| Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne, No. 266, April 30, 2026 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygems genealogycenter.info)
|
|
| Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:54:39 -0400 | |
Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne
No. 266, April 30, 2026
In this issue:
*Special Program Announcement--National Genealogical Society, 27-30 May 2026
*Special Program Announcement--Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society, 03-04 May 2026
*Special Program Announcement--Special “Linking Lincoln” Program, 20 May 2026
*Records, Flags and Remembering This Memorial Day
*Vintage Aerial - Rural Roots from Above
*A Century Revealed: The 1926 Irish Census Is Finally Here
*PERSI Gems: Oops!
*Preservation Tips: History of Papermaking Part 1 - Ancient Civilizations
*History Tidbits: Escape from Colditz Castle
*Genealogy Center’s May 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
***************************************
Special Program Announcement--National Genealogical Society, 27-30 May 2026
***************************************
The National Genealogical Society’s 2026 Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana starts in less than one month! And you have a discount code to register if you have not already registered! Read on! This is an absolutely terrific learning and networking opportunity, and especially for those living in the Great Lakes states. Such opportunities don’t come along every year. You’ll enjoy engaging with expert presenters; you’ll get to interact with exhibitors; you’ll find more of your families’ stories in the Genealogy Center’s 1.32 million items, especially with the extended research hours during the conference; and you’ll enjoy a safe, walkable city with many local eateries.
Register today at https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/2026registration/.
Use the discount code: Local50
This code will give a $50 discount on all in-person (member and non-member) registrations, as well as virtual (member and non-member). It will expire on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
***************************************
Special Program Announcement--Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society, 03-04 May 2026
***************************************
The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center is pleased to host the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society’s series of programs on “Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records” on Sunday, May 3, 2026 and Monday, May 4, 2026. The programs will feature noted genealogy experts Hadassah Lipsius (in person at the Genealogy Center) and Dr. Anna Wiernicka (virtually from Poland), who will share research methods and historical context for tracing Jewish ancestry in Poland.
***Sunday, May 3
2:00 p.m., “Polish Jewish Research – The JRI‑Poland Experience” will explore one of the most important resources for Jewish genealogical research. Jewish Records Indexing–Poland (JRI‑Poland) has created the world’s largest online index of Polish Jewish vital records, resident registers, census lists, and related sources. Researchers will be shown the database and will learn how to trace ancestors in both historical and present‑day Polish territories.
3:30 p.m., “Was My Ancestor Rich or Poor? What We Can Learn from Polish Business Court Records” Polish business court records, maintained by the Polish State Archives from 1916 through the 1940s, document enterprises ranging from small family businesses to larger partnerships. These records offer insights into family life and economic conditions between the world wars.
If you are unable to attend these two programs in person, you can attend virtually via Zoom. Registration is required for virtual attendance. Registration details and the event link are available on the NEIJGS website at www.NEIndianaJGS.org/upcoming-events/.
***Monday, May 4
1:30 p.m. In-person only 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. E-mail NEIndianaJGS [at] gmail.com to sign up.
Hadassah Lipsius is Vice President and a member of the executive committee of Jewish Records Indexing–Poland (JRI‑Poland). Her work is informed by extensive research trips to Eastern Europe and more than 240 years of documented family history. Dr. Anna Wiernicka is a historian, lecturer, researcher, and professional genealogist specializing in Jewish history in Poland. Her research focuses on Jewish life in the 19th‑century Kingdom of Poland, including women’s roles and everyday family life.
***************************************
Special Program Announcement--Special “Linking Lincoln” Program, 20 May 2026
***************************************
On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET Lincoln Librarian, Abbie Meek, will present “Sons of Lincoln: Four Boys in a Tumultuous Era.” This program explores the lives of Abraham Lincoln’s four sons—Robert, Edward, William, and Thomas—from their early years in Springfield, Illinois, to their time in the White House and beyond. From the long and complex life of Robert to the shorter lives of Edward, William, and Thomas, their stories reveal a family shaped by both opportunity and loss.
