GCGS Upcoming Events -- Meetings & Field Trips
Meetings are held at the Monroe, WI Public Library at 10:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month in the Community Room on the upper level. The library is located at 925 16th Ave, Monroe, WI. For more information call 608-328-7436.
June 3-"Digging Grandma's Privy for Family History Data" presented by Craig Pfannkuche Where can data sometimes be found concerning individuals who are not well represented in the mass of available paper records? Grandma’s Privy! This presentation will show that not everything that went into privy holes, latrines, and outhouses was a mixture of … organic wastes. Into these holes went bones, bottles, toys, money, clothing, jewelry, dishware, cutlery, and watches among many other things; in fact, a wide variety of inorganic material which represents a full spectrum of the artifacts (articles of use) used by the people who made use of the privy.
“Hundreds and thousands of those privies, treasure troves of a variety of family artifacts, remain safely buried in both city and countryside. Using basic archaeological techniques, a minimally trained excavator can build from these artifacts both a picture of who deposited the materials, when they deposited those artifacts and how they lived. Information that cannot be found in paper records. Join us and learn.
Craig Pfannkuche is President of Memory Trail Research, Inc. since 1993, and is the Genealogical Archivist for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Historical Society since 1984. He is on the Board of Directors of the McHenry County, Illinois Genealogical Society & the Chicago Genealogical Society. He has presented numerous workshops in history, historical & genealogical research & archaeological techniques at both the local and national level.
“Hundreds and thousands of those privies, treasure troves of a variety of family artifacts, remain safely buried in both city and countryside. Using basic archaeological techniques, a minimally trained excavator can build from these artifacts both a picture of who deposited the materials, when they deposited those artifacts and how they lived. Information that cannot be found in paper records. Join us and learn.
Craig Pfannkuche is President of Memory Trail Research, Inc. since 1993, and is the Genealogical Archivist for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Historical Society since 1984. He is on the Board of Directors of the McHenry County, Illinois Genealogical Society & the Chicago Genealogical Society. He has presented numerous workshops in history, historical & genealogical research & archaeological techniques at both the local and national level.
July 8 - "Civil War Memories and Mementos" by Leslie Bellais (Note Change to 2nd Saturday)
Dr. Leslie Bellais tells the powerful stories of small objects saved by Wisconsinites as mementos of the Civil War.
Leslie Bellais, Ph.D. has an extensive background as a curator and historian. Her primary expertise is in pre-1940 American textiles and clothing, but she also has experience with historical and genealogical research.
She worked as the Curator of Collections at the Hershey Museum of American Life in Hershey, PA for 4 years and as Curator of Costume & Textiles (later renamed Curator of Social History) at the Wisconsin Historical Society for 29 years.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in historic preservation from the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA and Master’s Degrees in United States history from the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Her Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin is in United States history and material culture. Her theses focused on textile sales in pre-Revolutionary War Virginia and the history and significance of late 19th century bustles! Her dissertation concerns loyalty issues experienced by Wisconsinites during World War I Wisconsin. As a student she interned at the Chancellorsville Battlefield and Colonial Williamsburg.
Dr. Leslie Bellais tells the powerful stories of small objects saved by Wisconsinites as mementos of the Civil War.
Leslie Bellais, Ph.D. has an extensive background as a curator and historian. Her primary expertise is in pre-1940 American textiles and clothing, but she also has experience with historical and genealogical research.
She worked as the Curator of Collections at the Hershey Museum of American Life in Hershey, PA for 4 years and as Curator of Costume & Textiles (later renamed Curator of Social History) at the Wisconsin Historical Society for 29 years.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in historic preservation from the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA and Master’s Degrees in United States history from the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Her Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin is in United States history and material culture. Her theses focused on textile sales in pre-Revolutionary War Virginia and the history and significance of late 19th century bustles! Her dissertation concerns loyalty issues experienced by Wisconsinites during World War I Wisconsin. As a student she interned at the Chancellorsville Battlefield and Colonial Williamsburg.
August 5 - "Rails and Records: Exploring the Milwaukee Road Archives"
presented by Greg Comly
The Milwaukee Public Library was designated in 1981 as the official repository of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, fondly known as the Milwaukee Road. The Milwaukee Road Archives beckons all those fascinated by the history of railroads and the indelible mark left by the Milwaukee Road. Whether you're a researcher, historian or simply captivated by the romance of trains, this collection offers an invaluable opportunity to delve into a bygone era and witness the enduring legacy of the Milwaukee Road firsthand.
