The work of the Diocesan Archives is guided by the Code of Canon Law, which emphasizes the importance of preserving Church records:

C. 482 - In every curia a chancellor is to be appointed whose principal function, unless particular law establishes otherwise, is to take care that acts of the curia are gathered, arranged, and safeguarded in the archive of the curia.

C. 486 - All documents which regard the diocese or parishes must be protected with the greatest care.
  S2 - In every curia there is to be erected in a safe place a diocesan archive, or record storage area, in which instruments and written documents which pertain to the spiritual and temporal affairs of the diocese are to be safeguarded after being properly filled and diligently secured.
  S3 - An inventory, or catalog, of the documents which are contained in the archive is to be kept with a brief synopsis of each written document.

C. 487 - Interested parties have the right to obtain personally or through a proxy an authentic written copy or photocopy of documents which by their nature are public and which pertain to their personal status.

C. 491 - A diocesan bishop is to take care that the acts and documents of the archives of cathedral, collegiate, parochial, and other churches in his territory are also diligently preserved and that inventories or catalogs are made in duplicate, one of which is to be preserved in the archive of the church and the other in the diocesan archive.
  S2 - A diocesan bishop is also to take care that there is an historical archive in the diocese and that documents having historical value are diligently protected and systematically ordered in it.

Currently, the archives is engaged in a major undertaking to digitize all the Sacramental record books in every pastorate/parish in the Diocese of Madison. We are at approximately 25% completion as of March 2025. The archives continues to work with parishes and pastorates to convert their registers to a digitized format. This format not only preserves the register data, but it also serves as another medium to make searches easier.

Please note that most of the archives' resources are solely focused on this project, and will be for quite some time.

The archives recognizes the importance of genealogical research.  Due to the current digitization project, the archives is not able to assist directly with genealogical research requests at this time. 

It is recommended that you reach out to the pastorate/parish where you are seeking records and information.  When requesting information, please try to be as specific as possible, as that will aid the parish/pastorate in assisting you more readily.

We are currently in the process of introducing pastorates/parishes to the volunteer role of parish research assistants who can help with requests related to genealogical research. As of March 2025, we are currently undertaking this process and appreciate your patience as this role is introduced to our parishes/pastorates.  If you have an interest in assisting your parish/pastorate in this capacity, please reach out to the office staff for more information.

If you need assistance in connecting with parishes/pastorates, please use the contact form below, and we'll be happy to assist.

If you are seeking a copy of your baptismal, confirmation or marriage record, please contact the pastorate/parish in which you were baptized.  You can use our diocesan interactive map to find your parish and reach out to them.  The archives can only issue certificates for parishes that have been suppressed or closed.  

Copies of school transcripts may be obtained by contacting the school directly.  For contact information, please visit our Office of Catholic Schools Interactive map.

If you attended one of the following schools located in the Diocese of Madison:

• Holy Name Seminary
• Beloit Catholic High School

The Office of Catholic Schools can assist you by completing a Transcript Request Form.

If you attended Queen of Apostles Seminary in Madison, please reach out to the Pallottine Fathers in Milwaukee through the following contact information:

Pallottine Fathers
Mother of God Province of Milwaukee  
5425 W. Blue Mound Road
Milwaukee, WI 53208

(414) 259-0688
https://www.pallottines.org/contact