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Ethnic Groupings/Migration Patterns Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin |
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last modified: 08 Aug 2001 Return to 
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One of the most difficult steps in genealogy, is attempting to track a family that suddenly vanishes, or trying to uncover where a family came from when little is know. Ethnic groups and migration patterns can assist in determining where to continue your research when all other options fail. The first influx of settlers to Fond du Lac county were Yankees, from New York and New England. They took the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and then took either a land route through Chicago or a water route through the Great Lakes. By 1850, 55-74% of Fond du Lac residents were native born. **Vermont immigrants settled near Brandon. Settlers coming directly from the British Isles are found in Fond du
Lac county in these areas:
Significant German migration:
If your German ancestors migrated between 1865-1875, chances are they were from Northwestern Germany, consisting of Schleswig-Holstein, Hanover, Oldenburg, Westphalia, Ost Friesland. You will find these settlers in Friendship and Northern Eldorado townships in Fond du Lac county. The largest influx of settlers occurred in 1874 If your German ancestors migrated between 1878-1893, chances are they
were from Northeastern Germany, consisting of Prussia, Pomerania, Upper
Silesia and Mecklenburg. This was the largest and poorest group of
Germans, and the largest
By the 1940's, Fond du Lac county was 65% German, with the exception of Irish Eden township, and the Dutch area of Alto and Waupun. **Scandinavian settlements can be found in Waupun and Oakfield townships. By 1926 Fond du Lac had more Catholics than Lutherans. The largest Lutheran Synod was the Wisconsin Synod, and the Largest Religious denomination after Catholics and Lutherans, was Methodist.
***Wisconsin's Past and Present, A Historical Atlas, by The Wisconsin Cartographers Guild |
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and to share this data with other researchers at no charge. If you have corrections or additions to share, please contact Tracy Reinhardt by email at [email protected] Disclaimer | Privacy Statement These electronic pages may not be reproduced in this format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons without the permission of Tracy Reinhardt Copyright © 2009 by Tracy Reinhardt ** Ruth Shaw Worthing, The History of Fond du Lac County, as told by its Place-Names, 1976. ** The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880. ** Portrait and Biographical Album of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Acme Publishing Company, 1889. ** A. T. Glaze, Incidents and Anecdotes of Early Days and History of Business in the City and County of Fond du Lac from Early Times to the Present, Fond du Lac: P. B. Haber Printing Company, 1905. ** Maurice McKenna, ed., History of Fond du Lac County, Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912. ** Wisconsin Volunteers: War of the Rebellion 1861-1865 ** Plat Book of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, C. M. Foote & Co. 1893 |