MANITOWOC COUNTY, WI HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

A History of Manitowoc County by Ralph G. Plumb, (1904) – 384 Pages
Source: Library of the Congress
Book ID: CH.2024.09.17.2303.CD.LC

Manitowoc County, Wisconsin: A Genealogical Overview

Positioned on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Manitowoc County is a region shaped by water and waves of immigration. Known as the “Clipper City” for its celebrated shipbuilding past, its history is deeply connected to the Great Lakes. The county’s cultural landscape was primarily built by a vast influx of German and Bohemian (Czech) settlers in the 19th century, whose descendants continue to define the area’s heritage. For genealogists, the records of Manitowoc County offer a rich chronicle of maritime industry, Midwestern agriculture, and vibrant European immigrant communities.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Manitowoc County was formed during Wisconsin’s territorial period and was attached to its parent county for over a decade before becoming fully independent.

  • 1836: County Formed: Manitowoc County was created by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature on December 7, 1836.
  • 1848: County Organized: Although created in 1836, the county remained attached to its parent county for judicial and administrative purposes until it was fully organized with its own government in 1848. Official records prior to 1848 are likely to be found in Brown County.
  • Parent County: The county was formed entirely from the southern portion of Brown County. All genealogical research for the area before 1836 must be conducted in the records of Brown County.
  • Subsequent Formations: In 1852, the northern portion of Manitowoc County was detached to form Kewaunee County. Researchers with ancestors in the northern towns of Manitowoc County during the 1848-1852 period should check records in both counties.
  • Name Origin: The county and its seat are named for the Manitowoc River. The name is believed to derive from an Ojibwe or Menominee phrase, such as manidoo-waak or manitou-wauk, meaning “spirit-spawn,” “home of the spirits,” or “spirit-wood.”
  • County Seat History: The city of Manitowoc was designated as the county seat upon organization in 1848 and has remained so.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was historically the land of the Menominee, Potawatomi, and other Anishinaabe peoples. French fur traders were the first Europeans to establish posts in the region.
  • Immigration Waves: Beginning in the late 1840s, the county saw a massive influx of European immigrants seeking farmland.
    • Germans: Constituting the largest ethnic group, German immigrants settled throughout the county, establishing farms, churches, and businesses that became the backbone of the community.
    • Bohemians (Czechs): A significant population of Czech immigrants created a distinct and enduring cultural enclave in the southwestern part of the county.
    • Norwegians, Poles, and Irish: These groups also formed substantial communities, contributing to the county’s diverse European heritage.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • Shipbuilding Heritage: From the 1850s, Manitowoc grew into a major Great Lakes shipbuilding center, renowned for its fast-sailing “clipper” schooners.
    • World War II Submarines: The Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company achieved national fame during World War II by building 28 Gato and Balao-class submarines for the U.S. Navy, a unique accomplishment for a freshwater port. The submarines were side-launched into the Manitowoc River and navigated the Great Lakes and canal systems to reach the ocean.
    • Agriculture: The rich soil supported a thriving agricultural economy, with dairy farming and cheese production becoming central to the county’s identity, in line with Wisconsin’s reputation as “America’s Dairyland.”

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records for Manitowoc County are located at the courthouse, as well as at a regional state archive.

  • County Courthouse: The Manitowoc County Courthouse, 1010 S 8th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220, is the main repository for recent and vital records.
    • Register of Deeds: This is the primary office for genealogists, holding land records (deeds, mortgages) and vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces).
    • Clerk of Circuit Court: This office holds judicial records and probate records (wills and estate files). It also holds historical naturalization records created before 1906.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Death, and Marriage Records: Statewide registration began in 1907. However, the County Register of Deeds holds the official local copies and has earlier registrations dating back to the mid-19th century. Pre-1907 records can be incomplete but are an invaluable resource.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Manitowoc County Historical Society: An essential resource operating the Pinecrest Historical Village. Their archives contain extensive genealogical files, photographs, maps, and local history materials.
    • Manitowoc Public Library: Features a local history and genealogy room with city directories, plat maps, and microfilm copies of Manitowoc newspapers dating to the 1850s.
  • Archives and Research Centers:
    • University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Archives and Area Research Center: This is a critical repository for serious researchers. As part of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s network, it holds many of Manitowoc County’s original, historical government records, including tax rolls, probate files, court cases, and naturalization papers.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Brown County (west)
    • Calumet County (west)
    • Sheboygan County (south)
    • Kewaunee County (north)
    • Lake Michigan (east)

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