Rusk County, Wisconsin Genealogy

Guide to Rusk County, Wisconsin ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

Description
The County was named for the Jeremiah McLain Rusk. The County has Ladysmith as its seat and the County was created 1901. The County is located in the northwest area of the state.

County Courthouse
Rusk County Courthouse 311 Miner Ave East Ladysmith, WI 54848-1862 Phone: 715-532-2100 Rusk County Website Register of Deeds has birth, marriage, death, and land records from 1872. County Court has divorce, probate and court records.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Biographies
Index to Rusk County Names Rootsweb

Cemeteries

 * County Cemeteries by Township WIGenWeb
 * Master Cemetery List by Surname - Note: This is a work in progress.  WIGenWeb project

Census Records

 * 1855 This census includes name of head of family; other individuals in the household are identified by sex and race, number of deaf and dumb, blind, insane and foreign born. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1865 Name index and images of the 1865 State Census which names the head of household. Most records have been destroyed but schedules exist for the following counties: Dunn, Green, Jackson, Kewaunee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1875 Identifies head of household by name. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1885 at FamilySearch — index and images. Search indexed census.Identifies by name of head of household.  Other information is statistical and identifies the rest of the household by race, gender and country of birth. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1895 at FamilySearch — index and images. Identifies head of household by name. Other information is statistical. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1905 at FamilySearch — Name index and images of population. Enumerates by name all inhabitants. - How to Use this Collection

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * Ladysmith
 * Rusk County Church Listing WIGenWeb
 * FamilySearch Places

Land and Property Records

 * Land Patents Database - Surnames A - C USGenWeb Archives
 * Land Patents Database - Surnames D - G USGenWeb Archives
 * Land Patents Database - Surnames H - K USGenWeb Archives
 * Land Patents Database - Surnames L - O USGenWeb Archives
 * Land Patents Database - Surnames P - S USGenWeb Archives
 * Land Patents Database - Surnames T - Z USGenWeb Archives

Local Histories

 * History of Rusk County, Wisconsin Map on lining papers. Includes family history index. 1982
 * Ladysmith

Maps and Gazetteers

 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
 * Old Antique Atlases &amp; Maps of Wisconsin
 * Family Maps of Rusk County, Wisconsin (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.

Civil War

 * Soldiers and Sailors Database National Park Service

World War I

 * County WWI Army Personnel WIGenWeb project
 * Rusk County WWI Gold Star Listing WIGenWeb project
 * Rusk County WWI Marine Personnel WIGenWeb project
 * Rusk County WWI Navy Personnel WIGenWeb project
 * Rusk County WWI Military Nurses WIGenWeb project
 * Rusk County WWI Army and General Services Personnel A-G USGenWeb Archives
 * Rusk County WWI Army and General Services Personnel H-N USGenWeb Archives
 * Rusk County WWI Army and General Services Personnel O-Z USGenWeb Archives
 * Rusk County WWI Marine and Navy Personnel USGenWeb Archives

Newspapers

 * Wisconsin Digital Newspaper at Wisconsin State Historical Society

Probate Records
Online Records


 * 1800–1987 Wisconsin Wills and Probate Records 1800-1987 at Ancestry — images and index $
 * 1848–1948 at FamilySearch — images - How to Use this Collection

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.

Birth

 * 1820-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1820-1920: Wisconsin, Birth Index, 1808-1920 at MyHeritage - index ($)
 * 1826-1908 Wisconsin, Births and Christenings Index, 1826-1908 at Ancestry — index $
 * 1826-1926 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)

Marriage

 * 1836-1911 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1836-1930 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)
 * 1973-1997 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1973-1997 Wisconsin Marriages, 1973-1997 at Ancestry — index/images $

Death

 * 1820-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1835-1968 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1867-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)
 * 1959-1997 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

Divorce

 * 1965-1984 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

Libraries

 * Area Research Center - University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire Special Collections Department William D. McIntyre Library Eau Claire, WI 54702-5010 Phone: 715-836-2739 Website

Museums

 * Rusk County Historical Society Museum 998 E 3rd St. N Lady Smith, WI 54848 Phone: 715-532-2642 (Visitors Center) Website

Societies

 * Bruce Area Historical Society 998 E 3rd Street N Ladysmith, WI 54848 Phone 715-415-3114 Facebook Website

Websites

 * Rusk County, WI History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Wisconsin Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Rusk County WIGenWeb project
 * Rusk County Archives WIGenWeb Archives
 * - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records