USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
20
1
154
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1875.
streets, taking in the southern portion of the block north of Washington Street, between Main and Mount Vernon streets; east on Washington Street, taking in several houses on the north side of the street, till it reaches Bowen Street; making a circle southeast, it comes back to Bowen on Otter Street; thence back on Otter, to Mill Street; down Mill to the alley between Otter and Ceape streets; thence west to the Court House; the line then contin- les on Ceape to Main Street; thence north to 43 Main Street and the Eagle Foundry, and along Marion Street to place of beginning.
THE LOSS.
The loss, as near as can be estimated, will reach nearly $2,500,000. The assessed valu- ation of the property destroyed was about $1,750,000.
LIST OF BUSINESS HOUSES BURNED.
Hotels .- Adams House, C. P.& G. Adams, proprietors; Beckwith House, E. & F. Blood, proprietors; Tremont House, Joseph Stauden- raus, proprietor; Northwestern House, J. Wagner, proprietor; Carter Boarding House, G. T. Carter, proprietor.
Banks .- First National, Union National, Commercial.
Churches. - Universalist, Salem Church, Lutheran, German Methodist, Norwegian and parsonage.
Schools .- Otter Street, two buildings, and the German and English Academy.
Public Halls .- Harding Opera House, Cas- sino Hall, Gewerbeverin Hall.
Printing Offices .- Allen & Hicks, North- western and stationery store; Fernandez & Co., Times; Kohlman & Bro., Telegraph and book-bindery; Kaime & Livermore, Indepen- dent; Sarau & Weidner, job office and book- bindery.
Dry Goods Dealers .- Clarks & Forbes, R. L. Bigger, Jones Bros., Kuehmstead Bros., McKey & Folds, E. L. Hughes.
Millincry, Etc .- A. M. Weber, Mrs. John- son, Mrs. Nash, Miss Turner, A. Rodgers, Kittie Neis, Miss Tarrant.
Harness Shops .- A. P. Allen, Henry Bar- low and C. F. Shroeder.
Grocers .- R. Ash & Co., J. Fowler, G. J. Hatch, Jones Bros., Newton & Kecn, Snell & Bliss,, Koch & Nehoda, H. Sherk, K. Dich- mann & Son, B. Gores, W. H. Ballou, Maine & Reed, Charles Quinlan, E. W. Viall, Voigt & Wendorff, F. Hermann, L. Mayer. Furniture .- Badger Bros.
Jewelry .- S. B. Boynton, I. G. Hatch, J. H. Shourds, V. E. Dake.
Cigar Dealers. - H. Bammessel, J. Baum
& Co., W. G. Brauer, Neumann Bros., T. V. Dercksen & Son, N. S. Robinson.
Boots and Shocs .- N. T. Stickney & Co., R. F. Farrington, J. M. Rollins & Co., Geo. Henkle, J. B. Stone, Richard Lawless, C. A. Johnson, M. C. Rock, 1. Barta, Carl Rehs, A. Baumgartner, F. Runger, C. Bowen, C. Pohl.
Sewing Machines .- J. H. Barr & Co., Remington; C. W. Bloss, Domestic; L. C. Sessions, Singer; A. P. Bailey, Wheeler & Wilson; W. Lake, Victor.
Music and Musical Instruments .- F. A. Beckel, G. R. Lampard, W. G. Brauer.
Drugs and Medicines .- J. Bauman & Co., R. Guenther, J. R. Forbes, M. J. Williams, W. L. Williams & Co.
Fur Dealers .- T. H. Bishop, Frank Percy F. Thrall, A. Richter.
Flour and Feed .- Blissett & Son, H. M. Woodworth, F. LaBuddc.
Real Estate .- C. D. Church, O. H. Harris A. Norton.
Hardware .- S. M. Hay & Bro., W. H. Crawford, P. Z. Wilson, L. Dimpscy & Co., Geo. Kelley.
Insurance .- Daniel & McCurdy, Gary & Harmon, Creutzburg & Schintz, L. S. Tuttle, A. Norton, Palmer & McLaren, King & Law- son, O. E. Carrier.
