Our Family History

Welcome to the Wisconsin Family Heritage website! This new site was created to share the genealogy research of families with roots in Wisconsin. We’ve begun with the Schingen-Duwe family tree, but our goal is to expand and include many more family trees over time, helping families connect with their heritage.

If you're new to genealogy, it's important to note that not everyone on this website is necessarily related to you. Your family might be on a different branch than another family. To find your specific branch, enter your name or a relative’s name in the search box above. This will allow you to follow their pedigree chart and view everyone in your family tree.

All data on this site is public information; we are committed to respecting privacy by only sharing publicly available documents and records. If you are a family member listed in one of our trees, we encourage you to create an account. This will allow you to access more detailed information about each person, participate in discussions, and easily contact the site administrator with questions or suggested updates.

As a member, you’ll also have the option to download the family tree as a GEDCOM file or PDF to incorporate into your own genealogy research. If you have any questions about signing up, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Tim Schingen at tschingen@gmail.com.

Thank you for visiting, and we hope you enjoy exploring your family heritage!

Sister Julia Margaret Paas
(1857-1879)

Sister Julia Margaret Paas entered St. Agnes Convent on October 17, 1872, and made her first vows on August 8, 1875, renewing them on August 15, 1878. She passed away at the motherhouse, St. Agnes Convent, on January 8, 1879.

As one of the pioneering sisters of the congregation, founded in Barton, Wisconsin, in 1858, Sister Julia served as a teacher. The congregation later established several schools in the Fond du Lac area, including St. Mary’s Springs Academy, which opened in 1915.

Sister Julia Paas was a young member of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA), whose short life coincided with the tumultuous early years of the order. Appointed as the superior of a group of Sisters at St. Joseph School in St. Joe, Wisconsin, she assumed significant responsibility at a very young age, around 18 years old. Her leadership during this challenging period, shortly after the community's foundation moved from Barton, WI to Fond du Lac County in 1870, speaks to her trustworthiness and dedication.

During this time, the congregation faced internal conflict, including a split between the founding priest and the young Mother General, Mother Agnes Hazotte, along with the dismissal of two trusted sisters in 1872. Despite these challenges, Sister Julia continued her work. In a notable entry from Mother Agnes’ diary dated April 21, 1878, she writes of traveling with Sister Julia to visit various missions, indicating Julia’s valued role in the community.

Tragically, Sister Julia fell seriously ill around mid-1877 and struggled with illness for 18 months before passing away in 1879. Though the exact cause of her death is not documented, it is likely she succumbed to the same illness that claimed other members of the congregation, often referred to as "consumption" (tuberculosis). She died before making her final vows, as the customary ten-year vow process had not been completed due to her untimely death.

Sister Julia is buried in a family plot at Calvary Cemetery in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. At the time of her passing, CSA had no designated burial ground, as they were still in the early stages of establishing their community amidst frequent illness and change. Her brief but impactful life remains a quiet testament to the resilience and hope of the congregation's founding members.

George Thomas Maniatis
(1933-2008)

George Thomas Maniatis was born on November 27, 1922, in Denver, Colorado, to Thomas Maniatis and Mary Floros. He married Evelyn Rose Schingen on June 4, 1946, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where they welcomed one child. The couple initially married in a civil ceremony at Harold Marco's residence before holding an official wedding at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

During his early years, George joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked as a construction worker on the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado from 1933 to 1942. His dedication to service continued as he enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 22, 1941, during World War II. George served in the European Theater, where he was wounded in combat and later awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his bravery. He was honorably discharged on October 6, 1945.

Returning to civilian life, George began a career as a truck driver, working first with Cohen Brothers Produce and later with Consolidated Produce. He was an active member of the community, belonging to Holy Family Parish in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, attending Sacred Heart Church, and participating in the St. Joseph’s Society. He was also a former member of the Knights of Columbus in FDL.

George passed away on January 22, 2008, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service to his family, country, and community.

Wisconsin Family Heritage

WELCOME TO WISCONSIN FAMILY HERITAGE

FEATURED FAMILY BIOGRAPHIES:

Sister Julia Margaret Paas
(1857-1879)

George Thomas Maniatis
(1933-2008)

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