| Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne, No. 259, September 30, 2025 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygems genealogycenter.info)
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| Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2025 22:29:27 -0400 | |
Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne
No. 259, September 30, 2025
In this issue:
*Family History Month and the Harvest Moon
*Emigrants from England to the American colonies, 1773-1776 by Peter Wilson Coldham
*The Beman Dawes Manuscript Collection: A Resource for Genealogists
*PERSI Gems: Volume 100
*Preservation Tips: Flattening Folded & Rolled Documents
*History Tidbits: The Angel of Hadley
*Genealogy Center’s October 2025 Programs
*Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
*Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
*Genealogy Center Social Media
*Driving Directions to the Library
*New Parking at the Library
*Genealogy Center Queries
*Publishing Note
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Family History Month and the Harvest Moon
by Curt B. Witcher
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In just a few moments it will officially be Family History Month; and just a few days after that we will celebrate the Harvest Moon. That is such a symbolic combination! During Family History Month we are showered with opportunities to find more of our families’ stories and the Harvest Moon symbolizes the bounty we realize when we have planted responsibly and tended well.
Family History Month at the Allen County Public Library provides us with an opportunity to plant, tend and harvest in pursuit of finding, preserving and presenting our history through our stories. There is literally some form of engagement every day of October, some days even sporting more than one activity. Challenge yourself to engage with us as often as you can this October. These engagement offerings could be among the most fun and enlightening of this fall season. Visit the Genealogy Center’s programs page often this month to continue enjoying opportunities to enrich your family history experiences. https://acpl.libnet.info/events?n=30&t=Family+History+%26+Genealogy&r=days
I spent considerable time in last month’s “Genealogy Gems” highlighting three super terrific programs. They are so impressive that I am compelled to write about them again. In less than twenty-four hours, Rick Beyer, award-winning documentary filmmaker, best-selling author, and long-time history enthusiast will be sharing an incredible story about the WWII Ghost Army and the quest to honor those soldiers with the Congressional Gold Medal. Google “Ghost Army” if you need your appetite whetted for this super cool story. This in-person program is from 6 to 7 p.m. October 1, 2025 in the Main Library Theater.
My Genealogy Center colleagues and I truly embrace the power of story. Almost with each passing moment we learn more and more about how knowing one’s family heritage, how knowing one’s stories is literally life-changing. Just three days from now, this coming Friday, October 3, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center and Vivid-Pix are hosting a day-long program entitled, “Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare.” Yes, this day is intended for those who work lovingly and tirelessly in elder care facilities of all kinds across the country. It is also intended for individuals who are caring for their loved ones at home. Learn how to improve brain health and body health. If you can’t commit to the entire day, come to whatever portion of the day you can. In-person and online registration can be found at this link. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897 Please indicate if you’re attending online or in-person at the very bottom of the form. A detailed flyer can be found under October 3, 2025 on the Genealogy Center programs page linked in the second paragraph above. The flyer is linked here as well. https://static.libnet.info/frontend-images/pdfs/acpl/Genealogy/Memory_Matters_announcement_-_RV.pdf Again, this could truly be life-changing for you and your loved ones.
There is a powerful combination of programming taking place on Saturday and Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2025. The African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne and the Genealogy Center are presenting an African American Genealogy Workshop, "Making the Records Talk." The entire event is free whether you’re attending in person or virtually. The presenters are Timothy N. Pinnick and Janis Minor Forte, two well-known experts in the genealogy world who have both presented at the Allen County Public Library before.
Saturday, October 18, 2025 is a full day of learning from Tim and Janis, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
1. Toolbox Building I: Eight Essential African American Resources
2. Toolbox Building II: Fifty Noteworthy Books for the African American Researcher
3. Seven Proven Strategies for Identifying Slave Ownership and Reconstructing Slave Era Families
4. They’re Not on the Census: Using Non-Traditional Sources to Identify Slave Holders
***To attend IN PERSON, click here to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1636824890309?aff=oddtdtcreator
***To attend ONLINE, click here to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tt2nfHV0QxyolST1tYKqlA#/registration
Then Sunday, October 19, 2025 from Noon to 5 p.m. ET there is an opportunity to engage in hands-on research in the Genealogy Center with assistance from African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne members and Genealogy Center librarians. Use this golden opportunity to practice what you learned the previous day as well as get assistance with your research challenges.
Throughout the month, the social media engagements can be quite fun and very enlightening. Email us at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info for an electronic copy of our Family History Month brochure. The Harvest Moon this October will be a supermoon--a full moon when the moon's orbit is closest to the Earth at the same time the moon is full. A supermoon appears brighter and larger than a regular full moon. May your research be brightened and magnified by all the discoveries you enjoy and benefit from during Family History Month 2025.
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Emigrants from England to the American colonies, 1773-1776 by Peter Wilson Coldham
by Logan Knight
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As has been noted many times before, colonial passenger records are some of the most difficult records to locate. This is often because many simply never existed in the first place. Others were destroyed, through natural disasters or simply tossed out like so much trash. Many genealogists have been left to weep bitter tears at this terrible fact.
How precious then, is the discovery of such a treasure trove? Yet that is exactly what happened in the early 20th century when, a register of immigrants from December 11th, 1773 to April 7th, 1776 was discovered in the Public Records Office in Kew. A grand total of 9,364 persons are recorded therein. Due to the hubbub of the American Revolution, the whole project seems to have been completely forgotten. So, why were they done in the first place?
After the French and Indian War ended, a tremendous boom in emigration to the newly peaceful colonies took place. The sheer amount of people flowing outwards from the British Isles spooked His Majesty’s Government to the point that, in December of 1773, every port in England and Scotland was required to submit reports of this information to the Treasury. These returns were then collected into which were to contain an account of every person leaving. This was the first time that the government had required any such documentation and storage of passenger lists. Amazingly, the government came close to trying to ban emigration all together. Together, these lists are the best and most complete set of passenger lists from the British Isles that we have for the entire 18th Century.
These lists were originally published between 1908 and 1911. Annoyingly, there were many gaps and omissions. Fortunately, for the genealogy community, Peter Wilson Coldham went back to the originals and painstakingly transcribed all of the records. A book was then published in 1988 under the title: Emigrants from England to the American Colonies, 1773-1776.
