Wisconsin Vital Records: Difference between revisions

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Microfilms of the records through 1907 have been deposited at the at [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/ Wisconsin Historical Society] and the area research centers listed on the "[[Wisconsin Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" page.  
Microfilms of the records through 1907 have been deposited at the at [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/ Wisconsin Historical Society] and the area research centers listed on the "[[Wisconsin Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" page.  


The Family History Library has microfilm copies of the Registrations of Births, ca. 1852 to 1907. <ref>160 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;filmno=1306420 1306420] and the Registration of Deaths, ca. 1862–1907 (on 68 films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;titleno=147746&amp;amp;disp=Registration+of+deaths++ 1310171]. </ref>Most counties begin in the 1870s. These are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under:  
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of the Registrations of Births, ca. 1852 to 1907. <ref>160 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;filmno=1306420 1306420] and the Registration of Deaths, ca. 1862–1907 (on 68 films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;titleno=147746&amp;amp;amp;disp=Registration+of+deaths++ 1310171]. </ref>Most counties begin in the 1870s. These are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under:  


::WISCONSIN - VITAL RECORDS
::WISCONSIN - VITAL RECORDS
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There are three indexes to these records. Copies of these indexes are at the Wisconsin Historical Society, the area research centers, and the Family History Library. These are:  
There are three indexes to these records. Copies of these indexes are at the Wisconsin Historical Society, the area research centers, and the Family History Library. These are:  


*''Unedited Index to Registrations of Births, 1852–1907'', arranged alphabetically by surname <ref>38 microfiche, Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=234150&amp;amp;disp=Unedited+index+to+registrations+of+birth%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6331478]. </ref>This gives the date of birth, the county, and the volume and page number of the original record.  
*''Unedited Index to Registrations of Births, 1852–1907'', arranged alphabetically by surname <ref>38 microfiche, Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=234150&amp;amp;amp;disp=Unedited+index+to+registrations+of+birth%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6331478]. </ref>This gives the date of birth, the county, and the volume and page number of the original record.  
*''Index to Registrations of Births, 1852–1907'', arranged chronologically by the date of birth. <ref>41 fiche, Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=234213&amp;amp;disp=Wisconsin+birth+registration+index+1852%%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6331476]. </ref>Use this if you know the approximate date of birth or if the name is not found in the alphabetical index mentioned above.  
*''Index to Registrations of Births, 1852–1907'', arranged chronologically by the date of birth. <ref>41 fiche, Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=234213&amp;amp;amp;disp=Wisconsin+birth+registration+index+1852%%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6331476]. </ref>Use this if you know the approximate date of birth or if the name is not found in the alphabetical index mentioned above.  
*''The Pre-1907 Death Index by Name,'' alphabetically arranged for the entire state. <ref>29 fiche, Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=234154&amp;amp;disp=Wisconsin+pre%2D1907+death+index+by+name%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6331472]. </ref>Be sure to search for spelling variations of the surname. Also available is the ''Death Records Index, 1959–1984''. <ref>Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=516562&amp;amp;disp=Death+records+index%2C+1959%2D1997%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6334350]–51. </ref>
*''The Pre-1907 Death Index by Name,'' alphabetically arranged for the entire state. <ref>29 fiche, Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=234154&amp;amp;amp;disp=Wisconsin+pre%2D1907+death+index+by+name%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6331472]. </ref>Be sure to search for spelling variations of the surname. Also available is the ''Death Records Index, 1959–1984''. <ref>Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=516562&amp;amp;amp;disp=Death+records+index%2C+1959%2D1997%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6334350]–51. </ref>


The Family History Library also has a large set of birth and death records from the Register of Deeds in Milwaukee County. In the Family History Library Catalog these are listed under:  
The Family History Library also has a large set of birth and death records from the Register of Deeds in Milwaukee County. In the Family History Library Catalog these are listed under:  
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::WISCONSIN, MILWAUKEE COUNTY, MILWAUKEE - VITAL RECORDS:
::WISCONSIN, MILWAUKEE COUNTY, MILWAUKEE - VITAL RECORDS:


