June 2008

Genealogy Gems:

News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 52, June 30, 2008

In this issue:

What’s Up With All the Programming?!

Ontario Place Name Research: Land Ownership Maps & More Place Name Resources, Final Part Civil War Headstones

Preservation Tip of the Month GenealogyCenter.Info

Data Additions

Genealogy Center Mini-Course

Tree Talks--A Family History Lecture Series

Military Symposium

A Family History Month Early Reminder

Librarians On Parade

Area Calendar of Events

Driving Directions to the Library

Parking at the Library

Queries for the Department

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What’s Up With All the Programming?! by Curt B. Witcher

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What's up with all the public programming?! It's a question I have heard more than a few times since we opened our new Genealogy Center last year and began hosting, sponsoring and simply presenting more programs. And the answer is quite straightforward--it's a great way to learn! It's a great way to discover good genealogical searching practices and pick-up new techniques; it's a fantastic opportunity to overcome research dead-ends and brick walls; and it's a terrific way to network and hear how others solve their research challenges. I cannot count the number of times, just this year, I have heard someone leave a genealogy seminar or workshop excited about a new source they just had been exposed to, or exclaim something along the lines of, "I didn't know that!" We believe the programming component of our Genealogy Center is nearly as important to 21st century genealogists as our deep and rich collection of books, serials, and microforms, and the mega-data files such as Ancestry.com and HeritageQuestOnline.com that we license. There is so much good data available on the Internet, as well as in libraries and archives, that it often may border on information overload. I believe that nearly persistent state of overload causes many to focus almost exclusively on searching for data, and less and less on evidence evaluation. We continue to offer a wide range of programs to assist you in finding more ancestors among all the "stuff" you have collected. The variety of programs should at least tempt everyone. Just take a look at the upcoming line-up. July 18 & 19, Margery Graham and Steven Myers are presenting "Family History 101: A Two Day Mini-Course." One could not ask for two more experienced researchers and articulate presenters. If you're thinking "I'm not a beginner--I don't need this," I'd only ask "Are you sure?" I have found there's always more to learn. And two days with two experts for $50 is a bargain. Less than two weeks after that, Steven Myers is presenting an hour lecture on "Medieval English Genealogy." On the last Saturday of August, Delia Bourne is presenting an hour lecture on "Vital Records and Their Substitutes." Ms. Bourne has been actively involved in genealogical and local history research for more than three decades--and you get her undivided attention for an hour or more on, yes, a vital subject. And the rest of the day can be spent researching. September 26 & 27, Marie Melchiori will be the featured speaker for our first Military Symposium. Two days shoulder to shoulder with a certified research expert and lecturer--and Friday dinner as well--for $50. That's another bargain! A couple cannot even get a good dinner these days for $50 and with the Military Symposium you'll get three presentations over two days and individual consultation opportunities plus a meal. Every day in October of 2009 will have at least one genealogical program or event. More details on all these opportunities are on our website at: www.ACPL.Info/genealogy/programs.html Can you afford to miss them? I know some might be tempted to declare that with gas prices as high as they are, it is impossible to even consider attending regional and national seminars and workshops. I say it's nearly impossible not to attend. The value is that high--and there are ways of reducing costs. Let's suppose gasoline is at $5 per gallon (thankfully it is not there yet!). If you bring just two other genealogy friends with you (and who doesn't have two genealogy friends close by?!), everyone’s fuel cost is approximately $1.67 per gallon. Hotel rooms in downtown Fort Wayne average from a low of around $69 per night to a high of about $149 per night. (Short, easy driving distance just outside downtown Fort Wayne there are even more economical possibilities.) Let's use the highest figure. At $149 per night, with all the applicable taxes, the cost of a room would be about $175. Divide that by three and each person's share is just a little under $59 per night. Pick a hotel more in the middle of the price range, and one can get the per-person cost down to just over $32 per night. So my question persists--how can one afford not to come? The networking with other genealogists, the practical experiences one can gain from experts actively engaged in research, and the exposure to new sources simply cannot be matched by "going it alone online." And even in these tough economic times, it is affordable.

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Ontario Place Name Research: Land Ownership Maps & More Place Name Resources, Final Part by Don Litzer

