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Wisconsin Genealogy Resources

Military Records

Wisconsin Military Records - The Wisconsin Historical Society has very few records of Wisconsin residents involved in military action prior to the Civil War. In the Civil War Wisconsin supplied 91,379 troops to support the Union in the form of 53 infantry regiments, 14 artillery units, and 3 cavalry regiments. When beginning a search for a Wisconsin Civil War veteran consult: Wisconsin Adjutant General's Office, Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, (Madison, Wisconsin : Democrat Printing Co., 1914); an alphabetical index (also available on microfiche) to the Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1864, 2 vols. (Madison, Wisconsin : Democrat Printing Co., 1886); and William G. Paul's Wisconsin's Civil War Archives (Madison, Wisconsin : State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1965). This has been digitized and can be browsed at < www.wisconsinhistory.org/roster/search.asp >

A certificate of service for Civil War service can be obtained from the Wisconsin Historical Society. The certificate will usually show name, physical description, occupation, rank, when and where enlisted, by whom enlisted, for how long, when and where mustered into service, and date of termination of service. Birthplace is frequently given, although if foreign it will only state the country. With this certificate, the society will include a brief history of the respective regiment. No pension records, outside of those available through the National Archives, exist for Wisconsin. The State Archives is the repository for other numerous miscellaneous records pertaining to Wisconsin residents and units in the Civil War. These include records of the quartermaster general and various regiments. Of special importance to the genealogist are country draft books, lists of persons eligible for military service, regimental muster rolls, hospital reports, certificates of service, duty rosters, and records of the disposition of personal effects. Copies can be obtained through the Wisconsin Historical Society at < www.wisconsinhistory.org/genealogy/orgrs >. The society's website provides detailed information on its military record holdings < www.wisconsinhistory.org/military/ >.

The archive has a manuscript index for the Spanish-American War; staff will check the index and their records and provide a summary upon request. There are no records in the archives for veterans of World Wars I and II or the Korean or Vietnam conflicts. Information from the index of graves registrations for veterans buried in Wisconsin through 1970 is available through the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Records Section, P.O. Box 7843, Madison, Wisconsin 53707.

The library of the Wisconsin Historical Society has the World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards (1917-18) and a collection of camp newspapers for both World War I and World War II. The archives has brief service records compiled by the Adjutant General's office on all Wisconsin World War I military personnel.

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum Archives, 30 W. Mifflin St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703 < http://museum.dva.state.wi.us > has an invaluable collection of diaries and oral histories created by veterans. Other strengths of the collection include the records of various state veterans' organizations, a file of veteran burials in Wisconsin as well as information on more than 500 veterans' memorials.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official repository for federal military service and pension records. Generally, the records prior to the 20th century are located at the National Archives in Washington, DC, and later records at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Current information on access, fees, and form number changes is on the Order Page of the NARA web site.

For additional information:

  • 1861-1865 Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Wisconsin, microfilm of original records in the National archives, Washington, D.C. The FHL only has the index to compiled service records. To obtain information from the service record itself, contact the National Archives. Filmed by the National Archives, 1964, series M0559, 33 rolls, beginning with FHL film #882486 (Index, A-Bak, 1861-1865).

  • 1864-65 Burials at Arlington, submitted by Judy Nelson

  • 1883 Wisconsin Pensioners Online

  • 1895 Wisconsin Soldiers in Soldier Homes, compiled by Bev Hetzel, published by the author, West Bend, Wisconsin, 19[--], 24 pages. Names, with annotations, are in alphabetical order. The list was taken from a 1895 census report & from a two-volume set on the Civil War. FHL book 977.5 M2he.

  • American Soldiers of World War I . Ancestry.com.
     
  • Barker, Brett. Exploring Civil War Wisconsin: A Survival Guide for Researchers. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2002.
     
  • Carroll College Civil War Institute

  • Casson, Henry. Wisconsin Census Enumeration, 1895 Names of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors Residing in Wisconsin, June 20, 1895. Madison, Wis: Democrat Print. Co, 1896.
     
  • The Civil War Archive - Union Regiments - Wisconsin 
     
  • Civil War Collections - University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Special Collections
     
  • Civil War Draft in Wisconsin
     
  • Civil War Genealogy Database  Military History Online
     
  • Civil War Rosters.  Names of those who served in the various Wisconsin units.
     
  • Civil War Training Camps in Wisconsin
     
  • Civil War - Union Regimental Index: Wisconsin

  • Cowley, Betty. Stalag Wisconsin: Inside WW II Prisoner of War Camps. Oregon, Wisconsin: Badger Books 2002.

  • Dietz, J. Stanley, compiler. The Battle Glafs and Wisconsin Troops in the Civil War and War with Spain. Madison, Wisconsin, 1943.

  • Dow, Wentworth. Civil War Diaries of Wentworth Dow Private, Company E. 16th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry of Volunteers, (Adams County Rifles). Walnut Creek, California: Gerald Wayne Dow, 1991.

  • Estabrook, Charles Edward, editor. Wisconsin's Losses in the Civil War: A List of the Names of Wisconsin Soldiers Killed in Action, Mortally Wounded or Dying from Other Causes in the Civil War, Arranged According to Organization, and also in a Separate Alphabetical List.  Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Printing Co., 1915.
     
  • Finding Your Civil War Ancestor in Wisconsin 
     
  • Florida-Middle & Appalachicola Districts/Wisconsin/Iowa  Revolutionary War Pensioner Census, 1841. Ancestry.com.

  • Fort McCoy Prisoner of War Camp: Fort McCoy During the Korean War August 9, 1950-April 1, 1943.  19??

  • Fort McCoy: Serving America's Army Since 1909: Driving Tour and History Brochure. Fort McCoy, Wisconsin: Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office, 1995.

  • Gant, Jesse J. "Patriotism Is Above Political Consideration: A Look Back at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Civil War in Wisconsin." Wisconsin Magazine of History 94, 3 (Spring 2011):28-41.
     
  • Grand Army of the Republic. Soldiers' and Citizens' Album. 2 volumes. Chicago, Illinois: Grand Army Publishing Co., 1888, 1890.
     
  • Gregory, John Goadby. Wisconsin's Gold Star List: Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Nurses from the Badger State who died in the Federal Service during the World War. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1925. Arranged by county. In alphabetical order gives the name, age, residence, rank, date and place of death of the serviceman.
     
  • Hurn, Ethel Alice. Wisconsin Women in the War Between the States. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Printing Co. for the Wisconsin History Commission, 1911.
     
  • Korean Conflict State-Level Casualty Lists - Wisconsin   From the National Archives and Records Administration, Center for Electronic Records.
     
  • Korean War Casualty List 

  • Korean War Not Forgotten: Stories from Korean War Veterans.  Weston, Wisconsin: D.C. Everest Area Schools, 2003.
     
  • List of Ex-Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Living in Iowa  From Wisconsin. Ancestry.com.
     
  • List of Soldiers of the War of 1812 Living in Wisconsin by 1882. Washington, D.C.: National Society of the U.S. Daughters of 1812, 1918. Taken from the records published in 1883. A very brief report containing the name of the soldier, resident city and county as well as some death dates.
     
  • Love, William DeLoss. Wisconsin in the War of Rebellion: A History of all Regiments and Batteries. Chicago: Church and Goodman, 1866.
     
  • Mattern, Carolyn J. Soldiers When They Go: The Story of Camp Randall, 1861-1865. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin for the Department of History, University of Wisconsin, 1981.
     
  • McCrory, Thomas J. Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Wisconsin / Thomas J. McCrory. Black Earth, Wis. : Trails Books, c2005. 367 p. : ill. (some col.), maps ; 29 cm.
     
  • Military Links: Wisconsin.    From:  United States Internet Genealogical Society.
     
  • Miljat. Leslie Elizabeth. Admission Applications, 1867-1872, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Northwestern Branch, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin: L.E. Miljat, 1991.
     
  • Moore, Dennis R. Researching Your Civil War Ancestors in Wisconsin. Manitowoc, Wisconsin: Bivouac Publications, 1994.
     
  • National Park Service Web Site: A new (Oct. 2004) searchable name index to 6.3 million Union and Confederate Civil War soldiers and sailors for all states is now online at: < http://www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/ >
     
  • Neagles, James C. Military Records: A Guide to Federal and State Sources. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1994.

  • Nigbor, Joyce Hasselmann. Asbach: Private John William (Johann Wilhelm). 2006. Documents the Civil War Experiences of Private John William Asbach of the 3rd Iowa Volunteer Calvary until his death at the Battle of Osage in Kansas on 25 October 1864. Included are excerpts from the letters that he wrote to his parents as well as excerpts from other accounts of Asbach's military experiences. There are photographs, a map of the battle site, copies of Asbach's letters (written in German), as well as translations, his enlistment, and casualty report. Contact the author at 11 White Pine Trail, Madison, WI 53717.

  • Parkhill, Oakley L. History of the 107th supply Train, Thirty-Second Division, A.E.F. 1917-1919.  1917-1971.
     
  • Paul, William G. Wisconsin's Civil War Archives. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1965. A guide to the war materials held by the various government agencies of Wisconsin and by the State Historical Society. Includes a bibliography.

  • Pixley, Rutherford Birchard. Wisconsin in the World War: An Account of the Activities of Wisconsin Citizens During the Great World War, Giving in Part the Record of a Loyal State and Acknowledging in Part its Devotion and Untiring Service to the Nation and to its Ideals for a Lasting and Benevolent Democracy. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: The Wisconsin War History Company, 1919.
     
  • Quiner, E.B. The Military History of Wisconsin: A Record of the Civil and Military Patriotism of the State, in the War for the Union. Chicago: Clarke & Co., 1866.
     
  • Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served During the Civil War, 1861-1865. Wisconsin records are available from National Archives - M559.
     
  • Researching Your Civil War Ancestor in Wisconsin

  • Rood, Hosea Whitford.  Wisconsin at Vicksburg: Report of the Wisconsin-Vicksburg Monument Commission, Including the Story of the Campaign and Siege of Vicksburg in 1865 with Especial Reference to the Activities Therein of Wisconsin Troops. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin-Vicksburg Monument Commission, 1914.
     
  • Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. 2 vol. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Printing Co., State Printers, 1886.
     
  • Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers  War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, An Online Digital Book from the Wisconsin Historical Society Library
     
  • Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865   All soldiers known to have participated in Wisconsin's Civil War regiments. Searchable by surname or regiment. Gives basic data: when enlisted, residence at enlistment, if died, wounded or prisoner, when mustered out.
     
  • Roster of Wisconsin volunteers  War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Ancestry.com.
     
  • The Sinking Of The Albemarle, submitted by Tina Vickery.
     
  • Soldiers' and Citizens' Album of Biographical Record (of Wisconsin): Containing Personal Sketches of Army Men and Citizens Prominent in Loyalty of the Union: Also a Chronological and Statistical History of the Civil War and a History of the Grand Army of the Republic: With Portraits of Soldiers and Prominent Citizens. 2 vols. Bethesda, Maryland: University Publications of America, 1993. 19 microfiche.
     
  • The State Hospital For The Insane And The War, submitted by Tina Vickery.
     
  • Steckler, Marlys Manley. POWs in Wisconsin during WWII.  Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin: Steckler, 2000.

  • Thisted, Moses N. With the Wisconsin National Guard on the Mexican Border 1916-1917. Hemet, California: Alphabet Printers, 1981.

  • Thwaites, Reuben Gold. Frontier Defense of the Upper Ohio, 1777-1778, comp. from Draper Manuscripts in the Library of the Wisconsin Historical Society and Publishing at the Charge of the Wisconsin Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Historical Society, 1912.
     
  • Union Regimental Index - Wisconsin
     
  • USGenWeb Pensions Project  - USGenWeb Archives
     
  • United States. Adjutant General's Office. Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Wisconsin. Washington, D.C.: The National Archives, 1964. Microfilm.
     
  • U.S. Military Personnel who died in the Korean War
     
  • U.S. Military Personnel Who Died as a Result of the Vietnam Conflict, 1957-1995 (Including Missing and Captured Declared Dead)
     
  • United States. Pension Bureau. List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883: giving the names of each pensioner, the cause for which pensioned, the post-office address, the rate of pension per month and the date of the original allowance, as called for by Senate Resolution of December 8, 1882. 5 volumes. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1970. Five volume set arranged by county. Gives the number of the certificate and provides clues for searching the records.
     
  • United States. Selective Service System. Wisconsin, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1987-1988.
     
  • United States Veterans Administration. Pension Index File, Alphabetical; of the Veterans Administration.... Washington: Veterans Administraiton, Publications Service, 1953.
     
  • Veteran Ancestry Registry
     
  • Vietnam Casualty List: Wisconsin ~ from NARA

  • Vietnam Experience: Stories of a Troubled Past. Weston, Wisconsin: D.C. Everest Area Schools, 2002.
     
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Wisconsin
     
  • Wisconsin Adjutant General's Office. Annual Report of the Adjutant General, 1865. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Print Co., 1912.
     
  • Wisconsin. Adjutant General. Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion 1861-1865. Madison: Democrat Print Co., 1886.
     
