Who, in Polk County, would have obituaries dating back to 1898-present? Thanks, A. Larson

The local newspapers may have printed obituaries. There were newspapers in many local towns. If you send the details of your query to the Polk County Genealogical Society at polkgen@gmail.com you may get a volunteer to look it up. Of course you need the date and location as best you can narrow it down. Many people did not have obituaries in newspapers in those days, so it is not a sure thing.

The UW of River Falls houses the Area Research Center located in the basement of the library. It holds records for Burnett, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix. They do research, for a fee. I have ordered obituaries from them before. You need to know the date of death, and which newspaper it would be in.

You can also go to the library directly and do research. I have spend hours looking at old newspapers on microfiche!

Here is the site:
www.uwrf.edu/AreaResearchCenter/Index

I dont think that last link worked. Try this:
http://www2.uwrf.edu/arc/collections.php

Thanks for the information.