GUTHRIE RESEARCH BY LOCATION

Wisconsin Territory was organized in 1836 from the western portion of Michigan Territory. It achieved statehood as the 30th state on May 29, 1848. Early settlement accelerated in the 1840s–1860s, drawing many families from New York, New England, and Europe seeking farmland, lumber opportunities, and urban growth in areas like Milwaukee, Waukesha, and the Mississippi River counties. Guthrie families appear in federal censuses, land patents, vital records, and local histories from the territorial period onward, often migrating westward from earlier Eastern or Mid-Atlantic roots. Wisconsin’s 72 counties were mostly formed between the 1830s and 1860s; research often begins at the county level for deeds, probates, and court records, with centralized indexes available through the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS).

ONLINE WISCONSIN GENEALOGY RECORDS

WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY – GENEALOGY & FAMILY HISTORY

LIST of WISCONSIN COUNTIES, FORMATION DATES, and MAPS

GUTHRIE FAMILY GROUP CONNECTIONS in WISCONSIN:

Several documented Guthrie Family Groups (GFGs) have branches that settled in Wisconsin during the 19th century, primarily in southeastern and central counties. These connections are tracked through Y-DNA, autosomal DNA, census, land, and local history sources on the Guthrie Genealogy blog.

• GFG6 (James Guthrie & Editha Munson line, CT/NY origins): William Guthrie (b. 28 Jan 1814, Hebron, Washington Co., NY) and Sarah Catherine Neill migrated to Vernon Township, Waukesha County, between 1850 and 1860. They raised a large family there. The unincorporated community of Guthrie, Wisconsin (in Vernon Township, Waukesha Co.) is most likely named after this family or close relations. Y-DNA and Family Finder project participants are associated with this group. Eldest son and siblings born in Vernon after the family’s move from New York.
• GFG14 – Branch B (William Guthrie & Susan Wright, NY origins): Son John Lyman Guthrie (b. 2 Sep 1837, Genesee Valley, NY; d. 28 Nov 1927, Oakdale, Monroe Co., WI) was a Civil War veteran who purchased land in Monroe County and developed a farm. He married Caroline Eransie Leffingwell in Monroe County on 27 Apr 1863. His mother, Susan (Wright) Guthrie, died 8 Jun 1896 in Oakdale and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery. A 1912 History of Monroe County Wisconsin biographical sketch details the family. 1870 U.S. Census places them in Oakdale Township.
• Related GFG13 connection (James Guthrie & Jane Smith line, Ireland/NY origins): Margaret Guthrie (b. ~1810, Ballston Center, Saratoga Co., NY; d. 24 Feb 1886, LaGrange, Walworth Co., WI) married James Stewart in 1831 in Genesee Co., NY. The family relocated to Walworth County by 1850. Additional Stewart-Guthrie descendants appear in Rock and Walworth County records.
• Other early mentions: Matthew Guthrie (associated with GFG5-C, KY origins) received a 160-acre military land warrant in Calumet County (1849) for Mexican-American War service but died en route (Oct–Dec 1849) on the Upper Mississippi River near Island 71.

WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (STATE ARCHIVES) RESOURCES

The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) in Madison serves as the official state archives and one of the premier genealogy repositories in the U.S. Key holdings include:

• Pre-1907 Wisconsin Birth, Marriage, and Death indexes (free searchable on-site or via partnered Ancestry access).
• Wisconsin State Censuses (1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905).
• Local histories, newspapers on microfilm, probate indexes, land records, and naturalization papers.
• Area Research Centers (ARCs) across the state hold county-level originals.
• Online catalog and digital collections for family history searches (over 3 million records indexed).

Search tip: Use the WHS Library Catalog for “Guthrie” + county name. Many materials are also available remotely via interlibrary loan or digitization requests.

LAND AND PROPERTY RECORDS

Early Guthrie settlers acquired land via federal patents (cash entry, military warrants, homesteads) through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or county Register of Deeds offices. Example: Matthew Guthrie’s 1849 military warrant in Calumet County. County-level deeds often reveal arrival dates, neighbors, and family relationships. Many early records are digitized on FamilySearch or available at WHS ARCs.

VITAL RECORDS (BIRTH, MARRIAGE, DEATH)

• Pre-1907: Centralized indexes at WHS (births, marriages, deaths). County-level originals for most events.
• Post-1907: Wisconsin Department of Health Services (Vital Records).
• Many Guthrie marriages and deaths appear in Waukesha, Monroe, Walworth, Milwaukee, and Eau Claire counties. Local genealogical societies (e.g., Waukesha County Genealogical Society) often hold transcriptions or cemetery books.

PROBATE AND COURT RECORDS

Wisconsin probate records (wills, estates, guardianships) are held at the county level, with many indexes and images on Ancestry (“Wisconsin, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1800–1987”) or partially on FamilySearch. WHS holds some microfilmed copies. Search county probate indexes for Guthrie estates, especially in 19th-century settlement counties.

CENSUS AND DIRECTORY RECORDS

• Federal censuses (1850 onward) show Guthrie households in Waukesha (Vernon), Monroe (Oakdale), Walworth (LaGrange), Milwaukee, Eau Claire, and others.
• Wisconsin State Censuses (every 10 years 1855–1905) provide additional snapshots of family size and nativity.
• City directories and township histories often list Guthries as farmers, merchants, or Civil War veterans.

MILITARY RECORDS

Wisconsin contributed heavily to the Civil War. WHS holds rosters, pension files, and service records. Example: John Lyman Guthrie (GFG14) served and was discharged in 1863; his biography appears in Monroe County histories. Mexican-American War and later conflicts are also documented at WHS.

LOCAL HISTORIES AND NEWSPAPERS

Digitized county histories (e.g., History of Monroe County Wisconsin, 1912) frequently mention Guthrie families and are accessible via WHS, Archive.org, or Google Books. Newspaper collections at WHS or Newspapers.com yield obituaries, land notices, and social items.

NEEDED DATA / FURTHER RESEARCH:

• Additional pre-1907 vital record transcriptions or images for early Waukesha/Monroe families.
• Deed and tax roll details for Vernon Township (Waukesha) and Oakdale (Monroe).
• Church records (baptisms, burials) from area congregations.
• Connections to other GFG branches that may have passed through Wisconsin en route west.

If you have access to WHS collections, local society files, or family documents related to Guthries in Wisconsin, please share in the comments below or contact the blog. Contributions help build the complete picture of Guthrie migration and settlement in the Badger State!