April 25 History Program: "Shop Talk: History & Memories of the Milwaukee Road Shops in Tomah"
The Monroe County Local History Room & Museum presents: “Shop Talk: History & Memories of the Milwaukee Road Shops in Tomah,” a public program to be held on Thursday, April 25th at 7pm at the Sparta United Methodist Church...
History Room closed Jan. 16-22. Reopens Jan. 23.
The Monroe County Local History Room & Museum will be closed to the public from January 16 through January 22, 2024 for exhibit changing and seasonal maintenance...
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Monroe County Newspapers IndexAbout the Index:
This database contains over 354,000 news items indexed from newspapers published in Monroe County, Wisconsin, from the 1850s upward (depending on the newspaper). Newspapers that have been indexed (to some degree) include:
- CR: Cashton Record
- ET: Elroy Tribune
- KK: Kendall Keystone
- MCD: Monroe County Democrat
- MCR: Monroe County Republican
- NS: Norwalk Star
- SD: Sparta Democrat
- SE: Sparta Eagle
- SH: Sparta Herald
- SHN: Star Herald News (Norwalk)
- TC: Tomah Chief
- TM: Tomah Monitor
- TMCD: Tomah’s Monroe County Democrat
- TJ: Tomah Journal
- VA: Valley Junction Advocate
- VJS: Valley Junction Settler
- WI: Warrens Index
Indexed articles include birth, marriage, and death notices, and other news items about individuals, families, businesses, disasters, organizations, etc. Indexing the county’s newspapers is an ongoing project. Therefore, this database will be updated regularly, so be sure to revisit this page. Please be patient if you notice any obvious typos. We are aware of them and cleaning them up regularly. To increase your chances of finding articles, try searching just the surname, and always check spelling variations of the surname.
Article Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of articles indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($3.00 per article). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting an article will be added to the “shopping cart.” Be aware that actual content of the news items indexed in this database range from half-page obituaries to one sentence death notices.Monroe County Birth Records Index (1850s–1944)About the Index:
This database is an index of births registered with the Monroe County Register of Deeds that occurred 1850s to 1944. In the early 1900’s, WI started requiring the reporting of all births. By 1907, the laws were strongly enforced and all Wisconsin Counties mark this year as the start for a thorough accounting of the births. Included in this index are births from this time period that are filed in Monroe County’s Miscellaneous Volumes. This index was created by the Monroe-Juneau-Jackson Genealogical Workshop (MJJGW) with additional delayed births indexed by LHR volunteers.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide uncertified copies of birth records indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a birth record will be added to a “shopping cart.” The copies provided by MCLHR are made from the microfilmed State of Wisconsin copy of Monroe County registered births.Monroe County Marriage Records Index (1854–1968)About the Index:
This database is an index of marriages registered with the Monroe County Register of Deeds that occurred from 1854 to 1968. In the early 1900's, WI started requiring the reporting of all marriages. By 1907, the laws were strongly enforced and all Wisconsin Counties mark this year as the start for a thorough accounting of the marriages. Included in this index are marriages from this time period that are filed in Monroe County's Miscellaneous Volumes. Many of the pre-1907 marriages are available on microfilm at LHR. Others will have to be obtained by contacting the Monroe County Register of Deeds. This index was created by the Monroe-Juneau-Jackson Genealogical Workshop (MJJGW) and LHR volunteers.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide uncertified copies of marriage records indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on "Get Copy of Record" and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a marriage record will be added to a “shopping cart.” The copies provided by MCLHR are made from the microfilmed State of Wisconsin copy of Monroe County registered marriages.
Monroe County Death Records Index (1850s–1968)About the Index:
This database is an index of deaths registered with the Monroe County Register of Deeds that occurred 1850s to 1968. In the early 1900’s, WI started requiring the reporting of all deaths. By 1907, the laws were strongly enforced and all Wisconsin Counties mark this year as the start for a thorough accounting of the deaths. Included in this index are deaths from this time period that are filed in Monroe County’s Miscellaneous Volumes. Many of the pre-1907 deaths are available on microfilm at LHR. This index was created by the Monroe-Juneau-Jackson Genealogical Workshop (MJJGW) and LHR volunteers. Always check spelling variations of the surname.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide uncertified copies of death records dated 1850s – 1907 for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a death record will be added to a “shopping cart.” The copies provided by MCLHR are made from the microfilmed State of Wisconsin copy of Monroe County registered deaths. Monroe County Mortality Schedule Index (1859-1880)About the Index:
This database is an index of names and accompanying information listed on mortality schedules from the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal Censuses for Monroe County. A person was listed on a mortality schedule if he or she died within the previous year of when the census was taken, so anytime between June 1 of the year prior to the census thru May 31 of the census year.
