November 2023

Genealogy Gems:

News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne No. 236, October 31, 2023

In this issue:

Tricks and Treats!

Unlocking Family History: Official Military Personnel Files

A Review of Drew Smith’s “Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy”

PERSI Gems: Pumpkin!

History Tidbits: An Unexpected Gift--The story of the Choctaw and the Irish Great Famine

Genealogy Center’s November Programs

November Program Call-outs

Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming

Genealogy Center Social Media

Driving Directions to the Library

Parking at the Library

Genealogy Center Queries

Publishing Note

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Tricks and Treats! by Curt B. Witcher

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As Family History Month and Halloween are in their waning moments, I trust you have learned some good, solid research “tips and tricks” to enhance your ability to find more pieces of your families’ stories through all our virtual programming this month as well as through other networking you have done. Additionally, I hope those “tips and tricks” will continue to provide you with many “treats” of more family documents and stories. I want to share some of the good tricks I have learned over the years. I have articulated seemingly forever that I am an unabashed citation analysis “nut!” Often, I much prefer reading and studying the footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies of articles, journals, and monographs over the actual texts. I continue to be fascinated by robust bibliographies that identify repositories and reference other works that I have not heard of or used. It is my not-so-secret way of continuing to have significant numbers of resources in which to conduct my hunt for ancestors and their stories. It is continually amazing to find references to small archives off the beaten path that have collections of valuable manuscripts and research items no one has heard much about and few have actually used. In addition to finding a lot of treats doing citation analysis, that process helps me remain faithful to the first point in the genealogical proof standard: reasonably exhaustive research has been conducted. Another trick I have is conducting what some geeks like me might call an environmental scan of the geographic areas where I know (or believe) my ancestors lived. I particularly look for small town and village historical societies; local history collections in all area libraries, big and small; and all locally focused ethnic collections even if I don’t read the language of the primary source documents. I am forever on the hunt for information about the ethnic group of my ancestors in a geographically-focused context. It is that reasonably exhaustive research thing again! Many treats await the person who persistently uses the Periodical Source Index (PERSI). www.genealogycenter.info/persi With more than three million subject-indexed articles, one is almost guaranteed to find at least a lead to more information if not an outright gem. It grows every quarter by several thousand more index entries. Finally, we just could not let the month wane without at least one more treat! Late today, we scheduled a pop-up program for tomorrow afternoon, November 1, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Genealogy Center staff will have a quick, thirty-minute conversation about “The New Genealogy Center Website and Catalog.” We’re going to hit the highlights of a catalog that is leagues better than our previous version as well as take a look at where you can find important resources on the new GenealogyCenter.org website. Register for the program here. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9463109

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Unlocking Family History: Official Military Personnel Files By Kate McKenzie

