Carolyn Brady | SE Wisconsin Resources

Wisconsin - general
Milwaukee Co.
Racine Co.
Kenosha Co.
Waukesha Co.
Ozaukee Co.
Sheboygan Co.
Washington Co.

Constantly under construction- last updated 31 March 2009
(I need to redo my Ancestry.com affiliate links.)

This list may seem a bit haphazard since it primarily contains resources that I have come across in my research.
If you have any suggestions for links that you find especially useful, please contact me.

Wisconsin - General

Ancestry.com's Wisconsin databases (A subscription is needed for most databases. Your local library may have access to Ancestry Library Edition.)
Includes the pre-1907 Wisconsin vital records indexes and other useful sources:
- Wisconsin Births, 1820-1907 (Although Ancestry.com's description says they've corrected the mix-up of the "S" counties, when I last checked on 27 July 2007, I still found known Sheboygan county births listed as occuring in "Saint Croix," and a search on the county name "Sheboygan" comes up blank)
- Wisconsin Deaths, 1820-1907
- Wisconsin Marriages, pre-1907 (This does not include counties starting with R through W, except for a good chunk of Racine that did get indexed. See the Ancestry.com description of the database for counties not included.)
- Wisconsin Marriages, 1973-1997
- Wisconsin State Censuses, 1895 and 1905 (Unlike previous state census years, the 1905 census lists all household members.)
- World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
- U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS - Madison, WI)
Library and Archives and Genealogical Resources
Many county-specific records are stored at Area Research Centers (ARCs) around the state.
This map shows location of ARCs for different counties.
This map shows local history societies affiliated with SHSW.
Search the Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory; theWisconsin Local History and Biography Articles; the Wisconsin Genealogy Index; and the Wisconsin Historical Images.
Business and corporation history resources include indexes to Incorporation Papers of Defunct Wisconsin Corporations and Non-stock Corporations. Also see the Founding Industries of Wisconsin project at UW-Milwaukee archives.
Have you seen the history series Wisconsin Stories produced by SHSW and Wisconsin Public TV?
Union List of Sanborn Maps for Wisconsin - guide to available Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps - Many of these can be viewed at the American Geographical Society Library at UW-Milwaukee.
Historic Maps of Wisconsin in the David Rumsey Map Collection (includes the 1878 Historical Atlas of Wisconsin)
Vital Records Information from Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
Vital Records Information for Wisconsin from vitalrec.com - where to find birth, death, and marriage records
WISCAT - search Wisconsin library catalogs
Wisconsin Biography Index - database hosted by the Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire - I'm not sure how this overlaps with the Wisconsin Genealogy Index at WHS's site (above)
Wisconsin Biography Project at Rootsweb
Wisconsin Electronic Reader - "Stories, essays, letters, poems, biographies, journals and tidbits from Wisconsin history. Many first-hand accounts - profusely illustrated."
Wisconsin Library Association Links to Genealogical and Local History Sites in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Local History Network (WLHN)
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society. Their records are part of the Great Lakes Marine Collection at the Milwaukee Public Library
Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in Cedarburg
Wisconsin State Genealogical Society website has the Index to Delayed and Affidavit Registration of Births Prior to 1 Oct. 1907 (Be sure to read the project description.)
Wisconsin.gov - official state site
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access - searchable database of recent cases
Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations (current Wisconsin laws)
Wisconsin On-Line - access to local news, weather, events, etc.

Cyndi's List of Genealogical Sites on the Internet - comprehensive page of Wisconsin links
Genforum - Wisconsin Forum - statewide genealogical query board
"Old Obits" - website with database for old obituaries - According to the site's owner, about two-thirds of the listings are from Wisconsin, with the majority coming from SE Wisconsin (esp. Racine where he lives)
Rootsweb/Ancestry.com Wisconsin message boards -query boards, genealogical postings, etc. organized by county
Wisconsin GenWeb, also at Rootsweb
Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum
Wisconsin Genealogy Resource Center and Wisconsin Native American Resource Center at Access Genealogy
Wisconsin German Interest Group
Irish Genealogical Society of Wisconsin
French-Canadian/Acadian Genealogists of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Lawyer: Wisconsin's Legal History -articles on the history of Wisconsin's legal profession
Wisconsin Local Catholic Church and Family History and Genealogy Guide
Wisconsin Migrations - "Recording the Movement of Wisconsin Families"
Wisconsin Poorhouse History
Wisconsin Roots
Wisconsin Antiques and Collectibles articles compiled by Mike Reilly, including history of Wisconsin and Milwaukee breweries, the Wisconsin glass industry and Wisconsin potteries.
33rd Wisconsin Infantry - website of a Civil War reenactment group, includes historical photos and letters
The Political Graveyard - Wisconsin (politicians' births and deaths by county)

Milwaukee County