December 2010

Genealogy Gems:

News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 82, December 31, 2010

In this issue:

Happy New Year and Happy 50th!

Mexican American Biographies

Finding Canadian Settlers in British Military Records

Technology Tip of the Month--Inserting Images into Shapes Using Microsoft Word 2007 or 2010

Preservation Tip of the Month--Care and Management of CD-ROMs/DVDs

One Millionth Item Added to The Genealogy Center Collections

National Black Genealogy Summit--Save The Date

WinterTech 2010-2011 In The New Year

March Madness--Genealogy Style

Irish & Scots-Irish Genealogy: Part One--A Two-Day Mini-Course

IMPORTANT NOTICE--Closed January 28, 2011 for Staff Day

Librarians on Parade

Area Calendar of Events

Driving Directions to the Library

Parking at the Library

Queries for The Genealogy Center

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Happy New Year and Happy 50th! by Curt B. Witcher

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With the dawning of 2011 comes the 50th anniversary of The Genealogy Center! So while wishing all of you a very happy and prosperous New Year, I‛d also like to be among the first to wish a Happy Golden Anniversary to The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library! I hope you will celebrate this milestone with us by becoming even more engaged with The Genealogy Center in the New Year. We will be using the entire year of 2011 as a time to celebrate our 50th anniversary. I do hope you will join in! To begin the celebration, and to give you a few ideas for New Year‛s resolutions, here‛s a list of 50 things you can do throughout 2011 to make it a genealogically significant year. 1. Visit Fort Wayne‛s Genealogy Center in person. You just might be surprised at what you find and what a great time you‛ll have. 2. Visit Fort Wayne‛s Genealogy Center virtually. A growing list of resources, guides, and searchable data files are at www.GenealogyCenter.org for free use. 3. Regularly write new chapters of your story in a journal--create a bit of family history for your descendants who will want to know your life‛s story. 4. Visit a living relative. It‛s never too soon to capture another story, or to record another digital image of the person or of a recently discovered document that the relative has. 5. Visit a dead relative. Capture a digital image of the tombstone, the plot, or some marker you don‛t already have in your digital archive. 6. Look at a new/different piece of genealogical software--just for the fun of it! 7. Explore the cloud! Investigate whether cloud computing offers you the ability to engage in your genealogical research, as well as preserve and share your findings, in a better way. 8. Explore an aspect of social media that is new to you. See if this exciting frontier in the technology space can help you do more genealogy better. 9. Write the most concise explanation possible of why discovering family history and doing genealogical research is important to you. 10. Organize the photocopies and research notes that have been stacking up in your office, or on your dining room table, from numerous previous research outings. 11. Commit to not engaging in “file-by-pile” when returning from research outings. Who knows, it‛s a habit that might catch on! 12. Convert more of your paper files to digital files for increased flexibility in preserving them and sharing them. 13. Attend a local genealogy seminar near your home. There is still great value in networking with people who share our interest and our passion. 14. Attend a regular monthly or quarterly meeting of your local genealogical society. 15. Volunteer to do something tangible and specific to assist your local genealogical or historical society. 16. Attend a regional or national genealogy seminar. They are so spread across the country in 2011: RootsTech in Salt Lake City, UT; the New England Regional Genealogical Conference in Springfield, MA; NGS in Charleston, SC; the Southern CA Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, CA; FGS in Springfield, IL; and the National Black Genealogy Summit in Fort Wayne, just to name a few. 17. Join the genealogical society in your local area even if you may not have ancestors in that area. You‛re supporting good works. 18. Join the genealogical society in the area from whence an ancestor hails. It could be the key to unlocking some of your research challenges. 19. Start a blog. (Yes, I know I already mentioned exploring social media, but this is more specific!) You can devote it to your own family research or to an aspect of research you most enjoy such as tombstone iconography, military veterans, etc. 20. Volunteer to become an indexer for FamilySearch, for Ancestry.com‛s World Archives Project, or for a project of your local society. 