The book works in a very straightforward way. It is organized under the various ports (Bristol, for example), in order of departure, the names of the ships, the name of each emigrant, their name, their hometown or county of residence, and finally their occupation, age, and their destination in the American Colonies. It should be noted that, while the title says England, the book includes ports from Scotland as well. I should also note that not all entries contain all the categories listed above. These lists were kept to try and deter people from emigrating and many people told as little information as possible to intrusive government officials. Even with intrusive government officials, comparisons to ship arrivals and newspapers reveal that perhaps fifteen to thirty percent of passengers went unrecorded.
Finally, “Emigrants from England” should be paired with Bernard Bailyn’s magisterial work, “Voyagers to the West.” One reviewer called the work, “the most detailed and comprehensive analysis of a single group of emigration records ever published.” That book goes into the why of it all and breaks down the push and pull factor of why so many people chose to leave Great Britain, even as things were moving towards conflict between the colonies and the mother country.
I would recommend that anyone who suspects that their ancestors immigrated to the future United States between 1773 and 1776 should check out this book. It is available here, in print, at the Genealogy Center.
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The Beman Dawes Manuscript Collection: A Resource for Genealogists
by Allison DePrey Singleton
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Beman Gates Dawes (1870–1953) was a U.S. Congressman, businessman, and philanthropist who had a big impact on Ohio’s politics and industry. Later, he and his wife, Bertie, founded the Dawes Arboretum as a place for education and conservation. The manuscripts he left behind gives us a look into his life, and they are now a valuable resource for both historians and genealogists: https://dawesarb.catalogaccess.com/.
The Dawes Arboretum has digitized many of these manuscripts, making them easier for people to access. The collection covers the late 1800s through the mid-1900s and includes letters, business papers, property records, investments, and trust documents. These items show how Dawes managed his work, property, and personal connections. Many of the documents are one-of-a-kind, which makes the collection especially useful for researchers.
For genealogists, these papers offer more than just information about Dawes himself. Letters might mention family members, neighbors, or business partners, providing clues that confirm or expand family trees. Property and investment records can help locate ancestral land or explain changes in wealth and movement. Even a short note in a letter might link an ancestor to Dawes’ world of politics, business, or community life.
The collection also gives context to Ohio’s growth during Dawes’ lifetime, including its industries, conservation efforts, and civic projects. This helps researchers place their ancestors’ lives within a larger story of social and economic change.
Not all of the manuscripts are available online yet. Those interested in digging deeper may need to reach out to the Arboretum for help accessing other materials. Some challenges come with using old papers, such as hard-to-read handwriting or complex language, but these efforts often lead to meaningful discoveries.
In the end, the Beman Dawes manuscript collection is much more than the story of one man or one family. It is a resource that ties people and communities to the broader history of Ohio and the nation. For anyone researching family roots in this region, it offers a valuable starting point full of unique insights. Collections like this exist in many places. If your family came from a different part of the country—or even another country—look for manuscript collections held by local libraries, archives, or historical societies. You may be surprised by the treasures waiting to be discovered in the region where your ancestors once lived.
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PERSI Gems: Volume 100
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
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This month, we recognize some of the longest-published journals cited in the Periodical Source Index.
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
These publications are treasures, assembled over generations, devoted to preserving and promoting local, regional, and family history. Here, we offer citations from centenary volumes:
Advocacy for a national archive, 1918, 1962
National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Mar 2012)
Capital in Flames, the facts and fancies of the American attack on York, 1813
Ontario History, Vol. 100, Issue 2 (Aut 2008)
Debate over whipping criminals in KY, 19th C.
Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Win 2002)
Divorce mills, social clubs and domesticity, how women leveraged power, 1900s
Chronicles of Oklahoma, Vol. 100, Issue 2 (Sum 2022)
Dueling, image and reality on the Antebellum frontier
Indiana Magazine of History, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Mar 2004)
Giant mosquito at Komarno, Canada roadside attraction photo, note, 2020
Canada's History, Vol. 100, Issue 4 (Aug 2020)
Historic Mulberry tree of Saint Mary's City, 1634-1876
Maryland Historical Magazine, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Spr 2005)
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Quiner extended family, re-examining the pioneer spirit, 19th C.+
Wisconsin Magazine of History, Vol. 100, Issue 3 (Spr 2017)
Letters from prisoners in Van Dieman's Land, 1837-1838
York (Ontario) Pioneer, Vol. 100 (2005)
Norwegian folktales trolls of Gudbrandsdal
Viking (Sons of Norway), Vol. 100, Issue 10 (Oct 2003)
Orange Lake Village and the origins of the Florida retirement village, 1950s+
Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 4 (Spr 2022)
Paterson police helped spread the 1913 strike
New Jersey History, Vol. 100, Issue 1-2 (Spr 1982)
Paul Vandervoort, shystering fraud and blatherskite, Gilded Age poltics in Nebraska, 1846-1890s, OH
Nebraska History, Vol. 100, Issue 2 (Sum 2019)
Pre-1880 Illinois weather events gleaned from newspapers
Illinois State Historical Society Journal, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Spr 2007)
Ray Guy describes his first trip to Labrador, a landscape of dread and awe, n.d., NF
NQ (Newfoundland Quarterly), Vol. 100, Issue 4 (Spr 2008)
Romano-British duck beaker
Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire (Eng.) Transactions, Vol. 100 (1996)
Sex and politics in Portland & Eugene, 1912
Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 2 (Sum 1999)
Ropemaking in Lancaster, Martin rope walk
Lancaster County Historical Society Journal, Vol. 100, Issue 4 (Win 1998)
Seattle Pilots baseball team, Seattle not quite big league, 1960s
Pacific Northwest Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 3 (Sum 2009)
Throw aside helplessness, Brady feminist, 1893
Southwestern Historical Quarterly (Texas State Historical Assn.), Vol 100, Issue 1 (Jul 1996)
Touring Indiana in 1966, historic spots
Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Jan 1966)
William Alexander Scott murder, shot heard in 2 million Negro homes, 1934
Georgia Historical Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 4 (2016)
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Preservation Tips: Flattening Folded & Rolled Documents
by Christina Clary, C.A.
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One of the most common questions archivists are asked about family or personal collections is whether a rolled or folded document should be flattened, and if so, how. The general rule of thumb is that materials should be unfolded and unrolled if possible. Items are easier to handle and store when they are flat. When kept folded, they are more likely to crack and tear, as the stress on the folds gradually weakens the paper fibers. Repeatedly folding and unfolding a document to view its contents will also cause creases to deteriorate more quickly.