Mortality schedule information may be useful, as death records were not required by the State of Wisconsin until 1907. Not all of the information recorded on the mortality schedule is listed in the index. Additional information may include: place of birth, father and mother’s nativity, profession, cause of death, and number of days ill.
These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, hand-written census mortality schedules. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Illegible names are identified with a question mark "(?)" in part or in whole.
Mortality Schedule Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the census mortality schedule record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a mortality record will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County Court Records Index (1850s-1980s)About the Index:
This database is an index of the oldest surviving Monroe County court records. Dates range from the 1850s – 1980s. It includes Civil and County Court cases, along with a handful of Criminal cases. Always check spelling variations of the surname.
Court Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of those court cases in its possession (the actual records listed on this index are housed in two locations: the Monroe County Local History Room and the Wisconsin Historical Society Area Research Center in La Crosse, WI.). To request copies of court records held by LHR, simply click on “Request Copy Quote” and that particular court record index entry will be added to the “shopping cart.” Then either checkout your order online or print the “shopping cart” and mail it to us. Once we receive your request form, we will inform you what the copying fee will be. The copying fee is dependent on the size of the court record file.Monroe County Census Index (1855-1920)About the Census Index:
The following censuses are indexed and posted on this website for researching:
Monroe County Federal Census Indexes
- 1860
- 1870
- 1880
- 1900
- 1910
- 1920
Monroe County State Census Indexes
Census records can be very helpful in providing key information about a family member, including: age, residence, family relationships, birthplace, birthplace of parents, immigration year, and occupation. The type of data the census contained depended on the year. The information presented in the State Censuses (1855, 1875, and 1885) is very limited compared to the Federal ones. These are Head of Household only censuses that provide the total number of people living in a particular household and their country of birth.
These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, hand-written censuses. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he/she heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Illegible names are identified with a question mark "(?)" in part or in whole.
Census Page Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the census record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a census record will be added to the “shopping cart.”
Monroe County 1950 Census IndexAbout the Index:
The 1950 Census was publically released for the first time on April 1, 2022, and numerous History Room volunteers worked to try to get it indexed as quickly as possible. It will eventually be merged with the larger Monroe County Census Index, which currently has information from State and Federal Censuses from 1855 to 1920.
The Population Schedules for the 1950 Census include standard information such as: first and last name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, marital status, residence, and occupation. However, unlike earlier censuses, census takers for Monroe County were much better at recording an accurate address for each household as well as the number of hours each individual worked the previous week. Children under the age of 1 had their birth month recorded in place of age. Supplemental questions about residence, parentage, schooling, wages, and family information were asked of six individuals on each page (every fifth person) instead of just the two done in 1940.
Also, the 1950 Census is different in that large institutions were enumerated as a separate district instead of just part of the township or city ward in which it was located. Consequently, Monroe County has three institutions enumerated separately: the Monroe County Insane Asylum, Wisconsin Child Center, and the VA Hospital. Individuals residing within the boundaries of Camp McCoy were also enumerated separately. All are included with this 1950 Census Index.
Every effort was made to try to transcribe the handwritten census records accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Alternate spellings are noted in brackets [ ]. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.).
1950 Census Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the 1950 census record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a census record will be added to the “shopping cart.” Please note that more information appears on the actual census record than what appears in this index.Tomah Indian Agency Census Index (1911-1939)About the Index:
This database is an index of names and accompanying information listed on U.S. Indian Census Rolls filled out by the Tomah Indian Agent based at the Tomah Indian Industrial School. Unlike the U.S. Federal Census which was filled out every ten years, these Census Rolls were completed on an annual basis. The Tomah Indian Agency existed from 1911-1915 and 1927-1939. It covered Native American populations in and around Western and Central Wisconsin and at various times included members of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Oneida, and Stockbridge-Munsee Nations among others. Between 1916 and 1926, the region was overseen by the Grand Rapids Indian Agency based in Wisconsin Rapids, so those records are not included within this index.
The U.S. Indian Census Rolls are valuable for anyone researching a Native American family member who lived during the first half of the twentieth century. Information on the records may include: tribe or nation, English name, Indian name, age, relationship to head of household, birthdate, degree of blood, death date, and cause of death. Beginning in 1931, the U.S. Indian Census Rolls also included special pages recording births and deaths. Specialized marriage pages occurred in 1936. Alternate names are noted in parentheses ( ) or brackets [ ].