21. Volunteer to help organize original records for The Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne or in your own community. You may find some treasurers while helping many others with their research. 22. Map (literally!) the geographic route from you to your earliest confirmed ancestor (and maybe plan an excursion along some of it for your next genealogy road trip!). 23. Make a calendar of ancestral birthdays and anniversaries. It‛s just something fun to do and a great holiday gift for next year. 24. Read the history portions of those older county and town histories in which you found write-ups about your ancestors. It puts their lives in context. 25. Write your own version of the history of the town during the time(s) your ancestor(s) lived there. It‛s a neat exercise in research and in discovering local history. 26. Write-up some family research you have done and “publish” it by placing a copy (paper or electronic) with The Genealogy Center here in Fort Wayne. You‛ll be sharing and preserving. 27. Take photographs of a family heirloom and write a story about why that object is important in your family‛s history. 28. Find a scout troop and offer your assistance to scouts interested in genealogy. 29. Offer your assistance to a local 4-H young person working on her/his genealogy exhibit. 30. Take a GPS device to the cemeteries in which you have ancestors buried and record the additional location data. 31. Abstract or index names found in the oldest newspaper(s) in your town and publish them on the USGenWeb, through The Genealogy Center, or in the publications of your local genealogical society. 32. Digitize old family documents and photographs, and then share them with family members. 33. Organize your photographs--paper or digital. Let‛s get them all identified! 34. Pick one reluctant relative and share a digital image of something with him/her. If a picture is worth a thousand words, you might be surprised by with how much the person opens up and tells you. 35. Attend a meeting of your local records advisory board. Nearly every unit of local government has an entity that determines how long local records need to be held and when they can be “destroyed.” If we never show up, these boards could get the notion we don‛t care. 36. Review old research notes and folders in your genealogical filing cabinet (real or virtual). You may find some answers just waiting for you! 37. Investigate whether there is a lineage society for which you qualify. It could be residencybased, military-based, or based on some other life event or activity. Applying is a great exercise in organizing your research and making someone else understand what you have. 38. Visit a cemetery, any cemetery. See what local history you can learn from those buried there-- the tombstone iconography, layout of the plots, the special markers, the surnames, the photographic images, and any notes or mementos left at the gravesites. 39 Create memorial pages on FindAGrave.com complete with photographic images, or post images to memorials already online. 40. Take a young person with you on your next genealogical research outing. You‛ll be surprised how fascinated youngsters and grandchildren are about what we do! (Yes, it is a genealogist‛s version of “take your child to work day!”) 41. Register as a user of WeRelate.org. (Don‛t worry, it‛s free!) 42. Upload a GEDCOM file to WeRelate.org. (Still no worries--also free!) 43. Add information and sources to pages already on WeRelate.org. (Yup, you guessed it--still free!) 44. Interview your older relatives. Start with the ones you‛ve always wanted to get around to interviewing but haven‛t. (Yes, that means all your older relatives!) 45. Have interested relatives help provide off-site storage and data security for your valuable research by giving them electronic copies of your genealogical records. 46. Organize your personal library so you stop buying the same books twice. Keep a simple spreadsheet or word-processing document, or start a file on a website such as LibraryThing.com. 47. Create a piece of art centered on family history information: family scrapbook, shadowbox, webpage, quilt, etc. 48. Get a friend to subscribe to “Genealogy Gems.” 49. Subscribe and/or get a friend to subscribe to “Eastman‛s Online Genealogy Newsletter.” (Yes, I know it‛s hard to believe not everyone subscribes, but I don‛t think he has millions of subscribers yet!) 50. Contribute an anniversary gift to The Genealogy Center--$50 seems like a nice number, but assuredly all gifts are welcome. Put some of these on your New Year‛s resolutions list while helping us celebrate 50 years! Best wishes for much happiness and great success in your genealogical endeavors in 2011!

