July 2012

Genealogy Gems:

News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 101, July 31, 2012

In this issue:

More and Better--The Best of Times

They Called It the War Effort

Founders and Pioneers of Albuquerque

Technology Tip of the Month--Adobe Photoshop: More About the Amazing Filter Gallery

Quick-Tip of the Month for Preservation--Data Storage

Applying DNA Studies to Family History: The Melungeon Mystery Solved

Researching African American Family History in Alabama: Etc.

Tree Talks: Help for Beginners

Family History: Beyond the Basics, A Two-Day Mini-Course!

Family History Month: October 2012--It's Closer than You Think

Out and About

Area Calendar of Events Driving Directions to the Library

Parking at the Library

Queries for The Genealogy Center

**************************************

More and Better--The Best of Times by Curt B. Witcher

***************************************

These continue to be such exciting and wonderful times for genealogists--I continue to maintain the best of times! So much new information is being digitized and indexed online. Large information aggregators in both the .com space and the .org space add millions of new records and images each month to their online collections. Libraries and research facilities all over the world continue to make data available online to interested researchers. While each facility’s contributions by themselves may seem modest, taken together, all of those contributions add up to millions of records available for free virtual use. How can one not be excited about the possibilities of doing more research, and doing it better, and more efficiently? Speaking of new and exciting, in the month of July, The Genealogy Center added more surnames to our surname file, more obituaries to our Fort Wayne and Allen County obituary index, a few more Adams county, Indiana data files, four new databases for Hendricks County, Indiana, and a data file of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana firefighters. A total of more than thirty thousand searchable records were added to our collection of free databases. If you haven’t checked your names of interest in our databases for a while, you might want to do that. It’s easy--simply key the name you’re searching in the federated search box on our main webpage. It’s the top input box on the right-hand side of GenealogyCenter.org in the area called “Begin Your Discovery.” The more than two million records in our free online databases will be quickly searched for your query. Another extremely rich source of historical and genealogical data that is always available when researching online in our Center, and elsewhere through subscriptions to Ancestry.com or HeritageQuestOnline.com, is the “Periodical Source Index” or PERSI. This tremendously underutilized index contains more than 2.5M subject entries describing articles published in historical and genealogical society quarterlies, newsletters, journals, and annuals found across North America, the British Isles, and parts of Europe. When you’re at The Genealogy Center, you can find PERSI easily on the On-site Databases page under the HeritageQuestOnline. PERSI is the third choice on the HeritageQuestOnline welcome page. PERSI can also be found in the Ancestry.com collection of databases, though it takes a bit more work to find the data file. Scroll down to the bottom of the main Ancestry page and click on “See all databases.” Key “Periodical Source Index” into the keyword field and click search. The very next screen will give you a direct link to PERSI. The Ancestry search experience is much different than the HeritageQuestOnline search experience, so you might want to try both. There is so much unique material indexed in PERSI--material that you would be hard-pressed to find in other formats. If you don’t use PERSI, you may be missing up to one third of the leads, clues, and other historical and genealogical data that literally could be the answer to your research challenges--to those stubborn brick walls. With the wide availability of the PERSI index, there’s no reason not to give it a try. Every article referenced in PERSI is available in the collections of The Genealogy Center. Can’t get here to make the copies? Try our article fulfillment services at . This month saw a new display debut in The Genealogy Center, “War of 1812: A Nation Forged by War.” Our friends at Historic Fort Wayne, Inc., the organization that runs the Old Fort--a reconstructed War of 1812 era fort here in town, secured the display from the Department of the Navy. The six-panels begin with the “Steps to War” and the “War on the Sea” and conclude with the peace negotiations in late 1814 and the battles that took place after the signing of the treaty. QR codes on each panel provide interested viewers with access to additional information, as does the website, OurFlagWasStillThere.org. It’s yet another great reason to visit The Genealogy Center and the Allen County Public Library. Looking for more reasons to visit? This weekend, on Saturday, August 4th, there is a terrific program on “Applying DNA Studies to Family History: The Melungeon Mystery Solved.” If you want to know more about DNA studies and their relationship to genealogical research, and if you want to learn more about Melungeons, this is a program for you. The following weekend, Saturday, August 11th, Frazine Taylor will present an engaging genealogical workshop titled, “Researching African American Family History in Alabama, Etc.” If you’re interested in African American research, Alabama research, Black Belt states research, and sound tips for researching in southern states, this day was made for you. Visit or call The Genealogy Center for more information about these terrific opportunities. Other program offerings are detailed in this ezine as well. Surely you must agree: These are the best of times!

