February 2009

Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 60, February, 2009 In this issue: Springing Into Action Searching Irish Wills Before 1858 Patent Interference Case Files, 1838-1900 Preservation Tip of the Month--Advice from the National Park Service! March Madness, Genealogy Style! Irish & Scots-Irish Genealogy: Part 1--A Two Day Mini-Course Beginning Genealogy Class April Tree Talks: WeRelate Overview Librarians on Parade Area Calendar of Events Driving Directions to the Library Parking at the Library Queries for the Department

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Springing Into Action by Curt B. Witcher

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With spring only a few days away, I am sure many of you are anxious for the cold, the ice, the wind and the power outages of the last couple of months to truly be behind us. And all of us are probably itching to get started on those wonderful spring and summer activities. As I have done a number of times in the past, I am again strongly urging you to use the advent of spring as a time to commit to being more active in your genealogical life--to spring into action. A number of genealogical and historical societies hold conferences, seminars and workshops in the spring. Spring into action and commit to attending one or two. Yes, there is so much we can do online all by ourselves. Equally true, though, is the fact that there is so much we can learn and experience when we share our research challenges and successes, or when we listen to experts who can enlighten our efforts and open new windows of possibilities on our problems. For many, spring cleaning has turned into more of a spring organizing and planning time. Spring into action and organize the records and photographs you have from holiday gatherings, as well as all those “I‛ll get around to it someday” documents. So your investment portfolio is barely recognizable--see if you can breathe some life and fun into those “stay-cation” things we‛ve heard the media talk about for months. Spring into action and discover what kind of genealogical fun is right in your backyard. As has been our tradition for a number of years, we‛re offering quite a suite of programs in the Genealogy Center this spring--from one hour presentations to half day seminars and two day mini-courses. Spring into action and join us. We‛d love to spend some time with you.

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Searching Irish Wills Before 1858 by John D. Beatty

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Wills, as every genealogist knows, are an excellent tool for researching one‛s ancestry. In the case of Ireland, probate research is considerably more challenging, in part because the original copies of most early wills were burned in 1922 during the Public Record Office fire. However, not all wills were lost. Sometimes the originals were copied by genealogists, and those abstracts survive. In other cases, Irish lawyers or solicitors made copies of wills for court cases, and those copies have since been deposited in either the National Archives of Ireland or in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Furthermore, many indexes of wills survive, so that even if the full text of a will is no longer extant, it is at least possible to determine whether a will for your ancestor once existed. Irish wills were filed in two kinds of ecclesiastical courts before 1858, because the official Church of Ireland had jurisdiction over probate matters. When someone died and all of their property holdings were contained in a single diocese, the will was probated in that diocesan court. If the testator had holdings of sufficient value in more than one diocese, the will was probated in a prerogative court. The majority were of the former category. A useful “Index to Irish Wills” (941.50004 P54i), edited by Phillimore and Thrift, lists diocesan wills from the seventeenth century through 1858. This five-volume set is divided by diocese and arranged alphabetically by testator. Volume 1 covers Ossory, Leighlin, Ferns, and Kildare. Volume 2 covers the combined Diocese of Cork and Ross, as well as Cloyne. Volume 3 includes Cashel and Emly, Waterford and Lismore, Killaloe and Kilfenora, and Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe. Volume 4 covers Dromore, Newry, and Mourne. Volume 5 covers Derry and Raphoe. A number of other dioceses are not represented in the series. Wills from the Diocese of Dublin through 1800 are indexed in the “Appendix to the Twenty-sixth Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records” (941.50004 Ir216p), while a similar “Appendix to the Thirtieth Report” indexes those from 1800-1858. Prerogative wills are listed in Arthur Vicars‛ “Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland, 1536-1810” (941.5004 V66in). Some wills also were recorded in the Registry of Deeds, and those dating from 1708 to 1832 have been abstracted in P. Beryl Eustace‛s three volume “Abstracts of Wills” (941.50004 Ir24r). Be sure to check online in the new e-Catalogue of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.proni.gov.uk) or in the Origins Network‛s “Irish Wills Index 1484-1858,” to which the Genealogy Center subscribes, to see if an abstract of a will exists. Many of the prerogative wills were abstracted by Sir William Betham and are available on microfilm from the Family History Library. Finally, John Grenham‛s handy guide, “Tracing Your Irish Ancestors” (941.5 G865t), provides a list of additional sources for surviving will indexes and abstracts.

