A list of the Surname Files in the Research Library. RCHS has been collecting information for the family files for over 50 years. It is the mission of RCHS to collect, preserve, and share the history of Renville County, including its families, cities, churches, cemeteries, schools, organizations, and more.
The Family Surname files include obituaries, weddings, birth & graduation announcements, articles on the family, the submission for the 1980 Renville County History Book, and more.
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Last Updated: April 23, 2026 by Renville County Historical Society
Surname Files in the Renville County Historical Society’s Research Library Updated 4/23/2026
A list of the Surname Files in the Research Library. RCHS has been collecting information for the family files for over 50 years. It is the mission of RCHS to collect, preserve, and share the history of Renville County, including its families, cities, churches, cemeteries, schools, organizations, and more.
The Family Surname files include obituaries, weddings, birth & graduation announcements, articles on the family, the submission for the 1980 Renville County History Book, and more.
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Last Updated: January 26, 2026 by Renville County Historical Society
Preserving Renville County’s History since 1940!
The Renville County Historical Society seeks donations for their Shelving and Archival Boxes Fund to preserve local history. They utilize acid-free archival boxes from Gaylord, ensuring long-term preservation. Additionally, specific shelving and everyday supplies are needed for museum operations. Donations and purchases can be made via specified links or checks.
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Posted: February 12, 2021 by Renville County Historical Society
The Importance of Main Streets: Bird Island, Olivia and Willmar FINAL
This publication was shared by Rick Bonlender, Economic Development Professions of the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission on 1/28/2021. He requested anyone to feel free to use it as a template to write up your own Op-ed and post/circulate in… Read More
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Posted: February 8, 2021 by Renville County Historical Society
Basketball Results Prior to 1960
Found in the scrapbook for the 1960-1961 Danube Hawks basketball, belonging to Rod Black was a none dated clipping listing the basketball results from 1931-1959. Year —- Champion —– Runnerup 1931 Glencoe Brownton1932 Buffalo Lake Glencoe1933 Brownton Norwood1934… Read More
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Posted: August 8, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
Wilkinson honored for World War I Duty
Published in the Redwood Gazette November 11, 1993, written by staff writer Vicki L. Gerdes FRANKLIN – Seventy-five years ago today, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an historic treaty… Read More
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Last Updated: April 27, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
BASKETBALL BOYS TWICE DEFEAT OLIVIA
Published in the Morton Enterprise on February 25, 1916. First Victory Here Friday Night With 65 to 15 Score. Tuesday Evening at Olivia Armory Morton Wins With Fine Score of 23 – 18 After a successful victory over… Read More
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Posted: April 1, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
The New Renville County Court House published in a Minnesota Newspaper circa July 1901
Editor’s Note: While organizing in the Research Library I located this newspaper clipping. See below for the letter submitted by Mr. Gilbert in 1974. The letter shows how much pride we can have in our hometowns and counties…. Read More
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Posted: March 20, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
County Records Gone published in the Morton Enterprise on May 10, 1895
Arab like, the county officials have broken camp at Beaver Falls and pitched their tents in Olivia. They claim they had no right to transact business in Beaver Falls, after the dissolving of the injunction which held them… Read More
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Posted: March 20, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
BIRD ISLAND MUST WIN! DELEUDA EST OLIVIA! published in the Renville County Union newspaper on October 5, 1900.
Editor’s Note: Deleuda est Olivia translation: Olivia must be destroyed! The Renville County Union was published in Bird Island and would later on November 20, 1903, would be named the Bird Island Union. To the People of Renville… Read More
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Last Updated: March 13, 2026 by Renville County Historical Society
We NEED Renville County School Yearbooks (Annuals)! UPDATED 3/13/2026
The Renville County Historical Society needs your help to add to the Research Library’s Yearbook Collection. Yearbooks, platbooks, and phonebooks are key pieces of preserving the history of who lived in the area and when.