***************************************

They Called It the War Effort by Melissa Shimkus

***************************************

The early 1940s were turbulent and transitional years in our nation’s history as the Great Depression’s lingering effects and World War II influenced every aspect of life, from the social and educational arenas to migration patterns. Letters, diaries and oral histories offer personal glimpses into the life-altering events of this period. One title available at The Genealogy Center, “They Called It the War Effort: Oral Histories from WWII Orange, Texas” by Louis Fairchild (976.402 OR12FLA), not only conveys the stories of those who actively participated in World War II, but also depicts the war’s impact on everyday life in a small town. From 1986 to the early 1990s, Fairchild interviewed individuals who had been residents of Orange, Texas, during the early 1940s, in order to analyze how individuals and the community dealt with the war effort and the resulting dramatic increase of population and industry in the region. The Depression had left its mark on Orange, Texas, resulting in an estimated unemployment rate of sixty percent. As the war in Europe began, the area witnessed significant changes. In 1940, two large ship builders and a steel plant in the region received Navy contracts for the construction of a shipyard, destroyers, minesweepers, and barges. Craftsmen, defense workers and others seeking employment moved their families to Orange, creating a seven hundred percent increase in population from 1940-1945. Others temporarily commuted to work in Orange from surrounding communities in the Gulf region. The stories in this volume capture effectively the personal experiences of one community of individuals living with the stresses of war on the home front. David Broussard described his feelings as a 10-year-old child who lost his best friend when the Japanese friend and his family were deported. Betty Pinson related how college and faith helped her heal when her husband of one year died in France in 1944. And Raymond Selzer shared tales of his daily commute by train from Beaumont to the steel plant in Orange along with some 400 other workers, his decision to move his family to the coastal town, and his treatment as an outsider. “They Called It the War Effort” is a significant oral history that documents life on the home front in a Gulf Coast town, and details the war’s effects on Orange, Texas residents. Researchers should seek out similar volumes that effectively capture such a moment in time for the communities in which their own families lived.

***************************************

Founders and Pioneers of Albuquerque by Delia Cothrun Bourne

***************************************

Although New Mexico is a comparatively “young” state, having joined the union in 1912, it has a rich history that stretches back to the sixteenth century and includes European, American and Hispanic settlers who joined the Native Americans that were already there. In 1706, Albuquerque was founded along the trade route between Mexico and the town of Santa Fe. Some of the best early records for this area are church records. Donald S. Dreesen, a New Mexico researcher, used marriage records from the Archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to compile two resources that provide information on thousands of families in early New Mexico. His “Founders of Albuquerque: Families Living in Bernalillo County and the Rio Abajo During the 17th and 18th Centuries” (135 microfiche), and his “Nineteenth Century Pioneers of Albuquerque: Families Living in Bernalillo County” (279 microfiche) are both available in The Genealogy Center (cabinet J-9). The work on 19th century “Pioneers” includes all Spanish, Anglo and Indian families known to have lived in the county at least two consecutive years between 1800 and 1899. The Introductory matter in each set contains historical maps of Albuquerque and the Santa Fe to El Paso area, a brief description of the collection, and brief notes on Mexican surname construction. The alphabetically arranged entries include names of groom and bride, dates and places of marriage, and may include parents’ names, witnesses and children of the marriage, as well as other notes. Cross-references for compound surnames and variant surnames are provided. Some entries have a great deal more information than others. A long entry is exemplified by that for Eugene Hilarian Abadie, born 1809-1819 in France. He married Laura Beall and was in Pennsylvania by 1836, when he was appointed to the U.S. Army as an assistant surgeon. In the 1850s, the military family moved to Albuquerque, where Eugene purchased land. After being captured by Confederates, he became a colonel in 1865. The entry also provides birth and death dates for Eugene and Laura, information on their children, and names the sources of the information. A shorter entry features Juan Baptista de Jesus Martinez born in 1763 in Albuquerque, son of Julian Martinez and Agueda Candelaria. He married Maria Gertrudes Candelaria in 1787, and had Juan Jose in 1790. Another short entry names Andres Lente, an Indian, who married Antonia Luisa Montoya and had eight children from the 1750s to early 1780s. Andres’ listing includes approximate birth dates, baptismal dates and places, and spouses of the children. Dreesen’s compilations include brief cross-references linking women to their spouses. One of these is Elena Ramirez de Mendoza, who married Tome Dominques. Elena’s information appears in Tome’s entry. As is true for immigrants to Texas, the origins of New Mexico’s settlers span the North American and European continents. These sets are a wonderful source for those settlers, and a possible source of clues for strays on your family tree.

