| Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne, No. 265, March 31, 2026 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygems genealogycenter.info)
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| Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:07:10 -0400 | |
Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne
No. 265, March 31, 2026
In this issue:
*Wisdom from Yester-Decade
*Special Early May 2026 Program with the Northeast IN Jewish Genealogy Society-- Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records
*Special Conference News: The NGS Conference in Fort Wayne is Less Than Two Months Away
*Emigrants from Baden and Wurttemberg in the Eighteenth Century by Brigette Burkett
*Connecting Revolutionary Stories to Family History: Exploring a New Digital Resource for America250
*PERSI Gems: Bigamy
*Preservation Tips: The Poison Book Project
*History Tidbits: Human Alarm Clocks--The Story of Knocker-Ups
*Genealogy Center’s April 2026 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
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Wisdom from Yester-Decade
by Curt B. Witcher
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One decade ago, I penned an article highlighting what springtime renewal might mean for us as genealogists and family historians. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, so much of what I wrote then is quite applicable today.
The clicking of keyboards and touchpads, the clicking of iPhones and mobile devices, the clicking of digital cameras and digital recorders, the clicking of ball-point pen plungers—all those still can be heard today, likely just amplified over the last decade. This clicking can be signs of family historians getting busy discovering, documenting, and recording more of their families’ stories. Just as likely today, a good bit of technology is being deployed trying to organize the troves of data we and our ancestors have collected so that it makes sense to our family members to whom we hope to pass along our records after we are gone.
Many of us don’t do that well when it comes to consistently identifying and properly storing our photographs, whether those photographs are actually physical items or digital images. Paper or digital, we tend to forget the attention that needs to be paid to identifying and appropriately labeling the images. We all believe we will get around to it, but most never do. The number of digital images that get “lost” every year is stunning. We need to be much more intentional in organizing and labelling these valuable family history assets.
If we want to share our photographic images with our great-grandchildren’s grandchildren long after we are gone, we need to be much more active about appropriate backups and strategic sharing of our images. Have we thought about what would happen if our devices containing all our collections of images were stolen? Or lost? Or damaged such that our images were unretrievable? And don’t get me started on how we’re doing with our estate planning. Do we have a process for sharing logins and passwords with those who will be the wisdom-keepers for our family?
One of the most valuable assets we have is living memory--the memories and recollections of loved ones near and far. Yet, are we intentional about talking with them about the people, places and events they remember in their lives? What about our memories of family gatherings, our own professional pursuits, the encounters we have had with cousins, nephews and nieces? As with many things involving our family history pursuits, we believe we’re going to get to it but months later we haven’t spent even a moment recording any living memory.
As I did a decade ago, I suggest we adopt Nike’s legacy motto: Just do it! Pick a consistent time of day and location. Reserve no more than five minutes (and it doesn’t have to be that long). Record a recollection, experience, or musing you have about one of your parents. Commit to writing or recording something *every* day. Use as many days as you need to record what you know about that parent and then move on to the next parent. If there is only one parent to write about, or when you’re finished writing about both parents, move to the grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins of all types until you have covered all the family members you can recall. Once you establish a routine, you will be amazed at what you remember, and those memories can easily lead to an enjoyable hunt for associated records and documents that complement those recollections.
I believe it is important not to let perfection get in the way of progress. We all seem prone to that. The goal shouldn’t be perfection; rather, the goal should be just to do one meaningful activity, followed by another, and then another. Pretty soon you will be amazed at what you have accomplished. So many decades of research and so many generations of photographs, memories, and documents go unorganized. Let’s take the dawning of a new season to change that.
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Special Early May 2026 Program with the Northeast IN Jewish Genealogy Society--Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records
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FREE PROGRAMS—May 3-4, 2026—at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center: Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records
Sunday, May 3, 2026
2:00 p.m. ET “Polish Jewish Research – The JRI-Poland Experience” with Hadassah Lipsius. Hadassah will present in-person at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. Learn how to use this fabulous online resource to find vital records, census lists, and more!
3:30 p.m. ET “Was My Ancestor Rich or Poor: What We Can Find from Polish Business Court Records” with Anna Wiernicka. Anna will join us virtually from Poland, and will reveal hidden records found within the business court records held by the Polish State Archives.
Both Sunday programs will be available virtually if you are not available to attend in-person. Find the registration link on this website: www.NEIndianaJGS.org.
Monday, May 4, 2026
1:30 p.m. ET In-person Computer Workshop with Hadassah Lipsius at the Genealogy Center. Bring your own computer for this FREE hands-on workshop using resources from JRI-Poland, the Polish State Archives, and more. To sign up, email: NEIndianaJGS [at] gmail.com.
Hadassah Lipsius is a longtime board member of JRI-Poland and worked with the NEIJGS as co-chair of the 2025 IAJGS Conference in Fort Wayne. Dr. Anna Wiernicka is a professional genealogist in Poland. She and Hadassah collaborate and uncover interesting stories from their deep dives into the Polish State Archives. Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records
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Special Conference News: The NGS Conference in Fort Wayne is Less Than Two Months Away
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It is not too late to register for the National Genealogical Society’s 2026 Conference in Fort Wayne at the end of May. Time is flying by, though. You really don’t want to miss this event! Check out all the opportunities at: https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org.
