Surnames: LOOMIS PORTER ROBBIN THAYER BARTLETT DOWLING ALFORD RATHMAN MAYOLETH Submitter: Karen (kren@merr.com) Date: 24 Feb 2000 URL: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kamber/ LOOMIS/PORTER/ROBBIN/THAYER/BARTLETT/ ALFORD/DOWLING/HINEY/MASON/RATHMAN/MAYOLETH

Dear Peter & Kathy: Thank you for the "official" policy. This policy is certainly in line with all the other county policies that I have seen. I does not limit who has access to the actual records, as was my major concern, since the indexes do not provide the detail researchers such as ourselves require. Thank you again for clarifying this information. Sincerely, Jeannette Schwarz jeannett@execpc.com Sauk County Historical Society wrote: > > TO ALL ROOTSWEB READERS > > > Peter Shrake Kathy Waddell > Executive Director Archivist > > EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2000 > > POLICY FOR ON-SITE SEARCHING > > a.. Two persons are allowed in the search area at one time. This office reserves the right to alter the number of searchers allowed in the area. > b.. A two hour limit may be imposed if others are waiting to search. > c.. First time searchers will be provided an orientation to the archives upon request. > d.. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. > e.. At the time of registration, the searcher will be given a list of State regulations and office policies regarding the lawful use of the State's vital records. The searcher is expected to read and follow these rules and policies. Failure to comply may result in loss of searching privileges. > f.. Every searcher must register each day he/she enters the search area. The searcher must be prepared to show proper identification. The acceptable form of identification is a driver's license. > g.. Wisconsin statute limits who may receive a certified copy of a vital record. The searcher will be asked to state his/her relationship to the person listed on the record when asking for a certified copy. Staff will determine whether a certified copy of the record will be issued. > h.. Government agencies are exempt from this policy. > i.. You may not change an entry in any record. This may only be done with an order from a Court or by the State Register of Vital Statistics, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. If you feel that a record is incorrect, please contact a staff person for assistance. > j.. The hours of searching are: > > Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. > > Thank you for your cooperation! > >

I just took a look at the LDS card catalog and see that many Sauk Co courthouse records are available on mirofilm. Apparently these records were photocopied at the county level. Did the courthouse not get a set of the microfilm as part of the agreement when they were copied? If handling original records is a problem, is there not a way the local genealogical society along with the county commissioners could not provide for a couple of microfilm readers so that people could read from the film? .Gayle gayle1@wheatstate.com

TO ALL ROOTSWEB READERS On Friday, February 18th, the Sauk County Historical Society posted a notice concerning the upcoming changes in research procedures at the Register of Deeds at the Sauk County Courthouse, West Square Building. This notice was made with several noticeable errors which were made completely on our part. The Sauk County Historical Society sincerely apologizes to both the Register of Deeds, and any researcher who read the notice, for any confusion, anger, and disturbances this notice may have caused. Accompanying this note the reader will find the correct new policy guidelines, release by the County itself, regarding research at the Register of Deeds. Once again please accept our apologies for any problems our statement may have caused. Peter Shrake Kathy Waddell Executive Director Archivist EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2000 POLICY FOR ON-SITE SEARCHING a.. Two persons are allowed in the search area at one time. This office reserves the right to alter the number of searchers allowed in the area. b.. A two hour limit may be imposed if others are waiting to search. c.. First time searchers will be provided an orientation to the archives upon request. d.. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. e.. At the time of registration, the searcher will be given a list of State regulations and office policies regarding the lawful use of the State's vital records. The searcher is expected to read and follow these rules and policies. Failure to comply may result in loss of searching privileges. f.. Every searcher must register each day he/she enters the search area. The searcher must be prepared to show proper identification. The acceptable form of identification is a driver's license. g.. Wisconsin statute limits who may receive a certified copy of a vital record. The searcher will be asked to state his/her relationship to the person listed on the record when asking for a certified copy. Staff will determine whether a certified copy of the record will be issued. h.. Government agencies are exempt from this policy. i.. You may not change an entry in any record. This may only be done with an order from a Court or by the State Register of Vital Statistics, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. If you feel that a record is incorrect, please contact a staff person for assistance. j.. The hours of searching are: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thank you for your cooperation!

