- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Public Library
- Local History
- Dalby Database
The Dalby Database is a must-use resource for Genealogists searching for Steele County and Rice County cemetery information, plus much more. John and Jan Dalby describe how they began:
"Some people may think they have a crazy hobby, but one that has made them many new friends. John suffered a heart attack in 1981 (and) was unable to return to work. While recovering his cousin called and asked for some family history information. So (John) got interested in this and joined the Rice County Genealogy Society.
He started walking cemeteries in 1983 and Jan joined him when she could. They finished Rice County and in doing so, they decided to walk other cemeteries in selected counties in southern Minnesota. This lead to indexing history books, plat maps, and newspaper articles; recording church records, marriages, birth, Civil War veterans, and city directories of Rice County."
John Dalby's 1982 Apple IIe on display in his work room. This is the computer he and his wife used to start Dalby Data.
Today the Dalby Database includes a wealth of records for both Steele County and Rice County, with a recent addition of indexes to area high school yearbooks.