Whether you’re searching for your ancestors or local history, our resources are invaluable.
Explore our Research Library
Whether you’re researching your family tree, the class of ‘63, or environmental history, staff and volunteers are always ready to help. The list below will give you an overview of what we have onsite. Visit, call (952) 445-0378 or send us an email to learn more!
If you have a research-related e-mail please fill out this research request form.
What’s in the archive?
Maps and Atlases
County maps from 1874, 1880, 1898, 1913, and 1944
Plat maps from Scott County: 1854, 1880, 1898, 1913, 1944, 1952, 1958, 1963, 1974 and LeSueur County, 1898.
A number of smaller plat maps of additions/neighborhoods in Scott County.
Shakopee Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from 1884,1890, 1895, 1902, 1910, 1935
Belle Plaine Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from 1900, 1909, 1914
Jordan Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from 1887, 1892, 1899, 1904, 1910, 1911, 1928, 1933, 1947
Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Minnesota, 1874.
Newspapers on Microfilm
Belle Plaine: 1858-1862; 1893-2014
Jordan: 1872-2014
New Prague: 1890-2014
Prior Lake: 1881, 1916, 1917, 1925, 1965-2014
Savage: 1962-2014
Shakopee: 1856-2014
Church Records
Baptismal, Marriage and Death registers for most county churches. View the full list.
Cemetery Records
Plot maps to gravesite level of most county cemeteries. View the full list.
Card Catalog reference
Obituaries
Marriage Announcements
Birth Announcements
Census records and town history books
Subject Files
Cities and townships
Businesses
Major Events
Specific families
Census Records
State and Federal Census Records 1857 - 1950
Books
Book on Scott County history (different town history books including Jordan, Shakopee, Belle Plaine, Blakeley, Elko New Market, Union Hill, New Prague - we have binders/compiled research for the other communities as well).
-Businesses & Subjects in Scott County
Books on the history on many neighboring communities/towns
General MN history
Family histories
General genealogy books
-Want to know if we have a book - give us a call or send us an email and we can let you know!
can’t come to us? We can help!
If you can’t make it in, we can also complete research for you. To request a search by SCHS research library volunteer/staff, submit a research request. We’ll be happy to work with you to make sure you get the information you’re looking for.