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Examples of County Rules for Genealogists

On this page you'll find the 2005 rules for genealogists that are given out by the Register of Deeds offices at Hudson, Saint Croix County, Wisconsin, and Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. The Saint Croix County rules are typical for Wisconsin. The Milwaukee County rules are the most restrictive in the state because of the high population of the county and are a MUST READ if you are thinking of going to the courthouse there. One caveat, the rules are subject to change at any time and this page would not be updated as it is not sponsored by the county. Treat these rules as examples only. Contact the county to find out what rules will actually be in place at the time of your visit. However, please notify the author if you determine that the rules have changed for either of these counties.


Saint Croix County, Wisconsin

Genealogy Research Rules and Regulations

Information Available to Researchers:

St. Croix County's Register of Deeds office maintains a tremendous amount of important historical documents pertaining to the county. Historical documents maintained in the office and accessible to the general public are listed below:
  • Property Ownership
  • Deeds
  • Mortgages
  • Plat Maps
  • Certified Survey Maps
  • Some Cemetery Plats
  • Original Land Entry Book
  • Original Surveyors' Field Notes
  • Plat Books for 1876, 1897, 1925 etc.
  • Land Patents for the entire state of Wisconsin on CD-ROM
  • Birth Records, dating back to 1858
  • Death Records, dating back to 1876
  • Marriage Records, dating back to 1852
  • 1905 Census Records of St. Croix County
  • School Census Records from 1908
  • Records of Teachers Certificates from when there was a County Superintendant of Schools
  • Military Census 1895 and Registration of Deaths in War Service
  • Farm Names

Office Policy for Vital Records Researchers:

  1. Hours for researching are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. The number of people allowed in research area will be determined by staff based on work surface availability.
  2. The office staff reserves the right to change the number of people allowed to research and the hours available for research.
  3. For your own protection and to avoid suspicion all sweaters, coats, purses, bags, and briefcases must be stowed in a designated area or hung on the coat rack. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INSPECT ALL ITEMS brought in by you and used by you while you perform research.
  4. Register of Deeds staff has first priority use of all indexes and records to conduct their daily business.
  5. You assume all responsibility for conforming to the laws of library and literary property rights which may be involved in your use of the vital record.
  6. The use of certain records and indexes is restricted by Wisconsin Statute. This office reserves the right to restrict access to records which are not arranged or being arranged, records which are confidential or contain confidential information.

NOTE: BIRTH RECORDS AFTER VOLUME 66 AND MARRIAGE RECORDS AFTER VOLUME 42 AND DEATH RECORDS AFTER VOLUME 59 ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ONLY WITH STAFF ASSISTANCE.

Users of Vital Records must do the following:
  1. Register the following information before entering the vital records area: Name, address, telephone number (optional) and general identification of records being researched - family name and time period of research.
  2. Present satisfactory proof of identity.
  3. Read these rules and sign the agreement to abide by them.
  4. Bring no children under 12 into the office.
  5. Bring no food or beverages into the vital records area.
  6. Bring no private copy machines or cameras into the vital records area.
Users will not be admitted to the vital records files unless they comply with rules 1 to 6.
  1. Refrain from loud talking, laughing and noise making.
  2. Bring only pencils - no pens or markers into the work area.
Users will be given one verbal warning concerning violations of rules 7 and 8 and, if violation continues, will be asked to leave the office.
  1. Handle all books with care and respect.
  2. Return all books to their proper space.
  3. Do not place books on top of each other.
  4. Do not write or otherwise alter, mutilate or destroy a record.
  5. Observe rules of access or non-access relative to:
    • Legally confidential material
    • Paper records that are in poor physical condition
Users who violate rules 13 and 14 will be immediately expelled from the office and will not be permitted to return for 2 months. A second violation within a year will result in expulsion from the office for 6 months. A third violation within a year will result in an additional expulsion for 6 months and a notice of this violation to the vital records offices throughout the state.
  1. Must not ask staff to perform tasks which are contrary to statute or administrative rule. A user who violates this rule will be immediately expelled from the office and will not be permitted to return for 2 months. A second violation within a year will result in expulsion from the office for one year. Each succeeding offense will result in a one year expulsion from the office.

