This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me and I will update the file. Bill Green bill90@Delphi.Com BillUSPS@AOL.Com Date of last update: 29 March 1995 ************************************************************************** GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF WISCONSIN 5 March 1989 Robert McLaren 7810 Kincardine Ct. Alexandria, VA 22310-4025 The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical societies in Wisconsin. Included in the listing, where known, are telephone numbers and yearly dues. This listing is donated to the public domain and may be freely copied. Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used in any other commercial fashion. If you think this list has any value, then donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National Genealogical Society). If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE). Many of these societies work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to respond unless a SASE is included in your letter. Wisconsin State Genealogical Society 2109 Twentieth Avenue Monroe, WI 53566 Dues: $10.00 per year (single); $11.00 per year (family) Wisconsin State Historical Society 816 State Street Madison, WI 53706 (608) 262-3421 Dues: Wisconsin Slovak Historical Society P.O. Box 164 Cudahy, WI 53110-0164 Dues: Wisconsin State Old Cemetery Society 1562 North 119th Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226-3242 The society's director is William H. Krause. Ashland County Ashland/Bayfield County, Wisconsin Tree Climbers c/o Carol Jones Wilson Rt. 1, Box 139 Mason, WI 54856 Dues: Barron County Barron County Historical Society 231 LaSalle Avenue Barron, WI 54812 Dues: Bayfield County Ashland/Bayfield County, Wisconsin Tree Climbers c/o Carol Jones Wilson Rt. 1, Box 139 Mason, WI 54856 Dues: Bayfield County Historical Society c/o Mrs. Sandra Anderson P.O. Box 98, Rt. 1 Cable, WI 54821 Dues: Brown County Brown County Historical Society P.O. Box 1411 Green Bay, WI 53405 Dues: Bay Area Genealogical Society 253 Little Road Green Bay, WI 54301 Dues: Burnett County Burnett County Historical Society c/o Mrs. Lila Dobbs Webster, WI 54893 Dues: Calumet County Calumet County Historical Society c/o Herman Pagel Rt. 2 Chilton, WI 53014 Dues: New Holstein Historical Society c/o Mrs. Pearl Muenster 2025 Randolph Avenue New Holstein, WI 53061 Dues: Brillion Historical Society c/o Elliott Zander 302 Cleveland Street Brillion, WI 54110 Dues: Kiel Historical Society c/o Alfred Hingiss 514 6th Street Kiel, WI 53042 Dues: Chippewa County Chippewa County Genealogical Society c/o Anne (Adams) Keller 123 Allen Street. Chippewa Falls, WI 54729-1920 Dues: $ 5 Annual Clark County Clark County Historical Society 215 East 5th Street Neilsville, WI 54456 Dues: Stanley Area Historical Society and Museum 995 North Emery Street Stanley, WI 54768 Dues: Marshfield Area Genealogy Group P.O. Box 337 Marshfield, WI 54449 Dues: Columbia County Columbia County Historical Society R.R. 1 Cambria, WI 53923 Dues: Poynette Area Historical Society 3106 South Main Street Poynette, WI 53955 (608) 635-2122 Dues: Crawford County Crawford County Historical Society 505 South State Street Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 Dues: Dane County South Central Chapter Wisconsin Genealogical Society P.O. Box 5106 Madison, WI 53706 Dues: Dane County Historical Society P.O. Box 5003 Madison, WI 53705 Dues: Middleton Historical Society 7426 Hubbard Avenue Middleton, WI 53562 Dues: Stoughton Historical Society 101 South 4th Street Stoughton, WI 53589 Dues: Mazonmanie Historical Society 502 West Hudson Street Mazonmanie, WI 53560 Dues: Mount Horeb Area Historical Society 408 Lake Street Mount Horeb, WI 53572 Dues: McFarland Historical Society P.O. Box 62 McFarland, WI 53558 Dues: Cross Plains-Berry Historical Society 2305 Church Street