1. How can I care for my documents?

We do not have a document conservation specialist on our staff but we can offer limited advice on document preservation.  Archives staff members will also give presentations on document preservation to groups in South Dakota.

2. Would the archives like to have my old family papers?

Follow these links to learn about donating to the archives: Donations / Make a Donation

3. What genealogy resources are available at the Archives?

Many genealogy resources are available to researchers tracking down their family roots.  The most heavily used collections include census records, WPA cemetery records, naturalization records, land tract books, centennial atlases, and newspapers.

4. Did South Dakota have a census?

 Federal, State, and Indian Reservation censuses are available to researchers.  The Federal and Indian censuses have been microfilmed and are available through interlibrary loan.  The state census records are original documents and must be viewed in the Archives.

5. How can I find my relatives' burial site?

Cemetery Records are primarily the records of the WPA cemetery project, however, many cities and counties have updated this information and provided copies to the archives.

6. How can I obtain a birth, death, or marriage certificate?

Vital Records are not available from the Archives.  Contact Vital Records in the Department of Health.

7. What newspapers are available to locate obituaries?

Newspapers are available in microfilm format and may be borrowed through Interlibrary loan.  Search the online database.

8. Where are my school transcripts located?

Official school transcripts are not retained by the Archives; they are maintained at the school's office in the town where you attended school.  The Archives does have school census records for many counties which list the names of students, their parents, and teachers.

9. How can I get a copy of my grandfather's military records?

Military records are federal records that are maintained by the National Archives.  The Archives does have copies of Veterans Bonus Records for veterans who filed for a Bonus Payment after they served.  These records documenting WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam contain copies of the individual's discharge papers.  Veteran Bonus Records are restricted but permission to view them may be obtained by the Office of Veterans Affairs.

Museum

1. Can the museum appraise my antique?

No, the museum can not provide appraisals of the monetary value of materials offered as gifts or brought in for identification. The United States Internal Revenue Service considers museums to be "interested parties", disqualifying them from offering valuations of such objects. Donors wishing to have objects appraised must seek the services of a professional appraiser. Appraisers can be reached through the local telephone directory or by contacting the Appraisers Association of America.

2. I donated an object to the museum. Why isn't it on display?

The museum collection is much larger than the objects you see on exhibit. Most museums only exhibit a portion of their collection at any given time because of limitations on space and for preservation reasons. The mission of the museum is to preserve the material evidence of South Dakota's history for all of us. Unfortunately, all types of objects are vulnerable to the hazards of exhibition. Hazards include excessive handling, high light levels, temperature changes and humidity. The longer something is on exhibit, the faster it will deteriorate. Because preservation of our collections is our highest priority, some objects can only be exhibited for a short time.

3. If the museum does not exhibit my donation, what is the point in having it in the collection?

The museum's collection is used in a variety of other ways besides exhibits. Certain items can be loaned to other museums for their exhibits. Scholars visit the museum to do research on specific topics. Craftspeople study the museum's collections to learn more about traditional techniques. Collectors visit the museum to see examples of the things they collect. Families visit to see the objects donated by their relatives. Most importantly, the museum is preserving these objects for centuries to come.