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Mexican American Biographies by Dawne Slater-Putt, CG

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Researchers with Mexican American heritage having someone of prominence in their family may find that person featured in Matt S. Meier‛s book, “Mexican American Biographies: A Historical Dictionary, 1836-1987” (973 M475m). Meier saw a need for a comprehensive biographical source for Chicano “prominentes” and compiled about 270 sketches. As his criteria, Meier chose individuals who were recognized by their peers for significant professional achievement, or who filled a position of considerable civic responsibility. The former category features scholars, writers, athletes, business people and those active in the arts. The latter group includes ambassadors and politicians. In each case, the person‛s role in the Chicano experience was considered. Nearly 200 of the biographies are contemporary, such as that of Oscar J. Martínez. Born in 1943 in San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua, Mexico, Martínez moved to El Paso, Texas. He was fascinated with the federal border and its role in Mexican and American society, and became one of the leading U.S. border historians. Other sketches are of Mexican Americans of previous generations, such as José Antonio Navarro, 1795-1871, lauded as “co-creator of Texas.” Born in San Antonio, he helped write the constitution for the new country of Texas when it became independent from Mexico, and later was involved in writing the state constitution when Texas was annexed to the United States. He also served in the Texas state senate, ran a successful mercantile business and was a rancher. Biographies in Meier‛s work focus primarily on each individual‛s professional and public life. Family information is not included except when it contributed to the person‛s development in his or her field. The sketches do include year of birth and year of death, if applicable. Most biographies include suggestions for further reading. The sketches are arranged alphabetically by surname. Meier explains some spelling and accent anomalies in his preface, such as the arrangement of the biography of Lorenzo de Zavala under “Z” for Zavala, rather than under “D” for de Zavala. Appendices list biography subjects by field of achievement and by state. A comprehensive index is included. This source has limitations for the genealogist – it features only prominent individuals and includes limited family data – but it can be a source of important background information on Mexican American history that may help researchers fit their own ancestors‛ experiences into context.

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Finding Canadian Settlers in British Military Records by Cynthia Theusch

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Finding evidence of early settlers can be challenging for many genealogists who trace their ancestors to Canada. One seldom used resource of value in such a search is the collection of “British Military Records, ‘C‛ Series, 1757-1899, located at the National Archives of Canada” and also available on 584 reels of microfilm. The Genealogy Center has a small selection of these manuscript records, on three reels of microfilm, that relate specifically to “Settlers, 1794-1853.” These manuscripts are chock full of the kinds of documents genealogists treasure. Bound in 17 volumes, numbered 618-634A, this particular selection is part of the “Correspondence of the Military Secretary of the Commander of the Forces.” Among the correspondence concerning settlers are petitions, military discharge papers, passenger lists and other documents that could provide you with information otherwise unavailable. A small sampling will illustrate this point. The first page in volume 619 is a 1794 petition bearing the signatures of settlers in the County of Lincoln. Volume 621 includes a petition dated 27 August 1816 and written by Norman Stewart on behalf of more than 70 Scottish emigrants sailing from Liverpool on the brig “John and Samuel.” Having left late in the season the group was petitioning for a grant of land and winter provisions. Stewart submitted a list of men in the party and the number in each household. Surnames included McKinnon, MacLeod, MacDonald, Chisholm, and others. A list of 177 passengers on board the “Commerce” from Port Greenock in 1820 closes out volume 625. This list is more detailed than many early passenger manifests and includes name, age, sex, complexion, hair color, height, and occupation, as well as the specific place, parish and county of their former residence, destination and other remarks. Most of the passengers hailed from Lanark and Renfrew. Alexander McLeod‛s petition for a land grant is bound in volume 626. Dated December 7, 1821, it included a copy of his military discharge and provides a wealth of details. Born in the Parish of Cloen, County of Inverness, Scotland, Alexander McLeod served as a Corporal in Major Logan‛s Company in the 95th Regiment of Foot for seven years and 299 days. He listed his numerous places of service and mentioned being severely wounded more than once. Discharged in 1816, he came to Canada in 1818 with his wife and two children. To prevent its improper use, Alexander‛s discharge provided a physical description. “He is about seven and twenty years of age, is five feet seven inches in height, brown hair, grey eyes, fresh complexion and by trade a labourer.” Each volume has a handwritten alphabetical index including personal names, places, military units and other subjects. If you have ancestors who settled in Canada after the Revolutionary War, you may find evidence of their arrival in this “British Military Records” collection. If you can‛t visit Fort Wayne, the entire collection is available through the Family History Library‛s film loan program.

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Technology Tip of the Month--Inserting Images into Shapes Using Microsoft Word 2007 or 2010 by Kay Spears

