June 2007

Genealogy Gems:

News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 40, June 30, 2007

In this issue:

A Hot Month of Acquisitions

Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire

Hamburg, Germany Passenger Lists

Countdown to Conference 2007

Preservation Tip of the Month

Area Calendar of Events

Driving Directions to the Library

Parking at the Library

Queries for the Department

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A Hot Month of Acquisitions by Curt B. Witcher

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June provided us with a number of days in the 90s before the official start of summer--and we've had one or two since summer started! If one can equate pace of activities to heat, June was an equally hot month for acquisitions in the Genealogy Center. We were fortunate to have acquired fifteen hundred school yearbooks from around Indiana and Ohio this past month. Several hundred of them already have been cataloged and are on our shelves ready for researchers to use. It is quite satisfying to see our collection of directories continue to grow. In so many ways, these publications are the censuses of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Our directory collection remains one of the deepest and broadest collections one will find anywhere, and the directories' research value will only increase over time. Recently, we significantly enhanced our in-house online offerings by adding "America's GenealogyBank" and "ProQuest Obituaries" to the three very popular online genealogy sites of Ancestry.com, HeritageQuestOnline.com, and NewEnglandAncestors.org. "America's GenealogyBank" provides access to millions of genealogical and historical records from across the United States from 1652 to the present day. Their historical newspapers database provides access to more than 86 million articles in 500,000 issues of over 1,300 U.S. newspapers, and covers a general time range between 1690 and 1977. The historical books collection includes digitized versions of all available books, pamphlets and other publications printed in America before 1819, while their historical documents collection features the entire American State Papers (1789-1838) and items of genealogical value from the U.S. Congressional Serial Set (1817-1980). They also sport a copy of the Social Security Death Index. The "ProQuest Obituaries" data file offers more than 10.5 million obituaries and death notices in a full-image format from a select group of historical newspapers, some dating back to 1851. Other virtual offerings, available world-wide at GenealogyCenter.Info, are growing significantly as well. The 2006 Allen County, IN burials permit index was added at the very end of last month. That brings to more than forty-three thousand the number of Allen County burial permits searchable on the web from 1994 through last year. Another forty-four thousand names were added to the Lindenwood Cemetery Burials thanks to the terrific work of the Allen County Genealogical Society in keying 1860-1972 data. A brand new Fort Wayne Fire Fighters file can be found on GenealogyCenter.Info under Government Records. It is based on the data gathered by Donald Weber for his volumes of Fort Wayne Fire Department history. The site also saw more than seven thousand names and tombstone images mounted for the Thornrose Cemetery of Augusta County, VA. An index to four cemeteries in Plymouth, Wayne County, MI debuted along with a file that quickly identifies the Civil War veterans from those burial grounds. Finally, through the dedicated efforts of a summer intern, many thousands of new roll-specific descriptions are being added to our online Microtext catalog. More and more, researchers will be able to see exactly which roll of microfilm might be most beneficial to their on-site research. If you haven't been to GenealogyCenter.Info in a while, now would certainly be a good time to pay another visit. Be sure to take advantage of the "Search Site" feature when you're wanting to quickly search across all the name databases on the site. Now more than ever, The Genealogy Center is the place to go to find out where you're from!

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Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire by John D. Beatty

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One of the most important secondary sources for doing research on the early families of northern New England is the “Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire” (call number 974 N87gaa). Published originally in five parts between 1928 and 1939, the book represents the extraordinary research efforts of three of the finest genealogists of their day--Sybil Noyes, Charles Thornton Libby, and Walter Goodwin Davis. Drawing inspiration from James Savage’s “Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England,” published in 1860, Noyes, Libby and Davis attempted to recreate this classic reference work specifically for those settlers who came to Maine and New Hampshire before 1700. The authors sought comprehensive coverage for their subject, listing every person known to be in the region that could be gleaned from primary source documents, including probate, court, and land records as well as a variety of other published and unpublished lists. As in Savage, the arrangement is alphabetical by surname, though the head of each family is given a separate paragraph and numbered, and numerous sources in support of the evidence are cited in abbreviated form. Many of the references extend past 1700 into the first and second quarters of the eighteenth century. In some instances, the compilers provide the English origins of settler families, when known. Davis, who financed the work, eventually called a halt to the collection of data and began publishing in 1928, despite the fact that, in his opinion “the deep mine of original and public records was far from exhausted.” He was also quick to point out in the preface that the book contained hundreds of thousands of statements of facts as well as judgments, some of which were doubtlessly erroneous. Still, the dictionary is carefully researched and has held up well over time, being reprinted in various editions by Genealogical Publishing Company, beginning in 1972. Researchers more accustomed to the layout of Robert Charles Anderson’s Great Migration series will find the arrangement of the Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire to be dense and full of abbreviations. These are easily overcome with practice, however. This work is a great first source on the early families of Maine and New Hampshire and should lead researchers to a variety of primary source evidence. Further, the unpublished manuscript collections of Sybil Noyes in particular, available at the Maine Historical Society, can sometimes lead to discoveries for a time frame beyond the scope of the book.