Not all of the information recorded on the U.S. Indian Census Rolls is listed in the index. Also note that some of the terminology used within the records is not the same as considered appropriate today and is only used now for the purpose of accurate indexing of an original document.
Tomah Indian Agency Census Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the U.S. Indian Census Roll record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a Census Roll will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County Student records Index (1908-1973)About the Index:
This database is an index of School Censuses and Student Records filed in Monroe County schools between 1908 and 1973. Most of the records are from rural and village schools. However, some records are included from Sparta and Tomah City schools. School Censuses and Student Records can be useful tools to learn an individual’s birthdate, residence, siblings, schools attended, and parent or guardian when otherwise not available.
School Censuses were taken at the end of each school year throughout the early to mid-1900s. Information recorded for “children between 4 and 20 years” in that district includes name, age, date of birth, parent name, address and gender. School information recorded within the school census form includes school name, district number, township name, key school board members, and any teachers. Teacher names from the School Censuses are searchable within this index. Currently, eleven years of censuses are indexed here (1922, 1925, 1927, 1930, 1932, 1935, 1938, 1940, 1945, 1950, and 1955). The School Censuses included within this index are almost exclusively for the rural and village schools in Monroe County.
Individual Rural School Student Records were compiled for students born between approximately 1928 and 1963. While not complete for every record, the information recorded may include student name, date of birth, place of birth, parent name and occupation, nationality of parents, address, student grades, class year (for 8th grade graduation), schools attended and when, and teachers.
Similarly, Individual Sparta City Grade School Student Records were compiled for students born between approximately 1895 and 1966. These records contain much of the same information as the Rural School Student Records. There are some gaps in this record collection, so not every Sparta Grade School student will appear. Additionally, there are some student records for individuals who only attended a single or partial year of school, such as Kindergarten, before transferring to another school.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the School Census or Student Record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a School Census or Student Record will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County High School Graduate Index (1877-2019, non-inclusive)About the Index:
This database is an index of Monroe County high school graduates featured in Monroe County high school yearbooks. Researchers can search the index to discover if a family member graduated from a Monroe County school and even request a photograph of that student (when available). The first Sparta High School yearbook in our collection in which graduate photos were published is the 1901 edition, Tomah High School in 1912, and Cashton High School in 1922. Graduates are still listed even if photos were not published for them. Graduate photos do appear in yearbooks from 1980 and after but cannot be ordered at this time. Indexing the yearbook collection is an ongoing project. At this time, the index contains graduate names from the following schools and years:
- Brookwood High School: 1961-1999 (some years missing)
- Cashton High School: 1901-1922 (with photos beginning in 1922), 1941, 1954-2018 (some years missing)
- Kendall High School: 1956-1959
- Norwalk High School: 1940-1959 (some years missing)
- Ontario High School: 1903-1914, 1939-1940
- Royall High School: 1967-1991 (some years missing)
- Sparta High School: 1877-2019 (with photos beginning in 1901; some years missing)
- Tomah High School: 1912-1975 (some years missing)
- Wilton High School: 1891-1962 (with photos beginning in 1949; some years missing)
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of an individual’s yearbook photo for a nominal fee ($3.00 per record). Simply click on “Get copy of yearbook photo” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a yearbook photo will be added to the “shopping cart.” Monroe County Church Records Index
About the Index:
This database is an index of entries made in ledger books once kept by Monroe County, Wisconsin churches. The types of church records indexed here include Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, and Burial Records as well as Communion and Membership Records. Each life event recorded can provide valuable information about the persons involved. Recorded entries may include info about where a person was born, when they came to the United States, their spouse, children, extended family, etc. Many of the church records were translated from German or Norwegian by Monroe County Local History Room volunteers. The current Church Records Index contains entries made from ledger books from the following Monroe County churches:
- Evergreen Branch Latter Day Saints, Valley Junction
- First Congregational United Church of Christ, Tomah
- Fish Creek Lutheran Church, Leon Twp.
- Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dorset Ridge, Clifton Twp.
- Immanuel United Methodist Church, Norwalk
- Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church, Norwalk
- Sparta Methodist Church, Sparta
- St. Luke's German Lutheran Church, Glendale Twp.
- St. Luke’s German Lutheran Church, Knapp Twp., Jackson Co.
- St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kendall
- St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridgeville
- St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cataract
- St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tomah
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wilton
- St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Indian Creek, Clifton Twp.