Colleen, The Register of Deeds office has checked with other offices and know they are well within their rights. They are not keeping you from the records. Only limiting their use. The indexes are still available for viewing. If a lawsuit comes about, I can assure you, they have the ammo to prove that people have been defacing these records and they need to be preserved. Other Register of Deeds offices in other counties across the US have limits on the use of their records. Believe me, I know. I have been to a lot. Sauk County was one that offered their records freely but that priviledge will be taken away in order to preserve the records for future generations. It is my understanding that some of the records are on microfilm at the State Historical Society. You may want to check with them. Kathy -----Original Message----- From: Colleen Boose <boose@win.bright.net> To: WISAUK-L@rootsweb.com <WISAUK-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Friday, February 18, 2000 3:59 PM Subject: [WISAUK] County records >I read with interest the recent decision by the Sauk County Register of >Deeds regarding their 'hands-off' policy. > >What happened to the "Freedom of Information Act"??? > >It would be interesting to see if their decision could result in a lawsuit. > >Colleen >Hager City, WI > >

Jeannette and list members, Good luck with your campaign. The Register of Deeds office is only trying to preserve their records. The books are falling apart because of use. The staff is tired of telling researchers to move to designated research areas (because they don't read signs) so they can do their everyday work. The corrections that have not been officially made by their office is unbelieveable and, again, it's defacing history. You may not understand this but as someone who is striving to save history for hundreds of generations in the future, something has to be done to save these records. I have seen a horrendous amount of damage done in the last few years. There is always someone researching these records. That means thousands of people, with some who just don't care, handling these precious records. Fortunately, the Register of Deeds can set rules. They were generous with their time and records but that priviledge was abused by a lot of people. After seeing the damage some irresponsible researchers have caused, I hate to say it, but in this case, I'm on the Register of Deed's side. Genealogy was not as popular as it was when your relative was in charge. In the last five to ten years, in some cases, it has gotten out of hand and if there are going to be records available for future generations, something has to be done. I hate what it is doing to people like you and me who have no intentions of defacing anything because we are the ones it's going to hurt the most. Of course, it will also hurt the ones who abuse because they are the ones who absolutely do not want to pay one penny to anyone for copies or research. There is a lot of free research out there. There is also a lot that costs money. I opt for the free stuff as I can't afford much else. But if it is valuable for my research, well, I save a little here and there and am glad to pay someone for their time. Copies can still be available but copies are $7.00 for death and marriage and $12.00 for birth. There are no "xerox" copies. It is hard when you can't go and research yourself. I know, I am doing my own family and the last name is Hughes. I almost have to look at the records and have come up with a roadblock in many Register of Deeds offices in Ohio and Alabama. Jeannette, I know it's hard to understand preserving records that are so "in tact" now. But as a preservationist and archivist for the last seven years, I have seen the deterioration of the records of this county and if you can see it, it's bad!!! As hard as it is for researchers now, it would be worse if the records were destroyed and gone forever. There are options. They may not be the ones we want but there are options. Many of the records are on microfilm at the State Historical Society. My suggestion is that you contact them. After all, it's not the actual records you need to see but the information that is on them, right? Good luck and please try to understand. Kathy Waddell, Archivist Sauk County Historical Society -----Original Message----- From: Jeannette L. Schwarz <jeannett@execpc.com> To: WISAUK-L@rootsweb.com <WISAUK-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Friday, February 18, 2000 7:39 PM Subject: Re: [WISAUK] Sauk County Courthouse searches >Dear Kathy & List Members: > >I am rather upset to hear about these changes. I can understand the >limitation of perhaps making COPIES of many