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Patent Interference Case Files, 1838-1900 by Delia Cothrun Bourne

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When we think of inventors, we think of the famous ones: Thomas Edison, Charles Goodyear and Philo T. Farnsworth. But some of our ancestors also invented, as they sought new tools for performing daily tasks or new ways to make life easier for themselves and their families. As they invented, they would often patent their ideas, perhaps hoping to make some money for their efforts, just as today‛s inventors patent the next great vegetable slicer before marketing it on late night television. Sometimes, the same idea came at the same time to different people in different places, and multiple patents were requested, even given, for what was essentially the same product. Under certain circumstances, if two or more parties claimed a patent on the same invention, an appeal could be made by the second party. The resulting appeals to a panel of administrative law judges of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences produced Interference Case Files. Unlike the actual patents which only describe the invention, these case files detailed the process of invention. The case files are also useful to genealogists because they can provide biographical details about the inventor and others that may have testified on his or her behalf. The Genealogy Center holds indexes for the “Patent Interference Case Files, 1838-1900” on a set of five microfiche. The first fiche provides an introduction including brief information on the patent process, a description of the contents of the files, and instructions on using the indexes. The first index is by case number. Cases prior to 1870 are listed by the year and a letter, while files covering 1870 to 1900 are listed numerically by case number. The names of the plaintiff(s), defendant(s) and a brief description of the invention are provided. The inventions range from a hair crimper and shoe trees to knitting machines and grain binders. The second index lists all parties involved in the case and provides the case number. The last index is by invention, for example bean separator or raisin seeder, and again supplies the case number. The introduction and index of inventions is also available in a printed book as “Patent Interference Case Files, 1838-1900” (973 Un325bj) compiled by John P. Butler. The records themselves are located at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC as part of Record Group 241, Records of the Patent and Trademark Office.

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Preservation Tip of the Month--Advice from the National Park Service! by Curt B. Witcher

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It is said that one can find anything and everything on the Internet, and sometimes from the most unlikely sources. Did you know the National Park Service (NPS) publishes technical leaflets to help one preserve, repair, and conserve documents and other artifacts? Their publications, available for free online, are called “Conserve-0-Grams.” They cover a wide range of topics with simple, easy-to-understand procedures. Intended for NPS staff, they have wide applicability for many everyday preservationists. A number of the leaflets are a bit dated, but sound advice and strategies never really go out of date. Check out the website.  

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March Madness, Genealogy Style! by Melissa Shimkus and Delia Bourne

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Sunday, March 1st, marks the beginning of our third annual "March Madness, Genealogy Style," a Week of genealogical treats for spring. The schedule is listed below. All programs will be held at the Main Library--indeed all programs except "Tech Time" on March 6th will be held in Meeting Room A of the Main Library. "Tech Time" will be held in the Genealogy Center. Sunday, March 1 at 1:00 p.m. Melissa Shimkus presents, "Southern Lore." After the Civil War, many changes occurred in the Southern States. Learn about historical events that affect your research in the South. Discover your Southern ancestors through records from the reconstruction era. Bring your ancestors to life by learning about their history. Monday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. Cynthia Theusch presents, "Family Search Labs." Learn about LDS's beta website, featuring family history technologies not yet ready for prime time. Test innovations in using the Internet to find, research, organize, and share information--for free! Tuesday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. Cynthia Theusch presents, "Civilian Conservation Corps, 1933-1942." This presentation will provide background and historical information on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. Learn more about how the CCC helped the nation and about the men who joined and became known as Roosevelt's Tree Army. Learn where and how you can obtain their enlistment papers. Wednesday, March 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Daughters of the American Revolution provide Research Assistance for Membership. DAR members provide assistance to anyone interested in research to join the Society. Thursday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m. John Beatty presents, "Evaluating Published Family Histories." The Genealogy Center owns more than 57,000 volumes of published family histories. How do you, as a researcher, evaluate them effectively in your research? This class will look at techniques for assessing the quality of published family histories, from format and style to footnotes and evidence. It will present examples of some of the most outstanding genealogies in the collection and discuss what makes them great. Friday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. Delia Cothrun Bourne presents, "Tech Time." Copiers, printers, scanners... Lost amid the Genealogy Center's machinery? Take a brief tour among the gears and microchips for tips on using these valuable resources. Space is limited. Please register. Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. Sara Patalita presents, "Using Flickr to Document Your Genealogy." Sharing photos and scanned documents has never been easier, thanks to new online software. Sara Patalita will discuss the ins and outs of Flickr, one of the most popular programs for storing and documenting your historic photographs. Take advantage of these free classes! Please call 260-421-1225 or email genealogy@ACPL.info to register for any or all of our programs.