Join our free Zoom program on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, and discover how these four boys experienced childhood, family, and legacy against the backdrop of a rapidly changing nation. Register for the program at the following link. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VGycYRGcS_K8v6tFYt-Hcw
***************************************
Records, Flags and Remembering This Memorial Day
by Curt B. Witcher
***************************************
In a few days we will be celebrating Memorial Day 2026. This celebration comes in a year where patriotic celebrations will take on an extra special meaning as our country celebrates its 250th anniversary. I really embrace this very short but meaningful explanation of Memorial Day. “This solemn day of remembrance has been observed for over 150 years, allowing Americans to pause and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by service members.”
For genealogists and family historians, we use this solemn day to specifically remember our own family members who made the ultimate sacrifice. We have long ago learned that in every generation there exists the possibility of an ancestor (sometimes more than one) dying in service of family, neighbor, and country. Hence, we should expect that we have many military ancestors, some among those who died in service. More so now than ever, we have an abundance of resources to discover the amazing family stories of these patriotic ancestors. Let’s commit to finding all of their stories, and I believe that can best happen when we use all the resources available to us.
There are numerous resources off-the-beaten-path that we should investigate in our efforts to pursue, preserve, and share our patriotic ancestors’ stories. A few are shared in the following.
United States Federal Government Documents
The US Federal Government is among the largest publishers in the world. As defending our liberties and our nation are consequential activities of the federal government, one can expect to find much military history, many military publications, and critical contexting data in federal governments. They can be challenging to use, but it is typically well worth the effort for great information the persistent researcher will find. Federal government documents are freely accessible in many libraries of all types and sizes, and increasingly available online. A useful guide created by the Federal Depository Library Program office can be explored through the following link. https://libguides.fdlp.gov/fdlp-basic-collection
The Periodical Source Index (PERSI)
While some may consider this resource mainstream, the number of individuals who have not heard of it or don’t use it on a regular basis relegate it to this off-the-beaten-path category. PERSI subject indexes thousands of periodicals published by societies and organizations all over the world. More than 3.2 million articles are in PERSI. With a very strong focus on North American publications, PERSI will necessarily contain an amazing number of articles about veterans, their units, their towns and their families. PERSI is available for free from the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center at the following link. www.genealogycenter.info/persi
Chronicling America
Chronicling America is a free resource from the Library of Congress. This resource contains millions of newspaper pages from nearly every state and territory in the United States published through 1963. As the title implies, newspapers chronicle the lives and times of our ancestors and their communities. As such, we can expect much military related information. This is an excellent complement to Newspapers.com and NewspaperArchive.com. Chronicling America is available for free at the following link. www.loc.gov/collections/chronicling-america
Our Military Heritage
The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center has been digitizing and posting military and veteran information for a significant number of years. That information is posted online and accessible for free. While small compared to Fold3 and other large information aggregators, you may find some really unique resources here that can complete another part of your particular patriotic ancestor’s story. You can also contribute to this website to ensure copies of your family’s military documents are available for many future generations. You can find Our Military Heritage at the following link. www.genealogycenter.info/military
National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC)
This can be one of the more challenging free online resources to use. It doesn’t appear to function in a straight-forward, familiar manner, and certainly doesn’t have the look and feel of Google or Amazon. Nonetheless, if you have some spare moments (or insomnia some night!) it is worth taking a look around. It can be an important way to access significant manuscript collections in colleges, universities, and special libraries. Military records, references, and histories abound. You can access NUCMC at the following link. www.loc.gov/coll/nucmc
Finally, both the National Archives and the digital collections of the Library of Congress are filled with military references and resources. Those sites definitely are worthy of exploration. Google them for the links to their respective webpages and collections.
Celebrate this Memorial Day by finding more of your military ancestors’ stories.
***************************************
Vintage Aerial - Rural Roots from Above
by Kate McKenzie
***************************************
One of our newer on-site databases is Vintage Aerial. If you have not yet explored this resource, we encourage you to do so. Vintage Aerial Library Edition is available at no cost while visiting the Genealogy Center and provides access to more than 54,000 historical aerial images from Allen County alone! In addition, the collection spans approximately 82% of the United States, with millions of aerial photographs currently representing 41 states. This distinctive database offers a rich visual record of rural landscapes from the 1960s through the early 2000s, allowing you to explore both personal and community histories through an extensive and engaging archive.
