Milwaukee Newspapers: Home

Annotated bibliography for current and historical Milwaukee newspapers.

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Library Liaison for History, Philosophy, Political Science, & Theology

Matthew Prigge

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Subjects: History, Medieval Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Theology and Religious Studies

Digitized Milwaukee Newspapers

PLEASE NOTE: To access material from newspapers.com, please click THIS SIGN-IN LINK before using the title links below. The sign-in link will automatically log the user into newspapers.com and the pop-up window can be closed.

African-American Newspapers:

Milwaukee Courier (2010-Pres.)
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African-American weekly newspaper published since 1964. See below for more issues of this paper on microfilm.
Milwaukee Defender (1957-1958)
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African-American weekly, published from 1956 to 1958. The paper was an offshoot of the Chicago Defender and was the longest-lasting of Milwaukee's Black newspapers that appeared in the 1950s.
Milwaukee Star (1967-1977)
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African-American weekly newspaper, published between 1962 and 2009. The Star was a leading Civil Rights newspaper. It merged with the Soul City Times in 1971 and became known as the Milwaukee Star-Times until 1976 when it reverted back to the Milwaukee Star masthead. Merged with the Milwaukee Courier in 2005 and ceased publication in 2009.
Northwestern Recorder (1892-1893)
Monthly African-American newspaper, previously known as the Wisconsin Afro-American. Ceased publication in 1893.
Soul City Times (1968-1971)
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African-American weekly newspaper, published between 1968 and 1971, when it merged with the Milwaukee Star to become the Milwaukee Star-Times.
Wisconsin Afro-American (1892)
Weekly African-American newspaper founded in 1892, renamed the Northwestern Recorder in November 1892.
Wisconsin Weekly Advocate (1898-1907)
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African-American weekly, published regularly between 1898 and 1900, and irregularly between 1901 and 1907. The paper was founded by Richard B. Montgomery, a former slave, and advocated for black southerners to come to Milwaukee for employment. This was the first Black-owned paper in Wisconsin.

Alternative and College Newspapers:

Arches (2011-2021)
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Student newspaper published at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. Coverage is sporadic from 2011 to 2021.
Kaleidoscope (1967-1971)
Underground weekly newspaper. Published between 1967 and 1971, the paper was subject to numerous censorship attempts due to its political and artistic content.
Marquette Tribune (1917-2021)
Weekly newspaper published by Marquette University students since 1916.
UW-Milwaukee Post (1956-2012)
Weekly newspaper published by UW-Milwaukee students. Published from 1956 to 2012, when it transitioned to an online-only publication.

English-Language Papers:

