The National Genealogical Society invites you to participate in our upcoming national conference: 2002 National Genealogical Society Conference in the States 15-18 May 2002 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/2002cover.htm Please share this invitation with all of your friends in genealogy. ABOUT NGS & THE 2002 CONFERENCE IN THE STATES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The National Genealogical Society (NGS), established in 1903, annually assists over 17,000 individuals and organizational members in tracing family histories. The NGS provides leadership and education through its programs, online and home-study courses, publications, annual and regional conferences. The 2002 NGS Conference in the States will be held on 15-18 May at the Midwest Express Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is expected to attract some 2,500 genealogists from across the nation and several foreign countries. A complete copy of the program and registration information can be found on the NGS web site: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/2002cover.htm LOCAL HOST - WSGS ---------------------------------- The local host of the 2002 Conference is the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, the oldest and largest statewide genealogical organization in Wisconsin. Founded in 1939, WSGS now has more than 1,400 members both in and out of Wisconsin. WSGS is a non-profit Wisconsin corporation whose basic purpose is to encourage, facilitate and improve the quality of genealogical study in Wisconsin and about Wisconsin families. For more information, see the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society web site: http://www.wsgs.org Please direct all inquiries, letters and proclamations to: Jack Brissee Wisconsin State Genealogical Society P.O. Box 5106 Madison, WI 53705-0106 OPENING SESSION -------------------------------- Marsha Hoffman Rising will speak on the subject, "Strong Links Make a Solid Chain: Linking Records to Identify Ancestors." Rising is a Certified Genealogist and a Certified Genealogical Lecturer as well as being a fellow of both the American Society of Genealogists and the Utah Genealogical Association. She is a former president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and currently serves on the board of directors of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Marsha is an experienced researcher, author and lecturer as well as being a founding member of the Genealogical Speakers' Guild. MASTER LECTURES -------------------------------- Presentations by the masters, not just for the masters. We've asked four of today's top genealogists/lecturers (Christine Rose, Helen Leary, Elizabeth Shown Mills, and John Philip Colletta) to each present a case study, on a topic of their own choosing, describing how they identified, researched, and presumably solved, a tough genealogical problem. LAYING A SOLID FOUNDATION ------------------------------------------------ Guidance by many of the nation's top teachers and lecturers on the fundamentals of genealogical research a series of seventeen presentations, running throughout the conference. An excellent foundation for the beginner, as well as a solid review and update for the more-experienced. SKILLBUILDING TRACK ------------------------------------ NGS and the Board for Certification of Genealogists are proud to offer the latest edition of the Skillbuilding track, a series of presentations designed for those researchers who want to improve their research and analytical skills. The presentations in this track, based on the theme of "standards," will help improve the research and reporting skills of any serious genealogist. AND MUCH, MUCH MORE ----------------------------------------- The four-day conference offers more than 200 sessions (lectures and luncheons, workshops and labs) on virtually every aspect of genealogy. Because Milwaukee and the Midwest have historically drawn immigrants from many countries, ethnic and immigrant research (on both sides of the ocean) will be a major feature, but it won't be the only one. From Revolutionary War pensions to the 1930 census, to research in Social Security records, from research in New York to research in California, from lighthouse families to Chicago cemeteries, from Salt Lake City to France on the Internet, there will be much to offer any genealogist. NGS BANQUET ------------------------- Enjoy fine dining at the Milwaukee Hilton. Then after dinner NGS President Curt Witcher will recognize individuals for their excellence in genealogy. The newest member of the National Genealogy Hall of Fame will be announced; the NGS Filby Prize winner, and others who have excelled in genealogical writing will receive their awards. Our banquet speaker is Patty Loew, a renaissance woman. Patty is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, co-host of WeekEnd on Wisconsin Public Television, producer of award-winning documentaries, and recently author of "Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal." Her presentation "Seeing Red: a Family Odyssey into Native American Heritage" is an account of her discovery of the rich heritage of her Ojibwe ancestry. LIBRARIAN PRE-CONFERENCE ------------------------------------------------ Quickly becoming one of many exciting hallmarks of National Genealogical Society conferences, another Librarians Serving Genealogists Pre-Conference is being planned for Milwaukee. Coordinated by Pam Hall Cooper with the cooperation of the Milwaukee Public Library, this Tuesday, May 14th pre-conference will provide