- Trinity Lutheran Church, Cashton
- Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church, Sparta
Indexing county church records is an ongoing process. More church records from other county churches will be indexed and added to the website in the future. If you know of a Monroe County church who may be interested in having their records digitized and indexed, please email the Monroe County Local History Room at mclhr@centurytel.net or call 608-269-8680.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the church record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a church record will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County Jail Register Index (1890-1938)About the Index:
This database is an index of names and accompanying information listed within the Monroe County Jail Registers. Currently, the first four volumes have been indexed (1890-1938). Additional volumes will be indexed and added in the future. Not all of the information recorded in the jail registers is listed in this index. Information in the original record may include: name, age, birthplace, residence, occupation, offense, sentence, fine, dates of admission and discharge, how discharged, previous criminal or medical history, physical description, boarding fee cost and number of meals served, and other remarks.
This index was transcribed from the original, handwritten jail registers. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or had spelling errors. The jail clerk recorded the information he was told by the incarcerated individual, so several instances occur where answers to birthplace or residence appear as “Anywhere”, “Any old place”, “God knows”, etc. Every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.).
Jail Register Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the jail register pages listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a jail register will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County Poor Farm/Asylum Index (1884-1953)About the Index:
This index was drawn from the data contained in 3 volumes donated to the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum. The “Register of Inmates of Poor House Monroe County” is a year by year roster of Poor Farm residents from its opening on what later became the grounds of the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta, Wisconsin on November 1, 1898 through April 24, 1937. The “Record of Inmates of the Monroe County Insane Asylum” is a chronological listing of patient records from the Opening of the Asylum in late March of 1903 through May of 1933. The “Index of Patients Monroe County Asylum” is an alphabetical collection of patient records from the 1903 Asylum opening until the early 1950s.
The data compiled in this index are: First and Last Names, Age, Admission date, Residence (at time of admission), Departure and Page number (in the chronological volumes). Departure includes discharge, death transfer, parole and escape (also called “elopement”). In many cases age, residence and departure are not recorded. In the latter case “no discharge entered” will appear in the “Departure” field.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the poor farm/asylum record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a poor farm/asylum record will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County Dependent (DDD) Population Census Index (1880)About the Index:
This database is an index of 140 names and accompanying information listed on the supplemental Schedule of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes (DDD) from the 1880 US Federal Census for Monroe County. The schedule included different forms for listing the following classes of individuals at the time: Insane, Idiots, Deaf-mutes, Blind, Paupers and Indigent persons, Homeless children, and Prisoners. The index does include individuals residing at the time at the Monroe County Poor Farm located in Adrian Township and the St. Francis Orphan Asylum for Girls in Sparta. Besides an individual’s name and classification, additional information may include the following: residence (at time of census and before institutionalization), race, gender, age, medical history, and when and where institutionalized if applicable.
These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, handwritten DDD Census Schedule. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Also note that some of the terminology used to describe certain populations in 1880 is not the same as considered appropriate today and is only used now for the purpose of accurate indexing of an original document.
Record Copy Service: The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the DDD Census Schedule record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on "Get Copy of Record" and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a DDD Census Schedule record will be added to the "shopping cart."Monroe County Cemetery Index (1850s-2000)About the Index:
The Cemetery Index is a listing of all known burials in Monroe County, WI, marked with a headstone as of ca. 1980, or from other sources such as cemetery or burial records. The names have been transcribed from the actual headstones. If a name you are searching for is not in this index, it could mean:
- The person died after the index was created (ca. 1980)
- There is no extant headstone for this person
- Transcriber error
- They are not buried in Monroe County
- They are buried in Monroe County on private land (like a family farm).
In addition to headstone transcriptions, the Cemetery Index now contains burial records from the Mt. Hope Cemetery (Sparta) Interment Book; Woodlawn Cemetery (Sparta) Burial and Corpse Transit Permits, Burial Records, and other documents; and Henry Cressy GAR Post (Tomah) Burial Lists. In some cases, burials records will contain important genealogical information, such as: date of birth, date of death, birthplace, parents, spouse, military service, place of death, cause of death, informant, and interment date and place.
Contact the Local History Room if you need assistance with locating a grave that you believe should be on this index.
Cemetery Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the cemetery or burial record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a cemetery record will be added to the “shopping cart.”Civil War Veteran Census Index (1885-1905)About the Index:
This index contains a listing of Monroe County Civil War Veterans who either served in Wisconsin organizations (ie. regiments) or of other states living in Monroe County. Census years include: 1885, 1890, 1895, 1905.
