Pierce County, Wisconsin Genealogy
Guide to Pierce County, Wisconsin ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for Franklin Pierce. The County is located in the northwest area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Pierce County Courthouse
4414 W Main
PO Box 119
Ellsworth, WI 54011
Phone: 715-273-3531
Pierce County Website
County Clerk has birth and death records from 1876, marriage records from 1855, divorce records from 1875, probate records from 1878 and court records from 1869. [3]
Pierce County, Wisconsin Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1876 | 1855 | 1876 | 1869 | 1855 | 1878 | 1820 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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For animated maps illustrating Wisconsin County boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Wisconsin County Boundary Maps" (1790-1961) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
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History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County Biographies USGenWeb Archives
- Pierce County Biographies WIGenWeb Project
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1860 | 4,672 | — |
| 1870 | 9,958 | 113.1% |
| 1880 | 17,744 | 78.2% |
| 1890 | 20,385 | 14.9% |
| 1900 | 23,943 | 17.5% |
| 1910 | 22,079 | −7.8% |
| 1920 | 21,663 | −1.9% |
| 1930 | 21,043 | −2.9% |
| 1940 | 21,471 | 2.0% |
| 1950 | 21,448 | −0.1% |
| 1960 | 22,503 | 4.9% |
| 1970 | 26,652 | 18.4% |
| 1980 | 31,149 | 16.9% |
| 1990 | 32,765 | 5.2% |
| 2000 | 36,804 | 12.3% |
| 2010 | 41,019 | 11.5% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For tips on accessing Pierce census records online, see: Wisconsin Census.
- Pierce County, Wisconsin State & Federal Census Index This is a work in progress. WIGenWeb project
State Census
- 1850 - Wisconsin State Census, 1855 This census includes name of head of family; other individuals in the household are identified by sex and race, number of deaf and dumb, blind, insane and foreign born. - How to Use this Collection
- 1865 - Wisconsin State Census, 1865 Name index and images of the 1865 State Census which names the head of household. Most records have been destroyed but schedules exist for the following counties: Dunn, Green, Jackson, Kewaunee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan. - How to Use this Collection
- 1875 - Wisconsin State Census, 1875 Identifies head of household by name. - How to Use this Collection
- 1885 - Wisconsin State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — index and images. Search indexed census.Identifies by name of head of household. Other information is statistical and identifies the rest of the household by race, gender and country of birth. - How to Use this Collection
- 1895 - Wisconsin State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — index and images. Identifies head of household by name. Other information is statistical. - How to Use this Collection
- 1905 - Wisconsin State Census, 1905 at FamilySearch — Name index and images of population. Enumerates by name all inhabitants. - How to Use this Collection
Federal Census
- Pierce County Census Records - Scroll down to the Census heading. This site has images for Federal Censuses from 1860 to 1920, including page numbers for the various townships. USGenWeb Archives
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Wisconsin denominations, view the Wisconsin Church Records wiki page.
Catholic
Lutheran
- Records of the American Lutheran Church, Pierce County, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).
United Church of Christ
- St Paul's United Church of Christ, Ellsworth, Wisconsin old church records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Wisconsin Land and Property for additional information about early Wisconsin land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.
- Pierce County Wisconsin - RootsWeb
- Pierce County Land Patents USGenWeb Archives - Scroll down to "Land"
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
- Old Antique Atlases & Maps of Wisconsin
- Family Maps of Pierce County, Wisconsin (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
- Pierce County, Wisconsin: Map - Wisconsin Online
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County Military USGenWeb Archives
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Regiments. Service men in Pierce served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Pierce:
- - 1st Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry, Company C
- - 2nd Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry, Company M
- - 6th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, Company B
- - 8th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, Company D
- - 12th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, Companies A and D
- - 13th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, Company G
- Civil War History and Rosters for Pierce County RootsWeb
- 1883 Pensioners List WIGenWeb project
World War I[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County in the World War WIGenWeb project
- World War I Civilian Draft Registrations WIGenWeb project
World War II[edit | edit source]
- State of Wisconsin Casualty Lists WIGenWeb project
- Veteran Photos WIGenWeb project
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County Naturalizations, 1858-1896 WIGenWeb project
- Pierce County Naturalizations, 1897-1903 WIGenWeb project
- Naturalizations, 1903, cont.-1906 WIGenWeb project
- Declarations of Intent WIGenWeb project
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County Obituaries WIGenWeb project
- Pierce County Obituaries USGenWeb Archives - Scroll down to "Obits"
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records are held by the Pierce Clerk of Circuit Court and are housed at the Pierce Courthouse. See the wiki page Wisconsin Probate Records for information about how to use probate records.
Content: Probate records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Record types: Wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions.
Online Records
- 1800–1987 Wisconsin Wills and Probate Records 1800-1987 at Ancestry — images and index $
- 1848–1948 Wisconsin Probate Estate Files 1848-1948 at FamilySearch — images - How to Use this Collection
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Wisconsin tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. Because only persons who owned property or other items that could be taxed were listed, some residents were not included in tax lists. There may also be gaps of several years in the tax records. For more information see the Wiki page, Wisconsin Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Most counties started keeping records in the 1870s. In 1907, the counties began sending copies to the state.
For pre-1907 births, deaths, and marriages, search the Wisconsin Genealogy Index.
For additional information, see Wisconsin Vital Records.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1820-1907 Wisconsin, Birth Index, 1820-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1826-1908 Wisconsin, Births and Christenings Index, 1826-1908 at Ancestry — index $
- 1826-1926 Wisconsin, Births and Christenings, 1826-1926 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1836-1911 Wisconsin, County Marriages, 1836-1911 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1836-1930 Wisconsin, Marriages, 1836-1930 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)
- 1973-1997 Wisconsin, Marriage Index, 1973-1997 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1973-1997 Wisconsin Marriages, 1973-1997 at Ancestry — index/images $
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1820-1907 Wisconsin, Death Index, 1820-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1835-1968 Wisconsin, Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1867-1907 Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)
- 1959-1997 Wisconsin, Death Index, 1959-1997 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1965-1984 Wisconsin, Divorce Index, 1965-1984 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Pierce County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Wisconsin Archives and Libraries.
- University Archives and Area Research Center
Chalmer Davee Library
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
120 Cascade Avenue
River Falls, WI 54022
Phone: 715-425-3567
Fax: 715-425-0609
Email: archives@uwrf.edu
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Pierce County. For state-wide library facilities, see Wisconsin Archives and Libraries.
- Chalmer Davee Library
University Archives and Area Research Center
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
120 Cascade Avenue
River Falls, WI 54022
Phone: 715-425-3567
Fax: 715-425-0609
Email: archives@uwrf.edu
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Pierce County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Wisconsin Societies.
- Pierce County Historical Assn
PO Box 148
423 W. Main Street
Ellsworth, WI 54011
Phone: 715-273-0118
Website - Prescott Welcome and Heritage Center
233 Broad St N
Prescott, WI 54021
Phone: 715-262-3284
Toll-free: 800-474-3723
Website - St Croix Valley Genealogical Society
PO Box 396
River Falls, WI 54022
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Pierce County, WI History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Wisconsin Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- Pierce County WIGenWeb project
- Pierce County USGenWeb Archives
- FamilySearch Catalog - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wisconsin.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Pierce County, Wisconsin " in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce_County,_Wisconsin."
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wisconsin.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pierce County, Wisconsin. Page 755-760, At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 757-759.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wisconsin.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Pierce County, Wisconsin," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce_County,_Wisconsin#Communities, accessed 26 Dec 2018.
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