Job for a Minnesota genealogist

Carver County Historical Society, Waconia, MN, is seeking a half time genealogist/researcher. Applications will be taken until April 25, 2014, with interviews to follow early May. Interns are encouraged to apply.  To apply please email cover letter with salary requirements, and resume. Email questions preferred.

This is from the Minnesota Historical Society's Local History News for March 26, 2014. 

Read the full job description here. 

Local historical society blogs are gems

Have you checked for blogs written by staff at the city and county historical societies in ancestral localities? You might find one for a place where you lived as a child. These cover a variety of topics including photos of people and places, overviews of research collections, local historical events, biographical notes on local families, historical sites, history of area buildings, cemeteries, churches, and  local disasters.

• Edina, Minnesota:  http://www.edinahistoricalsociety.org/blog.html
• Altadena, California:  http://www.altadenahistoricalsociety.org/about.htm
• Geneva, New York:  http://genevahistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/
• Brown County, Indiana:  http://www.browncountyhistorycenter.org/historical-society-blog.html
• Whatcom County, Washington:  http://whatcomhistory.wordpress.com/
• Yellow Springs, Ohio:  http://whatcomhistory.wordpress.com/

Isanti County Historical Society rises from the ashes

Back in 2011, I wrote about the arson destruction of the historical society building and contents in Isanti County, Minnesota. An article in yesterday's Isanti County News tells the story of the rebuilding, the future, and the hopes for this building and society that is physically located in Cambridge, Minnesota

"Our main focus is now going to be a resource center for genealogy and family history. We want our focus to be on pictures and stories and information on Isanti County"

"Isanti County Historical Society Heritage Center is a place to not only conduct research and learn about our past and the people who made us what we are today, but also a place to create new memories.”

Read the balance of the informative and uplifting article here.

Visit the society's website here.

Isanti County, Minnesota history destroyed

Grab a box of tissues because you will need them after you read this. The Isanti County Minnesota Historical Society's building was totally destroyed by an arson fire early this morning. According to the Princeton Union-Eagle newspaper, it's a total loss. Documents, artifacts, publications, and more are gone forever.

Check here to see the many items we will never again have access to. Read all the way to the bottom of the page. I don't have any known ancestral connections to Isanti County, but my heart is breaking for those who do.

Bottom line is that history has been destroyed due to some selfish person or persons. Why? What did they gain from this? It's a loss of individual, family, community, county, and state history.

Advent Calendar: Visit the historical society for Christmas gifts

Your Christmas gift to a relative or friend could be historical in nature. Do you remember the last time you visited the county or state historical society's gift shop? I love to browse in these. It might be the perfect place to purchase some of your Christmas gifts as I have done.

Many of these shops give discounts to members of the historical society. Maps, calendars, notecards, photographs, artwork, sculptures, jewelry, glassware, clocks, music, quilts, samplers, cookbooks, and foods made in the area. 

Much of these will have historical connections, some will be created or written by local artists and authors. Books on the history of baseball, county and state fairs, historic homes, inventions, and famous individuals born in the state are big sellers. A book or pamphlet might tell the story of a specific ethnic group or religion in the state. Key chains, ornaments, and knick-knacks that portray something related to the history of the county or the state make good stocking stuffers

For children, it might be a coloring book, paper dolls, or an activity book that is history related. Many of these gift shops have reproductions of old fashioned toys and dolls.

Online indexes at county historical societies in Minnesota

County historical societies in Minnesota (and in other states) are treasure troves of material useful in our family history search. This is a sampling of some online indexes for several of the county societies in Minnesota. Some of these societies have other online indexes and information on how to obtain the actual record or publication the index references.

• Carver County Historical Society Newspaper Index http://www.carvercountyhistoricalsociety.org/newspaper/search.php

• Dakota County Historical Society obituary index http://www.dakotahistory.org/research/Obit_Search.asp

• Morrison County Historical Society index of family files http://morrisoncountyhistory.org/?page_id=1177