September 2021

Genealogy Gems:

News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne No. 211, September 30, 2021

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Allen County Public Library and its Genealogy Center will be closed on Monday, October 4, 2021. We will be back open with regular hours the next day, Tuesday, October 5, 2021.

In this issue:

Family History Month Engagements

Social History and Family History

Michigan History Magazine

Technology Tip of the Month: Adobe Elements 2019 – Tool Bar - Draw Group

PERSI Gems: Trick or Treat

Library Catalog Insider: Most Common Shelf Locations

History Tidbits: Were My Ancestors Vaccinated?

Genealogy Center’s Family History Month Programs

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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Family History Month Engagements by Curt B. Witcher

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Autumn arrived just a few days ago and that is typically a wonderful herald for Family History Month. There is much Family History Month fun to engage in this October. A complete list of programs is presented further in this ezine; however, I want to do a bit of highlighting here to help ensure you don’t miss anything. We have a rather special day of programming for you on Friday, October 15, 2021, with a series of eight video programs recorded specifically for this event. These programs are provided by the Genealogy Network of Texas (GNT), and spearheaded by the Genealogy Center of the WacoMcLennan County Library. Topics covered will include the National Archives and Records Administration, timelines, a genealogy beginner’s class, German town of origin records access, using ancestral origins to identify ethnic heritage, building historical context, understanding motivations of migration, DNA tools, understanding social history, and maps as a tool. The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library is collaborating with the Genealogy Network of Texas to provide these programs for individuals who register through our Center. As with all of our programs, registration is required. Among the fine presenters throughout this day are some favorites on the national scene like Judy Russell and Blaine Bettinger. The order and specific topics of the presentations for the day is listed below. ***NARA Mythbusters: Your Family IS in the Archives Judy G Russell, JD, CG, CGL, The Legal Genealogist, Sponsored by: Friends of Corpus Christi Public Libraries ***Methodology: Using Timelines to Focus Your Research Susan Ball, President of the Texas State Genealogical Society ***Beginning Genealogy Workshop Kathy Huber, MLS, Director of the Tulsa Genealogy Center, Hardesty Public Library ***So, You’ve Found Your German Town of Origin, Now What? Teresa Steinkamp McMillin, CG, Sponsored by: Waco-McLennan County Library ***Fingerprinting Our Families: Using Ancestral Origins as a Genealogical Research Key Curt B. Witcher ***Attacking 18th and 19th Century Mysteries with DNA Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., The Genetic Genealogist, Sponsored by: Waco-McLennan County Library ***Filling in the Family Stories Susan Kaufman, Senior Manager, Houston Public Library, Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research *** Discover Genealogical Treasure Using Historic U.S. Maps Hannah Kubacak, Genealogy Librarian, Genealogy Center Waco-McLennan County Library This all-day learning opportunity shared through these eight program videos will only be available on October 15, 2021, and then only by registering through the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. And here is the link to register for this suite of programs. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5590329 I invite you to be inspired with the Friday Facebook questions to ask yourselves and your family members. Sometimes all we need is a bit of inspiration to start those conversations that can be of such benefit to us in finding all our families’ stories. And for even more inspiration, watch for the five Family History Month Facebook tips. You can find our Facebook page at facebook.com/GenealogyCenter. You really need to take a look at the entire detailed Family History Month program brochure. Our Community Engagement department created a very nice PDF of our Family History Month offerings. It can be viewed and downloaded at the following URL ACPL.Lib.in.us/images/Documents/Gendocs/GEN_FamilyHistoryMonth_2021.pdf To learn more or register for the programs, visit https://genealogycenter.org, call 260-421-1225, or email Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

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Social History and Family History by Allison DePrey Singleton

