Polk County, Wisconsin Genealogy

∣ Societies and Family History Resources ∣ Government Records ∣ Genealogy Links ∣ Publications ∣ Census Records ∣
∣ Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records ∣ Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records ∣
∣ Cemeteries & Graveyards ∣ Church & Bible Records ∣ County History ∣ Military Records ∣ Schools & Directories ∣

Polk County, Wisconsin genealogy and family history research page. Identify links to record collections, history, and genealogy information to aid you trace your personal Polk Co., ancestors. Begin by creating a Free Family Tree.

Polk County

Polk County was founded on December 7, 1836 from St. Croix County. The county was named in honor of James Polk (1795-1849), President of the United States (1845-1849) .

The Polk County Seat can be found in Stevens Point and the county government website is www.co.polk.wi.us/

Bordering Counties in Polk County include Burnett County (north), Barron County (east), Dunn County (southeast), St. Croix County (south), Washington County, Minnesota (southwest), Chisago County, Minnesota (west).

Populated Places in Polk County are Cities which consist of Amery, St. Croix Falls; Towns consist of Alden, Apple River, Beaver, Black Brook, Bone Lake, Clam Falls, Clayton, Clear Lake, Eureka, Farmington, Garfield, Georgetown, Johnstown, Laketown, Lincoln, Lorain, McKinley, Sterling, West Sweden, Ubet; Villages consist of Balsam Lake, Centuria, Clayton, Clear Lake, Dresser, Frederic, Luck, Milltown, Osceola.

Polk County does have Federal Census Schedules to assist in finding out about your family tree. United states federal Population Schedules are available for 1840 (as Wisconsin Territory), 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940. Polk Co. Mortality Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Polk Co. Industry and Agriculture can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Polk Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free down-loadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research.

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Polk County Societies and Family History Resources

A list of Polk County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also Wisconsin Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

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Polk County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers often fail to notice the importance of Polk County court, probate, and land files as a source of family history and genealogy details. Buried away in Wisconsin courthouses and archives everywhere are often the dreams and frustrations of countless Wisconsin residents.

The chances are excellent that your forefathers have left a in-depth record of at least some elements of their lives in the Polk County court records. Even if your ancestors is not discussed in a Court case, contemplate all of the other methods that could have lead to her or him to appear in court records.

Make sure you get in touch with the clerk's department to identify hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics in advance of visiting or asking for information because of in some cases changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The files are readily available to interested parties, barring private issues. A good number of workers will assist persons in obtaining the materials, however it's up to the particular person to undertake the researching.

The following indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Polk county. 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 County or Counties it was created from. Some counties formed from other counties transcribed their portion of property deeds to be kept with the new county deed records.

  • Polk County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 100 Polk County Plaza, Balsam Lake, WI 54810; Phone: 715.485.9226
  • Polk County Register of Deeds purpose 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.
    • Phone: 715-485-9252
    • Birth Records: 1867
    • Marriage Records: 1855
    • Death Records: 1865
    • Land Records: 1853
  • Polk County Register in Probate Office has the responsibility 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.
    • Address: 1005 W. Main Street, Suite 500, Balsam Lake, WI 54810
    • Phone: 715-485-9238
    • Probate Records: 1855 
  • Polk County Clerk of Court Office 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.
    • Address: 1001 W. Main Street, Balsam Lake, WI 54810
    • Phone: (715) 485-9299
    • Court Records: 1859
  • Polk County Treasurers 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.
  • Wisconsin Office of Vital Records has copies of Birth, Marriage, Divorce & Death Records reported since 1907. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Wisconsin for current fees and application process.
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....
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Polk County Genealogy Links

The following are web links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources associated to Polk County. Many of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a cost. This is just a listing which has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to provide your own most liked Polk County genealogy or family history related sites.

Polk Co. WI Books, Newspapers & Publications

Polk Co. WI Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Polk Co. WI Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Polk Co. WI Census Records

Polk Co. WI Cemeteries & Graveyards

Polk Co. WI Church & Bible Records

Polk Co. WI Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Polk Co. WI General and History Websites

Polk Co. WI Immigration & Naturalization

Polk Co. WI Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Polk Co. WI Military Records

Polk Co. WI Schools & Directories

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