November 2004

Genealogy Gems:

News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 9, November 30, 2004

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In this issue:

Giving Gifts That Count . . . and Keep Giving

Confederate Pension Applications part 2

Compiled Records Showing Service of Military Units in Volunteer Union Organizations

Submissions now being accepted for new Allen County History book

Hotel of the month

Area Calendar of Events

ACPL Librarians on Tour

Driving directions to the Library

Parking at the Library

Queries for the Department

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Giving Gifts That Count . . . and Keep Giving Curt B. Witcher

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Well . . . it’s that time again! The holiday season is upon us! And if your Thanksgiving weekend was remotely similar to mine, the turkey was scarcely thawed let alone cooked and carved before you were inundated with the seasonal commercials encouraging all to “buy, Buy, BUY!” Indeed, many subscribe to the notion that “buy” must come before “give.” And after all, this is the season of giving, right? I have an alternative posture for you to consider. As you and I have a profound appreciation for our families’ heritages, most individuals also have a keen interest in knowing more about their families’ histories and in particular about those parts of the past that relate directly to them--that directly touch their lives. Hence, instead of buying a gift for family this holiday season, consider making a gift. Take those few (or few dozen!) old family photographs and scan them on to a CD-ROM disk and give a gift of history and heritage to your family members. What about including scanned images of early marriage and christening records, or maybe even school papers, newspaper clippings, and military records with those photographs? How about taking a few moments, perhaps even up to an hour or so, and write down a special early memory from your youth or younger years that your children and grandchildren might find interesting. It could be a recollection of holiday times when you were growing up. It could be your recollections of your first job or your experiences in the military. It could literally be your first anything--from a first “A” in school or a first date to a first crop ever harvested or the birth of a first child. Your memories, and the gift of your history, will definitely rank among the most prized gifts of the holiday season. You’ll be amazed! And if you’d still like to find a neat place to spend a little holiday money, I suggest you consider contributing to the Historical Genealogy Endowment Fund. Like the gift suggestions above, it too is the gift that keeps giving. For more than forty years, the department has grown into a national family history research center. The materials collected, preserved, and made available to researchers here in Fort Wayne are truly exceptional. To continue that tradition of excellence well into the twenty-first century, a robust endowment will be critically important. There are several attractive aspects to endowment funds structured as ours is structured. First, the principal given--the original money gift-- remains intact forever. Only the interest generated from the gift is spent. So truly, a gift to the Historical Genealogy Endowment Fund keeps on giving year after year. Second, no gift is too small. If all the subscribers to this e-zine, for example, gave just one dollar, more than ten thousand dollars would be generating interest to acquire resources for future generations of users. Finally, contributions to library endowment funds are tax deductible. Please know that the staff and volunteers of the Historical Genealogy Department join the rest of the Allen County Public Library family in wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

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Confederate Pension Application Sources Available in the Reynolds Historical Genealogy Collection, Part 2 By Delia Cothrun Bourne

