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Ottawa County, Kansas
Genealogy, History & Facts
County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links
Ottawa County, Kansas Facts
When was Ottawa County, KS Created?
Ottawa County was established on February 27, 1860 (organized on 1866) from Saline County. The county was named for the Ottawa Native Americans, who lived in the area.
What is the County Seat of Ottawa County, KS?
The County Seat is located in Minneapolis and the county government website is http://www.ottawacounty.org/
What counties are adjacent to Ottawa County, KS?
Bordering Counties are Cloud County, Clay County, Dickinson County, Saline County, Lincoln County, Mitchell County.
What cities and towns are in Ottawa County, KS?
Cities and towns located in the County include Minneapolis, Bennington, Delphos, Tescott, Culver.
Ottawa County, KS Vital Records
Where can find Ottawa County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Ottawa County vital records can be found at the Kansas Office of Vital Records has copies of birth and death records from July 1, 1911; marriage records from May 1913 and divorce records from July 1951. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Kansas for current fees and application process. Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events.
You can search online for Ottawa County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Kansas Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications to mail.
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- USGenweb Archives Kansas Marriage Project
- Kansas, Births and Christenings, 1818-1936
- Kansas, Births and Christenings Index, 1885-1911
- Kansas, Marriages, 1840-1935
- Kansas Marriage Index, 1854-73
- Kansas, County Marriages, 1855-1911
- Kansas, Security Benefit Association, Death Index, 1902-1930
- Kansas, Deaths and Burials, Index, 1885-1930
- Kansas, Fraternal Order Death Index, 1873-1969
- Kansas, Deaths and Burials, 1885-1930
Ottawa County, KS Census Records
What Ottawa County, KS census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Ottawa County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Ottawa Co. Mortality Schedules is available for 1870 and 1880. Ottawa Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be acquired for 1870 and 1880. Ottawa Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be acquired for 1890.
Another census resource is the Kansas State Census Collection from 1855-1925. You’ll find free down-loadable not to mention printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Kansas Census Records Research Guide
Ottawa County, KS Courthouse and Government Records

What genealogical records can I find in the Ottawa County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Ottawa County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Kansas Corthouse Records Research Guide.
PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk’s department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The files are available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many staff will guide individuals in locating the materials, however it’s up to the person to carry out the research.
- Ottawa County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted) is located at 307 North Concord Street, Minneapolis, KS 67467-2140; Phone: (785) 392-2279.
- Ottawa County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1885-1911, Marriage Records from 1866 and Death Records from 1885-1911. The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.
- Ottawa County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1866. The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.
- Ottawa County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1866 and Court Records from 1869. The Clerk of Court is part of the Judicial Branch of local government and as such is required to maintain a record of all documents filed with the courts, keep a record of all court proceedings, and collect various fines and forfeitures ordered by the court and specified by statute.
- BLM Land Records
Ottawa County, KS Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Ottawa County, KS?
A list of Ottawa County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Kansas Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Ottawa County Historical Museum, 110 South Concord Street, Minneapolis, Kansas 67467; (785) 392-3621
- Tescott Historical Society, P. O. Box 195, Tescott, KS 67484-0195
- Search for Ottawa Co. records at the Kansas State Archives (kshs.org)
- Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka KS 66615-1099
- Kansas Genealogical Society, PO Box 103, 700 Avenue G and Vine Street, Dodge City, KS 67801
Where can I connect with other Ottawa County, KS Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Kansas State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Kansas Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Ottawa County, Kansas Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Ottawa County, Kansas Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Ottawa County, KS?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Ottawa County. A majority of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some call for a fee. This is simply a directory which has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site over another.
Ottawa Co. KS Books, Newspapers & Publications
- Kansas Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- Kansas historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from Kansas (1841–1981) (genealogybank.com)
- Ottawa County, Kansas Books (amazon.com)
- Search Kansas Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Ottawa County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Ottawa Co. KS Cemeteries & Church Records
- Kansas Cemetery Research Guide
- Ottawa Co., Kansas Graves (findagrave.com)
- Ottawa County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Ottawa Co., Kansas Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Ottawa County, Kansas
- Ottawa Co., Kansas Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Kansas Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Ottawa County, Kansas
- Ottawa County, Kansas Church Books (amazon.com)
Ottawa Co. KS Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Kansas Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Ottawa Co. KS General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Kansas
- Ottawa County, Kansas Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Ottawa County, Kansas Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Ottawa Co. KS Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Ottawa County, Kansas (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Kansas – Counties – Ottawa (cyndislist.com)
- Ottawa County Kansas (genealogytrails.com)
- Ottawa County – Kansas Historical Society Biography (kshs.org)
- Ottawa Co. KSGenweb (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Ottawa County, Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Ottawa County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Ottawa Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Ottawa Co. KS Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Kansas Links and Information
- Ottawa County D.O.T. MAP (ksdot.org)
- 1895 Ottawa County Map (livgenmi.com)
Ottawa Co. KS Military Records
- Kansas Military Records Research Guide
- 1883 List of Pensioners on the Roll (skyways.lib.ks.us) Veterans or widows of veterans living in Ottawa Co. KS who have applied for a Pension
- Kansas Military Records (fold3.com) gives you access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents belonging to the Kansas both males and females that served. Perfect for Ottawa County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.