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Irish & Scots-Irish Genealogy: Part 1--A Two Day Mini-Course by Melissa Shimkus and Delia Bourne

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Register today for the first of our 2009 two-day mini-courses, to be held on March 13 & 14, 2009. Steve Myers, Genealogy Center Assistant Manager and well-known lecturer on Irish research, will teach Irish & Scots-Irish Genealogy: Part 1. The mini-course schedule is below. Friday, March 13, 2009: 9:00 a.m.: Library Opens 9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: Course Introduction 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Doing Your Homework in North American Sources 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.: Break 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.: Getting the Lay of the Land: Irish Place-names, Maps & Gazetteers 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Lunch on Your Own (A map of local restaurants will be provided.) 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.: Griffith‛s Valuation and the Tithe Applotment Books 1:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Break 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Tour of Genealogy Center 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Assisted Research / Consultations 6:00 p.m.: Library Closes Saturday, March 14, 2009 9:00 a.m.: Library Opens 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.: Church Records & Heritage Centres 10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Break 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Civil Registration & Other Vital Records Sources 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Lunch on Your Own (A map of local restaurants will be provided.) 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Censuses & Census Substitutes 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.: Break 1:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Assisted Research / Consultations 6:00 p.m.: Library Closes Class descriptions and registration information are on our Web site at http://www.ACPL.Info/Genealogy/programs.html . Space is limited so register today. The complementary Part 2 mini-course, tentatively scheduled for March of 2010, will cover additional topics such as using Irish manuscript collections and local history publications.

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Beginning Genealogy Class

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On Saturday March 28, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Margery Graham will present a program on “Beginning Genealogy.” This event is sponsored by the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana, and will be held in the Orientation Room on the west end of the Main Library‛s first floor. The program will cover how to begin your search into your family history, gathering and organizing your information for best results, application of basic and proven research methods to keep your research on track, and a tour of the Genealogy Center. Pre-registration along with a $10 fee are required. Call 260-672-2585 for more information, or find a registration form at http://www.acgsi.org/ . This is the first of the Tree Talks series for 2009. Future subjects include Kentucky research at ACPL, preservation, and much more! Watch our Special Programs site http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/programs.html for more information!

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April Tree Talks: WeRelate Overview

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For our second Tree Talks event of 2009, back by popular demand, Cynthia Theusch will offer a "WeRelate.org Overview" on Saturday April 25, 2009, at 10 a.m. in Meeting Room A. Find out how to use the world's largest genealogy wiki to interact with other researchers online, upload GEDCOM files, annotate scanned documents and photos, and more! Please call 260-421-1225 to register, or email your registration to Genealogy@ACPL.info. Watch our Special Programs site http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/programs.html for information on future Tree Talks, mini-courses, and other programming.

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Librarians on Parade

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Curt Witcher March 3, 2009--Indiana State Historic Records Advisory Board Conference, Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room C, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A seminar format to begin a conversation about some pressing issues in the archival community in Indiana. March 18, 2009--Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, 1710 West St. Andrews, Midland, MI, Library Lounge, 7 p.m. Topic: “Preserving Military History” April 2, 2009--Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, Sawmill Creek Resort, 400 Sawmill Creek Drive, Huron, OH, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Topic: “Preserving Your Family History: A Practical Two-Hour Mini Course.” April 18, 2009--35th Annual Quad Cities Genealogical Conference, Viking Club of Moline, 1450 41st Street, Moline, IA, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Topics: “Hunting in the Hoosier State and ACPL Genealogical Resources,” “Using Church Records in Your Genealogical Research,” “Pain in the Access: Getting the Most from the Internet for Your Genealogy,” and “Using Government Documents in Your Genealogical Research.” April 25, 2009--Indiana Genealogical Society Annual Conference, Marriott Center East, 7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN, 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Topic: “Marching On: Major Military Sites on the Internet.” Steve Myers March 28, 2009--The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, Huenefeld Tower Room, 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon. Topics: “Using Irish Manuscript Collections” and “The Irish Rebellion of 1798 as a Source of Genealogical Records.” John Beatty March 5, 2009--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room A, 2:00 p.m. Topic: “Evaluating Published Family Histories.” Delia Bourne March 6, 2009-- Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room A, 10:00 a.m. Topic: “Tech Time.” Cynthia Theusch March 2, 2009--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room A, 2:00 p.m. Topic: “Family Search Labs.” March 3, 2009--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room A, 10:00 a.m. Topic: “Civilian Conservation Corps, 1933-1942.” March 24, 2009--Calhoun County Genealogical Society, 17111 G Drive So., Marshall, Michigan, 7 p.m. Topic: "Organizing Your Genealogical Files" Melissa Shimkus March 1, 2009--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room A, 1:00 p.m. Topic: “Southern Lore.”

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Area Calendar of Events

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Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) March 11, 2009 at 7 p.m. (social time begins at 6:30 p.m.) at the Allen County Public Library‛s Main Library, 900 Library Plaza, Meeting Room A. Amanda Blackman and Roselyn Wells of the DeKalb County Genealogical Society will present “Identifying Photos for Genealogical Research.” Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, 302 East Berry, Ft. Wayne, IN March 1, 2009 at 2 p.m. Jan Shupert-Arick will present “The Lincoln Highway Across Indiana.”

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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 half- hours, $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.Info. Scroll down toward the bottom of the first screen where it says, "Enter Your Email Address to Subscribe to "Genealogy Gems." Enter your email address in the yellow box and click on "Subscribe." 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 ezine" in the subject line. Steve Myers & Curt Witcher, co-editors