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Hamburg, Germany Passenger Lists by Don Litzer

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It has been estimated that from 1850 to 1934 more than 5 million people from eastern and central Europe emigrated through the port of Hamburg, Germany to the United States. Lists of passengers departing Hamburg prove particularly helpful by providing a specific place of origin for those emigrants, information crucial to continuing research in European records. The Genealogy Center has 115 microfilm reels of Hamburg “direct lists,” that is, passenger lists of ships that traveled directly from Hamburg to a destination without stopping at other European ports. These films run from March, 1850 (the earliest available records) to the end of 1900, and are complete except from January through July 14, 1853, a period for which records are missing. The lists—written, of course, in the German language—can be quite illuminating. A Hamburg passenger list, while varying slightly over time, generally asked for the following information: surname, given name, gender, age, previous residence, state or province, occupation, destination, number of persons, adults and children over ten years, children under ten years, and children under one year. This author can offer a testimonial from personal research. On an 1860 Hamburg passenger list, an ancestor’s residence was recorded as “Papiogorroe”—a rendering of Popia Gora, a tiny hamlet in the province of West Prussia—and neighbors traveling with his family gave the names of two nearby villages as their residences, thereby making it possible to determine an ancestral hometown in present-day Poland. Lists for 1850 to 1855 do not require separate indices, because they are arranged alphabetically by the first letter of the head of household’s surname. For the period from April, 1855 to April, 1901, the Genealogy Center has 63 microfilm reels of indices to the Hamburg direct lists. These indices are arranged by the first letter of the head of household’s surname, and then chronologically by the date the vessel left Hamburg. There are also online alternatives to using the microfilmed Hamburg lists and indices. An index to direct and indirect lists for the year 1872 is available online at . The 1850 to 1934 lists have also been digitized and are available at Ancestry.com, but only the 1890 to 1914 records are accompanied by an electronic index. Ancestry also recently posted digitized images of the handwritten indexes covering 1855 to 1934. By scanning the microfilm or utilizing the digital images and indexes, researchers in the Genealogy Center should be able to identify ancestors that came through this important European port.

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Countdown to Conference 2007! by Elaine M. Kuhn

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Among the many exciting opportunities accompanying the FGS/ACPL 2007 Conference in August will be the chance to spend some quality research time in one of the nation’s premier genealogical collections, the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library. Situated on the second floor of the newly-renovated Main Library the Genealogy Center houses over 860,000 books, magazines, microfilm and microfiche. All Genealogy Center materials are now in one place, on one floor and available for browsing (that means no more closed stacks and no more request slips, for those readers who remember the old building!) Because the Center will be extra busy and research space will at times be at a premium, and we want everyone to have the best possible experience while visiting, consider the following suggestions when preparing for your visit: 1. Do your homework before leaving home. The Genealogy Center’s print and microtext catalogs are searchable online at the library’s website. Make note of the items of interest and bring that information with you – saves you time and having to wait on a public computer! The library catalog can be found at www.acpl.info. The microtext catalog can be found at http://GenealogyCenter.Info/search_microtext.php. 2. Leave your original documents and photographs at home! Genealogy Center staff can tell many a sad story about visitors’ family photos and marriage certificates lost or left behind. If you need to bring such information, consider making photocopies or scanned images. 3. If you bring a laptop computer to the Genealogy Center, bring a lock for it so that you can secure your computer to your research table. Although most genealogists are honest individuals, the Genealogy Center is a public place - just like an airport - and with all of the people coming and going during the conference, it will be easy for unfortunate events to take place. Computer locks are readily available for purchase online and at most electronics stores. 4. As an addendum to Item 2, consider wearing a fanny pack or similar item while at the Center. Not only will you have your money, jump drive, and cell phone at hand, you will also not need to worry about leaving your purse at your table while you browse the stacks. The Genealogy Center does not have lockers for patrons to use, and the Center’s staff and volunteers cannot stow items at their service desks nor “watch” someone’s belongings while they step out for a moment. 5. Bring lots of small bills and change with you. Photocopies from books and magazines are ten cents per copy (you’ll be pleased to know, though, that computer prints and microfilm copies are free – yes, I said free.) There is a one and five dollar bill changer in the Center that will give dimes, but for change from tens and twenties, you will have to visit the Circulation Desk on the first floor. 6. Leave that cuppa joe and donut back in your hotel room, please! Food and drink – including the ubiquitous water bottles - are not allowed in the Genealogy Center. The results of spilled liquids and sticky fingers on one-of-a-kind materials are more distressing than can be described here. 7. Finally – bring lots of patience and good humor! Every effort will be made to accommodate the hundreds of visitors to the Center, but some processes will take longer than normal, and printers, computers, and copiers will require a wait during peak hours. So remember - instead of letting impatience well-up, why not take the opportunity to chat with your fellow visitors while you wait? You never know whom you’ll meet along the way! The Genealogy Center will be open extra hours during the week of the conference. On Monday and Tuesday, August 13th and 14th, the Genealogy Center will be open its regular hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Wednesday, August 15th the Center will be open from 9 a.m. until midnight while on Thursday, August 16th, the Center will be open 6 a.m. until midnight! Friday and Saturday, August 17th and 18th, the Genealogy Center will be open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. See you then!

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Preservation Tip of the Month by Becky Schipper

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A conservator is a professional whose occupation is the care, restoration and repair of objects, collections, and specimens. Through education, knowledge, training, and experience a conservator devises a plan of action and implements conservation processes that are appropriate for a particular item. Conservators specialize in object types, some of which are paper, books, photographs, paintings, furniture, textiles and buildings. Selecting a conservator for your particular need should include checking references and looking at samples of the conservators work. American Institute for Conservation’s guide to Conservation Services is a free referral service that also provides a helpful brochure, “Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator.” http://aic.stanford.edu/

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Area Calendar of Events

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Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) The Society does not meet during the summer months. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) "First Wednesday" program of lineage assistance is Wednesday, May 2nd from 9A – 7pm. Expert help from members of the DAR on becoming a member of that organization.

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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, on the block bordered on the south by Washington Boulevard, the west by Ewing Street, the north by Webster Street, and the east by the Library Plaza, formerly Webster Street. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Department. 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 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. 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 off of 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 $65. 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 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: 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 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 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.FriendsOfAllenCounty.org. 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 GenealogyGems you just received or send an email to kspears@acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe ezine" in the subject line. Curt Witcher, editor pro-tem