Holdings
The museum houses the largest collection of artifacts relating to Sauk County and also has extensive collections of pictures, documents and research material.

Collections
Files on hundreds of Sauk County families are available along with many family histories. The Society also houses all Sauk County probate records prior to 1916.

Genealogists may make an appointment to use the various research material at the museum for research on their own.  Please contact the museum for further information or assistance with your research.

Census Records
The federal census was taken every ten years and began in Sauk County in 1850. 
A state census was also taken every ten years although five years staggered from the federal census (1855, 1865 etc.) Census records can be invaluable in giving us clues about particular people, (i.e. age, occupation, nationality etc.) One of the most helpful records is the 1900 federal census which listed more personal information than previous censuses. It also important to note that the 1890 federal census was lost due to fire.

Federal census records for Sauk County are contained on microfilm at the Baraboo Public Library, the Reedsburg Public Library and at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in Madison. Federal census records for the entire nation are also found on subscription websites like ancestry.com and genealogy.com Many of the census records have been indexed at these sites making searching much easier. 

Newspapers
Sauk County has a rich heritage of newspapers in German and English. Many Sauk County newspapers can be found at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in Madison or at various city libraries throughout the county. The Baraboo Public Library has an online newspaper index to births, deaths and marriages for Baraboo at their website. See the links page. The Reedsburg Public Library also has an online newspaper index for Reedsburg available at their website. See the links page.

The Spring Green Public library has an index for births, weddings, and obituaries for the local paper for 1877-1924. The libraries in Sauk City and Prairie du Sac also have local newspapers on microfilm

The Collection
See Photos
The museum contained in the Van Orden mansion is the result of nearly one hundred years of donations to the society. Thousands of artifacts and memorabilia relating to Sauk County or its inhabitants are displayed in over twenty rooms on all four floors of the mansion. Major displays include: the Devil's Lake room, Native American room, Pioneer room, Military room, and Architecture room among others. The original study of the mansion also serves as the research library and office of the museum curator. Hundreds of files contain pictures, documents and memorabilia relating to Sauk County and its inhabitants. Maps, directories, scrap books and history books are also housed here.

Museum's Photographic Collection available
Link to People from the Sauk County Area Photo Collection
A collection of over 10,000 photographs, postcards and stereo cards depicting Sauk County towns, villages, events and people - most taken in the early 1900's - has been scanned and is available for researchers. The collection consists of photographs of Baraboo, Black Hawk, Badger Ordnance Works (Powder Plant), C&NW Railroad, Churches, Circus, Devil’s Lake, Ironton, Lake Delton, LaValle, LaRue, Leland, Lime Ridge, Loganville, Merrimac, Military, Native American, North Freedom, People, Plain, Prairie du Sac, Reedsburg, Ringling Family, Rock Springs, Sauk City, Schools, Spring Green, Tuckertown, Valton, White Mound, Wisconsin Dells, Witwen. The collection also contains photographs of area Civil War soldiers. Researchers and genealogists may obtain reprints of any of the museum's photographs (hard copy or on a CD) for $10 each image plus postage.

Research
SCHS RESEARCH POLICY
The Sauk County Historical Society (SCHS) maintains a large collection of historical and genealogical research material. This collection can be made available to those interested in genealogy or other historical information.

On Site Research
The collection can be accessed during normal museum hours Tuesday thru Saturday 12:00 to 5:00. SCHS members may use the archives at no cost. For non-SCHS members, a fee of $20.00 per day. The fee must be paid prior to beginning research. Photocopies of any archival materials are $.25 per page.

Research via Correspondence

Genealogy and other research requests received via correspondence (mail, email, or telephone) are handled by staff and volunteer researchers at the museum.

Research requests will be handled on a first come, first served basis. Queries will be worked on as soon as possible, but, due to the volume of requests, may take as long as eight weeks to process. To submit a research request, print a copy of the RESEARCH REQUEST FORM from this web site, complete the form and send it to the museum with the minimum payment ($25.00 for non-members, $15.00 for members). Research requests will not be processed until the museum receives your form with your payment. Upon receipt of your request, it will be assigned to a researcher who will contact you as necessary. If your research requires more than one hour, you will be notified and given the option to continue the research or to receive what was discovered within the first hour of research. 

Research Assistance Form

The first floor of the museum is handicapped accessible with off street handicapped parking available behind the mansion via the alley.