Wisconsin - Local Catholic Church History and Ancestors Genealogy Research

Local Catholic Church and Family History for Wisconsin - Dioceses Map

The geographic area of Wisconsin is in the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical province of Milwaukee which includes the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Dioceses of Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison and Superior, and also Eastern/Byzantine Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdictions.

[ DIOCESES & CHURCHES ] [ Catholic HISTORY ] [ Catholic BIOGRAPHIES ]
[ Wisconsin History & Genealogy Links ]
[ General Catholic Organizations, Documents, Texts, & Archives ]
[ Do you have a link suggestion? ]
[ Catholic Documents, Texts, & Archives ]
[ General History & GENEALOGY Links to Maps & Aids *]
Return to:

Local Catholic Church & Family History Research Worldwide

[ Local Catholic Church & Family History & Genealogy GUIDE and Directory ]
[Local Catholic Church & Family History & Genealogy U.S. STATE Selection]
[ USGenWeb ]
Contact: Webweaver

Please note: Though the information on this web page is believed to be correct, the possibility of error remains. Please notify the webmaster should an error be found.

Genealogical Research of Catholic Ancestors

Wisconsin

The Archdiocese and Dioceses Online are below, in addition to links to online parishes: Date in [] is the year the diocese was established. Scroll down or select the area of interest from the following list:
Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Dioceses of Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison and Superior.
Eastern/Byzantine Catholic

Wisconsin Catholic Conference
Archdiocese of Milwaukee (Wisconsin) [Diocese:1843, Archdiocese: 1875¹]

A Historical Outline of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Parish Directory & Parish Locator Map - Counties of Dodge, Racine, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Washington and Walworth.

(See also Michigan - The Archdiocese of Detroit for pre 1837 History information)

Archives
Does the Archives assist in genealogical searches?
How do I locate my sacramental records? - Lists Closed and Merged Parishes.
Cemeteries and Mausoleums
St. Joseph's Parish - 82 East Second Street - Fond du Lac, WI
St. George Melkite (Byzantine) Greek Catholic Church

Diocese of Green Bay (Wisconsin) [1868¹]

The Diocese of Green Bay encompasses the 16 Northeastern Wisconsin counties including: Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago.

Diocese Archives
Parish Directory
Immaculate Conception Parish (St. Mary's)

St. Joseph Parish - Green Bay Township, Brown County, WI

Served from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish:

St. Joseph's Parish in Appleton, WI (Outagamie County)
Marinette County Genealogy and History resources, by Susan Kopec

Diocese of La Crosse (Wisconsin) [1868¹]
- Chancery: 3710 East Ave. S. - Box 4004 - La Crosse, WI 54602
  Web E-mail: mailbox@dioceseoflacrosse.com
  Encompasses all or a portion of the west central counties of Adams, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Marathon, Monroe, Portage, Pepin, Pierce, Richland, Trempealeau, Vernon and Wood. Diocese Map (archived 2004).
- Parish Directory
- St. James the Less Catholic Church & Parish History
- Steven's Point Deanery Sixteen Catholic parishes in Portage County comprise the Stevens Point Deanery: Parish Directory.
- St. James Church -
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (est. 1875)
- St. Patrick Parish (est. 1865) -
- St. James the Greater
- St. Olaf - 2407 North Lane - Eau Claire, WI Phone: (715) 832-2504.
- St. Bronislava Church - Plover, WI.
- Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman
- Sacred Heart, Saint Alexander, and All Saints parish web pages!
- Sacred Heart of Jesus - 711 Prospect Ave. - Nekoosa, WI Phone: (715) 886-3422
- St. Alexander's Parish - Port Edwards, WI
- St. Mary's Parish - Tomah, MONROE, WI with History
- The Diocese operates a mission, Holy Cross Parish, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
PIERCE County is encompassed by the Diocese of La Crosse.
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (Pierce County, WI)
- Sacred Heart Parish (Pierce County, WI)
Diocese of Madison (Wisconsin) [1946¹] Parish Directory

Chancery:

Archives

Reverend John G. Stillmank, S.T.L

Moderator of the Curia

Carrie Bohman, Assistant Archivist

Catholic Charities

The Diocese of Madison encompasses the 11 southwestern and central counties of Columbia, Dane, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, LaFayette, Marquette, Rock and Sauk.

