FWIW
Not sure about Wi., but in Wa. we can transfer titles (as in sales) easier and cheaper than getting lost title, and then transfering.  Check with the DMV, I am sure you can do a lost title sale through them as easy as with a title.  They have the records.

Thanks for the lead,
But Wisconsin is real anal about titles. If you don't have a title for registration, you need the VIN, Bill of Sale, a letter of release
from the previous owner.......then wait for almost 3 months as they do a title search to all states, just to make sure that it is not stolen or has liens against it.

CAPT