Washington County Collections

Subject Listing:
Washington County

Carpenters' District Council of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee Counties (Wis.).
Minutes, 1887-1926.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection DX
Minute books of the Council, an affiliate of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. There are no records for 1922. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Church and Cemetery Records (Genealogical Society of Utah Project): Washington County, Wisconsin [microform], 1761-1983.
Milwaukee Micro Collection 65
Collection contains various types of records for numerous Washington County churches. The denominations include Congregational, Episcopal, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Methodist Episcopal, and United Church of Christ. The microfilm contains baptismal, communion, funeral, interment, marriage, membership, probation, and other records. Some of the records, especially those from the nineteenth century, are in German. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Kissel Kar Company.
Records, 1905-1935, 1961.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection BQ
Correspondence and business records (1905-1935) of the Hartford, Wisconsin company and the Kissel family, and its various branch agencies; and also a manuscript copy of a company history written in 1961. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Kissel, William Louis, 1881-1972.
Scrapbook [microform],ca. 1904-1959.
Milwaukee Micro Collection 8
Scrapbook of material relating to the development of the Kissel Kar by the Kissel family; the Kissel Kar Company of Hartford, Wisconsin; and the vehicle's later history as an antique.Finding aid available in the Archives.

Otis, John P.
Church histories collection, 1967-[ongoing].
UWM Manuscript Collection 8
The collection consists of John P. Otis' photographs and compiled histories of about 5,000 Wisconsin churches and a few synagogues, acquired over a twenty-year period. The photographs usually consist of a single 3" x 3" color exterior image of the building, kept in twenty albums. The photographs are indexed by "history" cards, arranged by locality. The collection includes four boxes of negatives, in no apparent order; and seventy-two maps showing the routes Otis travelled and the location of many of the churches he photographed. Otis compiled the history of the churches through a standard form which requested the year the church was founded, the first pastor, and denomination or sect. A number of the respondents provided additional historical information. The forms are maintained in files, arranged by locality and/or county, which also contain published histories of the churches, and newsclippings. The collection includes Otis' correspondence (1968-1979) concerning the acquisition of materials; the development of the project; miscellaneous faith and denomination histories; newsclippings; solicitation of funds; and efforts to donate the collection. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Rodenkirch, Michael, 1798-1880.
Letter, 1846.
Milwaukee Small Collection 203
Photocopied typewritten translation of a long letter written by Rodenkirch, one of the first settlers living at St. Michaels (Washington County), Wisconsin, sent to relatives and friends living in Germany, 26 December 1846, describing the journey to Milwaukee, land he purchased, farming methods, tools used, costs of many items, and experiences with nearby Indians, and comparing his life with that he left behind in Prussia. This translation was prepared by Sister Julianna, Mount Mary College, December 4, 1958.

Sawyer, Leah M., comp.
Papers, 1941-1986.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 151
Information collected and compiled by Sawyer concerning the genealogy of the Sawyer family of Hartford, Wis., including "Genealogy of the Sawyer Family in America" by J. Edgar Sawyer, a family chart dating back to 1643, "Memorial Addresses on the Life and Character of Elmo W. Sawyer" (a Washington County lawyer), "English Sawyer Genealogy," family group records, a compilation of Leah Sawyer's direct ancestors, and miscellaneous notes, correspondence, and photocopied biographical sketches taken from published sources. Finding aid available in the Archives.

School District No. 1 (West Bend, Wis.).
Records, 1868-1966.
Washington Series 11
Series contains records (mostly 1900-1960) of the School District and other districts which merged with it. The majority of the records are general record books, which contain minutes of the annual school board meetings, financial statements, and teacher contracts. For School District No. 1 (West Bend) there are also minutes of the annual alumni association meetings, disbound minutes of the school board, treasurer's books and several volumes recording school bond sales, and two histories of education in West Bend. There are also treasurer's records for several of the other school districts. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Washington County (Wis.). Council of Defense.
Minutes, 1941-1942.
Washington Small Series 1
Minutes of meetings, during the early years of World War II, arranged chronologically, and lists of members of such committees as protection, aviation, bond and stamp sales, and planning.

Washington County (Wis.). Register of Deeds.
Grantor index [microform], 1835-1890.
Washington Series 17
These records provide the names of persons involved in land transfers, a description of the land, and the amount of money involved. This series is arranged chronologically. The Grantor Index (Washington Series 17) provides alphabetical references to each volume.

West Bend Company.
Records, 1911-1989.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 121 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 64
Records of a West Bend, Wisconsin manufacturing firm best known for its aluminum cookware. Included are minutes; annual and other reports; financial records; union agreements; property, patent, and other legal records; materials on government contracts; promotional materials; extensive product literature and other company publications; files on the Aluminum Wares Association; and photographs and films of production processes, physical plant development, employees, sales techniques, and products. The records provide information on West Bend's development of cookware, small appliances, outboard motors, military supplies, and other products; sex roles in advertising; marketing techniques; wartime conversion of industry; and an employee home ownership program. Also contains a scrapbook on the West Bend Country Club. Some portions of the collection are available only on microfilm. Finding aid available in the Archives.

