GenealogyGems Mailing List: Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library, No. 11, January 31, 2005

[genealogygems (genealogygems]

Genealogy Gems:  News from the Fort Wayne Library
No. 11, January 31, 2005

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In this issue:
*Take the Time to Make History
*Alien Border Crossings from Mexico into Texas
*Confederate Pension Application Sources Available in the Reynolds
Historical 
Genealogy Collection, Part 4
*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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Take the Time to Make History 
Curt Witcher
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As genealogists, we know how very important good records are--and how
excited we are when records have been preserved and are available for
the time period in which we are researching.  More than just
occasionally we should engage in activities that ensure the records we
find, the stories we are told, and the research we compile are available
for our children and their children to enjoy in the future.  Making a
commitment today to do something proactively is the best way--and there
are a number of ways to do that.

Communities across the country are compiling their first county and
town histories of the new millennium.  Right here in Allen County (IN)
the History Center and the Allen County Genealogical Society are engaged
in an ambitious and worthwhile history book project.  If you have even
one Allen County (IN) family, start writing the sketch today.  More
details, including submission particulars, can be found at the following
website.  <www.AllenCountyHistoryBook.com>.  If you don't have Allen
County roots, use the Internet and organizations like the USGenWeb to
determine if a history book project is underway in an ancestral hometown
or county.

Numerous genealogical societies have special programs to encourage the
recording of data for current and future generations to share.  The
Indiana Genealogical Society has been sponsoring its "Once a Hoosier"
program for years.  This program records the migrations of people who
were born before 1900, were in Indiana for some portion of their life,
and died outside Indiana. If you have an ancestor who qualifies, put pen
to paper and get that information to the Indiana Genealogical Society
<http://www.indgensoc.org/projects/hoosier.html> Looking at the web
pages of other state societies will likely reveal other projects in
which you can participate if you don't have Hoosier ancestors.  The
point is to find an outlet for your information and contribute--now!

The Historical Genealogy Department is another willing repository for
your compiled information.  Any genealogical information you have
researched and compiled can simply be sent to us in any form convenient
to you--paper or electronic.  And we will see that it is preserved and
made available to researchers who frequent our facility both today and
for many tomorrows.  

A final note--several new files have been added to the
FriendsOfAllenCounty.org website including additional MD and VA cemetery
inventories, an index to Allen County, IN poor asylum records, and a
couple of military journals under "Family Files."  

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Alien Border Crossings from Mexico into Texas
Roberta Ridley
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Microfilmed Alien Border Crossings from Mexico to Texas offer an
interesting, as well as refreshing possibility for finding an ancestor's
immigration record. A European's entry into the U.S. through Mexico
would rarely be considered, yet it might be found in these manifests.
Aside from the obvious listings for native Mexican aliens, these records
reveal a large number of European arrivals. Japanese, Turkish, Syrian,
Guatemalan, and Korean citizens also appear on the lists. Many of these
individuals are tourists, but a large number were coming to the United
States with the intention of becoming citizens. These records introduce
other possibilities for locating an ancestor who was not found on an
index or listing from the eastern seaboard ports. 

The Alien Border Crossings cards and manifests include both temporary
and permanent entry records, and provide a considerable amount of
information. Some indicate whether the immigrant intended to become a
U.S. citizen, their head tax status and previous citizenships, and may
include a fingerprint or photograph. A January, 1907 Laredo, Texas
manifest entry for John Fotes Bodes gives all of the following
information: 5 foot 9 inches, dark complexion, dark brown hair, dark
brown eyes, left eye was artificial, a mole on his nose, born in Lamia,
Greece, 27 years old, single, carpenter, could read and write, from
Greece and was Greek. Last residence was Lamia, Greece. Final
destination was Boston, Massachusetts. He did not have a ticket; his
brother-in-law paid passage. He was carrying $104.00, had never been to
the United States before and was joining his brother-in-law, Adam D.
Tsecos at 33 Pitt St., Boston, Massachusetts.  

Would you have looked in the Laredo, Texas lists for this Greek
immigrant bound for Boston? We suggest that you try the following border
crossing records, whether you are searching for Mexican or European
relatives.

**Applications for Nonresident Alien's Border Crossing Identification
Cards - El Paso, Texas ca. July 1945-Dec. 1952 (M1756 - 62 rolls)
**Lists of Aliens Arriving at Laredo, Texas via the Mexican National
Railroad or the Laredo Foot Bridge ca. July 1903-June 1907 (M2008 - 1
roll)
**Manifests of Aliens granted Temporary Admission at Laredo, Texas ca.
Dec. 1, 1929 - April 8, 1955 (M1772 - 66 rolls)
**Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Progreso/Thayer, Texas ca.
Oct. 1928 - May 1955 (M1851 - 6 rolls)
**Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Yseleta, Texas ca. 1924-1954 (M1849 -
7 rolls)
**Indexes and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Zapata, Texas ca. Aug.
1923 - Sept. 1953 (M2024 - 2 rolls M2024 - 2 rolls)

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Confederate Pension Application Sources Available in the Reynolds
Historical Genealogy Collection, Part 4
Delia Cothrun Bourne
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The earliest law providing for pensions in Tennessee was passed in
1891, which provided for disabled veterans of honorable service. There
are three separate rolls that were kept by the Board of Pension
Examiners, one for veterans, one for widows and one for "colored"
veterans. These pension applications are housed at the Tennessee State
Library and Archives in Nashville. The Historical Genealogy Department
owns two indexes to these applications. The first is Index to Tennessee
Confederate Pension Applications (GC 973.74 T25T). This volume consists
of three indexes, one for each of the rolls--veterans, widows, and
colored. These indexes provide name of veteran or widow, county of
residence, military unit and application number. The other index, also
entitled Index to Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications (GC 973.74
T25SA), compiled by Samuel Sistler, consists of a single index and
provides the same information. An index that is searchable by both name
and county is available online at
www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/pubsvs/pension.htm# .