There are instances when you should not attempt to flatten a document yourself. A document that has been folded for a long time and has become brittle cannot be safely flattened without the help of a conservator. Trying to do it yourself will cause more harm than good. Never try to force a document open or flat. Keep in mind that the goal is to make a document flat enough to store properly, not necessarily perfectly flat. With items that are not tightly folded or rolled, sometimes simply setting them out unfolded for a period of time may allow them to relax enough for flat storage.
When documents are too brittle to unfold without risk of damage, they must undergo a humidification process before being flattened. While you can find many how-to guides and videos on how to attempt this at home, I do not recommend it. I recommend sending them to a conservator instead. Humidification is a time-consuming and precise process, and if done incorrectly can further damage or even destroy a document. The process requires a humidification chamber to gently introduce moisture, so the paper relaxes enough to open. Once relaxed enough, the document is placed between layers of Hollytex (a spunbonded polyester fabric) or blotting paper. Plexiglass is placed on top and weights added to ensure it dries flat. Given the time and supplies required for this to be completed correctly, it is best left to a professional. You can find a conservator through the American Institute for Conservation.
Oversized documents, especially maps, are frequently stored rolled because flat storage space large enough for them can be difficult to find. In such cases, the document should be rolled around an acid-free, lignin-free tube, preferably about four inches in diameter and longer than the document to protect its edges. An outer layer of archival paper or polyester film should then be wrapped around the document and secured. Archival vendors also sell tubes for oversized rolled items, though they tend to be more expensive due to their size.
If a document cannot be sent to a conservator for flattening, leave it as loosely folded as possible. Focus on digitizing it so that the original does not have to be handled.
American Institute for Conservation – Find a Professional Member:
https://www.culturalheritage.org/professional-membership/find-a-professional
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History Tidbits: The Angel of Hadley
by Logan Knight
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King Charles was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt about that. Fifty-nine judges signed his death warrant. On January 30th 1649, Charles the 1st, King of England, King of Scotland, King of Ireland, and Defender of the Faith, was beheaded in London. A new era had dawned. Britain and Ireland faced a new future under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell.
The wheel turns. A little over a decade later, in 1660, Charles’s son (Charles II) was invited to resume his family’s rule over the British Isles. The Protectorate simply faded away, like morning fog being burnt off by the sun. Unsurprisingly, Charles II had little sympathy for the men who had executed his father. Parliament passed the macabrely named Indemnity and Oblivion Act.
The judges were now known as regicides and, for most of them, their fate was not a kind one. Many were horribly executed. The lucky ones had died before the Restoration took place. Even so, the bodies of some of the deceased, including Oliver Cromwell, were torn from their resting places and given posthumous executions. Others fled to Europe, but many of those were captured and extradited to face death.
If safety was to be found anywhere, it could only be at the very ends of the earth. For two of the judges, William Goffe and his father-in-law Edward Whalley, that is exactly what they did. On May 13th, 1660 they boarded a ship for Boston, Massachusetts, just ahead of the warrants for their arrest and certain execution.
Goffe and Whalley were certainly no bit players in the wars that had convulsed the British Isles over the previous few decades. Both had been successful generals in the civil wars. Whalley had even acted as King Charles’ jailer. Whaley and Goffe had also been prominent supporters of Oliver Cromwell. When Cromwell died and the Protectorate faded away, their status made them marked men. Their signatures on Charles’s death warrant left them no doubt what would happen if they stayed in England.
They fled to New England because those colonies had been hotbeds of support for the cause of Parliament. Many, including the authorities, still felt the same. When Goffe and Whaley arrived, they were given shelter. The King’s commissioners arrived, hot on their heels and demanded that the regicides be turned over. Unwilling to directly defy them, Goffe and Whalley were directed to go underground. They were across the length and breadth of New England: in woods, caves and people’s homes. Visitors can still see the caves where they hid near New Haven, Connecticut. The judges were pursued for many years but were never caught. Slowly, their memory seemed to just disappear.
Fifteen years later, the storm clouds of war broke over New England. This was King Phillip’s War, brought on by the colonist’s greed, and which saw the near extermination of the New England colonies. No place was left untouched, including the small town of Hadley, Massachusetts. The Wampanoags and their allies came in large numbers to destroy the town. All hope seemed lost and the townspeople despaired. Suddenly, an old white-bearded man appeared with a sword and rallied the townsfolk. Inspired by this Old Testament prophet come to life, the town militia rallied and drove the Wampanoags away, saving Hadley from destruction. The old man disappeared as quickly as he had emerged but entered New England folklore as “The Angel of Hadley.”
As time went on, many suggested that this man had been none other than William Goffe. Could it have been? Goffe was certainly an experienced veteran, who had fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the English civil war. We also know that the town’s Puritan minister, John Russell, had sheltered both men at some point in the 1660s. A number of historians have also proposed that many of the accounts deliberately left out evidence that would have confirmed Goffe’s identity, still fearful of the government’s vengeance. Other historians claim the whole event was fabricated and there was not even an attack on Hadley. It is often difficult to separate fact from fiction in the chaos of war and subterfuge. What remains true, regardless, is the power of the story of Edward Whalley, William Goffe, and the Angel of Hadley.
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Genealogy Center’s October 2025 Programs—Family History Month
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October’s robust program offerings are below. Take a moment to review which ones might benefit your research. One might be surprised about what can be learned if you register for all of them!
October 1, Wednesday – Welcome to Family History Month! from Susan Baier, Chief Executive Officer of ACPL on Facebook.
October 1, Wednesday – 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (ET) Main Library Theater – “Chasing Ghosts: The Story of the Ghost Army Receiving the Congressional Gold Medal” with Rich Beyer.
October 2, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET) – Genealogy Discovery Center – In-Person DNA & Genealogy Interest Group with Sara Allen
October 3, Friday – Researching Sides of Your Family Social Media Post - Which side of your family have you researched more?
October 3, Friday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET) Main Library Theater – Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare – An in-person program in partnership with Vivid-Pix and the ACPL Genealogy Center.
