Vol 1 June 2001

HELLO: We have started a new group that is interested in gathering and sharing everything that we can get on the Plain area and the people who lived there. Our objective is to gather so much stuff that when the new library opens up they'll say "Gee, we should have made the local history room bigger."

Just like there is no one right way to do genealogy or history, our group is not limited the one right way. We will be gathering and discussing a wide range of topics.

WILL I FIT IN: One of the most difficult things in starting a new group is to get a lot of people involved. Our group is open to anybody. There is no test to join nor do we make people get up and give lengthy presentations. Almost everyone high school age or older can find out interesting stuff. You don't have to have blue-gray hair to be interested in genealogy and history. ( Although several of us at the meetings were concerned that we are now the "old people in town" that you are encouraged to talk to.) We will discuss topics that our members find interesting, so you can have input into what our meetings are about. You don't have to attend every meeting nor do you have participate in the discussions.

Most of us remember how difficult it was to ask experts for help when we started doing research. Will they think my questions are stupid? Are they willing to talk to me? Most researchers in this area have been infected by the "bug". You will generally find most of us that are infected want to pass the disease on to you. ( Once you start researching it is difficult to stop or even slow down. )

WHAT CAN I GET FROM THE GROUP: The most important thing is that you can share with the group. We will share research, expertise and access to the equipment we have.

Communications: Our group will serve as a means to communicate with people having the same interests. Even if you don't attend the meetings, you can share by communicating. We will be using email, newsletters, a website and even the old-fashion methods letters and phone calls.

See what others have done: You can learn a lot by looking at what others have done with their research.

Hints on how to get the most out of research areas: There are always "tricks" to using research areas like libraries and the such. Our members have used many resources and can share tips. These include libraries at Plain, Spring Green, Madison, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Newberry Library in Chicago, Sauk Co Historical Museum, LDS Family History Centers.

Research in Germany: Some of our group has done research on-site in Waldmuenchen Germany. They can be an invaluable help in getting your hands on research that has already by gathered.

Discussions of local history: We will have discussions on topics such as White Mound and the Volk-Ahern murder of the 1890's.

Telling your ancestor's stories. Many of ancestors didn't write down what happened to them in their lives. Fortunately, people who had similar experiences did. For example, we looked at the Lin's family history which contained an interesting story of life in Germany and the trip to America. These types of stories add flesh to your family tree.

Computers & the Internet: These are fantastic tools to do research. You would be amazed at what you can research from your own home. The trick is how to you use them. We will hold many sessions and help on how to benefit from the new technology. ( You won't have to be a computer geek to understand our help - we will use English. )

Keeping up-to-date: Our members read many genealogy and history magazines. We belong to several genealogy groups. We also attend numerous seminars that are held through out the state. Our members can share what we learn with the group.

WEBSITE: One of the best ways to share stuff is through an Internet website. We have a site at

This site is under construction. Explore the site. You should find something that should interest you. We will have more detailed discussions about this site in the future.

Plain Library: Elsie Haas is a good person to contact about the group. She can tell you about the meetings and show you all the books and stuff they have to do research.

Next Meeting: Our next meeting will be

We will be discussing how to use the computer resources at the library. We will also discuss a possible trip to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in Madison ( if you have never been there you've got to go.)

Talk to us: We can be reached through Elsie Haas and the Plain Library our you can write to us at

Garylhaas@yahoo.com. Let us know what your interests are and if you want to be added to our mailing list.