*Births, 1854–1911 and index, 1854–1932. <ref>194 films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=388957&amp;amp;disp=Birth+records%2C+1854%2D1911%2C+indexes%%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1011972]. </ref>
*Births, 1854–1911 and index, 1854–1932. <ref>194 films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=388957&amp;amp;amp;disp=Birth+records%2C+1854%2D1911%2C+indexes%%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1011972]. </ref>
*Deaths, 1852–1912, and index, 1872–1916. <ref>109 films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=384199&amp;amp;disp=Deaths+1852%2D1912%3B+index+1872%2D1916+%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1013185]. </ref>
*Deaths, 1852–1912, and index, 1872–1916. <ref>109 films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=384199&amp;amp;amp;disp=Deaths+1852%2D1912%3B+index+1872%2D1916+%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1013185]. </ref>


'''Delayed registrations of births began in 1937.''' These are listed in the Family History Library Catalog as Delayed Births, ca. 1937–1941; Affidavit Delayed Births, ca. 1940–1942. <ref>26 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=88741&amp;amp;disp=Delayed+births%2C+ca%2E+1937%2D1941%2C+a%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1305612] item 2. </ref>The records to 1942 are located at the Bureau for Health Statistics (see address below). Later records are at the county courthouses.  
'''Delayed registrations of births began in 1937.''' These are listed in the Family History Library Catalog as Delayed Births, ca. 1937–1941; Affidavit Delayed Births, ca. 1940–1942. <ref>26 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=88741&amp;amp;amp;disp=Delayed+births%2C+ca%2E+1937%2D1941%2C+a%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1305612] item 2. </ref>The records to 1942 are located at the Bureau for Health Statistics (see address below). Later records are at the county courthouses.  


Many of the delayed registrations have been included in the Unedited Pre-1907 birth index because the births occurred before statewide registration began.  
Many of the delayed registrations have been included in the Unedited Pre-1907 birth index because the births occurred before statewide registration began.  
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State your relationship to the individual for whom you want information and the reason you want the information.  
State your relationship to the individual for whom you want information and the reason you want the information.  


The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in ''Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces''. <ref>Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March, 1993; Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;callno=973+V24wv 973 V24wv]. </ref>This booklet can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9328. Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and many Family History Centers.  
The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in ''Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces''. <ref>Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March, 1993; Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;callno=973+V24wv 973 V24wv]. </ref>This booklet can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9328. Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and many Family History Centers.  


=== Adoption Records  ===
=== Adoption Records  ===
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The Family History Library has microfilm copies of many of the existing pre-1907 marriage records. Some counties have early marriage records which are not on microfilm. For example, Crawford County has marriage records that begin in 1816. The marriage records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under the name of the county. Copies are also available at the Wisconsin Historical Society and the area research centers. Beginning about 1852, the marriage records generally give the names of the parents of the bride and groom. By 1881 the form asked for the parents' places of birth.  
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of many of the existing pre-1907 marriage records. Some counties have early marriage records which are not on microfilm. For example, Crawford County has marriage records that begin in 1816. The marriage records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under the name of the county. Copies are also available at the Wisconsin Historical Society and the area research centers. Beginning about 1852, the marriage records generally give the names of the parents of the bride and groom. By 1881 the form asked for the parents' places of birth.  


The index to these records is the ''Index to Registrations of Marriages, 1852–1907'', which list one million names that are alphabetically arranged for counties Adams through Racine. Counties Richland through Wood are not included in the index. <ref>77 microfiche, Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=80352&amp;amp;disp=Index+to+registrations+of+marriages%2C+1%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6331479]. </ref>Search for variations of the surname when using the index. The Wisconsin Historical Society in Wisconsin also has this index. Also available is ''Indexes for Wisconsin Marriage Records, 1973–1984''. <ref>Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=80352&amp;amp;disp=Index+to+registrations+of+marriages%2C+1%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6334468]–9. </ref>
The index to these records is the ''Index to Registrations of Marriages, 1852–1907'', which list one million names that are alphabetically arranged for counties Adams through Racine. Counties Richland through Wood are not included in the index. <ref>77 microfiche, Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=80352&amp;amp;amp;disp=Index+to+registrations+of+marriages%2C+1%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6331479]. </ref>Search for variations of the surname when using the index. The Wisconsin Historical Society in Wisconsin also has this index. Also available is ''Indexes for Wisconsin Marriage Records, 1973–1984''. <ref>Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=80352&amp;amp;amp;disp=Index+to+registrations+of+marriages%2C+1%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6334468]–9. </ref>