West Bend (Wis.). Common Council.
Council proceedings, 1868-1929, 1950-1976.
Washington Series 4
Minutes of regular and special meetings of the common council of the city, and the board of trustees of the village. Finding aid available in the Archives.

West Bend (Wis.). Common Council.
Ordinance books, 1885-1933.
Washington Series 5
Ordinances and resolutions passed by the council, plus notices of publication.

West Bend (Wis.). Police Dept.
Justice docket, 1944-1947.
Washington Series 7
Records usually deal with motor vehicle violations, but some deal with larceny, drunkenness, and disturbing the peace. Contains defendants' names, complaints, dates of appearances, bills of costs, summaries of testimony, and actions taken.

West Bend (Wis.). Treasurer.
Cash books, 1870-1951.
Washington Series 8
Receipts and disbursements showing the date, receipt numbers, accounts, purpose of payments, cash debits, bank deposits and withdrawals, and cash balances.

Wisconsin. Bureau of Health Statistics.
Index to registrations of births [microform], 1808-1907.
Wisconsin Series 2072
Statewide index to births recorded between 1852 and 1907 (earlier births often recorded years later). Shows name, date and county for each registrant, and reel and document number in the Registrations of Births (Wisconsin Series 2070). Also contains entries for reels 1-3 of the Delayed Registrations (Wisconsin Series 2071). Arranged in two parts: alphabetically by registrant's name, and chronologically by date of birth. Incomplete entries are located at the beginning of each part. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wisconsin. Bureau of Health Statistics.
Index to registrations of deaths [microform], 1852-1907.
Wisconsin Series 2069
Statewide index, including Counties of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha, to deaths recorded between 1852-1907, arranged alphabetically. Each entry shows name of deceased, date and county of death, and volume and page number in the Registrations of deaths (Wisconsin Series 2068). Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wisconsin. Bureau of Health Statistics.
Index to registrations of marriages [microform], 1852-1907.
Wisconsin Series 2074
Index to marriages recorded in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha Counties between 1852-1907, with some entries for earlier marriages. Each entry shows name of husband and wife, marriage date, and volume and page number in the Registrations of Marriages (Wisconsin Series 2073). Arranged by county, then by chronological segments, then alphabetically by husband's surname. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wisconsin. Bureau of Health Statistics.
Registrations of births [microform], 1852-1907.
Wisconsin Series 2070
Record of births made by the register of deeds in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha Counties and sent to the Bureau. Records show name; race; sex; names of siblings and parents; mother's maiden name; time and place of birth; and other details. Also includes some births for 1808-52, but recorded later. Arranged chronologically then by date of registration. Indexed by the Index to Registrations of Births (Wisconsin Series 2072). Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wisconsin. Bureau of Health Statistics.
Registrations of deaths [microform], 1852-1907.
Wisconsin Series 2068
Record of deaths made by the register of deeds in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha Counties and sent to the Bureau. Records show name; race; sex; occupation; place of birth; names of parents and spouse; date, place, and cause of death; place of burial; and other details. Indexed by the Index to registrations of deaths (Wisconsin Series 2069).

Wisconsin. Bureau of Health Statistics.
Registrations of marriage [microform], 1836-1907.
Wisconsin Series 2073
Record of marriages recorded by Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha registers of deeds and sent to the Bureau. Records show individuals' names, birthplaces, names of parents of each, occupation and residence of husband, date and place of marriage, and other details. Indexed by the Index to Registrations of Marriages (Wisconsin Series 2074).Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wisconsin. Bureau of Health Statistics.
State Wide Index to registrations of marriages [microform], 1852-1907.
Wisconsin Series 2109
Statewide index, including the counties of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha, providing name of husband, wife, date of marriage, volume and page number where recorded in the Registrations of Marriages. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Wisconsin. Circuit Court (Washington County).
Naturalization records, 1845-1963.
Washington Series 10
Records include declarations of intent (1855-1959); petitions and certificates (1845-1963); and index to these records; and orders granting and denying petitions (1929-1959). Collection is arranged by type of record and chronological or alphabetical thereunder. Original records are in the Archives.

Wisconsin. County Court (Washington County).
Index to probate case files [microform], 1855-1979.
Washington Series 13
Information includes individual's name, type of case, case file number, and court record volume and page number. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wisconsin. Justice of the Peace (West Bend).
Docket, 1865-1890.
Washington Series 6
Dockets contain civil cases and prosecutions, and show names of plaintiffs and defendants, dates of appearances, summaries of testimony, and action taken by the court.