Local History & Genealogy Resources
Check out the ever growing collection of local history resources available online 24/7. These full-text and image resources include census records, birth, marriage & death records, immigration and military records, directories, passenger lists, maps, postcards, city directories, local histories, newspaper articles, and more.
Featured Resources
In Library Use Only. Access to a vast collection of Census records, birth, marriage & death records, immigration and military records, directories, passenger lists, and more.
The Recollection Wisconsin program brings together more than 200,000 historical resources from across the state and provides new opportunities to discover and share community history. A dozen InfoSoup libraries have contributed to this collection.
A large collection of genealogical and historical sources including unique primary sources, local, and family histories, U.S. Federal Censuses, books, cemetery records, city directories, military records and more.
Recollection Wisconsin
The following InfoSoup Libraries have collections that can be searched on Recollection Wisconsin and DPLA. You can also visit their collections directly from the following links:
Local & State Digital Collections
95 volumes, including plat maps, city directories, local histories, building surveys and more. Part of the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections.
A wide range of resources created and maintained by the Appleton Public Library. More information >>
A collection of online resources on the history of Kaukauna. More information >>
Plat books and Yearbooks from the Marinette County Library System. More information >>
Local newspaper articles and pictures about the 1975 Novitiate Takeover by the Menominee Warrior Society, a 34 day siege that drew national attention. More information >>
Over 1400 images from collections at the Appleton Public Library and the Outagamie County Historical Society. More information >>
Local History Texts
Often referred to as Ryan’s History, this is a major resource for Outagamie County history. More information >>
Biographical sketches and photos of many residents of settlements in Outagamie County in 1895. More information >>
Published in conjunction with the Outagamie County Centennial observance. More information >>
Over 130 books of regional history from the Library of Congress. More information >>
More Statewide Resources
The Wisconsin Historical Society maintains an ever-growing collection of online resources. Their research portal lists the numerous databases, collections and online tools.
Search or browse a fraction of the 3 million images in the Archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society. More information >>
Providing “leadership in the creation of quality digital resources from libraries and archives.” For local history materials see the State of Wisconsin. Collection.
National Collections
DPLA brings together digital collections from america’s libraries, archives, and museums. More information >>
Vast collection of written and spoken words, photos, sound recordings, film, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. More information >>
This Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) site has a vast search engine covering all aspects of family history. More information >>
Web Sites
A very small selection of the many thousands of web sites available to those interested in local history and genealogy.
Part of the USGenWeb project of volunteers working together to provide free websites for genealogical research in every county. To view counties in other states, go to the USGenWeb Project homepage. Visit Wisconsin GenWeb >>
The project’s mission is to increase local history resources and awareness through collaboration, communication and web publishing. Includes photos, local and regional histories, and links to other web sites. More information >>
One of the oldest, largest, and most popular starting points for online genealogy. The site categorizes and annotates the full spectrum of genealogy material available on the web. Includes sections for Wisconsin and individual Wisconsin Localities.
Free search of Ellis Island/Port of New York passenger lists records. More information >>
This Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) site has a vast search engine covering all aspects of family history. More information >>
Information on doing research at the National Archives, using their microfilm rental program, and access to a growing collection of online resources. More information >>
The oldest and largest free genealogy site. More information >>
Plat Maps & Atlases
Listing by county of land ownership maps from InfoSoup libraries that are available online via the U.W. Digital archives.
Door County
- Illustrated Atlas (1899)
- Plat book (1900)
- Atlas (1914)
- Plat book (1923)
Kewaunee County
- Map (1876)
- Standard Atlas (1912)
Marinette County
Outagamie County
- Name Index (from APL)
- Plat book (1889)
- Plat book (ca. 1910)
- Standard Atlas (1917)
- Atlas (1942)
Shawano County
- Illustrated Atlas (1898)
- Standard Atlas (1911)
Atlases and plat books are available online from other counties in Wisconsin. You can browse Infosoup or search the U.W. Digital Collections.
Plat maps both old and new are also available in InfoSoup libraries. Search Real property – Wisconsin – and browse by county or do a keyword search for County/City name and Maps.
High School Yearbooks
A selection of High School Yearbooks from Algoma, Green Bay, Kewanee, Oconto, Oconto Falls, and Sturgeon Bay. Dates range from 1910 to 1926. Titles include:
- The Okato (1922 – 1926)
- The Bay Mist (1910, 1912, 1922)
- The Aeroplane: commencement (1912)
- The Aeroplane (1914 – 1921)
- East High Aeroplane (1924 -1925)
- The Flashes (1912 – 1925)
- The Thistle (1908, 1913)
- Gleanings of ’22 (1922, 1924)
- The Crescent Beach Echoes (1909-1911, 1913, 1917, 1923)
- The Bugler (1918, 1922)
- Scroll of the Wolves (1929)
- Lake Whispers (1915-1916, 1921-1925)
Marinette County High School Yearbooks. Titles includes:
- Annual of Marinette High School (June, 1919)
- Marinette High School “Annual” (1920)
- Annual Marinette High School (1921)
- Record MHS 1919 (1919)
- Memories (1924)
- The Etteniram: the annual year-book of Marinette High School (1922)
- The M: the annual year book of Marinette High School (1923)