Cross Plains, WI 53528 Dues: Dodge County Dodge County Historical Society 127 South Spring Street Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Dues: Watertown, Wisconsin Genealogy Group c/o Elaine Smith 229 Freemont Street Watertown, WI 53094 Dues: Waupun Historical Society 204 South Drummond Waupun, WI 53963 Dues: Hustisford Historical Society Hustisford, WI 53034 Dues: Horicon Historical Society P.O. Box 65 Horicon, WI 53032 Dues: Mayville Historical Society P.O. Box 82 Mayville, WI 53050 Dues: Fox Lake Historical Society, Inc. Fox Lake, WI 53933 Dues: Door County Door County Historical Society 110 North 4th Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 Dues: Douglas County Douglas County Historical Society 906 E. 2nd St. Superior, WI 54880 Dunn County Dunn County Historical Society P.O. 437 1020 9th Street Menomonie, WI 54751 Dues: Eau Claire County Genealogical Research Society of Eau Claire c/o Chippewa Valley Museum P.O. Box 1204 Eau Claire, WI 54702 Dues: Fond du Lac County Fond du Lac County Genealogical Society c/o Spillman Library 719 Wisconsin Avenue North Fond du Lac, WI 54935 Dues: Fond du Lac Historical Society P.O. Box 131 Fond du Lac, WI 54935 Dues: Waupun Historical Society 204 South Drummond Waupun, WI 53963 Dues: Ripon Historical Society 508 Watson Street Ripon, WI 54971 Dues: Grant County Grant County Genealogical Society c/o Helen Y. Mumm 13272 Bluff Street Glen Haven, WI 53810 Dues: Grant County Historical Society P.O. Box 410 Platteville, WI 53818 Dues: Dubuque County - Key City Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society P.O. Box 13 Dubuque, IA 52004-0013 Dues: $6.00 per year (local); $4.00 per year (distant) Green County New Glarus Historical Society P.O. Box 745 New Glarus, WI 53574-0745 Dues: Brodhead Historical Society 805 1st Center Avenue Brodhead, WI 53520 Dues: Green Lake County Berlin Historical Society 144 South Grove Street Berlin, WI 54923 Dues: Iowa County Mineral Point Historical Society Davis Street Mineral Point, WI 53565 Dues: Linden Historical Society c/o Dana Caygil Linden, WI 53533 Dues: Iron County Iron County Historical Society Montreal, WI 54550 Dues: Jackson County Jackson County Historical Society Black River Falls, WI 54615 Dues: Jefferson County Jefferson Historical Society 1035 West Racine Road Jefferson, WI 53549 Dues: Watertown, Wisconsin Genealogy Group c/o Elaine Smith 229 Freemont Street Watertown, WI 53094 Dues: Watertown Historical Society 919 Charles Street Watertown, WI 53094 Waterloo Area Historical Society R.F.D. 2, Box 227 Waterloo, WI 53594-1297 Dues: Juneau County Juneau County Genealogy Society Star Rt. W, Box 307 Necedah, WI 54646 Dues: Juneau County Historical Society 211 North Union Street Mauston, WI 53948 Dues: Historical Society of the Upper Baraboo Valley Rt. 1, Box 168-A Wonewoc, WI 53968 Dues: Kenosha County Kenosha County Genealogcial Society c/o Mrs. Lois Stein 4902 52nd Street Kenosha, WI 53140 Dues: Kenosha County Historical Society 6300 Third Avenue Kenosha, WI 53140 Dues: Western Kenosha County Historical Society P.O. Box 31 Wilmot, WI 53192 Dues: Kewaunee County Kewaunee County Historical Society c/o Kewaunee County Jail Museum Court House Square Kewaunee, WI 54216 Dues: La Crosse County La Crosse Area Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1782 La Crosse, WI 54601 Dues: La Crosse County Historical Society 429 North 7th Street La Crosse, WI 54601 Dues: West Salem Historical Society 357 West Garland Street West Salem, WI 54669 Dues: Lafayette County Lafayette County Genealogy Workshop, Inc. P.O. Box 443 Shullsburg, WI 53586 Dues: $5.00 per year (single); $6.00 per year (family) Badger Historical Society P.O. Box 186 Shullsburg, WI 53586 Dues: Langlade County Langlade County Historical Society 1418 Clermont Antigo, WI 54409 Dues: Lincoln County Lincoln County Historical Society 1204 6th Street Merrill, WI 54452 Dues: Manitowoc County Manitowoc County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 345 Manitowoc, WI 54220 Dues: Manitowoc County Historical Society 1115 North 18th Street Manitowoc, WI 54220 Dues: Kiel Historical Society c/o Alfred Hingiss 514 6th Street Kiel, WI 53042 Dues: Two Rivers Historical Society 1516 16th Street Two Rivers, WI 54241 Dues: Marathon County Marathon County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1512 Wausau, WI 54402-1512 Dues: Marshfield Area Genealogy Group P.O. Box 337 Marshfield, WI 54449 Dues: Marinette County Marinette County Historical Society P.O. Box 262 Marinette, WI 54143 Dues: Peshtigo Historical Society 400 Oconto Avenue Peshtigo, WI 54157 Dues: Marquette County Marquette County Historical Society c/o Albert G. Lange Rt. 3 Westfield, WI 53964 Dues: Milwaukee County Milwaukee County Genealogical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 27326 Milwaukee, WI 53227 Dues: Milwaukee County Historical Society 910 North 3rd Street Milwaukee, WI 53203 Dues: Greendale Historical Society 6500 Northway Greendale, WI 53192 Dues: Franklin Historical Society 9220 West Drexel P.O. Box 245 Franklin, WI 53132 Dues: Brown Deer Historical Society 4800 West Green Brook Drive Brown Deer, WI 53223 Dues: Oak Creek Historical Society 9472 South 27th Street Oak Creek, WI 53154 Dues: West Allis Historical Society 8405 West National Avenue West Allis, WI 53227 Dues: Cudahy Historical Society P.O. Box 332 Cudahy, WI 53110 Dues: Greenfield Historical Society 4759 West Howard Avenue Greenfield, WI 53220 Dues: West Milwaukee Historical Society 4826 West Beloit Road Milwaukee, WI 53214 Dues: South Milwaukee Historical Society 104 Brookdale Drive South Milwaukee, WI 53172 Dues: Wauwatosa Historical Society 7611 Harwood Avenue Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Dues: Hales Corners Historical Society 5621 South Bonnie Lane Hales Corners, WI 53130 Dues: Monroe County Monroe County Historical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 422 Sparta, WI 54656 Dues: Oconto County Oconto County Historical Society 917 Park Avenue Oconto, WI 54153 Dues: Oneida County Northwoods Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1132 Rhinelander, WI 54501 Dues: Outagamie County Outagamie County Historical Society 116 East Franklin Appleton, WI 54911 Dues: Fox Valley Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1592 Appleton, WI 54913-1592 Dues: Ozaukee County Ozaukee County Historical Society 533 North Mequon Road Cedarburg, WI 53012 Dues: Pierce County Pierce County Historical Association c/o Ursula Peterson 936 West Maple Street River Falls, WI 54022 Dues: St. Croix Valley Genealogical Society P.O. Box 396 River Falls, WI 54022 Dues: Polk County Polk County Historical Society West Erickson Agricultural Center Balsam Lake, WI 54810 Dues: Portage County Portage County Historical Society Stevens Point, WI 54481 Dues: Stevens Point Area Genealogical Society c/o Portage County Library 1325 Church Street Stevens Point, WI 54481 Dues: $5.00 per year (single); $7.00 per year (family) Price County Price County Historical Society 556 4th Avenue South Park Falls, WI 54552 Dues: Racine County Racine County Historical Society and Museum, Inc. P.O. Box 1527 Racine, WI 53401 (414) 637-8585 Dues: Burlington Historical Society 133 Kendall Street Burlington, WI 53105 Dues: Rock County Rock County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 711 Janesville, WI 53547 Dues: $8.00 per year (single); $10.00 per year (family) Rock County Historical Society Box 896 Janesville, WI 53545 Dues: Milton Historical Society Box 245 Milton, WI 53563 Dues: Beloit Historical Society 2149 Saint Lawrence Street Beloit, WI 53511 Dues: Rusk County Rusk County Historical Society P.O. Box 391 Ladysmith, WI 54848 Dues: St. Croix County