Genealogy and Local History Resources

Sacramental, or church, records sometimes contain information that supplements or parallels information found in civil records, but just as often they contain information that is not available anywhere else. These types of records are of great use to genealogists and family historians. Church records generally include baptismal, marriage, and death records. Some denominations also include records of first communions and confirmations.

Unfortunately, church and cemetery records can be difficult to locate. We do have some listed in our catalog, but most parishes keep their own records, and many have been destroyed in fires.  Some cemetery records are maintained at the cemetery itself, while records of parish-specific cemeteries are usually maintained at the parish office. Records for public cemeteries are usually maintained by the city or county clerk. At a minimum, these records will include the name, date of death, and date of internment of everyone buried there. Other information which may be included in these records includes the date of birth, church affiliation, and family information for the deceased.

Resources found in our Reading Room and online

The Archives of the Archdiocese maintain the records of closed parishes as well as of the Archdiocese itself. Records of active parishes will be maintained at the parish office, but all records from dissolved parishes will be at the Archdiocese’s Archives. Additionally, the Archives also has parish histories and various other materials relating to the Catholic churches in southeastern Wisconsin.

http://www.archmil.org/offices/archives.htm