records, since this does >take up the time of the staff. Milwaukee Co., for example, will only >allow a certain number of records to be pulled for copy each day and you >are only allowed 4 hours at a time in the records area. > >However, Sauk Co. has the best research facilities that I have seen so >far (and I've only been to about 7 or 8 counties). They have tons of >room for people to move around back there - it's not like their folks >don't have room to work around anyone else. > >Losing the ability to view the actual records will definitely hurt my >search BADLY!!! I am researching the KIRNER's and the GRAF's in the >county. As you can imagine, GRAF has several spellings, all of which >they seem to have used at one time or another. Also, I am researching >PRETSCH in Sauk. I only found the marriage certificate of my >great-grandfather by chance since it had been so hideously misspelled in >the actual document (please note that we did NOT attempt to correct any >misspelling in the documents with the staff). > >Please be assured that I will follow up with the courthouse on this and >if this is true and the ramifications are such that we will not have >access to the actual document - there will be a letter writing campaign >to the higher ups in the county or higher if necessary. My great-aunt >used to be the Register of Deeds there and I'm sure she will direct me >appropriately. > >I prefer to do my own research since I am the most familiar with the >family. A remote connection may appear that someone outside the family >would not find and therefore, more time would be lost or the information >might never be found. I have been to the courthouse many times over the >last year and am extremely familiar with their record keeping system. I >don't understand why we won't have access to information which was >previously available. This doesn't make sense. > >Jeannette Schwarz >Slinger, WI >jeannett@execpc.com > > > > >Sauk County Historical Society wrote: >> >> FYI: >> >> Bad news for researchers. The Sauk County Register of Deeds office, >> effective March 1, 2000, will no longer allow researchers to research their >> own birth, marriage, death, and land records. Researchers will be permitted >> to look at the indexes only and will only be allowed to see a limited number >> of certificates due to a shortage of staff and other work the staff needs to >> do. This limitation has come about due to some researchers who believe it >> is acceptable to correct records when they see what they believe to be a >> mistake. (The records are so marked up with "corrections" that is difficult >> to tell what is original and what is not.) Rules that were set down by the >> Register of Deeds office have not been followed. In order to preserve >> records, these limitations will be in affect. >> >> It is sad to see that so few are going to affect so many. >> >> The Sauk County Historical Society will still be allowed to do research for >> clients (a fee is involved). There are only two of us in the Society, >> however, permitted to check records. The two of us are allowed due to the >> Society's history with their office, our mission to preserve county history, >> and we are currently funded by the county. Society members, however, will >> have to follow the rules of every other researcher. If queries are sent >> directly to the Register of Deeds office and require any research, they will >> be referred to us. >> >> If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail us at schist@shopstop.net >> >> Kathy Waddell, Archivist >

Exactly what information can be found on the indexes? I don't need copies of the actual records if the indexes contain all of the same information.

I'm curious to know if anyone on this list server might have access to the 1880 census of Sauk County, Wisconsin, and whether or not they might be able to tell me something about the family of a man named Charles BAKER and his wife Christena (Grissel or Krissel). One of their sons was my great grandfather, Ernest Baker, and he was born on Jan 2, 1872, in Sauk Co., WI. Does anyone here have access to the 1880 census for Sauk County? If so, could you please try to see if you can find the census record of this family of German immigrants? Both Charles and Christena were born in or near Weisbaden, Germany and both emigrated to the U. S. sometime prior to 1872. I'm told that Charles died somewhere in Wisconsin in 1887, presumably in Sauk County, but I don't know for sure much of anything about this great great grandfather of mine. Any help on this Baker family would be SINCERELY appreciated. Thanks/Kelly

Please ignore. I am not receiving mail from lists. Checking mail servers.