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As with many of my articles, a program or a question will often inspire what I write. A colleague Elizabeth and I presented a program on social history with an open-ended question and answer session. Many of the things discussed with the attendees could help anyone with their family history. What is social history and why is it important to family history? Social history involves looking at the historical context of our ancestors. What was occurring during our ancestors’ lives? What were their occupations? How did that affect where and how they lived? What were the events in their communities that influenced their lives? Our ancestors are more than names, dates, and places. They lived through major and minor events in history. They had stories of their own to tell, full of triumph and tragedy. We have already collected the bones, and now it is time to put the meat on those bones with social history research. During the social history question and answer session, we received one question about the occupation of an ancestor and whether he moved from the old country to Canada for that occupation. This led to a discussion about using city directories to discover if there were businesses that might have needed that occupation in the new location. Newspapers were also suggested as a resource for seeking occupational history. Local histories often tell of the popular professions for specific areas (i.e. coal mining in a town with a mine). It really does help to know the history of the communities where our ancestors lived and worked. Another occupational question asked why the children in a family would leave their home country when the patriarch had a successful business with his own employees. This led to a discussion about researching the local history of the area to see what can be learned about the family’s financial and social status. Try to determine from city directories or other local records the number of men in the area with the same occupation. See if you can determine whether there would have been room economically for a son of the patriarch to have his own business as well. Another clue would be to identify the occupations of the children once they had moved. Many of them may not have wanted to work in the family business and moved for different or better opportunities. It is important to look not only for the forces pushing one out of a location but also the potential pull of a new location. A book that we recommended during the presentation discusses how social history can assist family history research: Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History by Katherine Scott Sturdevant (929 St896br). This great book explains in depth how to add social history to your family history. It is available at many public libraries throughout the world and is also available for purchase online through second hand booksellers. Once you begin to do the social history research for the places where your ancestors lived, you may begin to understand them and their choices better. It can sometimes be difficult to put ourselves in our ancestors’ shoes without truly understanding the circumstances surrounding their decisions in life. Hopefully, this article inspires you to begin your own social history research. Sources: City Directory Search – Ancestry.com Newspapers – Newspapers.com, Newspaper Archive, Elephind, The Ancestor Hunt, Chronicling America Local Histories – Google, Internet Archive, FamilySearch Books

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Michigan History Magazine by Cynthia Theusch

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Have you ever wondered about the historical events of your hometown and the people who settled there before you? Michigan’s Historical Commission has created a variety of publications that highlight events, occupations, careers, settlements, military and other activities that happened in Michigan or were associated with Michigan’s involvement in other states and countries. “Michigan History Magazine” (977.4 M58675) was first published in 1917 and is still being published today. The magazine prints stories about past events, ethnic groups that settled in Michigan, cultures, and other subjects of interest that have happened in the state from when it was a territory to now. Here are some titles that caught my attention: Alaska or Bust! The Detroit 59ers; ‘No Place for a Lady’ Magdalene La Framboise, Fur Trader; Building the Barn; Beaver Island King, Prophet and Editor: James Jesse Strang and the Northern Islander; What a Winter! A Teacher’s Experience on Isle Royale; and Michigan’s Pigskin Gladiators. John H. Shook wrote an article about Governor Wisner and the Twenty-Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry. The Twenty-Second consisted of 560 young men from six counties (Oakland, Livingston, Macomb, Lapeer, St. Clair, and Sanilac). They mustered into the regiment on 2 September 1862 at Pontiac and took part in about twenty engagements. On 26 January 1865, they were mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee. The group disbanded at a camp on Clinton Street in Detroit on 10 July 1865. [Volume 31, pp. 10-20.] The writer highlighted some of the engagements of Col. Moses Wisner and the Twenty-Second. Michigan’s Pigskin Gladiators, written by William John Armstrong, tells the story of a group of high school football players in the 1890s and what they did to protect themselves from injuries. The author also describes their determination to develop the sport and what transpired to make high school games a dominant activity on Friday nights during the Fall. Besides the “Michigan History Magazine,” the Michigan Historical Commission publishes other historical periodicals, including the “Chronicle,” “Michigan Historic Travel Guide,” “Michigan Historical Review,” and “Michigan History for Kids.” Most other states publish similar magazines about their own history. To locate them in our catalog, type in the state and the word history. The PERSI database offers a way to locate articles of interest in these periodicals for the states where your ancestors lived. They are a great way to discover information about historical events and for finding genealogical records that will make your family history come alive.

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Technology Tip of the Month: Adobe Elements 2019 – Tool Bar - Draw Group by Kay Spears

