Wisconsin Introduction

This outline describes major sources of information about families from Wisconsin. As you read this set of Wiki pages, study the United States set of Wiki pages which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records.

Records of the Family History Library
The Family History Library has many of the records listed in this outline. The major holdings include materials from county courthouses and the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. The library is currently acquiring microfilm copies of additional vital, probate, land, military, church, naturalization, and family records from the earliest available years through about 1910.

Some of the sources described in this outline list the Family History Library's book, microfilm, microfiche, and computer numbers. These are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History Library. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the library and to order microfilm and microfiche at Family History Centers.

The computer number can be used if you have access to the Family History Library Catalog on computer. The “Computer Number Search” is an easy way to find a source in the catalog.

Family History Library Catalog
The library's records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog found at the library and at each Family History Center. To find a record in this catalog, look in the Place Search for:

The place where your ancestor lived, such as:


 * UNITED STATES - CENSUS
 * WISCONSIN - VITAL RECORDS
 * WISCONSIN, MILWAUKEE - PROBATE RECORDS
 * WISCONSIN, MILWAUKEE, MILWAUKEE - DIRECTORIES

The record type you want to search, such as:


 * UNITED STATES - CENSUS
 * WISCONSIN - VITAL RECORDS
 * WISCONSIN, MILWAUKEE - PROBATE RECORDS
 * WISCONSIN, MILWAUKEE, MILWAUKEE - DIRECTORIES

The titles of the pages in this set of Wiki pages match the names of record types used in the Family History Library Catalog.