Dear Kathy & List Members: I am rather upset to hear about these changes. I can understand the limitation of perhaps making COPIES of many records, since this does take up the time of the staff. Milwaukee Co., for example, will only allow a certain number of records to be pulled for copy each day and you are only allowed 4 hours at a time in the records area. However, Sauk Co. has the best research facilities that I have seen so far (and I've only been to about 7 or 8 counties). They have tons of room for people to move around back there - it's not like their folks don't have room to work around anyone else. Losing the ability to view the actual records will definitely hurt my search BADLY!!! I am researching the KIRNER's and the GRAF's in the county. As you can imagine, GRAF has several spellings, all of which they seem to have used at one time or another. Also, I am researching PRETSCH in Sauk. I only found the marriage certificate of my great-grandfather by chance since it had been so hideously misspelled in the actual document (please note that we did NOT attempt to correct any misspelling in the documents with the staff). Please be assured that I will follow up with the courthouse on this and if this is true and the ramifications are such that we will not have access to the actual document - there will be a letter writing campaign to the higher ups in the county or higher if necessary. My great-aunt used to be the Register of Deeds there and I'm sure she will direct me appropriately. I prefer to do my own research since I am the most familiar with the family. A remote connection may appear that someone outside the family would not find and therefore, more time would be lost or the information might never be found. I have been to the courthouse many times over the last year and am extremely familiar with their record keeping system. I don't understand why we won't have access to information which was previously available. This doesn't make sense. Jeannette Schwarz Slinger, WI jeannett@execpc.com Sauk County Historical Society wrote: > > FYI: > > Bad news for researchers. The Sauk County Register of Deeds office, > effective March 1, 2000, will no longer allow researchers to research their > own birth, marriage, death, and land records. Researchers will be permitted > to look at the indexes only and will only be allowed to see a limited number > of certificates due to a shortage of staff and other work the staff needs to > do. This limitation has come about due to some researchers who believe it > is acceptable to correct records when they see what they believe to be a > mistake. (The records are so marked up with "corrections" that is difficult > to tell what is original and what is not.) Rules that were set down by the > Register of Deeds office have not been followed. In order to preserve > records, these limitations will be in affect. > > It is sad to see that so few are going to affect so many. > > The Sauk County Historical Society will still be allowed to do research for > clients (a fee is involved). There are only two of us in the Society, > however, permitted to check records. The two of us are allowed due to the > Society's history with their office, our mission to preserve county history, > and we are currently funded by the county. Society members, however, will > have to follow the rules of every other researcher. If queries are sent > directly to the Register of Deeds office and require any research, they will > be referred to us. > > If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail us at schist@shopstop.net > > Kathy Waddell, Archivist