An in-person program presented in partnership with Vivid-Pix and the ACPL Genealogy Center. This full-day experience is designed for activity directors in senior living communities, professionals working in the aging services field, and family caregivers supporting loved ones at home. Join in person or virtually. Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897
October 4, Saturday - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (ET) – In-Person Historic Neighborhood Walking Tour with Elizabeth Hodges: “Building a Nation, One Block at a Time: A Walking Tour of Williams-Woodland Park.” Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14480997
October 5, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - Start Small, Start Real
October 6, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 7, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Helene Prokop – ”Unlocking the Past with Transkribus: AI Tools for Genealogy and Historical Research” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14502623
October 8, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 9, Thursday – 7 p.m. (ET) Main Library Theater – “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America” with Steve Inskeep, author, journalist, and host of NPR's Morning Edition. Watch www.ACPL.info for free ticket information.
October 10, Friday - Records for Research Social Media Post - What’s your favorite type of record to dig into?
October 11, Saturday - 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (ET) – Genealogy Discovery Center – “Caring for Your Family Archives,” an in-person program with Christina Clary.
October 12, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - A Time The Story Changed.
October 13, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 14, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Rhonda Lauritzen: “The Curious Call of Place: Telling the Stories of People and Places” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14502920
October 15, Wednesday – Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 16, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Megan Clark Young - “Documenting Your Sources: The Key to Credible Genealogy” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503230
October 17, Friday Fascinating Ancestor Social Media Post - Who is the most fascinating ancestor you’ve discovered?
October 17, Friday- Genealogy Network of Texas - A Day of Virtual Learning in the Genealogy Space! Contact the Genealogy Center for login information at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info.
The 2025 Line-up
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.: From Names to Narratives: A Simple Guide to Writing
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: Following a Civil Case Through Documents Filed in Court
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.: Jakten - Researching Your Scandinavian Ancestors
11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Lunch on Your Own
12:50 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.: The Stories of Our Lives: Beginning Your Family History
2:25 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Research Road Trips: Productive for You, Fun for Family
3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.: Resources for New Orleans Area Genealogical Research
4:35 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.: Family Trees Get Smart: AI as Your Genealogy Assistant
5:40 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: All in the Family: Using Collateral Research to Build Your Family Tree
October 18, Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) – Genealogy Discovery Center – Making the Records Talk – with Timothy Pinnick and Janis Forte. An in-person program partnership with the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne and the ACPL Genealogy Center.
***To attend IN PERSON, click here to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1636824890309?aff=oddtdtcreator
***To attend ONLINE, click here to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tt2nfHV0QxyolST1tYKqlA#/registration
October 19, Sunday - Then Sunday, October 19, 2025 from Noon to 5 p.m. (ET) Hands-on research in the Genealogy Center with assistance from African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne members and Genealogy Center librarians.
October 19, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - A Letter to the Past (or Future)
October 20, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 20, Monday – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) - Lineage Lab: Drop-In Genealogy Help at Tecumseh Branch Library, 1411 East State Boulevard, Fort Wayne IN 46805
October 21, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Logan Knight: “Digging into Military Records: Genealogy Research with Fold3” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503527
October 22, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 23, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Jens Clegg: “History of Spanish Language” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503692
October 24, Famous Ancestors Social Media Post - Do you have any famous (or infamous!) ancestors?
October 24, 25, 26 at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., & 8 p.m. (ET) – Lindenwood Tour “Haunted Forest” - Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave. Ages 8-adult. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring younger children to the 6 pm programs for less intense tricks. Tours run 3 times each day. Pre-registration is required. There is no fee.
Registration is required: https://bit.ly/3HElTUz
FREE Location: Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave.
October 26, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - Share a “Why”
October 27, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 28, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. (ET) to 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Gabi Jauregui: “Tracing Family Roots Through German Words” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503801
October 29, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 30, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. (ET) to 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Aimee Rose-Haynes: “Uncovering Truth Through DNA: The Power of Genetic Genealogy” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14504401
October 30, Thursday – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ET) IN-PERSON – “Brain Buzz: SPOOKY Genealogy Trivia Night” at the Neon Pear at Electric Works, 1622 Broadway, Fort Wayne.
October 31, Grave Research Social Media Post - What’s your favorite kind of “grave” research?
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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 Bits-o’-News
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Time to visit the Allen County Public Library’s online merchandise store? Look for the Genealogy Center merch! You really need to check it out--we have added more merch offerings! The special Genealogy Center section of the store with some pretty cool items. http://acpl.dkmlogo.online/shop/category/4726261?c=4726261 Please remember that your purchases support the Friends of the Allen County Public Library, and they in turn support the Genealogy Center. More than ever, this support is so very important. Indeed, I would call this support vital.
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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%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.
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New Parking at the Library
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Though implementation of the new parking system was postponed in September, the implementation is imminent. Recalling, for parts of 2024 and all of 2025 our current parking system has been offline. The previous gated system experienced technical and mechanical issues that ended up not being able to be fixed or upgraded. To restore parking access and a reliable revenue stream for parking lot maintenance, the Library evaluated several modern gateless solutions. After significant research by staff and careful review by the ACPL Board of Trustees, the Trustees approved the installation of a new system from ABM Industries, Inc. ABM is a company with a local presence, managing a number of lots including the City of Fort Wayne’s Civic Center Parking Garage.
The new system is a real advantage for those using the Genealogy Center because the first three hours of parking are free. Then, as before, it is $1 per hour up to a maximum of $7 per day. There is a thirty-cent transaction fee associated with each parking session.
How this new system will work for guests using the Library:
1. Park your vehicle in the garage or surface lot.
2. Take note of your license plate number.
3. Enter the library and scan the posted QR code.
4. Follow prompts to enter your license plate number and basic contact info. No credit/debit card required.
5. Enjoy your library visit and 3 free hours of parking. You’ll receive emails and texts as your parking session winds down. If you wish to remain at the library longer than the three hours, or visit other locations in the Fort Wayne downtown, you will need to start a new paid session following the process below.
How it works for guests NOT using the Library:
1. Park your vehicle in the garage or surface lot.
2. Scan the posted QR code or text the number provided on signage.
3. Enter your license plate number, basic contact info, credit or debit card number, (Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted), and anticipated parking time to check in.
One can read all about the new system at www.acpl.lib.in.us/parking-at-main. There is a great FAQ section that will answer many other questions you may have. And of course, you can always reach out to your friends in the Genealogy Center.
