La Crosse Area Genealogical Society Records


Summary Information
Title: La Crosse Area Genealogical Society Records
Date: 1972-2008

Creator:
  • La Crosse Area Genealogical Society (Wis.).
Unique Identifier: MSS 030

Quantity: 0.8 cubic feet

Physical Description: 2 archives boxes

Repository:
La Crosse Public Library
Contact Information

Archival Location:
La Crosse Public Library (Map)

Abstract:
Records of a La Crosse, Wisconsin, area genealogical organization founded Oct. 24, 1973, under the sponsorship of the La Crosse Public Library to promote interest in and the research of family ancestry; and to help others who are interested in researching the same areas or surnames.

The records, dating from 1972 to the present, include bylaws, brochures, correspondence, logos, membership lists, executive committee meeting minutes, newsletters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and program announcements.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.lcpl-mss030
 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

OCLC Number

47227022

Acquisitions Information

Donated by Earl Newton, Past President, May 2001.

(Accession Nos. 1993.006, 2001.028, 2001.038)

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], La Crosse Area Genealogical Society Records, MSS 030, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI

Processing Information

Processed by Marie Rieber and Anita Taylor Doering, Dec. 1993; updated by ATD, May 1999; updated by Margaret Donndelinger, May 2001; updated by ATD, March 2007, March 2008.

Scope and Contents

Records, dating from 1972 to the present, of the La Crosse Area Genealogical Society, Inc., include bylaws (1973-2002), brochures, correspondence (1977-1995; 2001), financial reports (1995-1996), logos, meeting sign-in sheets, 1992-2000, membership lists (1973-1982; 1993; 2001), meeting minutes (1973-1975; 1981-1988; 1991-present), newsletters (1972-2007), newspaper clippings (1975-present), photographs (1975-present), and program announcements (1972-present). The newsletter ceased publication in 2007.

Historical Note

The La Crosse Area Genealogical Society, under the sponsorship of the La Crosse Public Library and librarians Emma Diekroeger and Jean Solberg, adopted its bylaws Oct. 24, 1973. The library sponsored a genealogy institute which held workshops in 1972 for those interested in pursuing family history research.

The first officers of the club were Esther Senn as chair, Ed Polodna as vice-chair, and Joy Reisinger as secretary-treasurer. The first membership meeting was held Nov. 28, 1973, and one of the issues addressed was the concern over proposed federal legislation to limit searching in the National Archives to professional genealogists. Members Lee Grippen and Betty Jacobson were elected to the executive committee as members-at-large.

Meetings have been held monthly, and the group affiliated with the Wisconsin Genealogical Society and later the Wisconsin Genealogical Council. Speakers from the area present programs of interest to genealogists. Special all-day workshops and field trips are also offered on occasion.

In 1976, the United States celebrated its bicentennial and the television mini-series of Alex Haley's Roots caught the attention of the American public. Genealogy as a hobby has continued to grow since that time. The Society published its first quarterly publication in 1979. Incorporation of the Society occurred in the mid 1990s. The charter list of memberships totalling 46 in 1973 has grown to over 200 in 1999, with members living all across the United States.

Related Materials
(Genealogical publications)
La Crosse Area Genealogical Quarterly
Subject Terms
  • La Crosse Area Genealogical Society (Wis.).
  • La Crosse (Wis.)--Genealogy
  • La Crosse (Wis.)--Societies, etc.
  • La Crosse County (Wis.)--Genealogy
Contents List
Box 1
  Folder 1
By-laws, 1973-1987
Box 1
  Folder 2
Brochures, undated
Box 1
  Folder 3
Correspondence, 1977-2001
Box 1
  Folder 4
Financial reports, 1995-1996
Box 1
  Folder 5
Logos, undated
Box 1
  Folder 6
Meeting sign-in sheets, 1992-2000
Box 1
  Folder 7
Membership lists, 1973-2001
Box 1
  Folder 8-9
Minutes, 1973-2008
Box 2
  Folder 1-2
Newsletters, 1972-2001
Box 2
  Folder 3-4
Newspaper articles, 1975-2007
Box 2
  Folder 5-7
Photographs, 1975-2007
Box 2
  Folder 8-9
Programs, 1972-2007