Vernon County History and Information

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VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Vernon was created on 1851 as Bad Ax County (Changed to Vernon, 1862) from Crawford County. The County Seat is Viroqua. The County was named for a stream therein, tributary to the Mississippi. Bad Ax was a translation of the French voyageur term, La mauvaise hache, but the origin of the name is unknown. The inhabitants of the county felt that this name created an unpleasant impression; it was thereupon, at the suggestion of Judge William F. Terhune, changed to Vernon, implying the greenness of its wheat fields, arid carrying a suggestion of Washington's home at Mount Vernon.

Counties adjacent to Vernon County are La Crosse County (north western), Monroe County (north), Juneau County (northeast), Sauk County (east), Richland County (southeast), Crawford County (south), Allamakee County, Iowa (southwest), Houston County, Minnesota (west). Vernon County Cities Include Hillsboro, Viroqua, Westby. Towns Include Bergen, Christiana, Clinton, Coon, Forest, Franklin, Genoa, Greenwood, Hamburg, Harmony, Hillsboro, Jefferson, Kickapoo, Liberty, Stark, Sterling, Union, Viroqua, Webster, Wheatland, Whitestown. Villages Include Chaseburg, Coon Valley, De Soto, Genoa, La Farge, Ontario, Readstown, Stoddard, Viola.

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Records at the Vernon County Courthouse

See Also Wisconsin Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Search Wisconsin Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. Additional info below identify the purposes (C=county purposes; J=judicial purposes), the county or counties to which it was attached, and the dates of that attachment.

All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link below for each department. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.

Vernon County Register of Deeds Office has Birth Records from 1863, Marriage Records from 1855, Death Records from 1878 and Land Records from 1851.

In 1848 the Wisconsin Constitution established the Register of Deeds as a permanent element of the County level of governmental structure. The purpose of the Vernon County Register of Deeds is to provide official record keeping for Records or files land record documents authorized by law, such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, certified survey maps, plats and Federal Tax liens. Files and indexes Birth, Death and Marriage records, Military Discharges, and issues certified copies upon request.

Vernon County Register in Probate Office has Probate Records from 1850.

It is the responsibility of the Register in Probate to maintain and update files regarding probate of estates, guardianships, protective placements, adoptions and mental commitments. This is a statutory office with the position of Register in Probate filled by judicial appointment.

Vernon County Clerk of Court Office has Court Records from 1853.

The Clerk of Court is part of the Judicial Branch of local government and as such is required to maintain a record of all documents filed with the courts, keep a record of all court proceedings, and collect various fines and forfeitures ordered by the court and specified by statute.

Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Court Records by clicking the link below:

  • Wisconsin Public Land Survey Records: Original Field Notes & Plat Maps
  • Wisconsin Land Records: This database contains information on Wisconsin (U.S.A.) land records. The database comes from the Bureau of Land Management's Wisconsin Pre-1908 Homestead and Cash Entry Patent and Cadastral Survey Plat Index. Information recorded in the collection includes patentee name, land office, legal description, etc.
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Vernon County, Wisconsin Court Books at Amazon.com
  • Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
  • Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
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Vernon County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

The earliest tax records in Wisconsin appear to be for real estate. Brown County has an extant tax roll for 1824. Tax rolls are kept by the county treasurer for each county. Many of these records have been transferred to the appropriate Area Research Centers.

Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Vernon County Treasurers Office
    The County Treasurer's office collects all real estate taxes including postponed and delinquent, all county revenues in addition to the research and issue tax deed applications. Our department is the holder of tax records and assessed values.
  • Vernon County, Wisconsin Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Vernon County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Wisconsin

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Wisconsin Division of Health, Vital Records, 1 West Wilson Street, Rm 158, Madison, WI 53701. Thier mailing address is Wisconsin Vital Records Office, P.O. Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309. Telephone: For automated assistance 24 hours a day, please call (608) 266-1371. To contact our service counter during the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:15 P.M. (C.S.T.), Monday through Friday, please call (608) 266-1373. All fees are not refundable if no record is found. You must enclose a personal check or money order made payable to "Wis. Vital Records". Please do not send cash. Please include a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope with your request. They have the following records:

  • Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates: In Wisconsin, official registration of births, marriages & deaths vary by county.
    • Cost: $20.00 is the cost for the search, which includes one copy of the birth, marriage or death certificate, if found. Additional copies of the same record, requested at the same time as the first, are $3.00 each. The cost is the same whether you request a certified or uncertified copy of the birth certificate.
    • Processing Time: Filled requests take 3-6 months when ordered by mail (Application for Birth, Marriage or Death) or 2-5 Days when you order online.
  • Divorces: Divorces on availible since Oct 1907.
    • Cost: $20.00 is the cost for the search, which includes one copy of the divorce certificate, if found. Additional copies of the same record, requested at the same time as the first, are $3.00 each. The cost is the same whether you request a certified or uncertified copy of the birth certificate.
    • Processing Time: Filled requests take 3-6 months when ordered by mail (Application) or 2-5 Days when you order online Below.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.
  • Order In Person: You can apply in person for a copy of a marriage certificate at 1 West Wilson Street, Room 158, in Madison, Wisconsin (driving directions/parking). The office is open from 8:00 A.M. until 4:15 P.M. (C.S.T.), Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Identification is required to pick up certified copies of vital records in person.

Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

  • VitalChek Express Certificate Service - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
  • Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical Wisconsin newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
  • Pre-1907 Birth Index (22 kb)
  • Pre-1907 Death Index (19 kb)
  • 1959-1979 Death Index (23 kb)
  • 1979-1984 Death Index (7 kb)
  • Pre-1892 Wisconsin Brides and/or Grooms from Maine State Archives Cards
  • Wisconsin Marriage Index 1852-1907
  • Wisconsin Marriage Index (selected entries pre-1907)
  • Wisconsin Births, 1820-1907: This database indexes over 985,000 births recorded in the State of Wisconsin, USA, prior to 1907. Information provided in the index includes: name, birth date, country, and source information.
  • Wisconsin Deaths, 1820-1907: This database indexes over 435,000 deaths recorded in the state of Wisconsin prior to 1907.
  • Wisconsin Marriages, 1835-1900: Marriage records from various counties in Wisconsin between 1835 and 1900.
  • Wisconsin Marriages, 1973-1997: This database is an index to approximately 949,000 marriages that took place in the State of Wisconsin, USA, between 1973 and 1997. Information that may be found in this database includes groom's name, groom's age, groom's residence (county and/or state), bride's name, bride's age, bride's residence (county and/or state), marriage date, marriage county, and marriage certificate number.
  • Wisconsin Marriages, pre-1907: This index contains over 920,000 individuals married in the State of Wisconsin, USA, prior to 1907. Information that may be found in this database for each individual includes their name, marriage date, county of marriage, and source information.
  • Vernon County, Wisconsin Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
  • Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
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Vernon County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Wisconsin

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Vernon County, Wisconsin are 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Vernon County, Wisconsin are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Census Online - Wisconsin Census Records
  • Wisconsin Census, 1820-90: This database contains indexes to the Wisconsin (U.S.A.) portions of the 1820-1860 U.S. Federal Censuses as well as indexes to the 1836-1838, 1842, 1846, and 1855 State Censuses, the 1840 Pensioners Lists, the 1890 Veterans Schedules, and other early censuses. Information contained in these indexes can include name, state, county, township, year of record, and name of record set.
  • Wisconsin State Censuses, 1895 and 1905: This database contains an index to the 1895 and 1905 Wisconsin state censuses. Both censuses cover all counties that existed at the time. Information listed includes: name of individual, and place of enumeration. The 1905 census also includes relationship to head of household, race, gender, age, marital status, and birthplace.
  • The USGenWeb Archives Wisconsin CENSUS IMAGES PROJECT
  • Vernon County, Wisconsin Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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Vernon County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Wisconsin showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Wisconsin showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Maps. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Vernon County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Wisconsin

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Vernon County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Wisconsin Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Area Research Center - University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Murphy Library Resource Center, La Crosse, WI 5460l; Phone: 608/785-8511
    Counties covered are Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon.
  • Hillsboro Area Genealogical Society, Hillsboro, WI 54634
  • Hillsboro Area Historical Society, PO Box 9, Route 2, Hillsboro, WI 54634; Phone: 608-489-3322
  • Log Cabin Heritage Society, 714 Abbey Ln, Viroqua, WI 54665; Phone: 608-637-7109
  • Vernon County Historical Society, PO Box 444, Viroqua, WI 54665; Phone: 608-637-7396
  • Westby Area Historical Society, PO Box 42, Westby, WI 54667; Phone: 608-634-4101
  • State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706-1488
  • Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, PO Box 5106, Madison, WI 53705
  • National Archives - Great Lakes Region (Chicago), 7358 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois 60629-5898; 773-948-9001; E-mail: chicago.archives@nara.gov (Maintains retired records from Federal agencies and courts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.)
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Wisconsin Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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Vernon County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Wisconsin

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Vernon County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Vernon County Tombstone Transcription Project.

The Wisconsin Historical Records Survey Project of Madison published the Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Wisconsin in 1941 and Guide to Church Vital Statistics Records in Wisconsin in 1942. There are also numerous publications by the project for specific denominations. Extensive microfilm collections of church records in Wisconsin are available through the FHL. The State Historical Society of Wisconsin and Area Research Centers have a variety of church records including microfilm and original records.

Numerous cemeteries have been read and transcribed by local genealogical societies in Wisconsin. The transcriptions are frequently deposited with an Area Research Center, a local library, or the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. A considerable number have been printed in the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society Newsletter. Some have been privately published.

The Wisconsin State Old Cemetery Society, 6100 West Mequon Road, Mequon, WI 53092, publishes a newsletter and maintains an archive of tombstone inscriptions from around the state. Contact the society for membership information

Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Vernon County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Vernon County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Extended History

 

From: Handbook of Wisconsin by S. Silas, 1855, pg. 48-48

This county is one of the Mississippi River Counties, is new, but sparsely settled, and has not yet attracted the attention of immigrants as much as it deserves. It is watered by the Kickapoo, Raccoon, and Bad Ax Rivers, and their numerous branches. These have many excellent water powers, and the great resources of this county remain yet to be developed. There are few counties in the State which should tempt the settler more than this, and notwithstanding its bad name it is a good country. It is to be hoped that in the future naming of the Counties of Wisconsin such unmeaning and uncouth names shall give place to more euphonious, either Indian, English or French, and that Bad Ax and Deaths Door may be the last of their kind.

Excellent Pine is found on the Kickapoo River, and sufficient hard timber for use, is interspersed with prairie throughout the County.

Viroqua, the County seat is in a grove of heavy timber; Springville, and Towerville have excellent flouring mills, and the whole County has taken a new start within a year past.

County Courthouse

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