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In the last article we finished up with the Enhance Tool Group, so it is time to move on to the next group on our tool bar. I will be honest with you when it comes to this group: I have not used a number of these tools. There are a lot of reasons for this. One is that my work version is older, and it doesn’t have a lot of these tools. Another reason is that for the restoration of photographs, I’ve just never had a need to use some of these tools. But, we will continue with our focus, and maybe we all will learn something new. I’m always up for a challenge. It is only with the more recent versions of Elements that Adobe decided to “group” the tools for us. So, it’s ok to scratch your head and ask, “Why did they put this tool in this group?” Here are the Groups that we will be covering in the next few articles: 1. Brush Tool. Included in this group are the Brush Tool, Impressionist Brush, and the Color Replacement. In this group I am only familiar with the Brush Tool. See, we are going to have some exciting times ahead. 2. Eraser Tool. Included in this group are the Eraser, Background Eraser, and Magic Eraser. As you might guess, I am very familiar with all these tools. 3. Paint Bucket Tool. Included in this group are the Paint Bucket and the Pattern Fill. I have used the Paint Bucket, and am looking forward to discovering a reason for the existence of the Pattern Fill. 4. Gradient Tool. There is only one tool in this group: The Gradient Tool. Does that mean it’s still a group? These are all very important questions. 5. Color Picker Tool. Another group with one tool: The Color Picker Tool. One of my favorite tools, and I have used it for restorations. 6. Shape Tools. Included in this group are the Custom Shape, Rectangle Shape, Rounded Rectangle Shape, Ellipse Shape, Polygon Shape, Star Shape, Line Shape, and Selection. I have used some of these shapes, although I’m sure there are some surprises in store for us when we get to this tool. 7. Text Tool. Included in this group are Horizontal Text, Vertical Text, Horizontal Mask, Vertical Mask, Text on Selection, Text on Shape, and Text on Path. This group has me intrigued. While I am very familiar with the Horizontal Text tool, I may also find the masks tools interesting. By the way, this text will be Raster, not Vector. 8. Pencil Tool. What can I say? It’s a Pencil Tool. This is where we find out just how well we can draw with our mouse. This group of tools promises to be exciting, and I’m sure we will all learn something new when we are finished. So, fasten your seat belt! Next article we will begin with the brush tool.

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PERSI Gems: Trick or Treat by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson

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My father must have been feeling particularly mischievous the year he hid inside an open window and let loose a bone-chilling witch’s cackle whenever a trick-or-treater approached our front door. At least one child turned and bolted away in tears. Rather than surrender when his voice gave out, Dad recorded the shriek-like utterance with a cassette deck so we could reproduce the effect to terrorize our young visitors. His aunt, taking a rather different approach to Halloween, focused her efforts on producing and distributing popcorn balls too heavenly for a holiday with dark undertones. She took great delight in the smiles of children who rang her bell. Whether you are prone to tricking or treating, we hope you will appreciate the following citations from the Periodical Source Index (PERSI). Try a search here: http://search.findmypast.com/search/periodical-source-index Benjamin Choy recalls tricking Chinese emigration officials with paper brother, 1930 Passages (Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, CA), v.8n.2, Spr. 2005 Ernest Husselman and bride, Grace Madden, treated to practical joke on honeymoon, 1924, IN Dekalb (IN) Diggings, v.14n.2, Sum. 2008 Esquire Squire Clark tricked into thinking U. M. Stiles was dying and in need of a will, 1876, OH Shelbyana (Shelby Co. Gen. Soc., OH), n.119, Apr. 2009 George Reeser treats girls to auto rides, 1909 Farmer City (IL) Mirror, v.6n.1, Jan. 1995 Hoaxes, why the Age of Enlightenment fell for frauds, tricks and ruses History Magazine (NY), v.10n.5, Jun. 2009 Marion M. Noble recalls a trick played on him at the Higginson Taffy Pull, c. 1929, AR White County (AR) Historical Society News, Aug. 2006 Mrs. and Mrs. Toppenwein give amazing exhibition of trick shooting, 1908, Fergus Falls, MN Otter Tail (MN) County Historical Society Newsletter, v.34n.2, May 2008 Runza, origins of the pocket sandwich of Germans from Russia, traditional treat in NE GRHS News (Germans from Russia Heritage Soc., ND), n.34, Dec. 2004 Tish McCoy burned out brother Steve Treat's bad tooth with a hot wire, n.d., AR Searcy County (AR) Ancestor Information Exchange, v.20n.1, Jun. 2010 Treat to aged people, feast at Albion Hotel by Mr. Horrox, list of old people, 1861 Lancashire (Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society, Eng.), v.3n.9, Feb. 1982 Trick 'Em aka Trickum School history, 1910-1948 Searcy County (AR) Ancestor Information Exchange, v.15n.2, Aug. 2005 Truro Commercial Travellers apple ladies gave treats to troops, brief, 1940s Colchester Historical Society (Nova Scotia) Member Newsletter, n.243, Oct. 2009

