The Great Fire of 1871 in the Belgian Settlements of Northeast Wisconsin

Much has been written about the effect of fires on October 8, 1871 in the Peshtigo and Chicago areas. The impact of the fire in the Belgian settlements has been somewhat overshadowed by the fires in more populated areas. The Great Fire video explains the causes of the fire, the immediate impact on the Belgian settlers, and the transformation of the Belgian communities that occurred through rebuilding.

[lorigunnlaugsson]

Great video hope to see more! Thanks for all you do to show our Belgian Heritage !!!

[theresaalexander]

There is so much history concerning our Belgian ancestors yet to discover. We’re always searching and we appreciate any help people are willing to give. Especially from the areas of Southern Door County, Northern Kewaunee County and Northern Brown County where many Belgians settled.

[artistdeluxe]

Thank you for this valuable information. So well put together. I am 1/4 Belgian heritage (Flemish).

[annewilliamson]

Interesting I’m a direct descendant of the Williamson family of Willamsonville. English, Irish, Scott. But one male descendant, no matter our heritage, who lived. One. And I honor that for the family I have today. We would not exist without his struggle to survive this horrible tragedy to live through the trauma of losing his entire family except his mother. And we are the lucky. For so many others, family lines ended that day.