LA CROSSE AREA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (WIS.). RECORDS, 1972-2003. 0.4 cubic feet (1 archives box)

Abstract

Records of a La Crosse, Wis., 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.

Acc. No. 1993/6, 2001/28

Donated by Earl Newton, Past President, May 2001

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

History

The La Crosse Area Genealogical Society, under the sponsorship of the La Crosse Public Library and librarian 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.

Scope and Content

Records, dating from 1972 to the present, of the La Crosse Area Genealogical Society, Inc., include bylaws (1973-1987), brochures, correspondence (1977-1995; 2001), financial reports (1995-1996), logos, membership lists (1973-1982; 1993; 2001), meeting minutes (1973-1975; 1981-1988; 1991-present), newsletters (1972-present), newspaper clippings (1975-present), photographs (1975-present), and program announcements (1972-present).

The full-run of the Society’s publication La Crosse Area Genealogical Quarterly is available in the Archives, dating from 1979 (vol. 1 no.1).