (The Wakpa Sica Historical Society, Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place / Fort Pierre, SD)


  • Sully County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 26, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Potter County.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1873
    County Seat:  Onida, South Dakota

    County history - Sully County is named in honor of General Alfred Sully (22 May 1821 - 27 April 1879), West Point graduate who was a military officer during the American Civil War and during the Indian Wars on the frontier.

    Sully Courthouse
    1. Sully County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Sully County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Sully County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Sully County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Sully County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Sully County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Sully County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Sully County Vital Records - Sully County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 265, Onida, SD 57564.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
      Census Information:
    9. 1900 Census - Sully County, SD in 1900 (listed townships)


  • Todd County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 14, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Meyer and Tripp counties.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1909
    County Seat:  No County Seat

    County history - Todd County is named in honor of John Blair Smith Todd (April 4, 1814  January 5, 1872) who was a delegate from Dakota Territory to the United States House of Representatives and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a cousin of Mary Todd Lincoln.

    No Todd Courthouse
    Administrated by Tripp County
    1. Todd County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Todd County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Todd County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Todd County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Todd County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Todd County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Todd County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Todd County Vital Records - Todd County Register of Deeds, 200 East Third Street, Winner, SD 57580.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
      Census Information:
    9. 1900 Census (T) - Rosebud Indian Reservation (ED45: 37 pages).


  • Tripp County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 25, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of unorganized territorial lands in 1873.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1909
    County Seat:  Winner, South Dakota

    County history - Tripp County is named in honor of Bartlett Tripp, who held the office of chief justice of the Territorial Supreme Court from 1886 to 1889.

    Tripp Courthouse
    1. Tripp County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Tripp County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Tripp County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Tripp County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Tripp County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Tripp County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Tripp County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Tripp County Vital Records - Tripp County Register of Deeds, 200 East Third Street, Winner, SD 57580-1806.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
    9. Genealogy Trails - County Genealogy and History


  • Turner County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 28, 2011
    • Formed from:  portions of Lincoln County.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1871
    County Seat:  Parker, South Dakota

    County history - Turner County is named in honor of John W. Turner, a Dakota Territory Legislative member between 1865-1866.

    Turner Courthouse
    GHLL Turner County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Turner County, SD Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (None found online at the time of this update.)
    6. US/SDGenWeb site - Turner County Archives
    7. US/SDGenWeb - Turner County Genealogy & History
    8. Vital Records - Turner County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 485, Parker, SD 57053.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Minnehaha County (northeast), Lincoln County (east), Clay County
             (southeast), Yankton County (southwest), Hutchinson County (west),
             McCook County (northwest).



  • Union County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Sep 19, 2011
    • Formed from:  portions of Unorganized territory.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1862
    County Seat:  Elk Point, South Dakota

    County history - Union County, originally named Cole County, the named was changed to "Union" because of Civil War sentiment.

    Union Courthouse
    GHLL Union County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project - Union County AHGP
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Union County, SD Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (Union County Historical Society / Elk Point, SD)
    6. US/SDGenWeb site - Union County Archives
    7. US/SDGenWeb - Union County Genealogy & History
    8. Vital Records - Union County Register of Deeds, 209 East Main Street Suite 210, PO Box 490, Elk Point, SD 57025.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Lincoln County (north), Sioux County, Iowa (northeast), Plymouth County,
             Iowa (east), Woodbury County, Iowa (southeast), Dakota County,
             Nebraska (south), Dixon County, Nebraska (southwest), Clay County
             (west).

    Census Information:
        1890 Census (G) - Federal Census, Union County, Veterans Shedule (Text: 7 pages).


  • Walworth County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Jun 1, 2009
    • Formed from:  portions of Indian lands in 1873.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1883
    County Seat:  Selby, South Dakota

    County history - Walworth County is named in honor of a county in Wisconsin by the same name, by the early settlers who came from there. Bangor was the first county seat, but later (abt 1920) the county seat was moved to Selby (a larger town by then).

    Walworth Courthouse
    1. Walworth County - American History & Genealogy Project
    2. Walworth County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Walworth County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Walworth County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Walworth County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Walworth County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Walworth County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Walworth County Vital Records - Walworth County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 159, Selby, SD 57472.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
      Census Information:
    9. 1910 Census (T) - Germans from Russia, published by the Odessa Digital Library - 31 Jan 1994


  • Yankton County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Mar 19, 2012
    • Formed from:  portions of unorganized Dakota territory lands.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1862
    County Seat:  Yankton, South Dakota

    County history - Yankton County was named for the Yankton tribe of Sioux Indians, also known as the "Ihanktonwan Dakota Oyate" or "People of the End Village," the Yankton Sioux Tribe has its lands along the Missouri River bottom. They lived in this region at the time settlement was begun by the "white man" in 1858.

    Yankton Courthouse
    GHLL Yankton County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project - Yankton County AHGP
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Yankton County, SD Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (Yankton County Historical Society & Dakota Territorial Museum / Yankton, SD)
    6. US/SDGenWeb site - Yankton County Archives
    7. US/SDGenWeb - Yankton County Genealogy & History
    8. Vital Records - Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 694, Yankton, SD 57078.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Turner County (northeast), Clay County (east), Cedar County, Nebraska
             (southeast), Knox County, Nebraska (southwest), Bon Homme County
             (west), Hutchinson County (northwest).

                      enlarge
    Census Information:
        1900 Census (T) - Federal Census, Yankton County, ED-355 (Txt: 3 pages)


  • Ziebach County, South Dakota —
    Information Updated:  Jan 3, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Schnasse, Sterling, and Armstrong Counties.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1911
    County Seat:  Dupree, South Dakota

    County history - Ziebach County is named in honor of Francis Marion Ziebach (1830-1929), a noted political figure in the Dakota Territory during the territorial period from 1861 to 1889. He was a pioneer newspaperman, founding a number of newspapers in the Iowa and Dakota Territories, including the Yankton "Weekly Dakotan" (also referred to as the "Weekly Dakotian") in 1861, which is still published today as the Yankton "Press and Dakotan". He was known as the "squatter governor" of the Dakota Territory.


    Ziebach Courthouse
    1. Ziebach County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Ziebach County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Ziebach County - Genealogical/Historical Society  (Ziebach County Historical Society (Dupree, SD)
    4. Ziebach County - US/SDGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Ziebach County - US/SDGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Ziebach County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Ziebach County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Ziebach County Vital Records - Ziebach County Register of Deeds, PO Box 68, Dupree, SD 57623.
               Note:  The law implementing South Dakota's Vital Records System took effect in July 1905. The Vital Records
               System, led by the Department of Health, has 64 local Registers of Deeds. In some instances however, County
               offices have records filed prior to 1905.

    * When you tell us about your Surname(s) quest, by posting your Surnames on our Message Board, we will gladly set out to find as many listings, within time, for your particular SURNAME(S). If you wish, we will also be happy to provide you with your own Ancestors listing.


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