KENOSHA COUNTY, WI HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin by Western Historical Co, (1879) – 766 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.08.20.2028.AR

Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin by Lake City Publishing, (1892) – 1031 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.03.1924.AR

Kenosha County, Wisconsin: A Genealogical Overview

Positioned in the vibrant corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago, Kenosha County is the southeastern gateway to Wisconsin. Its identity is deeply connected to the waters of Lake Michigan and a powerful industrial heritage, most notably as a center of American automobile manufacturing for nearly a century. From its origins as the bustling port of Southport to its evolution into a manufacturing powerhouse, Kenosha’s history was shaped by waves of Yankee pioneers and European immigrants. For genealogists, the county’s records provide a detailed look into this rich history of commerce, industry, and community building.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Kenosha County was formed from a single parent county, making the path for earlier research clear and direct.

  • 1850: County Formed: Kenosha County was officially created on January 30, 1850.
  • Parent County: The county was formed from the southern half of Racine County. All genealogical research for ancestors living within the modern boundaries of Kenosha County prior to 1850 must be conducted in the records of Racine County.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained stable since its creation.
  • Name Origin: The name is derived from the Potawatomi name for the area, believed to mean “place of the pike” or “trout place.” The city of Kenosha was originally named Pike Creek, and then renamed Southport in 1837 before the county and city adopted the name Kenosha in 1850.
  • County Seat History: The city of Kenosha (formerly Southport) was established as the county seat upon the county’s formation and has remained the seat of government.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The land was the traditional territory of the Potawatomi people, who lived in villages along the lakeshore and Pike River.
  • Yankee Settlement: The first permanent American settlers, primarily from New York and New England, arrived in the mid-1830s. Attracted by the excellent natural harbor, they established the community of Pike Creek, which they quickly renamed Southport, reflecting its ambition to be the Wisconsin Territory’s southernmost port on Lake Michigan.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • Immigration and Growth: Beginning in the 1840s and continuing for decades, Kenosha attracted large numbers of immigrants seeking work in its factories. Significant populations of Germans, Irish, Danes, Poles, and Italians established strong ethnic communities that shaped the county’s cultural fabric.
    • Industrial Powerhouse: Kenosha became a major national center for manufacturing. While many industries thrived, the county became synonymous with automobile production. The Thomas B. Jeffery Company began producing the Rambler automobile in 1902, and through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the lakefront factory would later operate as Nash Motors, American Motors Corporation (AMC), and finally Chrysler until its closure in the late 1980s. The Simmons Bedding Company and Snap-on Tools were other iconic local industries.
    • Labor History: As a major manufacturing center, Kenosha developed a strong union presence and has a significant history of labor activism and organization.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records are well-organized and primarily located in the city of Kenosha.

  • County Public Records: Key offices are located in the Kenosha County Courthouse and the Kenosha County Administration Building in Kenosha.
    • Register of Deeds: This is the primary office for vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) and all land records (deeds, mortgages) from 1850 forward.
    • Clerk of Circuit Court: This office is the repository for all judicial records, including civil and criminal court cases. Its probate division maintains all wills and estate records from 1850.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Death, and Marriage Records: Records from 1850 to the present are held by the Kenosha County Register of Deeds. For vital records prior to 1850, researchers must consult the records of Racine County. Records after 1907 are also available from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office.
    • Probate Records: Estate and will records from 1850 are held by the Clerk of Circuit Court. Pre-1850 probate files for residents are located in Racine County.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Kenosha Public Library: The library maintains an excellent local history collection with city directories, newspapers on microfilm, plat maps, and access to genealogical databases.
    • Kenosha History Center: Operated by the Kenosha County Historical Society, this museum and archives is the premier institution for the county’s history. It holds extensive collections of photographs, manuscripts, business records, and artifacts.
    • University of Wisconsin-Parkside Archives and Area Research Center: Located just north of Kenosha, this is a regional repository for historical records from Kenosha and Racine counties, holding many government records, manuscript collections, and materials on local business and labor history.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Racine County, Wisconsin (north)
    • Walworth County, Wisconsin (west)
    • Lake County, Illinois (south)
    • Lake Michigan (east)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks