Researching at the History Center
Curious about your family history or want to learn more about Steele County’s past? Since 1949, the Steele County Historical Society has been preserving a growing collection of local documents, photographs, books, and other historical treasures.
Everyone is welcome to explore our Zamboni Genealogy & Research Room. Access is free for SCHS members and $5 for non-members.
Planning a visit? Give us a call at 507-451-1420 to make an appointment. Calling ahead helps us prepare for your visit and make sure we can give you the best possible research experience.
Resources
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Local & State History Books
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Polk City Directories
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Family Histories by Surname
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Steele County Plat Books
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Oral History Collection
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Obituary Database
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Collection Database
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Dalby Database
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Access to Ancestry.com
Research Rates
Research Access: $5 or free for Members of the SCHS (includes 15 minutes staff assistance)
Assisted Research: $10 per hour (min. 1/2 hour)
Priority Research: $17-24 per hour
Associated Research
Electronic Documents
$2 per Obituary, up to three pages
Electronic Images (TIFF, JPEG, and PNG digital formats)
Low-Resolution:
$5 (one time use); $50 (unlimited use in free resource); $100 (unlimited use in retail product; must provide the SCHS with 2 copies of retail product)
High-Resolution
$10 (one time use); $75 (unlimited use in free resource); $150 (unlimited use in retail product; must provide the SCHS with 2 copies of retail product)
DVDs
$20 each (25-35% discount per additional copy)
Registration
On your first visit to the Genealogy and Archives Research Lab, you will be asked to fill out a registration card. Please bring a driver’s license or other form of photo identification. You may be asked to update your registration information each year. Members do not need to complete the registration.
Personal Belongings
Pencils, laptop computers, digital cameras, and loose papers may be brought into the Genealogy and Archives Research Lab. A coat rack is available for all of your other belongings. Computers, pencils and paper are provided for use.
What's Not Allowed
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Food and beverage
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Pens
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Flash photography
Please contact staff for information on publication uses and rights. Shipping rates may apply.