a forum for communication and networking between librarians interested in providing the best products and services to their genealogy patrons. The event will take place in the Loos Room of the Milwaukee Public Library and it is necessary to pre-register for the conference. Information on the program and registration is available on the NGS web site. Beginning with check-in and a welcome at 8:00 a.m., sessions will cover topics such as "New & Old Inter-library Loan Resources for Genealogy Librarians," "NGS Book Loan Collection," "Family History Centers for Public Libraries," the "Mid-Continent Public Library ILL Program, and "From Neophytes to Know-it-Alls: How to Help Genealogists." There will be a Minolta Microfilm Reader/Printer 7000 and Book Scanner 2000 demonstration, a tour of the Milwaukee Public Library (Including the Great Lakes Marine Collection), a Database Management Panel session, and Tour of Goethe House. A box lunch sponsored by ProQuest (HeritageQuest Online) will be provided. COMPUTER LABS ----------------------------- If you are a beginner, learn about the genealogy software now available, and if you are an experienced computer genealogist, here's a chance to learn about the latest versions of genealogy programs and tools for genealogy. Instructors will introduce beginners to programs and demonstrate their features. Intermediate and advanced users will have an opportunity to advance their skills and learn special features of their software. Participants share a Windows operating system computer. Those attending must be registered for the conference for at least the day of the lab and pay an extra $50.00 fee. Labs are limited, with two persons to each computer. NGS LEARNING CENTER --------------------------------------- The NGS Learning Center is guaranteed to be a worthwhile stop on your tour of the exhibit hall. We will be offering a daily schedule of educational activities in the form of question and answer sessions, informal discussions, and demonstrations. A small sampling of the topics scheduled include online resources; historic maps; GEDCOM; digital cameras and other imaging devices; genealogical software; the NGS Web site and the NGS Online Census Course. Visitors to the Learning Center will also have the opportunity to leisurely explore a variety of software applications under the guidance of expert volunteers and to participate in daily drawings for genealogical software and other items. EXHIBIT HALL ---------------------- The many exhibitors who fill the exhibit hall will bring many and varied products and services for genealogists. There will be software to assist not only in recording your genealogy, but also for using the Internet; CD-ROMs for researching an expanding series of publications, indexes and databases; preservation materials; books; maps and memorabilia. All in one place! What a great opportunity for hours of productive shopping. At many of the exhibit booths you will find genealogical societies and organizations offering memberships as well as products, services, and free advice. International researchers and societies are a welcome addition to the Exhibit Hall. They seek clients and new members while offering information on research in their countries. WELCOME TO MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN ----------------------------------------------------------------- --- Ethnicity - Place Names and People --- Look at any listing of Wisconsin place names and you will be struck by the obvious variety in ethnic origins of residents of the Badger State. Menominee, Denmark, Brussels, Berlin, Oneida, New Glarus, Wales, Paoli, Pulaski, Oslo, Stockholm, Nashville, Abbotsford, Athens, Albany, Schleswig, New Paris, New Lisbon, New Haven, New Holstein, Pan Yan, Fond du Lac, New Richmond, even New Chicago! And of course we have not even touched on all the places beginning with Wau-. The names signal American Indians, Germans, Italian, New Yorkers and New Englanders, Cornish, Irish, Polish, African-Americans, Kentuckians, Slovenes, Dutch, Belgian, Swiss, the whole panoply of peoples from around the world who came to populate America's Thirtieth State. And more recently Hispanics and South-east Asian groups have added to our exciting mix. --- Genuine American --- Yes, if you have an interest in ethnic backgrounds, you've come to the right place when you come to Wisconsin. And Milwaukee, the site of the 2002 NGS Conference in the States, An American Sampler, is in many ways a microcosm of the many ethnic groups you will find throughout the state. Not only does Milwaukee still have a number of ethnic neighborhoods centered on churches, cultural organizations, and restaurants, but also there are eight ethnically based genealogical societies active in the city or suburbs. When the Convention and Visitors Bureau identifies Milwaukee as 'Genuine American' they're not kidding. In Milwaukee we've got 'em all, it truly is 'An American Sampler!' --- Culture --- Back in the mid-19th Century when Milwaukee was largely populated by German immigrants with a strong interest in cultural activities, it was known as the 'American Athens.' That tradition still exists with the Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, the jewel-box Pabst Theater, the Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and the celebrated African dance company, Ko-Thi. If you like museums there is the Milwaukee Public Museum with its fantastic Butterfly Wing, and you must see the newly expanded Milwaukee Art Museum which perches almost like a butterfly itself on the shore of Lake Michigan. Or