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In the digital age, countless resources and tools are available on the web to help genealogists uncover the stories of their ancestors. However, many items are not yet online, stored in archives and waiting to be discovered. One invaluable resource for those seeking to learn more about their military ancestors is the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). OMPFs are comprehensive records maintained by the National Archives. These files contain a plethora of valuable genealogical information, including but not limited to the following. Service history: OMPFs document the timeline of an individual's military service, including dates of enlistment, transfers, and discharge. Assignments: They detail the various military units and bases where the individual served, both domestically and internationally. Medals and awards: OMPFs include information about any medals or awards earned during military service. Personal information: Names, birth dates, and next of kin information can be found in OMPFs. Discharge papers: Copies of discharge or separation papers, such as the DD-214, can help genealogists to piece together the end of an individual's military service. In my personal research, I acquired my great-grandfather's OMPF which contained various documents related to his service in the Navy during World War II. Among the contents were his physical examination papers, his navy qualifications card, information detailing his assignments on the USS Louisville and USS Whitehurst, discharge papers from the Navy, and more. This treasure trove of information not only provided a comprehensive account of his military service but also offered valuable insights into his life leading up to that period, his interests, and hobbies. At the time of his military service, he was 29 years old, married, and had three young children. One of the most fascinating documents in the collection was his Navy qualifications form, in which he detailed his prior education, work experience, and personal interests. Through this form, I learned of his interests in school - wood shop, using hand tools, and experience with mechanical drawing. His previous employment history included roles as a factory inspector, shipping clerk, and work in the family-owned grocery store. In the section dedicated to leisure activities, he listed his favorite pastimes as boxing, playing baseball and pool. The OMPF also featured a photograph taken at the time of his enlistment. This collection of documents not only shed light on his military journey but also allowed me to piece together a broader picture of his life and interests. OMPFs matter in genealogy because they provide insight into the personal stories of your military ancestors. Learning about their service can help you understand their experiences, sacrifices, and contributions. OMPFs can be accessed by requesting them from the National Personnel Records Center. They provide an online tool that allows you to make a request. Be prepared to provide details about the individual's service, including their full name, service number or social security number, and branch of service. If an OMPF is not available or has been lost (a tragic 1973 NPRC fire destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files, primarily impacting Army and Air Force records), you can explore alternative sources such as unit histories, pension records, and other military documents that may contain information about your ancestor's service. Official Military Personnel Files are invaluable assets for genealogists seeking to uncover the military history of their ancestors. They provide a rich tapestry of information, helping to paint a more detailed portrait of the lives and experiences of those who served in the armed forces. *************************************** A Review of Drew Smith’s “Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy” by Elizabeth Hodges *************************************** Guidebooks for beginning genealogy research serve as invaluable tools for both novices and seasoned researchers. For beginners, they provide a roadmap to navigate the intricate pathways of family history, introducing foundational concepts, best practices, and essential resources to kickstart their journey. For more advanced researchers, they can act as refresher courses or reference materials, offering new perspectives or methodologies they might have overlooked. Furthermore, as genealogical research evolves with technological advancements and emerging resources, even experienced genealogists can benefit from revisiting beginner's guides to stay updated and enhance their research techniques. Drew Smith's 2023 guidebook, "Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy," (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2023), GC 929 Sm511ge, offers an intuitive breakdown of the initial steps to undertake in genealogical research. At the Genealogy Center, we often meet individuals feeling overwhelmed or intimidated about initiating their family history exploration. Our advice remains consistent: Begin with your own life and progressively trace back through living relatives to the ancestors of yesteryears. "Generation by Generation" masterfully elucidates this approach, guiding readers on how to transform this concept into practice. In part one, Smith covers tips and suggested resources that will apply to how you would research every generation. This section includes chapters on the genealogical research process as a whole, organizational tips, how to look for previous research, and an updated chapter on DNA testing which includes a concise, straightforward comparison between testing companies. Each chapter in part two of “Generation by Generation” focuses on a different generation starting with generations after 1950 in the United States and ending with Generations in British American before 1776. These chapters highlight what types of records might exist for each time frame and what researchers should be seeking. For example, records such as birth and death certificates exist for the post 1950 generation, but they didn’t necessarily exist for the 1850-1880 generation. What readers can learn from these chapters is what records can be used to still find the information they need. Smith concludes the book with a chapter on generations outside of the United States and generations in other languages. "Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy" is a concise, well thought out guide that can help those at the beginning of their family history journey in addition to the seasoned researcher.

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PERSI Gems: Pumpkin! by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson

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The locomotive engineer rounded the bend from Economy, Pennsylvania, in 1870, and spotted a light on the rail bridge over Big Sewickley Creek. His first thought was not "Pumpkin!" The jack-o'-lantern placed there by devilish boys resembled a red lantern, the universal signal for stop or danger. Brakes squealed and the unwitting pumpkin was "mashed into a thousand pieces." The boys repeated their prank twice, were arrested, and hauled before the superintendent to answer for their crimes. We at the Periodical Source Index hope your Halloween hijinks don't interfere with interstate transportation. If in doubt, try a PERSI search instead: https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/ A. S. Kelley gave food to Jayhawkers who threatened his baby with a pumpkin, n.d. Searcy County (AR) Ancestor Information Exchange, Vol. 21, Issue 3 (Dec 2011) Alphalee Alexander Schnack, ex-Pumpkin Queen, death notice, d. 2012 Archive (Woodford County Historical & Genealogical Society, IL), Vol. 9, Issue 1 (Spr 2013) Blaine and Anoka battle over who has the largest pumpkin, 1972 History Center News (Anoka County Historical Society, MN), Vol. 38, Issue 5 (Sep 2008) Delaware's first Pumpkin Show, 1909 Delaware Genealogist, Vol. 28, Issue 4 (Win 2012) Halloween prank, Jack-O-Lantern placed on the Fort Wayne Railroad track, 1870 Signals (Sewickley Valley Historical Society, PA), Vol. 35, Issue 2 (Oct 2007) Louisville, Cincinnati & Dayton Railroad aka Pumpkin Vine Railroad, 1880s+ Conductor's Lantern (Society of Historic Sharonville, OH), Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Jan 2008) Pumpkin slingers, infantry weapons Camp Chase Gazette, Vol. 21, Issue 1 (Oct 1993) Pumpkin used as ballot box, 1872 Kanhistique, Vol. 2, Issue 8 (Dec 1976) Pumpkin weighing 230 pounds at North Fork, cover photo, note, Oct. 17, 1954 Folklore (Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society), Vol. 36, Issue 4 (Aut 2015)