Notes: The Vital Statistics Law in Wisconsin went into effect June 1, 1907 and the records before that time are incomplete. We cannot make corrections to very old records. If you require copies of any records, please consult with the office staff and they will make the copies for you at the following cost:

  1. Birth ----- $12.00
  2. Marriage and Death ----- $7.00
  3. Additional Copies of Each Record -- $3.00

Office staff can assist you in finding the proper records; however, they are not at your disposal for checking records for you.

Our office hours are 8:00 to 5:00 and phone number is (715)386-4652. Respect staff in the use of indexes and records.


Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

John La Fave, Register of Deeds

RULES FOR USERS OF VITAL RECORDS
  1. Register the following information before entering the Vital Records area: name, address, and telephone number.
  2. Present satisfactory proof of identity to staff.
  3. Read the rules and sign an agreement to abide by them.
  4. A book to register family names is provided near cubicle #1 for genealogists wanting to share their research.
  5. Bring no children under 12 years of age into the office. All individuals in work area must exhibit socially acceptable behavior.
  6. Bring no food or beverages into the Vital Records area.
  7. Bring no coats, briefcases, books or bags into the Vital Records work area. These items may be left in the designated cubicles.
  8. You may not bring any private copy machines, camers or video tape recorders into the Vital Records area.
  9. No cell phones.

APPOINTMENTS

  1. Seven appointments per day. Three (3) morning appointments from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and four (4) afternoon appointments from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. .
  2. Only one appointment allowed per person per week.
  3. appointments will be made only after the first of the preceding month. For example: Dec 2, you can make January appointments; Jan 2, you can make February appointments.
  4. If one person is making the appointment for several people, all persons must be named on appointment calendar or they will not be admitted.
  5. Once a month, during your normal appointment you may have records after 1931 (and including 1931) pulled by the staff. This is limited to ten (10) records and one (1) pull. Not 10 pulls one record each. No repulls for errors made by the genealogist.
  6. To have records pulled you must fill out the "Request for Service" form in year order and go to Window #1 just outside the gate where you came in and wait your turn. Keep requests in year order and same group. All requests for birth certificates must also include the name of the registrant.
  7. Records are NOT PULLED between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. All pulls must be completed one hour before appointment ends. All pulled certificates must be returned to staff (these are property of Vital Records) before leaving!
  8. Morning appointments must leave at 12:00 (noon). Afternoon appointments must leave at 4:00 p.m.
  9. If you cannot keep your appointment, call 414-278-4003 to cancel as soon as possible.

  1. The Vital Records Staff has priority over the Indexes and the Mobile Files.
  2. The staff will not pull out or down from the shelves bound volumes for you. Volumes pulled by the genealogist must be returned to their exact place. You should be using the bound (red) volumes in the cubicles.
  3. Index books should be used in the same area as they are found, not taken to cublicles. Do not move them to other areas or countertops. When you are finished you must return the index book to its exact place.
  4. Use ladder or footstool to reach, do not climb on shelves or drawers. Remove ladder and footstool from mobile files immediately and return them to their designated places.
  5. You may not open the drawers for any reason.
  6. Bring only pencils, no pens of any type into the work areas. Do not place paper on top of records or indexes when writing.
  7. Records or Indexes cannot be written on or otherwise altered, mutilated or destroyed.
  8. Observe rules of access or non-access relative to: legally confidential material or paper records in poor condition.
  9. You must not ask staff to perform tasks which are contrary to state statute or administrative rule.
  10. No smoking, talking, laughing or noise making.

WORKING RULES

  1. Confine papers to your work station. One piece of paper while using indexes.
  2. One person per one work station.
  3. One volume per person at one time.
  4. When working with volumes, they must be placed on a flat surface. Do not open books and place on top of each other. Do not prop books against the wall.

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING CONDITIONS OF USE MAY RANGE FROM A VERBAL WARNING TO STOP OR SUSPENSION FROM THE VITAL RECORDS OFFICE FOR A DETERMINED PERIOD.


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