St. Croix Valley Genealogical Society P.O. Box 396 River Falls, WI 54022 Dues: Sauk County Sauk County Historical Society 908 Ash Street Baraboo, WI 53913 Dues: Dells Country Historical Society 700 Broadway P.O. Box 177 Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 Dues: Sauk-Prairie Historical Society 922 Water Street Sauk City, WI 53853 Dues: Reedsburg Area Historical Society P.O. Box 405 Reedsburg, WI 53959 Dues: Shawano County Shawano County Historical Society 1003 South Main Street Shawano, WI 54166 Dues: Wittenberg Area Historical Society Summit Street Wittenberg, WI 54499 Dues: Sheboygan County Sheboygan County Genealogical Society 518 Water Street Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 Dues: $7.00 per year (single); $10.00 per year (family) Taylor County Taylor County Historical Society W 9765 Perkins Town Avenue Medford, WI 54451 Dues: Trempealeau County Trempealeau County Historical Society Bank of Galesville Galesville, WI 54630 Dues: Vernon County Hillsboro Area Historical Society Alberfield Memorial Park Hillsboro, WI 54634 Dues: Walworth County Walworth County Historical Society 9 East Rockwell Street Elkhorn, WI 53121 Dues: Washburn County Washburn County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 366 Shell Lake, WI 54871 Dues: Washington County Washington County Historical Society 348 5th Avenue West Bend, WI 53095 Dues: Hartford Genealogical Society W720 Buchanan Road Hartford, WI 53027 Dues: Germantown Historical Society P.O. Box 31 Germantown, WI 53022 Dues: Kewaskum Historical Society 1202 Park View Drive Kewaskum, WI 53040 Dues: Waukesha County Waukesha County Genealogical Society S51 W25257 Glendale Road Washesha, WI 53186 Dues: Waukesha County Historical Society P.O. Box 833 Waukesha, WI 53186 Dues: Oconomowoc Genealogical Club of Waukesha County c/o Jon Bassett 37198 East Washington Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Dues: Menomonee Falls Historical Society P.O. Box 91 Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Dues: New Berlin Historical Society 5575 South Maberry Lane New Berlin, WI 53151 Dues: Brookfield Historical Society 3140 Pilgrim Road Brookfield, WI 53005 Dues: Palmyra Historical Society 242 Northwest Street Palmyra, WI 53156 Dues: Waupaca County Waupaca Historical Society Hutchinson House South Park Waupaca, WI 54981 Dues: Waushara County Waushara County Historical Society P.O. Box 129 Wautoma, WI 54982 Dues: Wild Rose Historical Society Main Street Wild Rose, WI 54984 Dues: Winnebago County Winnebagoland Genealogical Society c/o Oshkosh Public Library 106 Washington Ave. Oshkosh, WI 54901-4985 Dues: $5.00 per year Winnebago County Historical and Archeological Society 833 Prospect Avenue Oshkosh, WI 54901 Dues: Neenah Historical Society 301 East Wisconsin Avenue Neenah, WI 54956 Dues: Wood County Heart O'Wisconsin Genealogical Society c/o MacMillan Memorial Library 490 East Grand Avenue Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 Dues: Marshfield Area Genealogy Group P.O. Box 337 Marshfield, WI 54449 Dues: North Wood County Historical Society c/o 1109 East 15th Street Marshfield, WI 54449 Dues: ************************************************************************** VITAL RECORDS Birth and Death Records Before 1907 A few counties began keeping birth and death records in the 1850s, but most date from the 1870s or later. These documents often give excellent genealogical information. All of the records through 1907 have been deposited at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and the area research centers. There are three indexes to these records. Copies of these indexes are at the State Historical Society in Wisconsin, the area research centers, and the Family History Library. These are: The Unedited Pre-l907 Birth Index, arranged alphabetically by surname (on 38 microfiche, FHL fiche 