Wisconsin Biographies: Difference between revisions
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| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]] | |||
| link2=[[United States Biography|U.S. Biography]] | |||
| link3=[[Wisconsin, United States Genealogy|Wisconsin]] | |||
| link4= | |||
| link5=[[Wisconsin Biography|Biography]] | |||
}} | |||
== Online Resources == | |||
=== | *[http://www.learnwebskills.com/family/countyhistories3.htm#wi County and Town Histories], includes biographies*[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:1220 Wisconsin Historical Society Local History and Biography Articles] Index only. | ||
*[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS3508 Wisconsin Name Index, Wisconsin Historical Society] | |||
*[https://uwdc.library.wisc.edu/collections/wi/wipionexp/ Wisconsin Pioneer Experience], index | |||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4261 Wisconsin Men of Progress], ($), index | |||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=25840 History of northern Wisconsin ....biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers], ($), index/images | |||
*[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/ Wisconsin Historical Society] | |||
*[https://archive.org/details/notablemenofwisc00milw Wisconsin Notable Men] | |||
*[http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.319510019648527;view=1up;seq=25 Wisconsin, its story and biography 1848-1913, by Ellis Baker Usher Vol. 1], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=yale.39002071117668;view=1up;seq=9 Vol. 2], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89066137910;view=1up;seq=1 vol. 3], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=yale.39002071117643;view=1up;seq=7 Vol. 4], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.31951001964856z;view=1up;seq=9 Vol. 5], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044100180769;view=1up;seq=7 Vol. 6], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89082454000;view=1up;seq=1 Vol. 7], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=yale.39002014911433;view=1up;seq=7 Vol. 8], e-books<br><br> | |||
=== Statewide Collections | ==Biographies in Local Histories== | ||
*Biographical information is often found in '''state, county, and town histories'''. | |||
*Towards the end of the 19th century, began publishers soliciting short biographical/family histories from local founding families, offering to publish them in an upcoming local history. This then became an incentive for family members to buy a copy of the book. | |||
*Families represented were '''not necessarily prominent'''. Practically everyone living there, especially in the Midwest, counted as an early settler. | |||
*These biographies often start with '''the first member of the family to settle in the area''', and detail their descendants at the time of publishing. They may tell '''where the family moved in from'''. Children's marriages often are given, with '''maiden names''' included. | |||
===Finding Biographies=== | |||
*The [[Wisconsin, United States Genealogy#Counties|'''county Wiki page''']] lists several county histories. It also lists '''local libraries, and societies''' which probably have copies of local histories. | |||
*Many histories are no longer under copyright and can be found in the following '''online, digitized book collections'''. Search with keywords "History" and "the name of your locality" (state, county, or town). | |||
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/ '''FamilySearch Books'''] | |||
**[https://books.google.com/ '''Google Books'''] | |||
**[https://www.worldcat.org/ '''World Cat'''] | |||
**[https://www.hathitrust.org/ '''HathiTrust'''] | |||
**[https://archive.org/ '''Internet Archive'''] | |||
*The FamilySearch library has extensive collections of these local histories. Many are digitized. Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog '''FamilySearch Catalog'''] under your locality for the topics "Biography" and "History". | |||
== Statewide Collections == | |||
The Wisconsin Historical Society has an extensive biography file created by the staff and volunteers. The biographies come from biographical sketches, local histories, and biographical compendia of the state that were published before 1940. The sketches are indexed in the [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/vitalrecords/ Wisconsin Genealogy Index]. | The Wisconsin Historical Society has an extensive biography file created by the staff and volunteers. The biographies come from biographical sketches, local histories, and biographical compendia of the state that were published before 1940. The sketches are indexed in the [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/vitalrecords/ Wisconsin Genealogy Index]. | ||
County histories also contain biographical information on selected residents. The Wisconsin Historical Society has published digitized versions of 80 county histories on its [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wch/ website]. The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society has published every-name indexes to about fifty of them. The | County histories also contain biographical information on selected residents. The Wisconsin Historical Society has published digitized versions of 80 county histories on its [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wch/ website]. The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society has published every-name indexes to about fifty of them. The FamilySearch Library has purchased most of these. | ||