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I know I promised an article on footnotes; however, thanks to an alert reader we are going to cover inserting images into shapes using Microsoft Word version 2010 (version 2007 is similar). The instructions in the previous article worked for version 2003. Newer versions of Microsoft Word combine the standard menu bar, taskbar and toolbars into what is called a “ribbon.” The tabs on the “ribbon” are: File, Home, Insert, Page layout, References, Mailings, Review, and View. Choose the Insert tab, click on Shapes, and then select one of the many shapes available. As soon as you pick a shape, your cursor turns into a cross. Holding down the left click button on your mouse, drag and your selected shape will appear. The easiest way to insert an image into the shape is by right clicking on the shape. When you do so, the old drawing toolbar and a shape menu will pop up. I will now explain how to insert an image by using each of those tools. The Paint Bucket method: Click on the Paint Bucket drop down arrow and four options for further action appear: Fill Colors, Picture, Gradient, and Texture. Click on Picture. An Insert Picture dialog box will open. Locate the folder with your image in it and click on that image, then click on Insert at the bottom of the dialog box. Your selected image will fill the shape. The Shape Menu method: Right click on the shape and find Format Shape at the bottom of the menu. Click on Format Shape, and then Fill. Select Picture or Texture Fill, then click Insert From: Fill. An Insert Picture dialog box will open. Locate the folder with your image in it and click on that image, then click on Insert at the bottom of the dialog box. Your selected image will fill the shape. Once your image is inserted into a shape, the Format Shape dialog box becomes a Format Picture dialog box. Those who have worked with Adobe Photoshop or Elements may be familiar with some of the visual effects tools that Microsoft has placed in this dialog box. I‛d recommend experimenting with these options: Reflection, Glow and Soft Edges, Picture Correction, Picture Color and Artistic Effect. I think you'll be pleased with some of the effects you can produce with these tools. Next article: Inserting Images into WordArt Using Microsoft Word 2007 or 2010. Yes, it can be done!

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Preservation Tip of the Month--Care and Management of CD-ROMs/DVDs

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During the holidays, you‛ve likely taken a number of digital pictures, and perhaps even exchanged information electronically with a family member. As your thoughts turn to backing up that data and you plan to use CD-ROMs or DVDs, we have a couple of common-sense tips for you. Use a soft marker to label the disks. If you're going to use a label, use one that covers the surface evenly. Don't use something like a return address label, as it will make the disc off-balance in today's high-speed drives, causing damage to the disc and/or the drive. Burn more than one copy, and store a copy in a different location than the computer. If your house burns down, the back-up disk doesn't do you any good if it was laying next to the computer. Check your media periodically, perhaps once every six months. If something is wrong, immediately burn another copy from one of the other backup disks. Use only high-quality media. In most cases, you do get what you're paying for. Don't use re-writable CDs or DVDs. The chemical process that allows the recording media to be written onto repeatedly is not as stable over the long term.

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One Millionth Item Added to The Genealogy Center Collections

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Just shy of its 50 th anniversary, the celebrated Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library has added the one millionth item to its research collections. The rare volume, titled The Men and Women in World War II from Avoyelles Parish, features photographs and brief biographies of 1,340 individuals who served in the armed forces from this rural Louisiana parish. Only three other copies are known to exist in a library anywhere. One is in the Louisiana State Archives and two are in the Avoyelles Parish Library in Marksville, Louisiana. Published shortly after the war and bound in a patriotic red, white and blue cover, the book is a fitting representative of The Center‛s renowned collection of local history materials that covers all of North America and includes many hard-tofind and unique items – items that keep Fort Wayne on the travel itinerary for genealogical researchers. It is also representative of efforts to continue building a collection of resources that complement The Center‛s new “Our Military Heritage” website, home to an expanding array of unique, digitized military records. The same resourceful staff that tracks down such unique additions also offers expert assistance to visitors conducting research in The Genealogy Center‛s collections or attending one of The Center‛s many fine educational programs. To discover more about The Genealogy Center‛s collections, online databases, programs and other services, or about how to begin your own genealogical quest, visit the new website at www.GenealogyCenter.org. This valuable historical work was purchased from one of a number of antiquarian book vendors The Genealogy Center uses to acquire significant works for genealogists and historians. The funds to acquire this particular work were taken from The Genealogy Center‛s gift fund, a fund that receives monetary gifts from grateful customers to support collection building activities of The Center.

