Genealogy and local history
Research requests
Platteville Public Library staff are not able to conduct genealogical research on behalf of others.
Searchable newspapers
Link: Newspapers.com
Many historic Southwest Wisconsin newspapers have been digitized and can be searched for free using library computers.
These newspapers are searchable outside the library for individuals who have purchased their own subscription to Newspapers.com.
The Platteville newspapers included are
- The Grant County Witness (1859-1906)
- The Platteville Journal (1899-1963)
- The Platteville Witness (1906-1937)
Microfilm
The Platteville Public Library has the following local newspapers on microfilm for visitors to use:
| Platteville Independent American | 01/11/1845 – 10/23/1857 |
| Platteville Examiner | 02/11/1858 – 05/27/1858 |
| Grant County Witness | 05/26/1859 – 02/14/1906 |
| Platteville Witness | 02/21/1906 – 12/29/1937 |
| Platteville Journal | 2/22/1901 – 12/2015 (1/2016 – present in paper form) |
The Platteville Public Library has the following other items on microfilm:
- Biographical Record of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette counties
- Civil War Veterans, 1890 – 1900
- Grant County Census 1850 – 1920, except 1890
- State Census for Grant County, 1905
- United Methodist Church of Platteville, 1841 – 1943 ministerial records
- Wisconsin County Histories 1900, no. 85-86
- Wisconsin Necrology, 1846 – 1944
HeritageQuest is available to Platteville Public Library cardholders through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Badgerlink. Badgerlink is a project that is supported and funded through the Wisconsin DPI’s Division for Libraries and Technology. Funding for some Badgerlink services is provided through the federal LSTA.
Southwest Wisconsin Archives at UW-Platteville
The Southwest Wisconsin Archives on the UW-Platteville campus is the area’s best resource for research on genealogy and local history. For more information on their holdings:
- Visit their website
- Call (608) 342-1719
- Email swwis@uwplatt.edu
Getting to the Southwest Wisconsin Room from the library:
The Southwest Wisconsin Room is on the lower level of the Ullsvik Center. If you enter the Ullsvik Center from the south entrance (the terraced entrance next to the circle drive on Pine Street), you will walk straight ahead past the box office to the Southwest Wisconsin Room.
Other resources
The Grant County Historical Society is located in Lancaster, WI. They have manuscript, photograph, and object collections. They have material documenting small town and rural life in Grant County, Wisconsin, dating primarily from 1860 to 1960.
Other local historical societies include Lafayette County Historical Society and Iowa County Historical Society.
The Grant County Genealogical Society holds regular meetings and puts out a quarterly newsletter.
Historic Platteville Images is a public Facebook group for people interested in Platteville history.
Maps of the City-Owned Cemeteries (Greenwood and Hillside) are available on the City of Platteville’s website.
The History of Grant County, Wisconsin was written by Consul Willshire Butterfield in 1881 and is available in searchable text online.
FamilySearch is a free genealogy website with a searchable database. It is accessible to everyone, and is provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
All are welcome to visit the Platteville Public Library and use the library resources.