treetrack'n

Fond du Lac County, WI Roots?

I was wandering around the internet today when I stumbled onto an amazing find. I'm disappointed that none of my people are listed but this is just too good.

In June, 1912, Franklin Swett, secretary of the Old Settlers club, compiled Old Settlers and Home-Comers of Fond du Lac County for Fond Du Lac's homecoming week.  He profiled dozens of citizens of the county over the age of 90. And had them sit for photographs!

The Fond du Lac Daily Commonwealth (18 Jun 1912) called the booklet a "valuable gallery of well known citizens." The writer was probably trying to encourage potential purchasers but we genealogists know just how valuable it really is. Did I mention photographs?

The author included short profiles of his subject. Most have dates and places of birth and when the person arrived in Fond du Lac. Others include short military histories or occupations. But it's the photos that make this gold.

You can view the booklet in the State of Wisconsin collection at the University of Wisconsin's digital collections website.

 http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WFSouvenirAlbum

Here's an index of those profiled. 

Gold, pure gold.

Be sure to let me know if you can stake a claim.