August 2004

GENEALOGY GEMS:

NEWS FROM THE FORT WAYNE LIBRARY No. 6, August 31, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE:

Plan to Celebrate Family History Month!

New England Women and Their Families in the 18th and 19th Centuries – Microtext Source

Dear Diary – Tell me about my Ancestors – Printed Source

Family History Month at ACPL

Hotel of the Month

Area Calendar of Events

ACPL Librarians on Tour

Driving directions to the Library

Parking at the Library

Queries for the Department

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PLAN TO CELEBRATE FAMILY HISTORY MONTH! Curt B. Witcher ********************************

Before we know it, our Labor Day festivities will be but a faded memory and September will be nearly in the books. So, it is not at all too early to begin planning how you are going to celebrate Family History Month this coming October! The Historical Genealogy Department, together with the Allen County Genealogical Society, the local DAR Chapter, and the Indiana Genealogical Society, has an entire month’s worth of special activities planned for this October. Highlighting the list of activities are mini-workshops presented by two veteran researchers and lecturers, Margery Graham and Marie Goodrich; methodology classes presented by department staff; a forum on Indiana court records presented by John Newman, the Records Manager for the Supreme Court of Indiana; and extended research hours on October 31st! Look for a complete list of events, times, and locations in this e-zine. I invite you to participate in as many as you can. In addition to participating in our Family History Month events, or those celebratory events in your communities, I also challenge you to celebrate Family History Month by actively doing something specific to advance family history, local history, or records preservation and access where you live. If you have been putting off writing to that distant family member seeking genealogical information, pick up a pen and write the letter--or key and send that email--before the month wanes. If you have been considering volunteering for your local genealogical society--helping with the newsletter, organizing a cemetery clean-up day, planning a program, indexing some local records, or whatever else strikes you- -do it well before the jack-‘o’-lanterns turn dark. If you have been pondering how you might help your local courthouse staff preserve old records or prepare them for microfilming, pick up the phone or stop by and pay those folks a visit today, offering your services now. Then, when family history month rolls around, you’ll already have a good reason to celebrate! You can also celebrate Family History Month by starting to write your own life story so that your children, cousins, nephews and nieces--and their children--will have wonderfully rich and detailed information about you to include in their family history compilations. However you decide to celebrate, I encourage you to actively participate in the month. I know you will be glad you did.

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NEW ENGLAND WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES Roberta Ridley

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These materials, a part of the “Research Collections in Women’s Studies,” were filmed from the manuscript collections of the American Antiquarian Society. The collections contain filmed original, handwritten documents from letter writers and diarists. These documents provide valuable glimpses into the everyday lives of families during the 18th and 19th centuries. An introduction to the collection advises, “Manuscript collections such as these are among the best places to recover the voices of women which are so often missing from newspapers, government documents, advice books, and other published sources.” The detailed accounts within these manuscripts offer the reader a personal window into the past. The collections are not just the voices of women, but also provide illuminating correspondence from men concerning business, education, finance, government, health, neighbors, travel plans, weather, and of course, romance. While some diary entries reflect the most routine daily occurrences, personal and business relationships are often detailed at great length. The range of the correspondence is as wide as it is interesting and includes many New England families and their family connections throughout the country. For this reason these collections offer much to be discovered about New England families and perhaps some insight into the lives of one’s ancestors. The following can be found in the ACPL microtext area: 33 rolls – Series A, Part 1; Personal Papers, Letters, and Diaries – Manuscript collections from the American Antiquarian Society. 17 rolls – Series A, Part 2; Dewy – Bliss Family Collection 16 rolls – Series A, Part 3; Maine and Massachusetts Collection 22 rolls – Series B, Part 1; Personal Papers, Letters, and Diaries – Williams and Robinson Collection 44 rolls – Series B, Part 2; Personal Papers, Letters, and Diaries 26 rolls – Series C, Part 1; Personal Papers, Letters, Diaries – Selected Collections 27 rolls – Series C, Part 2; Personal Papers, Letters, and Diaries – Selected Collections *************************************************

DEAR DIARY, TELL ME ABOUT MY ANCESTORS Steven W. Myers *************************************************