American Freeman (1844-1845)
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[newspapers.com] Weekly Abolitionist newspaper founded in 1844. Later known as the Wisconsin Freeman (1848), the Wisconsin Free Democrat (1848-1857), and the Wisconsin Weekly Free Democrat (1858-1862). Ceased publication in 1862. See below for additional years on microfilm. Note that newspapers.com incorrectly identifies the 1844-1845 issues as the Wisconsin Free Democrat.
Daily Free Democrat (1850-1856)
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[newspapers.com] Published daily (except Sunday) from 1850 to 1856, then as the Milwaukee Daily Free Democrat from 1856 to 1861. See below for more issues of this paper on microfilm.
Daily Milwaukee News (1855-1881)
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[newspapers.com] Published daily (except on Sunday and, later, except on Monday), this newspaper was founded in 1849 and became the Milwaukee Daily News in 1874. It was absorbed by the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1882.
Evening Courier (1847)
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[newspapers.com] Daily evening version of the Milwaukee Courier (1841-1847).
Milwaukee Courier (1841-1846)
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Weekly newspaper and continuation of the Milwaukee Advertiser (1836-1841, see below). Became a daily paper in 1847 before becoming the Weekly Wisconsin that same year. Ceased publication in 1900.
Milwaukee Daily Courier (1847)
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[newspapers.com] Daily morning version of the Milwaukee Courier (1841-1847). Became the Weekly Wisconsin in 1847 and ceased publication in 1900.
Milwaukee Journal (1884-1909, 1921-1995)
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Daily newspaper founded in 1883 and published continuously until it merged with the Milwaukee Sentinel in April 1995 to form the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Missing years are available on microfilm, see below.
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (1995-Pres.)
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Formed by the merger of the Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Sentinel in 1995. Please note this database also include issues of the Milwaukee Journal, 1990-1995, incorrectly identified as issues of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Blogs (2005-2016)
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Collection of Blogs from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel website, covering topics including sports, politics, local news, and others.
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Web Edition (2003-Pres.)
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Database of articles published online on the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel website.
Milwaukee Sentinel (1837-1867)
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[newspapers.com] Founded in 1837, the Milwaukee Sentinel existed under a number of different names (all including the word 'Sentinel') through 1883. It merged with the Milwaukee Journal in 1995 to form the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Milwaukee Sentinel (1844-1995)
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Founded in 1837, the Milwaukee Sentinel existed under a number of different names (all including the word 'Sentinel') through 1883. It merged with the Milwaukee Journal in 1995 to form the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Milwaukee Sentinel (1990-1994)
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Text-only contents of Milwaukee Sentinel between 1990 and 1994.
Milwaukee Weekly Sentinel (1837-1867)
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[newspapers.com] The weekly edition of the Milwaukee Sentinel, published between 1837 and 1867.
Milwaukie Commercial Herald (1843-1845)
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[newspapers.com] Tri-weekly newspaper founded in 1843. Ceased publication in 1845. Note that the paper's spelling of Milwaukee was common for residents who lived in east of the Milwaukee River until the late 1840s.
Milwaukie Daily Gazette (1845-1846)
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Daily newspaper founded in 1845, merged with other papers to form the Milwaukee Sentinel and Gazette in 1846. Note that the paper's spelling of Milwaukee was common for residents who lived in east of the Milwaukee River until the late 1840s.
Milwaukie Journal (1841-1842)
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Weekly newspaper founded in 1841 and published until 1842. Note that the paper's spelling of Milwaukee was common for residents who lived in east of the Milwaukee River until the late 1840s.
Milwaukie Semi-Weekly Gazette (1845-1846)
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[newspapers.com] Newspaper published twice per week in 1845 and 1846. Merged with other papers to form the Milwaukee Sentinel and Gazette in 1846. Note that the paper's spelling of Milwaukee was common for residents who lived in east of the Milwaukee River until the late 1840s.
Semi-Weekly Wisconsin (1862-1869)
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[newspapers.com] Bi-weekly edition of the Evening Wisconsin (see below), published from 1862 to 1882. Missing years available on micorfilm, see below.
Weekly Wisconsin (1847-1899)
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[newspapers.com] Weekly edition of the Evening Wisconsin (1868-1918). Published between 1847 and 1900. Note that this link incorrectly includes issues of the Milwaukee Advertiser from 1936 and 1937.

LGBTQ+ Newspapers:

Amazon: A Feminist Journal (1972-1984)
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Monthly and bimonthly newsletter devoted to both straight and gay women in Milwaukee. All 77 issues from its 12-year run are included.
Gay Peoples Union News (1971-1981)
Monthly newspaper of the Gay Peoples Union, which would founded in 1971 as a social services organization for Milwaukee's gay community. This collection covers the paper's entire run of 1971-1981.
Wisconsin Gazette (2009-2018)
Monthly newspaper based in Milwaukee, but focused on state-wide issues. PDF versions of the print edition are available for the paper's entire run.
Wisconsin Light (1987-2002)
Bi-weekly newspaper focused on Wisconsin's LGTB community, founded in 1987 as a successor to the Madison-based Out! A near-complete run of the paper's issues have been digitized and are hosted by the Wisconsin LGBT History Project.