6331478). This gives the date of birth, the county, and the volume and page number of the original record. The Pre-1907 Birth Index, arranged chronologically by the date of birth (on 41 fiche, FHL fiche 6331476). Use this only 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, alphabetically arranged for the entire state (on 29 fiche, FHL fiche 6331472). Be sure to search for spelling variations of the surname. NOTE: From the Wisconsin State Historical Society: "The project to index the state-level vital records ran out of money before the project was completed. The index therefore includes only the counties alphabetically from Adams to the ending point part way through Racine County. The remainded of Racine County and the additional counties from that point until the end of the alphabetical list of counties were not included in the pre-1907 index and there is, present, no known intent to complete that particular project." Delayed registrations of births began in 1937. The records to 1942 are located at the Center 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. Records of Births and Deaths Since 1907 Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1907. You can obtain copies by writing to: Department of Health & Social Services Section of Vital Statistics P. O. Box 309 Madison, WI 53701 State your relationship to the individual you want information about and the reason you want the information. Marriage Records Before statewide registration, individual counties recorded marriages. Some records, particularly those from Brown, Crawford, Dodge, and Jefferson counties, begin as early as the 1820's. You can obtain copies by writing to the county clerk or the Section of Vital Statistics (see address above). The index to these records is the Pre-1907 Marriage Index of nearly one million names, alphabetically arranged for the entire state. Search for variations of the surname when using the index. The State Historical Society in Wisconsin also has this index. NOTE: See above for information on this index. After 1907, marriage records from all counties can be obtained from the Section of Vital Statistics (address above). Divorce Records Divorce proceedings are usually kept by the county clerks and circuit judges. You should contact the county courthouse for information. (Source: FHC Research Guide) >From the State of Wisconsin's list of notes for genealogists: "Effective August 15, 1991, Wisconsin law requires a $10.00 fee for search a birth record, and the first copy. ($5.00 for searching the file, and $5.00 for the Child Abuse & Neglect Program). Additional copies of the same record, provided at the same time, are $2.00 each." "Effective August 15, 1991, Wisconsin law requires a $7.00 fee for searching a death, marriage, or divorce record. The first copy is free. Additional copies of the same record, provided at the same time, are $2.00 each. NOTE: The State Office of Vital Statistics will no longer provide copies of Divorce records occurring on or after January 1, 1987. You should contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce occurred." "Please make your check or money order payable to: CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS." From: bmadsen@vortech.com Earliest Registration Dates --------------------------- Registration of events prior to 1907 was rather sketchy. It has been estimated that less than 50% of the records were prepared and submitted for permanent filing before that time. COUNTY BIRTHS DEATHS MARR. COUNTY BIRTHS DEATHS MARR. ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ADAMS 1857 1876 1857 MANITOWOC 1858 1864 1859 ASHLAND 1876 1877 1874 MARATHON 1870 1868 1865 MARINETTE 1874 1879 1878 BARRON 1877 1877 1868 MARQUETTE 1864 1876 1863 BAYFIELD 1879 1870 1869 MILWAUKEE 1835 1872 1851 BROWN 1814 1834 1823 MONROE 1877 1876 1856 BUFFALO 1855 1873 1856 BURNETT 1853 1846 1869 OCONTO 1876 1872 1855 ONEIDA 1887 1888 1877 CALUMET 1858 1856 1850 OUTAGAMIE 1856 1869 1855 CHIPPEWA 1858 1855 1869 OZAUKEE 1852 1849 1855 CLARK 1869 1877 1857 COLUMBIA 1860 1877 1849 PEPIN 1863 1877 1857 CRAWFORD 1858 1876 1862 PIERCE 1870 1876 1851 POLK 1867 1865 1855 DANE 1860 1876 1839 PORTAGE 1866 1876 1859 DODGE 1870 1852 1843 PRICE 1880 1879 1880 DOOR 1852 1856 1860 DOUGLAS 1861 1877 1854 RACINE 1877 1880 1839 DUNN 1870 1877 1854 RICHLAND 1875 1876 1864 ROCK 1856 1871 1847 EAU CLAIRE 1870 1876 1857 RUSK 1900 1901 1901 FLORENCE 1882 1882 1882 ST. CROIX 1858 1876 1852 FOND DU LAC 1879 1854 1844 SAUK 1864 1876 1852 FOREST 1891 1871 1889 SAWYER 1869 1883 1883 SHAWANO 1862 1873 1848 GRANT 1870 1876 1842 SHEBOYGAN 1852 1854 1852 GREEN 1862 1874 1838 GREEN LAKE 1864 1877 1858 TAYLOR 1877 1877 1875 TREMPEALEAU 1845 1847 1856 IOWA 1876 1871 1836 IRON 1886 1887 1893 VERNON 1863 1878 1855 VILAS 1889 1889 1893 JACKSON 1876 1876 1858 JEFFERSON 1852 1856 1844 WALWORTH 1872 1872 1839 JUNEAU 1877 1876 1844 WASHBURN 1883 1883 1883 WASHINGTON 1859 1873 1846 KENOSHA 1876 1876 1850 WAUKESHA 1860 1872 1846 KEWAUNEE 1861 1873 1857 WAUPACA 1858 1848 1852 WAUSHARA 1859 1876 1852 LA CROSSE 1877 1876 1851 WINNEBAGO 1876 1876 1860 LAFAYETTE 1854 1877 1847 WOOD 1871 1872 1844 LANGLADE 1882 1868 1881 LINCOLN 1875 1871 1875 ************************************************************************** STATE ARCHIVES State Historical Society of Wisconsin 816 State Street Madison, WI 53706 The research collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin are divided between its library and its archives divisions. The library houses printed materials, while the Archives maintains the original records for Wisconsin government jurisdictions. The Society houses collections of regional interest at Area Research Centers. In addition to the library in Madison, regional centers are located at Northland College in Ashland and at the University of Wisconsin in these cities: The State Historical Society Library in Madison WI has some of the best genealogical materials available! Their "old" newspaper collection covers all US states, and is second in size only to the Library of Congress. There is telnet access to an online catalog, which may help you plan your research efforts before you visit: telnet telgate.adp.wisc.edu telnet silo.adp.wisc.edu.5034 (archives division catalogue) Here are their hours, address, and phone: Mon-Th: 8 am to 9 pm (when UW is in session) 8 am to 5 pm (when UW is not in session) Fri-Sat: 8 am to 5 pm (whethere UW is in session or not) Sunday CLOSED Phone: 608-262-3421 (Circulation) 262-9590 (General & Genealogical Reference) 262-2781 (Gov't Publications Reference) State Historical Society of WI 816 State Street Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (608) 264-6400 Eau Claire Green Bay La Crosse Menomonie Milwaukee Oshkosh Parkside Platteville River Falls Stevens Point Superior Whitewater Wisconsin State Genealogical Society 2109 Twentieth Avenue Monroe, WI 53566 Humanities Department Milwaukee Public Library 814 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53233-2385 University of Wisconsin Memorial Library 728 State Street Madison, WI 53706 To learn more about the history and record-keeping systems of Wisconsin counties, use the 15 inventories of the county archives published by the Historical Records Survey around 1940. (Source: FHC Research Guide) ************************************************************************** NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS -- **************************************************************************** * Bill Green Minot, North Dakota 58701 * Home of the * * BillUSPS@AOL.Com * NORSK H0STFEST * * Bill90@Delphi.Com * Velkommen! * ****************************************************************************