Wisconsin, Shawano and Oconto Counties, Indexes and Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection consists of images of miscellaneous records from the Shawano Wisconsin Family History Center. The collection includes the following:


 * Partial obituary index original obituaries (1850-2007)
 * Land plat books (1898-1905)
 * Index to the 1910 US Census for Shawano County

Additional images will be published as they become available.

The records cover the years 1850 to 2007.

The Family History Center is a branch of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their mission is to collect and preserve historical and genealogical records to enable users to link past generations with the present and inspire future generations.

The records and collections were gathered to further the mission of the Family History Library and its centers.

The information in the records is usually reliable, but depends upon the reliability of the compiler.

For a list of records by categories and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts in the Wisconsin, Shawano and Oconto Counties, Indexes may include the following information:


 * Name of primary individual
 * Date and place of event
 * Age, gender, occupation and residence
 * Names of parents
 * Biographical information about parents such as date and place of birth
 * Names of relatives or friends
 * Names of witnesses
 * Dates the documents: When written; when recorded

How to Use the Record
To search the collection, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the "Record Category" ⇒ Select the "Record Type, Volume, and Year Range" which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:


 * The place where the event occurred
 * The approximate date the event occurred
 * The name of the individual or individuals such as the names of the bride and groom

Compare the information in the records to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.

For example:


 * Use the marriage date and place as the basis for compiling a new family group or for verifying existing information.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth of each partner to find a couple's birth records and parents' names.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in census records.
 * Use the residence and names of the parents to locate church and land records.
 * Occupations listed can lead you to other types of records such as employment records or military records.
 * Use the parents’ birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.
 * The name of the officiator may be a clue to their religion or area of residence in the county.
 * The name of the undertaker, mortuary, or cemetery could lead you to funeral and cemetery records, which often include the names and residences of other family members.
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname. This is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been born, married, or died in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Keep in mind:


 * The information in the records is usually reliable, but depends upon the reliability of the informant.
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as more recent records.
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another record.

If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, try the following:


 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames.
 * Check for an index. There are often indexes created by local genealogical and historical societies.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Related Websites

 * Shawano GenWeb
 * Shawano County Wisconsin RootsWeb
 * Oconto County Wisconsin GenWeb

Related Wiki Articles

 * Shawano County, Wisconsin
 * Oconto County, Wisconsin
 * Wisconsin History

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
“Wisconsin, Shawano and Oconto Counties, Indexes and Records from the Shawano Family History Center,” digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 28 March 2012), Obituaries &gt; Shawano County Obituaries, v. 43, 1997 - 1998 &gt; Image 75 of 140, William Weinreich, died 2 March 1998; citing indices and records in the Shawano Family History Center, Shawno, Wisconsin, and Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah