Follow these basic steps to start researching your family history:
Start with what you already have. Make a note of the names, date, and places you know.
Talk to your family members. Ask them about family stories and names or dates you may not have. Keep in mind that some family lore may have evolved over the years.
Start searching online. Use Ancestry Library or other genealogy databases to look for records that list your ancestors. Census records, for example, can include useful information like occupation, household members, and birthplace.
Keep track of all your resources! Be sure to save any documents you use and note where you found them.
Check out "Getting Started Researching Your Family History" from the Wisconsin Historical Society, listed below, for more tips on researching Wisconsin families.
Researching your family history is a challenging, exciting and rewarding endeavor. Before you begin, have a plan in place for organizing your information. By having names and dates at your fingertips, you'll be able to quickly determine if an item you find relates to your family.
Librarian recommended! Ancestry Library is a genealogical database that includes records regarding the U.S. Federal Census, vital life events, military service, and immigration.
A comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids. It delivers an essential collection of genealogical and historical sources—with coverage dating back to the 1700s.
Subjects covered include local/Wisconsin history & genealogy. Find digital materials & primary sources including photographs, postcards, newspapers, books, diaries, and audio recordings.
Anyone who values our state and its wealth of resources will find interesting or useful material, including photographs, postcards, newspapers, books, diaries, and audio recordings.
Find documents about the activities, functions, and policies of Wisconsin State Government. The collection contains documents from 2001 to current published by the Executive and Judicial branches of Wisconsin State Government, state government task forces, initiatives, boards, commissions, councils and special study groups.
The purpose of the collection is to comply with 35.83 Wis. Stats., as amended by 1991 Wisconsin Act 285, which requires Wisconsin state agencies to provide copies of their publications, regardless of format, to Resources for Libraries & Lifelong Learning for distribution to libraries through the Wisconsin Document Depository Program. The Wisconsin Document Depository Program collects and distributes state documents in print and electronic formats to Wisconsin libraries; preserves and makes available a record of major state government programs; and assures the availability of state documents for use by the public throughout Wisconsin now and in the future.
Collaborators include the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Law Library.