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Library Catalog Insider: Most Common Shelf Locations by Kasia Young

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This month we will discuss some of the most common shelf LOCATIONS that you are likely to encounter when using The Genealogy Center’s catalog. Let us get started! Begin by going to our website at https://acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy and typing your search query. We recommend that after you click FIND and get the results list, you select “Genealogy” from the BRANCH facet. Shelf LOCATIONS can be seen either in the results list under “REFERENCE where?” green button, visible on the right-hand side of the title; or, in the item record view, in the ITEMS tab under LOCATION. For example, a book on Indiana will display INDIANA | 977.2 in the shelf LOCATION, which makes it easier to navigate our vast department. Some of the most common shelf LOCATIONS are: BINDERY (Item will be on the shelf soon; keep checking!) CITY DIRECTORIES (West Room) FAMILY HISTORIES (West Reading Room) INDIANA (East Room) MICROTEXT (East Room) ONLINE, CLICK MORE INFO TAB (Item available to view online; navigate to the item record for weblink) OVERSIZE (West Room) SUPER OVERSIZE (West Room) LOCAL YEARBOOKS (East Room) READY REFERENCE (Reference Desk) FINE BOOKS ROOM (Item is available by appointment only) Next month, we will talk about the NONFICTION shelf location. Bonus tip for October 2021: Use the handy Subject Index and The Genealogy Center Plans to help you get familiar with our department. If you need assistance, ask one of our genealogy librarians, either in person, by phone 260.421.1225, or email: Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

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History Tidbits: Were My Ancestors Vaccinated? By Allison DePrey Singleton

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Since the dawn of time, humans have fought against a faceless enemy: disease. To protect themselves, their friends and families, scientists have worked to learn more about these diseases and use that information to find solutions and cures. The advancements of technology and science have helped bring about over time the development of vaccines. Inoculations were first described around 1500 in China and India. Some believe that inoculations occurred as far back as 200 BCE. In the American colonies, the first documented quarantine took place in 1648 as a means of preventing the spread of yellow fever. In 1721, Dr. Zabdiel Boylston of Boston performed the first variolations (a precursor to vaccinations) to combat smallpox at the urging of Cotton Mather. Variolations, or infecting patients with a mild form of the disease, had been gaining popularity around the world. The patient still risked contracting the disease and becoming a carrier, but the death rate for smallpox improved greatly, going from 20-30% to 3-4% of the population with the variolations. During the 1764 smallpox epidemic, John Adams underwent variolation, joining increasing numbers of people who had chosen the practice to prevent the disease’s worst effects. In fact, if you have a Revolutionary War ancestor who served in the Continental Army, they were likely inoculated against smallpox. In 1777, General George Washington ordered mandatory inoculations against smallpox for his army. As technology and the practice of medicine improved, scientists developed more vaccines. Edward Jenner discovered that cowpox was similar to smallpox and could be used in a vaccine. Louis Pasteur developed vaccines for rabies and anthrax among other life changing discoveries. The vaccines proved so valued that when four boys were bitten by a rabid dog in 1885, a fundraising campaign took place to send them to France for the vaccine. They survived. The United States has a long history of researching infectious diseases and developing successful vaccines. Overall, these advancements have lowered mortality rates and prevented widespread infection on a global scale. Progress can be seen in mandatory inoculations for students as well as in certain court cases resulting in compulsory inoculation. In the case of Jacobson v. Massachusetts in 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the authority of the Cambridge, Massachusetts Board of Health to require residents receive the smallpox vaccine during a major outbreak. Wherever you stand on the issue today, there can be little doubt that vaccinations have helped protect countless numbers of people over time, including our ancestors. Sources and Further Reading: “Adams Family Correspondence, Volume 1.” Adams Papers Digital Edition. Massachusetts Historical Society. Accessed September 24, 2021. https://www.masshist.org/publications/adamspapers/index.php/view/ADMS-04-01-02-0023. Boylston, Arthur, and A. E. Williams. “Zabdiel Boylston's Evaluation of Inoculation against Smallpox.” Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. The Royal Society of Medicine, September 2008. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2587382/. “Contagion: Historical Views of Diseases and Epidemics.” Harvard Library. Accessed September 24, 2021. https://library.harvard.edu/collections/contagion-historical-views-diseases-and-epidemics. “The Final Years 1877-1887.” Institut Pasteur, November 10, 2016. https://www.pasteur.fr/en/institut-pasteur/history/troisieme-epoque-1877-1887. “The History of Vaccines.” Timeline | History of Vaccines. The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Accessed September 15, 2021. https://www.historyofvaccines.org/timeline. Jacobson v. Massachusetts (U.S. Supreme Court February 20, 1905). LH, Toledo-Pereyra. “Zabdiel Boylston. First American Surgeon of the English Colonies in North America.” Journal of investigative Surgery: The Official Journal of the Academy of Surgical Research. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed September 24, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16546924/. “Louis Pasteur.” Science History Institute, March 30, 2021. https://www.sciencehistory.org/historical-profile/louis-pasteur. Malone, Kevin M, and Alan R Hinman. “Vaccination Mandates: The Public Health Imperative and Individual Rights.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed September 15, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/guides-pubs/downloads/vacc_mandates_chptr13.pdf. Niederhuber, Matthew. “The Fight Over Inoculation during the 1721 Boston Smallpox Epidemic.” Science in the News. Harvard University, August 2, 2021. https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/special-edition-on-infectious-disease/2014/the-fight-overinoculation-during-the-1721-boston-smallpox-epidemic/. “Philadelphia Poxes and Plagues.” Highlights of the University Archives & Special Collections. Thomas Jefferson University. Accessed September 24, 2021. https://library.jefferson.edu/archives/collections/highlights/Pox/. Riedel, Stefan. “Edward Jenner and the History of Smallpox and Vaccination.” Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center). Baylor Health Care System, January 2005. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/. “Smallpox: Variolation.” U.S. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health, July 30, 2013. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/smallpox/sp_variolation.html. Thompson, Mary V. “Smallpox.” George Washington's Mount Vernon. Accessed September 24, 2021. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/smallpox/.