***************************************

Technology Tip of the Month--Adobe Photoshop: More About the Amazing Filter Gallery by Kay Spears

***************************************

For more Photoshop fun, I’m going to combine two images, a photograph of my grandmother and an image of some flowers, using the Layers Palette, Masking Tool, and, of course, the Filter Gallery. First, I open both images, and then change the grandmother image from Background to Layer by right clicking on the image in the Layers Palette. Next step is to drag the flowers image into the grandmother image. To do that, I find it easier to go to the Layers Palette, put my cursor over the layer I’m dragging, hold down the left click button on my mouse, and drag and drop the flowers into my grandmother’s image. The cursor will change from a hand with a pointed finger to a closed fist when executing this maneuver. Now, in the grandmother image Layers Palette, there are two layers. If you want to change the size of the image dropped, press Ctrl+Alt+T. A box with some handles will appear around the top image. Holding the shift key down, grab one of these handles and pull until the image is the size desired, and then double click. There will now be three layers on the Layers Palette. The second layer (the original image that was dragged and dropped) may be deleted, or turned off by clicking on the eye. To apply some special effects to the top layer open the Filter Gallery. A copy of the top image will be on display. Experiment by choosing different effects, and altering the settings for each effect, until you find one that you like. Then click OK in the Filter Gallery dialog box. The entire top image will appear altered by whatever effect you have chosen. Apply as many of these effects as you want. Have fun with this tool! Next, use the Masking tool on the top image. If you don’t have a Masking tool, you may erase, or refer to the May 31, 2012 Genealogy Gems article on creating a mask. Now, click on the mask, then the brush tool. Make sure the Color palette for the Brush tool is black. Set the opaque setting low and start to move your brush over the area in which you want the bottom layer to show through. Keep doing this until you get the desired effect. You may use any image for this effect; it doesn't have to be flowers. You also can use this method to produce a collage of family photos. You can alter one layer or all the layers using the Filter Gallery. Experiment, and have fun with this technique. The results will amaze you. Next in Adobe Photoshop: Reducing paper texture, print patterns and Moiré pattern.

***************************************

Quick-Tip of the Month for Preservation--Data Storage by Curt B. Witcher

***************************************

Electronic storage of historical and genealogical data is far too infrequently thought of when considering preserving and making our research available for future generations of descendants and interested others. It is worthwhile to review some of the basics—think STORAGE.

S--Saving one’s genealogical work should be as important as doing the research and finding the evidence.

T--Terabytes of data are available as portable storage at very reasonable costs, costs that are dropping every month. (Code for no excuse for not backing-up.)

O--Other than right by your desk-top, and other than with all your other back-ups, is the proper place to store multiple copies of your data files. (And yes, you should have multiple copies/back-ups of your data files!)

R--Regular back-up are a must. Dick Eastman suggests the first of every month. I suggest that’s a baseline.

A--Ascend to the cloud. It’s about time for nearly everyone to take a serious look at cloud-based storage systems. There are many: Mozy, Carbonite, Dropbox, Google Docs, etc. The price continues to drop. The time is now. This interesting online piece may get you motivated: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/maintenance/tp/online_backup_services.htm

G--Geek out, don’t freak out! Technology continues to change, even storage technology. Don’t let it scare you or paralyze you; rather, embrace the change and discover what works best for you.

E--Exchange old storage media for new storage media, even if the format has not changed. Some are shocked when a USB flash drive that has been regularly used for several years suddenly fails. (Did I miss the “magic memo” that declared USB flash drives immune from failure?!) If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right; and if it’s worth doing right, it’s worth saving and backing up properly.

***************************************

Applying DNA Studies to Family History: The Melungeon Mystery Solved

***************************************

On Saturday, August 4, 2012, The Allen County Public Library and The Genealogy Center will present "Applying DNA Studies to Family History: The Melungeon Mystery Solved," a free all-day seminar, presented by Roberta Estes, a pioneer in the field of using DNA for genealogical research, Jack Goins, archivist and author, and Wayne Winkler, past-president of the Melungeon Historical Society. Sessions start at 9:15 AM in the Theater of the Main Library and will include “DNA and Genealogy - An Introduction;” “The Melungeons: Sons and Daughters of the Legend;” “Examining Our Melungeon Neighborhood and Migrations;” “Melungeons: A Multi-Ethnic Population;” and a question and answer session on Melungeons and DNA applications in the genealogy field. For more information, see http://www.genealogycenter.org/Events/SingleEvent/12-07- 18/Applying_DNA_Studies_to_Family_History_The_Melungeon_Mystery_Solved.aspx. To register for this free event, send us an email at Genealogy@ACPL.Info or call 260-421-1225.

***************************************

Researching African American Family History in Alabama: Etc.

