Eau Claire County, Wisconsin Genealogy
Guide to Eau Claire County, Wisconsin ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for the Eau Claire River. The County is located in the northwest area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Eau Claire County Courthouse
721 Oxford Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703-5481
Phone: 715-839-4803
Eau Claire County Website
Register of Deeds has birth, marriage, death and land records from 1856.
Clerk of Courts has divorce records from 1856 and court records from 1929. [3]
Eau Claire County, Wisconsin Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1856 | 1856 | 1856 | 1929 | 1856 | 1858 | 1820 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Wisconsin County boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Wisconsin County Boundary Maps" (1790-1961) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]
Cities | ||
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Towns | ||
Villages | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
Census-designated places | ||
Ghost towns | ||
Unincorporated communities in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin[7]
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb Archives Eau Claire Biographies:
- Eau Claire Biographies, Genealogy Trails
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± |
1860 | 3,162 | — |
1870 | 10,769 | 240.6% |
1880 | 19,993 | 85.7% |
1890 | 30,673 | 53.4% |
1900 | 31,692 | 3.3% |
1910 | 32,721 | 3.2% |
1920 | 35,771 | 9.3% |
1930 | 41,087 | 14.9% |
1940 | 46,999 | 14.4% |
1950 | 54,187 | 15.3% |
1960 | 58,300 | 7.6% |
1970 | 67,219 | 15.3% |
1980 | 78,805 | 17.2% |
1990 | 85,183 | 8.1% |
2000 | 93,142 | 9.3% |
2010 | 98,736 | 6.0% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
For tips on accessing Eau Claire census records online, see: Wisconsin Census.
- 1855 - Wisconsin State Census, 1855 This census includes name of head of family; other individuals in the household are identified by sex and race, number of deaf and dumb, blind, insane and foreign born. - How to Use this Collection
- 1865 - Wisconsin State Census, 1865 Name index and images of the 1865 State Census which names the head of household. Most records have been destroyed but schedules exist for the following counties: Dunn, Green, Jackson, Kewaunee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan. - How to Use this Collection
- 1875 - Wisconsin State Census, 1875 Identifies head of household by name. - How to Use this Collection
- 1885 - Wisconsin State Census, 1885 — index and images. Search indexed census.Identifies by name of head of household. Other information is statistical and identifies the rest of the household by race, gender and country of birth. - How to Use this Collection
- 1895 - Wisconsin State Census, 1895 — index and images. Identifies head of household by name. Other information is statistical. - How to Use this Collection
- 1905 - Wisconsin State Census, 1905 — Name index and images of population. Enumerates by name all inhabitants. - How to Use this Collection
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Wisconsin denominations, view the Wisconsin Church Records wiki page.
- Church records, 1860-1947 First Presbyterian Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
- Church records, 1861-1940 First Baptist Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
- Church records, 1865-1947 St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Text in English and Latin. Contains baptisms 1865-1881, marriages 1866-1884, deaths 1865-1874, record of interments (indexed) 1900-1947.
- Church records, 1874-1974 St. John's Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Text in English and German. Contains constitution, signatures of members ca. 1874, register of members 1880-1881, baptisms, communions 1874-1911, burials, confirmations, marriages, new members 1888-1910, transfers 1880, families 1900.
- Church records, 1877-1918 United Methodist Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Church also known as Second Methodist Episcopal Church, later became the United Methodist Church. Contains members, class records, probationers, marriages, and baptisms.
- Church records, 1890-1920 United Methodist Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Early church known as Barstow Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Contains record of pastors 1857-1923, members, classes, probationers, pastoral and statistical records, baptisms, marriages, funerals 1909- 1920, and history.
- Church records, 1893-1947 Epiphany Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Text in English and German. Contains history, baptisms, confirmations, communions, marriages, and burials.
- Church records, 1897-1958 North Presbyterian Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Also known as Second Presbyterian Church. Contains baptisms 1897-1898, 1917-1945; marriages 1932; deaths 1922- 1957; communicants; elders 1953-1958.
- Church records, 1898-1914 United Methodist Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Contains history, pastoral and statistical record, probationers, members, baptisms, marriages and includes Rock Falls Church, Mt. Hope Church (Porters Mills), Wheaton, Gower district, Seymour district number one, Altoona, and Lake Hallie.
- Church records, 1925-1940 First Congregational Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Contains a history, membership record, register of baptisms, and a reserve roll. Early records were destroyed by fire.
- Church records, 1908-1943 Plymouth United Church of Christ in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Contains lists of officers, baptisms, members received 1908-1930, members removed 1919-1930, non-resident members 1913, marriages 1910-1931, funerals 1913-1918, charities and expenses 1913-1916, and annual statistics 1913-1931. First volume includes index.
- Church registers, 1875-1924 Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Text in Latin. Some volumes include indexes.
- Eau Claire Church records, WIGenWeb
- Eau Claire Church records, USGenWeb Archives
- GoogleMaps - Eau Claire Churches
Lutheran
- Records of the First Lutheran Church in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb Archives: Old Settlers Roster up to 1863; 1884 Eau Claire City Directory; 1932 Augusta Business Directory .