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History Tidbits: An Unexpected Gift--The story of the Choctaw and the Irish Great Famine by Logan Knight

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History is replete with examples of human cruelty. Even those who have suffered mightily have often had no issue with taking it out on another group. Frankly, it can all be depressing. Still, there are many times when the better angels of our natures shine through. One of the most heartfelt examples of this must be the Choctaw raising funds to help relieve the horrors of the Great Famine in Ireland. The Choctaw people lived in what is now largely the state of Mississippi and large chunks of Alabama. The United States had a special relationship with this tribe, to the point where one of their proudest boasts was that no member of the tribe had ever killed an American. Members of the tribe harassed Tecumseh when he came to enlist them against the United States. They took up arms to defend American settlers against the Red Stick faction of the Creek Nation during the War of 1812. Pushmataha, war chief and U.S. brigadier general, even ambushed and executed the few Choctaw warriors that had joined the Red Sticks. None of this meant anything to Andrew Jackson and white settlers in the Southeast. The Choctaw were bullied into signing over their homeland in 1830. Many agreed to move to what is now southeastern Oklahoma. During a three-year period, roughly 15,000 Choctaw and 1,000 enslaved black people left Mississippi. Of these, at least 2,500 died on the way (probably more), killed by terrible weather, cholera outbreaks, and general incompetence and indifference. Across the Atlantic, a terrible storm was brewing. Ireland was the most densely inhabited section of western Europe with over eight million people living there. Many of the Irish people were sustained by the incredibly nutritious potato. This dependence on a single crop, along with a variety of historical factors including absentee landlords and disenfranchisement for the Catholic population, Ireland had become a ticking time bomb. In late 1845, an ugly blight began appearing on potatoes throughout the island. The next year, things became terrible as the disease worsened and people ate their seed potatoes to stay alive. Of course, this meant there were no potatoes to plant for the following year, even if the disease had not run rampant. 1847 was the worst year and has entered Irish history as “Black ‘47”. This year saw massive evictions alongside the famine, with at least 250,000 people expelled from their small parcels of land. All told, roughly one million people died of starvation and one million people emigrated, primarily to the United States. Even today, Ireland’s population (both the Republic and Northern Ireland) hovers barely above seven million, one million less than before the famine, a grim testament to its horrors. The British government responded abysmally. Food continued to be exported throughout the famine. While there were efforts with private charity and some public works projects, the prevailing economic theory of the time ensured that the government would not take more direct action. It was felt that government intervention would contribute to laziness and entitlement, as shocking as that is to us today. Relief did flow in from across the world. Individuals such as Abraham Lincoln, Queen Victoria, and Sultan Abdulmejid I of the Ottoman Empire contributed. Money came from all over the world, yet it was the gift of $170 ($5,000 today) from the Choctaw Nation in 1847 that made the biggest emotional impact. Only a little over a decade had passed since these people had been expelled from their homes and, despite their own relative poverty, had sent what they could to a starving people across the ocean, whom they had no connection to whatsoever. The funds were raised from various Choctaw individuals at a meeting in Skullyville, Oklahoma. Their incredible generosity has never been forgotten by the Irish nation. Over the years, the Irish have sought to pay back the Choctaw in a variety of ways. In 1992, a group of Irish people walked the six hundred mile “Trail of Tears” from the Choctaw homeland to Oklahoma, raising $170,000 to combat famine in Somalia. There have been official visits from the Taoiseach (Irish president) to the Choctaw Nation. In 2017, a sculpture, Kindred Spirits was unveiled in County Cork, to honor the gift. During the COVID Pandemic, Irish people contributed millions of dollars to stricken American Indian communities. The Irish Government has even introduced a handful of scholarships for Choctaw students to study in the country. Most importantly though, the gift and friendship has been written into the national consciousness. During this season of thanksgiving, it is customary for people to think of others more than they usually do. We would all do well to take a moment and reflect on the Choctaw’s generosity towards a distant people, and the beautiful friendship that sprouted from it.