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National Black Genealogy Summit--Save The Date

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The African American Genealogy Society of Fort Wayne and the Allen County Public Library with its Genealogy Center proudly present this unique opportunity: National Black Genealogy Summit. The theme of the summit is African Diaspora: Awakening Our Legacy. Prospective, novice, intermediate, and advanced genealogists will convene for the National Black Genealogy Summit, October 20 – 22, 2011 at the Grand Wayne Center and Allen County Public Library (ACPL). This conference promises an innovative, comprehensive, and hands-on approach to genealogical and historical research. Experts in African American genealogy will demonstrate research strategies, provide useful tips, and explore new resources. Extended research hours in the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center will be available exclusively to conference attendees. The ACPL Genealogy Center is internationally acclaimed for being the world‛s second largest repository of genealogy resources. The comprehensive collection contains more than one million textual items and access to billions of searchable records offered through major online genealogical databases. All are available for free use in the Center. Expert staff, well-versed in genealogical research, is always available to assist researchers. Conference Planning Committee consists of the Allen County Public Library (Curt Witcher and Josette Jordan); African American Genealogy Society of Fort Wayne (Roberta Ridley); It is Well With My Soul & Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (A Public Service Organization) Fort Wayne Alumnae Chapter (Dr. Ruby Cain); African/African American Historical Museum (Dr. Miles S. Edwards and Condra Ridley); and It is Well With My Soul & The Links, Incorporated Fort Wayne Chapter (Linda Durril). Information about lodging accommodations and the program for the National Black Genealogy Summit will be available in January 2011.Save the dates October 20-22, 2011. And visit the website often for new details; www.BlackGenealogyConference.Info.

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WinterTech 2010-2011 In The New Year

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Start the New Year honing your technology skills by attending our WinterTech lectures. Take a day for genealogy on the second Wednesday of January and February. Do a bit of research in the morning, attend the WinterTech class at 2:30 in the afternoon, and then stay for the Allen County Genealogy Society of Indiana's monthly meeting at 7:00 in the evening. January 12th will feature Melissa Shimkus on "Becoming Expert at Using Ancestry." Ancestry.com features one of the largest collections of genealogical databases available. Join us in learning how to perform advance search techniques, read the results, and become expert within Ancestry. Then in February, Dawne Slater-Putt will guide us in "Exploring the Ever Expanding FamilySearch." Call 260-421-1225 to register, or send us an email at Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

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March Madness--Genealogy Style

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Plan on celebrating the end of winter by attending The Genealogy Center's version of March Madness, Sunday March 13 through Saturday March 19, 2011. Plan to attend some or all of the following programs. Why Do I Want to Look at a Revolutionary War Pension? Sunday, March 13, 1:00pm-2:00pm, Meeting Room A Searching the Internet for Your Genealogy (Using Google and Other Search Engines). Monday, March 14, 2:00pm-3:00pm, Meeting Room A Writing Personal History: Doing for Our Descendants What We Wish Great-Grandma Had Done for Us. Tuesday, March 15, 10:00am-11:00am , Meeting Room C ACGSI Computer Interest Group. Wednesday, March 16, 7:00pm-9:00pm, Meeting Room B Beginning Virginia Genealogical Research. Thursday, March 17, 2:00pm-3:00 pm, Meeting Room A Irish & Scots-Irish Genealogy: Part 1 - A Two-Day Mini-Course. Friday & Saturday, March 18-19, 9:00am-4:00pm, Meeting Rooms B&C. NOTE: Registration and a $50 fee are required for this program. Check our website http://www.genealogycenter.org/Events.aspx for more information. Call 260- 421-1225 to register, or send us an email at Genealogy@ACPL.Info .

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Irish & Scots-Irish Genealogy: Part One--A Two-Day Mini-Course

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After you've celebrated St. Patrick's Day, take time to expand your research skills by attending Irish and Scots-Irish Genealogy, Part 1 on Friday & Saturday, March 18-19, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., in Meeting Rooms B&C. This two-day mini-course, taught by Steve Myers, is an excellent way for researchers with little or no experience in Irish records to receive a thorough grounding in the sources and techniques that lead to success. Classes include: “Doing Your Homework in North American Sources;” “Getting the Lay of the Land: Irish Place-names, Maps & Gazetteers;” “Griffith's Valuation and the Tithe Applotment Books;” “Church Records and Heritage Centres;” “Civil Registration & Other Vital Records Sources;” and “Censuses & Census Substitutes.” A complementary Part 2 mini-course, tentatively scheduled for March, 2012, will cover additional topics such as using Irish manuscript collections and local history publications. Cost for both days is $50. Program details and registration information are included in the brochure at http://www.genealogycenter.org/Libraries/2010/Irish_Part_1_brochure_2011Reduced.sflb.ashx. Attendance is limited, so register early to avoid disappointment. For more information, call 260- 421-1225 or email Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE--Closed January 28, 2011 for Staff Day