Census Entry Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of census entries for particular veterans indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per page). Simply find your person in the index, and click on “Add Census Record to Cart.” All census entries you wish copies of will be added to a Shopping Cart. To submit your request, print off your Order Form and mail payment to our address.
NOTE: We will not send copies of Census entries requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.Wisconsin National Guard Lists of Persons Liable for Military Duty from Monroe County, Autumn, 1862About the Index:
This index contains nearly 2000 names of men living in Monroe County in 1862. These lists contain the names, age, occupation and marital status of men available for military service during the Civil War era.
Document Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of pages from the Civil War Duty list for a nominal fee ($5.00 per item). Simply find your person in the index, click on “Get Copy of Record.” All requested records will be added to a Shopping Cart.
NOTE: We will not send copies requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.Monroe County World War I Draft Registration Card IndexAbout the Index:
This database is an index of Monroe County males who registered for the draft during World War I. Researchers can now search the index to discover if a family member registered for the draft between 1917 and 1918. Shortly after the U. S. declared war on Germany during World War I, the Selective Service Act was passed on May 18, 1917, requiring every male living in the U. S. between the ages of 18 and 45 to register for the draft.
While a large number of those who registered for the draft did not end up serving in the military, the records still contain valuable (and often overlooked) information for genealogists. Since the information on the Draft Registration Card was given directly by the individual in question, it is often more reliable than that found in censuses, obituaries, death records, and others whose information was provided second or third hand by a spouse or child.
Not only does the World War I Draft Registration Card list basic information like name, age, birth date, and place of residence, but it will also include birthplace, citizenship status, occupation and employer, marital status, race, and dependent information. The birthplace listed can be of particular importance for finding out where a family came from. Additionally, a Draft Registration Card will provide the registrant’s signature, physical description, and disabilities when applicable. The description can be of particular interest when a photograph is lacking for an individual. Draft registrations taken later in 1917 and 1918 will also list the name and address of the nearest relative—often a parent or spouse—and some will include the father’s birthplace as well.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the WWI Draft Registration Card for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a record will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County World War I Army Transport Service Index (1918-1920)About the Index:
This database is an index of Monroe County servicemen who traveled overseas during World War I. During the war, the Army Transport Service retained passenger lists of military personnel, nurses, and other individuals who traveled aboard their ships. The names of deceased veterans whose bodies were being returned home for burial were also included. Researchers can search the index to discover if a family member served overseas during World War I, when and where they arrived and departed, and what unit they may have been with. Some of the information included in the records include: service member’s name, rank, unit, next of kin with relationship, and residence; departure and arrival dates and ports; and ship name. Some records are more complete than others.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the WWI Army Transport Service Record for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a record will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County Biographical Index (1878-2009)About the Index:
This database is an index of biographies and family histories published in books documenting county or community histories. Biographies from the Lynn and Cressy Post GAR books are personal war sketches describing the individual’s military service during the Civil War. Biographies published in the following books are included in this master index:
- Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe, & Juneau Counties, 1892
- Ft. McCoy Archaeological Resource Management Series Vols. 2-4, 2000
- History of Monroe County, 1912
- History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881
- Jefferson Township, WI Sesquicentennial Book, 2009
- Kendall Centennial 1894-1994
- MCHS Biographical & Genealogical Sketches, 1980
- Monroe County Heritage Book, 1984
- Monroe County Veterans Book, 2000
- Oakdale, WI Sesquicentennial Book, 2008
- Personal War Sketches, John Lynn Post GAR, Sparta, circa 1900
- Personal War Sketches, Henry Cressy Post GAR, Tomah, circa 1900
- Sparta Up To Date, 1899
- St. Mary's Ridge Heritage Book, 2007
- West Central Wisconsin: A History, 1933
- Wilton Centennial 1890-1990
- Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Centennial Heritage Book, 1989
- Wisconsin Industrial Review, 1912
- Wisconsin State Atlas (Patrons of), 1878
Article Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of biographies indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per bio). Simply find your person/family in the index, click on “Request Copy.” All bios you wish copies of will be added to a Shopping Cart. Please be aware that actual content of the biographies indexed in this database average from one to several paragraphs long.
Monroe County Plat Book Index (1877, 1897, 1915, 1924, 1940-1941, and 1948)About the Index:
This database is an index of names found on many of Monroe County’s early plat books: 1877, 1897, 1915, 1924, 1940-1941, and 1948. An index to an 1860 Town of Sparta area plat map is also included in this index. The Plat Book Index lists who owned land in Monroe County and where that land was located.