In 1881, the state of Texas offered grants of land for disabled
veterans or widows. Laws enacted between 1899 and 1925 provided for
veterans or widows based on age, length of residence in the state and,
for widows, length of marriage. The Historical Genealogy Department has
two indexes to Confederate pensions in Texas. One is Virgil D. White's
Index to Texas CSA Pension Files (GC 973.74 T31WH), which indexes the
more than 54,000 applications for Confederate pensions filed in Texas.
The index citation includes name of veteran or widow, application or
pension number or rejection note, and county of residence. The other is
Index to Applications for Texas Confederate Pensions (GC 973.74 T31k),
produced by the Archives Division of the Texas State Library. This index
consists of three parts: the alphabetical listing, which lists name,
application number, county of residence, and the number of the
comptroller's index book; index of residents of the Confederate's Home
and the Confederate Woman's Home; and an index to rejected applications.
A revised version of this index (GC 973.74 T31K 1977) includes newly
discovered applications, corrections in the spelling of names, and other
corrections. The original records are located at the Texas State Library
and Historical Commission in Austin. There is also an index available
online at www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/pensions/index.html.

Virginia began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their
widows in 1888. These records have been microfilmed, with two indexes
available online: Virginia Confederate Pension Rolls (Veterans and
Widows) Electronic Card Index
http://lvaimage.lib.va.us/collections/CW.html and Virginia
Confederate Pension Rolls (Veterans and Widows) Database <
http://eagle.vsla.edu/conpen/>.

Pension application lists may also be available in book form by county
of residence, or in periodicals. The Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is
a valuable source for locating material in periodicals. The Historical
Genealogy Department also owns Desmond Walls Allen's Where to Write for
Confederate Pension Records (929 AL53WH), which provides information
concerning the availability of the pension applications and addresses
where to write in each state. 

These pension applications provide information concerning the veterans'
military service as well as details on their families, neighbors,
friends, and living conditions after the war. Although the amount of
information collected varies from state to state, it is still incumbent
upon the thorough researcher to obtain these files for examination.

This is the end of this four part series. The first three parts ran in
nos. 8-10 (October-December 2004).

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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.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
5915 Ellison Rd, Fort Wayne 46804
(260) 459-1888

Located just off I-69 at US 24, the new Holiday Inn Express is a
twenty-minute drive from downtown and the library (for specifics, see
below under Driving Directions). Rooms feature coffeemakers, irons, hair
dryers and modem jacks. There is an indoor pool and fitness room, and
complimentary breakfast. The Holiday Inn Express chain has a special
commitment for making their hotels accessible and invites those with
special needs to contact the manager; this includes TDD service. A
photocopier, fax and rollaway beds are available also. Rates $75 and
up.

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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 
February 9, 2005, Aboite Branch of ACPL, 5630 Coventry Lane, Fort
Wayne, IN.
6:30 P.M. refreshments, 7:00 P.M. program. Speaker, Peggy Seigel,
topic,
"Hiding in Our Attics", the Underground Railroad in Indiana.

February 16, 2005, Aboite Branch of ACPL, 5630 Coventry Lane, Fort
Wayne, IN.
6:45 P.M. Computer Interest Group.

DeKalb County Indiana Genealogical Society
Monday, February 14, 2005 at 6:30 p.m., refreshments & social time at
6:00 p.m.
Location: Eckhart Public Library, 603 S. Jackson Street, Auburn, IN
Program: Craig Berndt will speak on  Interurban Transportation in
DeKalb County and NE Indiana

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
February 19     Madison, FL: Florida Genealogical Society
April 30        Kalamazoo, MI:  Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society

Elaine Kuhn
March 2 Huntington, IN: Huntington Genealogical Society
April 16        Akron, OH: Ohio Genealogical Society Annual Conference
May 28          Windsor, ON: Ontario Genealogical Society Seminar

Steve Myers
March 19        Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Historical Society, Irish
Research Seminar

Ryan Taylor
March 19        South Bend, IN: South Bend Area Genealogical Society
April 13        Fort Wayne, IN: Allen County Genealogical Society of
Indiana
May 26          Windsor, ON: A British Day (Ontario Genealogical Society
pre-conference)
May 26          Windsor, ON: Ontario Chapter, Association of
Professional Genealogists
                        (Ontario Genealogical Society pre-conference)
May 26          Windsor, ON: Ontario Library Association (Ontario
Genealogical Society 
pre-conference)
May 27-29       Windsor, ON: Ontario Genealogical Society Seminar 

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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=&searchtab=address&searchtype=address&address=200+E+Berry+St&city=Fort+Wayne&state=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   

Publishing Note:  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 [at] friendsofallencounty.org.

Ryan Taylor, editor