The Family History Library has three sets of marriage records for Milwaukee County:  
The Family History Library has three sets of marriage records for Milwaukee County:  


*''Register of Deeds marriages 1838-1911 and index 1838-1918''. <ref>83 Family History Library films beginning with film [[1013949|1013949]]. </ref>Record come from the Milwaukee County courthouse.  
*''Register of Deeds marriages 1838-1911 and index 1838-1918''. <ref>83 Family History Library films beginning with film [[1013949|1013949]]. </ref>Record come from the Milwaukee County courthouse.  
*''Register of Deeds marriage certificates 1836-1876''. <ref>14 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=12235&amp;amp;disp=Marriage+certificates%2C+1836%2D1876+%5B%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1032378]. </ref>Records also come from the Milwaukee County courthouse.  
*''Register of Deeds marriage certificates 1836-1876''. <ref>14 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=12235&amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+certificates%2C+1836%2D1876+%5B%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1032378]. </ref>Records also come from the Milwaukee County courthouse.  
*''Marriages 1837-1907 and index 1852-1907''. <ref>63 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=148425&amp;amp;disp=Milwaukee+County+registration+of+marriag%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1275674] items 2–3 </ref>. Records come from the Bureau for Health Statistics (see address above).
*''Marriages 1837-1907 and index 1852-1907''. <ref>63 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=148425&amp;amp;amp;disp=Milwaukee+County+registration+of+marriag%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1275674] items 2–3 </ref>. Records come from the Bureau for Health Statistics (see address above).


After 1907, marriage records from all counties can be obtained from the Bureau for Health Statistics (address above) or from the register of deeds of the appropriate county.  
After 1907, marriage records from all counties can be obtained from the Bureau for Health Statistics (address above) or from the register of deeds of the appropriate county.  
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=== Divorce Records  ===
=== Divorce Records  ===


Divorce proceedings are usually kept by the county clerks and circuit judges. You should contact the county courthouse for information. The Family History Library does not have copies of these records. It does have Wisconsin Center for Health Statistics. ''Indexes for Wisconsin Divorces, 1965–1984''. <ref>Madison, Wisconsin: State Microfilm Laboratory, ca. 1984. (On 36 Family History Library fiche beginning with [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=516567&amp;amp;disp=Indexes+for+Wisconsin+divorces%2C+1965%2%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6334470.] </ref>
Divorce proceedings are usually kept by the county clerks and circuit judges. You should contact the county courthouse for information. The Family History Library does not have copies of these records. It does have Wisconsin Center for Health Statistics. ''Indexes for Wisconsin Divorces, 1965–1984''. <ref>Madison, Wisconsin: State Microfilm Laboratory, ca. 1984. (On 36 Family History Library fiche beginning with [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;titleno=516567&amp;amp;amp;disp=Indexes+for+Wisconsin+divorces%2C+1965%2%20%20&amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 6334470.] </ref>


=== Inventory of Vital Records  ===
=== Inventory of Vital Records  ===
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[[Wisconsin Periodicals|Wisconsin Periodicals]]  
[[Wisconsin Periodicals|Wisconsin Periodicals]]  


[[Wisconsin Military Records|Wisconsin Military Records]]  
[[Wisconsin_Military_Records|Wisconsin Military Records]]


== Tips  ==
== Tips  ==
*Information listed on vital records is given by an informant.&nbsp; Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.&nbsp; The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
*If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial.&nbsp; A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
*Privacy laws may restrict your access to smoe vital records.&nbsp; Copies of some vital records recoreded in the last 100 years may be uanavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
*Search for Vital Records in the Family History Library Catalog by using a '''Place Search''' and then choosing '''Vital Records'''.&nbsp; Search for '''Wisconsin''' to locate records filed by the State and then search the '''name of the county''' to locate records kept by the&nbsp; county.


== Archives, Libraries and Societies  ==
== Archives, Libraries and Societies  ==
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