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Genealogy Center’s November Programs

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Join us for another month of free, virtual programs! November 1, 2023, 2:30 p.m. ET “The New Genealogy Center Website and Catalog” with Genealogy Center staff - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9463109 November 2, 2023, 6:30 p.m. ET “Beginner's Guide to 23andme DNA Testing” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9428431 November 7, 2023, 2:30 p.m. ET “British Research Methodology: How, What & Where to Search” with Sylvia Tracy-Doolos - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9324162 November 8, 2023, 7 p.m. ET “Grandpa’s Military File, What and Where Is It?” with Patricia Stamm, an ACGSI Program - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9223027 November 9, 2023, 6:30 p.m. ET “Beginner Colonial-era Research through the Life of Anne Marbury Hutchinson” with Kim Richardson - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9324205 November 14, 2023, 2:30 p.m. ET “Mayflower Genealogy: Tracing Ancestors in Colonial Plymouth Colony” with John D. Beatty - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9324233 November 16, 2023, 6:30 p.m. ET “South Africa: Getting Started” with Sue McNelly - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9324247 November 18, 2023. 2 p.m. ET “Research Tools & Tips - How to Hit the Genealogy Jackpot” with Dr. Al Brothers, An African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne program - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUuf-mhqT4tGtDBYlfKT_KSDdnTstB-CFcK November 21, 2023, 2:30 p.m. ET “Voting Records: Genealogy’s Best Kept Secret” with Pam Vestal - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9324254 November 28, 2023, 2:30 p.m. ET “Finding Your Hungarian Roots” with Dana Palmer - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9324256 November 30, 2023, 6:30 p.m. ET “Farming, Factories, and the Frontier: Midwest Genealogy Basics” with Eleanor Brinsko - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/8802470 Please register in advance for these engaging programs.

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November Program Call-Outs

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+++Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana+++

November 8, 2023, 7 p.m. ET “Grandpa’s Military File, What and Where Is It?” with Patricia Stamm, an ACGSI Program - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9223027 +++African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne+++ November 18, 2023. 2 p.m. EST: “Research Tools & Tips - How to Hit the Genealogy Jackpot” Learn successful tools, methods, and resources to dig deeper and advance your genealogy research! Join Dr. Al Brothers, AAGSFW Vice Chair as he explains research methods you may not have considered and answers your genealogy questions. For over 10 years the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne (AAGSFW) has offered ways to look ‘outside of the box’ for genealogy information and research. Registration required. REGISTER TODAY: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUufmhqT4tGtDBYlfKT_KSDdnTstB-CFcK ***************************************

Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming

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Do you want to know what we have planned? Are you interested in one of our events, but forget? We offer email updates for The Genealogy Center’s programming schedule. Don’t miss out! Sign up at http://goo.gl/forms/THcV0wAabB.

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Genealogy Center Social Media

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenealogyCenter/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genealogycenter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACPLGenealogy

Blog: http://www.genealogycenter.org/Community/Blog.aspx

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/askacpl

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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%20 Webster%20St&city=Fort%20Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802%2d3602&country=US&geodiff =1 >From the South Exit Interstate 69 at exit 302. 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 312. 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

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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 $85. 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. The meters take credit cards and charge at a rate of $1/hour. Street parking is free after 5 p.m. 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 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.

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Genealogy Center Queries

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The Genealogy Center hopes you find this newsletter interesting. Thank you for subscribing. We cannot, however, answer personal research emails written to the e-zine address. The department houses a Research Center that makes photocopies and conducts research for a fee. If you have a general question about our collection, or are interested in the Research Center, please telephone the library and speak to a librarian who will be glad to answer your general questions or send you a research center form. Our telephone number is 260-421-1225. If you’d like to email a general information question about the department, please email: Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

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Publishing Note *

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This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center, and is intended to enlighten readers about genealogical research methods as well as inform them about the vast resources of the Allen County Public Library. We welcome the wide distribution of this newsletter and encourage readers to forward it to their friends and societies. All precautions have been made to avoid errors. However, the publisher does not assume any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, no matter the cause. To subscribe to “Genealogy Gems,” simply use your browser to go to the website: www.GenealogyCenter.org. Scroll to the bottom, click on E-zine, and fill out the form. You will be notified with a confirmation email. If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please follow the link at the very bottom of the issue of Genealogy Gems you just received or send an email to kspears@acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line. Curt B. Witcher and John D. Beatty, CG, co-editors