Non-English Language Newspapers:

Atlas (1859-1860)
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[newspapers.com] German-language daily paper founded in 1856 by supporters of the German Revolution of 1848. Ceased publication in 1861. Available issues cover 1859 and 1860.
Banner Und Volksfruend (1855-1857)
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[newspapers.com] German-language daily formed of a merger between the Wiskonsin Banner, one of the city's earliest German-language papers (founded 1844) and the Whig-backed Der Volksfreund (founded 1847). The paper became known as the Milwaukeer Freie Presse in 1879 and ceased publication in 1880. Available issues range from 1855 to 1857.
Delavska Slovenija (1922-1926)
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[newspapers.com] Slovenian-language Communist weekly newspaper founded about 1914 as the Slovenija. Ceased publication in 1926. Available issues cover 1922-1926.
La Guardia (1971-1981)
Monthly alternative newspaper published in English and Spanish. Founded in 1969 and ceased publication in 1985. Available issues cover the paper's entire run.
El Mensajero Católico (1984-1988)
Spanish-language monthly paper. Published as the Spanish language version of the Milwaukee Archdiocese's official newspaper.
Milwaukee'r Socialist (1876-1877)
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German-language daily Socialist newspaper founded in 1875 as Der Socialist. Continued to published in 1878 and 1879 as Vorwarts. Coverage includes 1876 and 1877.
Milwaukee Herold (1890-1895)
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[newspapers.com] German-language daily newspaper founded in 1861 as the Herold, renamed the Milwaukee Herold in 1890. Was long the city's largest-circulation German-language paper. Merged with the Seebote in 1898 and became the Milwaukee Herold und Seebote. Another merger in 1913 resulted in the Germania-Herold, which ceased to be a Milwaukee-based publication in 1932. Available issues cover 1890 to 1895.
La Red (1989-2001)
Spanish-language monthly published by the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
Der Sonntagsbote (1906-1912)
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[newspapers.com] German-language weekly paper formed in 1906 when the weekly Der Seebote (founded in 1875) switched from Friday to Sunday publication. The title of the newspaper changed numerous times through 1912, when it became Der Sonntagsbote und der Seebote and continued publishing until 1922.
Sonntagsbote Und Der Seebote (1912-1922)
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[newspapers.com] German-language daily newspaper, continuation of the Seebote, which was founded in 1875 and became the Sonntagsbote in 1906.
Das Tagliche Banner (1851-1852)
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[newspapers.com] German-language daily paper founded in 1844 as the weekly Wiskonsin Banner, one of the city's first German-language papers. Merged with the Volksfruend in 1855. Available issues cover 1851 and 1852.
Taglicher Volksfruend (1850-1852)
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[newspapers.com] German-language daily version of Der Volksfruend, founded in 1850. Merged with the daily edition of the Banner in 1855. Issues available cover 1850-1852.
Der Volksfreund (1847-1850)
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[newspapers.com] German-language weekly paper founded in 1847 as an organ for the Whig Party. Merged with the Banner in 1855. Available issues cover 1847-1850.
Vorwarts (1893-1913)
German-language weekly newspaper, supported by the American Federation of Labor and the Social-Democratic Party. Weekly edition of the Wisconsin Vorwarts. Founded in 1887 and ceased publication in 1932. Available issues span 1893-1913.
Wisconsin Banner (1844-1845)
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[newspapers.com] German-language weekly newspaper, one of the city's first German-language papers. Founded in 1844, it became a daily in 1851 and merged with Der Volksfruend in 1855 to form the Banner Und Volksfruend.
Wisconsin Vorwarts (1893-1898)
German-language daily newspaper supported by the American Federation of Labor and the Social-Democratic Party. Available issues span complete run of publication, 1893-1898.

Religion-focused Newspapers:

Badger American (1923-1924)
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Monthly newspaper published in support of the Ku Klux Klan. While the paper voiced white-supremacist opinions, it was preoccupied with anti-Jewish and anti-Catholic sentiment. Coverage spans from the paper's founding in 1923 through 1924.
Catholic Herald Citizen (1963-1985)
Weekly newspaper published by Milwaukee Archdiocese. Founded in 1935, the paper is still published today in an online format. Renamed the Catholic Herald in 1981. Coverage spans from 1963 to 1985.
Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle (1921-1997)
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[newspapers.com] Monthly Jewish newspaper, founded in 1921 and still published today in digital form. Coverage spans from 1921 to 1997.
Wisconsin Kourier (1924-1925)
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Weekly newspaper published in support of the Ku Klux Klan. While the paper voiced white-supremacist opinions, it was preoccupied with anti-Jewish and anti-Catholic sentiment. Founded about 1921. Available issues cover 1924 and 1925.

