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Portage County, Wisconsin

County Census Records  •  County Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

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Portage was created on December 7, 1836 from Brown, Crawford, Iowa and Milwaukee Counties. The County Seat is Stevens Point. The County was named for the Fox-Wisconsin portage, then within its boundaries -- a prominent landmark in early Wisconsin history. The gradual change in the boundaries of this; county (described ante) left the name of the county without significance, save that therein is found Plover portage, an insignificant carrying-place between the waters of Wolf and Wisconsin rivers.

Counties adjacent to Portage County are Marathon County (north), Shawano County (northeast), Waupaca County (east), Waushara County, Adams County (southwest), Wood County (west). Portage County Cities Include Stevens Point. Towns Include Alban, Almond, Amherst, Belmont, Buena Vista, Carson, Dewey, Eau Pleine, Grant, Hull, Lanark, Linwood, New Hope, Pine Grove, Plover, Sharon, Stockton. Villages Include Almond, Amherst, Amherst Junction, Junction City, Milladore, Nelsonville, Park Ridge, Plover, Rosholt, Whiting.

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

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

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.

The date listed for each category of record is usually the earliest registration filed. The earliest date does not indicate that there are numerous records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually registered. It has been estimated that less than 50 percent of the vital records, for example, were prepared and submitted for permanent filing prior to 1907. Land deeds, probate, and court records generally begin in Wisconsin with the organization of the county. Prior to that date, check the “Parent County.” Some counties formed from other counties transcribed their portion of property deeds to be kept with the new county deed records.

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. Portage County was attached (C/J)Brown County, 1836–41; (J)-Dane County, 1841–44. Some early records may be found there.

Portage County Register of Deeds Office has Birth Records from 1866, Marriage Records from 1859, Death Records from 1875 and Land Records from 1841.

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 Portage 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.

Portage County Register in Probate Office has Probate Records from 1837.

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.

Portage County Clerk of Court Office has Court Records from 1844.

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.

Portage 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.

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

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County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death 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.

Ordering Vital Records - You can also order

  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail. Order Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records or Death Records.

    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 Portage County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Portage County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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    County Census Records

    See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Records 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 Portage County, Wisconsin are 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Portage County, Wisconsin are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 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 Portage County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Portage County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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    County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Wisconsin

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

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    County Genealogical Addresses

    See Also Other Wisconsin Genealogical Addresses

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

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    County County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Wisconsin

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

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

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    County Church & Bible Records

    See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Wisconsin

    For periods before the advent of civil registration of vital statistics, Wisconsin church records rank as the best available sources for information on specific vital events: birth, marriage, and death. Wisconsin bible records is a good primary source for genealogy research and information. You will find many different Wisconsin surnames listed in many of these Bibles which include old photos, obituaries and other facts such as birth and death dates.

    Below is a list of online resources for ????? County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to ????? County Cemetery & Church Records.

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    Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

     

    Below is a list of online resources for Portage County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Portage County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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