It is wise to acquaint yourself with any repository in Wisconsin which you might visit by writing to the appropriate archive or library in advance.
Most, if not all, Wisconsin repositories have published materials that introduce its collections and research policy.
Wisconsin archives and historical agencies also have Internet sites that provide the same information. Some even have downloadable databases for some or parts of their collections.
Wisconsin Archives
- National Archives – Great Lakes Region (Chicago), 7358 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois 60629-5898; 773-948-9001; (Maintains retired records from Federal agencies and courts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.)
- Wisconsin Area Research Center Network – Thirteen area research centers in Wisconsin hold public records transferred by counties, towns, cities, and other local governments and collections of papers and records from private individuals and organizations. The goal of each center is to build comprehensive collections documenting the history of its region. The collections include photographs, newspapers, maps, and family histories. Many of the centers are enhanced by the contributions and volunteer hours of local genealogy groups. Newspaper indexes to vital records, cemetery readings, and original local church records can be located in some of the centers. Centers vary considerably in their collections and, therefore, in their value to genealogists. Archival collections usually located at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin or at one of the centers may be transferred temporarily within the network to accommodate local researchers. All archive and manuscript materials at the centers are cataloged centrally at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Write or call the appropriate center before visiting since hours vary by center, the calendar, staffing, and university schedules. The State Historical Society of Wisconsin serves Columbia, Dane, and Sauk counties. The other Area Research Centers and the counties they serve are:
Wisconsin Museums
- Wisconsin Historical Museum, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706
Wisconsin Libraries
Wisconsin Historical & Genealogical Societies
For almost every state there is a state genealogical society, a state genealogical council, or both. In addition to their own work, state-level groups sometimes help coordinate the efforts of local societies within the state. Their publications, newsletters and quarterlies, supplement those produced by the local societies.
- State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706-1488; Nearly one-fifth of the entire State Historical Society of Wisconsin Library collection, now more than one million items, deals with family or local history, making it one of the largest genealogical collections in the country. It is not, however, limited to Wisconsin history. The library attempts to acquire all U.S. and Canadian historical and genealogical materials. Vital records prior to 1907 are on microfilm for the entire state (see Vital Records). Census holdings include all federal censuses for all states. The society has all federal census indexes for Wisconsin and is acquiring some indexes for other states. There is an extensive collection of passenger lists and one of the nation’s largest newspaper collections, national in scope, but predominantly concerning Wisconsin. Books, except for rare editions and pamphlet-size, are on open shelves.
- Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, PO Box 5106, Madison, WI 53705; This society serves as the parent body for eleven local chapters. It holds two all-day meetings each year, featuring state or national speakers. Their quarterly newsletter includes material extracted from original sources. The society also publishes numerous indexes to Wisconsin county histories . The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society purchased the microfilm copies of the pre-1907 vital indexes and records (see Vital Records), which are held by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Genealogical Council, 2308 W Applegate Dr, Appleton, WI 54914-1952; Established in 1986 to promote open communication, education, and exchange of information among Wisconsin counties, libraries, organizations, businesses, and individuals, the group publishes a quarterly newsletter, sponsors an annual Gene-A-Rama, and maintains a file of family names being researched by members.