There are so many questions we would like answered about our ancestors’ lives. Unfortunately, we can no longer directly ask those who could best provide the answers. As researchers we must, instead, pose our queries to the document trail our forebears left behind. Genealogists spend most of their time searching for these ancestral traces in published histories and genealogies, as well as in the voluminous public records of births, marriages, deaths, censuses, deeds, wills, and the like. The picture created from this puzzle of sources is often incomplete, and missing the very pieces that would help bring our ancestors to life. So, what else can we do? How about asking the neighbors? Yes, I mean those long dead neighbors of great-great-grandma! Private records, in the form of personal diaries or letters, are a source seldom consulted by family historians who have not been fortunate enough to find such documents left for them by a direct ancestor. Yet the diaries of our ancestor’s friends and neighbors can provide an equally unique and valuable glimpse of their everyday life. Fascinating accounts of local events or the hardships of the pioneer trail, including personal references, are rewarding possibilities. Some diaries may even mention an ancestor’s birth, marriage or death in a time period before official records were kept. Diarists were present in so many communities, that it is quite possible an account exists that will touch on at least one of your ancestral lines. A good place to begin a search for surviving sources is American Diaries: An Annotated Bibliography of Published American Diaries and Journals [call number 920.073016 Ar4a]. Its name, subject and geographic indexes to 6000 diaries make it easy to see if a diary was kept by a distant relative, or by anyone else living in a particular place. Many guides, such as New England Diaries, 1602-1800 [call number 974 F74ga], include both published and manuscript journals. The Trail West: A Bibliography- Index to Western American Trails, 1841-1869 [call number 016.978 T66t] indexes some 3000 pioneer accounts of the trek west both by year and trail segment, making it easy to identify relevant material. Other similar guides, as well as many of the published diaries listed, can be found in the Genealogy Department or in the library’s general collections. Try them, and fill in some interesting missing pieces in your family puzzle!

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FAMILY HISTORY MONTH AT ACPL