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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 [at] 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 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. 259, September 30, 2025
In this issue:
*Family History Month and the Harvest Moon
*Emigrants from England to the American colonies, 1773-1776 by Peter Wilson Coldham
*The Beman Dawes Manuscript Collection: A Resource for Genealogists
*PERSI Gems: Volume 100
*Preservation Tips: Flattening Folded & Rolled Documents
*History Tidbits: The Angel of Hadley
*Genealogy Center’s October 2025 Programs
*Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
*Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
*Genealogy Center Social Media
*Driving Directions to the Library
*New Parking at the Library
*Genealogy Center Queries
*Publishing Note
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Family History Month and the Harvest Moon
by Curt B. Witcher
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In just a few moments it will officially be Family History Month; and just a few days after that we will celebrate the Harvest Moon. That is such a symbolic combination! During Family History Month we are showered with opportunities to find more of our families’ stories and the Harvest Moon symbolizes the bounty we realize when we have planted responsibly and tended well.
Family History Month at the Allen County Public Library provides us with an opportunity to plant, tend and harvest in pursuit of finding, preserving and presenting our history through our stories. There is literally some form of engagement every day of October, some days even sporting more than one activity. Challenge yourself to engage with us as often as you can this October. These engagement offerings could be among the most fun and enlightening of this fall season. Visit the Genealogy Center’s programs page often this month to continue enjoying opportunities to enrich your family history experiences. https://acpl.libnet.info/events?n=30&t=Family+History+%26+Genealogy&r=days
I spent considerable time in last month’s “Genealogy Gems” highlighting three super terrific programs. They are so impressive that I am compelled to write about them again. In less than twenty-four hours, Rick Beyer, award-winning documentary filmmaker, best-selling author, and long-time history enthusiast will be sharing an incredible story about the WWII Ghost Army and the quest to honor those soldiers with the Congressional Gold Medal. Google “Ghost Army” if you need your appetite whetted for this super cool story. This in-person program is from 6 to 7 p.m. October 1, 2025 in the Main Library Theater.
My Genealogy Center colleagues and I truly embrace the power of story. Almost with each passing moment we learn more and more about how knowing one’s family heritage, how knowing one’s stories is literally life-changing. Just three days from now, this coming Friday, October 3, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center and Vivid-Pix are hosting a day-long program entitled, “Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare.” Yes, this day is intended for those who work lovingly and tirelessly in elder care facilities of all kinds across the country. It is also intended for individuals who are caring for their loved ones at home. Learn how to improve brain health and body health. If you can’t commit to the entire day, come to whatever portion of the day you can. In-person and online registration can be found at this link. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897 Please indicate if you’re attending online or in-person at the very bottom of the form. A detailed flyer can be found under October 3, 2025 on the Genealogy Center programs page linked in the second paragraph above. The flyer is linked here as well. https://static.libnet.info/frontend-images/pdfs/acpl/Genealogy/Memory_Matters_announcement_-_RV.pdf Again, this could truly be life-changing for you and your loved ones.
There is a powerful combination of programming taking place on Saturday and Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2025. The African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne and the Genealogy Center are presenting an African American Genealogy Workshop, "Making the Records Talk." The entire event is free whether you’re attending in person or virtually. The presenters are Timothy N. Pinnick and Janis Minor Forte, two well-known experts in the genealogy world who have both presented at the Allen County Public Library before.
Saturday, October 18, 2025 is a full day of learning from Tim and Janis, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
1. Toolbox Building I: Eight Essential African American Resources
2. Toolbox Building II: Fifty Noteworthy Books for the African American Researcher
3. Seven Proven Strategies for Identifying Slave Ownership and Reconstructing Slave Era Families
4. They’re Not on the Census: Using Non-Traditional Sources to Identify Slave Holders
***To attend IN PERSON, click here to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1636824890309?aff=oddtdtcreator
***To attend ONLINE, click here to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tt2nfHV0QxyolST1tYKqlA#/registration
Then Sunday, October 19, 2025 from Noon to 5 p.m. ET there is an opportunity to engage in hands-on research in the Genealogy Center with assistance from African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne members and Genealogy Center librarians. Use this golden opportunity to practice what you learned the previous day as well as get assistance with your research challenges.
Throughout the month, the social media engagements can be quite fun and very enlightening. Email us at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info for an electronic copy of our Family History Month brochure. The Harvest Moon this October will be a supermoon--a full moon when the moon's orbit is closest to the Earth at the same time the moon is full. A supermoon appears brighter and larger than a regular full moon. May your research be brightened and magnified by all the discoveries you enjoy and benefit from during Family History Month 2025.
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Emigrants from England to the American colonies, 1773-1776 by Peter Wilson Coldham
by Logan Knight
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As has been noted many times before, colonial passenger records are some of the most difficult records to locate. This is often because many simply never existed in the first place. Others were destroyed, through natural disasters or simply tossed out like so much trash. Many genealogists have been left to weep bitter tears at this terrible fact.
How precious then, is the discovery of such a treasure trove? Yet that is exactly what happened in the early 20th century when, a register of immigrants from December 11th, 1773 to April 7th, 1776 was discovered in the Public Records Office in Kew. A grand total of 9,364 persons are recorded therein. Due to the hubbub of the American Revolution, the whole project seems to have been completely forgotten. So, why were they done in the first place?
After the French and Indian War ended, a tremendous boom in emigration to the newly peaceful colonies took place. The sheer amount of people flowing outwards from the British Isles spooked His Majesty’s Government to the point that, in December of 1773, every port in England and Scotland was required to submit reports of this information to the Treasury. These returns were then collected into which were to contain an account of every person leaving. This was the first time that the government had required any such documentation and storage of passenger lists. Amazingly, the government came close to trying to ban emigration all together. Together, these lists are the best and most complete set of passenger lists from the British Isles that we have for the entire 18th Century.
These lists were originally published between 1908 and 1911. Annoyingly, there were many gaps and omissions. Fortunately, for the genealogy community, Peter Wilson Coldham went back to the originals and painstakingly transcribed all of the records. A book was then published in 1988 under the title: Emigrants from England to the American Colonies, 1773-1776.
