Dooley-Wagner Research Center Collection
The scope of the Dooley-Wagner Research Center is to collect and maintain research material pertaining to Luxembourg American people, places, topics and genealogy, as well as general Luxembourg genealogy related material.
The following list is meant to serve as a basic overview to the materials housed at the Dooley-Wagner Research Center. Any specific questions regarding resources and their availability should be directed toward LACS staff by emailing info@lacs.lu or calling 262-476-5086.
Luxembourg American Surname Files
The Research Center collection has over 6,000 surname files on families of Luxembourg ancestry throughout America. Surname files contain a variety of material that has been donated to the LACS – such as obituaries, newspaper clippings, funeral cards, and family history group sheets. Be aware of variations in the spelling of surnames and consult other files with similar surnames.
A downloadable index is available for you to see what files are in the Research Center. Please note, any surname indicating a digital file does not mean the file is available online. The file has been digitized but is only available in the Research Center at this time.
Family Histories & Genealogies
The Research Center has over 300 family histories and genealogies that reflect Luxembourg families from throughout the United States. These genealogies have been put together by individuals and donated to the LACS.
A downloadable index is available for you to see what genealogies are in the Research Center. Please note, any surname indicating a digital file does not mean the file is available online. The file has been digitized but is only available in the Research Center at this time.
Luxemburger Gazette Newspaper
The collection contains microfilm copies of the Luxemburger Gazette, a German language newspaper published in Dubuque, Iowa from 1871-1918. It features extensive news and coverage of Luxembourg immigrants and their families. The Research Center also has Luxembourgers in the New World Volume II which has a comprehensive index of all the personal and place names cited in the Luxemburger Gazette newspaper.
Luxembourgers in the New World
This book is one of the most definitive resources for Luxembourgish genealogists. It was written by Nicholas Gonner, the editor and publisher of the Luxembourg Gazette newspaper, and originally published in German in 1889. The book offers extensive information about Luxembourg immigration to the US and chapter long histories describing Luxembourg settlement by state. Volume II contains a comprehensive index of all the personal and placenames cited in the Luxemburger Gazette newspaper.
Birth, Marriage, Burial, and Cemetery Records
The Research Center houses copies of a variety of sacramental records (baptisms, marriages, etc.) as well as cemetery records and plats from numerous Luxembourgish churches throughout the United States, with a concentration on Ozaukee County, Wisconsin churches.
Church Files
The Research Center has an extensive collection of files and historic materials from churches with strong Luxembourg American ties, with information such as anniversary booklets, information about founding families, biographical sketches of parishioners, etc.
Luxembourg Place Files
These files pertain to various communities in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Files contain historic information as well as tourism materials.
U.S. Place Files
These files pertain to communities throughout the U.S. that currently and/or historically have had a large concentration of people of Luxembourg descent. These files contain written histories, newspaper articles, tourism information, etc.
Business Files
These files pertain to Luxembourg American businesses primarily in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Business files include advertisements, news clippings, financial reports, etc.
Luxembourg Heritage Topics in the U.S.
These files pertain to topics about Luxembourg heritage in the U.S., including food, architecture, Luxembourg societies in the U.S., ambassadors/dignitaries, etc.
Maps and Plats
The Research Center has various maps and plats from Luxembourg and Luxembourg settlement areas in the United States.
Luxembourg Collection of Books
The Center’s Luxembourg collection includes over 6,000 volumes of Luxembourgish books, mostly written in German and French. This collection reflects a broad subject matter from literature to history to religion.
Schobermesse Booklets
Since 1904, the Chicago Luxembourg community has celebrated Schobermesse (Fall Harvest Fest) sponsored by the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America. These booklets are filled with historic and biographical information along with photographs and advertisements for Luxembourg American businesses. Must be requested in advance.
Photograph Collection
There is an extensive photograph collection representing Luxembourg and Luxembourg American people, communities, and events. Furthermore, the LACS is proud to be the home of the Vern Arendt Collection of negatives and prints, which represents Ozaukee County, Wisconsin from 1950-2000.
Rare Books and Other Items
The collection contains rare books, booklets, ephemera, and other items from both Luxembourg and the US. Rare books and other items are normally used for either display or higher level research purposes and can only be viewed by visitors who have obtained the special permission of the LACS curator.
Collections Available Online
The LACS offers a growing selection of digitized materials online for all LACS Members, with additional materials for Elite Level Members. These materials can be accessed through the Members Only portal or through this page after logging into your Elite Level Member account. Not a member? Sign up for a membership for instant access!
Historic Church Record Indices
These indices include Birth, Marriage, and Death information from nine churches local to the LACS in Belgium, Wisconsin. These churches historically were built by or comprised of Luxembourg immigrants. The LACS is fortunate to have copies of local church records in the archives. Although the copies of the records are not available to be published online, LACS volunteers have created indices which provide the basic information from each record. Elite Members Only.
Cultural Conference & Forum Recordings
In conjunction with Luxembourg Fest, the LACS hosts an annual cultural and educational forum on a variety of topics with speakers from Luxembourg and around the United States. Topics usually focus on Luxembourg genealogy and history. Elite Members Only.
Luxembourg News of America (1951-2008)
This newsletter was created by the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America, the longest running Luxembourg American organization in the United States, which started in 1887. The Luxembourg News of America contains information about the people and happenings in the Luxembourg American community and is a valuable resource for genealogists and researchers. Elite Members Only.
Luxembourg American Gazette
Access all the available digital versions of the Gazette, a publication put out by the LACS since 2004 that covers topics on both the modern and historic Luxembourg American community.
Members Only Video Library
Browse through videos and recordings of programs hosted by the LACS with a variety of lectures on historic and cultural topics.
Let’s Talk Luxembourg Recordings
View recordings for any of the Let’s Talk Luxembourg programs with a range in topics from cooking classes to history talks to museum tours. Along with each recordings are additional related resources.
Special Virtual Exhibits
View current and previous exhibits in their virtual format about Luxembourg and Luxembourg American topics featuring artifacts from the LACS Permanent Collection.