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October is Family History Month!! Special events planned throughout the month include lectures and presentations, Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Assistance Day, computer demonstrations utilizing genealogical databases, extended research hours on October 31st, and much more! You’ll find the exciting schedule of events listed below. Night Owl research is scheduled on Sunday, October 31 from 6pm - midnight in the Genealogy Department. How often have you wished you could bring a cot to the library and do research all night? Well, it’s not all night, but until the clock strikes midnight, you are welcome to peruse the shelves of one of the largest genealogy collections in the nation. Those wishing to attend this special night of research need to be in the department by 6pm that evening. Please call the Genealogy Department at 260-421- 1225 to sign up for these workshops and the Night Owl research, as space is limited. October 2004 – Family History Month Schedule Friday, October 1 Using PERSI, Elaine Kuhn, Computer Training Room, 11A to 11:30A Monday, October 4 ACSGI Sponsored Event—Mini Workshop, Using Tax Lists, Margery Graham, Board Room, 9:30A to 11:30A Tuesday, October 5 Key African American Family History Sources, Curt Witcher, Board Room, 7P to 8P Wednesday, October 6 DAR Lineage Assistance Day, Historical Genealogy Department, Main Reading Room, 10A to 6P Wednesday, October 6: Using the Online Catalog, Ryan Taylor, Computer Training Room, 10A to 10:30A Wednesday, October 6 I Thought You Knew That!, Delia Bourne, Board Room, 3:30P to 4:30P Wednesday, October 6 Clerks and Clans: A Conversation With a Connoisseur of County Clerks Closets, John Newman, Room 244, 6:30P to 8:30P Thursday, October 7 Resources for Irish Research in the Genealogy Department, Steve Myers, Board Room, 7P to 8P Saturday, October 9 ACGSI Sponsored Event—Mini Workshop, Using City Directories, Marie Goodrich, Room 317, 9:30A11:30A Saturday, October 9 Problems in Canadian Genealogy, Ryan Taylor, Board Room, 2P to 3:30P Monday, October 11 ACGSI Sponsored Event—Mini Workshop, Finding People Using Computer Census Indexing Programs, Marie Goodrich, Computer Training Room, 6P to 8P Tuesday, October 12 Using HeritageQuestOnline.com, Delia Bourne, Computer Training Room, 12:30P to 1P Wednesday, October 13 ACGSI Sponsored Event—ACGSI Meeting—Off the Beaten Path: Web Sites & Strategies for Finding More Family Data, Curt Witcher, Dupont Branch Library, 7P Thursday, October 14 ACGSI Sponsored Event—Mini Workshop, Finding People Using Computer Census Indexing Programs, Margery Graham, Computer Training Room, 6P to 8P Friday, October 15 Researching Indiana Civil War Soldiers, Amy Johnson Crow, Room 244, 3P to 4P Saturday, October 16 Indiana Genealogical Society Chapter Management Seminar (pre-registration required) 9:30A to 10:30A OPENING: Curt Witcher, Challenges Facing Our Societies—Room 244 10:45A to 11:45A Session 1: Amy Johnson Crow, Finding & Keeping Volunteers—Room 244 Session 2: Charlotte Sellers, Editing Your Society’s Journal—Room 317 1:15P to 2:15P Session 3: Ron Darrah, Establishing & Maintaining an Active Publishing Program— Room 244 Session 4: Becky Schipper, Handling & Caring for Valuable Documents—GMHU 2:30P to 3:30P Session 5: Amy Johnson Crow, Avoiding “Bored” Meetings—Room 244 Session 6: Sue Kaufman, Getting the Word Out—Marketing Your Society--Room 317 Monday, October 18 ACGSI Sponsored Event—Mini Workshop, Using Revolutionary War Records, Marie Goodrich, Room 317, 1P to 3P Tuesday, October 19 Using English Census Records Online, Ryan Taylor, Computer Training Room, 7P to 8P Wednesday, October 20 ACGSI Computer Interest Group Meeting, Aboite Branch Library, 7P to 9P Friday, October 22 Using Ancestry.com, Elaine Kuhn, Computer Training Room, 11A to 11:30A Saturday, October 23 ACGSI Sponsored Event—Mini Workshop, Using Civil War Records, Margery Graham, Room 317, 10A to 12N Monday, October 25 ACGSI Sponsored Event—Mini Workshop, Finding & Using Specialized Censuses, Marie Goodrich, Room 317, 9:30A to 11:30A Tuesday, October 26 Using PERSI, Delia Bourne, Computer Training Room, 11A to 11:30A Tuesday, October 26 Outside the Cocoon: Resources Outside the Genealogy Department in the Public Library, Sue Kaufman, Board Room, 2P to 3P Thursday, October 28 ACGSI Sponsored Event—Mini Workshop, Using Deed Records, Margery Graham, Room 317, 1P to 3P Sunday, October 31 Extended Hours, Historical Genealogy Department, 6P to Midnight.

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HOTEL OF THE MONTH

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Each issue we will feature a local hotel, for visitors from out-of-town. Amerisuites 111 West Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne 46825 260 471 8522 Large comfortable suites, with a separate sitting area/kitchen distinguish this hotel. They include a refrigerator, microwave and work counter, as well as a full desk for study. A sumptuous breakfast buffet is included, with make-your-own waffles, hot sausage and eggs, and popcorn is provided for evening snacks. There is an outdoor pool. The hotel is very near I-69. It is a fifteen minute drive to downtown and the library. It is beside the newly renovated Coldwater Cinemas, and Coldwater Crossing, which includes Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby and Old Country Buffet. Many other restaurants are in the area. Genealogists’ rate: $69.

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AREA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Allen County Public Library 3rd floor atrium display area Passages: Immigration Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) http://www.ipfw.edu/ipfwhist/historgs/acgsi.htm Wednesday, September 8, 2004, at 7pm. Dupont Library, 536 E. Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne, IN, 260- 421-1315 Computer Users Group Wednesday, September 15, 2004 at 7 pm. Aboite Library, 5630 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne, IN 260- 421-1310 Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) First Wednesday of each month in the Genealogy Department 9am – 3pm. Expert help from members of the DAR in becoming a member of that organization Federation of Genealogical Societies www.fgs.org September 8 – 11, 2004 Austin, Texas / Austin Convention Center “Legends Live Forever: Researching the Past for Future Generations” http://www.fgs.org/2004conf/FGS-2004.htm