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In 1885, Florida started granting pensions to Confederate veterans, then in 1889, began to include widows. They are indexed in Virgil White’s Register of Florida CSA Pension Applications (973.74 F66W). The citations in this index include application number, veteran’s name, regiment, wife’s maiden name, date and county of application, and the number of pages in the application. It has a separate index of maiden names. One can also view the Florida Confederate pension applications online at the Florida Department of State site at http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/barm/pensionfiles.html. This site also provides a list of the applications by number, and an index by the veteran’s surname or widow’s maiden name. The first Confederate pensions in Georgia were given in 1879, and widows started receiving pensions in 1891. The Historical Genealogy Department owns the pension applications as well as supplemental applications on 498 rolls of microfilm, arranged by county with the applicants in alphabetical order within each county. An every name index to the applications exists on 39 rolls of microfilm, also owned by the Historical Genealogy Department, which cites the veteran’s name, regiment and company on each card. Another index to these pension records, in book form, is Virgil D. White’s Index to Georgia Civil War Confederate Pensions (GC 975.8 W5827IN). The index citation includes name of veteran and/or widow, regiment and company. Since this index also includes citations for witnesses to claims, it encompasses more than just pensioners. The Department also owns an index to the supplemental applications, Ted O. Brooke and Linda Woodward Geiger’s Index to Georgia’s Confederate Pension Supplements (GC 975.8 B795IN). The citations in this index include name of veteran or widow, county of residence, and location of document (series and box numbers). Some actual pensions are available for viewing online at http://docuweb.gsu.edu/scripts/webmain.dll?Anonymous In 1912, the Kentucky State Legislature passed an act giving state pensions to disabled and indigent Confederate soldiers and widows. The original pension applications are housed at the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives in Frankfort, and microfilm copies exist at the Kentucky State Historical Society Library and Pogue Library at Murray State College. It is Stephen Douglas Lynn’s Confederate Pensioners of Kentucky: Pension Applications of the Veterans & Widows 1912-1946 (GC 976.9 L993co) provides an index to these applications. The index lists name, regiment and company, birth date and place, current county of residence, and year of application. Widows’ entries also include her maiden name, date and place of birth, and date and place of death of the veteran. This volume also includes a listing of pensioners by county of residence, and one by state and regiment of service. Louisiana began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans or widows in 1898. The applications and an index are available on microfilm at the Louisiana Division of Archives in Baton Rouge. The Historical Genealogy Department owns this set on 152 rolls of microfilm. The Louisiana State Archives has an index of these pension applications available on their website at www.sec.state.la.us/archives/gen/cpaindex.htm. To be continued

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Compiled Records Showing Service of Military Units in Volunteer Union Organizations [NARA Microfilm Publication M-594] Timothy Dougherty

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American Civil War researchers will not want to miss National Archives Microfilm Publication M-594, Compiled Records Showing Service of Military Units in Volunteer Union Organizations. This is an often-untapped resource that may allow the researcher to better understand an ancestor’s experience in the American Civil War. The series consists of hand-written cards giving service histories of units in volunteer Union organizations. The records were compiled beginning in 1890, with great attention given to accuracy. It is important to note that this series does not contain information on individual soldiers. Rather, it contains information on the “stations, movements, or activities” of each unit. Often, content is included on the unit’s organization and composition, strengths, losses and disbandment. The material will also sometimes list names of commanding officers, dates the units were mustered in and out, and the terms of service. To put it simply, these are brief unit histories, showing where the units were and what they were doing. The arrangement of the collection is simple. It is generally grouped alphabetically by state or territory. Within the state or territory, it is further subdivided by unit type (cavalry, artillery, infantry, etc) and then by unit number. Within the unit, records are grouped by company. At the conclusion of the state and territorial units are units raised directly by the federal government: U.S. Colored Troops, U.S. Volunteers, U.S. Reserve Corps and other organizations, each broken down into its subdivisions. For example, if a researcher knows that an ancestor served with Co. B of the 1st Minnesota Infantry, the corresponding reel reveals that the unit was stationed in Washington from April 29th to July of 1861, and in Camp Stone, MD from July through December of 1861. In January and February of 1862, it was at Harpers Ferry, and so on. Looking on, the researcher will discover that the unit was engaged in action at the battles of Gettysburg, Petersburg and other places. Though individual soldiers are not listed or named, it may place an ancestor at a given place or battle, depending on when he served with the unit. This material augments other Civil War sources housed in the Historical Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library. It enhances the Compiled Service Record indices and records by providing detail not found therein. It also supplements the Civil War Unit Histories series on microfiche (dealt with in a previous article in this newsletter). The information found in this series is much more brief and less detailed than the Unit Histories series, but it includes many units that the Unit Histories set does not. In short, this collection is a rare treat for Civil War researchers.

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SUBMISSIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE NEW ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA HISTORY BOOK