Book Stores .- Allen & Hicks, G. F. & L. M. Eastman, W. G. Brauer.
News Rooms. - R. Hellard, Mrs. W. B Smith,
Meat Markets .- J. Muller, Wakeman & Son, Conrad Ernst, C. Herrmann, Pitcher & Woodworth, John Hærning, Lochman Bros
Hides and Leather. - Metz & Schlærb Hæhne & Jænicke.
Painters and Paints and Oil Dealers .- D. B. Alverson, A. Benedict, A. E. Chase, G M. Hasbrouck, James Willock, T. Frazer, H M. Harmon, Lord & Kelsey, L. Schwalm & Co., C. H. Maxwell, S. C. Spore.
Carriage Shops .- P. L. Smith & Co., Clem ens & Wayland, J. Litfin, W. Griffith.
Blacksmith Shops .- A. Sanford, P. Char bonean, J. F. Corrigal, James Kanc, D. M Schoonover.
Clothiers and Tailors .- McCourt & Can eron, J. T. Masse. F. Anger.
Pump Works .- W. Clough, C. Carter. Hats and Caps .- J. B. Last, A. Richte Boiler Works .- M. T. Battis.
Wholesale Liquor Dealers. - Masse & Be. nah, A. Meisner, J. Nicholson.
Livery Stables .- Hobart & Holmes, Cole Forbes, G. W. Athearn & Co. (Omnibi Line), Thompson & Sprague, C. P. Mallett.
155
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1875.]
Stencil Works .-- W. C. Wheeler, J. H. Johnson.
Crockery Dealer .- J. F. W. Decker.
Willow Warc .- John Bismark.
Bakcrs. - L. Mayer, Heisinger Bros., J. Nicolai.
Saw Mills .- Morgan Bros., James & Stille.
Planing Mills, and Sash, Door and Blind Factories .- Lines, Libby & Co., G. M. Wil- liamson & Co., Kitz, Newell & Brown, Bell & Rogers, Ben Henze.
Gun Shops .- Frank Percy, George Schlærb.
Miscellaneous .- I. J. Hoile, seed store; H. S. Janes, glazed sash, Jones & Frentz, abstract office; J. R. Loper, soap and candles; Bur- dick, Roberts & Co., rotary harrow; Alfred Chapple, stone works; J. H. Ward, plow shop; Daniel Pratt, cooper; Wm. Waters archi- tect; Bell & Rogers, architects; Mrs. Billings, patterns; Mrs. Davis, hair goods; C. R. Ham- lin, United States Deputy Marshal; A. K. Osborne, Collector United States Internal Revenue; United States Postoffice; City Library; Alf Ford, fruit and confectionery; W. D. Curtis, match factory; Northwestern Telegraph Office; V. E. Dake, plated ware; Pratt & Son, spring bed factory; Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad depot; police station; Germania engine house; Wolf River Boom Company; City Surveyor's Office; S. Nash, auctioneer.
Between 200 and 300 residences were destroyed.
THE OSHKOSH FIRE, APRIL 28, 1875.
BY GUB O'BRIEN.
A fair city smiling lies
Underneath the April skies, Recre alott its steepled creste,
Where the swallows build their neste.
Massive blocks of brick aud etone Show what enterprise has done; Tasteful homes and gardens fair Show that wealth resideth there. Mills stand on the river's side, Lumber floste upon the tide; Rises smoke from furnace throate, Loaded are the passing boats; While, like hum of monster tops, Sounds the labor of the shops. Gazing up at April skies, This fair city smiling lies,
Rears sloft its steepled creste, Where the swallows build their uests.
Through the hum of busy trade, growing, nearer, rising higher, Speeding on the wings of fear comes the dreadful cry of fire.
Past the shops where labor toile, through the mart where Mammou reigns,
In the doors of happy homes, down the misery-haunted lanes, Pressge of destruction dire, Swells and roere this cry of fire.
Peal on peal of wild alarm, ring forth from each brazen bell, And shrieking mill and whistling boat the mournful story tell,
While crashing through the crowded streets the ponderous engines go,
To mingle in the flaming fray, and battle with the foe, Who every moment sendeth higher His breath of smoke and tongues of fire.
The hurrying crowd, with gleaming eyes and faces pale 86 death, Sweeps on to where the Demon stalke, in all his fiery wrath.
They see his thousand lurid flames, in triumph spreading faster, And vaiuly strive to beat them back, for Fire to-day is master, And eleves who bondage hresk, The worst of tyrante make.
He shakes on high his crested hesd, in scoru at man's endeavor, Breake every bound and rushes hy, a swollen, flaming river, Which, gathering strength 38 it rolle o'er blocks of wood and etoue, Becomes s mighty molten flood, whose fiery breath sloue, To tree and house became Presage of death and flame.
Rushed the towering flames, like torrents breaking from & mountain's source,
Hissing, rosring, whirling, leaping on their blazing course,
Melting granite, as & furnace melte s heap of softest wax ;
Sweeping through the sterneet irou, 66 through walls of driest flax, Flooding loftiest roof and spire With deluge of consuming fire.
Stately mansion, humble cottage, block of brick and wood;
Buildings that were half completed, buil lings that for years had stood; Lowly workshop, mill gigantic, feeble store and massive bank, All beneath the flood of love, in one common ruin sank; For raging fire, like death, is quite Too powerful to be parasite.
Swept this flood of fiery ruin on that fearful, fetal day, Seized with fury unrelenting, on its unresisting prey, Happy homes reduced to ashes, haunts of vice in ruin fell,
Aud the place in smoke and cindere, glowed with all the fires of hell, Or what is much the same, Glowed with & burning sea of flame.
And while on ite broad and blackened pathway countless homes in ruin lie.
Overhead the flood had painted flaming colore on the sky,
Flage triumphent, banners crimson, showing all the victor's glow, O'er the blazing triumph gathered in the siege below ; For 'twould be s epecies of insanity If every victor didn't show a little venity.
And the flames kept up their scourge, onward rolled their moulten surge,
"Till their blazing column's gathered at the very river's verge.
There they faltered in confusion-fiery strength and fury gone-
Turned to sparke and smouldering embers, and the day of wrath was done. Thue Heaven, in kindness, has decreed One element may stay another's greed.
Where the fiend found strength sud beauty, left he but & blackened plain,
Like eome field of bloody battle covered with ite thousand elaiu; Smoke and aches, frowning ruins, crumbling walle on every side, Marked the place where splendid huildinge once had towered iu their pride.
Gone were all the grace and beauty of the structures man had made, All the pride of this fair city in the tomb of ashes laid; Gone, the labor years had taken, gone like fleeting of a hreath, Wealth and splendor, grandeur, glory, swallowed up in fiery desth. For Fire, like Death, his brother sherk, Is prone to "love a shining mark."
While the past is desolation, in the future Hope is flying ; Spilt our milk ie, therefore let us waste no time in useless crying, Gird our loins up, seize the hammer, sound forth labor's cheering cries, Till once more we see our city in its strength and beauty rise. For who will spend his time in weeping over home and fortune slain, When his tears, though like a torrent, will not hring them back again ? Who will idly gaze distracted on the scenes of fiery strife? Folded hands and eyes of anguish cannot bring the dead to life. "Let us then be up and doing, with a heart for every fate, 'Still achieving, still purening, learn to labor and to wait." Remembering that 'tis said the Heavenly Host Giveth him the greatest help, who helps himself the most.
A sad city, wailing, lies Under mournful April skies,
156
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1875.
Fallen sreits steepled creals, Where lhe swallows had their nests; Massive blocks of brick sud stone Into dust and ashes gone. Tasteful homes aud gardens fair Scenes of desolation sre. Mills upon the river's side, Swallowed up by flaming tide, Furnaces that poured forth smoke Into sombre ruins broke; Workshop's hum, thst went aud came, Vanished in a sheet of flame. Like some fair gardeu of the Lord Hewn sud hacked by fiery sword ; Under mournful April skies Our sad city wailing lies, Fallen are its steepled crests, Where the swallows had their nests.
REBUILDING OF OSHKOSH. [Special Correspondence of Chicago Tribune. ]
A visit to the City of Oshkosh, now so vig- orously springing up from the ashes of its late fire, discloses to the most casual observer the fact of its recuperative force, and the great vitality of its business resources.
The work of rebuilding is being pushed for- ward with great vigor, and everything indi- cates that spirit of enterprise and business activity for which Oshkosh has been distin- guished.
The courageous enterprise manifested must arise from the firmest faith in the future pros- perous career of the place - a faith that is not only well sustained by thesplendid progress in the past, but which a knowledge of her unbounded resources for trade and manufac- ture will conclusively show to be well founded.
Two months have not elapsed since the fire, and during that time several brick blocks have been erected; many more are well advanced in their construction; and on nearly every other site of the business portion of the burnt dis- trict, foundations are being laid and building material stored in readiness for immediate work.
Bricklaying is an extensive business in Osh- kosh at the present time, and the incessant click of the hundreds of mason's trowels adds a new chord to the music of Oshkosh, and mingles sonorously with the noisy chorus of her machinery and business hum.
It would be naturally supposed that such a fire would have paralyzed the hopes of a com- munity; but no sign of despondency is to be scen in Oshkosh. These people are determined to build up a city here worthy of the beautiful and advantageous site it occupies. They will succeed even beyond their highest anticipa- tions, for nothing can check the progress of a place like this.
No one can become familiar with the beau- tiful and fertile country surrounding Oshkosh, and look at its magnificent river, 600 feet wide at this point, flowing from the great forests of
Northern Wisconsin, and floating to this city their timber products, and the splendid sheet of water, Lake Winnebago, and the steamers and sail craft which ply in every direction, to the Mississippi on the west and Lake Mich- igan on the east - without seeing the plainest evidences that Nature has laid here the found- ations for a city of large proportions, and one that must necessarily be a great manufacturing and business center. The immense quantities of commercial timber, in the shape of hard wood, as well as pine, in the country to the north of Oshkosh, on its tributary rivers, and the vast deposits of iron ore, which can be shipped south on the line of its demand through the forests which furnish the fuel for its man- ufacture, must ever make this region one of
GREAT MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY.
This tract of forest land also comprises large bodies of the finest grass and grain lands in the West. The country is well watered and not subject to droughts. There is every variety and character of soil and face of country, from the sandy, and rough, and rocky, and mining lands, hay-marsh, cranberry bog, cedar and tamarack swamps, to the very finest sugar- maple lands, comprising nearly whole town- ships in a body - the latter as fine farming lands as can be found in the West, with all the coveted advantages of rich soil, best of timber, plentifully supplied with the purest of running water-spring brooks, large rivers and beau- tiful lakes; with railroads, business and manu- facturing facilities, and a healthful climate.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
This country has but just been opened up to settlement by the railroads. Its trade and business are developing with wonderful rapidity; villages and manufacturing ham- lets are springing up along the lines of the railroads, The manufacture of pinc lumber and hard wood lumber, staves, spokes, wagon and furniture timber, now consti- tute the principal articles of manufacture, to which must soon be added iron works and the various staple iron manufactures: for, let it be understood, that the railroads run from the iron and copper mines southward, through the great tract of timber and farming lands, by which the ore can be moved to meet the fue on the very lines of its natural shipment and ultimate demand. The lines of road travers- ing this country must necessarily become a continuous hive of industry, and pour ar immense trade into the first available busines. center; and Oshkosh is the point. This i: plainly foreshadowed.
Here is the splendid river flowing from thi
٨٠٠٠٠
0
0300000000000[
ES
RESIDENCE OF DR. F. H. LINDE, NO. 142 WASHINGTON ST. OSHKOSH, WIS.
RESIDENCE OF GENL.THOMAS S. ALLEN, JACKSON ST. OSHKOSH, WIS.
