Minnesota Territorial Pioneers

November 10, 10:08 AMMinnesota Genealogy ExaminerKathy Friberg

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“The Minnesota Territory included parts of the original Northwest Territory (1783), Louisiana Purchase (1803) and lands along the Red River of the North ceded to the U.S. by the Anglo-American Convention of 1818. Along with the state of Minnesota, portions of the states of North and South Dakota were part of the Minnesota Territory.

If your ancestors were among those who called the territory home before Minnesota became a state, celebrate your heritage - become a member of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers!
If you have an ancestor that was a resident of Minnesota Territory before it became a state in May 11, 1858, you can become a member of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers.”

The above paragraphs are from the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers (MTP) Web site. The organization seeks to preserve pioneer heritage and encourage the study of Minnesota's history through organizational activities and community outreach. MTP was organized on 11 May 1897, by W. H. Hoyt, when 100 territorial pioneers gathered at the Merchants Hotel in St. Paul. MTP celebrated its 112th anniversary in 2009.

They are dedicated to preserving the heritage of the early pioneers who settled in the Minnesota Territory before 1858 and you can become a member. Each application must include and document at least one Minnesota Pioneer ancestor. They encourage applicants with more than one pioneer ancestor to include documentation and proof of lineage for each one. There is no additional charge for submitting multiple pioneers but a fee of $15 is required with your application. Thereafter, there is a yearly membership dues, price varies depending on membership choice. See the Web site for additional information, application and membership.

The Web site offers territory history, history about the organization, newsletters, a message board, Minnesotan of the Year, Pioneer of the Year, information about the Traveling Exhibit, information about the log cabin at the Fairgrounds and more. Check it out! And, if you have an ancestor or two that were in the Minnesota Territory before 1858, become a member.