Featured Photo Gallery
Belgian Settlers Across the U.S.
Desiree Derbaix Brault
Desiree Derbaix was born in Brussels, Belgium in 1865 and immigrated to the US in 1887. She lived in Linton, Indiana where she died in 1947. Courtesy: Hope Owens
Desiree Derbaix & Jean Baptiste Brault
Desiree married Jean Baptiste Antoine Brault. He was born in France in 1861. Courtesy: Hope Owens
Herminia Brault Martin
Herminia Brault Martin with her parents Jean Baptiste and Desiree (Derbaix) Brault. Desiree is the young girl leaning on Jean Baptiste's knee. She married Octave Antoine Ghislain Martin who was born in Pironchamps, Belgium in 1895. They lived in Indiana and later in South Carolina where Herminia died in 1990.
Emile Gelinne, Sr.
Emile Gelinne immigrated from Taviers, Belgium in 1894 with his wife, Josephine Gustim, their children, and Emile's father, Pierre Joseph Gelinne. Emile and Josephine had four children, Emile Jr, Mary (Marie), Hector and Florent. They settled in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. This is Emile's declaration of intent. Courtesy: Michael Gelinne
Emile Gelinne, Jr.
Emile Gelinne Jr. owned his own shoe making and repair shop in a section of Rhinelander known as the 'Hungry Hollow'. This area was a section of town where two railroad lines crossed and lumber-jacks and homeless folks congregated. There were many taverns located there. Courtesy: Michael Gelinne
Hector Gelinne
Hector Gelinne was a skilled laborer who worked at the Rhinelander Boat Company and Oneida Boat Company creating forms and fittings for wooden boats and canoes. He also worked at the Rhinelander Refrigerator Company building home refrigerators which were just beginning to become popular for home use. Hector married Frieda Dupont - she was born in the US, but all four of her grandparents immigrated from Belgium. Frieda and Hector had three children - Esther, Raymond and Kenneth. Courtesy: Michael Gelinne
Zabeau Family
Zabeau family 1920 in Sistersville, West Virginia. Eudore Zabeau holding grandchild child Yvonne, Bride Berthe Zabeau Sullivan, groom Michael Sullivan, young boy Rene V. Zabeau, Eudore Aimee Zabeau and wife Ann, Julia Temmerman Zabeau. Eudore and Julia immigrated from Hainaut, Belgium. They initially settled in Pennsylvania. Courtesy: Victoria Renee Zabeau Bowden
Zabeau Family
Taken in 1958 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Courtesy: Victoria Renee Zabeau Bowden
JJ Gigot Farm
JJ Gigot farm near Garden City, Kansas in 1929
Harvest at JJ Gigot Farm
Benoni Cambra Family
Benoni (back, right) with wife Flore, daughters Clara (with doll) and Camille, and Flore's uncle. Circa: 1906. Courtesy: FamilySearch.org
Benoni Cambra
Benoni Cambra immigrated from Farciennes, Belgium in 1901. By 1917, he was living in Klein, Montana. Benoni corresponded frequently with John Baptiste Jauquet of Namur, Wisconsin. This is a postcard from 1921. Courtesy: Leonard & Judy Lampereur family