Wisconsin

Wisconsin is known by several nicknames, including “America’s Dairyland” due to its significant dairy production, and the “Badger State.” Wisconsin earned the nickname “The Badger State”^[1] not because of the animal, but due to the lead miners of the 1800s. These miners, in search of lead ore, often lived in temporary dwellings that were essentially tunnels dug into the hillsides. This practice reminded people of badgers burrowing into the ground. The miners, who were sometimes too poor or too busy to construct more permanent homes, would live in these “burrows” during the harsh Wisconsin winters. This led to the miners being mockingly called “badgers,” a name they embraced, associating themselves with the tough and resilient nature of the animal. Thus, the state’s association with badgers is rooted in its rich lead mining past.^[2]

Wisconsin became the 30th state to join the Union on May 29, 1848.^[3] The state is the 23rd most extensive in the United States.^[4] As of the latest data, Wisconsin’s population is just over 5.9 million.^[5]

Wisconsin’s economy is diverse, with manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism as its major economic enterprises.^[6] It ranks among the top one-fourth of all states in farm income and manufactured goods.^[6] The state’s real GDP was $414.4 billion in goods and services per year as of the 3rd quarter of 2023.^[7] The state is renowned for its dairy products, particularly cheese.^[7] Notably, Wisconsin is a leading producer of Ginseng in the United States.^[8] Other significant industries by revenue include Life Insurance & Annuities, Property, Casualty and Direct Insurance, Health & Medical Insurance, and Hospitals.^[7] Wisconsin boasts a variety of natural attractions, such as the Niagara Escarpment, Delavan Lake, and Amnicon Falls State Park. It is also home to cultural landmarks like Taliesin, architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous estate. The state’s scenic beauty includes Door County, known for its picturesque landscapes and outdoor activities.

Research your ancestors on MyHeritage

History of WisconsinHistory of Wisconsin

The first European thought to have visited what is now Wisconsin was possibly Étienne Brûlé, a French explorer who may have traveled around Lake Superior in 1622 or 1623. The first documented European to set foot in Wisconsin was Jean Nicolet in 1634, who was seeking a new route to Asia on behalf of Samuel de Champlain, the governor of New France. Nicolet landed at Red Banks, near Green Bay, and his arrival marked the beginning of the French occupation and the fur trade era in the region.^[9]

Wisconsin transitioned from a U.S. territory to statehood on May 29, 1848, becoming the 30th state to join the Union.^[10] This followed a period of significant growth and settlement, spurred by its mining, lumber, and dairy industries.^[11]

During the American Civil War, Wisconsin played a notable role by providing over 91,000 soldiers to the Union Army. These soldiers were organized into 56 regiments and fought in every major battle of the war. Wisconsin’s contributions also included the famed Iron Brigade, which suffered high casualties but was renowned for its bravery^[12].

As the 19th century waned, Wisconsin experienced a transformation from a predominantly agrarian society to an industrial and technological one. The state’s economy was diversified, with farming, mining, and lumbering as the mainstays. The Progressive Era, from 1895 to 1925, brought significant reforms in government, public health, education, and labor laws, largely influenced by leaders like Robert La Follette.^[13]

The 20th century saw Wisconsin’s dairy industry flourish, especially during and after World War II, with dairy income reaching significant heights by the mid-century.^[14]

Demographics of WisconsinDemographics of Wisconsin

The demographic distribution of [state] population is as follows:^[15]

White: 83.35%
Black or African American: 6.34%
Two or more races: 4.42%
Asian: 2.84%
Other race: 2.22%
Native American: 0.78%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.05%

Most common surnames in WisconsinMost common surnames in Wisconsin

The demographic of Wisconsin surnames is as follows:^[16]

Surname	Incedence	Frequency
Johnson	46,246	1:130
Smith	31,351	1:191
Anderson	27,968	1:214
Miller	26,624	1:225
Nelson	19,412	1:309
Olson	19,326	1:310
Brown	18,548	1:323
Peterson	18,463	1:325
Williams	17,113	1:350
Schmidt	14,979	1:400

Researching family history in WisconsinResearching family history in Wisconsin

The National Archives at Chicago serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin with a broad range of federal documents. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves as the state archives, the state library, an Area Research Center, and the American history library for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Its research collections are divided between library and archives divisions. The Recollection Wisconsin Digitization Initiative brings together digital cultural heritage resources from Wisconsin libraries, archives, museums and historical societies and shares them with the world in partnership with the Digital Public Library of America. Wisconsin State Genealogical Society (WSGS) is a statewide genealogical organization. Founded in 1939, WSGS now has members both within and outside of Wisconsin that collects and publishes genealogical and historical material related to Wisconsin families and their forebears. The Wisconsin Historical Society and the University of Wisconsin (UW) System cooperate in a network of Area Research Centers (ARCs). Records particular to the local area are housed permanently at each Center and circulate within the network.

Wisconsin county listWisconsin county list

Wisconsin has 72 counties.


Adams	Ashland	Barron	Bayfield
Brown	Buffalo	Burnett	Calumet
Chipppewa	Clark	Columbia	Crawford
Dane	Dodge	Door	Douglas
Dunn	Eau Claire	Florence	Fond du Lac
Forest	Grant	Green	Green Lake
Iowa	Iron	Jackson	Jefferson
Juneau	Kenosha	Kewaunee	La Crosse
Lafayette	Langlade	Lincoln	Manitowoc
Marathon	Marinette	Marquette	Menominee
Milwaukee	Monroe	Oconto	Oneida
Outagamie	Ozaukee	Pepin	Pierce
Polk	Portage	Price	Racine
Richland	Rock	Rusk	Sauk
Sawyer	Shawano	Sheboygan	St. Croix
Taylor	Trempealeau	Vernon	Vilas
Walworth	Washburn	Washington	Waukesha
Waupaca	Waushara	Winnebago	Wood

Explore more about WisconsinExplore more about Wisconsin

MyHeritage.com has 66 genealogically valuable collections of documents. Included in these collections are Wisconsin Newspapers, 1884-2009, Wisconsin Deaths, US Naturalization Record Index, Northern Illinois, 1840-1950, Wisconsin Marriages, Wisconsin Divorces, and the Wisconsin, Birth Index, 1898-1920. The remaining collections also contain valuable information and can be viewed in the Collections Catalog for Wisconsin.

References

[1] Badger History: Why Are We the Badger State?

[2] 86 Interesting Facts About Wisconsin

[3] Wisconsin: A Very Brief History

[4] 50 States Ranked By Size, In Square Miles

[5] US States - Ranked by Population 2024

[:0-6] 6.0 ^6.1 Wisconsin - Manufacturing, Dairy, Tourism | Britannica

[:1-7] 7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 Economy of Wisconsin Statistics and Data Trends: GDP ranking, unemployment rate, and economic growth | USAFacts

[8] Statistics and Fun Facts About Wisconsin

[9] Arrival of the First Europeans

[10] States by Order of Entry into Union

[11] Wisconsin's Top 10 Agricultural Commodities

[12] Wisconsins Involvement in the Civil War

[13] ttps://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS3588

[14] A Midcentury Revolution In Farming Would Change Wisconsin Forever

[15] Wisconsin Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)

[16] Most Common Last Names In Wisconsin

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]