The Most Reverend William H. Bullock, ED.S.:

Diocese of Madison Parish Directory
St. Raphael Cathedral
St. Bernard Parish [est. 1946]

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish

DIOCESAN CEMETERIES Diocesan Offices Page

The Catholic Herald: Official Publication of the Diocese of Madison

Diocese of Superior (northwestern Wisconsin) [1905¹]

The Diocese of Superior encompasses the northwestern Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Dunn, Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn.

Parish Directory for the Diocese of Superior
Select from the county links above, or scroll down, for parish listings.
Since this is web page is a work in progress, all parishes are not yet listed below. If you are unable to identify a Catholic Church in the location of interest, it may be helpful to contact the office of the Diocese of Superior to inquire about the existing churches in that area and/or those which may no longer exist.

DOUGLAS County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior
Douglas County Information (Chamber of Commerce Site)

Christ the King Cathedral Parish (Douglas County, WI)

History of the Cathedral of Christ the King

Phoenix Villa Catholic Church (Douglas County, WI)
Holy Assumption Parish (Douglas County, WI)
St. Anthony Parish (Douglas County, WI)
St. Francis Xavier Parish (Douglas County, WI)
St. William Parish (Douglas County, WI)
St. Anthony of Padua Mission (Douglas County, WI)
St. Anthony Mission (Douglas County, WI)

St. Pius the Tenth Parish (Douglas County, WI)

ASHLAND County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

Our Lady of the Lake Parish (Ashland County, WI)

Immaculate Conception Parish (Ashland County, WI)
St. George Parish (Ashland County, WI)
Most Precious Blood Parish (Ashland County, WI)

St. Joseph Parish (Ashland County, WI)

Holy Rosary Parish (Ashland County, WI)
St. Anthony Parish (Ashland County, WI)
St. Mary Parish (Ashland County, WI)
St. Anne Parish (Ashland County, WI)

BARRON County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (Barron County, WI)
St. Joseph Parish (Barron County, WI)
St. Peter Parish (Barron County, WI)

St. Anthony the Abbot Parish (Barron County, WI)

Holy Trinity Parish (Barron County, WI)

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (Barron County, WI)

St. Joseph Parish (Barron County, WI)

St. Ann Parish (Barron County, WI)

BAYFIELD County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

Holy Family Parish (Bayfield County, WI)

St. Ann Parish (Bayfield County, WI)
St. Ann Parish (Bayfield County, WI)

St. Florian Parish (Bayfield County, WI)
St. Michael Parish (Bayfield County, WI)
St. Peter Parish (Bayfield County, WI)
Saints Peter and Paul Mission (Bayfield County, WI)
St. Francis Parish (Bayfield County, WI)

St. Louis Parish (Bayfield County, WI)

BURNETT County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (Burnett County, WI)
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish (Burnett County, WI)
St. John the Baptist Parish (Burnett County, WI)

DUNN County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. Luke Parish (Dunn County, WI)
St. Joseph Parish (Dunn County, WI)

IRON County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Parish
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish (Iron County, WI)

St. Isaac Jogues and Companions Parish (Iron County, WI)

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (Iron County, WI)

Holy Redeemer Parish (Iron County, WI)
St. Ann Parish (Iron County, WI)

LINCOLN County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. John the Baptist Parish (Lincoln County, WI)
St. Augustine of Harrison Mission (Lincoln County, WI)
St. Francis Xavier Parish (Lincoln County, WI)
St. Mary Parish (Lincoln County, WI)

ONEIDA County is encompassed by theDiocese of Superior.

St. John Vianney Parish (Oneida County, WI)

St. Patrick Parish (Oneida County, WI)
Immaculate Conception (St. Mary's) Parish - History (Oneida County)

St. Joseph Parish (Oneida County, WI)

St. Theresa Parish (Oneida County, WI)
St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Oneida County, WI)
Our Lady Queen of the Universe Parish (Oneida County, WI)

POLK County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. Joseph Parish

Our Lady of the Lakes Parish (Polk County, WI)
St. Patrick Parish (Polk County, WI)
St. John Parish (Polk County, WI)
St. Joseph Parish (Polk County, WI)

PRICE County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. Paul the Apostle Parish (Price County, WI)
St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Price County, WI)
St. Anthony de Padua (Price County, WI)
Our Lady of the North Parish (Price County, WI)

St. John The Baptist Parish (Price County, WI)

RUSK County

St. Mary Parish (Rusk County, WI)
St. Mary of Czestochowa Mission (Rusk County, WI)
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (Rusk County, WI)
St. John Mission (Rusk County, WI)
St. Anthony de Padua Mission (Rusk County, WI)
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (Rusk County, WI)
Saints Peter and Paul Parish (Rusk County, WI)