Collection Overview:
- Illustrations and Drawings: The Milwaukee Road build most of its own equipment. this collection contains more than 50,000 engineering drawing of cars, structures and locomotives.
- Photographs: Over 18,000 images range from glass plates produced in the late 1800s to modern color slides.
- Other resources include: Personnel Records; Timetables; Employee Magazines; Corporate Records; Track Profiles; Maps; and more
Greg Comly was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming. His passion for learning and preserving historical records led him to pursue a dual degree in History and Geography from the University of Wyoming. Seeking to deepen his understanding of the archival field, he embarked on a journey to acquire a Master's degree in Library and Information Science, with a concentration in archives, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2016, Greg has been an integral part of the Milwaukee Public Library, where he has continuously strived to connect individuals with valuable resources and foster a love for learning. In early 2022, Greg took on the new and exciting role as the Milwaukee Road Librarian in the Special Collections Department at Central Library. He is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the remarkable history of the Milwaukee Road.
presented by Greg Comly
The Milwaukee Public Library was designated in 1981 as the official repository of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, fondly known as the Milwaukee Road. The Milwaukee Road Archives beckons all those fascinated by the history of railroads and the indelible mark left by the Milwaukee Road. Whether you're a researcher, historian or simply captivated by the romance of trains, this collection offers an invaluable opportunity to delve into a bygone era and witness the enduring legacy of the Milwaukee Road firsthand.
Collection Overview:
- Illustrations and Drawings: The Milwaukee Road build most of its own equipment. this collection contains more than 50,000 engineering drawing of cars, structures and locomotives.
- Photographs: Over 18,000 images range from glass plates produced in the late 1800s to modern color slides.
- Other resources include: Personnel Records; Timetables; Employee Magazines; Corporate Records; Track Profiles; Maps; and more
Greg Comly was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming. His passion for learning and preserving historical records led him to pursue a dual degree in History and Geography from the University of Wyoming. Seeking to deepen his understanding of the archival field, he embarked on a journey to acquire a Master's degree in Library and Information Science, with a concentration in archives, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2016, Greg has been an integral part of the Milwaukee Public Library, where he has continuously strived to connect individuals with valuable resources and foster a love for learning. In early 2022, Greg took on the new and exciting role as the Milwaukee Road Librarian in the Special Collections Department at Central Library. He is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the remarkable history of the Milwaukee Road.
September 9 - "German-language materials in America - Resources for Genealogists at the Max Kade Institute" presented by Antje Petty (Note Change 2nd Saturday)
Antje Petty is the Associate Director of the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where her research focuses on the experiences of German-speaking immigrants and their descendants. She shares the resources of the Institute through a variety of public programs.
October 7 - "The Cheesemaking History of Green County & the Surrounding Area"
presented by Paul Vassalotti
presented by Paul Vassalotti
Paul Vassalotti, Wisconsin Cheesemaking Historian, will be presenting the cheesemaking history and cheese factories of the area. He will also be sharing his biographical work on several of the area cheesemakers.
Paul Vassalotti is referred to as the "Wisconsin Cheesemaking Historian". He currently has done research on several Wisconsin counties which has given him a broad knowledge of cheesemaking in different parts of the state. Paul is retired and lives in Cross Plains, WI. He is also very involved as a volunteer at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center Museum in Monroe.
Paul Vassalotti is referred to as the "Wisconsin Cheesemaking Historian". He currently has done research on several Wisconsin counties which has given him a broad knowledge of cheesemaking in different parts of the state. Paul is retired and lives in Cross Plains, WI. He is also very involved as a volunteer at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center Museum in Monroe.
November 4 - "Where to Find Collections Anywhere and Everywhere" by Lori Bessler
December 2 - "Golden Books" presented by Holly Everson
"Cahokia and the Mississippian Culture" (May 2023 meeting)
Link to presentation available on Members Only page
Link to presentation available on Members Only page
"Abandoned: The Untold Story of the Orphan Trains" by Michael Keene (Nov 2022 meeting)
Link to presentation available on Members Only page
Link to presentation available on Members Only page
Research Center
Hours: Tuesday 10:00 am - 3 pm
Other times available by appointment. Call Bill Holland 608-325-2990 or email.
Located on the lower level of the Monroe Public Library, 925 16th Ave, Monroe, WI.
Other times available by appointment. Call Bill Holland 608-325-2990 or email.
Located on the lower level of the Monroe Public Library, 925 16th Ave, Monroe, WI.