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The Allen County Public Library and its Genealogy Center will be closed Friday, January 28, 2011 for Staff Development Day. We will be open the day before, Thursday, January 27th, our regular week day hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. And we will be open the Saturday after, January 29th, our regular Saturday hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Librarians on Parade in January & February 2011

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Curt Witcher January 7, 2011--RUSA/ALA pre-conference program, Valencia Park/Malcolm X Branch of the San Diego Library, 5148 Market Street, San Diego. Program: “Marching On: Online Sites for 19th Century U. S. Military Veterans.” February 10-12, 2011--RootsTech: A Genealogy & Technology Conference, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friday, February 11th: Opening Keynote Session; Saturday, February 12th, Federation of Genealogical Societies‛ Luncheon, “High Touch and High Tech: Being a Successful 21st Century Genealogical Society.” February 26, 2011--Hemet-San Jacinto Genealogical Society & Hemet Public Library Seminar, Hemet Public Library, Upper Floor, 300 East Latham Avenue, Hemet, California. Presentations: “Historical Research Methodology,” “Using Church Records for Genealogical Research,” “Mining the Motherlode: Using Periodical Literature for Genealogical Research,” and “Roll Call: New Sites and Sources for Military Records and Research.” Steve Myers January 8, 2011--Detroit Society for Genealogical Research & Oakland County Genealogy Society joint meeting, Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Street, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. 1:30 p.m. refreshments, 2-3 p.m. program. Program: "An Introduction to Medieval English Genealogy." Melissa Shimkus January 12, 2011--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Meeting Room C, 2:30 p.m., “Becoming Expert at Using Ancestry.” Dawne Slater-Putt February 9, 2011--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Meeting Room C, 2:30 p.m., “Exploring the Ever Expanding Family Search.”

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Area Calendar of Events

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Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) January 12, 2011--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana. 6:30 p.m. refreshments, 7 p.m. program. Jon Leyse will present, “Video Recording Your Family History.” Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, 302 East Berry, Ft. Wayne, IN January 2, 2011, 2 p.m.—Craig Berndt will present “Fort Wayne‛s Interurbans.”

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Driving Directions to the Library

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Wondering how to get to the library? Our location is 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the block bordered on the south by Washington Boulevard, the west by Ewing Street, the north by Wayne Street, and the east by the Library Plaza, formerly Webster Street. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Center. To get directions from your exact location to 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=900%20Web ster%20St&city=Fort%20Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802%2d3602&country=US&geodiff=1 >From the South Exit Interstate 69 at exit 102. Drive east on Jefferson Boulevard into downtown. Turn left on Ewing Street. The Library is one block north, at Ewing Street and Washington Boulevard. Using US 27: US 27 turns into Lafayette Street. Drive north into downtown. Turn left at Washington Boulevard and go five blocks. The Library will be on the right. >From the North Exit Interstate 69 at exit 112. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton to Washington Boulevard. Turn right on Washington and go three blocks. The Library will be on the right. >From the West Using US 30: Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Ave. which dead-ends at West State Blvd. Make an angled left turn onto West State Blvd. Turn right on Wells Street. Go south on Wells to Wayne Street. Turn left on Wayne Street. The Library will be in the second block on the right. Using US 24: After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from the South. >From the East Follow US 30/then 930 into and through New Haven, under an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington Blvd. when you get into downtown. Library Plaza will be on the right.

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Parking at the Library

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At the Library, underground parking can be accessed from Wayne Street. Other library parking lots are at Washington and Webster, and Wayne and Webster. Hourly parking is $1 per hour with a $7 maximum. ACPL library card holders may use their cards to validate the parking ticket at the west end of the Great Hall of the Library. Out of county residents may purchase a subscription card with proof of identification and residence. The current fee for an Individual Subscription Card is $70. Public lots are located at the corner of Ewing and Wayne Streets ($1 each for the first two halfhours, $1 per hour after, with a $4 per day maximum) and the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Harrison Street ($3 per day). Street (metered) parking on Ewing and Wayne Streets. 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 garage 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 Center Queries

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The Genealogy Center 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: Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

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Publishing Note:

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This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center, 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 made 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. To subscribe to “Genealogy Gems,” simply use your browser to go to the website: www.GenealogyCenter.org. Scroll to the bottom, click on E-zine, and fill out the form. You will be notified with a confirmation email. If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please follow the link at the very bottom of the issue of Genealogy Gems you just received or send an email to kspears@acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line. Steve Myers & Curt Witcher, co-editors