Search state-wide indexes of birth, marriage, and death records.
Records for Filling Out the Family Tree
Vital records are some of the most useful genealogy records
for accurately filing out your family tree chart. They provide
the basics of who, what, and when.
What do you need?
- Birth
- Marriage
- Birth again--for the children
- Divorce (perhaps)
- Death
Where do you find them?
- Official government records can be found at the local level, in the county, and at the state.
Birth, marriage and divorce, and death records are generally called "vital records." The Wisconsin Department of Health Services' office responsible for keeping the state's copy of birth, death, and marriage/divorce records is called Vital Records Services. In the various counties in Wisconsin, the Register of Deeds is the keeper of Vital Records. Various local and county courts also have records.
- Church records can be used if government records were not created or can't be found.
Use baptism records for birth, wedding records for marriage, and funeral and/or cemetery records for death.
