It looks like I was pretty lucky because according to the section on Vital Records for Wisconsin, some marriage applications were issued as early as the 1820s in some counties, then in 1852 the state directed them to record births and deaths, but some towns ignored this request. Not until 1878 did the state get strict regarding adherence to the law. The online Wisconsin vital records index was extremely helpful, because it listed my ancestor, which in turn, prompted me to order it a copy for $15.
Within a few weeks I received the marriage record for 1841. This record was for my recently former "brick wall" person and although I had the marriage date, it is nice to have a uncertified copy.*
* At the bottom, stamped in red is the following: Uncertified Copy Not valid for certification purposes. It is illegal to make this document available to the public in electronic format.
7 comments:
Thanks for this new info Barbara. I have done genealogy work for almost 20 years and have never heard of or used The Red Book. I am going to check out your link on the blog.
If you like, I could scan a page or two for you. But, as I said, I bet any library that has a genealogy collection would have this book. Thanks for writing.
Barbara, I have always used the Handybook For Genealogists which I think is similar to your Red Book. Are you familiar with it? I'm just wondering what the differences might be in the two.
Lisa, In reply, I honestly don't know. When I began, I was told to get this book, although I have seen the Handybook, I've never owned it. Good question.
Thank you for sharing the link to the Wisconsin vital records index. I may have found some new leads!
Susan, I really hope you find something useful, and I'm glad I posted the link.
Nice job, Thanks
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