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Genealogy Center’s October Programs

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We have a full month of virtual offerings for you! Twenty-two programs are scattered throughout the month, including our new program series, “Wednesdays with Witcher.” Find inspiration with Friday Facebook Questions to ask yourself or family members and learn five Family History Month Genealogy Tips posted on Facebook throughout the month. Lastly, meet sixteen Genealogy Center staff members, who will share their insight into family history in Facebook videos. Join us every day for new family history information! To learn more or register for the programs, visit https://genealogycenter.org, call 260-421-1225, or email Genealogy@ACPL.Info. October 5, 2021, 2:30 p.m.: “Beginning Virginia Genealogical Research” with John Beatty - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5588278 October 6, 2021, 2:30 p.m.: “Wednesdays with Witcher Series - Talk about Listening: Some Practical Advice on Getting More from Our Family Interviews” with Curt Witcher - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589792 October 7, 2021, 6:30 p.m.: “Interpreting DNA Results” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5588287 October 12, 2021, 2:30 p.m.: “Working with Unusual Single Records” with Cynthia Theusch - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5588276 October 13, 2021, 2:30 p.m.: “Wednesdays with Witcher Series - What Are You Going to Do with All That Stuff?!’ Preparing Our Research for the Future” with Curt Witcher - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589831 October 14, 2021, 6:30 p.m.: “Watching Historical Context: Using Historical Videos” with Allison DePrey Singleton - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5588429 October 15, 2021, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: All-Day Opportunities: Genealogy Showcase (eight programs for eight speakers) - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5590329 October 19, 2021, 2:30 p.m.: “Researching Tennessee and Kentucky” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5588948 October 20, 2021, 2:30 p.m.: “Wednesdays with Witcher Series - Wait, What? You Want to Know My Story? How Telling One’s Own Story Can Get Other Family Members Interested in Their History” with Curt Witcher - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589866 October 21, 2021, 6:30 p.m.: “Family Food: Using Family Recipes for Family History” with Allison DePrey Singleton - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589361 October 23, 2021, 1 p.m.: “Using Scholars to Leverage Your African American Research Success” with Timothy N. Pinnick - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589439 October 26, 2021, 2:30 p.m.: “The Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692: History and Sources” with John Beatty - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589505 October 27, 2021, 2:30 p.m.: “Wednesdays with Witcher Series - Putting the Family Back into Family History: Adding Context and Character to Our Ancestors” with Curt Witcher - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589894 October 28, 2021, 6:30 p.m.: “Brick Walls and Busting Through Them” with The Genealogy Center Staff - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589545 October 29, 2021, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.: “After Hours with The Genealogy Center” with The Genealogy Center Staff - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/5589586 Please register in advance for each program.

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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

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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 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 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 $85. 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. 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