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Emigrants from Baden and Wurttemberg in the Eighteenth Century by Brigette Burkett
by Logan Knight
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Eighteenth century (1700s) German Immigrants to the future United States can be a challenging group for the genealogist to trace. Fortunately, there are several resources to help the researcher. One of the most useful is “Emigrants from Baden and Wurttemberg in the Eighteenth Century” by Brigette Burkett (Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1996), GC 929.13 B92e.
The book offers a straightforward account of about four hundred and thirty-five families and individuals from the states of Baden and Wurttemberg who arrived in America at this time. Multiple sources confirm the existence of the listed immigrants, including German church records, emigration requests, newspapers, correspondence, and passenger lists. The book contains descriptions of each of these sources and where to find them.
The book highlights manumission certificates as a key document type. These certificates are a unique source not seen after 1815. Why? Because a manumission certificate is one that frees a subject from his feudal dues to his liege lord. In other words, it represents his freedom from vassalage or serfdom. While most aspects of serfdom had decayed in western Germany through the long centuries, it still legally existed and had to be reckoned with for the prospective immigrant. It often required a cash payment, although sometimes the person could be released for free depending on the circumstances. After the final downfall of Napoleon, this system was swept away completely in western Germany, which is why you won’t see it for later immigrants. While these payments were a tough burden on the immigrant, the resulting documents are gold for the genealogist.
The way to utilize this work is simple. Burkett lists all the immigrants in alphabetical order (there is an index) with a short biography, family connections, and the village of origin. Most importantly, it notes carefully the sources for this information, allowing the researcher to confirm what is recorded. If you know your immigrant ancestor, then simply go to the entry for them.
The most unexpectedly enjoyable part of the book is the rich description of the voyage to the New World and how that process took place. For example, the author notes that the immigrants had to pass over twenty toll stations on the Rhine before arriving at Rotterdam. These details make the actual journey of the emigrant come alive despite the passage of centuries. Also worth highlighting is the section on the various villages of origin for the immigrants. Each one has a short history attached, along with some photos, to help inform the researcher.
I would highly recommend examining this book and its two companion volumes, if you have ancestors from this place and time, on your next visit to the Genealogy Center.
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Connecting Revolutionary Stories to Family History: Exploring a New Digital Resource for America250
by Allison DePrey Singleton
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As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, genealogists have a unique opportunity to reconnect with the people and communities who lived through the Revolutionary era. A valuable new resource supporting this work is the American Revolution Institute’s digital collections platform, The Field, which provides online access to manuscripts, maps, broadsides, prints, and rare books from the period (https://collections.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/).
This growing digital archive brings together materials that were once difficult to access, allowing researchers to explore primary sources that document daily life, military service, and the broader social and political landscape of the Revolution. While it is not a traditional genealogy database, it offers rich contextual evidence that can deepen and strengthen family history research.
Genealogists can use these materials to better understand how their ancestors may have experienced the Revolutionary period, whether as soldiers, civilians, or members of local communities. Manuscripts and orderly books may reveal details about military life, while maps and printed materials provide insight into the places and events that shaped their world. These sources help move research beyond basic facts to a fuller picture of lived experience.
As part of the America250 commemoration, this resource offers a meaningful way to connect personal family stories to the broader national narrative. It encourages researchers to revisit ancestors who lived during the late eighteenth century and to incorporate historical context into their storytelling. Even when an individual ancestor is not named, the materials can illuminate the environments, events, and perspectives that influenced their lives.
Exploring this collection can help genealogists ask deeper questions about their ancestors’ experiences and create more engaging, story-driven interpretations of the past. As we look toward the 2026 celebration, resources like this play an important role in ensuring that the stories of everyday people during the American Revolution continue to be discovered and shared.
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PERSI Gems: Bigamy
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
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Finding out about our ancestors can be exhilarating, the breaking down of research brick walls, the discovery of our families’ triumphs and tragedies. Our dogged searches reveal the complexities of family life. These complexities present research challenges, particularly when families were broken due to abandonment, deceit, or unfaithfulness.
Extreme examples of such family tragedies also involved bigamy, being married to more than one living person at the same time. In a strictly genealogical research sense, multiple concurrent spouses can cause all sorts of problems. Chief among these is sorting out lies and misinformation appearing in marriage license applications and in census questionnaires. Researchers rely on truthful information in primary source records but attempts to evade bigamy laws led to unreliable information being introduced into official records. Names were changed, marital statuses were fudged, ages, birth places, and places of residence were altered to avoid detection or identification. Illicit movements across jurisdictional boundaries in the pursuit of wedding officiants further complicated matters.