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As Canada’s most populous province, Ontario is of interest to many researchers with Canadian ancestral connections, and maps identifying places and linking ancestors to those places are important sources. A burst of publishing of county atlases and maps reached most Ontario counties between the early 1860s and the early 1880s. These maps often show the names of individual landowners, names and locations of cities, villages, post offices and other places, administrative divisions, and transportation and economic networks. The Genealogy Center owns copies of three early land ownership maps originally published from 1861 to 1864 (covering Waterloo, Lanark & Renfrew, and Elgin Counties) and listed in “County Maps: Land Ownership Maps of Canada in the 19th Century” (971.003 N21c), compiled by Heather Maddick. Mary Kearns Trace’s “Guide to Southern Ontario Place Names for Family Researchers” (971.3 T67g) is useful both as a gazetteer and bibliographic guide, since it extracts information, including outlines of township boundaries and a list of place names, from Ontario county atlases dating from 1862 to 1881. The Genealogy Center owns original copies or reprints of more than thirty such atlases referenced in Trace’s work and/or in “County Atlases of Canada: A Descriptive Catalogue” (971.003 M45c), compiled by Betty May. Ontario counties represented by more recent atlases include Wentworth (1903) (971.301 W48i) and Wellington (1906) (971.34201 H62h). Specific call numbers for other county maps and atlases can be readily obtained by searching the Allen County Public Library Catalog online at www.ACPL.Info. Several other sources for identifying Ontario place names and their origins are worthy of mention. The “Canada Gazetteer Atlas” (971 C1602), published in 1980, is the most detailed print atlas for place names and physical features, and has an extensive index, though transportation information is limited and it does not show municipal boundaries. Alan Rayburn’s “Place Names of Ontario” (971.3 R21p), the three-volume “Places in Ontario: Their Name Origins and History” by Nick and Helma Mika (971.3 M58p), and Herbert F. Gardiner’s classic “Nothing But Names” (971.3 G17n) are among other monographic works at the Genealogy Center describing the locations and origins of Ontario place names. A useful online gazetteer, Geographical Names of Canada, is also available at . It provides the geographical location of all existing townships, villages, towns, cities, counties, districts and regional municipalities.

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Civil War Headstones by Melissa Shimkus

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Have you lost your soldier? Tracing an individual after the Civil War can sometimes be a harrowing experience. During the War many soldiers realized there were other areas of the country to be explored. Later, with westward expansion and the desire to own land, some of these men moved their families. If you have a lost Civil War soldier after the war, “Card Records of Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, ca. 1879-ca. 1903” (NARA microfilm publication M-1845) may help you locate him. After the Civil War, the Office of the Quartermaster General established a Cemetery Branch. The Cemetery Branch was primarily in charge of creating and maintaining national military cemeteries. Congress decided on March 3, 1873 to allow honorably discharged Civil War veterans to be buried in national military cemeteries. Six years later, in 1879, the Act was broadened so veterans buried in private cemeteries could receive government headstones. This microfilm set consists of twenty-two reels containing records arranged alphabetically by surname then given name. The records are for those soldiers who fought for the Union and died between 1861 and 1903. Some War of 1812 Veterans can be located on this film as well. These records can be helpful to those who have lost a Civil War soldier because of the specific information provided concerning the individual and his headstone. The soldier’s name, rank, company, regiment, and date of death are provided. The burial information given is the cemetery name, town or county, and state. For example, Charles Amick died January 24, 1877. A former private in the Michigan Cavalry, he was buried at Breedsville Cemetery, located in the town of Breedsville, Van Buren County, Michigan. Although Harry Baker served as a Private in Company K of the 24th Wisconsin Infantry, he was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Pueblo, Colorado after his death on February 10, 1903. The microfilmed “Card Records of Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, ca. 1879-ca. 1903” is a source worth the attention of Union Civil War researchers. It offers additional evidence of an ancestor’s wartime service and supplies genealogical information. The record is especially useful in providing a burial location for soldiers who may have migrated. An index and viewable images of the more than 166,000 cards on this microfilm set is also available now online at Ancestry.com for those who have access to that subscription website.

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Preservation Tip of the Month by Becky Schipper

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A bit of terminology . . . “Sometimes confusion arises concerning the terms ‘restoration’ and ‘conservation.’ Restoration refers to the reconstruction of the aesthetic appearance of an object. Restoration can be one aspect of conservation though the latter encompasses much more. Conservation involves examination, scientific analysis, and research to determine original structure, materials, and extent of loss. Conservation also encompasses structural and environmental treatment to retard future deterioration.” “Conservation professionals have considerable practical experience, a broad range of theoretical and scientific knowledge, and a commitment to high standards and performance. A conservator may be trained at a conservation graduate training program or by lengthy apprenticeship with experienced senior colleagues.” “Conservators tend to work in private practice or for a museum, library, historical society, or similar institution.” Quote from: The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works

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GenealogyCenter.Info Database Additions

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It has been a wonderfully busy month of activity on the GenealogyCenter.Info website. Our commitment to continually adding data to this site remains strong as evidenced by the variety of additions listed below. ***In the “Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana Databases” section of the website we have posted the following. +Under “Allen County Church Burial Records” we added early burials for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception +Under “Allen County Burial Permits” we added the 2007 listing ***In the “Our Military Heritage” portion of the website we have posted the following. +Under Civil War: “Abstract of General Orders and Proceedings of the 26th Annual Encampment, Department of New York, G.A.R.” +Under Indian Wars: “The Black Hawk War, Including a Review of Black Hawk’s Life” Under Revolutionary War: “Revolutionary War Veterans Buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio” +Under WWI: “With a Field Ambulance at Ypres, Being Letters Written March 7 - August 15, 1915” (by William Boyd) Under WWII: “The World War II Letters of Maxwell P. Smith” +Under Directories, Yearbooks, and Other General Works: “Names of Invalid Pensioners of the United States Who Have Been Admitted to the Rolls Since March 3, 1849”