***************************************

The African American Genealogical Society Fort Wayne will present “Researching African American Family History in Alabama: Etc.,” an all-day seminar on Saturday August 11, 2012, in the Theater of the Main Library. Featuring Frazine Taylor, archivist, researcher, author and genealogist, the seminar starts at 9:00 AM with "Historical Notes on Alabama," followed by "Resources at the Alabama Department of Archives," where Ms. Taylor was Head Archivist, and "Alabama Resources on Ancestry.com." After lunch on your own, the seminar will continue with "Alabama Military Records on Ancestry.com," "Future Alabama Records on Ancestry.com," and "Et Cetera," a class discussing other sources for research in Alabama. Ms. Taylor is an extremely knowledgeable archivist, as well as an accomplished speaker and researcher. This presentation would be worthwhile for anyone doing Alabama research or African American research anywhere in the southern states. Cost for the seminar is $25 ($20 for AAGSFW members). For more information, see http://www.genealogycenter.org/Events/SingleEvent/12-07- 18/Researching_African_American_Family_History_in_Alabama_Etc-3154440222.aspx. To register and obtain more details, call 260-247-0789, or email aagsfw@gmail.com.

***************************************

Tree Talks: Help for Beginners

***************************************

The Genealogy Center's summer series, Tree Talks, concludes on Saturday, August 25, 2012 with "Beginner's Guide to Vital Records." Vital records are thought of as the Holy Grail of genealogical records--legal documents that record a date of birth and parents, marriage date and place, or evidence of a death, perhaps providing names of parents or cause of death. Birth and death records, though, were not commonly recorded until the 20th Century, and even then their availability depends on the locale and culture. This class will explain what can be found in a vital record, and what other sources may be used when the official record is missing. This Tree Talks class is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Meeting Room A. For more information, see the brochure at http://www.genealogycenter.org/Libraries/2012_Brochures/summer.sflb.ashx. Please register for this free class by calling 260-421-1225 or send an email to Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

***************************************

Family History: Beyond the Basics, A Two-Day Mini-Course!

***************************************

Margery Graham and Steve Myers are presenting a “Family History: Beyond the Basics” mini-course on Friday and Saturday, September 7 & 8, 2012. This workshop is an excellent way for beginners and intermediate researchers to build on what they know or to review important concepts and sources. Attendees are free to bypass any individual session to take advantage of additional research and consultation time. Marge and Steve say you'll learn lots and have fun, too! Classes include Problem Solving: Breaking through Brick Walls in Your Research; Probate Records; Land Records and Tax Lists; Military Records; Church Records; Tracing Your Ancestors Across the Atlantic; and a tour of The Genealogy Center. Program and registration details are included in the brochure at http://www.genealogycenter.org. Attendance is limited, so registering early is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

***************************************

Family History Month: October 2012--It's Closer than You Think

***************************************

Family History Month--2012 is guaranteed to have something for just about every genealogical interest, something every day to expand your genealogical knowledge. The month will highlight cemetery research and tombstone symbolism, state and regional research, census records, assistance with your brick walls, and technology use for genealogical research. This year, our traditional Midnight Madness returns on Friday, October 26, offering the opportunity to do family history research until midnight that night. For detailed class descriptions, more information, and to register for individual sessions, see the brochure at http://www.genealogycenter.org/Libraries/2012_Brochures/FHM.sflb.ashx.

***************************************

Out and About

***************************************

Curt Witcher August 29, 2012, Federation of Genealogical Societies 2012 Annual Meeting, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL, 2-3 p.m., “The Dollars and Cents of Fundraising.” August 31, 2012, Federation of Genealogical Societies 2012 Annual Meeting, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL, 3:30-4:30 p.m., “And the Rockets’ Red Glare: Online Resources for War of 1812 Research.” September 1, 2012, Federation of Genealogical Societies 2012 Annual Meeting, BirminghamJefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL, 5-6 p.m., “Mining the Motherlode: Using Periodical Literature in Genealogical Research.”

***************************************

Area Calendar of Events

***************************************

Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) No meeting until September 2012. September 12, 2012--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana. 6:30 p.m. refreshments, followed at 7 p.m. by Curt Witcher’s presentation: “All that Other Stuff: Other Census Records Beyond the Population Schedules.” Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society/The History Center, 302 East Berry, Ft. Wayne, IN August 5, 2012, 2 p.m., William Heath will speak about and autograph his novel about William Wells, “Blacksnake’s Path: The True Adventures of William Wells.” George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series resumes in October.

***************************************

Driving Directions to the Library

***************************************

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.

***************************************

Parking at the Library

***************************************

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.

***************************************

Genealogy Center Queries

***************************************

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.

***************************************

Publishing Note:

***************************************

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