USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
Martin Frederickson received his education in the schools of Norway and came to the United States when he was a young man. In 1871 he secured a homestead on section 10, in Sacred Heart township. He began proving up the land and built a small long cabin, 12 by 14 feet, with a sod roof. They had one cow and a team of horses. Later he sold this place and located on section 5, in Hawk Creek township, obtaining a traet of 160 acres. There was a small frame house on the place and a ride barn. Here he lived for ten years and then he bought more land in seetion 6, Hawk Creek township; here he also bought 160 acres and moved his family to this farm, still keeping the old farm. There were poor buildings on it when he came into possession
1026
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
of it, but they have been replaced by modern buildings. He also owns a larm in section 18 of 200 acres. Mr. Frederickson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
About three or four years after Mr. Frederickson moved to Renville county, he was united in marriage to Lena Lee, of Nor- way. She was born April 22, 1852, and came to America with her parents, John and Carrie Lee. An older son, Gunder, had come first and located at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and later some of the sisters had come. The whole family all met together at Chippewa Falls, and in the spring Gunder took his parents and the two younger children to Minnesota, where they located on a homestead one and a half miles east of where the city of Ren- ville is now located. This farm has ever since been known as the Lee farm. Mrs. Martin Frederickson died in 1904 at the age of fifty-two years. Six children were born to these parents. John, who now conduets the home farm, married Selma Mathison, and they have one son, Morris. Hilda is Mrs. J. C. Hanson, of Hawk Creek township, and has one son, llenry, Miller, of Hawk Creek township married Cora Seim and this union was blessed with one child, Margaret. Anna is Mrs. Carl Moore of New Vi- enna, Ohio, and has a daughter, Margaret. Fred and Mary are deceased.
Andrew Anderson Wigland, a pioneer, was born in Sweden, April 24, 1846, there attended school, and there grew to man- hood. It was in 1868, at the age of twenty-two, that he came to America and took up his home in Carver county, this state. In 1869 he came to Renville county and spent the first winter in a dugout in Hawk Creek township, after which he took a home- stead of eighty aeres in section 18, Sacred Heart township. Here he erected a log cabin for his family and rude shacks for his stoek. Like the other pioneers he endured many hardships. The land was wild and had to be broken, the nearest market was at Willmar, forty miles away, and provisions were scarce and high priced. But he set at work with a will and overcame all diffi- culties. To his original tract he added another eighty in section 19. this making him 160 aeres in a square bloek. Here he suecess- fully carried on general farming for many years. In 1890 he went to Polk county in this state and bought 160 acres of land which he still owns. There he farmed for five years but then returned to his farm in Sacred Heart township where he remained until 1903, when he rented the farm and purchased a pleasant home on Main street in Sacred Heart village where he now resides.
Mr. Wegland was married in Sweden to Eli Olson, who came with him to America. She shared his hardships and proved a faithful wife and loving mother. She died on the farm in Sacred Heart township in 1899. They were the parents of eight chil- dren : Henry, of Erieson township. this county ; Albert, of Bag-
1027
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
ley, Minn .; John of Rochester, Minn .; Anna, wife of B. C. Thorn- gaard, of Bagley, Minn .; Alfred, on his father's farm in Polk county; and Andrew, Bernard and Christina, deceased. Feb. 15, 1900, Mr. Wigland married Bertha ( Erickson) Oppegaard, the widow of Ole Oppegaard, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
Like the other pioneers, Mr. Wigland had many interesting adventures in the early days. One autumn, in pioneer times, Mr. Wigland and John Peterson drove to Beaver Falls for provisions. After buying salt and a little flour they found that they had but twenty-five cents left. Night was coming on. The twenty-five vents would pay for lodging for but one. Wigland therefore told Peterson to get lodgings while he would sleep in the wagon box. Peterson would not listen to this so they both slept in the wagon box with only two thin blankets to cover them. The weather was very cold and during the night Wigland got up and walked briskly about to keep his blood in circulation. Then he returned to his snoring companion in the wagon box. In the morning they were covered with three inches of snow, but they reached home in safety and suffered no ill effects from their adventure.
In the winter of 1872, Mr. Wigland had another adventure with the cold. He was in the woods chopping when there came up a very bad snow storm. The wind blew a gale and he was illy protected from the cold with a jacket and a thin pair of trousers brought from the old country. lle had no underelothes. The trousers were loose and the drifting snow worked up under them until they were packed with snow clear to his body. He started for home but when within about a mile of his cabin he found that he could go no further. So he sought shelter in the home of a neighbor, nearly frozen and suffering severely from his experience. The neighbors finally succeeded in helping him off with his trousers and gave him other clothes, warming him mean- time with a few cups of hot coffee and a hot sling. When he felt better he started on his way but found that his limbs were still paralyzed with the cold. It was two days before he could again start for home and after reaching his own cabin he was confined to his bed eight days more and it was nearly a year before he recovered entirely from the effects.
