Genealogy and Local History
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.
Use the "Online Genealogy" links to the left, or come to the library to use the following local history and genealogy resources:
- AncestryLibrary database (in-library use only; more information)
- Columbus High School Yearbooks (1901-2005 with some years missing)
- Family Histories (more information)
- Hillside Cemetery Records on microfilm
Division I, II, III; Addition I, II, III, IV
Addition 1915, 1950, 1971 - Local Newspapers on microfilm (more information)
- Richard Stare's new articles about the history of Columbus
- U.S. Census records on microfilm (more information)
- Wisconsin Blue Books (1880-present)
- Plat Maps can provide information on where people lived. We have printed copies but, you can also see them online click on "Plat Maps" to the left of this page.
Genealogy Websites
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.
101 best genealogy websites
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
World Archives Project
This project invites users to "participate by accessing record images in our [genealogy] system and entering relevant names, dates and other facts to make the information searchable online." Includes a list of available projects and completion status, and information for participating. Projects include New York and California naturalization indexes, Jacksonville, Florida, city directories, and slave manifests filed at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1807-1860. From Ancestry.com. - [LII New This Week] June 11, 2009
Bionima
Bionima says they offer you the opportunity of chronicling your life’s events, commemorating your loved ones, preserving memories and staying connected with the people who matter. Bionima combines the different elements of social media together to chronicle life the way it should be remembered. Through Bionima, people’s stories are forever kept alive.
- from Janelle Kohl, Frank B. Koller Memorial Library, Manitowish Waters