Research Assistance
Some research help is available through the Brookings Area Genealogical Society.
We ask a suggested donation of $10 + postage for a search of obituary and cemetery lists.
If you need more help than that we ask you to send us a detailed request so we can assist.
We do ask for a donation to cover some of the time and expenses.
Please write to us at
Brookings Area Genealogical Society
515 Third Street
Brookings, South Dakota 57006
Please include your name, address, phone with area code, and email address (if available) or a stamped self addressed envelope
Include details of your request with all necessary who, what, when, where kind of facts for our research specialist
to assess needs and fee. Please include where you have looked. The more specific the request the better we can help you.
You will be contacted for your agreement before the research is done.
Research Cards
Did you know that you can purchase an SDGS research card which will allow you to search for marriage and death indexes and records in county courthouses in South Dakota? (Cards are not required if you have the county clerk search for you, although you will need to pay a fee for each search.) The cards simply allow you to search the records for yourself. You will need to pay an additional fee if you wish have a copy made of any records that you find. Research cards are available from SDGS or affiliate societies for a fee of $5.00 and do not expire. In addition to the $5.00 fee, you must enclose a copy or your driver's license or an official ID. This copy will be destroyed after processing.
In Brookings, you may obtain a card by contacting:
Susan Assmus
Brookings Area Genealogical Society
515 Third Street
Brookings, South Dakota 57006
Cemetery Records
BAGS offers a complete listing of all known burials in Brookings County through 2001.
The list contains approximately 395 pages with 19,600 names. It includes names, death
dates, cemeteries where buried, grave location and military burials. Inidividual cemetery
lists can also be purchased for the 38 cemeteries in the county. To purchase
copies or to request lookups, send requests to:
Liz Gorham
Brookings Area Genealogical Society
Brookings Public Library
515 Third Street
Brookings, SD 57006
Obituary index cards, up to the year 2021, are in the card catalog and the paper copy of the obituaries can be found in 3 ring binders on the shelf. Digitized copies of all the obituaries are also available on the computer in the history room under the BAGS section (password is required).
200 22nd Ave, NE Door, just south of Hospital
Public Hours
Wednesdays by appointment only
Tuesdays 1 – 4 pm
(During these hours call 692 7533) or for Appointments (including Wednesday eves) Tuesday through Thursday,
Saturday am or Sunday pm For help getting started, advanced research or any questions
on family history contact
Brookings SD Family History Center
200 22nd Ave
Brookings SD 57006
Historical Collection
The Brookings Public Library Historical Room includes materials and artifacts documenting the area’s history
and genealogy, past and present. Included are books, SD periodicals, maps, BHS and SDSU yearbooks,
historical census records on microfilm, obituary clippings from the Brookings Register from 1979-2017, and
Brookings County cemetery records. Also available are microfilm reels of the Brookings Register from 1890
to present. The Brookings Area Genealogical Society has indexed obituaries from 1869-2016 to complement
the Brookings Register microfilm. An index of the collection is available under our Downloads menu and images
of the Historical Room are on our Gallery menu.
The Historical Room is located on the second floor of the Brookings Public Library and available to access
during regular Library open hours. Patrons will need to check with the circulation desk in order to access the room.
Brookings Public Library
515 Third Street
Brookings, SD 57006
Local and State Museum Resources