Black sheep and otherwise illusive individuals are parts of every family, but records exist that can aid your search. PERSI can help you track your relations and their spouses, no matter how many there were concurrently. Try a search here:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
Below is a small sampling of bigamy articles from the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center’s periodical holdings. Note that while many of these are for specific cases, there are also articles addressing the broader legal aspects of bigamy, information that may prove useful while researching these cases:
Bigamy on the barges, Carrington-Rimmer-Orrell-Taylor-Jackson family research, 1840s+
Ormskirk & District (Eng.) Family Historian, Issue 55 (Mar 2011)
Joe Hogland freed from jail for bigamy, free to captivate susceptible dames, New Era excerpt, 1881
Noble News (Noble County Genealogical Society., IN), Vol. 36, Issue 1 (Spr 2015)
Camp Snell and Rosa Johnson Fox-Snell arrest, Peter Fox charge of bigamy, 1896, OH
Clermont County (OH) Genealogical Society Newsletter, Vol. 35, Issue 1 (Feb 2013)
William H. Morgan-Nancy Morgan-Mary J. Russell bigamy charge, 1874-1875, IL, MO
Footprints in Williamson County, Illinois, Vol. 14, Issue 3 (Fal 2011)
William Connolly and Catherine Fogarty commit compound bigamy, 1829, Ireland
Irish Genealogical Research Society Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 10 (Apr 2003)
Thomas Mark legal letters to Charles Rice about John Thornton bigamy, 1884, Ont.; Dakota Terr.
Lanark Log (Lanark County Genealogical Soc., Ont.), Issue 8 (Nov 2009)
Thomas King arrested for bigamy, married Eliza E. Dodson, but already had wife, 1889, IL
Central Illinois Genealogical Quarterly, Vol. 46, Issue 2 (Sum 2010)
Silas Chappell arrested for bigamy, married Catherine A. Mulcahy and Blanche Kitchen, 1895, IL
Central Illinois Genealogical Quarterly Vol. 46, Issue 2 (Sum 2010)
Rev. W. H. H. Force sentenced, bigamy with four wives, San Francisco Call, Oct. 1908
Cedar & Vernon County, MO, Genealogical Society Newsletter (May 2014)
Private Carl Carman of Camp Taylor found guilty of bigamy, 1919, IN
Indiana Genealogist, Vol. 18, Issue 4 (Dec 2007)
Divorce and bigamy, laws, Bristol examples, 19th C.
Bristol and Avon (Eng.) Family History Society Journal, Issue 168 (Jun 2017)
Remarriage after seven-year separation, bigamy legislation notes, 1820s-1830s
Lancashire (Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society, Eng.), Vol. 9, Issue 3 (Aug 1988)
Missing Moffett family, Darius L. V. Moffett wanted for bigamy, forgery, fraud and theft, 19th C.+
National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 108, Issue 3 (Sep 2020)
Mrs. Tom McCormack aka Mrs. Henry West aka Mrs. McDaniels arrested for bigamy, 1899, Montgomery, TN
River Counties, Vol. 11, Issue 1-4 (1982)
Marriage acts, bigamy, goodfaith, marital overview, pre-1500s+
Flowing Stream (Sheffield Family History Soc., Eng.), Vol. 23, Issue 4 (Win 2002)
Jonas Hellawell-Margaret Nicol curious case of bigamy, trial and Scotch law, 1833-1847
Huddersfield & District (Eng.) Family History Society Journal Vol. 28, Issue 3 (Apr 2015)
History of bigamy & confusion
Practical Family History, Issue 26 (Feb 2000)
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Preservation Tips: The Poison Book Project
by Christina Clary, C.A.
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Archivists must be prepared to stumble across anything when going through a collection. All manner of items can be found hiding away in boxes or on the shelves that have not yet been identified and inspected. This is what happened in 2019 at the Winterthur Institute in Delaware, when a conservator grew curious about a bright green book. Upon closer examination, it was determined that the vivid green color came from arsenic.
The Victorian era is notorious for its casual use of toxic materials for everyday purposes, such as beauty products, wallpaper, and even toys. Arsenic, which is still used as pesticide and in rat poisons, was also used to create green pigments. Chemists developed the arsenic-based compound, called copper acetoarsenite, around 1800. It is a very distinctive, bright and intense green shade referred to as Emerald Green or Paris green.
The discovery of what is now referred to as a “poison book” led conservators at Winterthur to begin testing other brightly colored Victoria- era books for heavy metals. Their study found that bright yellows, oranges, and darker or olive greens often contain lead and chromium, and bright reds contain mercury. Though these are not as toxic as arsenic, they are still potentially harmful. Bright or Prussian blues contain lead but are considered benign and therefore not “poison books.” These books also show little to no insect damage, as the poisons act as pesticides. Books with arsenic are also more friable, meaning the pigment transfers easily.
The conservators at Winterthur have continued their project of identifying titles with potentially toxic covers. This toxic green was also used on bookends and in some illustrations. Currently, their list of books with arsenical components is over 350 titles. Covers made with book cloths range almost exclusively within a publication range of 1840 to 1860, with most dating to the 1850s. Books that have paper coverings can date up to 1900.
The project has developed bookmarks that can be requested for free to help identify these books. The bookmarks show the variations of the distinct emerald green, which can be compared to a book to identify whether arsenic may be present. While the only conclusive way to confirm arsenic through X-ray fluorescence testing, the bookmarks are a good indicator that it might be present.