The book works in a very straightforward way. It is organized under the various ports (Bristol, for example), in order of departure, the names of the ships, the name of each emigrant, their name, their hometown or county of residence, and finally their occupation, age, and their destination in the American Colonies. It should be noted that, while the title says England, the book includes ports from Scotland as well. I should also note that not all entries contain all the categories listed above. These lists were kept to try and deter people from emigrating and many people told as little information as possible to intrusive government officials. Even with intrusive government officials, comparisons to ship arrivals and newspapers reveal that perhaps fifteen to thirty percent of passengers went unrecorded.
Finally, “Emigrants from England” should be paired with Bernard Bailyn’s magisterial work, “Voyagers to the West.” One reviewer called the work, “the most detailed and comprehensive analysis of a single group of emigration records ever published.” That book goes into the why of it all and breaks down the push and pull factor of why so many people chose to leave Great Britain, even as things were moving towards conflict between the colonies and the mother country.
I would recommend that anyone who suspects that their ancestors immigrated to the future United States between 1773 and 1776 should check out this book. It is available here, in print, at the Genealogy Center.
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The Beman Dawes Manuscript Collection: A Resource for Genealogists
by Allison DePrey Singleton
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Beman Gates Dawes (1870–1953) was a U.S. Congressman, businessman, and philanthropist who had a big impact on Ohio’s politics and industry. Later, he and his wife, Bertie, founded the Dawes Arboretum as a place for education and conservation. The manuscripts he left behind gives us a look into his life, and they are now a valuable resource for both historians and genealogists: https://dawesarb.catalogaccess.com/.
The Dawes Arboretum has digitized many of these manuscripts, making them easier for people to access. The collection covers the late 1800s through the mid-1900s and includes letters, business papers, property records, investments, and trust documents. These items show how Dawes managed his work, property, and personal connections. Many of the documents are one-of-a-kind, which makes the collection especially useful for researchers.
For genealogists, these papers offer more than just information about Dawes himself. Letters might mention family members, neighbors, or business partners, providing clues that confirm or expand family trees. Property and investment records can help locate ancestral land or explain changes in wealth and movement. Even a short note in a letter might link an ancestor to Dawes’ world of politics, business, or community life.
The collection also gives context to Ohio’s growth during Dawes’ lifetime, including its industries, conservation efforts, and civic projects. This helps researchers place their ancestors’ lives within a larger story of social and economic change.
Not all of the manuscripts are available online yet. Those interested in digging deeper may need to reach out to the Arboretum for help accessing other materials. Some challenges come with using old papers, such as hard-to-read handwriting or complex language, but these efforts often lead to meaningful discoveries.
In the end, the Beman Dawes manuscript collection is much more than the story of one man or one family. It is a resource that ties people and communities to the broader history of Ohio and the nation. For anyone researching family roots in this region, it offers a valuable starting point full of unique insights. Collections like this exist in many places. If your family came from a different part of the country—or even another country—look for manuscript collections held by local libraries, archives, or historical societies. You may be surprised by the treasures waiting to be discovered in the region where your ancestors once lived.
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PERSI Gems: Volume 100
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
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This month, we recognize some of the longest-published journals cited in the Periodical Source Index.
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
These publications are treasures, assembled over generations, devoted to preserving and promoting local, regional, and family history. Here, we offer citations from centenary volumes:
Advocacy for a national archive, 1918, 1962
National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Mar 2012)
Capital in Flames, the facts and fancies of the American attack on York, 1813
Ontario History, Vol. 100, Issue 2 (Aut 2008)
Debate over whipping criminals in KY, 19th C.
Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Win 2002)
Divorce mills, social clubs and domesticity, how women leveraged power, 1900s
Chronicles of Oklahoma, Vol. 100, Issue 2 (Sum 2022)
Dueling, image and reality on the Antebellum frontier
Indiana Magazine of History, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Mar 2004)
Giant mosquito at Komarno, Canada roadside attraction photo, note, 2020
Canada's History, Vol. 100, Issue 4 (Aug 2020)
Historic Mulberry tree of Saint Mary's City, 1634-1876
Maryland Historical Magazine, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Spr 2005)
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Quiner extended family, re-examining the pioneer spirit, 19th C.+
Wisconsin Magazine of History, Vol. 100, Issue 3 (Spr 2017)
Letters from prisoners in Van Dieman's Land, 1837-1838
York (Ontario) Pioneer, Vol. 100 (2005)
Norwegian folktales trolls of Gudbrandsdal
Viking (Sons of Norway), Vol. 100, Issue 10 (Oct 2003)
Orange Lake Village and the origins of the Florida retirement village, 1950s+
Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 4 (Spr 2022)
Paterson police helped spread the 1913 strike
New Jersey History, Vol. 100, Issue 1-2 (Spr 1982)
Paul Vandervoort, shystering fraud and blatherskite, Gilded Age poltics in Nebraska, 1846-1890s, OH
Nebraska History, Vol. 100, Issue 2 (Sum 2019)
Pre-1880 Illinois weather events gleaned from newspapers
Illinois State Historical Society Journal, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Spr 2007)
Ray Guy describes his first trip to Labrador, a landscape of dread and awe, n.d., NF
NQ (Newfoundland Quarterly), Vol. 100, Issue 4 (Spr 2008)
Romano-British duck beaker
Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire (Eng.) Transactions, Vol. 100 (1996)
Sex and politics in Portland & Eugene, 1912
Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 2 (Sum 1999)
Ropemaking in Lancaster, Martin rope walk
Lancaster County Historical Society Journal, Vol. 100, Issue 4 (Win 1998)
Seattle Pilots baseball team, Seattle not quite big league, 1960s
Pacific Northwest Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 3 (Sum 2009)
Throw aside helplessness, Brady feminist, 1893
Southwestern Historical Quarterly (Texas State Historical Assn.), Vol 100, Issue 1 (Jul 1996)
Touring Indiana in 1966, historic spots
Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Vol. 100, Issue 1 (Jan 1966)
William Alexander Scott murder, shot heard in 2 million Negro homes, 1934
Georgia Historical Quarterly, Vol. 100, Issue 4 (2016)
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Preservation Tips: Flattening Folded & Rolled Documents
by Christina Clary, C.A.
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One of the most common questions archivists are asked about family or personal collections is whether a rolled or folded document should be flattened, and if so, how. The general rule of thumb is that materials should be unfolded and unrolled if possible. Items are easier to handle and store when they are flat. When kept folded, they are more likely to crack and tear, as the stress on the folds gradually weakens the paper fibers. Repeatedly folding and unfolding a document to view its contents will also cause creases to deteriorate more quickly.
There are instances when you should not attempt to flatten a document yourself. A document that has been folded for a long time and has become brittle cannot be safely flattened without the help of a conservator. Trying to do it yourself will cause more harm than good. Never try to force a document open or flat. Keep in mind that the goal is to make a document flat enough to store properly, not necessarily perfectly flat. With items that are not tightly folded or rolled, sometimes simply setting them out unfolded for a period of time may allow them to relax enough for flat storage.
When documents are too brittle to unfold without risk of damage, they must undergo a humidification process before being flattened. While you can find many how-to guides and videos on how to attempt this at home, I do not recommend it. I recommend sending them to a conservator instead. Humidification is a time-consuming and precise process, and if done incorrectly can further damage or even destroy a document. The process requires a humidification chamber to gently introduce moisture, so the paper relaxes enough to open. Once relaxed enough, the document is placed between layers of Hollytex (a spunbonded polyester fabric) or blotting paper. Plexiglass is placed on top and weights added to ensure it dries flat. Given the time and supplies required for this to be completed correctly, it is best left to a professional. You can find a conservator through the American Institute for Conservation.
Oversized documents, especially maps, are frequently stored rolled because flat storage space large enough for them can be difficult to find. In such cases, the document should be rolled around an acid-free, lignin-free tube, preferably about four inches in diameter and longer than the document to protect its edges. An outer layer of archival paper or polyester film should then be wrapped around the document and secured. Archival vendors also sell tubes for oversized rolled items, though they tend to be more expensive due to their size.
If a document cannot be sent to a conservator for flattening, leave it as loosely folded as possible. Focus on digitizing it so that the original does not have to be handled.
American Institute for Conservation – Find a Professional Member:
https://www.culturalheritage.org/professional-membership/find-a-professional
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History Tidbits: The Angel of Hadley
by Logan Knight
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King Charles was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt about that. Fifty-nine judges signed his death warrant. On January 30th 1649, Charles the 1st, King of England, King of Scotland, King of Ireland, and Defender of the Faith, was beheaded in London. A new era had dawned. Britain and Ireland faced a new future under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell.
The wheel turns. A little over a decade later, in 1660, Charles’s son (Charles II) was invited to resume his family’s rule over the British Isles. The Protectorate simply faded away, like morning fog being burnt off by the sun. Unsurprisingly, Charles II had little sympathy for the men who had executed his father. Parliament passed the macabrely named Indemnity and Oblivion Act.
The judges were now known as regicides and, for most of them, their fate was not a kind one. Many were horribly executed. The lucky ones had died before the Restoration took place. Even so, the bodies of some of the deceased, including Oliver Cromwell, were torn from their resting places and given posthumous executions. Others fled to Europe, but many of those were captured and extradited to face death.
If safety was to be found anywhere, it could only be at the very ends of the earth. For two of the judges, William Goffe and his father-in-law Edward Whalley, that is exactly what they did. On May 13th, 1660 they boarded a ship for Boston, Massachusetts, just ahead of the warrants for their arrest and certain execution.
Goffe and Whalley were certainly no bit players in the wars that had convulsed the British Isles over the previous few decades. Both had been successful generals in the civil wars. Whalley had even acted as King Charles’ jailer. Whaley and Goffe had also been prominent supporters of Oliver Cromwell. When Cromwell died and the Protectorate faded away, their status made them marked men. Their signatures on Charles’s death warrant left them no doubt what would happen if they stayed in England.
They fled to New England because those colonies had been hotbeds of support for the cause of Parliament. Many, including the authorities, still felt the same. When Goffe and Whaley arrived, they were given shelter. The King’s commissioners arrived, hot on their heels and demanded that the regicides be turned over. Unwilling to directly defy them, Goffe and Whalley were directed to go underground. They were across the length and breadth of New England: in woods, caves and people’s homes. Visitors can still see the caves where they hid near New Haven, Connecticut. The judges were pursued for many years but were never caught. Slowly, their memory seemed to just disappear.
Fifteen years later, the storm clouds of war broke over New England. This was King Phillip’s War, brought on by the colonist’s greed, and which saw the near extermination of the New England colonies. No place was left untouched, including the small town of Hadley, Massachusetts. The Wampanoags and their allies came in large numbers to destroy the town. All hope seemed lost and the townspeople despaired. Suddenly, an old white-bearded man appeared with a sword and rallied the townsfolk. Inspired by this Old Testament prophet come to life, the town militia rallied and drove the Wampanoags away, saving Hadley from destruction. The old man disappeared as quickly as he had emerged but entered New England folklore as “The Angel of Hadley.”
As time went on, many suggested that this man had been none other than William Goffe. Could it have been? Goffe was certainly an experienced veteran, who had fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the English civil war. We also know that the town’s Puritan minister, John Russell, had sheltered both men at some point in the 1660s. A number of historians have also proposed that many of the accounts deliberately left out evidence that would have confirmed Goffe’s identity, still fearful of the government’s vengeance. Other historians claim the whole event was fabricated and there was not even an attack on Hadley. It is often difficult to separate fact from fiction in the chaos of war and subterfuge. What remains true, regardless, is the power of the story of Edward Whalley, William Goffe, and the Angel of Hadley.
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Genealogy Center’s October 2025 Programs—Family History Month
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October’s robust program offerings are below. Take a moment to review which ones might benefit your research. One might be surprised about what can be learned if you register for all of them!
October 1, Wednesday – Welcome to Family History Month! from Susan Baier, Chief Executive Officer of ACPL on Facebook.
October 1, Wednesday – 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (ET) Main Library Theater – “Chasing Ghosts: The Story of the Ghost Army Receiving the Congressional Gold Medal” with Rich Beyer.
October 2, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET) – Genealogy Discovery Center – In-Person DNA & Genealogy Interest Group with Sara Allen
October 3, Friday – Researching Sides of Your Family Social Media Post - Which side of your family have you researched more?
October 3, Friday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET) Main Library Theater – Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare – An in-person program in partnership with Vivid-Pix and the ACPL Genealogy Center.