perhaps you'd like to visit the 15th Century Joan of Arc Chapel, where daily mass is still celebrated, or Miller Park where the Brewers play. How about the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle plant, or perhaps you'd prefer a brewery tour! All summer-long there is a succession of ethnic festivals. And we dare you to try to eat your way through Milwaukee! There are not only a wide variety of ethnic foods, but scores of restaurants in all price ranges and cuisine are within easy walking distance of the Convention Center. --- Venue --- The venue for the 2002 Conference is the Midwest Express Center, located right downtown at 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue. Just opened in 1998, this is truly a state-of-the-art facility, but one with a comfortable feel and over a Million Dollars worth of public art on display. The Hilton and Hyatt Hotels are literally just across the street, while six more are within two blocks of the Midwest Express Center. --- Weather --- Milwaukee weather in mid-May is usually delightful. Temperatures in the 60's to low 70's, although nights can feel pretty cool as can some days down along the lakefront. Light jackets and sweaters are a good bet. You will also find that Milwaukee, and Milwaukeeans, are a pretty relaxed bunch so informal and casual attire is acceptable almost everywhere. --- Hotels and Travel --- Transportation? Milwaukee County Airport (Billy Mitchell Field) can almost make you enjoy flying again (particularly if you travel by Midwest Express!). If you don't mind changing your mode of travel, you can fly into Chicago and then take Amtrak to Milwaukee, the Amtrak Station is only 2 1/2 blocks from the Midwest Express Center. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! --------------------------------------------------- 2002 National Genealogical Society Conference in the States 15-18 May 2002 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/2002cover.htm ------------------- National Genealogical Society 4527 17th Street North Arlington, Virginia 22207-2399 Phone: (703) 525-0050 or (800) 473-0060 Fax: (703) 525-0052 E-mail: ngs@ngsgenealogy.org http://www.ngsgenealogy.org Membership http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/member.htm Conferences http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/conf.htm Learning Center http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/edu.htm

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Crosny Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/320 Message Board Post: Looking for information on Crosby family that lived around the Waubeek area. The father worked for the railroad and was on the handcar and had apparently fell asleep before he got the handcar off the main track and was hit and killed by a train. He was supposed to be burried at the Waubeek cemetery. It was a story Iread about in the Dunn COunty News MANY years ago and always wondered if he was related. His widow had eventually moved away and left with their children. Would like to find where he was burried and information about the family. Thanks for any help any one can give, Sincerely, Mary Peterson

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Thompson, Allen Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/73.1 Message Board Post: Sandy, I don't know if you are checking this site still since your posting was a few years ago. Anyhow, Royal Thompson was brother to Samuel Thompson who I am directly descended from. Samuel was born in Vermont in 1802. I have info that Royal and Samuel's parents names were Samuel Thompson and Clarissa Allen. Supposingly, Samuel Senior was also born in Vermont in 1765, moved to Quebec Canada in about 1806. He served in the war of 1812 on the British side. He was a loyalist during the Revolutionary War. His father was William Thompson from Massachusetts. I am trying to find info on Clarissa Allen who was supposed to of been born in Vermont also, around 1765 also. Do you have any info on this or any conflicting info? Samuel Thompson Jr. married Catherine Baskin (Basscion) and their daughter, LaVina, born in Montreal, married James Stuart, who had my grandmother, Clara Blanche Stuart, who married my grandfather, Irvin Holden and lived in Arnkansaw Wisconsin.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/319 Message Board Post: I'm wondering what newspaper to look in for a couple of Durand, WI obituaries. Josephine Meixner died 12-8-1935 in Minneapolis, MN but was buried in Durand and I'm hoping that she'd have a Durand obituary. The undertaker was Gill Brothers. Any ideas on which cemetary she'd be at or how to contact the Gill Brothers? The same is true for her daughter-in-law, Helen Katherine Meixner, died 6-2-1918. I checked the Pepin Cty. web site, and the St. Joseph's cemetary does not list Josephine Meixner. The other on-line cemetaries don't have any Meixners. Any suggestions on where to look would be appreciated since I"m in California and don't have a lot of access to Durand information. Thanks Adrienne M. Karyadi

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hotter/Hutter Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/315.1 Message Board Post: Hmmm, interesting, the Hotter/Hutter I am looking for had a father named Joseph too. But this Joseph had 4 daughters, no sons. The Hotter/Hutter I am looking for married, and had 6 sons. What I would like to know is where might her birth certificate be. It is not listed in any birth records anywhere I have looked. I believe she was born in Pepin County, perhaps Arkansaw? Any more info?