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Genealogy Center Mini-Course: Family History 101

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Register now for this summer's new mini-course scheduled for July 18-19, 2008, "Family History 101." Margery Graham, CG and Steve Myers, MLS are presenting the inaugural mini-course--an excellent way for the beginner to get started, for newer researchers to review important concepts and sources, and for seasoned researchers to refresh their skills. "Family History 101" will cover the following topics: Session 1: Getting Started on Your Family History Session 2: Basic Research Methods Session 3: Census Records – A Cornerstone Source Session 4: Vital Records – Birth, Marriage & Death Session 5: Published Local History & Family History Sources Session 6: Directories, Maps & Gazetteers The registration fee for the “Family History 101” mini-course is $50. Checks should be made payable to “ACPL Foundation” and mailed to: Genealogy Center, Allen County Public Library, P. O. Box 2270, Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270. Mini-course attendance will be limited, so register early to avoid disappointment. Additional information and a workshop schedule will be posted soon on our Web site at http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/programs.html Researchers interested in future two day mini-courses will find details in upcoming issues of “Genealogy Gems.” Margery Graham and Steve Myers are already scheduled to offer “Family History: Beyond the Basics,” covering more advanced sources and problem solving, on Friday and Saturday, October 24th and 25th, 2008. An “Irish and Scots-Irish Genealogical Research” minicourse is also tentatively planned for March, 2009. Future workshops will feature advanced research topics, English research and German research.

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Tree Talks--A Family History Lecture Series by Delia Bourne and Melissa Shimkus

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Our fourth-Saturday "Tree Talks" lecture series continues on Saturday, July 26th with Steve Myers giving "An Introduction to Medieval English Genealogy." Learn about reliable published sources that can be used to document and extend medieval English pedigrees. Resources that are available in the Genealogy Center will be highlighted. Join us at the Main Library at 10 a.m. in Meeting Room A to learn from an expert! The August 23rd “Tree Talks” lecture series will feature Delia Bourne discussing "Vital Records & Their Substitutes," also at 10 a.m. in Meeting Room A, Main Library.

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Military Symposium by Delia Bourne and Melissa Shimkus

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September’s “Tree Talks” series offers the much-anticipated Military Symposium on Friday and Saturday, September 26 & 27, 2008. Marie Melchiori, CG, CGL, a nationally acclaimed military records specialist, will discuss National Archive military records, and research sources for Confederate and Federal soldiers. Curt Witcher will highlight the Our Military Heritage website at Friday evening's dinner. And Saturday afternoon will provide opportunities for individual consultations on your research challenges. Click on http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/Military%20Symposium.pdf for program and information on registration. Registration (including Friday evening dinner) is $50 payable to the Allen County Public Library. You can simply send a check for $50 with your name, postal address and email address to: Military Symposium 2008, Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, P.O. Box 2270, Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 260-421-1225 or Genealogy@ACPL.Info

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A Family History Month Early Reminder by Melissa Shimkus and Delia Bourne

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Don’t forget the Genealogy Center’s annual Family History Month in October, featuring daily events including lectures, computer classes, research consultations, a workshop presented by the Ulster Historical Foundation with personal consultations, the two-day mini-course “Beyond Basics,” and finishing with the ever popular Midnight Madness with research hours extended to midnight on Friday October 31st. A calendar and list of events will soon be available at the Genealogy Center’s Special Programs page at http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/programs.html . Mark your calendars now!

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Librarians on Parade

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Curt Witcher August 1, 2008 at 11:00 a.m., Indiana Library Federation Reference Division Annual Meeting, Allen County Public Library, 1st Floor Meeting Rooms, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne. “Something for Everyone: Genealogical Reference Services in the 21st Century.” August 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. “Midwestern Roots 2008 Family History & Genealogy Conference,” Indiana Historical Society’s History Center, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN. Moderator for “The Evolution of Genetic Genealogy” Panel. August 15, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. “Midwestern Roots 2008 Family History & Genealogy Conference” at the Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis. “Using Government Documents for Genealogical Research.” August 16, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. “Midwestern Roots 2008 Family History & Genealogy Conference” at the Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis. “Doing Effective Genealogical Research in Libraries.” August 17, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Conference on Jewish Genealogy at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile Hotel, 540 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ballroom B. “Resources for Jewish Genealogical Research at the New Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.” John Beatty August 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Indiana Library Federation Reference Division Annual Meeting, Allen County Public Library, 1st Floor Meeting Rooms, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne. “County History Book Projects: An Opportunity for Local Libraries.” Delia Bourne August 23, 2008 at 10 a.m., Meeting Room A, Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne. “Vital Records & Their Substitutes.” Steven Myers July 26, 2008 at 10 a.m., Meeting Room A, Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne. “An Introduction to Medieval English Genealogy.”

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Area Calendar of Events

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Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) Next ACGSI Meeting will be in September 2008.

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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.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 GenealogyGems 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