157
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1875.]
great forest tract and uniting at this point with Lake Winnebago and its continuous water communications east and west. The flow of trade from the North naturally runs to the west side of Lake Winnebago. This is the line of the direction of the demand of its products, and here is the natural center of trade and busi- ness between it and the beautiful prairie and open country which stretches from here away to the south and west.
The country immediately surrounding Osh- kosh, and, in fact, the adjoining counties, is among the most fertile and beautiful in the West -prairie and woodland commingled with lakes and rivers.
The resources of Oshkosh stimulate a growth which no disaster like her great fire can suppress. Last year over seven hundred buildings were erected. and this year, although the great fire destroyed the business portion of the city, its rapid progress is unchecked.
SAFETY FROM FIRE.
The danger of fire, so long menacing Osh- kosh, is now, in a great degree, removed. The large quantities of combustible material which were stored in such dangerous proximity to the business portion of the city, are now for- ever banished by a city ordinance to that effect. The old wooden buildings are all destroyed in that locality, and nothing but fire-proof struc- tures are to be permitted to take their place. The safety of the city from further conflagra- tion can be very readily secured, for very few cities have better natural facilities for protec- tion. The splendid river, 600 feet wide, which bisects the city, forms an effectual barrier of non-communication and gives an immense water frontage, with an ever ready and most available supply of water at the immediate points of greatest danger. There is no doubt that Oshkosh will profit by her experience and avail herself of her superior advantages to secure immunity from any further extensive conflagrations, and that the city is rebuilt on a foundation of safety.
DELIGHTFUL RESIDENCE SITES.
It is rare to find a place with such fine busi- ness facilities, possessing so many attractions as a place of residence The wealthier classes, the business and professional men, of large cities, are glad to find pleasant places of resi- dence from ten to twenty miles from their places of business, where their homes are exempt from the stifling, impure air, heat, dust and smoke of the crowded marts; while the citizens of Oshkosh have, within ten or fifteen minutes' carriage-drive of their busi- ness center, the most delightful sites for sub-
urban residences, embracing a lake front of surpassing beauty. The drive to Winneconne discloses a most picturesque view of lake and river, and beautiful slopes of prairie, groves and cultivated fields. The shores of Lake Winnebago, a most magnificent sheet of water, and the finest yachting waters in the West, are among the most beautiful situations for suburban residences to be found in the country. The shore in the immediate vicinity of Oshkosh, and for several miles, has a fine gravelly or stony beach, with many beautiful points and bays. Steamboats, sail craft and pleasure yachts ply its waters, and add addı- tional attractiveness to the lovely scene. No finer location can be found for a delightful watering-place and summer hotel. It is sur- passing strange that such an opportunity should have been so long over-looked, and I call the attention of those who are looking to enterprise in that direction to this most attrac- tive place.
R. J. H.
REBUILT OSHKOSH.
[Special Correspondence Chicago Times.]
" I saw from out the wave her structures rise, As from the stroke of the enchanter's wand."
A year ago, Oshkosh built up a half mile of upper Main Street, which had been formerly destroyed by the great fire of that year, and this year she performed a similar operation on a scale of greater magnitude, being the whole business part of the immense burnt district which was laid waste by the memorable con- flagration of last April. She now enjoys the distinction of being the only bran new city, with all the modern improvements, that was ever built in the short period of one year.
Although so terribly scourged by the two great fires which, in one year, burnt up two miles of the densely populated portion of the city, including nearly the whole of its business buildings, hardly a trace of the fire can now be seen on the business streets. Her fire scars were healed over in a single season, and her calamity is forgotten in the prosperity which attends her vigorous enterprise.
THE WORK ACCOMPLISHED.