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: DeMarce,DeMars,DeMers, James, Morris, and many more..... Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/318 Message Board Post: Hello, I'm looking for Descendents' Of: Peter James DeMarce/DeMars/DeMers. {Pearl Ann DeMarce or Pearl Annie DeMarce/Morris} was my Great Grandmother. Her Husband was {Harvey Eugene Morris}. Thier children is Clifford Morris, {Grace Cecelia Morris which Grace married my Grandfather Athol Richard James}. And thier last child is unknown at this time. I'll post more information in the next two days on Grace Cecelia Morris & Athol Richard James Children and also; Harvey Eugene Morris & Pearl Annie DeMarce family here. If you are a Descendent of any of this family line would like to have contact with you. I've many Pictures of Harvey Eugene Morris & Pearl Annie DeMarce that I would like to share and also; pictures of Grace, Clifford, ect. Thanks and I hope that you will e-mail me. Andrew James JamesFamily_2002@hotmail.com More information down below on Family Line....... #1 Peter James DeMarce/DeMars/DeMers Son Of: Leon DeMers & Elisabeth/Isabelle Morias Born: January ??, 1864 Place: Canada Died: April 15, 1953 Place: Canada Burried: April 1953 Place: Hih River, Alberta., Canada Married: April 20, 1891 Place: Pepin Co., Wisconsin To: Jessie Clara Supri/Surprenant Daug. Of: Emery Supr/Surprenant & Sophia Gayou/Gaynon Born: cir: July 1868 Place: Wisconsin Died: May 15, 1923 Place: Calgary, Alberta., Canada {General Hospital} Burried: May 1923 Place: An Unknown Location 1900 U.S. Census Soundex, North Dakota. DeMars, Peter, vol. 3. E.D. 35, Sheet 21, Line 22. White, b. Jan. 1864, age 36, b. Canada, res, Cass Co., 705 N. 11 St.., Fargo City. DeMars, Jessie, wife, b. July 1871, age 28, b. Wis,; DeMars, Alvin, son, b. April 1893, age 7, b. Wis.; DeMars, Pearl, dau., b. Dec 1898, age 1, b. N. Dak. Thier Children: #11 Peter Alvin DeMarce Born: April 25, 1893 Place: Stanley, Chippewa County., Wisconsin Died: September 1961 Place: Turner Valley, Alberta., Canada #12 Stephen Emaery DeMarce Born: May 02, 1894 Place: An Unknown Location Died: May 02, 1894 Place: An Unknown Location #13 Maisy Margarie DeMarce Born: 1896 Place: An Unknown Location Died: Died at Birth #14 Joseph Neyploian DeMarce Born: October 27, 1897 Place: An Unknown Location Died: October 27, 1897 Place: An Unknown Location #15 Pearl Anne DeMarce or {Pearl Annie DeMarce} Born: December 14, 1898 Place: North Dakota Married: Harvey Eugene Morris #16 Lora Josephine DeMarce Born: November 02, 1899 Place: An Unknown Location Died: November 02, 1899 Place: An Unknown Location #17 Thomas Leon DeMarce Born: October 04, 1902 Place: An Unknown Location Died: October 04, 1902 Place: An Unknown Location #18 Cecelia Denise DeMarce Born: October 03, 1904 Place: An Unknown Location #19 Florence Milvina DeMarce Born: February 06, 1908 Place: Winnifred, Alberta., Canada #20A Jessie Minnie Anna-May DeMarce Born: December 18, 1910 Place: Winnifred, Alberta., Canada #21B Earl Theodore DeMarce Born: March 12, 1914 Place: Winnifred, Alberta., Canada

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Stenholm/Stonholm Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/317 Message Board Post: I am looking for any information on John & Charlotte Stonholm. They were born in Sweden and came to Stockholm, Wisconsin about 1876. They had 2 daughters and 1 son. Marie, John, and Matilda. Marie married Andrew Erickson. She was supposedly killed in a horse and buggy accident by Stockholm in July 1909. They lived in Stockholm. Does any one know where I may obtain a death certifcate or obituary for Marie. Any help would be greatly appreciated. You may contact me at rdk73us@yahoo.com Thank you, Deb King

