Wisconsin. Circuit Court and County Court (Sauk County): Civil and Criminal Case Files, 1844-1979
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How to Use the Collection

To find Sauk County Civil and Criminal Case Files, 1844-1978, consult Indexes (Sauk Series 94). The access point to case files is by year, therefore it is helpful to have at least a date range in which the case was adjudicated.

1844-1924

See the “Microfilm Cases Index” portion of the register to Sauk Series 94. This is a direct index. Depending on the approximate year of the file you are looking for use Volume 1 or Volume 2. Look up person by last name and this will give the reel # and image numbers containing the case (Sauk Series 93).

1921-1978

To find cases for this time period the researcher must use an index book and a corresponding court record book. You will need to consult the registers to Indexes (Sauk Series 94), Circuit Court Civil Record Books (Sauk Series 84), and County Court Court Record Books (Sauk Series 92). In general it is recommended that researchers consult both sets of indexes: those for the Circuit Court and the set for the County Court.

Steps to finding case files:

  1. Use the volumes in Sauk Series 94 to find the entry for the person you are seeking. Consult the volume for the time period you believe the case was heard. Entries are arranged alphabetically by last name. Note the box and file number and if it was found in the Circuit Court Index or the County Court Index. For example, “56-71, Circuit Court.”
  2. Consult the volume list/finding aid for the Circuit Court Record Books (Sauk Series 84) or the County Court Record Books (Sauk Series 92). Determine the appropriate volume containing the box and file number you are seeking. For example, the box and file number “56-71” would be found in archives volume 14 of Circuit Court Record Books (Sauk Series 84).
  3. In the appropriate Court Record volume (either Sauk Series 84 or 92), consult the name index at the front of the volume to determine the page of the entry for the person you are seeking. From the entry page write down the reel and image number that appears. For example, the index indicates the entry for “56-71” is on page 25, on which is written “reel 206, images 1284-1389.”
  4. Request the appropriate reel from Sauk Series 93. For example, request reel 206. Scroll to image number 1284.
  5. If no reel and image number is given, the case file is in a box. Note the box number and request it.