ST. CROIX County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. John the Baptist Parish (St. Croix County, WI)
Immaculate Conception Parish (St. Croix County, WI)
St. Patrick Parish (St. Croix County, WI)
Immaculate Conception Parish (St. Croix County, WI)

St. Anne Parish (St. Croix County, WI)
St. Bridget Parish (St. Croix County, WI)

SAWYER County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. Joseph Parish (Sawyer County, WI)

St. Francis Solanus Parish (Sawyer County, WI)
St. Philip Parish (Sawyer County, WI)
Sacred Heart Parish (Sawyer County, WI)
St. Peter Parish (Sawyer County, WI)

TAYLOR County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (Taylor county, WI)

SS. Peter and Paul Parish (Taylor county, WI)
St. Michael Mission (Taylor county, WI)
St. Stanislaus Mission (Taylor county, WI)
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish (Taylor county, WI)
St. John the Baptist Parish (Taylor county, WI)

St. Stephen's

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (Taylor county, WI)
St. Theresa Parish - (Taylor county, WI)
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (Taylor county, WI)

VILAS County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. Anne Parish (Vilas County, WI)
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish (Vilas County, WI)

St. Anthony of Padua Parish (Vilas County, WI)
St. Albert Parish (Vilas County, WI)
St. Mary Parish (Vilas County, WI)
St. Mary Parish (Vilas County, WI)

WASHBURN County is encompassed by the Diocese of Superior.

St. John Evagelist Parish (Washburn County, WI)

St. Mary Mission (Washburn County, WI)
St. Catherine Mission (Washburn County, WI)
St. Joseph Parish (Washburn County, WI)
St. Francis de Sales Parish (Washburn County, WI)

Capuchin Franciscan Friars of Midwest based in Calvary, WI (also in MT, MN, IL, IN, MI, and Central America)

For Byzantine Catholic refer to

The Unofficial Directory of Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S. for Wisconsin - (includes parishes of many Eastern Catholic rites).

Eparchy of St. Nicholas of the Ukrainians (Ukrainian)

St. Michael Byzantine - Ukrainian Catholic Church

The Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Archparchy of Pittsburgh

Byzantine Eparchy of Parma (official) (Ruthenian) includes most of Ohio and all states West of Ohio including Hawaii and Alaska. See History of the Eparchy of Parma (Official) Parish Directory and Map

Protection of the Mother of God (Byzantine - Ruthenian/Parma)

The Eparchy of Newton (Melkite Greek) - Alternate site:The Eparchy of Newton

Diocesan Offices: 19 Dartmouth Street, West Newton, MA 02165

Parishes and Geographic Locations

News from across the Eparchy

Some Questions Answered or Educational and Reference materials to learn about the Melkite-Greek rite.
St. George Melkite (Byzantine) Greek Catholic Church

with a History of Milwaukee's Melkites, Milwaukee Melkite Timeline &

Syrian-Lebanese Melkites in Milwaukee (Melkite Catholic) and more.

The Byzantine Catholic Church in America (unofficial)

For more information on the Byzantine Catholic Churches in the United States Click here to return to Main Local Catholic Byzantine Links

Return to MENU

Catholic Cemetery Records

Cemeteries by State Index has cemetery and address listings for some states
The Big Book - GTE
Cemeteries alphabetically listed by Name of Cemetery

Historical Research of Catholic Churches & Ancestors
Wisconsin

See also Catholic Biographies

Explorers and Missionaries

Reminiscences of a Pioneer Missionary, by Rev. Chrysostom Verwyst, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Separate no. 173, from the Proceedings of the Society for 1916, Contributed by Timm Severud

Dioceses and Churches

Locate Catholic Churches and Mass Times in the United States

Also available via phone at 1-800 Mass Times 1-800-627-7846

St. Mary's Parish - Tomah, MONROE, WI with History
Eighteenth annual La Crosse Diocesan Rural Life Day (1998) - Homily
Syrian-Lebanese Melkites in Milwaukee (Melkite Catholic)

Schools

Catholic History General

Wisconsin Catholic Conference - The Public Policy Voice of Wisconsin's Bishops.
History of the Marx and Stumpf Family's immigration from Germany as written and researched by my cousin, Louise Marx Swain* - with information concerning German and Scandinavian immigration to Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota, contains some history on the building of the Catholic Church in Hampton Township, Dakota County, MN -on the family site by Heidi Goetsch-Guio. Links to Heidi's other family history pages include passenger lists, biographies, news items and more...She has a delightful site..

