Wisconsin Genealogy

USA (1,379,301) > Wisconsin (26,528)

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Overview of Wisconsin records

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Overview of Wisconsin Genealogy Records

• History: Wisconsin was first settled in 1787, became part of Indiana Territory in 1800, became part of Illinois Territory in 1809, became part of Michigan Territory in 1818, became Wisconsin Territory in 1836, and became a state in 1848.
• Birth records: A few Wisconsin counties began keeping birth records in the 1850s with most counties keeping records from the 1870s or later. Statewide registration of births began in 1907. Birth records for 1907 and later can be obtained from the Wisconsin Vital Records Services .
• Marriage records: Marriage records in Wisconsin were kept as early as the 1820s for a few counties and other counties beginning later. Statewide registration of marriages began in 1907. Marriage records for 1907 and later can be obtained from the Wisconsin Vital Records Services .
• Death records: A few Wisconsin counties began keeping death records in the 1850s with most counties keeping records from the 1870s or later. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1907. Death records for 1907 and later can be obtained from the Wisconsin Vital Records Services .
• Divorce records: Early divorce records can be obtained from the clerk of circuit court. Divorce records starting in 1907 can be obtained from the Wisconsin Vital Records Services .
• Census records: The first federal census available for Wisconsin is 1840. There are federal censuses publicly available for 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950. There were territorial censuses taken in 1820, 1830, and 1834 as part of Michigan Territory. There were also territorial censuses taken in 1836, 1837, 1838, 1842, and 1846, and state censuses taken in 1855, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905.
• County records: Court, probate, land, naturalization, and tax records were kept by the individual counties.
• Other records: Many cities and towns had newspapers, records kept by churches, cemeteries, histories, school, city directories, and other records that can be located on the city pages on this site. Records specific to minority groups can be found in the Minority Records section.
• All records: Online indexes and images of many of the above records can be found by using the links on this site.