Genealogy

The Descendant Community’s Genealogy Initiative restores the histories of those once buried at the Milwaukee County Grounds by researching archival records, updating Find-A-Grave memorials, and reconnecting families with their Ancestors’ stories. We provide accurate historical context, rebuild identities from fragmented records, and honor the lives of individuals whose histories were marginalized or nearly erased.

Our Genealogists and Volunteer Efforts

Our genealogists examine burial ledgers, death certificates, census data, coroner inquests, institutional files, and newspaper archives to reconstruct accurate profiles of each Ancestor. This work identifies faith affiliations—including locating individuals of Jewish ancestry who were denied proper burial—and documents veterans whose service went unrecognized.

Find-A-Grave Memorial Restoration

To support family historians and descendants, our team updates Find-A-Grave memorials for those once buried in the four County Grounds cemeteries. Volunteers help transcribe death certificates, coroner inquests, burial-ledger entries, and other primary documents, making difficult-to-access records available to families.

• Milwaukee County Almshouse and Poor House Cemetery
• Milwaukee County Asylum Cemetery

Student Stories: Bringing Ancestors to Life

Through educational partnerships, high school students receive genealogical profiles prepared by our team and craft short, compassionate narratives based on real documentation. These stories honor marginalized individuals and teach students the humanity behind the records.

Get Involved: Support our educational programs by mentoring students or helping provide historical materials.

Black Ancestry Research

We are identifying individuals of African American ancestry who were buried at Milwaukee County Grounds Cemetery 2 and whose graves were later destroyed, paved over, or disturbed, denying families the ability to honor and protect their loved ones. These Ancestors include some of Milwaukee’s earliest Black families, who built lives in a city of immigrants despite discrimination and limited opportunity. This work calls us to restore dignity by recovering names, tracing family lines, and reconnecting descendants with their ancestors’ histories. Volunteers with knowledge of African American genealogy, local history, church records, census and vital records, or community research are essential to this effort. We invite you to join this meaningful work to replace generations of marginalization with remembrance, voice, and belonging.

Jewish Ancestry Research

We are identifying individuals of Jewish ancestry who were originally buried at the Milwaukee County Grounds and were denied proper Jewish burial due to poverty or institutionalization. This mitzvah calls us to restore their dignity by recovering their names and honoring the traditions withheld from them. Volunteers with knowledge of Milwaukee’s Jewish community, synagogue histories, cemetery records, or Jewish genealogy are essential to this work. We invite you to join this sacred effort to replace generations of marginalization with remembrance, care, and belonging. 

You can learn more about this effort in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle.

Veteran Research

Our team researches Civil War and Spanish–American War veterans buried in the County Grounds cemeteries, many of whom never received recognition for their service. Volunteers help identify veterans, review service documents, and ensure their sacrifices are remembered.

Learn more about our efforts to identify and honor veterans through the Veteran Identification & Recognition project.

Volunteer Form