The structures erected in Oshkosh during the summer of 1875, were: One hundred and twelve fire-proof stores, two first-class hotels, twelve manufacturing establishments, two school buildings, one elegant opera house, two bank buildings, five churches, fifty-six build- ings comprising frame stores, mechanic shops, livery stables, etc., and 284 dwelling houses- being 476 buildings in all. Nearly ten miles of sidewalk have been laid, and upper Main
158
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN. [1876.
street has been graded and graveled, and long lines of sewers constructed. Of the residences, over half are elegant and costly structures. The business streets are metropolitan in appear- ance, with their palace stores and magnificent plate-glass windows of the largest size. Main street, for nearly a mile, is compactly built up, there being but three vacant spaces on lower Main, the scene of the spring fire. It presents a splendid appearance in its long line of hand- some new structures.
The change effected by the fire has com- pletely transformed the place. The old wooden structures were all swept away, and the old familiar landmarks have disappeared forever. It was hopefully predicted, early in the sum- mer, by the local papers, that half of the busi- ness portion of the burnt district would be rebuilt by fall. The progress of Oshkosh in this instance, as in all others, has surpassed the most sanguine expectations. Instead of half the space being filled up, it is nearly all rebuilt, and more than fifty of the finest structures have been erected on lots formerly vacant or occu- pied by frame buildings. In fact, a building mania prevailed, that seized upon every avail- able place with a determination to fill the whole thing up, and it has accomplished its purpose. One remarkable feature of this unparallelled rebuilding is that it is very generally paid for. There is but a trifling indebtedness as the busi- ness property in the burnt district is princi- pally owned by men of ample means.
LOCAL WEALTH.
The local wealth of Oshkosh is rarely equalled by cities of its size. The average deposits in its three banks is nearly $1,000,000. This, in connection with the heavy capital invested in some seventy manufacturing estab- lishments and the large class of mercantile houses, makes a sum total which plainly tells the story of the business capacity of the place. Oshkosh, therefore, renews her business career under the favorable circumstance of freedom from burdensome indebtedness. Her business firms, with one or two exceptions, all resumed business immediately after the fire, and although there were individual losses involv- ing large amounts, their solvency was unshaken. There was probably never another instance of such a wholesale destruction of property attended with so few failures. The business men of Oshkosh asked no compromise with creditors, and amid the loss and wreck of their property, and the great discouragements of the interruption of their business and lack of facil- ities, they promptly met their demands.
MUNICIPAL DEBT.
The municipal indebtedness is compara- tively nothing, being only some $70,000. The city has invested largely, too, in local improve- ments, but they are paid for. Her school buildings are among the finest in the State. One of them is the State Normal School, towards the erection of which Oshkosh contrib- uted some $30,000 - and the Oshkosh High School buildings, which cost about $40,000. Several of the Ward Schools are fine buildings, costing from $10,000 to $20,000 each. In the construction of two magnificent bridges, 600 feet long, the width of the river, which bisects the city, $50,000 was expended. There are over twenty miles of graveled streets. Algoma and Washington streets are almost one contin- uous line of three miles of elegant residences.
The value of manufactured products for the
year 1875, is over $4,000,000. Although Oshkosh is a great lumbering center, rough lumber now constitutes but little over one- third of the value of her manufactures.
R. J. H.
Oshkosh, April, 1876.
BRICK AND STONE BUSINESS AND MANUFAC- TURING STRUCTURES ERECTED IN 1875.
McKey & Foldx $ 4,000
J. M. Rollins .. 4,000
Win. Hill & Co. 15,000
P. Kelly 4,000
Moses Hooper and George Mayer. 9,000
Mrs. McCabe
4,000
Wolcott's Block
10,000
R. Guenther
5,000
Mrs. Carter.
4,500
J. F. W. Decker ..
4,500
A. B Wright
8,000
G. F. & L. M. Eastman
4,000
Alf Ford 4,000
Mrs. Watts. 4,500
R. L. Bigger 16,000
E. W. Viall and James Jenkins 10,000
Clarks & Forbes. 3,500
H. Kuehmsted
4,500
S. M. Hay 10,000
C. M. McCabe 4,000
Cameron & McCourt 4,000
Williams & Froehlich 4,000
LaBudd & Haben
6,000
L. Mayer & G. W. Newman 6,000
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.