Plat Book Map Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of township maps from the Plat Books for a nominal fee ($5.00 per listing). Township maps show who owned land, as well as the location of churches, cemeteries, schools, roads, railroads, villages, and geographical features. Simply find your person in the index and click on "Get Copy of Map" to add that item to the Shopping Cart.
Monroe County Agricultural Schedule Index (1860-1880)About the Index:
This database is an index of names and accompanying information listed on agricultural schedules from the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal Censuses for Monroe County. Agricultural schedule information may be useful in determining the size, specialty, and valuation of an ancestor’s farm. Not all of the information recorded on the agricultural schedule is listed in the index. Additional information on the record may include: cash, implement, and farm values; amount and types of livestock, crops, and produce grown and sold; amount paid for hired labor; and breakdown of improved, unimproved, and wooded acreage. The 1880 Agricultural Schedule in particular includes a very detailed listing of farm statistics for an individual with 100 potential columns of information that could be recorded.
These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, handwritten census agricultural schedules. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Illegible names are identified with a question mark "(?)" in part or in whole.
Agricultural Schedule Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the agricultural census schedule record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting an agricultural record will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County Historic Business IndexAbout the Index:
This database is an index of entries transcribed from business and telephone directories published in or for Monroe County, WI. Names and addresses of every county business, organization, and professional enterprise listed in available business directories and telephone books, from 1875 onward (non-inclusive years), are presented here.
The index also includes the names of business owners listed on the Industry/Manufacturers Schedules from the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal Censuses for Monroe County, Wisconsin. In some instances, farmers with a side business like a sawmill, gristmill, or carpentry will be listed in a Census Manufacturing Schedule even though they are not listed in other business directories. Besides the name, type, and location of a business listed in a Census Manufacturing Schedule, the record may include: the amount of capital invested, quantity and value of resources used, quantity of yearly production, and number of individuals hired.
Directory Listing Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of pages from directories indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per listing). Simply find your person in the index, click on "Get Copy of Listing." All requested listings will be added to a Shopping Cart. To submit your request via the mail, print off your Order Form and mail payment to our address. Be aware that the original directory entries provide no additional information about a particular business. However, the Census Manufacturing Schedule records often do.Monroe County Naturalization Records Index (1846-1946)About the Index:
This database is an index of names transcribed from the Naturalization Records filed in Monroe County, WI (unless otherwise noted). These records include Declarations of Intent, Petitions of Naturalization, Certificates of Citizenship, Citizenship Approval/Denial Orders, Naturalization and Petition Application Abstracts, and Repatriation Application Orders. Naturalization records may provide a vital link for tracing an ancestor to his or her country of origin and can be a rich source of information about the immigrant and his or her family. A select number of Naturalization Certificates from Stub Books contain a photograph of the individual—most often for military personnel during World War II.
Naturalization Record Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the naturalization record listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a naturalization record will be added to the “shopping cart.”
NOTE: We will not send copies requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.Monroe County Passport Application Index (1880s-1924)About the Index:
This database is an index of individuals who resided in Monroe County and applied for a U.S. Passport to travel abroad prior to 1925. Besides names, birthdates, residency and application date information, passport applications often contain additional information including: birthplace, immigration year when applicable, father’s name and birth information, places intending to travel to, physical description, and photograph. Some individuals may have applied for a passport more than once.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the passport application listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a passport application will be added to the “shopping cart.”Monroe County Local History Room Archives IndexAbout the Index:
This database is an index of archival documents, records, and family histories in the Local History Room collection. Please note that the “Description” field is only limited to 256 characters, and some of the descriptions are cut short. Contact LHR if you would like more information or a copy of a particular item by following the instructions immediately below.
Document Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of requested archival documents as determined on a case by case basis. To request copies of archival records, search the index, click the "Get Copy" button for the item you wish to have a copy of and that item will be added to a "shopping cart". Mail us the completed "Shopping Cart" form. Once we receive your request form, we will inform you if the records you requested are available for copying, and if so, what the copying fee will be (depending on the size and condition of the record file).Photo IndexAbout the Index:
The Monroe County Local History Room contains over 15,000 historic images of people, buildings, places, and events in Monroe County’s history. A selection of those images are available to view here. Professional photographic reproduction services of images in our historic image archives are available. Simply search for an image, add that image to your “Cart”, and send in your invoice with prepayment. Professional reproductions will arrive at your door in 2–3 weeks.
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