| Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne, No. 244, June 30, 2024 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygems genealogycenter.info)
|
|
| Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2024 20:47:24 -0400 | |
Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne
No. 244, June 30, 2024
In this issue:
*Mud and Memories, Celebrations and Conversations, Files and the Future
*Review of “American Passenger Arrival Records” by Michael Tepper
*Ancestor Tracks
*PERSI Gems: Manure Matters
*Preservation Tips: Preserving Family Photographs – 20th Century Photographs
*History Tidbits: The New Colossus and How It Came to Be
*Genealogy Center’s July 2024 Programs
*Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
*Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
*Genealogy Center Social Media
*Driving Directions to the Library
*Parking at the Library
*Genealogy Center Queries
*Publishing Note
***************************************
Mud and Memories, Celebrations and Conversations, Files and the Future
by Curt B. Witcher
***************************************
Mud and Memories--I took that directly from a NPR program I was listening to about the horrible flooding that took place in the heartland of the United States during the month of June. And there is every reason to believe this same kind of horrific devastation will afflict numerous communities in the second half of this year as well. Almost without exception, when victims of natural disasters are interviewed as they were for NPR, among the first things they lament losing are their family photographs and heirlooms. As we have discussed so frequently in recent years, now is past time to posture against the loss of these valuable items. If we still have some gaps in our summer plans, why not fill a few of them with actively preserving family memories and family stories. Since just thinking about something or simply talking about an activity typically doesn’t get it done, I have a few specifics to share.
1. Start scanning and saving your family photographs.
***Pick the easiest ten you can put your hands on.
***Find a scanner (yours, descendants’, neighbors’ and friends’, local public library, etc.).
***Scan them (at 300 dpi/ppi and as uncompressed TIFs if possible but don’t let perfection get in the way of progress).
***Save the images on at least *two* remote storage devices (USBs, HDs, etc.).
***Place one back-up copy outside your home (cousin, child, friend, workplace, bank deposit box, etc.).
***Consider cloud/remote storage. It should become common place for us.
2. Start recording the family stories and conversations you are having with family members, particularly around holidays. Record the conversations electronically or write what you are hearing--both are acceptable. Review your recordings shortly after you make them. Such reviews may bring other recollections to mind that you will want to record. The reviews may also prompt further questions or post-conversation clarifications you want to make. Additionally, such reviews can bring to light other documents we may want to seek.
3. Stop simply filing your research; rather, write it up. Write the stories the documents and copies you have gathered tell so the assembled papers make sense and will be valued by those responsible for continuing to preserve and tell the family stories. Make your family history work more than endless files of papers and scraps of handwritten notes. Bring the stories to life by writing-up your research. I have heard so many over the years lament that no one in their respective families is interested in continuing, or at least preserving, the work that has been done. I contend that is because we aren’t sharing the stories. We typically are sharing nearly innumerable folders of “stuff” without placing the “stuff” in context, in the story of our families and our heritage.
Celebrations and Conversations: Celebrations, such as the Fourth of July this week, are great times for having conversations with family members regarding what they recall about their lives and the lives of other family members. Ask a few questions about the military veterans among our ancestors; inquire about the successes family members have had in both recent days and in times past; look for “that reminds me of” moments, and then explore and record them; and spend time recording the conversations of current generations.
Files and the Future: So, I ask this question with some regularity. As genealogists and family historians, are we “stuff” gatherers or story-finders; are we hoarders of papers and digital files or researchers looking to compile a full, rich story from the evidence we have gathered? As mentioned directly in earlier paragraphs, we would be much better served in every way if we stopped just gathering and filing, and put much more emphasis on creating a narrative from what we have gathered. We would be much better served sharing the stories we have created, the stories we have researched and woven with the documents and records we have discovered. I steadfastly believe that is the only way most of our gatherings and research will remain for our great grandchildren’s grandchildren. After all, isn’t that what we want?
Make it a very happy, safe, and fulfilling Fourth of July--in every way!
***************************************
Review of “American Passenger Arrival Records” by Michael Tepper
by Logan Knight
***************************************
Ninety-six percent of the population of the United States can trace their familial origins to somewhere else. Before the late 1950s, the vast majority of these immigrants came by sea. Unsurprisingly then, one of the most special moments for any genealogist is finding that passenger list that shows where and when their ancestor came through the “Golden Door” as the poem put it. Yet, how does one go about finding such information? Fortunately, author Michael Tepper has the answer.
Tepper’s book, “American Passenger Arrival Records,” is a fantastic guide to understanding the delicate nuances of passenger arrival records. Anyone who studies this book will have an excellent chance of discovering their ancestor’s arrival record as well as gaining a deeper understanding of how all of these records were generated and preserved.