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ACPL LIBRARIANS ON TOUR

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Sue Kaufman September 8-11Austin, TX: Federation of Genealogical Societies, www.fgs.org Steve Myers October 24-30 National Institute for Genealogical Studies Research Academy in Salt Lake City: Irish Research www.genealogicalstudies.com/SLC.htm Ryan Taylor September 25 Waterloo, ON: Waterloo Region Branch OGS workshop September 26 Brampton, ON: Halton-Peel Branch OGS branch meeting October 2 Barrie, ON: Simcoe County Branch OGS workshop October 24-30 National Institute for Genealogical Studies Research Academy in Salt Lake City: English Research www.genealogicalstudies.com/SLC.htm Curt Witcher September 8-11Austin, TX: Federation of Genealogical Societies, www.fgs.org September 18 Farmington Hills, MI: Farmington Genealogical Society Program October 9 Lancaster, OH: Fairfield County Genealogical Society Seminar October 23 Elkhart, IN: Elkhart County Genealogical Society Fall Seminar November 13 Cincinnati, OH: Hamilton County Genealogical Society Program

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE LIBRARY

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Wondering how to get to the library? Our exciting transition location is 200 E. Berry, Fort Wayne, Indiana. We will be at this location until late 2006. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Department. To get directions from your exact location to 200 E. Berry, Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=&searchtab=addr ess&searchtype=address&address=200+E+Berry+St&city=Fort+Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802- 2706&search=++Search++&finditform=1 From the South Exit Interstate 69 at exit 102. Drive east on Jefferson Blvd. into downtown. Turn left on Barr Street to Berry Street. The library is located on the corner of Berry and Barr Streets. From the North Exit Interstate 69 at exit 112. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton, the library will be on your left when you cross Berry Street. From the West Using US 30: Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Road. Coming up to an angled street (State Street.) make an angled left turn. Turn right on Wells Street. Go south on Wells to Wayne Street. Left on Wayne Street. When you cross Clinton, the library will be on your left on Wayne Street. Using US 24: After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from the South. From the East Follow US 30 into and through New Haven, under an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington Blvd. when you get into downtown. Turn right on Barr Street. Turn left on Berry Street. The library is on your left on Berry Street.

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PARKING AT THE LIBRARY

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Lot in front of the library, east side Available for short-term library parking. Limited to one hour. Tippman Parking Garage Clinton and Wayne Streets. Across from the library, however the skybridge is NOT accessible. Hourly parking, $1.25 per hour up to a maximum of $5.00 per day. Park Place Lot Covered parking on Barr Street at Main Street. This lot is one block away from the library. Hourly parking Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm. Street (metered) parking on Wayne Street and Berry Street. On the street you plug the meters 8am – 5pm, weekdays only. It is free to park on the street after 5pm and on the weekends. Visitor center/Grand Wayne center Covered parking at Washington and Clinton Streets. This is the Hilton Hotel parking lot that also serves as a day parking garage. For hourly parking, 7am – 11 pm, charges are .50 for the first 45 minutes, then $1.00 per hour. There is a flat $2.00 fee between 5pm and 11pm.

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GENEALOGY DEPARTMENT QUERIES

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The Historical Genealogy Department hopes you find this newsletter interesting. Thank you for subscribing. We cannot, however, answer personal research emails written to the e-zine address. The department houses a Research Center that makes photocopies and conducts research for a fee. If you have a general question about our collection, or are interested in the Research Center, please telephone the library and speak to a librarian who will be glad to answer your general questions or send you a research center form. Our telephone number is 260-421-1225. If you’d like to email a general information question about the department, please email: CWitcher@ACPL.Lib.in.us. Look for a general genealogy query email address coming soon.

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PUBLISHING NOTE

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This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public Library's Historical Genealogy Department, and is intended to enlighten readers about genealogical research methods, as well as inform them about the vast resources of the Allen County Public Library. We welcome the wide distribution of this newsletter and encourage readers to forward it to their friends and societies. All precautions have been taken to avoid errors. However, the publisher does not assume any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, no matter the cause. If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please send an email to kspears@acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line. Sue Kaufman, Editor