- 1884 Eau Claire City Directory, WIGenWeb
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Eau Claire Family Group Sheets
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Wisconsin Land and Property for additional information about early Wisconsin land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.
- Patents, USGenWeb Archives
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Histories of various locations in this county: Eau Claire Co. WIGenWeb
- Old photos of people in this county: Eau Claire Co. WIGenWeb
- Old photos of places in this county: Eau Claire Co. WIGenWeb
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
- Old Antique Atlases & Maps of Wisconsin
- Family Maps of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
- Sanborn Digital Fire Insurance Maps: 1883, 1885, 1889, 1897 and 1931. Courtesy of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Library.
- Landowner Index to 1910 Eau Claire County Wisconsin Atlas, USGenWeb Archives
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- Eau Claire Military records, Genealogy Trails
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Regiments. Service men in Eau Claire served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Eau Claire:
- - 2nd Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry, Company L
- - 5th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry Reorganized, Company K
- - 8th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, Company C
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- Eau Claire Newspaper gleanings, Genealogy Trails
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Obituaries and Death Notices, Genealogy Trails
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records are held by the Eau Claire Clerk of Circuit Court and are housed at the Eau Claire Courthouse. See the wiki page Wisconsin Probate Records for information about how to use probate records.
Content: Probate records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Record types: Wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions.
Online Records
- 1800–1987 Wisconsin Wills and Probate Records 1800-1987 at Ancestry — images and index $
- 1848–1948 Wisconsin Probate Estate Files 1848-1948 at FamilySearch — images - How to Use this Collection
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Eau Claire School records, WIGenWeb
- Eau Claire School records, USGenWeb Archives
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Wisconsin tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. Because only persons who owned property or other items that could be taxed were listed, some residents were not included in tax lists. There may also be gaps of several years in the tax records. For more information see the Wiki page, Wisconsin Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Most counties started keeping records in the 1870s. In 1907, the counties began sending copies to the state.
For pre-1907 births, deaths, and marriages, search the Wisconsin Genealogy Index.
For additional information, see Wisconsin Vital Records.
- Eau Claire Pre-1907 Births & Deaths, some 1928-1931, WIGenWeb - index
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1820-1907 Wisconsin, Birth Index, 1820-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1826-1908 Wisconsin, Births and Christenings Index, 1826-1908 at Ancestry — index $
- 1826-1926 Wisconsin, Births and Christenings, 1826-1926 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- Pre-1876 - 1907 Pre-1876-1907 Index to Birth records, partial, Genealogy Trails
- 1886-1911 Drammen Lutheran Church birth listing, Transcription - USGenWeb Archives
- Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1836-1911 Wisconsin, County Marriages, 1836-1911 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1836-1930 Wisconsin, Marriages, 1836-1930 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1907 Index to Marriage records, Genealogy Trails
- Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)
- 1973-1997 Wisconsin, Marriage Index, 1973-1997 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1973-1997 Wisconsin Marriages, 1973-1997 at Ancestry — index/images $
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1820-1907 Wisconsin, Death Index, 1820-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1835-1968 Wisconsin, Deaths and Burials, 1835-1968 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1867-1907 Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1886-1946 Drammen Lutheran Church death listing, Transcription - USGenWeb Archives
- Pre-1900 - 1907 Index to Death records, Genealogy Trails
- Pre-1907 Pre-1907 Wisconsin Vital Records Index at Wisconsin Historical Society - free index, images ($)
- 1959-1997 Wisconsin, Death Index, 1959-1997 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1965-1984 Wisconsin, Divorce Index, 1965-1984 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Eau Claire County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Wisconsin Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Eau Claire County. For state-wide library facilities, see Wisconsin Archives and Libraries.
- L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
400 Eau Claire Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: 715-839-1648
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Eau Claire County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Wisconsin Societies.
- Genealogical Research Society of Eau Claire
PO Box 1204
Eau Claire, WI 54702
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Eau Claire County, WI History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Wisconsin Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- Eau Claire County Wikipedia
- Family Search Record Search for Wisconsin
- Eau Claire County, WIGenWeb
- Eau Claire County Archives, USGenWeb
- Google Web information for Eau Claire County & Google Map of this county
- Eau Claire County in WorldCat.org
- Linkpedium Eau Claire County Genealogy and Family History
- Genealogy Trails Eau Claire County
- CensusFinder for Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
- FamilySearch Catalog - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wisconsin.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Eau Claire County, Wisconsin " in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eau_Claire_County,_Wisconsin."
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wisconsin.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. Page 755-760, At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 757-759.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wisconsin.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Eau Claire County, Wisconsin," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eau_Claire_County,_Wisconsin, accessed 7 September 2018.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "List of unincorporated communities in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unincorporated_communities_in_Eau_Claire_County,_Wisconsin, accessed 7 September 2018.
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