Post Messenger Recorder -

The New Glarus Public Library’s online local and family history collection has recently grown larger. Over 60 newsletters, researched and written by New Glarus native Bob Elmer, are now found within the Library’s website under the Local History tab. These Family History Notes newsletters contain hundreds of brief articles of interest to New Glarus local historians and family historians. Elmer recognized that the history of New Glarus has often been condensed into a basic narrative used by those who promote heritage tourism. And, while this narrative was basically correct, it was missing the color and depth of the human stories of community women and men. And so beginning in 2005, he sought to uncover additional stories with an increased emphasis on documenting the people and families of the village throughout the years.

Among the many wide-ranging items found in the newsletters include: A re-examination of the story of Fabian Streiff who disappeared from New Glarus in the 1880s and who did not reappear for nearly 30 years. An analysis of a mid-nineteenth century immigration ship contract issued for a Luchsinger family from Canton Glarus which describes the conditions of their 6-8 week transatlantic voyage. The pioneer grandmother with over 100 grandchildren. A re-examination of the origins of Kilby and how this local tradition has evolved over the years. Direct genealogical links of area families to Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli and Zwingli’s successor Heinrich Bullinger. Identification and listing of New Glarus volunteers in the Civil War’s famed Iron Brigade. Stories of two unsung New Glarus women who helped WWII war efforts. Updated research regarding the Old Lead Road hypothesizing another route which may have been taken by Blackhawk War troops. The improbable tale of a Roman coin unearthed during the 1900 construction of the ice house. Historic photographs of numerous early families, including several original settlers of 1845.

Bob Elmer is also the author of the book Glarners in America, which was published in Switzerland by the Canton Glarus Historical Society (Historischer Verein des Kantons Glarus). The book provides over 100 biographical sketches of immigrants and their descendants from Canton Glarus who settled throughout the United States and who left lasting impressions in many corners of our country. Elmer’s book can be found in the New Glarus Library collection.