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Silvernail, Erickson Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/316 Message Board Post: I found this website that added to what I knew of my family. I have not contacted the owner yet to update where my family branched off, but I have seen several questions on the board that might be answered through this wonderful site. http://www.angelfire.com/nd/terribarry/Genealogy/silvernail.htm I am related to Margaret Silvernail Erickson through her son Lloyd, my grandfather.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/315 Message Board Post: Hi, This probably won't be much help but I have found a Joseph Hotter who married a Pauline Siler they had a son Joseph Jr. who married Margarette St. Martin and they lived in Arkansaw.Could this possibly be the family you are looking for. I found this info in this Pepin County History Book. Also my sister is married to a Hotter/ Hutter descendant so I am familiar with the name.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/314.1 Message Board Post: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wipepin/ This link will take you to Pepin Co. cemetery listings. Look under archives for the rest of the cemeteries. Who

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/314 Message Board Post: My great grandmother's mother is buried in Pepin, Wi. I think. She died between 1850 and 1860. An infant son Samuel would be buried with her. I would like to know sources of cemterey records to check.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/313.1 Message Board Post: The Durand Courier or Wedge should have mention of it. Not knowing where you live, both the Durand library and Stout University Hist. Archives have them on film. You might look under the Arkansaw area news columns. Every valley, village, etc. had a small column detailing events occurring weekly. Good luck. You can contact Kevin at UW-Stout and maybe get a copy. greg

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hill, Guschlbauer Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/313 Message Board Post: My husband's great-grandmother, Hanna (Guschlbauer) Hill died in a house fire on May 2,1902, in Arkansaw, Wi. Her five year old son, George, also died in the fire. Hannah was married to Pearley Hill. Was there a newspaper, in the Arkansaw area, that might have reported this event? How would I find out? Hannah & George are buried, in the same grave, in St. Joseph's cemetery, Arkansaw, Wi. Hannah was born in Lower Austria. Her parents, buried next to her, were Carl & Mary Guschlbauer.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Rands Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/141.161 Message Board Post: Martha Rands is the Daughter of Ann (Rands) (Richardson) McCortey. Ann is buried in Round Hill Cemetery in Arkansaw WI. I have a picture of her and her grave if you would like them. Ann is the Daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Rands from Buckinghamshire, England. I would be happy to share any information that may be helpful.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/312 Message Board Post: I am looking for information on Otto and Andrew Wernlof (Otto and Anders Olsson in Sweden before emigrating), brothers, who came to Stockholm, Pepin County, Wisconsin from Sweden in 1879-1880. They may have worked on the farm of Jens Tronson because each later married two of his daughters. Any information from census, tax or other records on them will be appreciated.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/106.120.118.2.1 Message Board Post: The Beaulieu [Bolia] family that my husband descends from was Hudon dit Beaulieu also. They were in Plattsburgh and Chazy, Clinton Co., NY, before female-line descendents went to Pepin Co., WI. I've put what I have on the family up on the WorldConnect project at http://www.rootsweb.com.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Beaulieu, Sims, Brownlee Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/106.120.118.2 Message Board Post: The route you outline--from Vermont, to New York, to Fond du Lac, and then Pepin County--is a route followed by my Beaulieu ancestors I am investigating. I have a John B. Hudon Beaulieu, born in Vergennes VT about 1820. He married a Polly Sims in Syracuse, NY in 1840. In the 1850s, they moved to the Fond du Lac area. In 1865, their daughter Sarah married a Williamson Brownlee and moved to Pepin County. I would especially appreciate information about John B. Hudon Beaulieu.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/BFC.2ACE/301.2.2.1.1 Message Board Post: Gloria: Yes, I was aware of this, as based on court house land records, my third great grandfather lived not more than several miles from the Ingalls. There were two Methodist Churches in the area during those years, an English and German one. Later they merged together as the numbers dwindled. My father, grandfather both grew up in Pepin Co. although not in Pepin Township. My great grandfather did grow up part of his life in Pepin Township, also. It was a simple basic update, and glad you enjoyed it. I'm not an expert by an means on this area, although I have relatives still living there, and have spent many hours reading about it. Hope you have nice holidays. greg

