September 2011

Genealogy Gems:

News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 91, September 30, 2011

In this issue:

Ties that Bind

Civil War Veterans Living in Wisconsin Soldiers‛ Homes

1900 and 1910 Indian Population Schedules

Technology Tip of the Month--The Microsoft Word Ribbon: Insert Tab

Quick-Tip of the Month for Preservation--Protecting the Family Silver

Family History Month 2011

National Black Genealogy Summit

Military Seminar: You Say You Want a Revolution

WinterTech is Coming!

Out and About

Area Calendar of Events

Driving Directions to the Library

Parking at the Library

Queries for The Genealogy Center

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Ties that Bind by Curt B. Witcher

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Those outside the family history field often muse about why genealogists do what they do--spend time, energy and treasure researching their family histories. Perhaps some genealogists also ponder this question, particularly when the research isn't producing expected results. There are almost as many reasons for engaging in genealogical research as there are individuals doing it. I believe a common thread among all the reasons, spoken and unspoken, is the quest to discover another part, another chapter, of one‛s story. Further, I believe the quest to tell that story in such a way that it gives light and meaning to both grand and everyday things is what drives most individuals to continue their family history. The power of a story should not be underestimated, nor should its universal appeal. Our stories are truly the ties that bind us together as families and as communities. I continue to be enriched by the stories of my family's life, and the stories in my life. There are so many that recounting just a small fraction could fill books. My in-laws have a strong tradition of preserving the family's history through recording family information and telling stories. So many holidays were blest with family stories and recalling life in the "home place" of Wild Dog Creek, Kentucky. I still recall vividly the first Young family reunion held after the passing of my father-in-law. Many were looking forward to it but were apprehensive about it at the same time--the passing of Charlie still so close. When I saw the itinerary for the afternoon of the gathering, even the genealogist in me expected a near-disaster. We were all going to sit from after the mid-day lunch into the evening recalling and telling stories--no children's activities planned, no hikes on the park's trails, no volleyball games, no horseshoes, nothing but stories. Knowing that my own four boys were restless youngsters and that nearly fifty people would be present, with half that number being children, I was prepared for a stress-filled afternoon tending to disinterested children while being unable to hear the stories of Charlie's brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces. I was completely wrong--I had underestimated the power and enticement of stories. As the two hour mark passed, it seemed like little more than a couple of minutes, and the entire afternoon seemed to evaporate before anyone realized it. No one wanted it to end, especially not the children who were fascinated beyond amazement with what Charlie and his siblings did in the “olden days.” Shining eyes, warm smiles, and knowing looks punctuated the richness of the many dozens of simple stories shared. We created lifetimes of memories that day simply with our stories. Recently a colleague shared with me a story that his father had shared with him. My colleague's family had a rather odd neighbor. Many of the children in the neighborhood wondered why the fellow was so odd--what made him that way. My colleague's father shared, when asked, that the odd neighbor had been in the Canadian Navy. There was a hull breach on the neighbor's vessel. His best buddy on that vessel was trapped in the room where the breach had occurred. The neighbor had to seal-off the room where his buddy was trapped to keep the ship from sinking and save the rest of the crew. He had to seal the room containing the hull breach over the pleadings of his buddy not to leave him behind. The telling of that powerful story brought into focus for my colleague and his young friends why this particular individual might be so disquieted and act in what some perceived as an odd way. Our stories--your stories and my stories--are the ties the bind our families together. And I truly believe that is why family history is important and so appealing to many millions of individuals worldwide. Family History Month is a great time to make a commitment to discovering our stories and telling our stories. I urge you to write at least a little bit every day as a way of telling your story. I encourage you to look for opportunities to hear stories as a way of bettering your own storytelling skills. And I strongly recommend you go a bit “outside of the box” in finding opportunities to learn about storytelling. The Friday evening banquet during the National Black Genealogy Summit on October 21, 2011 will be a fantastic opportunity to hear from nationally renowned writer, Robin Stone, about storytelling. (You can register separately for the banquet from a link on The Genealogy Center‛s homepage.) Her presentation, “Shaping Our Destiny: The Power of Telling Our Stories,” should be inspiring and motivating. I invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

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Civil War Veterans Living in Wisconsin Soldiers‛ Homes by Cynthia Theusch

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Many genealogists encounter a stumbling block in their research when a Civil War veteran in the family “goes missing.” While the loss of the 1890 U.S. federal census adds to the challenge faced, the partial survival of the special schedule of veterans taken that year, as well as the existence of state censuses, such as those for 1885 and 1895 in Wisconsin, can help fill the gap. Family historians struggling with such a search should also consider the records of soldiers‛ homes and broaden their investigation beyond the range of the missing veteran‛s home county. Examining just a few sources for Wisconsin, available in The Genealogy Center, will illustrate the possibilities for discovery. Two brief compilations by Bev Hetzel provide alphabetical lists of veterans drawn, in part, from the state census reports. “Civil War Soldiers in Wisconsin Soldier Homes, 1885” (977.5 H478ci) and “Wisconsin Soldiers Living in Soldier Homes, 1895” (977.5 H478hea) both identify the unit and state of service. It is interesting to note that most men in the 1885 list were from outside Wisconsin. The records of the homes themselves prove the most valuable. The usefulness of annual reports is aptly demonstrated by Dr. Jeanette L. Jerger‛s compilation of them in “Old Soldiers‛ Home: A History and Necrology of the Northwestern Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, 1864-1900.” Information culled on each deceased soldier includes name, company and regiment, date of admission, place of birth, age, cause of death or disability, date of death, and place of death. An even more fertile source is exemplified by the published “Admission Applications, 1867-1872, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Northwestern Branch, Milwaukee, Wisconsin” (973.74 Aa1miLj) compiled by Leslie E. Miljat. The applications ledger included the veteran‛s name, date of application, rank, military unit, enlistment and discharge dates, type of disability and where received, as well as, in some cases, the veteran‛s religion, age, place of birth, next of kin and their residence. A database at Ancestry.com, titled “U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866- 1938,” contains 391,000 entries from the records of a dozen soldiers‛ homes in as many states. In addition to the dates of admission, discharge and death, a researcher may find the veteran‛s birth place, last residence, occupation, religion, burial information, marital status, number of children under 16 years, and the name, relationship and address of the nearest relative. Similar published records are available for soldiers‛ homes in many states, North and South, and may help resolve a long standing mystery in your family history.

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1900 and 1910 Indian Population Schedules by Dawne Slater-Putt, CG*

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The “Indian Population” sheets interspersed with the 1900 and 1910 federal census population schedules are a rich source of information for those researching Native American ancestry. Enumerators were instructed to complete the forms for Indians living on reservations and in family groups outside of reservations. On the National Archives census microfilms, the Indian schedules follow the general population sheets for the relevant enumeration district, at least in the case of Indiana‛s Butler Township in Miami County and Waltz Township in Wabash County. The 1900 and 1910 Indian Population sheets also may be found online at HeritageQuestOnline.com and at Ancestry.com by browsing to the end of the appropriate enumeration district or by searching for a name found on the schedules. The 1900 and 1910 Indian Population sheets consist of two tiers of information. The top half of each sheet includes the same information found on the regular population schedule. The bottom half consists of “Special Inquiries Relating to Indians.” In 1900, these included any other name used by the individual – usually an Indian name – the Indian‛s tribe and each parent‛s tribe, the percentage of white blood, whether living in polygamy, if taxed, and whether the family lived in a “fixed” (permanent) or “movable” (tent or tepee) dwelling. The “Special Inquiries” in 1910 identified the tribe of the Indian and of each parent, the percentage of Indian, white and Negro blood, number of times married, whether living in polygamy and, if so, whether the wives were sisters, from what educational institution graduated, if taxed, if received a government allotment and the year, and whether the family lived in a “civilized or aboriginal dwelling.” There were no separate Indian Population schedules for the 1850-1880 and 1920-1930 federal censuses. Instead, Indians usually were identified as “I,” “In,” or “Ind” in the race column of the general population schedules. In 1850, the standard race choices were white, black or mulatto, so Indians in some areas may have been designated mulatto. Native American research can be challenging, particularly when individuals had both Indian and European names. By including alternate names, the 1900 Indian Population schedules are a key cross-reference between the two. These sheets and their counterparts for 1910 reveal details about Native Americans of the period found in few other resources. [*”CG” & “Certified Genealogist” are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, and are used by authorized associates following periodic, peer-reviewed competency evaluations.]