In the winter of the big storm, Mr. Wigland and Ole Rice started for Willmar with a load of wheat. The weather was mild and warm, and a pleasant journey was anticipated. The runners slid easily over the snow and the men were enjoying themselves greatly, sitting on their loads, smoking their pipes, and enjoying the winter landscape. Suddenly the storm broke. They were compelled to leave their loads on the prairie, and with their oxen they started back toward home. After going several miles they came to the stable owned by Magloire Robi-
1028
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
deaux in Erieson township. In this stable they found two feet of snow. But they cleared a space to lie down in, and in that stable they stayed three days and three nights until the storm was over. Then Rice wanted to go home, but Wigland insisted on continuing the journey. lle had not gone far when Rice joined him. They found their loads, hitched on their oxen and went on to Willmar. Mr. Wigland had left home on a Sunday night and did not get back until the Sunday night following. It was a happy reunion when he reached his home and father and mother and children were united.
Paul Erickson was among the worthy pioneers of Renville county and had his share in the general uplift and development of the community. He was born in Hadeland, Norway. there lived until 1864, when he came to America and stayed for awhile at Benson's Grove, lowa, where his sister, the wife of James O 'Connor, Sr., had already located. A short time later he came to this state and located in Waseca county. In the fall of 1868 he came to Renville county and took a homestead of eighty aeres in Sacred Heart township. The following spring he brought his family here. For a time they lived in a dugout amid many dis- comforts. Later they were enabled to build a. two-story log struc- ture at that time considered one of the best residenees in the county. It was 16 by 26 feet, the logs were carefully hewed and squared by Mr. Erickson himself and the gable roof was his especial pride. The house was a conspienons land mark and was used for school and church, as well as for residence purposes. As the years passed the farms developed and prosperity came in full measure. In May. 1889, a frame house was started, but Mr. Erickson died that fall, and did not live to see it completed. He was a worthy citizen and his memory will long be cherished in the hearts of those who knew him.
Panl Erickson was married at Benson's Grove, lowa, to Martha Amundson, who died Sept. 13, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson were the parents of eight children: Anna, Gudbjor, Theodore, Ed- ward, Magnus, Herman, Gina and Mary. Anna was born Feb. 20. 1860, and died Nov. 26, 1896. Gudbjor was born Feb. 7. 1863. and died May 14, 1872. Peder was born Feb. 13, 1866 and died March 18. 1879. Edward was born Oet. 20, 1867, and now lives in Sacred Heart township. Magnus was born March 1, 1869, and was killed by lightning June 6, 1896, leaving a widow, Minnie Kling, and one child, Berdie. Herman was born Sept. 29, 1871. and died March 13, 1879. Gina was born Oct. 10. 1874, married All'red Kling of Dunn county, North Dakota, and has nine chil- dren : Walter, Berdine, George. Elmer. Myrtle, Vina, Wallace, Millard and Harold. Mary was born Feb. 22, 1876, and died Jan. 11, 1911. She married Joseph Berquist to whom she bore four children : Marian Myrtle, Hilda and Mollie.
TUE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX AND TILDEN MOUNDATIONS
EDWARD PAULSON AND FAMILY
1029
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Edward Paulson, county commissioner from the Fifth dis- triet, Renville county, was born in Waseca county, this state, Oct. 20, 1867, son of Paul and Martha (Amundson) Erickson, pioneers, who brought him to Renville county in 1869. He was reared on the home farin, section 18, Sacred Heart township, at- tended the district schools and thoroughly learned farming from his father. He continued to remain on the home farm. completed the frame honse which his father had started, planted trees and shrubbery, including the red cedar trees which now carefully trimmed are among the landmarks of the county, made beautiful lawns and developed the place in many ways until it is now the best in the neighborhood. For nine years, beginning Oct. 20, 1895, Mr. Paulson was grain buyer at Sacred Heart for Edward O 'Connor, but aside from that he has devoted his entire life to farming. He is a competent business man and agriculturist, has been very successful and pays particular attention to raising full blooded Shorthorn cattle and Poland China swine. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers' Telephone line and a stockholder in the Sacred Heart Hotel Co. He is doing the county especially good service as commissioner and in the past has been town supervisor and a member of the school board. The story of Mr. Paulson's real estate holdings is most interesting. Sept. 22, 1890, he bought the home farm, then consisting of 160 acres. In 1892 he bought forty more acres in the same section. In 1900 he bought forty aeres in section 17 and in 1905 another forty acres in that section. In 1911 he bought eighty acres in the same see- tion. In 1914 he bought 140 aeres adjoining the home farm. lle now owns 540 acres of good land under high cultivation and well developed. In 1910 he purchased the Hans Rude farm of eighty aeres which he soll four months later at a pleasing profit. Mr. Paulson was married June 25, 1890, to Marie Gunderson and they have eight children : Hilma was born May 27, 1891. married John Trongaard of Sacred Heart township and has two children, Emery and Sylvia. Elwin was born Nov. 3, 1892; Arthur. Aug. 25, 1894; Esther, born Dec. 6, 1897; Viola, born May 16, 1900; Leona, born Dec. 24, 1903; Florence, born July 25, 1906; and HIelen, born April 12, 1911. The family faith is that of the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Sacred Heart.
Ole Hendrickson, a retired farmer of Sacred Heart, was born in Vermland, Sweden, April 20, 1846, and came with his parents to America in 1869. In 1870 he took a homestead of eighty acres in section 2, Hawk Creek township, and farmed there until 1900 when he retired from farming but continued to live on the home- stead until 1910 when he moved to Sacred Heart.
He was married Nov. 2. 1872, to Lisa Pederson, born in Verm- land, Sweden, July 15, 1850, and came to America in 1871. She came to Hawk Creek township, where she was married. Seven
1030
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
children have blessed their home, of whom only one is living, Matilda, who is an accomplished school teacher.
Simon C. Engen, a retired farmer of Sacred lleart, was born in Toten, Norway, June 20, 1843, and came to America with his wife and one child in 1869. For two years he lived in Freeborn county, this state, and then moved to Renville county in 1871, taking a homestead in section 30, Erieson township. There he farmed until 1911, when he sold his farm to his son Nels and retired to Sacred Ileart. Ile was the first pathmaster of the town- ship and was one of the first supervisors. He was treasurer of school district No. 43 Tor eleven years and town treasurer for three years. Ile was married August 30, 1866, to Andrena Nelson, born in Norway April 16, 1843, and they have had the following children: Peter Anton, Martenus. Sophia, Nels, Jens, Marie, Signe, Adolph and Jennie. Ile is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and has served as treasurer for many years.
Iver Oie, a retired farmer of Sacred Heart, was born in Nor- way, July 30. 1845, and came to America in 1868. Ile located in Goodhue county and in 1870 came to Renville county where he took a homestead in Wang township, driving from Goodhue county with ox team. With him came Sever Strand, Ove Strand, Ole Strand, Thorsten Hamre, Andrew Weflen and family, Marie Estram, Engebret Thoronson, Gunder Haan and Iver Nystuen. Iver Oie remained on the farm until 1911 when he retired to Sacred Heart. He was married in October, 1874, to Gunhild Sol- fest, a native of Norway, born June 21, 1850. She came to the United States in 1872 and located in Faribault county and came to Renville county in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Oie have six children : Gjorgena, Severin, Helmina, Ingvald, Dena and Gust.
Andres Johnson, a pioneer, was born in Sweden in 1818 and there married Bertha Olson, who was born in the same country in 1836. They came to America in May, 1868, and found their way to St. Peter in this state. From there Andres Johnson came to Hawk Creek in June of the same year and took a claim of eighty aeres in section 26. Then he went back to St. Peter after his family and died there. The next year, 1869, the wife and chillren came and settled on a claim. For seven years they lived in a dugout. Then for fifteen years they resided in a log cabin. Subsequently they erected a frame house. They became prosper- ons and respected farmers and were well regarded throughout the community. The widow died in 1905.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of seven children. Gustaf lives in Fosten, Min. Osear lives in Hawk Creek town- ship. Carl lives in Sacred Heart village. Olie lives in Fargo, North Dakota. Otto and Anna are dead. Augusta keeps house for her brother Carl.
