Wells County, North Dakota Genealogy
Guide to Wells County, North Dakota ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Wells County was named after Edward Payson Wells.[2] The County is located in the center area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Wells County Courthouse
700 Railway St N
PO Box 596
Fessenden, ND 58438
Phone: 701.547.3122
Wells County Website
Clerk District Court has birth, marriage, death, burial, divorce probate and court records;
Register of Deeds has land records[4]
Wells County, North Dakota Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Marriage | Court | Land | Probate | Census | ||
| 1893 | 1887 | 1893 | 1873 | 1873 | 1873 | 1836 |
Full compliance by 1924.[6] | ||||||
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
County seat: Fessenden [7]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
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Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- Index to Wells County Biographies on North Dakota Genealogy Trails website - alphabetical list of early settlers and prominent individuals from county histories
- North Dakota Biography Index at North Dakota State University Archives - Index only; gives references to publications containing information on North Dakotans, living and deceased
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- Odessa Digital Library has cemetery transcriptions for cemeteries in Wells County], providing name, date of birth, and date of death where available.
- 1877-1999 - North Dakota, Cemetery Records, 1877-1999 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1890 | 1,212 | — |
| 1900 | 8,310 | 585.6% |
| 1910 | 11,814 | 42.2% |
| 1920 | 12,957 | 9.7% |
| 1930 | 13,285 | 2.5% |
| 1940 | 11,198 | −15.7% |
| 1950 | 10,417 | −7.0% |
| 1960 | 9,237 | −11.3% |
| 1970 | 7,847 | −15.0% |
| 1980 | 6,979 | −11.1% |
| 1990 | 5,864 | −16.0% |
| 2000 | 5,102 | −13.0% |
| 2010 | 4,207 | −17.5% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Before North Dakota was a state in 1889, parts of North Dakota were included in the 1836 Iowa Territory census (also known as Wisconsin Territory), 1840 Iowa Territory census, 1850 Minnesota Territory census, and the 1860-1880 Dakota Territory censuses.[9] See links listed below.
Territory and State Census Records[edit | edit source]
- 1836 - 1836 Wisconsin Territory Census – index only; North Dakota was included in the 1836 Wisconsin Territory Census
- 1840 - United States Census, 1840 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1840 Iowa Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1850 - United States Census, 1850 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1850 Minnesota Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1860 - United States Census, 1860 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1860 Dakota Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1870 - United States Census, 1870 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1870 Dakota Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1880 - United States Census, 1880 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; North Dakota was included in the 1880 Dakota Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1885 Dakota Territory 1885 Census Index at NDSU Archives – index only
- 1885, 1915, 1925 North Dakota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1885, 1915, 1925 at Ancestry.com – ($), index and images
- 1915 North Dakota Census, 1915 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1925 North Dakota Census, 1925 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images - How to Use this Collection
Federal Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Censuses were taken for the state of North Dakota starting in 1890, although no records survived. The 1900 Census is the next Federal Census available. For links to Federal census indexes, see North Dakota Census.
- 1890 Veterans Census, Wells County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
- 1900 Wells County Census Index of Names (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1900 Index of Wells County Census - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1910 Index of Wells County Census - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1920 Index of Wells County Census - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1930 Index of Wells County Census - images. (USGenWeb Archives)
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Church records can be found online, kept onsite at the church, or housed in a church archive or library. See North Dakota Church Records for more information on how to locate the records.
Online Church Records
Wells County Church Histories
- Wells County Church Records and Histories (Genealogy Trails)
Lutheran Church
- 1875-1940 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Records, 1875-1940 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
- Records of Concordia Lutheran Church, Fessenden, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
- 1800-1953 - North Dakota, Red River Valley Genealogical Society, Pioneer Files, 1880-1953 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
When the United States acquired North Dakota, most of the land became available for homesteading or purchase from the federal government. After land was transferred from the government to private owners, the registrar of deeds in each county recorded the land transactions in the form of deeds and mortgages. For more information, see North Dakota Land and Property.
Online Land Records
- Index to Wells County BLM Land Records by Surname (USGenWeb Archives)
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
- 1796 - 1907 - U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1863 - 1908 - U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index and images
For more information see North Dakota Land and Property
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories, including those of the county, are available for Wells County. These histories can include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information.