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Technology Tip of the Month--The Microsoft Word Ribbon: Insert Tab by Kay Spears

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The Insert tab contains a variety of powerful tools that help you insert and modify items in your Word documents. If you need to search the help files, Microsoft has called some of these ready-made tools “Building Blocks.” Pages: The first Building Block tool is the Cover Page. Not all documents need a cover page; however, if you want one, Microsoft offers more than twenty from which to choose. Just click on the drop down arrow beside the words Cover Page and select one. Also in this group are Blank Page and Page Break. (To insert a blank page using the keyboard press: Ctrl+Enter.) Tables: This group provides an interesting feature. Click on the Table arrow and you‛ll see a grid of little squares. If you run the cursor over these squares, you will see a preview of the resulting table in your document. Click to insert the table you see. Also available are the old Insert Table dialog box, Draw Table, insert Excel Spreadsheet and Quick Tables. The Quick Tables are ready-made templates that you can edit after inserting. Illustrations: This is the fun group. Spend some time experimenting with the available tools: Picture, Clip Art, Shapes, SmartArt, Chart, and Screenshot. You‛ll get some amazing effects. Once you insert something – for instance, a shape – your ribbon will change and offer you more tools for adding effects to the inserted illustration. The only thing you can no longer do is insert an image into “WordArt” text – unless you change the formatting to 2003, but then you will not be able to use the 2010 effects on that particular object. Links: Choices here are Hyperlink, Bookmark and Cross-reference. Hyperlink inserts web addresses into your document. Click on it and a dialog box will allow you to choose the address. The Bookmark tool provides a dialog box for naming any bookmarks you wish to insert and is probably most valuable if you are working with a lengthy document, but you could also use the basic Find tool to locate specific text. Cross-References help point readers to captions, headings, footnotes, endnotes, statistics, etc., and are automatically updated as you modify content. They only work within a current document; you cannot point to an object in another document. Header & Footer: In this group, clicking on the Header and Footer drop down arrows will offer several templates from which you can choose. The Page Number insert also presents numerous options. After you select one, an editing tool will appear in the ribbon. To get out of the editing tool, click twice. To get back into the editing tool for Header, Footer or Page Number, click twice in the header or footer area. This editing tool can be used to format page numbers. Text: This group includes Text Box, Quick Parts, WordArt, Drop Cap, Signature Line, Date & Time, and Object. Quick Parts inserts objects/things that are used repeatedly, such as the name of a company or an address, into the document. Drop Cap enlarges the beginning letter of a paragraph. Symbols: In this group, Equation inserts mathematical symbols into your document and adds an editing tool to the ribbon. Symbol will insert objects like the copyright or trademark symbol into your text. If you ever need to know what any of these tools does, just hold your cursor over it and a pop-up box will appear with a definition. Next: The Microsoft Word Ribbon: Page Layout Tab

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Quick-Tip of the Month for Preservation--Protecting the Family Silver by Delia Bourne

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You‛re browsing through belongings of your recently deceased great aunt or amongst the boxes in Mom's basement and discover some grayish, metallic object. It may be a solid gray, streaky or pitted. It may be a small cup, a tray or serving dish, or remnants of a flatware set. Congratulations! You may have struck silver. Although not as popular today, silver objects were once common gifts - flatware for brides, engraved cups for babies, and trays and bowls for anniversaries and retirements. Without proper care, however, beautiful, shiny silver can quickly become a tarnished eyesore. First, you need to know whether what you have is sterling or silver plate. Silver is too soft for use in pure form, so it is combined with other metals. Sterling is 92.5% silver combined with 7.5% copper. It's still very soft and should be treated carefully to avoid damage. Most flatware is sterling, although modern table knives often have silver handles with stainless steel blades. Silver plate is used for trays, bowls and decoration. In the plating process, silver is laid over another, stronger metal. Both sterling and plate are usually identified as such somewhere on the object. Treated cloths and bags can help protect your silver from tarnish while in storage. Placing the silver and its protective covering into a ziplock plastic bag provides additional protection in your home. Silver that is displayed can be vulnerable to damage from many sources, including the natural gas from stoves and even foods like eggs, which are loaded with sulfur. Silver should be hand washed promptly after use to remove food and dirt. Do not wash silver in the dishwasher, as it can be harmed by the harsh chemicals in the detergent or by banging against other dishes during the wash cycle. There are numerous products available online and in hardware stores for cleaning silver and other metals. Be sure to select one specifically for silver, as others may contain harsh chemicals or fine grit that will mar the surface. Pastes and foams are most common. Do not use paste which has dried out and become gritty. Liquid dips have the allure of a fast and simple cleaning, but the chemicals are often much too damaging. Also, be aware that engraved objects often have a darker fill in the grooves to highlight the pattern. Vigorous cleaning to remove this fill, which is not tarnish, is not advised, as the look of the piece will be altered considerably. Any soft cloth may be used to polish silver. For day to day use and cleaning, terry cloth tea towels and other kitchen towels should be clean and very soft. When undertaking a full scale cleaning and polishing, well-worn but clean cotton tee-shirts and cloth diapers are an excellent choice. When the cloth is old, the lint has been washed away and the fibers are soft from use. Cloths designed and sold specifically for polishing silver are also available. Cotton tipped swabs are good for cleaning crevices and aid in removing the polishing paste or foam. Websites offering information or supplies for preserving silver include the Bishop Museum's “The Care of Silver” , Preserving My Heritage's “How to Care for Silver”   and the Henry Ford Museum's “Care and Preservation of Historical Silver” . To guard against the oil and dirt on your hands, professional conservators advise using soft gloves to handle silver, but the previous generation in my family believed that the way to keep silver beautiful was to use it on a regular basis, then wash it in gentle soap and hand dry with a very soft, clean cloth. My aunt would take a piece of flatware and softly dry and buff the item as she walked to the dining room to place it in the silver box, then do the same for the next piece, and the next. In this manner, she kept the silver in excellent condition and worked off the meal she'd just eaten. Silver pieces, like other family heirlooms, are passed down with stories and traditions attached. Learn and preserve the stories behind your heirlooms to pass both along to future generations.

