Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome! Wisconsin schools and libraries can direct users to the BadgerLink website, or for a more personalized experience, can embed the individual direct resource URLs on their own institutional webpages. To ensure uninterrupted on-site access, current IP address(es) must be registered with DPI, and may be reported via the online form. Off-site access is made possible through a public library barcode, school barcode, or Wisconsin zip code login. See the For Library Staff page for additional information and contact us for technical assistance or with any questions. 

If applicable, schools and libraries can integrate individual resources with their own institutional authentication methods such as a Single Sign-On (SSO) product or Proxy Server, Library Management System, or Learning Management System instead of directing users to the website or the individual URLs. See the For Library Staff page for additional information and contact us for technical assistance or with any questions.

Users have 3 options to log in if prompted:

1. Find your city or town and your public library, then enter your public library barcode.
2. Find your city or town and your school / school district, then enter your school's BadgerLink barcode (usually referred to as your login). Your school librarian can help if you don't know the barcode.
3. Find Wisconsin, then enter your 5-digit zip code. 

If you're having trouble logging in, clear your browser's cookies and cache and start over.

The link you were using to access the BadgerLink resource is incorrect. Access from the Resources page instead and/or if applicable, update your website links using the BadgerLink Resource URLs Google sheet. Log in if prompted.

If the login prompt is not on the BadgerLink website, the message is likely happening because access was through bookmarked pages or vendor URLs such as school.eb.com. In order to access the subscription provided through BadgerLink, clear your browser's cookies and cache and access from the Resources page instead or double check the URLs on your own webpage to determine if they match individual direct resource URLs, making any necessary updates.

Nope, sorry! The BadgerLink contracts stipulate that access is given only to Wisconsin residents. See what resources your state provides.

BadgerLink resources are selected through a competitive bidding process, unless it is determined, and justified, that competitive bidding is not practical or in the state’s best interest. However, we welcome feedback at any time! Send us an email or call 888-542-5542, toll-free in Wisconsin. For additional details about our resource selection process, see the About page.

If you are looking for an obituary published in a Wisconsin newspaper, BadgerLink provides access to multiple newspaper resources with Wisconsin newspapers available in them. The Wisconsin Newspapers in BadgerLink Title List shows which newspapers we currently have access to, the date range, and a link to the resource where you can find that title. Once you have identified the resource with the paper coverage you seek, you can do a search for names within that resource to find newspaper articles and obituaries.

However, BadgerLink newspaper resources are not the only means to access certain Wisconsin newspapers: Wisconsin Historical Society has an excellent online guide to Wisconsin newspapers available, including Guide to Wisconsin Newspapers 1833-2004. Wisconsin Historical Society also has an obituary and article request service, and can work with genealogists outside of Wisconsin, whereas our collection is to be used by current Wisconsin residents. You can contact their library and archives directly by email address: asklibrary@wisconsinhistory.org or askarchives@wisconsinhistory.org.

For obituaries published in other states, try Newspapers.com Library Edition World Collection. 

Content is licensed for personal and educational use by Wisconsin residents.