If you suspect your book has arsenic or any other harmful material, do not panic. The books are not lethal unless you ingest them. To quote the head of the Poison Book Project, Dr. Melissa Tedone in a 2024 article, “don’t lick your green book.” They may still cause illness if improperly handled. Use nitrile gloves and put the book in a gallon-sized plastic bag. Wash your hands thoroughly, and avoid touching your face, eating, or drinking while handling the book. Thoroughly wipe down surfaces afterwards. If you do not feel comfortable keeping the book, it needs to be disposed of as hazardous waste according to local regulations. Do not donate it without first consulting with the organization.
The point here is not to frighten or create a fear that your family's heirlooms are secretly poisoning you. Rather, it is a reminder that these items should be handled with care. We do not always know what they contain. It is easy to judge the past from our current perspective. Who knows what materials we use today that people 150 years from now will view with horror? Items such as these “poison books” help us better understand the society and culture in which our ancestors lived.
Poison Book Project website: https://sites.udel.edu/poisonbookproject/
Stimpson, Ashley. “The Poison Book Project Uncovers Toxic Arsenic in Antique Books.” The Washington Post, July 24, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/07/24/toxic-victorian-bookbinding-arsenic/.
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History Tidbits: Human Alarm Clocks--The Story of Knocker-Ups
by Logan Knight
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As we roll into Daylight Savings Time, I find myself surrounded by devices to “assist” in waking up at this painfully new hour. I have an alarm clock, a phone clock, and even a cat who wakes me up for treats at the same time, as regular as clockwork. All of this got me to wonder about how people woke themselves up at a certain time before alarm clocks were a thing.
For most of human history, this was not really an issue. People would usually rise with the sun and go to bed when the sun went down. Obviously, there were exceptions and extensions, such as using candles to stay up later, etc. That being said, early to bed and early to rise was the traditional sleep schedule for the majority of mankind.
That all began to change with the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century in England. As factories began to open, time management became a much more pressing concern. By locating the work in a central location, and with access to various forms of energy, the sun was no longer the determinant factor in whether work could be done. Therefore, schedules could be rationalized depending on the job’s circumstances.
This change led to the problem of getting people up before the sun had risen. Alarm clocks had been around since 1787, but they were cumbersome and very expensive. All of this was far beyond the ability of what most industrial workers could afford. Something had to be done, and so it was, leading the way to the creation of a unique job: knocker-ups.
Knocker-ups were people hired to go around and wake people up at their appointed hour by knocking on their window (hence the name). Usually, they were older folks who could no longer work full time. Others were police officers looking to supplement their pay (and they were often up for their rounds, anyway). They were equipped with some sort of stick, usually made of bamboo. This stick was quite long, so that it could reach the higher stories of buildings. They would rap on the window until the person in question indicated that they were awake.
Other knocker-uppers preferred different tools such as soft hammers or rattles. Most famously, some became experts with pea shooters. They would shoot at windows far above the street. Many of these were immortalized in Britain, with several famous photographs taken over the years.
This effort seems like a lot of extra work. With so many people working the same shifts at the same factory, wouldn’t it be easier to just make a lot of noise to wake people up? Perhaps so, but the problem there was that the knocker-ups might not get paid. By just rapping on the windows of paying customers, the knocker upper avoided anyone free riding off their valuable services. Knocking also avoided the trouble of waking up people who did not have to be awake at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning.
As time went on, personal alarm clocks became cheaper and more widely available. By the middle of the twentieth century, the Knocker-Up profession ceased to exist. That said, there were pockets of Britain and Ireland where it persisted into the 1970s! History is full of these sorts of jobs that were once ubiquitous but have since disappeared. As I roll out of bed to the less than melodic strains of my alarm clock, I wonder what sorts of common jobs people do these days will end up like the knocker ups?
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Genealogy Center’s April 2026 Programs
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April’s rich program offerings are below. Take a look and register for at least a few today!
Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “IN-PERSON DNA & Genealogy Interest Group” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15953944
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Did Grandpa Live on a Freeway? Digitally Merging Old and New Maps” with Lisa Minogue - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15983224
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET “America at 250! Researching Your Revolutionary Ancestors” with Scott Norrick. A hybrid program (in-person and online) of the Allen County Genealogical Society - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D3yj61j9Sf2tgyNY0GPm5g#/registration
Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Uncovering Your Ancestors through Newspapers: Getting Started with Family Tree Research and Making the Most of Your Discoveries” with Jeremy Verdusco - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15983501
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Develop and Digitize Your Family Archives” with Marcia Spicer - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15983759
Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Genealogy Research Around the World with Jewishgen.org” with Debbie Kroopkin - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984107
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “The Queen City: Tracing Ancestors in Cincinnati” with Kate McKenzie - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984236
Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Wills and Their Whereabouts (England)” with Rachael Mellen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984299
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Bonnie Olde Scotland: Researching Your Kilted Ancestors” with Rhonda Casler - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984372
Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Genealogical Shock: Now What? Moving Forward After Unexpected DNA Results” with Rebecca Rothman McCoy, Phd. - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984459
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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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Look for the Genealogy Center merch! You really should check it out! The special Genealogy Center section of the store with some pretty cool items. Just added: some holiday ornaments! 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. As much as ever, this support is so very important.
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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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Parking at the Library
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The library’s current parking system started on November 3, 2025, and may still be new to some. It 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.