I forwarded the note from the Sauk County Historical Society to Jack Brissee, Wisconsin State Genealogical Society President, asking him for advice. I too have done research at the courthouse. I have spent four-five hours there and only took perhaps five minutes of their time for brief instruction. I was the only one there and certainly was not in the way. It is a lovely facility, they were very friendly and I felt welcome. It was not crowded and I certainly DID NOT MARK THE RECORDS! I may go up there before March 1 and get as much done as possible. All of my grandfather's family came from Sauk County. My research centers there. ----- Original Message ----- From: Jeannette L. Schwarz <jeannett@execpc.com> To: < Sent: Friday, February 18, 2000 9:42 PM Subject: Re: [WISAUK] Sauk County Courthouse searches > Dear Kathy & List Members: > > I am rather upset to hear about these changes. I can understand the > limitation of perhaps making COPIES of many records, since this does > take up the time of the staff. Milwaukee Co., for example, will only > allow a certain number of records to be pulled for copy each day and you > are only allowed 4 hours at a time in the records area. > > However, Sauk Co. has the best research facilities that I have seen so > far (and I've only been to about 7 or 8 counties). They have tons of > room for people to move around back there - it's not like their folks > don't have room to work around anyone else. > > Losing the ability to view the actual records will definitely hurt my > search BADLY!!! I am researching the KIRNER's and the GRAF's in the > county. As you can imagine, GRAF has several spellings, all of which > they seem to have used at one time or another. Also, I am researching > PRETSCH in Sauk. I only found the marriage certificate of my > great-grandfather by chance since it had been so hideously misspelled in > the actual document (please note that we did NOT attempt to correct any > misspelling in the documents with the staff). > > Please be assured that I will follow up with the courthouse on this and > if this is true and the ramifications are such that we will not have > access to the actual document - there will be a letter writing campaign > to the higher ups in the county or higher if necessary. My great-aunt > used to be the Register of Deeds there and I'm sure she will direct me > appropriately. > > I prefer to do my own research since I am the most familiar with the > family. A remote connection may appear that someone outside the family > would not find and therefore, more time would be lost or the information > might never be found. I have been to the courthouse many times over the > last year and am extremely familiar with their record keeping system. I > don't understand why we won't have access to information which was > previously available. This doesn't make sense. > > Jeannette Schwarz > Slinger, WI > jeannett@execpc.com > > > > > Sauk County Historical Society wrote: > > > > FYI: > > > > Bad news for researchers. The Sauk County Register of Deeds office, > > effective March 1, 2000, will no longer allow researchers to research their > > own birth, marriage, death, and land records. Researchers will be permitted > > to look at the indexes only and will only be allowed to see a limited number > > of certificates due to a shortage of staff and other work the staff needs to > > do. This limitation has come about due to some researchers who believe it > > is acceptable to correct records when they see what they believe to be a > > mistake. (The records are so marked up with "corrections" that is difficult > > to tell what is original and what is not.) Rules that were set down by the > > Register of Deeds office have not been followed. In order to preserve > > records, these limitations will be in affect. > > > > It is sad to see that so few are going to affect so many. > > > > The Sauk County Historical Society will still be allowed to do research for > > clients (a fee is involved). There are only two of us in the Society, > > however, permitted to check records. The two of us are allowed due to the > > Society's history with their office, our mission to preserve county history, > > and we are currently funded by the county. Society members, however, will > > have to follow the rules of every other researcher. If queries are sent > > directly to the Register of Deeds office and require any research, they will > > be referred to us. > > > > If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail us at schist@shopstop.net > > > > Kathy Waddell, Archivist

What was the decision. I just gave them $36 for three records a couple weeks ago. :) Kris -----Original Message----- From: Colleen Boose [mailto:boose@win.bright.net] Sent: Friday, February 18, 2000 4:05 PM To: WISAUK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [WISAUK] County records I read with interest the recent decision by the Sauk County Register of Deeds regarding their 'hands-off' policy. What happened to the "Freedom of Information Act"??? It would be interesting to see if their decision could result in a lawsuit. Colleen Hager City, WI

I read with interest the recent decision by the Sauk County Register of Deeds regarding their 'hands-off' policy. What happened to the "Freedom of Information Act"??? It would be interesting to see if their decision could result in a lawsuit. Colleen Hager City, WI

FYI: Bad news for researchers. The Sauk County Register of Deeds office, effective March 1, 2000, will no longer allow researchers to research their own birth, marriage, death, and land records. Researchers will be permitted to look at the indexes only and will only be allowed to see a limited number of certificates due to a shortage of staff and other work the staff needs to do. This limitation has come about due to some researchers who believe it is acceptable to correct records when they see what they believe to be a mistake. (The records are so marked up with "corrections" that is difficult to tell what is original and what is not.) Rules that were set down by the Register of Deeds office have not been followed. In order to preserve records, these limitations will be in affect. It is sad to see that so few are going to affect so many. The Sauk County Historical Society will still be allowed to do research for clients (a fee is involved). There are only two of us in the Society, however, permitted to check records. The two of us are allowed due to the Society's history with their office, our mission to preserve county history, and we are currently funded by the county. Society members, however, will have to follow the rules of every other researcher. If queries are sent directly to the Register of Deeds office and require any research, they will be referred to us. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail us at schist@shopstop.net Kathy Waddell, Archivist