- Wisconsin Society of Daughters of the American Revolution
- Wisconsin Society of Sons of the American Revolution
- Ashland Historical Society, 509 West Main, Ashland 54806
- Barron County Historical Society, 1870 13 1/2 Ave, Cameron 54822-9511
- Bayfield Heritage Assoc, 117 S 1st Ave, Bayfield 54814
- Beloit Historical Society, 2149 St. Lawrence Ave, Beloit 53511-5742
- Berlin Historical Society, 111 S Adams Ave, Berlin 54923-2023
- Burlington Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 593, Burlington 53105
- Burlington Historical Society, 232 N Perkins Blvd, Burlington 53105-1927
- Cedarburg Cultural Ctr, W62n546 Washington Ave, Cedarburg 53012-1926
- Celtic Cultural Center, P.O. Box 6646, Monona 53716
- Chippewa County Historical Scty, 123 Allen Street, Chippewa Falls 54729-2802
- Cornish Connection Of Michigan Iii, P.O. Box 639 (Aurora), Rt 1, Florence 54121
- Cornish Society Of Greater Milwaukee, 3753 S. 85th Street, Milwaukee 53228
- Cornish Society Of Greater Milwaukee, 2405 N Brookfield Road, Brookfield 53045
- Crivitz Area Heritage Society, Oak & South St, Crivitz 54114
- Dartford Historical Society, 501 Mill St, Green Lake 54941-9424
- De Pere Historical Society, 403 N Broadway, De Pere 54115-2511
- Dodge – Jefferson Counties Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 91, Watertown 53094-0091
- Dodge County Historical Society, 105 Park Ave, Beaver Dam 53916-2107
- Door County Historical Society, 120 N Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay 54235-3416
- Fond Du Lac County Genealogical Society,
- Fond Du Lac County Historical Society,
- Forest County Historical Society, 105 W Jackson St, Crandon 54520-1457
- Ft. Atkinson Historical Society, 407 Merchants Ave, Ft. Atkinson 53538-2249
- Germantown Historical Society, Highway 145 & Holy Hill Rd, Germantown 53022
- Grant County Genealogical Society,
- Grantsburg Area Historical Society, Grantsburg
- Hawks Inn Historical Society, 426 Wells St, Delafield 53018-1419
- Iowa County Genealogical Society,
- Iron County Historical Society, 303 Iron Street, Hurley 54534-1356
- Iron River Historical Society, P.O. Box 416, Cable 54821-0416
- Kenosha County Historical Society, 6300 3rd Ave, Kenosha 53143-5102
- La Crosse County Historical Society, 429 7th Street N, La Crosse 54601-3301
- La Crosse County Historical Society,
- La Crosse Heritage Association, 600 3rd Street N, La Crosse 54601-6299
- Lakeland Area Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 308, Minocqua 54548
- Marathon County Genealogical Society,
- Marathon County Historical Society, 403 Mcindoe St, Wausau 54403-4746
- Marinette County Historical Society, P.O. Box 262, Marinette 54143-0262
- Mazomanie Historical Society, 118 Brodhead St, Mazomanie 53560-9325
- Merrill Historical Society, 102 E. Third Street, Merrill 54452
- Milton Wisconsin Historical Society, Milton
- Milwaukee County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 270326, Milwaukee 53227-0326
- Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World 3rd St., Milwaukee 53203
- Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society, 138 East Main, Mt. Horeb 53572-2195
- Neenah Historical Society, 336 Main St, Neenah 54956-2425
- North Wood County Historical Society, 212 W 3rd St, Marshfield 54449-2706
- Oak Creek Wisconsin Historical Society, Oak Creek
- Oconomowoc Historical Society, 103 W Jeffeson St, Oconomowoc 53066-3633
- Oconto County Historical Society, 917 Park Ave, Oconto 54153-1641
- Omro Area Historical Society, 144 E Main St, Omro 54963-1416
- Pewaukee Area Historical Society, 206 E Wisconsin Ave, Pewaukee 53072-3519
- Portage County Historical Society, 1475 Water St, Stevens Point 54481-2920
- Racine Heritage Association, 701 S Main St, Racine 53403-1211
- Rhinelander Historical Society, 9 S Pelham St, Rhinelander 54501-3458
- Rock County Historical Society, 10 S High St, Janesville 53545-3835
- Sauk County Historical Society, 531 4th Ave, Baraboo 53913-2034
- Saukville Area Historical Society, 200 N Mill St, Saukville 53080
- Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, 504 Broadway, Sheboygan Falls 53085
- South Central Wisconsin Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 5652, Madison 53705
- South Wood County Historical Society, 540 3rd St. S, Wisconsin Rapids 54494-4352
- Southwest Wisconsin Cornish Society, 23073 Sunny Slope Road, Mineral Point 53565
- Stoughton Historical Society, 324 S Page St, Stoughton 53589-2166
- Two Rivers Historical Society, 1622 Jefferson St, Two Rivers 54241-3017
- Vilas County Historical Society, Main Street, Sayner 54560
- Walworth County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 159, Delavan 53115-0159
- Walworth County Historical Society, PO Box 273, Elkhorn 53121
- Washburn Historial Society, 1 East Bayfield, Washburn 54891
- Watertown Historical Society, Watertown
- Waukesha County Historical Society, 101 W Main St, Waukesha 53186-4811
- Waupaca Area Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 42, King 54946-0042
- Waushara County Historical Society, 221 S St. Marie, Wautoma 54982
- Wauwatosa Historical Society, 7406 Hillcrest Dr, Milwaukee 53213-2226
- Winneconne Historical Society, 611 W Main Street, Winneconne 54986
- Wisconsin Black Historical Soc, 2620 W Center St, Milwaukee 53206-1155
- Wisconsin Lineage Links, 2655 Fairview Lane, Brookfield 53045-4117