CARL ANDERSON
THE NEW YOR. PUBLIC LLEVAR
ASTOR, LEN IX AND TILDEN FOUNDATION .-
1031
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Carl Anderson, one of the well-known men of Renville county, now residing in Sacred Heart village, was born March 25, 1855, in Sweden, son of Andres aud Bertha (Olson) Johnson, the pio- neers. He was reared on the home Farm, and in 1888 purchased it from the other heirs. For several years he engaged exten- sively in grain raising and stoek raising, making a specialty of Poland China swine and a good grade of mixed cattle and horses. Mr. Anderson still owns this farm of 280 aeres, but since 1904 has lived in Sacred Heart village. Hle is a useful, progressive citizen, has filled several offices with credit to himself and to the advan- tage of the community and his publie work will long be remem- bered. From 1882 to 1887 he was assessor in Hawk Creek town- ship. From 1887 to 1902 he was justice of the peace and town clerk in that township. From 1885 to 1904 he was clerk of the school board of his distriet. From 1902 to 1914 he was a mem- ber of the board of county commissioners and was on the com- mitter which had charge of the creation of the courthouse at Olivia. At present he is the assessor of Sacred Heart village. Outside of his real estate, his holdings include stock in the Sacred Ileart Hotel, the Farmers' Milling Co., of Sacred Heart, and the Farmers' State Bank of Sacred Heart. lle is a director in the first two mentioned. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church. Carl Anderson and his sister, Augusta, have a pleasant home in the village, and delight in keeping open house to their friends.
Ole Skalbeck, one of the sturdy pioneers of Hawk Creek town- ship, was born in Sweden, May 23, 1843, and was there reared. Upon attaining his majority he came to America in 1864, and rented land in Dakota county, this state. It was four years later, in 1868, that he came to Hawk Creek township and homesteaded eighty acres in section 24. For a time he lived in a dugout. Later he erected a log cabin and there took his bride. Together they toiled early and late, and as time passed well deserved prosperity came in abundant measure. Their original traet was inereased to 800 acres, their log cabin was replaced by a frame house, and near it were ereeted suitable barns and outbuildings. Mr. Skalbeek was a prominent man in the community, and was especially active in the work of the Hauge Norwegian Evangelieal church in which he was one of the trustees. He also served as supervisor of the township and on the school board. He and his good wife passed through all the trials and tribulations of pioneer life, and were held in high esteem throughout the community. Ile died Oct. 6. 1903, honored and revered by all who knew him.
Mr Skalbeek was married Nov 20, 1870, to Anna Lien. who was born in Sweden, June 12, 1853, and came to Hawk Creek in 1869. Mr and Mrs. Skalbeek were the parents of a goodly family of children, as follows: Hermon O., of Sacred Heart : Olof, who
1032
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
died Ang. 4, 1903; Idan, who lives at home ; Oscar, of Hawk Creek township: Albert, of Belfield, North Dakota; Ililda, of Montana ; Matilda, who died March 8, 1903; Joseph, at home; Ahna, a teacher : and Benjamin, who lives at home.
Herman O. Skalbeck, a successful business man of Sacred Heart, hardware and implement dealer, and Ford and Overland automobile agent and skilled anetioneer, was born in Hawk Creek township, this county, May 25, 1872, son of Ole H. and Anna (bien) Skalbeck, the pioneers.
Herman O. Skalbeek received a good public school education, and attended the Hauge Seminary, at Red Wing, this state. In 1895 he returned home and rented one of his father's farms. When his father sold the farm in 1904, he moved to Sacred Heart and bought the hardware store of J. J. Felska, and added a line of implements. Later he became agent for the Ford and Overland ears. For sixteen years he has also been a successful auctioneer, and his services in this capacity have been greatly in demand. His business holdings inelude 160 acres of land in Beltrami county, this state. an interest in 320 acres in this county, and stock in the State Bank of Sacred Heart. Mr. Skalbeck is a Democrat. When in the township he served as town supervisor for three years. Since coming to the village he has served on the school board and on the village conneil.
Mr. Skalbeck was married Oct. 18, 1896, to Petra Berg, of Hawk Creek township, born June 5. 1875, daughter of Paul and Ragnild Berg, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Skalbeck have six children : Ruth, born Ang. 27. 1897; Arthur, born April 10, 1899; Ililma, born Jan. 5, 1901; Mabel, born March 23, 1903; Roy, born May 19, 1905; and Edna, born June 3, 1907. The fam- ily faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Ole P. Skeggeby, one of the venerable old pioneers of Hawk Creek township, now living in retirement in Sacred Heart village, was born in the Province of Vermland, Sweden, March 17, 1831, and was there reared. As a young man he went to Norway and was there employed at various labor. In March, 1867, he em- barked on a wooden sailing vessel. "Amalia, " under Captain Peterson, at Skein, Norway, and after a voyage of seven weeks landed at Quebec. From Quebec he went by way of the Great Lakes and the canal to Wisconsin. It was in 1868 that he came to Renville county and took a homestead of eighty aeres in see- tion 26, Hawk Creek township. The trip was made overland by oxen. Upon their arrival the family lived for a while in a dugout. This was replaced by a Frame honse which is still standing. The family went through all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, but as time passed they prospered, and added to their hohl- ings until they owned 280 acres of good land. Mr. Skeggeby set out the trees which are still standing as a tribute to his faith in
1
1
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
MR. AND MRS. H. O. SKALBECK
-
-
MR. AND MRS. OLE P. SKEGGEBY CARL SHEGGEBY AND FAMILY
THE ALY YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
1033
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
the future greatness of the county. He was a prominent man in the township, served as supervisor and on the school board, and was especially active in the formation of the Synod church, the Rev. John Berg. the first pastor, making his home with the Skeg- geby family for several years. Mr. Skeggeby snecessfully ear- ried on general farming until 1904, when he bought a comfortable home in Sacred Heart village where he still resides. He has led a useful life, has taken his part in the upbuilding of the conntry, and is now enjoying a well-earned rest. It is such men as he who made possible the present prosperity of the county.