The book is organized into several sections: Colonial Period, Beginning of Federal Passenger Arrival Records, Customs Passenger Lists, and Immigration Passenger Lists. Tepper gives an overview of each period and a breakdown of what records exist for each. For example, Customs Passenger Lists refer to specific records created in response to 1819 legislation. The law mandated that every ship’s captain present a complete list of every passenger (not just immigrants) to the collector of customs at the port where his ship arrived. While this law was passed primarily for humanitarian reasons, its genealogical implications are significant. As Tepper himself says, only the U.S. Federal Census is a bigger source of genealogical material for the 19th century. The author then goes into detail about how customs passenger lists morphed into immigration passenger lists in response to further legislation. While this is just one section of the book, it gives an idea of how the book is broken down.
Another section that deserves special recognition is the overview of American immigration ports. More than ninety-five percent of all shipboard immigrants arrived through just five ports: New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Boston. Of these, New York took the lion’s share. Tepper gives an overview of each port and the particular records it generated in addition to the federal ones. These sources can be used to fill in gaps for which nothing otherwise would have survived. For example, almost all of Baltimore’s customs passenger lists were destroyed in a fire. This tragedy would have been a terrible loss had the Maryland legislature not passed a law generating its own lists covering mostly the same information in order to indemnify Baltimore for care of indigent immigrants. These “city lists” make excellent substitutes for the genealogist.
This book offers an excellent beginner’s guide to understanding American passenger arrival records. While the information is somewhat out of date (most of these microfilmed lists are now available digitally on Ancestry and FamilySearch), it can give the reader a firm grasp of the basics and how to go about finding that precious piece of information.
***************************************
Ancestor Tracks
by Allison DePrey Singleton
***************************************
Have you thought about using maps and atlases to learn more about your Pennsylvania ancestors? Combining these tools with county histories and census data can give you a better understanding of their lives. Most county histories were published before or shortly after 1876, and many maps were published around the same time. By looking at a map of the township where your family lived, you can see exactly where their land was. These maps often provide a visual representation of land plots, including the names of landowners, which can be incredibly useful for identifying your ancestors' properties.
Moreover, you may be able to find nearby churches, schools, and cemeteries connected to them. These landmarks are often critical in understanding the social and cultural context of your ancestors' lives. For example, churches might have kept records of births, marriages, and deaths, while schools and cemeteries can give clues about the community structure and prominent families.
Many maps also include drawings of towns and farms, which can help you imagine what life was like for your ancestors. These illustrations can offer insights into the architecture, landscape, and even the types of crops or livestock that were prevalent in the area. By studying these visual elements, you can gain a deeper appreciation of the day-to-day activities and challenges your ancestors faced.
Ancestor Tracks offers free downloadable images of 19th-century Pennsylvania landowner maps and atlases, along with links to online county histories: https://ancestortracks.com/wp/home/free-resources/. This collection is a valuable tool for anyone researching Pennsylvania maps and atlases. The availability of these resources online makes it easier than ever to access historical documents and maps that might otherwise be difficult to find. Using county histories and atlases together can provide a richer and more detailed picture of your ancestors' daily existence, community interactions, and the environment in which they lived.
***************************************
PERSI Gems: Manure Matters
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
***************************************
The handling of animal waste has long been a matter of public concern, especially where large numbers of livestock or humans are gathered. Here, the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) offers some insight into the movement and manipulation of this less-than-mouthwatering material.
Try a PERSI search here:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
Bids solicited to remove city and Fire Department manure, newspaper item, 1915
Newberry (SC) County Historical and Museum Society Bulletin, Fal. 2009
Governor Jim Justice fights G.O.P. tide, spending plan and manure, 2017
Appalachian Journal: A Regional Studies Review, Vol. 45, Issue 3-4 (Spr 2018)
Hazards of shipping manure, 1500s-1600s
Wahkaw (Woodbury County Genealogical Society, NC), Vol. 28, Issue 1 (Spr 2008)
Invention of artificial firewood made from manure, mistholz, by Risch, c. 1800s
Norka Newsletter (Krieger's Root Cellar, IA), Vol. 16 (Sum 2011)
John Harrison cited for mixing horse manure with fish refuse, Redcar Urban Dist. Council, 1893
Cleveland (Eng.) FHS Journal, Vol. 3, Issue 8 (Oct 1987)
Livery barns role in community, Calverly's barn and the Manure Club, c. 1800s
Wabash County (IL) Historical Society Newsletter, Vol. 8, Issue 3 (Aug 2011)
Manure Lagoon farm memories of Harold Rhody, n.d.
