In our Archives
Discovering your family’s history is an amazing journey.
Census records, newspaper articles, photographs, and other artifacts hold the keys to a past we can only imagine. Our local history archives from throughout Manitowoc County, Wisconsin may be able to help you in your search. All together, the collection includes 10,000 3-D artifacts, 16,000 document records, and 25,000 photographs that document Manitowoc County history.
What’s in our museum’s Local history archives?
In addition to compiled local history books and artifacts, our archives includes many materials that may help in your family history search. These materials include:
Manitowoc County plat books for family owned land
Manitowoc County immigration dates and declarations from 1848 to 1929
Manitowoc County cemetery lists
Manitowoc County Civil War veterans biographies
Compiled village and town histories
Various church records including: St. Wendel, St. Isidore, St. Fidelis, St. Patrick
City and county directories beginning in 1864
Various one-room school materials, attendance records, and yearbooks.
A collection of early Manitowoc newspapers is also available for limited examination and referencing.
Thousands of images and documents for our County's cities, towns, and rural villages.
Local business records and documentation
Donated scrapbooks
Oral histories have also been collected and are available in various formats on a wide-range of subjects.
Featured Collections
The Manitowoc County Historical Society’s Local History Archives contains many collections from individuals and businesses including:
Marge Miley “Milestones” Collection
Francis Kadow Photo Collection
Daryl Cornick Photo Collection
Manitowoc Police Department Archive Collection
Rural School Record Collection
White Glove Archives Tours
Online Research Tools
Yacopi Troupe, MCHS 2009.65.3620
Monograph Series
The Manitowoc County Historical Society formally published a successful monograph series. You can find digital archives of the monographs using the link below.
Online archives collection
The Manitowoc County Historical Society collects and preserves thousands of artifacts, documents, and images to help us share Manitowoc County’s stories and help you connect to the community and its history. The vast majority of the collection is not yet online, but through this portal you can access many of the most significant, exciting, and popular materials in the Museum's collection. Search by key word or simply browse the collection items featured here.
Make an Item Donation to the Archives
Thank you for considering the Museum as a location to preserve your collection or heirloom.
Click here to learn more about this process.