Requesting genealogical items through interlibrary loan

I hosted a vendor table at the 11th Annual North Star Genealogy Conference on October 5-6, 2018. There was a lot of interest from attendees in requesting genealogical materials through interlibrary loan. Below are some tips I shared as well as what sort of genealogical materials patrons will find in libraries.

Where to request materials:

• Go to MNLINK 
• MNLINK is Minnesota’s statewide interlibrary loan (ILL) system. The catalog has access to most Minnesota libraries including the Minnesota Historical Society. Through MNLINK, patrons can submit requests for items owned in the Minitex region, which includes access to many libraries in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.  

How to request materials:

• Find tutorials for requesting items through MNLINK. 
• Can’t find the library item you want in MNLINK? No problem! You can still place a request by using Create Request and filling out the form with as much information as possible.

What information to provide:

• Genealogical materials often do not circulate. You may still request a loan, but if the item is non-circulating, it may be possible to copy the information you need. Indicate what you would like copied such as name(s), location(s), table of contents, index, etc.
• Make sure to include any alternative spellings for names, as well as any relatives that will help identify the correct person.

Obituaries:

• If the publication date of the obituary is not known, submit as much information as possible; date of death, full name, alternate spellings, location, etc.
• Most newspaper microfilm is available for loan through interlibrary loan.

Types of genealogy materials found in libraries - these items may be freely available for loan or copy, or through interlibrary loan:

• Newspapers
• County plat maps and atlases
• Federal and state census, as well as other government documents
• Local history and family genealogy books
• Norwegian bygdebøker 
• And more!