Wisconsin, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index and images of death records in the state of Wisconsin covering the years 1867 to 1907. The state of Wisconsin required its counties to register vital records (birth, marriage, death, and divorce) beginning in 1852. However, only a limited number of these events were actually recorded before 30 September 1907. The existing records prior to 1907 have been collected by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Deaths were recorded to better serve public health needs. They were also used in connection with the probate of wills and the administration of estates.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 6

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The name of a parent or date of the event

Search the Index
Search by name by visiting the Collection Page.
 * 1) Fill in the search boxes on the Collection Page with the information you have
 * 2) Click Search to show possible matches

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the age listed to determine an approximate birth date to find other church and vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage records. Also search for immigration, military, land and probate records
 * Use the information to find additional family members in censuses
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Try viewing the original record. Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives that can be verified by records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality in an area search
 * Try variant spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Wisconsin.
 * Wisconsin Guided Research
 * Wisconsin Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Registration of deaths, ca. 1862-1907

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Wisconsin Death Index, 1820-1907
 * Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997
 * Wisconsin Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Guide to public vital statistics records in Wisconsin

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.