Local Genealogy Research
The library will do limited genealogy research as time permits. Please send requests to the library by mail. There is no charge for this service, though donations are gladly accepted.
Stop by the library to use the following local history and genealogy resources:
- Columbus Area Personal War Sketches is permanently posted at Recollection Wisconsin. The link includes photos of each page of this Civil War Registry and a transcription of the contents. Special Thanks to Bob and Mary Jane Ferrett for their talents in making this happen for Columbus!
- AncestryLibrary database (in-library use only)
- Columbus High School Yearbooks (1901-2012 with some years missing)
- Hillside Cemetery Records on microfilm
Division I, II, III; Addition I, II, III, IV
Addition 1915, 1950, 1971 - Local Newspapers on microfilm: Columbus Journal
- Fred Stare's articles about the history of Columbus
- U.S. Census records on microfilm
- Plat Maps can provide information on where people lived. We have printed copies of local plat maps going back many years. Historic Mapworks provides historical plat maps on-line.
Genealogy Websites
Wisconsin Local Histories (Wisonsin Historical Society)
The books in the Wisconsin Local Histories collection document and present the history of Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk, and Wood Counties and communities therein.
Included in the Columbus County documents is The Story of Columbus, volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4, by Fred A. Stare.
This site is a "repository of obituaries and death records with more than 55 million individual entries on file. ... Funeral directors across North America serve as Contributing Members to help ... publish obituaries based on information provided by families." Search for obituaries, or register to create an obituary or correct a record. Also includes a funeral home directory. From the Continental Computer Corporation, a maker of software for managing funerals and funeral homes. [LII New This Week] June 11, 2009
National Obituary Archive (NOA)
This site is a "repository of obituaries and death records with more than 55 million individual entries on file. ... Funeral directors across North America serve as Contributing Members to help ... publish obituaries based on information provided by families." Search for obituaries, or register to create an obituary or correct a record. Also includes a funeral home directory. From the Continental Computer Corporation, a maker of software for managing funerals and funeral homes. [LII New This Week] June 11, 2009
Resources for Genealogists and Family Historians
The website of the National Archives provides an extensive resource for individuals interested in genealogical and family history research. Because the records at the National Archives come from every branch of the Federal government, almost all Americans can find themselves, their ancestors, or their community in the archives.
This 10th annual roundup of noteworthy genealogy websites honors 10 categories of 10 noteworthy sites each (plus one to make 101). The Family Tree Magazine editors have tried to encompass more Web 2.0 sites that are paving the way for changes in online genealogy over the next 10 years. Sites that are mostly free but where you might still wind up pulling out your credit card for some purchase or other are marked with a $....Family Tree Magazine - from American Libraries Direct 7/29/2009