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Family History Month 2011

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The Genealogy Center's annual Family History Month celebration is here! The month of October is literally packed with educational and networking opportunities for every genealogist. Programs include presentations on frontier travel, evaluating published family histories, census records, immigration documents, personal memories and memoirs, blogging, and a beginner's workshop. We also still have appointment times available for 30-minute One-on-One Consultations on Tuesdays October 11, 18 and 25, and Wednesday October 26 (email Genealogy@ACPL.Info for more information). The highlight of the month is the National Black Genealogy Summit, an outstanding three-day event for researchers of African American family history and heritage. See the calendar at www.GenealogyCenter.org/Libraries/Brochures/FHM_Calendar.sflb.ashx and www.BlackGenealogyConference.Info for dates, times and other information. For more information about any particular event or to register for most events, call 260-421-1225, or send an email to Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

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National Black Genealogy Summit

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The National Black Genealogy Summit, hosted by the Allen County Public Library and its Foundation, as well as the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne, will take place in Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 20-22, 2011, at the Allen County Public Library and the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Together with our planning partners--the African/African American Historical Society & Museum of Fort Wayne; the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Fort Wayne Chapter; the It Is Well With My Soul program initiative; and The Links, Incorporated, Fort Wayne Chapter--the host organizations have prepared an excellent program featuring expert speakers and the most relevant topics for African American family history researchers. An information-rich website, continually being updated with the very latest information about the event, can be found at the following address: www.BlackGenealogyConference.Info. In the past couple of ezines, we highlighted many of the Summit‛s speakers: Tony Burroughs, Tim Pinnick, Angela Walton-Raji, Damani Davis, Roberta Estes, Shamele Jordan, and Lisa Lee. To that fine collection of knowledgeable presenters one can add James Ison, a perennial favorite, presenting “Using FamilySearch to Solve African-American Research Problems,” “Four Key Resources for African-American Research,” and “The Fugitive Slave Act and the Underground Railroad.” James‛ colleague, Sandra Joseph, will be presenting two sessions--"Beginning African American Research” and “U.S. Census Techniques & Strategies for Finding Elusive Ancestors.” In previous ezines, we also highlighted the three special presentations planned for the Summit: the ProQuest Plenary Session on Friday morning, October 21st, the Ancestry.com Banquet on Friday evening, and the Friends of the ACPL Plenary Session on Saturday morning, October 22nd. A line-up of Carla Peterson, Robin Stone, and Michele Wood is certainly one you don‛t want to miss. Their engaging presentations will inspire and motivate you to capture your family stories and heritage in meaningful ways that you can share with the generations that come after you. We are extending the early-bird registration deadline for readers of this ezine. Register between now and October 7, 2001 and you can get the $115 rate by writing “GG” (for “Genealogy Gems”) next to the pre-Labor Day registration line. Register today, and bring a friend with you. The registration form is linked directly at: www.BlackGenealogyConference.info/sites/default/files/NBGSregistration-booklet0913.pdf