Return to MENU

Catholic Biographies
If you know of a web site for a Catholic biography with a Wisconsin connection, please let me know.

Explorerers and Missionaries

History of the Marx and Stumpf Family's immigration from Germany as written and researched by my cousin, Louise Marx Swain*- with information concerning German and Scandinavian immigration to Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota, contains some history on the building of the Catholic Church in Hampton Township, Dakota County, MN -on the family site by Heidi Goetsch-Guio. Links to Heidi's other family history pages include photos, passenger lists, biographies, news items and more...She has a delightful site.
Pere Marquette and the Legacy of the French in Wisconsin - includes information about Rev. Philip Gordon, a Chippewa Indian Catholic priest, who was reported, in 1916, to have the distinction of being the first Indian to be ordained, in America, as a Catholic priest (others ordained outside of the U.S.); and Rev. William Ketcham, manager of the Bureau of Indiana Missions, who was reported to have been the only other Catholic Indian priest in this country at that time. These were among the first Native Americans ordained as priests in the U.S.A.
Blessed Kateri Tekakawitha Exhibit - Marquette University Archives - "...Christianity among the Indians of the Americas is exemplified in the religious lifestyle of Kateri Tekakawitha, a Mohawk Indian woman now regarded as a saint by her followers. Her importance to Native American Catholics, past and present, is illustrated with photographs and quotations from interviews..."
Reminiscences of a Pioneer Missionary, by Rev. Chrysostom Verwyst, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Separate no. 173, from the Proceedings of the Society for 1916, Contributed by Timm Severud
Wisconsin History & Genealogy Links

These are not specifically Catholic.

State of Wisconsin Official Web Site

Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services:

Obtaining Vital Records: (Birth, Marriage, Divorce, and Death)

Genealogy Research Page (For details on earliest record dates, etc.)
You can also obtain certified and uncertified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates at the Register of Deeds office in the county in which the event occurred.
Birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that occurred prior to 1907 are also available at the Wisconsin State Historical Society Archives.
Wisconsin Historical Society

Genealogy for Researchers

Local Government Web Sites in Wisconsin.

The Menominee Tribe in Wisconsin

Missionaries and Priests

The Algonquian language Menomini (or Menominee) - includes related links
The Menominee Clan Story, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Stephens Point
State Historical Society of Wisconsin

Area Research Center Network by County List
Milwaukee Urban Archives with area Naturalization records - the web page for Naturalization contains an informative description of the types of records which may be available and the naturalization process and laws!

Milwaukee County Historical Society

Wisconsin Genealogy, by Tina Vickery and Marcia Ann Kuehl.
Wisconsin Historical Society

Vital Records availability overview

Wisconsin Local History & Biography Articles: Digital Library and Archives

Wisconsin State Genealogical Society

1901 Wisconsin Atlas, online by KinQuest
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs - Museum and Research Center
Milwaukee County, WI
USGS - Geographic Names Information System - use the query form to locate geographic features, such as lakes, cemeteries, towns, and more.

Contact: Webweaver

I am voluntarily creating this site as a helpful guide to researching the history of the local Catholic Churches and to help genealogists who are researching Catholic ancestors in this geographic area.
Though links to this page for Catholic Church, genealogical, historical research and non-profit use are encouraged, please do not download the page without requesting permission since it contains copyright protected material. If you find an error, have a suggestion, or a site that you believe will be helpful, please let me know. --Ann Mensch
Return to MENU

References used include:

¹1990 Catholic Almanac. Felician A. Foy, O.F. M. (Editor), Rose M. Avato (Associate Editor). Huntington: Our Sunday Visitory Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.

1998 Catholic Almanac. Felician A. Foy, O.F. M. and Rose M. Avato (Editors and Compilers). Huntington: Our Sunday Visitory Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.
²New Advent, Inc. The Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright © 1913 by the Encyclopedia Press, Inc,. Electronic version copyright © 1997 by New Advent, Inc. (A Catholic Web Site transcribing The Catholic Encyclopedia: an International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline and History of the Catholic Church. Herbermann, Pace, et al. (Editors). Imprint: Appleton (New York) 1907-1912.)
Information learned from the web sites for the Archdioceses, Dioceses, and Catholic Church.

Diocese List

Archdiocese of Milwaukee (Wisconsin) (See also Michigan)

Diocese of Green Bay (Wisconsin)
Diocese of La Crosse (Wisconsin)
Diocese of Madison (Wisconsin)
Diocese of Superior (Wisconsin)