- '76 thru '66: a pioneer story. 1966. By James D Weckerly. Lake Forest, Minnesota : Forest Lake Printing. At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Fessenden diamond jubilee, 1893-1968. 1968. By Fessenden Diamond Jubilee Book Committee. (Fessenden, N.D.): Fessenden Diamond Jubilee Book Committee. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Growing with pride; the Harvey, N.D. area, her history, her people. 1981?. Harvey, North Dakota: Harvey 75th Jubilee Committee. Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
- The history of Wells County, North Dakota: and its pioneers with a sketch of North Dakota history and the oregin [sic] of the place names. 1929. By Walter Earnest Spokesfield. (S.l.: s.n.) Online at: At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of North Dakota - shows boundary changes for North Dakota Counties
- North Dakota Maps at NDGenWeb -historical maps
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Online Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections are unique to North Dakota. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and North Dakota Military Records.
Civil War
- 1861-1865 - Dakota Territory Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch. - How to Use this Collection
- 1890 - United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890 at FamilySearch. - How to Use this Collection
- 1890 - Veterans Census, Wells County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
World War I
- 1917-1918 - North Dakota Military Men 1917-1918 at Ancestry ($)
- 1917-1918 - Roster of the men and women who served in the army or naval service (including the Marine Corps) of the United States or its allies from the state of North Dakota in the World War, 1917-1918, Vols. 1-4 at Ancestry ($)
- World War I Casualties, Wells County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
World War II
- World War II Army Enlistment Records, Wells County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
- World War II Army Casualties, Wells County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
- World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, Wells County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
Korean War
- 1950-1957 - Korean War Casualties, Wells County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
Vietnam War
- 1957-1995 - Vietnam War Casualties, Wells County, North Dakota (Genealogy Trails)
For further information see North Dakota Military Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1868-1924 - North Dakota, Naturalization Records, 1868-1924 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- North Dakota Naturalization Records Index at NDSU Archives – index only, covers various dates and counties
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see North Dakota Newspapers.
North Dakota Newspaper Catalogs
- State Historical Society of North Dakota - contains inventory and catalog of all known ND newspapers
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
North Dakota Newspapers Online
- Chronicling America - contains images of some North Dakota newspapers; searching tips
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
- GenealogyBank ($)
- Newspaper Archive ($)
- Papers from the Past at Community History Archives
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Wells County Obituaries and Death Notices (Genealogy Trails)
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records, including wills and estates, are at the county clerk's office. See also North Dakota Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1800 – 1985 North Dakota and South Dakota Wills and Probate Records 1800-1985 at Ancestry.com — index and images ($)
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
County tax records are at the county treasurer's, auditor's or clerk's office in the county courthouse. Some tax records may have been moved to the North Dakota State Archives.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Birth, marriage, death, and divorce records may be recorded on registers, certificates, or other documents at the county clerk's office. Many records are also being digitized and put online. See North Dakota Vital Records for more information about availability and how to access them.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1872-1958 - North Dakota, County Marriages, 1872-1958 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
- Wells County Marriage Announcements (Genealogy Trails)
Death[edit | edit source]
Online Death Indexes and Records
- 1892-present - NDDH Public Death Index, 1892-present at North Dakota Dept. of Health – index only
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Wells County. For state-wide archival repositories, see North Dakota Archives and Libraries.
North Dakota State University Archives
West Building 3551 7th Avenue N
Fargo, ND 58102
Mailing Address:
NDSU Archives
Libraries NDSU Dept #2080
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Phone: 701-231-8914
Fax: 701-231-5632
Email: ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Wells County. For state-wide library facilities, see North Dakota Archives and Libraries.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Bowdon Museum and Library
232 40th Ave. NE
Bowdon, ND 58418
Manfred Heritage Museum, Inc.
PO Box 321
Harvey, ND 58341-0321
Telephone Number: 701-547-2564 (summer) or 701-324-2027
Website
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Wells County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see North Dakota Societies.
Wells County Historical Society
903 4th St. N.E.
Fessenden, ND 58438
Telephone: 701-547-3684
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Wells County, North Dakota, USGenWeb Project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
- Wells County, North Dakota, USGenWeb Archives
- FamilySearch Catalog The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
- Wells County, North Dakota Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Wells County Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
- Genealogy Trails: Wells County, North Dakota, Genealogy and History
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails: Wells County, North Dakota, Genealogy and History
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wells, North Dakota," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wells_County,_North_Dakota accessed 8/28/2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wells County, North Dakota. Page 527 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 519.
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Rev. ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 1992), 562; Alice M. Hetzel, U.S. Vital Statistics System: Major Activities and Developments, 1950-95 (Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, [1997]), 58.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wells County, North Dakota," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia.
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, ‘’Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources,’’ 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 2004), 511. Free online version; FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004; WorldCat entry.