Trade/ Business Newspapers:

Daily Reporter (1997-Pres.)
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The designated official newspaper of the City and County of Milwaukee, founded in 1897. This includes full-text search of articles dating back to 1997.
Milwaukee Business Journal (1985-2001)
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Weekly newspaper focused on business matters, founded in 1983. Includes index of articles published 1984-2019 and full of text of articles, 1985-2001.
Milwaukee Business Journal (1999-2004)
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Weekly newspaper focused on business matters, founded in 1983. Includes full text of articles, 1999-2004.
Milwaukee Leader (1912-1916)
Daily newspaper published in support of the Socialist Party. Published 1911-1938, and 1938-1939 as the New Milwaukee Leader. Coverage include 1912-1916.
Wisconsin Labor Advocate (1886-1887)
State-wide weekly newspaper for labor union members and supporters, published 1886-1888, collection covers 1886 and 1887.

Suburban Newspapers:

Brookfield-Elm Grove NOW (2010-2018)
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Weekly supplement of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that covers Brookfield and Elm Grove.
North Shore NOW (2009-2023)
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Weekly supplement of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that covers Mequon, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Glendale, Menomonee Falls, Germantown, and West Bend.
Northwest Now (2009-2022)
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Weekly supplement of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that covers the Northwestern Suburbs of Milwaukee.
South Milwaukee Journal (1893-2006)
Weekly and bi-weekly newspaper published 1893 to 2006 under various mastheads.
South NOW (2010-2023)
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Weekly supplement of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that covers the south suburbs of Milwaukee.
South Shore NOW (2009-2017)
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Weekly supplement of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that covers the southern suburbs along Lake Michigan.
Wauwatosa News (1900-1922)
Weekly newspaper, published 1900-1948. Digital coverage includes 1900-1922.
Wauwatosa NOW (2009-2017)
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Weekly supplement of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that covers Wauwatosa.
West NOW (2017-2023)
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Weekly supplement of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that covers the west Suburbs of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Newspapers on Microfilm

Bugle American (1970-1971)
Weekly underground newspaper, published 1970-1978. Alternatively known as the Bugle. Held at Marquette University.
Daily Free Democrat (1850-1860)
Also known as 'Milwaukee Daily Free Democrat.' Held at MPL Central Branch.
Evening Wisconsin (1868-1918)
Daily newspaper. Held at MPL Central Branch.
Milwaukee Advertiser (1836-1841)
Weekly newspaper founded in 1836, became the Milwaukee Courier in 1841. Held at MPL Central Branch.
Milwaukee Courier (1964-2003)
African-American weekly newspaper. Held at MPL Central Branch.
Milwaukee Journal (1890-1995)
Held at MPL Central Branch.
Open Door (1968)
Underground newspaper published by Milwaukee high school students. Three issues were published in 1968. Held at Marquette University.
Semi-Weekly Wisconsin (1862-1882)
Weekly edition of Evening Wisconsin, held at MPL Central Branch.
Wisconsin Free Democrat (1848-1857)
Weekly abolitionist newspaper, founded in 1844 as the American Freeman. Later known at the Wisconsin Freeman (1848) and the Wisconsin Weekly Democrat (1858-1862). Held at MPL Central Branch.
Wisconsin Freeman (1848)
Weekly abolitionist newspaper, founded in 1844 as the American Freeman. Later known as the Wisconsin Free Democrat (1848-1857) and the Wisconsin Weekly Free Democrat (1858-1862). Held at MPL Central Branch.
Wisconsin Weekly Free Democrat (1858-1862)
Weekly abolitionist newspaper, founded in 1844 as the American Freeman. Later known as the Wisconsin Freeman (1848) and the Wisconsin Free Democrat (1848-1857). Held at MPL Central Branch.