Genealogy and Local History Resources

City Directories are a good starting point for most family or structural histories as they can pinpoint both a time and a place of residence. Many directories can be searched by address as well as by name. Names of spouses, or status as widow(er)s can be helpful to genealogists.

These directories were published by a private company on a for-profit basis—consequently directories were not published annually but rather at the publisher’s discretion. In Racine and Kenosha, this translated to only a few directories being created in the 19th century and an every other year publication schedule for the first half of the 20th century.

On Sept. 1, 1926, Kenosha's street names officially changed to a number system. This can make it difficult for researchers to find changes in properties over time. This guide, published in the 1927 city directory, lists the old names and their numbers. It also lists the changes in address numbers.