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 questions one may have. And of course, one 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, FASG co-editors
No. 265, March 31, 2026
In this issue:
*Wisdom from Yester-Decade
*Special Early May 2026 Program with the Northeast IN Jewish Genealogy Society-- Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records
*Special Conference News: The NGS Conference in Fort Wayne is Less Than Two Months Away
*Emigrants from Baden and Wurttemberg in the Eighteenth Century by Brigette Burkett
*Connecting Revolutionary Stories to Family History: Exploring a New Digital Resource for America250
*PERSI Gems: Bigamy
*Preservation Tips: The Poison Book Project
*History Tidbits: Human Alarm Clocks--The Story of Knocker-Ups
*Genealogy Center’s April 2026 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
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Wisdom from Yester-Decade
by Curt B. Witcher
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One decade ago, I penned an article highlighting what springtime renewal might mean for us as genealogists and family historians. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, so much of what I wrote then is quite applicable today.
The clicking of keyboards and touchpads, the clicking of iPhones and mobile devices, the clicking of digital cameras and digital recorders, the clicking of ball-point pen plungers—all those still can be heard today, likely just amplified over the last decade. This clicking can be signs of family historians getting busy discovering, documenting, and recording more of their families’ stories. Just as likely today, a good bit of technology is being deployed trying to organize the troves of data we and our ancestors have collected so that it makes sense to our family members to whom we hope to pass along our records after we are gone.
Many of us don’t do that well when it comes to consistently identifying and properly storing our photographs, whether those photographs are actually physical items or digital images. Paper or digital, we tend to forget the attention that needs to be paid to identifying and appropriately labeling the images. We all believe we will get around to it, but most never do. The number of digital images that get “lost” every year is stunning. We need to be much more intentional in organizing and labelling these valuable family history assets.
If we want to share our photographic images with our great-grandchildren’s grandchildren long after we are gone, we need to be much more active about appropriate backups and strategic sharing of our images. Have we thought about what would happen if our devices containing all our collections of images were stolen? Or lost? Or damaged such that our images were unretrievable? And don’t get me started on how we’re doing with our estate planning. Do we have a process for sharing logins and passwords with those who will be the wisdom-keepers for our family?
One of the most valuable assets we have is living memory--the memories and recollections of loved ones near and far. Yet, are we intentional about talking with them about the people, places and events they remember in their lives? What about our memories of family gatherings, our own professional pursuits, the encounters we have had with cousins, nephews and nieces? As with many things involving our family history pursuits, we believe we’re going to get to it but months later we haven’t spent even a moment recording any living memory.
As I did a decade ago, I suggest we adopt Nike’s legacy motto: Just do it! Pick a consistent time of day and location. Reserve no more than five minutes (and it doesn’t have to be that long). Record a recollection, experience, or musing you have about one of your parents. Commit to writing or recording something *every* day. Use as many days as you need to record what you know about that parent and then move on to the next parent. If there is only one parent to write about, or when you’re finished writing about both parents, move to the grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins of all types until you have covered all the family members you can recall. Once you establish a routine, you will be amazed at what you remember, and those memories can easily lead to an enjoyable hunt for associated records and documents that complement those recollections.
I believe it is important not to let perfection get in the way of progress. We all seem prone to that. The goal shouldn’t be perfection; rather, the goal should be just to do one meaningful activity, followed by another, and then another. Pretty soon you will be amazed at what you have accomplished. So many decades of research and so many generations of photographs, memories, and documents go unorganized. Let’s take the dawning of a new season to change that.
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Special Early May 2026 Program with the Northeast IN Jewish Genealogy Society--Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records
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FREE PROGRAMS—May 3-4, 2026—at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center: Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records
Sunday, May 3, 2026
2:00 p.m. ET “Polish Jewish Research – The JRI-Poland Experience” with Hadassah Lipsius. Hadassah will present in-person at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. Learn how to use this fabulous online resource to find vital records, census lists, and more!
3:30 p.m. ET “Was My Ancestor Rich or Poor: What We Can Find from Polish Business Court Records” with Anna Wiernicka. Anna will join us virtually from Poland, and will reveal hidden records found within the business court records held by the Polish State Archives.
Both Sunday programs will be available virtually if you are not available to attend in-person. Find the registration link on this website: www.NEIndianaJGS.org.
Monday, May 4, 2026
1:30 p.m. ET In-person Computer Workshop with Hadassah Lipsius at the Genealogy Center. Bring your own computer for this FREE hands-on workshop using resources from JRI-Poland, the Polish State Archives, and more. To sign up, email: NEIndianaJGS [at] gmail.com.
Hadassah Lipsius is a longtime board member of JRI-Poland and worked with the NEIJGS as co-chair of the 2025 IAJGS Conference in Fort Wayne. Dr. Anna Wiernicka is a professional genealogist in Poland. She and Hadassah collaborate and uncover interesting stories from their deep dives into the Polish State Archives. Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records
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Special Conference News: The NGS Conference in Fort Wayne is Less Than Two Months Away
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It is not too late to register for the National Genealogical Society’s 2026 Conference in Fort Wayne at the end of May. Time is flying by, though. You really don’t want to miss this event! Check out all the opportunities at: https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org.