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/BFC.2ACE/301.2.2.1 Message Board Post: Thanks so much Greg-What a wonderful synopsis of the history of Pepin and Lake Pepin. Did you know that the author "Laura Ingalls Wilder" lived near Pepin County, and her first book, "Little House in the Big Woods "was based on the house in that area which she lived? Too bad we didn't know the first names of those Pepin brothers though-Glo

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Lampman, Shedd, Morse, Livingston, Knapp Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BFC.2ACE/301.2.2 Message Board Post: The village of Pepin, in Pepin County, was settled in 1846. It was initially known as a steamboat boomtown familiar to Mark Twain and wealthy Chicago socialites who spent their summers nearby at the awe inspiring Lake Pepin. Plotted in 1856, Pepin was laid out at the foot of Lake Pepin. The village and Lake Pepin take their name from the Pepin brothers, two of the first French trappers in the area much earlier. Lake Pepin was discovered in 1680 by Father Louis Hennepin. when he discovered the beautiful lake in the Mississippi River he called it the "Lake of Tears". The village and Lake Pepin get their names from the Pepin brothers, who were two of the first French trappers in the area. What is now called Lake Pepin is a 22-mile long lake formed by the delta of the Chippewa River flowing into the Mississippi River. A small town across from Pepin and farther downstream was the place where most large log rafts were assembled from smaller rafts and send down the Mississippi River. Many carpenters and laborers were required to put these rafts together, for shipping to as far away as St. Louis, MO. The major reason many came to Pepin Co. is opportunity and work. I have ancestprs that were here in the mid-late 1840's after WI became a state. Land Grants were available, as were timber grants. Pepin County like LaCrosse County were two of the prime pineries, as well as access via the Chippewa River to Menomonie on the Red Cedar and Eau Claire on the upper Chippewa River also. Large numbers of families cut wood for the logging industry, but a vital part also was the hardwood fuel industry required to keep the steamboats, paddleboats and related water craft moving with their cargoes. Prior to 1870, there were few railroads in the western part of Wisconsin. Eau Claire had a line, but LaCrosse, WI had the first one from Milwaukee sometime around 1850. This made LaCrosse a jumping off grounds for many NY, VT and Scandinavian families. I have an 18 page manuscript of one of my families describing the trip from Marquette Co., WI to LaCrosse in the 1850's via ox and wagon! . Farming became the subsequent occupation along with the work in the woods, but by 1900 all but isolated areas of the timber industry had moved much father north and west into northern Minnesota. The railroads took over much of the work of the paddlewheelers. Although packet steamers were still plying the Mississippi River until the mid 1930's whe bridges were built at Nelson, WI to Wabasha, MN and the Hasting, MN bridge. Before and after the Civil War, many families headed west as my Lampman family. Some were in easter Wisconsin as soon as the mid 1840's, and most the rest of their relatives came by the mid-1860's. The greatest influx of people was during this time frame. The same is true of parts of Pierce Co. to the west and north. Cities that flourished then, are mere villages of artisans and crafts along with local businesses today. It was a great place to live. My grandmothers journals speak of sleigh rides in the snow to Ella, Pepin, Porcupine, Frankfort and other places for dances and all. I personally think the largeste draw after the initial residents was the invitiation of relatives to come to Pepin Co. also. Still the biggest draw, the woods and work of Wisconsin. I hope this helps you somewhat. Greg Lampman