Step-by-Step Wisconsin Research, 1880-Present
Research 1880--to the present |
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Some online records have restrictions, due to contractual agreements, allowing them to be used only at FamilySearch Centers or FamilySearch Affiliate Library. This pop-up warning has links to lists of addresses of the many affiliate libraries that are available throughout the world. Subscription websites such as Ancestry.com, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage and many others offer complimentary service at these affiliate libraries and at most local libraries. |
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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.[edit | edit source]
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.
What are the best questions to ask?[edit | edit source]
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
- 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History at ThoughtCo.com
- Creating Oral Histories at FamilySearch Wiki
What documents should be collected or copied?[edit | edit source]
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.
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Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.[edit | edit source]
- A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
- For each person living in a household (depending on the year), their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.
- Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
- Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.=== Using clues to lead to census record searches. ===
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This obituary, found among family memorabilia, gives clues as to when and where to begin searches in census records. |
1940 census of Wayne Town, Kohlville, Washington County, Wisconbsin.
- Here, the census record of the family of Roman and Leona Kuehl gives clues for tracing the Kuehl family further.
- In addition to his four daughters, Roman has a brother named Lester Kuehl, age 19, living with them. This will help identify his parents.
The next step would be to look for a Kuehl family in the 1930 census with sons Roman, age 21, and Lester, age 9.
Following that, a search of the 1920 census should list Roman Kuehl, age 11, and the 1920 census should list Roman as age 1 or a few months.
Finding the next earlier generation.[edit | edit source]
1930 census of Wayne, Washington County, Wisconsin.
- Ten years earlier in the same town, Romand and Lester Kuehl are listed living with their parents, John and Dora Kuehl.
Finding one more generation earlier.[edit | edit source]
The next searches will have the goal of finding John A. Kuehl in earlier censuses living in his parents' home. In the 1910 census, he was 26 years old, living in Wayne, Washington, Wisconsin. The next step would be to find a John A. Kuehl, age 16 in the 1900 census.
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In the 1900 census of Dodge County, Wisconsin, there are two John Kuehl's born six months apart, now living 25 miles apart. It will require comparison with other types of records to determine which one matches this family. That will be demonstrated later on. |
But for now, spoiler alert, this is the correct family.
Then one more generation back.[edit | edit source]
An optimum situation would have been to find Gustav Kuehl living in his father's family in 1880. Unfortunately, he is working as a servant in another household in 1880.
But here is Gustav Kuehl in the 1870 census, age 8, in the home of his parents, Frederick and Wilhelmina Kuehl.
Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.[edit | edit source]
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Wisconsin State Censuses[edit | edit source]
For more information, see Wisconsin Census and United States Census.
Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.[edit | edit source]
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
- In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations.
- A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
- A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.
Using census clues to lead to a birth certificate.[edit | edit source]
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents.
Using census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.[edit | edit source]
Finding marriage records can:
- establish the full identity of the wife, with her maiden name and possible birth details.
- find the names of the parents of the bride and groom.
This marriage record verifies that John A. Kuehl's parents were Gustav Kuehl and Emilie Zimmel.
Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.[edit | edit source]
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death:
- birth date and place of the deceased
- maiden name of the wife
- names of the deceased's parents
- birth places of the deceased's parents.ts.
Some of the examples shown above are index entries. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. In some cases, the image of the original is found online. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate in other cases.
Gather as many birth, marriage, and death records as possible.[edit | edit source]
How to Find the Records[edit | edit source]
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
- online databases
- writing to a county courthouse (prior to the beginning of state civil registration)
- purchasing them through the mail at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
Online databases, usually indexes, with some images[edit | edit source]
Records at the County Courthouse.[edit | edit source]
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Wisconsin Counties.
Order Certificates from Wisconsin Vital Records Department.[edit | edit source]
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).
- Where to Write for Wisconsin Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Wisconsin, see How to Find Wisconsin Birth Records, How to Find Wisconsin Marriage Records, and How to Find Wisconsin Death Records.
Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.[edit | edit source]
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.
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Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- 1980-2014 United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages 1980-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Northeast Wisconsin Obituary Page at RootsWeb — index
- Online Wisconsin Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index
- Wisconsin Newspapers and Obituaries at LDS Genealogy — index
- Wisconsin Obituaries at ObitsArchive.com — index & images ($)
- Wisconsin Obituaries at USGenWeb Archives — index
- Wisconsin Obituaries Help and Genealogy Resources at ObituariesHelp.org — index & images
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- 1835-1968 Wisconsin Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1949-1969 United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- BillionGraves — index & images
- BillionGraves Index at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Findmypast ($)
- FindaGrave — index & images
- Find a Grave Index at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry ($)
- Online Wisconsin Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index
- Search Wisconsin Gravestones at WisconsinGravestones.org — index & images
- Wisconsin Cemeteries at USGenWeb Tombstones — index
- Wisconsin Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy — index
- Wisconsin Death Records and Wisconsin Cemetery Records at Interment.net — index
U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007[edit | edit source]
- The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
- The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
- You can search these records online at
- If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.
Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.[edit | edit source]
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information.
Example of a World War I draft card.
Example of a World War II draft card.
Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.[edit | edit source]
- 1917-1918 United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1942 United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
For more information and additional collections, see Wisconsin Military Records.
Step 6: Look for church records online.[edit | edit source]
Church records function as vital records.
- An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
- Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
- Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.
Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
Search for church records that can provide additional birth, marriage, and death information.[edit | edit source]
Indexes[edit | edit source]
- 1801-1928 Wisconsin, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1801-1928 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1826-1926 Wisconsin, Births and Christenings, 1826-1926 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1835-1968 Wisconsin, Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1836-1930 Wisconsin, Marriages, 1836-1930 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Dutch Reformed[edit | edit source]
- 1639-1989 U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1701-1995 U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Lutheran[edit | edit source]
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800-1947 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Presbyterian[edit | edit source]
- 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- For help with church records kept in Wisconsin, see Wisconsin Church Records.
- To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.
Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.[edit | edit source]
County probate records[edit | edit source]
- County probate records include probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
- In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
- Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.
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Here is the will of John Rosbeck, father of George Rosbeck, father of Dora Rosbeck Kuehl.
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However, notice that the index shows that the entire probate packet is available online.
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And then notice, that this page from the probate packet gives much more detailed information than the actual will.
Search these indexes and images for probate records.[edit | edit source]
- 1800-1987 Wisconsin, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1848-1948 Wisconsin Probate Estate Files, 1848-1948 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Probate Information in County Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
Each Wisconsin county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Wisconsin Counties
For more information, see Wisconsin Probate Records and United States Probate Records.
Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.[edit | edit source]
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.
Look for immigrant ancestors in shipping lists and citizenship sources.[edit | edit source]
Wisconsin Immigration Records[edit | edit source]
- 1922-1956 Wisconsin, Crew Lists of Ship Arrivals, 1922-1956 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1922-1958 Minnesota, Duluth and Wisconsin, Superior Crew Lists, 1922-1958 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1922-1963 Wisconsin, Milwaukee Passenger and Crew Lists, 1922-1963 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1922-1963 Wisconsin, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1922-1963 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1925-1956 Wisconsin, Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at Manitowoc, 1925-1956 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1925-1969 Wisconsin, U.S., Crew Lists, 1925-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Wisconsin Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records[edit | edit source]
- 1807-1992 Wisconsin, County Naturalization Records, 1807-1992 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1848-1990 Wisconsin, Milwaukee Naturalization Index, 1848-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1848-1991 Wisconsin, Naturalization Records, 1848-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1848-1992 Wisconsin, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1848-1992 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1887-1945 Wisconsin, Dane County Naturalization Records, 1887-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
For more information, see Wisconsin Emigration and Immigration and Wisconsin Naturalization and Citizenship.
Step 9: Search for printed local histories or biography collections online.[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
- Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Wisconsin; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
FamilySearch Collected Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
- If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
Biography Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections of biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or use the "Find" function on a computer.
- County and Town Histories, Wisconsin at LearnWebSkills — index & images
- Find Your Ancestors at Wisconsin Historical Society — index
- History of Northern Wisconsin at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- UW–Digitized Collections at University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries — index
- Wisconsin, Its Story and Biography 1848-1913, by Usher, Ellis Baker. Chicago and New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1914. Online at: Vol. 1 - HathiTrust; Vol. 2 - HathiTrust; Vol. 3 - HathiTrust; Vol. 4 - HathiTrust; Vol. 5 - HathiTrust; Vol. 6 - HathiTrust; Vol. 7 - HathiTrust; Vol. 8 - HathiTrust
- Wisconsin Men of Progress at Ancestry — index ($)
- Wisconsin Name Index at Wisconsin Historical Society — index
Step 10: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.[edit | edit source]
This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.
Step 11: Use other FamilySearch tools.[edit | edit source]Historical Images[edit | edit source]Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
Wisconsin Online Genealogy Records[edit | edit source]Search any other online records listed in Wisconsin Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Wisconsin Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Wisconsin.[edit | edit source]This article focused more on Wisconsin state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Wisconsin. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.
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