Liberty School News (German Settlement History, Inc., WI), Vol. 17, Issue 1 (May 2015)
Margaret Lees remembers putting manure banking around the house for insulation
Folklore (Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society), Vol. 31, Issue 1 (Win 2009)
Mary Surles and manure tea, old-time cure-all, folk medicine
Southern Cultures (University of North Carolina Press), Spr 2007
Matthew Burton trial, damaged house of William Hind, cans of manure thrown, 1851
Nottinghamshire (Eng.) Family History Society Journal, Vol. 14, Issue 9 (Jan 2015)
Matthew M. Land finds phosphated manure left by dead hired hand, Farmers Weekly Review, 1938
White County, Illinois Roots & Branches, Vol. 19, Issue 2 (Apr 2021)
Quarrel over load of manure led to pitchfork fight, 1895
Seedling Patch (Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society, IN), Spr 2009
Robert Leatham death note, inhaled pigeon manure, d. 1787, Barnsley, Eng.
Family Roots (Family Roots Family History Society, Eastbourne, Eng.), Vol. 22, Issue 4 (Apr 2008)
William Barnes market garden business note, hid money under manure to thwart thieves, mid-19th C.
West Middlesex (Eng.) Family History Society Journal, Vol. 24, Issue 1 (Mar 2006)
William Godden allowed to keep manure in exchange for work, 1830, England
CQ Genie-ologist (Central Queensland Fam. Hist. Assn., Australia), Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Sep 1988)
***************************************
Preservation Tips: Preserving Family Photographs – 20th Century Photographs
by Christina Clary
***************************************
The dominant photograph type of the 20th century was the silver gelatin developing-out print. These black and white photographs were developed using a combination of silver bromides and silver chlorides suspended in a gelatin binder. They gained popularity around the 1890s and remained popular throughout most of the twentieth century. Like gelatin photographs, silver gelatin photographs are susceptible to image fading and loss of detail, as well as cracking. However, silver gelatin prints tend to yellow with age.
The key identifying trait of a silver gelatin photograph is the silver mirroring that occurs with prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. Air pollutants cause the silver ions to migrate to the surface of the photograph, creating a metallic and reflective sheen in certain lighting.
In 1900, Kodak began selling their Brownie camera. At only $1, the camera became ubiquitous. The explosion of photography as a hobby led to the rise in popularity of personal photograph albums. The most popular type contained black paper that allowed people to paste or mount their photographs. Chances are you have come across one in your own family collection. Most likely, the photographs in them are silver gelatin prints. These may appear extremely yellowed due to the presence of lignin in the album covers.
The best course of action for these albums is to first digitize the pages to retain the order of the photographs and any notes written on them. The black paper used in the albums is highly acidic and will accelerate the rate of deterioration of the photographs. They should be removed from the pages if possible and stored individually in archival-quality envelopes. Care should be taken as the photographs may be brittle, especially at the corners where they were mounted. If they cannot be removed without being damaged, the album should be deconstructed, and each page stored in a buffered envelope or wrapped in buffered tissue paper.
Storage for photographs can vary based on type. Negatives printed on paper should be stored in the same manner as photographs. Glass negatives should be wrapped to prevent breaking and stored flat. Film can be stored either in archival slide boxes or film boxes. Cellulose nitrate film was used primarily between 1890 and 1920. The film may say “nitrate” on the edge or have a V-shaped notch in the upper right-hand corner. Nitrate film is highly flammable and should be separated and stored at freezing temperatures. Cellulose acetate, or safety film, will have a U-shaped notch and will shrink and become brittle as it deteriorates. It should also be kept in cold storage.
To learn more about photograph type identification, check out the Graphics Atlas website. For the care of photographs, try the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) website or the Image Permanence Institute.
***************************************
History Tidbits: The New Colossus and How It Came to Be
by Logan Knight
***************************************
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
These powerful words have been cast in bronze and placed in the base of one of the world’s most iconic symbols: The Statue of Liberty. Towering over three hundred feet tall, this famed copper statue has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States ever since its dedication on October 26th 1886. One cannot think of this towering symbol without also thinking of the poem that gives it such meaning.
Where did the poem come from? In fact, the story of how this sonnet came to be is just as fascinating as the story of how the statue arose in New York harbor. It all begins with a poet by the name of Emma Lazarus.
The Lazarus family had been very early immigrants to New York City. In fact, their family had been among the first Jews to settle in what would become the United States, fleeing to New Amsterdam in 1654 from Portuguese Brazil. The family would become wealthy through sugar refining. Emma was born on July 22, 1849 in a world of opulence and splendor.
Emma was always noted as a serious person, even as a child. Like a number of Gilded Age socialites, she became passionately involved with social causes. In particular, she supported efforts to assist refugee Jews fleeing the Tsar’s pogroms. Emma was also noted as a writer, contributing poetry and articles to various magazines. She was no slouch; prominent writers such as Henry James and Ralph Waldo Emerson respected her work and were frequent correspondents with her.