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Military Seminar: You Say You Want a Revolution

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We invite you to a day of learning about locating a Revolutionary War ancestor on Saturday, November 12, 2011. This seminar will be presented by the Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Anthony Halberstadt Chapter National Society Sons of the American Revolution, and The Genealogy Center staff. This all-day event features methodology lectures, historical presentations, opportunities for advice on lineage applications, and a tour of The Genealogy Center. In the morning, you will learn about the resources of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution including how to use the DAR's genealogical records collection and the DAR library catalog. Tutorials on the application process for the DAR and SAR will be provided, as well as an examination of Revolutionary War pensions. In the afternoon, choose between attending an SAR meeting, featuring a program by William Sharp on "The Siege at Bryan's Station," or attending a DAR meeting, featuring a presentation by Bob Jones who is a Revolutionary Soldier Re-Enactor. Tours of The Genealogy Center will also take place in the afternoon. You can even schedule a 30 minute consultation with a DAR or SAR member to discuss your specific application to the organization. (Note: You must bring your lineage paperwork to the appointment. Due to limited availability, send an email to Genealogy@ACPL.Info to schedule your consultation time.) For more information, see the flyer at  Registration is required for this free seminar. Please call 260-421-1225 or email Genealogy@ACPL.Info to register.

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WinterTech is Coming!

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Cooler breezes usher WinterTech back to The Genealogy Center. Held in the afternoons of the second Wednesdays, November through February, to coincide with the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana's monthly evening meetings, WinterTech gives you meaningful indoor educational opportunities. Keep warm by the glow of your computer monitor as you expand your research skills. Sessions this year include an overview of the WeRelate.org website, information on locating books online, a virtual tour of the Genealogy Center's Catalog, and a survey of the Origins.net database for British, Irish, and Scots research. For more information, see the flyer at http://www.genealogycenter.org/Libraries/Brochures/WT2011.sflb.ashx. Please call 260-421-1225 or email Genealogy@ACPL.Info to register.

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Out and About

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Curt Witcher October 15, 2011--Mission Viejo, CA--South Orange County (CA) Genealogical Society Family History Seminar, City Hall, Saddleback Room, 100 Civic Center Drive. Topics presented will be “Doing the History Eliminates the Mystery,” “Fingerprinting Our Families--Using Ancestral Origins as a Research Key,” “An Ancestor‛s Death--A Time for Reaping,” and “The Road Not Taken--Mega Internet Sites Off the Beaten Path.” November 5, 2011--Exton, PA--Pennsylvania Family History Day, Wyndham Garden, 815 N. Pottstown Pike. Topics presented will be “The Changing Face of Genealogy” and “Mining the Motherlode: Using Periodical Literature for Genealogical Research.” November 12, 2011--Phoenix, AZ--Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board Annual Workshop, Carnegie Center, 1101 W. Washington Street. Topics presented will be “Roll Call: New Sites and Sources for Military Records and Research,” “Using Government Documents for Genealogical Research,” “Pain in the Access: Getting More from the Internet for Your Genealogy,” and “S.O.S.: Saving Our Societies--Answering Our Distress Beacons.” John Beatty October 7, 2011--Fort Wayne, IN--Quest Club, 5221 Covington Road, 12 noon. John will present "History of Quest Club: A Centennial Observance." Melissa Shimkus November 19, 2011--Indianapolis, IN--Genealogical Society of Marion County‛s 16th Annual Central Indiana Genealogy Conference, Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street. Topics presented will be “Before Crossing the Ocean: Records of Our Immigrant Ancestors,” “Visit American Records of our Immigrant Ancestors,” “Ellis Island, Online Immigration Records,” and “Naturalization Records.” Cynthia Theusch October 29, 2011--Lansing, MI--Michigan Genealogical Council & The Archives of Michigan 2011 Family History Work, Michigan Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo Street. Cynthia will present “Civilian Conservation Corps Records.”

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Area Calendar of Events

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Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) October 12, 2011--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana. 6:30 p.m. refreshments and social time, 7 p.m. program. Margaret Hobson will present: “Marching to the Drum of the 44th Regiment.” Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, 302 East Berry, Ft. Wayne, IN The George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series, October 2, 2011, 2 p.m. Carol Faenzi will be speaking on her book, “The Stonecutter‛s Aria.” This historical novel is based on the true stories of Faenzi‛s Italian marble-carving, opera singing ancestors.

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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 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.

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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. Steve Myers & Curt Witcher, co-editors