Whether you're new to researching your family history or have been researching since actual letter writing was involved, we are here to help!
The Sioux Valley Genealogical Society is a group of volunteers dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing information about families, past and present, who have ties to the Sioux River Valley region in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Founded in 1972, we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides resources, educational programs, and events for people who are interested in pursuing genealogical research and preserving their family history.
Our Mission:
- To give assistance to individuals and organizations interested in genealogical research through a local association focused on genealogy.
- To preserve and collect genealogical and historical records and information in a research library.
- To educate members on current genealogical topics through meetings, workshops, and publications.
SVGS Library
Our research library is open to all and includes family history books, county histories, atlases, old city directories, and funeral home records among many other things including resources from Norway and Sweden. We are a research library and our materials do not circulate.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 12pm - 4pm
Other hours by appointment
Old Courthouse Museum - 2nd Floor
200 W. 6th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605)991-0256
We are now a FamilySearch Affiliate! Come into our library and access the FamilySearch records that are available through the library in Salt Lake City, UT. While the majority of their records are available to us, there are some that are only available at their location. Bring your laptop and start discovering!
Membership Benefits
- All-Access Ancestry.com including Fold3 and Newspapers.com (must access from our library)
- Pioneer Pathfinder Newsletter, published 3 times per year. Members receive via email or, for an additional fee, postal mail
- 9 meetings per year. Each meeting includes a program. January and February meetings are virtual, held via Zoom. Members can access the handouts and Zoom recordings on the website.
- Research help! Our research volunteers will help with any questions, whether it's how to get started or a specific question about tracking down great-uncle Elroy.
We're on Facebook!
Join our Facebook group to keep up with the latest announcements, learn about webinars and events of interest, and connect with like-minded folks.
Pioneer Certificates
If your ancestors settled in Dakota Territory prior to November 2, 1889 you can apply for a Dakota Territory Pioneer Certificate. You need not presently live in North or South Dakota. The certificate is 8 1/2 X 11 inches and suitable for framing.
Records that can verify your ancestor's residence:
- Census Records, Federal and/or State/Territory
- Land Records
- County Histories
- Marriage Records
- Probate Records
- Obituaries
- Church Records
- School Records