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Emigrants from Baden and Wurttemberg in the Eighteenth Century by Brigette Burkett
by Logan Knight
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Eighteenth century (1700s) German Immigrants to the future United States can be a challenging group for the genealogist to trace. Fortunately, there are several resources to help the researcher. One of the most useful is “Emigrants from Baden and Wurttemberg in the Eighteenth Century” by Brigette Burkett (Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1996), GC 929.13 B92e.
The book offers a straightforward account of about four hundred and thirty-five families and individuals from the states of Baden and Wurttemberg who arrived in America at this time. Multiple sources confirm the existence of the listed immigrants, including German church records, emigration requests, newspapers, correspondence, and passenger lists. The book contains descriptions of each of these sources and where to find them.
The book highlights manumission certificates as a key document type. These certificates are a unique source not seen after 1815. Why? Because a manumission certificate is one that frees a subject from his feudal dues to his liege lord. In other words, it represents his freedom from vassalage or serfdom. While most aspects of serfdom had decayed in western Germany through the long centuries, it still legally existed and had to be reckoned with for the prospective immigrant. It often required a cash payment, although sometimes the person could be released for free depending on the circumstances. After the final downfall of Napoleon, this system was swept away completely in western Germany, which is why you won’t see it for later immigrants. While these payments were a tough burden on the immigrant, the resulting documents are gold for the genealogist.
The way to utilize this work is simple. Burkett lists all the immigrants in alphabetical order (there is an index) with a short biography, family connections, and the village of origin. Most importantly, it notes carefully the sources for this information, allowing the researcher to confirm what is recorded. If you know your immigrant ancestor, then simply go to the entry for them.
The most unexpectedly enjoyable part of the book is the rich description of the voyage to the New World and how that process took place. For example, the author notes that the immigrants had to pass over twenty toll stations on the Rhine before arriving at Rotterdam. These details make the actual journey of the emigrant come alive despite the passage of centuries. Also worth highlighting is the section on the various villages of origin for the immigrants. Each one has a short history attached, along with some photos, to help inform the researcher.
I would highly recommend examining this book and its two companion volumes, if you have ancestors from this place and time, on your next visit to the Genealogy Center.
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Connecting Revolutionary Stories to Family History: Exploring a New Digital Resource for America250
by Allison DePrey Singleton
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As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, genealogists have a unique opportunity to reconnect with the people and communities who lived through the Revolutionary era. A valuable new resource supporting this work is the American Revolution Institute’s digital collections platform, The Field, which provides online access to manuscripts, maps, broadsides, prints, and rare books from the period (https://collections.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/).
This growing digital archive brings together materials that were once difficult to access, allowing researchers to explore primary sources that document daily life, military service, and the broader social and political landscape of the Revolution. While it is not a traditional genealogy database, it offers rich contextual evidence that can deepen and strengthen family history research.
Genealogists can use these materials to better understand how their ancestors may have experienced the Revolutionary period, whether as soldiers, civilians, or members of local communities. Manuscripts and orderly books may reveal details about military life, while maps and printed materials provide insight into the places and events that shaped their world. These sources help move research beyond basic facts to a fuller picture of lived experience.
As part of the America250 commemoration, this resource offers a meaningful way to connect personal family stories to the broader national narrative. It encourages researchers to revisit ancestors who lived during the late eighteenth century and to incorporate historical context into their storytelling. Even when an individual ancestor is not named, the materials can illuminate the environments, events, and perspectives that influenced their lives.
Exploring this collection can help genealogists ask deeper questions about their ancestors’ experiences and create more engaging, story-driven interpretations of the past. As we look toward the 2026 celebration, resources like this play an important role in ensuring that the stories of everyday people during the American Revolution continue to be discovered and shared.
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PERSI Gems: Bigamy
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
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Finding out about our ancestors can be exhilarating, the breaking down of research brick walls, the discovery of our families’ triumphs and tragedies. Our dogged searches reveal the complexities of family life. These complexities present research challenges, particularly when families were broken due to abandonment, deceit, or unfaithfulness.
Extreme examples of such family tragedies also involved bigamy, being married to more than one living person at the same time. In a strictly genealogical research sense, multiple concurrent spouses can cause all sorts of problems. Chief among these is sorting out lies and misinformation appearing in marriage license applications and in census questionnaires. Researchers rely on truthful information in primary source records but attempts to evade bigamy laws led to unreliable information being introduced into official records. Names were changed, marital statuses were fudged, ages, birth places, and places of residence were altered to avoid detection or identification. Illicit movements across jurisdictional boundaries in the pursuit of wedding officiants further complicated matters.