Mr. Skeggeby was married March 14, 1863, to Berit Olsdatter llolton, who was born in Norway, March 21. 1841. This union was blessed with seven children: Christina, Ole, Betsey, Andrea Cordine, Sven, Ole and Carl. Christina was born Feb. 9, 1864, and died Oct. 17, 1872. Ole was born July 6, 1865, and died Oct. 22, 1872. Betsy was born Dec. 12, 1868, and married T. A. Rudy, of Redwood county. They have five children: Tillie, Mabel. Ole and Theorine. Andrea Carolina was born November 12, 1870. She married Martin Listrud by whom she had three chil- dren. Mr. Listrud and the three children are all dead. For her seeond husband she married Sven Homme, better known as Sam Homme, with whom she now lives at Granite Falls, Minn. Sven was born June 12, 1874. He is a farmer in Yellow Medicine county. He married Anna Collin, and they have seven children : Orrin, Kenneth, Theresa, Stanford. Prescott, Elmer and Birdella. Ole was born Dec. 3. 1875. lle is a merchant at Granville, North Dakota. Ile married Clara Foss, and they have a son, Orville. Carl Sivert was born Dee. 15, 1879, and farms in Hawk Creek township. lle married Mary Homme, and they have four chil- dren : Berniee Gertina, Hildegaard Odella, Owen Wallace and Harvey Gordon.
Carl Sivert Sheggeby, a leading farmer of Hawk Creek town- ship, was born in the township where he still resides, son of Ole P. Skeggeby and Berit (Ilolton) Skeggeby. He was educated in the district schools and grew up on the paternal farm. In 1900 he rented the home farm, and in 1911 purchased it. The farm consists of 280 acres, under a high degree of cultivation. He is one of the most progressive men of the township and car- ries on general farming along the latest approved methods. In 1914 he erected.a modern home, one of the best in the western part of the eounty. The surroundings are ideal and the home is one of which the owners may well be proud. Mr. and Mrs. Sheggeby delight in keeping open house to their friends, and their hospitality is widely known. Mr. Sheggeby is one of the best types of the modern farmer and business man, and makes a deep study of his farm work.
.
1034
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Mr. Sheggeby was married Nov. 24, 1904, to Mary Homme, who was born April 26, 1882, in Yellow Medicine county. This union has been blessed with four bright children: Bernice Ger- tina, born Oct. 27, 1905; Hildegaard Odella. born Aug. 1, 1907; Owen Wallace, born Ang. HI, 1910; Harvey Gordon, born Ang. 12, 1912.
The parents of Mrs. Carl Sheggeby were Henry and Gertie (Homme) Homme, who were born in Norway, came to America when quite young, married in Lincoln county, this state, settled in Yellow Medicine county about 1875, and now live in Pen- nington county, Minn.
Peter Fagerlie, a well-known resident of Hawk Creek town- ship, was born in Norway, June 20, 1845. Ile attended the com- mon school of his neighborhood and grew to manhood. In 1872 he came to America and located in Blue Earth county, Minn. In 1875 he came to Renville county and, in 1884, he located on his present farm in section 22, Hawk Creek township.
Mr. Fagerlie was married in 1882 to Ingeborg Lien, born in Norway, April 19, 1853, and came to America in 1880. This union resulted in eight children: Caroline is the wife of Hilmer Eliason, of Hawk Creek township; Anna is dead; Othilda Emalia is now Mrs. Anfin Deason, of Sacred Heart ; Peter Olaf lives in Hawk Creek township : Ida Paulina is now Mrs. Melvine Sagness, of Erieson township; Fredericka Elisa is at home: Emma Jose- phine is the wife of John Jorgenson, of Yellow Medicine county ; Alma Christina is at home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.