An important [[Wisconsin|Wisconsin]] collection with biographical information about early settlers, traders, missionaries, etc., is: | An important [[Wisconsin Genealogy|Wisconsin]] collection with biographical information about early settlers, traders, missionaries, etc., is: | ||
*Draper, Lyman Copeland. ''Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.'' 24 vols. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1855–. ( | *Draper, Lyman Copeland. ''Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.'' 24 vols. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1855–. (FamilySearch Library {{FSC|629105|title-id|disp=book 977.5 B4wc}}; films beginning with {{FSC|629105|title-id|disp=924580}}.) Volume 21 is an index to volumes 1–20. These volumes discuss various aspects of the early history of Wisconsin. | ||
An interesting collection of biographical information about persons involved in circuses between 1793 and the present is at: | An interesting collection of biographical information about persons involved in circuses between 1793 and the present is at: | ||
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This center has an index of 360,000 names, personal papers, newspaper ads, periodicals, and route books. | This center has an index of 360,000 names, personal papers, newspaper ads, periodicals, and route books. | ||
The | The FamilySearch Library has collected biographical works on subjects such as soldiers, lawyers, women, and prominent citizens and pioneers of various regions of the state. Useful biographical encyclopedias include: | ||
*''United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-made Men: Wisconsin Volume.'' Chicago, Illinois: American Biographical Pub., 1877. ( | *''United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-made Men: Wisconsin Volume.'' Chicago, Illinois: American Biographical Pub., 1877. (FS Library film {{FSC|174895|title-id|disp=1000800}} item 3; fiche {{FSC|6051214|film|disp=6051214}}.) An index is included. | ||
*''Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography''. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society, 1960. {{ | *''Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography''. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society, 1960. {{FSC|977.5 D3w|disp=(FS Library book 977.5 D3w.) }}The biographies are in alphabetical order. | ||
*Nelke, David I. ''Columbian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery''. . . . Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Co., 1895. ( | *Nelke, David I. ''Columbian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery''. . . . Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Co., 1895. (FS Library book {{FSC|977.5 D3n|disp=977.5 D3n}}; film {{FSC|1036216|film|disp=1036216}}.) An index is included. | ||
*Usher, Ellis B. ''Wisconsin: Its Story and Biography, 1848-1913.'' 8 vols. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Co., 1914. ( | *Usher, Ellis B. ''Wisconsin: Its Story and Biography, 1848-1913.'' 8 vols. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Co., 1914. (FS Library book {{FSC|977.5 H2u|disp=977.5 H2u}}; films {{FSC|1036685|film|disp=1036685-86}}.) Volume one has an index to the persons for whom there are biographical sketches in volumes 1–8. | ||
*Waterstreet, Darlene E. ''Biography Index to the Wisconsin Blue Books''. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Badger Infosearch, 1974. ( | *Waterstreet, Darlene E. ''Biography Index to the Wisconsin Blue Books''. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Badger Infosearch, 1974. (FS Library book {{FSC|977.5 N2b|disp=977.5 N2b}} index.) This indexes the Wisconsin Blue Books, which list 5,000 prominent persons who lived during the period 1870–1973. The Blue Books have biographical information. | ||
== Further Reading == | |||
See the[[United States Biographies|United States Biographies]] for information on nationwide biographical collections. See also the "[[Illinois History|History]]" and "[[Illinois Genealogy|Genealogy]]" sections for additional sources. You may wish to explore biography, history and genealogy sections in the wiki at county levels also. | See the[[United States Biographies|United States Biographies]] for information on nationwide biographical collections. See also the "[[Illinois History|History]]" and "[[Illinois Genealogy|Genealogy]]" sections for additional sources. You may wish to explore biography, history and genealogy sections in the wiki at county levels also. | ||
Biographies can be found on state, county and local levels. The | Biographies can be found on state, county and local levels. The FamilySearch Library has many collected biographies and local or county histories with biographical sketches on residents. Links to county pages appear below. | ||
{{Wisconsin|Wisconsin}} | {{Wisconsin|Wisconsin}} | ||
[[Category:Wisconsin|Biography]] | [[Category:Wisconsin, United States|Biography]][[Category:United States Biography]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:38, 11 December 2023
| Wisconsin Wiki Topics |
|
| Beginning Research |
| Record Types |
|
| Wisconsin Background |
| Cultural Groups |
| Local Research Resources |
Online Resources
- County and Town Histories, includes biographies*Wisconsin Historical Society Local History and Biography Articles Index only.