Hi Phyllis: White Mound (if this is the same one) is now a County Park and has been for a number of years. It's a very nice park with a small lake, hiking trail, and horseback riding trail. It is nothing fancy, no waterslides or anything. There is a shelter for family picnics. My family went camping there for several years and had a lot of fun. I also know one of the people who takes care of the park and will get his address and phone number for you. I'm sure he can give you information about White Mound. A cousin of mine was married to a Terry Liegel. I believe he was from Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin. There are still lots of Liegels living in Spring Green. They were married in 1978 in the Catholic Church in Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin. He died in a tragic accident several years ago. I can't remember off the top of my head who is parents were, but I will keep your email address and get back to you with the information. I can also send you the names, addresses and phone numbers of the Liegels listed in the phone directory. Linda Carpenter Fry Richland Center, Wisconsin Phyllis Dearborn wrote: > > Hello All; > > Would anyone on this list know anything about White Mound, also known as > "Billytown". It no longer exists, but was located on the farm in Franklin > Township on which I grew up. I do have 2 pictures but looking for more and > also any history of it. > I am researching my LIEGEL family and would like to include information on > this ghost town. > > Phyllis Liegel Dearborn

Hello All; Would anyone on this list know anything about White Mound, also known as "Billytown". It no longer exists, but was located on the farm in Franklin Township on which I grew up. I do have 2 pictures but looking for more and also any history of it. I am researching my LIEGEL family and would like to include information on this ghost town. Phyllis Liegel Dearborn

I received this without the attachment, i.e., the messages. Jocelyn Harvey

The names I am searching in Sauk Co. are Hill (Valentia and Mary) bro William, ; Rhines,( Henry and Affa), Webster, Caldwell, and Hamilton. Lois and Ken Mogren

Hi, My Sauk County surnames are AYERS/AYER/AYRES/EYRE, and THOMAS. Our genealogy information is on our web site under the THOMAS Family link. Christine Thomas Arthur & Christine Thomas web page ... http://www.athenet.net/~athomas/ e-mail ... athomas@athenet.net

Hello, Does the Ochsner family originate from the Chur/Felsberg, Canton Graubunden, area of Switzerland? My ancestors, the Nolds are from Felsberg, and they settled in the Honey Creek area in the late 1840s. Does the Ochsner family have a similar geographic origin? If it does, I would like to purchase a copy of the book. Thanks, Tom in Chapel Hill On Mon, 7 Feb 2000 16:08:21 -0600 "Sauk County Historical Society" <schist@shopstop.net> writes: >Susan, > >There is an Ochsner Family history book available at our Society for >$7.00 >with $2.00 shipping and handling. This Ochsner family goes back to >Switzerland and there is history back about 400 years plus. This >Ochsner >family also was from Honey Creek which is just north of Sauk City. >Unfortunately, your Ochsners are not listed in this family tree but I >could >be missing something since your Ochsners are from Sauk City. As far >as I >know there was only one Ochsner family in Sauk County and they were >all >related. Maybe the book could give you clues. It is 85 pages long. >If >you're interested, contact me. > >Kathy Waddell, Archivist >schist@shopstop.net > >-----Original Message----- >From: Susan L. Clark <ancestor@jps.net> >To: WISAUK-L@rootsweb.com <WISAUK-L@rootsweb.com> >Date: Sunday, February 06, 2000 9:08 PM >Subject: Re: [WISAUK] History of Sauk County > > >>Kathy, >> >>My husband's Ochsner side of the family were in Sauk City, Sauk Co. >I have >>some info on the family but not a great deal. Grandfather Washington >Henry >>Ochsner was the son of John Jacob Ochsner of Switzerland and >Elizabeth >>(Bretch/Brecht?) of Ohio. They had three other children: Benjamin, >Emma, >>and Edward D. John Jacob was the son of Leonhard Ochsner and Anna >>(Schlemp/Schlemf?), both of Switzerland. >> >>Susan >> > ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.