• Search the North Dakota Biography Index

The NDSU Institute for Regional Studies has again expanded the North Dakota Biography Index on-line database, as of September 2008. Almost 10,000 new names have been added, taken from 32 North Dakota publications. This brings the total entries in the database to almost 241,000 names. This unique resource has become the quickest and easiest way to locate biographical information on North Dakotans, both deceased and living. Currently 819 publications are represented in the index.

This indexing was done through the efforts of volunteers Jane Skjei. Our thank you to Jane for the many hours she spent going through these books, page by page, locating biographical sketches and entering the data. Her tireless work will help current and future researchers track down historical information about the residents of North Dakota.

The Towner County history (1989) was added to the database. Community histories indexed include Arthur (2007), Hunter (2006), La Moure (2007), New Salem (1983), Nortonville (1987), Nome (1984), Numedahl (2001), Oakes (1986), Oberon (1991), Olga (1982), (Oriska, 1981), Osnabrock (1987), Park River (1984), Parshall (1989), Page (1982), Pekin (1981 & 2006), Petersburg (1981), Pillsbury (1987) and Pingree (1908), Pisek (1982), Plaza (1981 & 2006), Regent (1985), Rhame (1983), Richardton (1983), Riverdale (1997), and Sarles (2005).

Other books indexed include Pioneer Lutheran of Bisbee, Towner County, North Dakota, by Mabel Jacques Hadler; A Century of Progress by the Czechs of New Hradec, N.Dak., by Albert A. Ficek, and Atlas of Traill County, North Dakota (1996)

Indexing continues on additional community histories, working to complete histories for communities ‘S through Z.’ Work also continues on adding page numbers and life dates for earlier indexed publications.