Black sheep and otherwise illusive individuals are parts of every family, but records exist that can aid your search. PERSI can help you track your relations and their spouses, no matter how many there were concurrently. Try a search here:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
Below is a small sampling of bigamy articles from the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center’s periodical holdings. Note that while many of these are for specific cases, there are also articles addressing the broader legal aspects of bigamy, information that may prove useful while researching these cases:
Bigamy on the barges, Carrington-Rimmer-Orrell-Taylor-Jackson family research, 1840s+
Ormskirk & District (Eng.) Family Historian, Issue 55 (Mar 2011)
Joe Hogland freed from jail for bigamy, free to captivate susceptible dames, New Era excerpt, 1881
Noble News (Noble County Genealogical Society., IN), Vol. 36, Issue 1 (Spr 2015)
Camp Snell and Rosa Johnson Fox-Snell arrest, Peter Fox charge of bigamy, 1896, OH
Clermont County (OH) Genealogical Society Newsletter, Vol. 35, Issue 1 (Feb 2013)
William H. Morgan-Nancy Morgan-Mary J. Russell bigamy charge, 1874-1875, IL, MO
Footprints in Williamson County, Illinois, Vol. 14, Issue 3 (Fal 2011)
William Connolly and Catherine Fogarty commit compound bigamy, 1829, Ireland
Irish Genealogical Research Society Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 10 (Apr 2003)
Thomas Mark legal letters to Charles Rice about John Thornton bigamy, 1884, Ont.; Dakota Terr.
Lanark Log (Lanark County Genealogical Soc., Ont.), Issue 8 (Nov 2009)
Thomas King arrested for bigamy, married Eliza E. Dodson, but already had wife, 1889, IL
Central Illinois Genealogical Quarterly, Vol. 46, Issue 2 (Sum 2010)
Silas Chappell arrested for bigamy, married Catherine A. Mulcahy and Blanche Kitchen, 1895, IL
Central Illinois Genealogical Quarterly Vol. 46, Issue 2 (Sum 2010)
Rev. W. H. H. Force sentenced, bigamy with four wives, San Francisco Call, Oct. 1908
Cedar & Vernon County, MO, Genealogical Society Newsletter (May 2014)
Private Carl Carman of Camp Taylor found guilty of bigamy, 1919, IN
Indiana Genealogist, Vol. 18, Issue 4 (Dec 2007)
Divorce and bigamy, laws, Bristol examples, 19th C.
Bristol and Avon (Eng.) Family History Society Journal, Issue 168 (Jun 2017)
Remarriage after seven-year separation, bigamy legislation notes, 1820s-1830s
Lancashire (Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society, Eng.), Vol. 9, Issue 3 (Aug 1988)
Missing Moffett family, Darius L. V. Moffett wanted for bigamy, forgery, fraud and theft, 19th C.+
National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 108, Issue 3 (Sep 2020)
Mrs. Tom McCormack aka Mrs. Henry West aka Mrs. McDaniels arrested for bigamy, 1899, Montgomery, TN
River Counties, Vol. 11, Issue 1-4 (1982)
Marriage acts, bigamy, goodfaith, marital overview, pre-1500s+
Flowing Stream (Sheffield Family History Soc., Eng.), Vol. 23, Issue 4 (Win 2002)
Jonas Hellawell-Margaret Nicol curious case of bigamy, trial and Scotch law, 1833-1847
Huddersfield & District (Eng.) Family History Society Journal Vol. 28, Issue 3 (Apr 2015)
History of bigamy & confusion
Practical Family History, Issue 26 (Feb 2000)
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Preservation Tips: The Poison Book Project
by Christina Clary, C.A.
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Archivists must be prepared to stumble across anything when going through a collection. All manner of items can be found hiding away in boxes or on the shelves that have not yet been identified and inspected. This is what happened in 2019 at the Winterthur Institute in Delaware, when a conservator grew curious about a bright green book. Upon closer examination, it was determined that the vivid green color came from arsenic.
The Victorian era is notorious for its casual use of toxic materials for everyday purposes, such as beauty products, wallpaper, and even toys. Arsenic, which is still used as pesticide and in rat poisons, was also used to create green pigments. Chemists developed the arsenic-based compound, called copper acetoarsenite, around 1800. It is a very distinctive, bright and intense green shade referred to as Emerald Green or Paris green.
The discovery of what is now referred to as a “poison book” led conservators at Winterthur to begin testing other brightly colored Victoria- era books for heavy metals. Their study found that bright yellows, oranges, and darker or olive greens often contain lead and chromium, and bright reds contain mercury. Though these are not as toxic as arsenic, they are still potentially harmful. Bright or Prussian blues contain lead but are considered benign and therefore not “poison books.” These books also show little to no insect damage, as the poisons act as pesticides. Books with arsenic are also more friable, meaning the pigment transfers easily.
The conservators at Winterthur have continued their project of identifying titles with potentially toxic covers. This toxic green was also used on bookends and in some illustrations. Currently, their list of books with arsenical components is over 350 titles. Covers made with book cloths range almost exclusively within a publication range of 1840 to 1860, with most dating to the 1850s. Books that have paper coverings can date up to 1900.
The project has developed bookmarks that can be requested for free to help identify these books. The bookmarks show the variations of the distinct emerald green, which can be compared to a book to identify whether arsenic may be present. While the only conclusive way to confirm arsenic through X-ray fluorescence testing, the bookmarks are a good indicator that it might be present.
