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Research Center and Archives
The Research Center collection includes resources pertaining to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, past and present, as well as Luxembourg American people, communities and culture from throughout the United States. Within its holdings, the LACS RC also provides genealogical resources for families from Northern Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, no matter their ethnic heritage.
Hours
Open by appointment only Email us or phone (262) 376-3194 to schedule appointments
Location
755 Main Street,
Belgium, WI 53004
Research Center Entrance Fee:
Contact Us
Email Inquiries about contents will be answered without charge.
Research Center Policy and Request Forms
Research Center Resources Available
Research Center Resource information is a work in progress and we are continuing to add new content. Please contact LACS Research Center for the most complete and accurate research.
Surname Files - VIEW INDEX - The collection contains over 3,000 surname files for families of Luxembourg ancestry throughout the US and families of northern Ozaukee County, Wisconsin no matter what their ethnic origin. Surname files include a variety of data including obituaries, news clippings, memorial cards from funerals, family group sheets, etc. Be aware of variations in spelling of surnames and consult other files of variant spellings.
Church File - VIEW INDEX - Most Luxembourg immigrants and their descendants were affiliated with parishes with a strong Luxembourg or German identity. Historic materials from these parishes, such as anniversary booklets, often contain information about founding families or biographical sketches of parishioners. The Research Center has an extensive collection of Luxembourg American parish history files from throughout the United States.
Luxembourg American Settlements (United States Place Names) - VIEW INDEX - The collection contains files of Luxembourg American communities throughout the US and northern Ozaukee County, Wisconsin and southern Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.
Schobermesse Booklets - VIEW BOOKLETS- Since 1906, the Chicago Luxembourg community has celebrated Schobermesse (Fall Harvest Fest) sponsored by the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America (LBA). Each year the LBA published a commemorative Schobermesse ooklet. The booklets are filled with historic and biographical information along with photographs and advertising for Luxembourg American businesses. While the Schobermesse booklets focus primarily on metro-Chicago, the booklets also contain some information about other Luxembourg communities and people from throughout the United States.
Bound Family Histories
The Research Center has numerous bound family histories for Luxembourg American families from throughout the United States as well as for families from northern Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, no matter their nationality. Not only are these bound family histories a helpful resource in researching your particular family but they also offer a variety of models for anyone writing and publishing a family history.
Sacramental Records and Cemetery Records – The collection includes a variety of sacramental records (baptisms, marriage, burials) as well as cemetery records and plats from Luxembourgish parishes throughout the United States. Sacramental records are often in Latin but are easily deciphered. LACS offers a translation service for a nominal fee. Be aware of variations in spelling of surnames and inconsistencies of dates
Luxemburger Gazette newspaper - The Luxemburger Gazette was published by Nicholas Gonner in Dubuque, Iowa from 1871 – 1918. It was the most thoroughly Luxembourgish newspaper in the US and featured extensive news about Luxembourg immigrants and their families. The newspaper is on microfilm and was indexed by Luxembourg researcher/genealogist Jean Ensch. Published in German, the Gazette’s news articles are easily deciphered. The LACS offers a translation service for a nominal fee.
Luxembourgers In The New World – Written by Nicholas Gonner and originally published in German in 1889, the book Luxembourgers in the New World was translated into English in 1987. Luxembourgers in the New World is one of the finest resources for Luxembourgish genealogists. The book offers extensive information about Luxembourg immigration to the US and chapter long histories describing Luxembourg settlement by State. Some immigrants are mentioned in the book.
Immigration/Ship Passenger Lists – One of the finest references containing ship passenger lists of Luxembourg immigrants to the US is the series Germans To America. Printed volumes representing immigration from 1840 – 1865. The Research Center also has the Germans to America series and other passenger lists on CD.
Parish History Files - Most Luxembourg immigrants and their descendants were affiliated with parishes with a strong Luxembourg or German identity. Historic materials from these parishes, such as anniversary booklets, often contain information about founding families or biographical sketches of parishioners. The Research Center has an extensive collection of Luxembourg American parish history files from throughout the United States.
Luxembourg Heritage Files – The Research Center has numerous files on places/communities both in Luxembourg and the US as well as a multitude of Luxembourg cultural and heritage themes. Information from these files can supplement your research.
Maps and Plats – The Research Center has a growing collection of maps and plats from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and various regions of Luxembourg settlement in the United States. Plats from the US can especially assist you in locating family homes/farms, etc.
Census Records – The collection contains census records for Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. These records are available on microfilm and some as hard copies. Other census records from throughout the US can be searched on the RC’s visitor’s computer using Ancestry.com. The RC does have a few census records from select communities in Luxembourg including, Weiler-la-Tour, Hassel, and Bertrange (Bartringen).
Probate Files – Ozaukee County, Wisconsin – Probate files from Ozaukee County, Wisconsin are on loan to LACS. Because of privacy issues, only probate records that are 100 years or older are available for your research.
Luxembourg Heritage Books – The Research Center holdings includes hundreds of books pertaining to Luxembourg and Luxembourg heritage in the US. The collection includes histories of communities in Luxembourg and the US that often contain valuable information about immigrants and their descendants. Other books describe the history and culture of the Grand Duchy. Books in the RC’s collection are non-circulating.
Directories – The Research Center has a small collection of directories for communities in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. These directories can assist researchers in finding their ancestor’s addresses, occupations, etc. The advertisements in these directories are also very beneficial to your research.
Photograph Collection – The Research Center has an extensive photograph collection representing the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as well as Luxembourg American people, communities and events. The collection also includes photos of people, places and events from northern Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. The RC is home to the Vern Arendt Collection of negatives and prints representing Ozaukee County, Wisconsin from 1950 – 2000. Photos can supplement your research or family history publications. Prints of photos from the RC collection are available for a nominal fee.
Audio/Visual Materials – The Research Center has a growing collection of a/v materials pertaining to Luxembourg and Luxembourg heritage in the US. Included in these materials are Luxembourg music, virtual tours/maps of Luxembourg, and other items of historic value.
Rare Books and Items – The collection contains rare books, booklets, and other rare items from both Luxembourg and the US. An index of items in the RC’s rare book and item collection is available to visitors. Rare books and items are normally for display purposes and can only be viewed by visitors with the special permission of the RC Director.
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