An in-person program presented in partnership with Vivid-Pix and the ACPL Genealogy Center. This full-day experience is designed for activity directors in senior living communities, professionals working in the aging services field, and family caregivers supporting loved ones at home. Join in person or virtually. Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897
October 4, Saturday - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (ET) – In-Person Historic Neighborhood Walking Tour with Elizabeth Hodges: “Building a Nation, One Block at a Time: A Walking Tour of Williams-Woodland Park.” Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14480997
October 5, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - Start Small, Start Real
October 6, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 7, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Helene Prokop – ”Unlocking the Past with Transkribus: AI Tools for Genealogy and Historical Research” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14502623
October 8, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 9, Thursday – 7 p.m. (ET) Main Library Theater – “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America” with Steve Inskeep, author, journalist, and host of NPR's Morning Edition. Watch www.ACPL.info for free ticket information.
October 10, Friday - Records for Research Social Media Post - What’s your favorite type of record to dig into?
October 11, Saturday - 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (ET) – Genealogy Discovery Center – “Caring for Your Family Archives,” an in-person program with Christina Clary.
October 12, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - A Time The Story Changed.
October 13, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 14, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Rhonda Lauritzen: “The Curious Call of Place: Telling the Stories of People and Places” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14502920
October 15, Wednesday – Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 16, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Megan Clark Young - “Documenting Your Sources: The Key to Credible Genealogy” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503230
October 17, Friday Fascinating Ancestor Social Media Post - Who is the most fascinating ancestor you’ve discovered?
October 17, Friday- Genealogy Network of Texas - A Day of Virtual Learning in the Genealogy Space! Contact the Genealogy Center for login information at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info.
The 2025 Line-up
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.: From Names to Narratives: A Simple Guide to Writing
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: Following a Civil Case Through Documents Filed in Court
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.: Jakten - Researching Your Scandinavian Ancestors
11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Lunch on Your Own
12:50 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.: The Stories of Our Lives: Beginning Your Family History
2:25 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Research Road Trips: Productive for You, Fun for Family
3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.: Resources for New Orleans Area Genealogical Research
4:35 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.: Family Trees Get Smart: AI as Your Genealogy Assistant
5:40 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: All in the Family: Using Collateral Research to Build Your Family Tree
October 18, Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) – Genealogy Discovery Center – Making the Records Talk – with Timothy Pinnick and Janis Forte. An in-person program partnership with the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne and the ACPL Genealogy Center.
***To attend IN PERSON, click here to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1636824890309?aff=oddtdtcreator
***To attend ONLINE, click here to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tt2nfHV0QxyolST1tYKqlA#/registration
October 19, Sunday - Then Sunday, October 19, 2025 from Noon to 5 p.m. (ET) Hands-on research in the Genealogy Center with assistance from African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne members and Genealogy Center librarians.
October 19, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - A Letter to the Past (or Future)
October 20, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 20, Monday – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) - Lineage Lab: Drop-In Genealogy Help at Tecumseh Branch Library, 1411 East State Boulevard, Fort Wayne IN 46805
October 21, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Logan Knight: “Digging into Military Records: Genealogy Research with Fold3” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503527
October 22, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 23, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Jens Clegg: “History of Spanish Language” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503692
October 24, Famous Ancestors Social Media Post - Do you have any famous (or infamous!) ancestors?
October 24, 25, 26 at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., & 8 p.m. (ET) – Lindenwood Tour “Haunted Forest” - Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave. Ages 8-adult. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring younger children to the 6 pm programs for less intense tricks. Tours run 3 times each day. Pre-registration is required. There is no fee.
Registration is required: https://bit.ly/3HElTUz
FREE Location: Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave.
October 26, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - Share a “Why”
October 27, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 28, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. (ET) to 3:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Gabi Jauregui: “Tracing Family Roots Through German Words” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503801
October 29, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 30, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. (ET) to 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Virtual Program with Aimee Rose-Haynes: “Uncovering Truth Through DNA: The Power of Genetic Genealogy” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14504401
October 30, Thursday – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ET) IN-PERSON – “Brain Buzz: SPOOKY Genealogy Trivia Night” at the Neon Pear at Electric Works, 1622 Broadway, Fort Wayne.
October 31, Grave Research Social Media Post - What’s your favorite kind of “grave” research?
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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 Bits-o’-News
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Time to visit the Allen County Public Library’s online merchandise store? Look for the Genealogy Center merch! You really need to check it out--we have added more merch offerings! The special Genealogy Center section of the store with some pretty cool items. http://acpl.dkmlogo.online/shop/category/4726261?c=4726261 Please remember that your purchases support the Friends of the Allen County Public Library, and they in turn support the Genealogy Center. More than ever, this support is so very important. Indeed, I would call this support vital.
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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%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.
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New Parking at the Library
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Though implementation of the new parking system was postponed in September, the implementation is imminent. Recalling, for parts of 2024 and all of 2025 our current parking system has been offline. The previous gated system experienced technical and mechanical issues that ended up not being able to be fixed or upgraded. To restore parking access and a reliable revenue stream for parking lot maintenance, the Library evaluated several modern gateless solutions. After significant research by staff and careful review by the ACPL Board of Trustees, the Trustees approved the installation of a new system from ABM Industries, Inc. ABM is a company with a local presence, managing a number of lots including the City of Fort Wayne’s Civic Center Parking Garage.
The new system is a real advantage for those using the Genealogy Center because the first three hours of parking are free. Then, as before, it is $1 per hour up to a maximum of $7 per day. There is a thirty-cent transaction fee associated with each parking session.
How this new system will work for guests using the Library:
1. Park your vehicle in the garage or surface lot.
2. Take note of your license plate number.
3. Enter the library and scan the posted QR code.
4. Follow prompts to enter your license plate number and basic contact info. No credit/debit card required.
5. Enjoy your library visit and 3 free hours of parking. You’ll receive emails and texts as your parking session winds down. If you wish to remain at the library longer than the three hours, or visit other locations in the Fort Wayne downtown, you will need to start a new paid session following the process below.
How it works for guests NOT using the Library:
1. Park your vehicle in the garage or surface lot.
2. Scan the posted QR code or text the number provided on signage.
3. Enter your license plate number, basic contact info, credit or debit card number, (Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted), and anticipated parking time to check in.
One can read all about the new system at www.acpl.lib.in.us/parking-at-main. There is a great FAQ section that will answer many other questions you may have. And of course, you can always reach out to your friends in the Genealogy Center.
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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 [at] 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 sspearswells [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line.
Curt B. Witcher and John D. Beatty, CG, co-editors
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