Local Government Records
The Wisconsin Historical Society has statutory responsibility to collect, maintain and make available for use permanently valuable records of Wisconsin's local governments, school districts and courts.
Our holdings include the following:
- Common Council proceedings
- County and Municipal ordinances and resolutions
- County Board proceedings
- Court case files (including criminal, civil, family and divorce cases)
- Grantor/grantee indexes
- Land deeds
- Naturalization records
- Probate case files
- School district and school board reports
- Tax rolls
- Wills
Access to Local Government Records
Pre-1907 birth, death and marriage records are available in the Society Library and at Area Research Centers.
Most local government collections are physically located at Area Research Centers (ARCs) and not at the Society headquarters building in Madison. Only records for Columbia, Dane, and Sauk Counties, as well as some recent acquisitions from other counties, are housed at the Society headquarters building in Madison. See the counties served by each Area Research Center.
Search Our Local Government Records Online
- To search for local government records in the custody of the Wisconsin Historical Society, use the Library Catalog.
- If you have specific reference questions, visit the Archives Reading Room or your local Area Research Center.
Resources for Local Governments
- If you work for a local government and would like more information about the Local Government Records Program, visit the Local Government Records Program page.
- For questions regarding the transfer of records, please send an email to govarc@wisconsinhistory.org.
Learn More
Visiting the Library and Archives
Local Government Records program
Have Questions?
Contact the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives Reading Room by phone at 608-264-6460 or by sending an email to: