As the official repository for Milwaukee County, the Milwaukee County Historical Society (MCHS) research library contains more than 12,000 cubic feet of records from various county agencies such as naturalization records, civil court records, coroner’s inquests, marriage applications, jail registers and probate records. In addition, the library contains more than 3,000 separate manuscript collections from various businesses, organizations, and families/individuals – some of whom are among Milwaukee’s earliest settlers. The photograph collection is also housed in the research library and includes more than one million photographs.

 

Whether you are researching your family history or have an interest in a particular part of local history, our collections may have the information you are looking for. This 1-hour tour explores the artifacts preserved in the Milwaukee County Historical Society archives, but also explains how archival research uncovers stories of the past. 

 

 

 

Parking:  MCHS is partnering with Power Parking to provide discounted visitor parking. For $10 you may park in the 847 N. Plankinton Ave. Lot (at the corner of Plankinton Ave. and Kilbourn Ave.) for up to 5 hours. 20% of the revenue will be donated directly back to MCHS. DO NOT scan and pay at the lot.  Pay at the front desk in the Historical Center.  Metered street parking is also available on Dr. MLK Jr. Drive. The discount does not cover the metered street parking cost. 

 

Accessibility:  Elevators are available to access the second floor. Handicapped accessible doors are located on the east side of the building. Additionally, a vehicle drop-off /loading zone is accessible on W. Kilbourn Avenue. 

 

Research:  If you want to do research on the day of the tour, you must have an appointment.  See this page for more information: https://milwaukeehistory.net/schedule-a-visit/

 

 

 

 

IN PERSON at Central Library 1st Floor Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Meeting Room

 

Starting Foreign Research

by Karen Jegen

Learn how to find your Immigrant Ancestor's hometown and start researching records from the foreign homeland.

 

 

Have you wanted to learn more about your family history, but don't know where to begin?

 

Have you started researching your family, but need ideas of new places to look for information?

 

Work one-on-one with an experienced genealogist from the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society who will be available to answer your research questions and demonstrate search strategies to help find pieces of your family history puzzle.

 

 

This meeting will be recorded and for 30 days after the presentation, a video link will be available to MCGS members in the members only section on the website.

 

 

IN PERSON at Central Library 1st Floor Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Meeting Room

 

DNA for Genealogy

by Carol Genung

Learn the basics of DNA testing and how it can help you find answers to your research questions.