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Do you have or are you an Allen County, Indiana family? At this time of year, treasured stories of family members, events, and family history are common conversation. Here is an opportunity to share those family stories and become a part of history. The Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana and the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society have joined forces to compile and publish a new Allen County History Book. The purpose in publishing the book is to preserve Allen County’s unique heritage through the participation of local residents, businesses, churches, schools, clubs and organizations as well as individuals that have Allen County ties. There is no better time than the present to preserve your family’s Allen County history and to ensure that the history of the county is not lost or forgotten over the years. Submitted biographies of families, businesses or organizations, tributes and memorials for Allen county residents, both living and deceased, will be gladly accepted. In addition to the biographies, the book will contain a definitive narrative history of Allen County (including Fort Wayne). The Genealogical Society and the Historical Society want to include your family biography in this very important book. They are currently accepting biographies. If you are living in Allen County, Indiana, or have previously resided here, or had family reside here, please send a double spaced typed biography of 500 words or less to: History Book Project, PO Box 5192, Fort Wayne, IN 46895. One photo (no larger than 8x10) may also be included at no charge. Or, you may email your submission to: info@allencountyhistorybook.com. The deadline for submitting material is April 1, 2005. Biographies or histories longer than 500 words will be charged 15 cents for each extra word. For further information, and to see a sample of what your submission will look like, visit the Allen County History Book website: www.allencountyhistorybook.com

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HOTEL OF THE MONTH

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Each issue we will feature a local hotel, for visitors from out-of-town. Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Fort Wayne-North 5926 Cross Creek Blvd., Fort Wayne 46818 Reservations: (800) 456-4000 Telephone: (260) 490-6060 Fax: (260) 490-5050 Room amenities include microwave, refrigerator, hair dryer, coffeemaker and free high speed internet in this newish hotel near exit 111B from I-69. It is in an area with many other hotels and restaurants, not far from the intersection of Washington Center and Lima roads. It is an easy fifteen-minute drive from the library. You can start your day with complimentary continental breakfast and newspaper, and end it with a relaxing swim in the indoor pool.

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AREA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Allen County Public Library 3rd floor atrium displays Passages: Immigration Department print and microtext resources Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) http://www.ipfw.edu/ipfwhist/historgs/acgsi.htm Wednesday, December 8, 2004 Marie Goodrich: Researching at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Dupont Branch Library, 536 E. Dupont Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 260-421-1315 6:30 pm social time, 7:00 pm program Computer Users Group Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 7 pm. Aboite Branch Library, 5630 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne, IN 260-421-1310 Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) First Wednesday of each month in the Genealogy Department 9am - 3pm. 200 E. Berry, Fort Wayne, IN 260-421-1225 Expert help from members of the DAR in becoming a member of that organization

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ACPL LIBRARIANS ON TOUR

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Curt Witcher January 8, 2005: Bloomfield Hills, MI: Detroit Society for Genealogical Research February 19, 2005: Madison, FL: Florida Genealogical Society April 30, 2005: Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE LIBRARY

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Wondering how to get to the library? Our exciting transition location is 200 E. Berry, Fort Wayne, Indiana. We will be at this location until late 2006. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Department. To get directions from your exact location to 200 E. Berry, Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=&se archtab=address&searchtype=address&address=200+E+Berry+St&city=Fort+Wayne&sta te=IN&zipcode=46802-2706&search=++Search++&finditform=1 From the South Exit Interstate 69 at exit 102. Drive east on Jefferson Blvd. into downtown. Turn left on Barr Street to Berry Street. The library is located on the corner of Berry and Barr Streets. From the North Exit Interstate 69 at exit 112. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton, the library will be on your left when you cross Berry Street. 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. Left on Wayne Street. When you cross Clinton, the library will be on your left on Wayne Street. Using US 24: After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from the South. From the East Follow US 30 into and through New Haven, under an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington Blvd. when you get into downtown. Turn right on Barr Street. Turn left on Berry Street. The library is on your left on Berry Street.

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PARKING AT THE LIBRARY

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Lot in front of the library, east side Available for short-term library parking. Limited to one hour. Tippman Parking Garage Clinton and Wayne Streets. Across from the library, however the skybridge is NOT accessible. Hourly parking, $1.25 per hour up to a maximum of $5.00 per day. Park Place Lot Covered parking on Barr Street at Main Street. This lot is one block away from the library. Hourly parking Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm. Street (metered) parking on Wayne Street and Berry Street. 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 Covered parking 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 DEPARTMENT 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 visit the “Ask a Genealogy Librarian” link at the library’s web site http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/ask/genealogy.html

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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. If this issue of "Genealogy Gems" has been forwarded to you and you would like to receive your own copy in the future, visit www.FriendsOfAllenCounty.org and fill out the subscription form at the bottom of the page. Another way to subscribe is to send an email to genealogygems-subscribe@friendsofallencounty.org Sue Kaufman, editor