Genealogical Research Information

The library staff are unable to conduct genealogical research on your behalf. We will, however, print copies of information from the Jefferson County Union if we are given the date of the event. We request that you provide us with a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you wish us to mail you the copies and reimbursement of 10 cents per page for the copies. We will also gladly email the documents to you at no charge. To check an index to the Daily Jefferson County Union contact the Hoard Historical Museum. We have a Genealogy Group that meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at noon in the Community Room on the First Floor of the Library. All are welcome!

The Jefferson County Union is also now available for searching online for Wisconsin residents only. Click here to learn more.

Jefferson County Census Records on microfilm
Wisconsin State Census: 1855, 1875, 1885, 1905
US. Census: 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930

Newspapers on microfilm:
Daily Jefferson County Union: 1870 – present
Fort Atkinson Herald: June 20, 1872 – Sept. 4, 1873
Standard: Sept. 1, 1859 – Aug. 13, 1863
Wisconsin Chief: May 3, 1853 – Jan. 4, 1889 (some missing)
Fort Atkinson Chronicle: Oct. 3, 1895 – Dec. 19, 1899 (some missing)
Fort Daily News: Aug. 18, 1943 – Dec. 1947

Online resources
Ancestry.com – In-Library Use Only – A family tree takes you back generations—the world’s largest collection of online family history records makes it possible.

Heritage Quest – Comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources
  • Collection of genealogical and historical sources
  • Unique primary sources, local, and family histories
  • U.S. Federal Censuses, books, cemetery records, city directories, military records and more

Print Resources
We shelve donated local family histories in the WI Reference collection. Other genealogical publications are in adult reference and adult circulating. Search the catalog for current materials.

Outside Sources
Hoard Historical Museum – 401 Whitewater Ave. Fort Atkinson, WI (920) 563-7769 – The Hoard Museum houses a large variety of local history resources and is the primary collector of local history for our community. They also have a name index to the Daily Jefferson County Union.

Dodge/Jefferson Counties Genealogical Society, Inc – P. 0. Box 91 Watertown, WI 53094-0091- The Society maintains a library and actively collects genealogical information. They also have an online query system where you can post a question for another member to answer.

State Historical Society of Wisconsin – 618 State St. Madison, WI – The State Historical Society Library is open to the public. It houses vast resources for genealogists including census records, indexes, newspapers and family histories as well as birth, baptismal, marriage, death, burial, cemetery, probate, land and tax records. The family histories and records cover the entire United States and some are from Canada.

The WI Historical Society now has an obituary search service that you can access here.

Wisconsin Historical Society Family History Records – The Wisconsin Historical Society has partnered with Ancestry to provide free access to selected Wisconsin government records for family history research

Additional Sources
Library staff are usually able to obtain microfilm from other states. However, there may be a fee associated with this transaction. If you have any questions please ask the reference or Interlibrary Loan staff.