Milwaukee County Historical Society

Research Services & Requests

Members of the Research Library Staff are here to help to you in your research. If you are new to research, take a look through the Research Library Section of our web site to understand what Collections are available before you make the trip. Hours of operation.

Library Staff can do limited research for patrons. A variety of records can be requested using on-line forms that are listed above. Review the detailed listing of these records on this page before submitting your request to make sure we have the records you are looking for. Fees for these requests are $15. This includes research, photocopying and postage to mail the records to you. Requests are fulfilled in the order they are received.

When we are ready to start on your request we will contact you to obtain credit card information or ask that you send a check or money order. Due to the volume of requests we receive it can take up to four weeks to reply to your request.

For more detailed requests, we estimate the amount of time it will take to gather the records and charge an hourly fee. You are welcome to call 414-273-7487 and inquire about your specific research question.

Revenues from research requests are used to maintain our Library collections and catalog new materials.

Genealogy

The Milwaukee County Historical Society has territorial censuses for Milwaukee County for 1836, 1840, 1842, 1846, and 1847. Federal censuses of 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 are available for the City of Milwaukee and the townships of Granville, Milwaukee, Lake, Oak Creek, Wauwatosa, Franklin, and Greenfield. Wisconsin state census of 1905 for Milwaukee County is also available.

All public records are for Milwaukee County only and the Milwaukee County Historical Society has no vital records, marriage, birth or death certificates.
Census Request Form

Learn more about our Genealogical & Historical Research Collection.

Naturalization

The time period of Milwaukee County naturalization records are from 1836 to May 1941. Declaration of Intent/First Papers and Petitions/Second Papers are at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. Women did not fill out naturalization papers until 1922 when they were granted the right to vote. Prior to 1922, a woman was naturalized through the action of her father or husband.
Naturalization Request Form

Learn more about our Genealogical & Historical Research Collection.

County Records

Incorporation Records
The time period of Incorporation Records at the Milwaukee County Historical Society is 1872 to 1960. These include Articles, Amendments and Dissolutions. These documents cannot be photocopied, but pertinent information such as purpose of corporation, amount of capital stock, change of articles, reason for dissolving, signers of document, and the date may be transcribed.
Incorporation Request Form

Learn more about our Genealogical & Historical Research Collection.

Probate Records
The time period of Milwaukee County Probate Records at the Milwaukee County Historical Society is 1835 to 1890. The records for these dates are not inclusive. The records were turned over by Milwaukee County to the Milwaukee County Historical Society. If you are unable to find the records here, contact the Register of Probate Office at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Generally our records are noted as wills, estate, or assignment of guardianship.
Probate Request

Learn more about our Genealogical & Historical Research Collection.

Civil Court Records
The time period of Milwaukee County Civil Court Cases at the Milwaukee County Historical Society is 1837 to December 1949. These are civil cases such as divorces, and lawsuits brought by individuals against other individuals or companies. These are not Criminal Court cases.
Civil Court Case Request Form

Coroner’s Records
The time period of Milwaukee County Coroner's Records at the Milwaukee County Historical Society is 1873 to 1935. Please note: The coroner was not called at every death, just for accidents or other suspicious circumstances.
Coroner’s Record Request Form

Learn more about our Genealogical & Historical Research Collection.