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Washington County, Wisconsin
Genealogy, History & Facts
County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links
Washington County, Wisconsin Facts
When was Washington County, WI Created?
Washington County was created on December 7, 1836 from Brown County and Milwaukee County. The county was named in honor of George Washington (1732-1799), American Revolutionary War leader (1775–1783), and first President of the United States (1789–1797) .
What is the County Seat of Washington County, WI?
The County Seat is located in West Bend and the county government website is www.co.washington.wi.us/
What counties are adjacent to Washington County, WI?
Bordering Counties are Fond du Lac County, Sheboygan County, Ozaukee County, Milwaukee County, Waukesha County, Dodge County.
Washington County, WI Vital Records
Where can find Washington County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Washington County vital records can be found at the Wisconsin Office of Vital Records has copies of Birth, Marriage, Divorce & Death Records reported since 1907. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Wisconsin for current fees and application process..
You can search online for Washington County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Wisconsin Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Application to mail.
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- USGenweb Archives Wisconsin Marriage Project
- Earliest Registration Dates by County
- Pre-1907 Birth Index
- Wisconsin, Births and Christenings, 1826-1926
- Wisconsin, Divorce Index, 1965-1984
- Wisconsin Marriage Index 1852-1907
- Wisconsin Marriage Index (selected entries pre-1907)
- Wisconsin, Marriage Index, 1973-1997
- Wisconsin, Marriages, 1836-1930
- Pre-1892 Wisconsin Brides and/or Grooms from Maine State Archives Cards
- Wisconsin, Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968
- Pre-1907 Death Index
- 1959-1979 Death Index
- 1979-1984 Death Index
Washington County, WI Census Records
What Washington County, WI census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Washington County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1840 (as Wisconsin Territory), 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940.
Washington Co. Mortality Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Washington Co. Industry and Agriculture can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Washington Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free down-loadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research.
There are Wisconsin State censuses from 1895 and 1905. Also the Wisconsin Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index for 1820-1890. You can find free down-loadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Wisconsin Census Records Research Guide
Washington County, WI Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Washington County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Washington County.The date listed for each category of record is usually the earliest registration filed. The earliest date does not indicate that there are numerous records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually registered.
See Also Wisconsin Courthouse Records Research Guide.
- Washington County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 432 E. Washington Street, West Bend, WI 53095; Phone: 262.335.4400
- County was attached to Milwaukee County for county and judicial purposes from 1836–45. Some early records may be found there.
- Washington County Register of Deeds
- Phone: 262-335-4321
- Birth Records: 1859
- Marriage Records: 1846
- Death Records: 1873
- Land Records: 1835
- Washington County Register in Probate Office
- Phone: 262-335-4334
- Probate Records: 1845
- Washington County Clerk of Court Office
- Phone: (262) 335-4341
- Court Records: 1855
- Public Records of the Consolidated Court Automation Programs provides access to certain public records of the circuit courts of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin, Probate Estate Files, 1848-1935
- U.S., Indexed Early Land Ownership and Township Plats, 1785-1898
- BLM Land Records
Washington County, WI Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Washington County, WI?
A list of Washington County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Wisconsin Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Washington County Historical Society, 340 S 5th Ave, West Bend, WI 53095
- Area Research Center – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Division of Archives and Special Collections, Golda Meir Library, Room W250, PO Box 604, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0604; Phone: (414) 229-5402
- Germantown Historical Society, Highway 145 & Holy Hill Rd, Germantown 53022
- Hartford Genealogical Society, 109 N Main St, Hartford, WI 53027
- Jackson Historical Society, 2860 Division Rd, Jackson, WI 53037; Phone: 262-677-4825
- Kewaskum Historical Society, 1202 Parkview Dr, Kewaskum, WI 53040; Phone: 262-626-4656
- Wisconsin Area Research Center Network
- State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706-1488
- Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, PO Box 5106, Madison, WI 53705
- Wisconsin Genealogy Index (wisconsinhistory.org) Search for pre-1907 Vital Records, as well as for 150,000 Wisconsin Name Index (WNI) records, including biographical sketches, obituaries, and newspaper articles published before 2000.
Where can I connect with other Washington County, WI Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Wisconsin State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Washington County, Wisconsin Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Washington County
- Washington County, Wisconsin Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Washington County, WI?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Washington County. Many of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a cost. This is just a listing which has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another.
Washington Co. WI Books, Newspapers & Publications
- Wisconsin Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- Wisconsin historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from Wisconsin (1837 – 1992) (genealogybank.com)
- Washington County, Wisconsin Books (amazon.com)
- Washington County Wisconsin Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
- Search Wisconsin Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
Washington Co. WI Church & Cemeteries
- Wisconsin Church & Cemetery Research Guide
- Washington Co., Wisconsin Graves (findagrave.com)
- Washington County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Washington Co., Wisconsin Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Washington Co., Wisconsin Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Washington County, Wisconsin Church Books (amazon.com)
Washington Co. WI Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Create a Free Family Tree (ancestry.com)
- Historical Image Collections (wisconsinhistory.org)
- Local History & Biography Articles (wisconsinhistory.org) thousands of historical newspaper articles on Wisconsin people and communities
- The Wisconsin Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Washington Co. WI General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Wisconsin
- Washington County, Wisconsin Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin : containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resour (search.ancestry.com)
- Washington County, Wisconsin Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Washington Co. WI Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Washington County, Wisconsin (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Wisconsin – Counties – Washington (cyndislist.com)
- Washington County Wisconsin (genealogytrails.com)
- Washington Co. WIGenweb (linkstothepast.com)
- Washington County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Washington Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Washington Co. WI Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Wisconsin Links and Information
- Washington Co. D.O.T. Road and Highway Maps (dot.wisconsin.gov)
- Wisconsin Public Land Survey Records: Original Field Notes & Plat Maps for Washington County
- 1895 Washington County Map (livgenmi.com)
Washington Co. WI Military Records
- Wisconsin Military Records Research Guide
- Wisconsin Military Records (fold3.com) gives you easy access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents of the Wisconsin both women and men which served. Just the thing for Washington County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.