  • Wisconsin. Adjutant General's Office. Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion 1861-1865. 2 volumes. Madison: Democrat Printing Co., 1914. Reprinted by Brookhaven Press, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 1998. Lists the soldiers in alphabetical order giving their name, rank, company and regiment. Serves as an index to Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers: War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865.
     
  • Wisconsin. Adjutant General's Office. Military Records, 1861-1865. Salt Lake City: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1981. Microfilm.
     
  • Wisconsin Civil War Regimental Histories
     
  • Wisconsin Forts 
     
  • Wisconsin GAR Posts
     
  • Wisconsin Goes to War: Digital Civil War Collections   From the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
     
  • Wisconsin Goes to War  Our Civil War Experience
     
  • Wisconsin's Gold Star List Soldiers, Sailors, Marines And Nurses Casualties For WWI   This extensive list of casualties from Wisconsin provides details of the hometown, age, unit, location of death, and cause of death, for those soldiers, sailors, marines, and nurses who all gave their life in World War I.
     
  • Wisconsin in the Civil War  Message Board
     
  • Wisconsin in the Spanish-American War 

  • Wisconsin Korean War Casualties
     
  • Wisconsin Medal of Honor Recipients 
     
  • Wisconsin Military Resources - WIGenWeb
     
  • Wisconsin residents who gave their lives in the Korean Conflict
     
  • Wisconsin residents who gave their lives in the Vietnam War
     
  • Wisconsin. Shiloh Monument Commission. Wisconsin at Shiloh, Report of the Commission, comp. by Capt. F.H. Magdeburg. Madison, Wisconsin: The Commission, 1909.
     
  • Wisconsin Soldiers and Sailors Reunion: Containing the Postoffice Address, Occupation and Name of Every Wisconsin Soldier and Sailor Now Living ... Also the Name of Every Wisconsin Soldier Who Perished in the War ... Also, a Complete Roster of Wisconsin's Armed Military Organizations, contributed by J.A. Kellogg, et al. originally published in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin by Star Steam Job and Book Printing House, 1880, 309 pages. Reprinted by University Publications of America, Bethesda, Maryland, 1993, filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 4 microfiches, FHL film #6118307.
     
  • Wisconsin Soldiers in the World War 1939- , obituaries and notices. 3 volumes. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1941-43. A collection of obituaries and death notices for the soldiers of the period.
     
  • Wisconsin Stories  Struggle, Europe, Pacific and Home Front

  • Wisconsin. Tabular Statements of the Census Enumeration, and the Agricultural, Mineral and Manufacturing Interests of the State ... Also Alphabetical List of the Soldiers and Sailors of the Late War Residing in the State June 20, 1885. Madison: Democrat Print. Co., State printers, 1886.
     
  • "Wisconsin Troops in the Spanish War 1898." The Sentinel Almanac and Book of Facts 1899. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: The Sentinel Company, 1899. The list shows the company units giving the soldier's residence, offices, transfers, discharge and death.
     
  • Wisconsin Veterans Home - King, Wisconsin 
     
  • Wisconsin Veterans Museum 

  • Wisconsin Vietnam War Casualties
     
  • Wisconsin. War History Commission. The 32nd Division in the World War, 1917-1919. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Printing, 1920.

  • Wisconsin. Wisconsin Census Enumeration, 1905 Names of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors Residing in Wisconsin, June 1, 1905. Madison, Wis: Democrat Print. Co, 1906.
     
  • Wisconsin World War II Casualty List.
     
  • Wisconsin World War II Stories 
     
  • Wisconsin's Gold Star List: Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Nurses from the Badger State... Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1925.

  • World War I Collection. UW-Madison's World War I collection focuses primarily, though not exclusively, on European aspects of the war. It is particularly strong in documenting rescue and relief efforts, and in propaganda materials, but all aspects of the war are included. Most of these materials were acquired by the University during or in the immediate aftermath of the war and they represent a direct and often very passionate or partisan viewpoint of that conflict. These are primary sources, the raw materials of history, and they bring the first great worldwide conflict of the twentieth century to us in an immediate way, without the viewpoint provided by intervening years and events.
     
  • World War I Military Portrait Index   Index to 3,192 photographs of World War I military personnel from Milwaukee County at the Milwaukee Public Library.

  • World War II: Stories from Our Veterans: Wisconsin Veterans and Beyond. Weston, Wisconsin: D.C. Everest Area Schools, 2001.