Washington County, Wisconsin Records

Washington County, Wisconsin (Map It) was created on December 7, 1836 from Brown County and Milwaukee County. The county was named in honor of George Washington (1732-1799), American Revolutionary War leader (1775–1783), and first President of the United States (1789–1797).

Washington County is bordered by Fond du Lac County (northwest), Sheboygan County (northeast), Ozaukee County (east), Milwaukee County (southeast), Waukesha County (south), Dodge County (west).

Washington County Cities, Towns and Villiages include Hartford, Milwaukee, West Bend, Addison, Barton, Erin, Farmington, Germantown, Jackson, Kewaskum, Polk, Richfield, Trenton, Wayne, West Bend, Germantown, Jackson, Kewaskum, Slinger.

A Map of Washington County, Wisconsin contains detailed information about roads and boundaries, these maps may include rural communities, churches, and cemeteries.

Washington County, Wisconsin Courthouse Records

The Washington County Courthouse is located in West Bend, Wisconsin. Learn More About State of Wisconsin Court, Tax, Land and Probate Records.

The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research.

It has been estimated that less than 50 percent of the vital records, for example, were prepared and submitted for permanent filing prior to 1907. Land deeds, probate, and court records generally begin in Wisconsin with the organization of the county. Prior to that date, check the County or Counties it was created from. Some counties formed from other counties transcribed their portion of property deeds to be kept with the new county deed records. Washington County was attached to Milwaukee County for county and judicial purposes from 1836–45. Some early records may be found there.

The following dates indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Washington county. The date listed for each record is usually the earliest registration filed. The date does not indicate that there are alot records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually filed with the clerk.

• Washington County Register of Deeds has Birth Records from 1859 , Marriage Records from 1846, Death Records from 1873 and Land Records from 1835. The purpose of the Register of Deeds is to provide official record keeping for Records or files land record documents authorized by law, such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, certified survey maps, plats and Federal Tax liens. Files and indexes Birth, Death and Marriage records, Military Discharges, and issues certified copies upon request.
• Washington County Register in Probate Office has Probate Records from 1845. The Probate Office has the responsibility to maintain and update files regarding probate of estates, guardianships, protective placements, adoptions and mental commitments. This is a statutory office with the position of Register in Probate filled by judicial appointment.
• Washington County Clerk of Court Office has Court Records from 1855. The Clerk of Court Office is required to maintain a record of all documents filed with the courts, keep a record of all court proceedings, and collect various fines and forfeitures ordered by the court and specified by statute.
• Washington County Treasurers Office collects all real estate taxes including postponed and delinquent, all county revenues in addition to the research and issue tax deed applications. Our department is the holder of tax records and assessed values.

Washington County, Wisconsin Census Records

• Learn More: State of Wisconsin Census Records
• U.S. Federal Population Schedules: 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragmented), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940
• State Population Schedules: 1836, 1838, 1842, 1846, 1847, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905
• U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules: 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880
• Selected U.S. Federal Census Agriculture Schedules: 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880
• Selected U.S. Federal Census Industry Schedules: 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880
• Union Veterans Schedules: 1890

Washington County, Wisconsin Vital Records

• Learn More: State of Wisconsin Vital Records
• Birth, Marriage,Divorce and Death Records: from October 1, 1907. State Office has scattered records earlier than 1857 and records before 1907, are very incomplete.
• Locations: Wisconsin Office of Vital Statistics, Wisconsin State Archives
• Vital Records Online: USAVital or Social Security Death Index
• Vital Records by Mail:  Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications.
• In Person:  Wisconsin Vital Records Office, 1 West Wilson Street, Room 160, Madison, WI 53703

Washington County, Wisconsin Resources

• Washington County Historical Society
• Area Research Center - University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
• Germantown Historical Society
• Hartford Genealogical Society, 109 N Main St, Hartford, WI 53027
• Jackson Historical Society
• Kewaskum Historical Society
• Washington County, Wisconsin Message Boards

Washington County, Wisconsin External Links

• Wisconsin Historical Newspapers - Newspapers.com
• Historical Newspapers from Wisconsin (1837 - 1992)
• Washington County, Wisconsin Books - Amazon
• Washington Co., Wisconsin - FindaGrave
• History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin : containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resour
• Washington County, Wisconsin Links - Cyndi's List
• Washington Co. WIGenweb
• Washington County, Wisconsin Ancestry Database Collections
• Wisconsin Public Land Survey Records: Original Field Notes & Plat Maps for Washington County
• Washington County, Wisconsin Military Records