If you suspect your book has arsenic or any other harmful material, do not panic. The books are not lethal unless you ingest them. To quote the head of the Poison Book Project, Dr. Melissa Tedone in a 2024 article, “don’t lick your green book.” They may still cause illness if improperly handled. Use nitrile gloves and put the book in a gallon-sized plastic bag. Wash your hands thoroughly, and avoid touching your face, eating, or drinking while handling the book. Thoroughly wipe down surfaces afterwards. If you do not feel comfortable keeping the book, it needs to be disposed of as hazardous waste according to local regulations. Do not donate it without first consulting with the organization.
The point here is not to frighten or create a fear that your family's heirlooms are secretly poisoning you. Rather, it is a reminder that these items should be handled with care. We do not always know what they contain. It is easy to judge the past from our current perspective. Who knows what materials we use today that people 150 years from now will view with horror? Items such as these “poison books” help us better understand the society and culture in which our ancestors lived.
Poison Book Project website: https://sites.udel.edu/poisonbookproject/
Stimpson, Ashley. “The Poison Book Project Uncovers Toxic Arsenic in Antique Books.” The Washington Post, July 24, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/07/24/toxic-victorian-bookbinding-arsenic/.
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History Tidbits: Human Alarm Clocks--The Story of Knocker-Ups
by Logan Knight
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As we roll into Daylight Savings Time, I find myself surrounded by devices to “assist” in waking up at this painfully new hour. I have an alarm clock, a phone clock, and even a cat who wakes me up for treats at the same time, as regular as clockwork. All of this got me to wonder about how people woke themselves up at a certain time before alarm clocks were a thing.
For most of human history, this was not really an issue. People would usually rise with the sun and go to bed when the sun went down. Obviously, there were exceptions and extensions, such as using candles to stay up later, etc. That being said, early to bed and early to rise was the traditional sleep schedule for the majority of mankind.
That all began to change with the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century in England. As factories began to open, time management became a much more pressing concern. By locating the work in a central location, and with access to various forms of energy, the sun was no longer the determinant factor in whether work could be done. Therefore, schedules could be rationalized depending on the job’s circumstances.
This change led to the problem of getting people up before the sun had risen. Alarm clocks had been around since 1787, but they were cumbersome and very expensive. All of this was far beyond the ability of what most industrial workers could afford. Something had to be done, and so it was, leading the way to the creation of a unique job: knocker-ups.
Knocker-ups were people hired to go around and wake people up at their appointed hour by knocking on their window (hence the name). Usually, they were older folks who could no longer work full time. Others were police officers looking to supplement their pay (and they were often up for their rounds, anyway). They were equipped with some sort of stick, usually made of bamboo. This stick was quite long, so that it could reach the higher stories of buildings. They would rap on the window until the person in question indicated that they were awake.
Other knocker-uppers preferred different tools such as soft hammers or rattles. Most famously, some became experts with pea shooters. They would shoot at windows far above the street. Many of these were immortalized in Britain, with several famous photographs taken over the years.
This effort seems like a lot of extra work. With so many people working the same shifts at the same factory, wouldn’t it be easier to just make a lot of noise to wake people up? Perhaps so, but the problem there was that the knocker-ups might not get paid. By just rapping on the windows of paying customers, the knocker upper avoided anyone free riding off their valuable services. Knocking also avoided the trouble of waking up people who did not have to be awake at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning.
As time went on, personal alarm clocks became cheaper and more widely available. By the middle of the twentieth century, the Knocker-Up profession ceased to exist. That said, there were pockets of Britain and Ireland where it persisted into the 1970s! History is full of these sorts of jobs that were once ubiquitous but have since disappeared. As I roll out of bed to the less than melodic strains of my alarm clock, I wonder what sorts of common jobs people do these days will end up like the knocker ups?
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Genealogy Center’s April 2026 Programs
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April’s rich program offerings are below. Take a look and register for at least a few today!
Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “IN-PERSON DNA & Genealogy Interest Group” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15953944
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Did Grandpa Live on a Freeway? Digitally Merging Old and New Maps” with Lisa Minogue - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15983224
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET “America at 250! Researching Your Revolutionary Ancestors” with Scott Norrick. A hybrid program (in-person and online) of the Allen County Genealogical Society - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D3yj61j9Sf2tgyNY0GPm5g#/registration
Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Uncovering Your Ancestors through Newspapers: Getting Started with Family Tree Research and Making the Most of Your Discoveries” with Jeremy Verdusco - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15983501
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Develop and Digitize Your Family Archives” with Marcia Spicer - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15983759
Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Genealogy Research Around the World with Jewishgen.org” with Debbie Kroopkin - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984107
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “The Queen City: Tracing Ancestors in Cincinnati” with Kate McKenzie - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984236
Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Wills and Their Whereabouts (England)” with Rachael Mellen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984299
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Bonnie Olde Scotland: Researching Your Kilted Ancestors” with Rhonda Casler - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984372
Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Genealogical Shock: Now What? Moving Forward After Unexpected DNA Results” with Rebecca Rothman McCoy, Phd. - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/15984459
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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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Look for the Genealogy Center merch! You really should check it out! The special Genealogy Center section of the store with some pretty cool items. Just added: some holiday ornaments! 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. As much as ever, this support is so very important.
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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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Parking at the Library
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The library’s current parking system started on November 3, 2025, and may still be new to some. It 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.
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 questions one may have. And of course, one 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, FASG co-editors
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