Hi Karen! Minor detail, but Milwaukee has been an Archdiocese, not a Diocese, since 1875. The Archdiocese does not allow the public access to the records. All requests for genealogical records must be made in writing. I had no problems getting an accurate and timely response to my request the one time I made one (although my request was for an event in 1903). The person who filled my request not only sent a copy of the marriage record, but also took the time to label the columns, which were in Latin and difficult to read because they were in tiny print. Donations are suggested. The web site suggested $15 for a normal request, but I think the information page they sent back with their response suggested $20. I had sent only $10 and they still filled my request. (It was an easy request because I provided the exact name, date, and church, but I still figure next time I'll send a bit extra to make up for it). For information how to make a request, see the FAQ on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's web site: http://www.archmil.org/aboutus/ShowFAQ.asp?ID=4 Many of the early records were microfilmed by the LDS church and are available at any Family History Library. Use the catalog available on their web site (http://www.familysearch.org and then click on 'Search the Family History Library Catalog...' then 'Place Search' and fill in 'Milwaukee' for the place name and 'Wisconsin' as the 'Part of' name). Hope this helps! Good luck, Cheryl ----- Original Message ----- Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 13:10:40 -0800 (PST) From: "Karen Miller" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [GenWisc] Early Wisconsin Records - Diocese of Milwaukee I received some interesting information from the Notre Dame Archivist at Indiana re early church records in Wisconsin Most of my difficult French ancestors can only be found in church records. Has anyone been able to use the Diocese of Milwaukee (records starting 1843-1867)for early records and if so, how does one contact them? Karen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is what he said: The diocese to which a parish belongs can change over time. Wisconsin would have belonged to: Baltimore 1789 ---- Bardstown > Louisville 1808 ---------- Cincinnati 1821 ---------------- Detroit 1833 ---------------------- Milwaukee 1843 - -------------------------- La Crosse 1868 - -------------------------- Green Bay 1868 So up to 1867 all of Wisconsin would have been part of the Milwaukee diocese. ______________________________ __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com