Red River Valley Genealogical Society

Photo by Mikhail Pavstyuk on Unsplash

​As family historians, we seem to be on an endless quest for information.  We are truly blessed up and down the Red River Valley of the Dakotas and Minnesota with quality genealogical resources.  One of these resources is the Red River Valley Genealogical Society.  Let’s look.

According to their website, the Red River Valley Genealogical Society (RRVGS) is a “non-profit society comprised of family historians a lot like you…We would love to help you with your research. You may join our society or hire us to help you document your ancestors or you may purchase our publications to conduct your own research.”
​
Located in West Fargo, North Dakota on the grounds of Bonanzaville, USA, this library contains an amazing amount of information and resources for the genealogist.  Before going to their library, spend time on the Red River Valley Genealogical Society’s website.  In addition to hours (important as they are not open daily), you can find an extensive list of their resources. These resources range from family histories to research aids to various country and state records plus much more. With such extensive resources, I would recommend reviewing their list and creating a plan/goal for your visit.  The more prepared you are the more effective your visit will be.
In addition to books and related resources, they also have several North Dakota newspapers on microfilm to view on a top-notch viewer.

You can view  additional external links to help with your research here.   The RRVGS website recently moved and some areas like their store, research assistance and funeral home index are in the process of being completed.  You can always email or call them using the contact information on their site if you have questions or to find out more about those under construction areas.
If you’re unable to visit the library yourself, you can contact them and pay them to research for you.  Because this organization is a non-profit society, these dollars help them maintain their collection of over 5000 resources and help keep the lights on.

If you have been helped by this organization or another like it in your part of the world, consider joining as a member to help support their efforts.  These local treasures contain information found nowhere else. What would we do without them?  While you are at RRVGS, allow extra time to visit historic Bonanzaville, USA /Cass County, ND Historical Society which is a historic pioneer village and local history museum—a fun and excellent way to learn more about Red River Valley history. Happy researching!
 
“If you don’t know history, you don’t know anything.  You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.”
--Michael Crichton