- Wisconsin Name Index, Wisconsin Historical Society
- Wisconsin Pioneer Experience, index
- Wisconsin Men of Progress, ($), index
- History of northern Wisconsin ....biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, ($), index/images
- Wisconsin Historical Society
- Wisconsin Notable Men
- Wisconsin, its story and biography 1848-1913, by Ellis Baker Usher Vol. 1, Vol. 2, vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8, e-books
Biographies in Local Histories
- Biographical information is often found in state, county, and town histories.
- Towards the end of the 19th century, began publishers soliciting short biographical/family histories from local founding families, offering to publish them in an upcoming local history. This then became an incentive for family members to buy a copy of the book.
- Families represented were not necessarily prominent. Practically everyone living there, especially in the Midwest, counted as an early settler.
- These biographies often start with the first member of the family to settle in the area, and detail their descendants at the time of publishing. They may tell where the family moved in from. Children's marriages often are given, with maiden names included.
Finding Biographies
- The county Wiki page lists several county histories. It also lists local libraries, and societies which probably have copies of local histories.
- Many histories are no longer under copyright and can be found in the following online, digitized book collections. Search with keywords "History" and "the name of your locality" (state, county, or town).
- The FamilySearch library has extensive collections of these local histories. Many are digitized. Search the FamilySearch Catalog under your locality for the topics "Biography" and "History".
Statewide Collections
The Wisconsin Historical Society has an extensive biography file created by the staff and volunteers. The biographies come from biographical sketches, local histories, and biographical compendia of the state that were published before 1940. The sketches are indexed in the Wisconsin Genealogy Index.
County histories also contain biographical information on selected residents. The Wisconsin Historical Society has published digitized versions of 80 county histories on its website. The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society has published every-name indexes to about fifty of them. The FamilySearch Library has purchased most of these.
An important Wisconsin collection with biographical information about early settlers, traders, missionaries, etc., is:
- Draper, Lyman Copeland. Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. 24 vols. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1855–. (FamilySearch Library book 977.5 B4wc; films beginning with 924580.) Volume 21 is an index to volumes 1–20. These volumes discuss various aspects of the early history of Wisconsin.
An interesting collection of biographical information about persons involved in circuses between 1793 and the present is at:
Circus World Museum
Attention: Library and Research Center
426 Water Street
Baraboo, WI 53913
Telephone: 608-356-8341
Internet: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/circusworld/
This center has an index of 360,000 names, personal papers, newspaper ads, periodicals, and route books.
The FamilySearch Library has collected biographical works on subjects such as soldiers, lawyers, women, and prominent citizens and pioneers of various regions of the state. Useful biographical encyclopedias include:
- United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-made Men: Wisconsin Volume. Chicago, Illinois: American Biographical Pub., 1877. (FS Library film 1000800 item 3; fiche 6051214.) An index is included.
- Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society, 1960. (FS Library book 977.5 D3w.)The biographies are in alphabetical order.
- Nelke, David I. Columbian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery. . . . Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Co., 1895. (FS Library book 977.5 D3n; film 1036216.) An index is included.
- Usher, Ellis B. Wisconsin: Its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. 8 vols. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Co., 1914. (FS Library book 977.5 H2u; films 1036685-86.) Volume one has an index to the persons for whom there are biographical sketches in volumes 1–8.
- Waterstreet, Darlene E. Biography Index to the Wisconsin Blue Books. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Badger Infosearch, 1974. (FS Library book 977.5 N2b index.) This indexes the Wisconsin Blue Books, which list 5,000 prominent persons who lived during the period 1870–1973. The Blue Books have biographical information.
Further Reading
See theUnited States Biographies for information on nationwide biographical collections. See also the "History" and "Genealogy" sections for additional sources. You may wish to explore biography, history and genealogy sections in the wiki at county levels also.
Biographies can be found on state, county and local levels. The FamilySearch Library has many collected biographies and local or county histories with biographical sketches on residents. Links to county pages appear below.
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