The raising of the Statue of Liberty is a story in and of itself. For our purposes though, let it be noted that it took decades to raise the money for the statue’s base. There were dozens of fundraisers. The one that concerns us came about in December 1883, when a committee solicited artwork and poems to be collected in a leather-bound portfolio. Contributors included Mark Twain, Henry James, Bret Harte, and President Chester A. Arthur.
Emma was approached to contribute a poem by committee member, Constance Cary Harrison. Harrison had been the Confederacy’s “Betsy Ross” and had sewn the Confederate “Stars and Bars” flag. After the war, she moved to New York and became a prominent writer herself.
Initially declining the offer, Emma changed her mind at Harrison’s insistence. As she later reported: “Think of that Goddess standing on her pedestal down yonder in the bay, and holding her torch out to those Russian refugees of yours you are so fond of visiting at Ward’s Island.” Harrison had struck a chord with Emma. Before a week had passed, Emma had composed “The New Colossus”.
Unfortunately, this fundraiser was a bust. It raised only about half the money the organizers expected. The portfolio and poem were quickly forgotten.
A few years after she had written “The New Colossus,” Emma passed away at the tragically young age of thirty-eight. Before she died, she tried to put her affairs in order, including her literary ones. She managed to produce a notebook of her favorite works with “The New Colossus” on the first page. Unfortunately, her sisters ignored her requests and buried the poem in the back of her published works.
Ultimately, friendship is responsible for the poem’s place of prominence in our collective imagination. Elizabeth Schuyler, a friend of Emma, did not want the world to forget her. She led efforts to have her poem placed in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Elizabeth succeeded in 1903. The bronze plaque was moved in 1986 to a proper exhibit where it continues to be an object of fascination and pride to this day.
***************************************
Genealogy Center’s July 2024 Programs
***************************************
Join us for another month of free, virtual and in-person programs!
July 2, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Using MyAncestor.AI” with Nate Mason - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11014472
July 9, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Pass on the Torch: How to Ignite Passion in the Next Generation for Family History” with Daniel Poynter - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11103643
July 11, 6:30 p.m. ET “Discovering Your Roots at The Genealogy Center” with Christina Clary - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11032662
July 16, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Documenting The Many Lives You've Lived with Artifcts” with Heather Nickerson - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11014756
July 18, 2024, 6:30 p.m. ET “Missouri Repositories Online and In-Person” with Kate Huffman - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11024001
July 23, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Working with DNA Matches: Beginning to Sort Your Matches” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11055953
July 25, 2024, 6:30 p.m. ET “German Immigration from North Carolina to Indiana During the Plantation Era” with Leigh Bowles - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11014269
July 30, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Naming Practices and Genealogy” with John D. Beatty - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11056937
Please register in advance for these engaging programs.
***************************************
Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
***************************************
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.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
***************************************
Recently the Allen County Public Library opened an online merchandise store. Check it out--we really think you will enjoy the offerings. There is a special Genealogy Center section of the store with some pretty cool items. http://acpl.dkmlogo.online/shop/category/4726261?c=4726261 An added benefit is that your purchases support the Friends of the Allen County Public Library, and they in turn support the Genealogy Center.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Social Media
***************************************
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
***************************************
Driving Directions to the Library
***************************************
Wondering how to get to the library? Our location is 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the block bordered on the south by Washington Boulevard, the west by Ewing Street, the north by Wayne Street, and the east by the Library Plaza, formerly Webster Street. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Center.
To get directions from your exact location to 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=900%20Webster%20St&city=Fort%20Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802%2d3602&country=US&geodiff=1
>From the South
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 302. Drive east on Jefferson Boulevard into downtown. Turn left on Ewing Street. The Library is one block north, at Ewing Street and Washington Boulevard.
Using US 27:
US 27 turns into Lafayette Street. Drive north into downtown. Turn left at Washington Boulevard and go five blocks. The Library will be on the right.
>From the North
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 312. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton to Washington Boulevard. Turn right on Washington and go three blocks. The Library will be on the right.
>From the West
Using US 30:
Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Ave. which dead-ends at West State Blvd. Make an angled left turn onto West State Blvd. Turn right on Wells Street. Go south on Wells to Wayne Street. Turn left on Wayne Street. The Library will be in the second block on the right.
Using US 24:
After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from the South.
>From the East
Follow US 30/then 930 into and through New Haven, under an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington Blvd. when you get into downtown. Library Plaza will be on the right.
***************************************
Parking at the Library
***************************************
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 $90.
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.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Queries
***************************************
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 [at] ACPL.Info.
***************************************
Publishing Note
***************************************
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 sspearswells [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line.
Curt B. Witcher and John D. Beatty, CG, co-editors
No. 244, June 30, 2024
In this issue:
*Mud and Memories, Celebrations and Conversations, Files and the Future
*Review of “American Passenger Arrival Records” by Michael Tepper
*Ancestor Tracks
*PERSI Gems: Manure Matters
*Preservation Tips: Preserving Family Photographs – 20th Century Photographs
*History Tidbits: The New Colossus and How It Came to Be
*Genealogy Center’s July 2024 Programs
*Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
*Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
*Genealogy Center Social Media
*Driving Directions to the Library
*Parking at the Library
*Genealogy Center Queries
*Publishing Note
***************************************
Mud and Memories, Celebrations and Conversations, Files and the Future
by Curt B. Witcher
***************************************
Mud and Memories--I took that directly from a NPR program I was listening to about the horrible flooding that took place in the heartland of the United States during the month of June. And there is every reason to believe this same kind of horrific devastation will afflict numerous communities in the second half of this year as well. Almost without exception, when victims of natural disasters are interviewed as they were for NPR, among the first things they lament losing are their family photographs and heirlooms. As we have discussed so frequently in recent years, now is past time to posture against the loss of these valuable items. If we still have some gaps in our summer plans, why not fill a few of them with actively preserving family memories and family stories. Since just thinking about something or simply talking about an activity typically doesn’t get it done, I have a few specifics to share.
1. Start scanning and saving your family photographs.
***Pick the easiest ten you can put your hands on.
***Find a scanner (yours, descendants’, neighbors’ and friends’, local public library, etc.).
***Scan them (at 300 dpi/ppi and as uncompressed TIFs if possible but don’t let perfection get in the way of progress).
***Save the images on at least *two* remote storage devices (USBs, HDs, etc.).
***Place one back-up copy outside your home (cousin, child, friend, workplace, bank deposit box, etc.).
***Consider cloud/remote storage. It should become common place for us.
2. Start recording the family stories and conversations you are having with family members, particularly around holidays. Record the conversations electronically or write what you are hearing--both are acceptable. Review your recordings shortly after you make them. Such reviews may bring other recollections to mind that you will want to record. The reviews may also prompt further questions or post-conversation clarifications you want to make. Additionally, such reviews can bring to light other documents we may want to seek.
3. Stop simply filing your research; rather, write it up. Write the stories the documents and copies you have gathered tell so the assembled papers make sense and will be valued by those responsible for continuing to preserve and tell the family stories. Make your family history work more than endless files of papers and scraps of handwritten notes. Bring the stories to life by writing-up your research. I have heard so many over the years lament that no one in their respective families is interested in continuing, or at least preserving, the work that has been done. I contend that is because we aren’t sharing the stories. We typically are sharing nearly innumerable folders of “stuff” without placing the “stuff” in context, in the story of our families and our heritage.
Celebrations and Conversations: Celebrations, such as the Fourth of July this week, are great times for having conversations with family members regarding what they recall about their lives and the lives of other family members. Ask a few questions about the military veterans among our ancestors; inquire about the successes family members have had in both recent days and in times past; look for “that reminds me of” moments, and then explore and record them; and spend time recording the conversations of current generations.
Files and the Future: So, I ask this question with some regularity. As genealogists and family historians, are we “stuff” gatherers or story-finders; are we hoarders of papers and digital files or researchers looking to compile a full, rich story from the evidence we have gathered? As mentioned directly in earlier paragraphs, we would be much better served in every way if we stopped just gathering and filing, and put much more emphasis on creating a narrative from what we have gathered. We would be much better served sharing the stories we have created, the stories we have researched and woven with the documents and records we have discovered. I steadfastly believe that is the only way most of our gatherings and research will remain for our great grandchildren’s grandchildren. After all, isn’t that what we want?
Make it a very happy, safe, and fulfilling Fourth of July--in every way!
***************************************
Review of “American Passenger Arrival Records” by Michael Tepper
by Logan Knight
***************************************
Ninety-six percent of the population of the United States can trace their familial origins to somewhere else. Before the late 1950s, the vast majority of these immigrants came by sea. Unsurprisingly then, one of the most special moments for any genealogist is finding that passenger list that shows where and when their ancestor came through the “Golden Door” as the poem put it. Yet, how does one go about finding such information? Fortunately, author Michael Tepper has the answer.
Tepper’s book, “American Passenger Arrival Records,” is a fantastic guide to understanding the delicate nuances of passenger arrival records. Anyone who studies this book will have an excellent chance of discovering their ancestor’s arrival record as well as gaining a deeper understanding of how all of these records were generated and preserved.
The book is organized into several sections: Colonial Period, Beginning of Federal Passenger Arrival Records, Customs Passenger Lists, and Immigration Passenger Lists. Tepper gives an overview of each period and a breakdown of what records exist for each. For example, Customs Passenger Lists refer to specific records created in response to 1819 legislation. The law mandated that every ship’s captain present a complete list of every passenger (not just immigrants) to the collector of customs at the port where his ship arrived. While this law was passed primarily for humanitarian reasons, its genealogical implications are significant. As Tepper himself says, only the U.S. Federal Census is a bigger source of genealogical material for the 19th century. The author then goes into detail about how customs passenger lists morphed into immigration passenger lists in response to further legislation. While this is just one section of the book, it gives an idea of how the book is broken down.
Another section that deserves special recognition is the overview of American immigration ports. More than ninety-five percent of all shipboard immigrants arrived through just five ports: New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Boston. Of these, New York took the lion’s share. Tepper gives an overview of each port and the particular records it generated in addition to the federal ones. These sources can be used to fill in gaps for which nothing otherwise would have survived. For example, almost all of Baltimore’s customs passenger lists were destroyed in a fire. This tragedy would have been a terrible loss had the Maryland legislature not passed a law generating its own lists covering mostly the same information in order to indemnify Baltimore for care of indigent immigrants. These “city lists” make excellent substitutes for the genealogist.
This book offers an excellent beginner’s guide to understanding American passenger arrival records. While the information is somewhat out of date (most of these microfilmed lists are now available digitally on Ancestry and FamilySearch), it can give the reader a firm grasp of the basics and how to go about finding that precious piece of information.
***************************************
Ancestor Tracks
by Allison DePrey Singleton
***************************************
Have you thought about using maps and atlases to learn more about your Pennsylvania ancestors? Combining these tools with county histories and census data can give you a better understanding of their lives. Most county histories were published before or shortly after 1876, and many maps were published around the same time. By looking at a map of the township where your family lived, you can see exactly where their land was. These maps often provide a visual representation of land plots, including the names of landowners, which can be incredibly useful for identifying your ancestors' properties.
Moreover, you may be able to find nearby churches, schools, and cemeteries connected to them. These landmarks are often critical in understanding the social and cultural context of your ancestors' lives. For example, churches might have kept records of births, marriages, and deaths, while schools and cemeteries can give clues about the community structure and prominent families.
Many maps also include drawings of towns and farms, which can help you imagine what life was like for your ancestors. These illustrations can offer insights into the architecture, landscape, and even the types of crops or livestock that were prevalent in the area. By studying these visual elements, you can gain a deeper appreciation of the day-to-day activities and challenges your ancestors faced.
Ancestor Tracks offers free downloadable images of 19th-century Pennsylvania landowner maps and atlases, along with links to online county histories: https://ancestortracks.com/wp/home/free-resources/. This collection is a valuable tool for anyone researching Pennsylvania maps and atlases. The availability of these resources online makes it easier than ever to access historical documents and maps that might otherwise be difficult to find. Using county histories and atlases together can provide a richer and more detailed picture of your ancestors' daily existence, community interactions, and the environment in which they lived.
***************************************
PERSI Gems: Manure Matters
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
***************************************
The handling of animal waste has long been a matter of public concern, especially where large numbers of livestock or humans are gathered. Here, the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) offers some insight into the movement and manipulation of this less-than-mouthwatering material.
Try a PERSI search here:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
Bids solicited to remove city and Fire Department manure, newspaper item, 1915
Newberry (SC) County Historical and Museum Society Bulletin, Fal. 2009
Governor Jim Justice fights G.O.P. tide, spending plan and manure, 2017
Appalachian Journal: A Regional Studies Review, Vol. 45, Issue 3-4 (Spr 2018)
Hazards of shipping manure, 1500s-1600s
Wahkaw (Woodbury County Genealogical Society, NC), Vol. 28, Issue 1 (Spr 2008)
Invention of artificial firewood made from manure, mistholz, by Risch, c. 1800s
Norka Newsletter (Krieger's Root Cellar, IA), Vol. 16 (Sum 2011)
John Harrison cited for mixing horse manure with fish refuse, Redcar Urban Dist. Council, 1893
Cleveland (Eng.) FHS Journal, Vol. 3, Issue 8 (Oct 1987)
Livery barns role in community, Calverly's barn and the Manure Club, c. 1800s
Wabash County (IL) Historical Society Newsletter, Vol. 8, Issue 3 (Aug 2011)
Manure Lagoon farm memories of Harold Rhody, n.d.
Liberty School News (German Settlement History, Inc., WI), Vol. 17, Issue 1 (May 2015)
Margaret Lees remembers putting manure banking around the house for insulation
Folklore (Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society), Vol. 31, Issue 1 (Win 2009)
Mary Surles and manure tea, old-time cure-all, folk medicine
Southern Cultures (University of North Carolina Press), Spr 2007
Matthew Burton trial, damaged house of William Hind, cans of manure thrown, 1851
Nottinghamshire (Eng.) Family History Society Journal, Vol. 14, Issue 9 (Jan 2015)
Matthew M. Land finds phosphated manure left by dead hired hand, Farmers Weekly Review, 1938
White County, Illinois Roots & Branches, Vol. 19, Issue 2 (Apr 2021)
Quarrel over load of manure led to pitchfork fight, 1895
Seedling Patch (Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society, IN), Spr 2009
Robert Leatham death note, inhaled pigeon manure, d. 1787, Barnsley, Eng.
Family Roots (Family Roots Family History Society, Eastbourne, Eng.), Vol. 22, Issue 4 (Apr 2008)
William Barnes market garden business note, hid money under manure to thwart thieves, mid-19th C.
West Middlesex (Eng.) Family History Society Journal, Vol. 24, Issue 1 (Mar 2006)
William Godden allowed to keep manure in exchange for work, 1830, England
CQ Genie-ologist (Central Queensland Fam. Hist. Assn., Australia), Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Sep 1988)
***************************************
Preservation Tips: Preserving Family Photographs – 20th Century Photographs
by Christina Clary
***************************************
The dominant photograph type of the 20th century was the silver gelatin developing-out print. These black and white photographs were developed using a combination of silver bromides and silver chlorides suspended in a gelatin binder. They gained popularity around the 1890s and remained popular throughout most of the twentieth century. Like gelatin photographs, silver gelatin photographs are susceptible to image fading and loss of detail, as well as cracking. However, silver gelatin prints tend to yellow with age.
The key identifying trait of a silver gelatin photograph is the silver mirroring that occurs with prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. Air pollutants cause the silver ions to migrate to the surface of the photograph, creating a metallic and reflective sheen in certain lighting.
In 1900, Kodak began selling their Brownie camera. At only $1, the camera became ubiquitous. The explosion of photography as a hobby led to the rise in popularity of personal photograph albums. The most popular type contained black paper that allowed people to paste or mount their photographs. Chances are you have come across one in your own family collection. Most likely, the photographs in them are silver gelatin prints. These may appear extremely yellowed due to the presence of lignin in the album covers.
The best course of action for these albums is to first digitize the pages to retain the order of the photographs and any notes written on them. The black paper used in the albums is highly acidic and will accelerate the rate of deterioration of the photographs. They should be removed from the pages if possible and stored individually in archival-quality envelopes. Care should be taken as the photographs may be brittle, especially at the corners where they were mounted. If they cannot be removed without being damaged, the album should be deconstructed, and each page stored in a buffered envelope or wrapped in buffered tissue paper.
Storage for photographs can vary based on type. Negatives printed on paper should be stored in the same manner as photographs. Glass negatives should be wrapped to prevent breaking and stored flat. Film can be stored either in archival slide boxes or film boxes. Cellulose nitrate film was used primarily between 1890 and 1920. The film may say “nitrate” on the edge or have a V-shaped notch in the upper right-hand corner. Nitrate film is highly flammable and should be separated and stored at freezing temperatures. Cellulose acetate, or safety film, will have a U-shaped notch and will shrink and become brittle as it deteriorates. It should also be kept in cold storage.
To learn more about photograph type identification, check out the Graphics Atlas website. For the care of photographs, try the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) website or the Image Permanence Institute.
***************************************
History Tidbits: The New Colossus and How It Came to Be
by Logan Knight
***************************************
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
These powerful words have been cast in bronze and placed in the base of one of the world’s most iconic symbols: The Statue of Liberty. Towering over three hundred feet tall, this famed copper statue has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States ever since its dedication on October 26th 1886. One cannot think of this towering symbol without also thinking of the poem that gives it such meaning.
Where did the poem come from? In fact, the story of how this sonnet came to be is just as fascinating as the story of how the statue arose in New York harbor. It all begins with a poet by the name of Emma Lazarus.
The Lazarus family had been very early immigrants to New York City. In fact, their family had been among the first Jews to settle in what would become the United States, fleeing to New Amsterdam in 1654 from Portuguese Brazil. The family would become wealthy through sugar refining. Emma was born on July 22, 1849 in a world of opulence and splendor.
Emma was always noted as a serious person, even as a child. Like a number of Gilded Age socialites, she became passionately involved with social causes. In particular, she supported efforts to assist refugee Jews fleeing the Tsar’s pogroms. Emma was also noted as a writer, contributing poetry and articles to various magazines. She was no slouch; prominent writers such as Henry James and Ralph Waldo Emerson respected her work and were frequent correspondents with her.
The raising of the Statue of Liberty is a story in and of itself. For our purposes though, let it be noted that it took decades to raise the money for the statue’s base. There were dozens of fundraisers. The one that concerns us came about in December 1883, when a committee solicited artwork and poems to be collected in a leather-bound portfolio. Contributors included Mark Twain, Henry James, Bret Harte, and President Chester A. Arthur.
Emma was approached to contribute a poem by committee member, Constance Cary Harrison. Harrison had been the Confederacy’s “Betsy Ross” and had sewn the Confederate “Stars and Bars” flag. After the war, she moved to New York and became a prominent writer herself.
Initially declining the offer, Emma changed her mind at Harrison’s insistence. As she later reported: “Think of that Goddess standing on her pedestal down yonder in the bay, and holding her torch out to those Russian refugees of yours you are so fond of visiting at Ward’s Island.” Harrison had struck a chord with Emma. Before a week had passed, Emma had composed “The New Colossus”.
Unfortunately, this fundraiser was a bust. It raised only about half the money the organizers expected. The portfolio and poem were quickly forgotten.
A few years after she had written “The New Colossus,” Emma passed away at the tragically young age of thirty-eight. Before she died, she tried to put her affairs in order, including her literary ones. She managed to produce a notebook of her favorite works with “The New Colossus” on the first page. Unfortunately, her sisters ignored her requests and buried the poem in the back of her published works.
Ultimately, friendship is responsible for the poem’s place of prominence in our collective imagination. Elizabeth Schuyler, a friend of Emma, did not want the world to forget her. She led efforts to have her poem placed in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Elizabeth succeeded in 1903. The bronze plaque was moved in 1986 to a proper exhibit where it continues to be an object of fascination and pride to this day.
***************************************
Genealogy Center’s July 2024 Programs
***************************************
Join us for another month of free, virtual and in-person programs!
July 2, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Using MyAncestor.AI” with Nate Mason - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11014472
July 9, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Pass on the Torch: How to Ignite Passion in the Next Generation for Family History” with Daniel Poynter - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11103643
July 11, 6:30 p.m. ET “Discovering Your Roots at The Genealogy Center” with Christina Clary - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11032662
July 16, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Documenting The Many Lives You've Lived with Artifcts” with Heather Nickerson - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11014756
July 18, 2024, 6:30 p.m. ET “Missouri Repositories Online and In-Person” with Kate Huffman - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11024001
July 23, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Working with DNA Matches: Beginning to Sort Your Matches” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11055953
July 25, 2024, 6:30 p.m. ET “German Immigration from North Carolina to Indiana During the Plantation Era” with Leigh Bowles - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11014269
July 30, 2024, 2:30 p.m. ET “Naming Practices and Genealogy” with John D. Beatty - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/11056937
Please register in advance for these engaging programs.
***************************************
Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
***************************************
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.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
***************************************
Recently the Allen County Public Library opened an online merchandise store. Check it out--we really think you will enjoy the offerings. There is a special Genealogy Center section of the store with some pretty cool items. http://acpl.dkmlogo.online/shop/category/4726261?c=4726261 An added benefit is that your purchases support the Friends of the Allen County Public Library, and they in turn support the Genealogy Center.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Social Media
***************************************
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
***************************************
Driving Directions to the Library
***************************************
Wondering how to get to the library? Our location is 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the block bordered on the south by Washington Boulevard, the west by Ewing Street, the north by Wayne Street, and the east by the Library Plaza, formerly Webster Street. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Center.
To get directions from your exact location to 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=900%20Webster%20St&city=Fort%20Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802%2d3602&country=US&geodiff=1
>From the South
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 302. Drive east on Jefferson Boulevard into downtown. Turn left on Ewing Street. The Library is one block north, at Ewing Street and Washington Boulevard.
Using US 27:
US 27 turns into Lafayette Street. Drive north into downtown. Turn left at Washington Boulevard and go five blocks. The Library will be on the right.
>From the North
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 312. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton to Washington Boulevard. Turn right on Washington and go three blocks. The Library will be on the right.
>From the West
Using US 30:
Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Ave. which dead-ends at West State Blvd. Make an angled left turn onto West State Blvd. Turn right on Wells Street. Go south on Wells to Wayne Street. Turn left on Wayne Street. The Library will be in the second block on the right.
Using US 24:
After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from the South.
>From the East
Follow US 30/then 930 into and through New Haven, under an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington Blvd. when you get into downtown. Library Plaza will be on the right.
***************************************
Parking at the Library
***************************************
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 $90.
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.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Queries
***************************************
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 [at] ACPL.Info.
***************************************
Publishing Note
***************************************
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 sspearswells [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line.
Curt B. Witcher and John D. Beatty, CG, co-editors
- (no other messages in thread)
Results generated by Tiger Technologies Web hosting using MHonArc.