There are several ways to navigate and utilize Vintage Aerial. The homepage includes quick links to images from Allen County and other locations throughout Indiana. However, it is important to emphasize that the database extends far beyond the Hoosier state, making it especially valuable for those researching ancestors or relatives who lived in rural areas across the country.
Users can search by map location, selecting specific states and counties, or by entering keywords such as “cemetery,” “farm,” or even family names. It should be noted that not all images are currently associated with keyword descriptions, as much of this information is contributed by users. As engagement with the database continues to grow, these details are steadily expanding and improving.
Another effective search method is by address. For example, I entered the address of my grandmother’s house - a house she has occupied for nearly 50 years. This search returned several rolls of film associated with the approximate location. By browsing these images, I was able to locate an aerial photograph of the property from 1984. It was fascinating to observe how both the home and its surrounding landscape have changed over the past four decades. Features such as a swimming pool, which is no longer present, were visible, and elements of the home’s exterior facade have been updated over time.
It was especially meaningful to share this photograph with family members, as it quickly sparked memories and conversation. Relatives began recalling details about the property and surrounding area. These included stories about gatherings, changes to the home, and features that no longer exist. The image served as a visual prompt that brought back experiences that might not have surfaced otherwise, allowing different generations to connect through shared history. In this way, the photograph became more than just a record of a place; it acted as a catalyst for storytelling, preservation of family memories, and a deeper appreciation of how the landscape, and the lives connected to it, have evolved over time.
Vintage Aerial provides a meaningful way to connect with your family’s past and the history of your community. Records and photographs of rural areas can often be more difficult to locate, presenting unique challenges for researchers. This database helps bridge that gap by offering access to visual documentation that might otherwise be unavailable. Whether you are exploring the history of a family farm passed down through stories, researching a home in a rural area, or seeking to understand how a community has evolved over time, Vintage Aerial offers a valuable and engaging resource for discovery.
***************************************
A Century Revealed: The 1926 Irish Census Is Finally Here
https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-1926-census/
by Elizabeth Hodges
***************************************
If you have Irish roots and you've been banging your head against a 20th century brick wall trying to trace your family, this month just got a lot more interesting.
The 1926 census of the Irish Free State was released to the public April 18, 2026, exactly 100 years after it was taken, and it's freely available through the National Archives of Ireland. For anyone who's done Irish genealogy research, you already know why this is a big deal. The destruction of earlier census records left a gaping hole in the historical record, and the jump from the 1911 census to anything usable has long been one of the most frustrating gaps in the field. This new record fills a lot of it.
The census was taken on April 18, 1926, just a few years after the end of the Civil War. Ireland was quite literally a different country than it had been in 1911, and the records reflect that fact. Taken five years after the 1921 partition of Ireland, this census covers only the 26 counties of the Irish Free State — if your family was from Antrim, Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, or Derry, you'll need to look elsewhere for this period. Over 700,000 household returns, covering close to three million people, have been digitized and made fully searchable.
The basics are all there: names, ages, occupations, religion, marital status. But the 1926 census asks some questions that earlier ones didn't. Birthplaces are recorded more precisely. There are details about employers. It asks whether people could speak Irish, and how long couples had been married. These are small things, maybe, but the kind of details that can suddenly make a person feel real on the page.
Worth noting too: enumerators occasionally scrawled notes in the margins, corrections and clarifications, relationship details that didn't fit neatly into any column. These annotations are easy to overlook and can be genuinely surprising. Sometimes they complicate the family story you thought you knew. Think about where your family was in 1911. The children in those records would be young adults by 1926, maybe married, maybe with kids of their own. People who seemed to vanish between records, through emigration or marriage or just the chaos of those years, have a decent chance of turning up here.
It's nowhere near a solution to every Irish research problem, but if your family was in Ireland in that era (even collateral family members), it's a genuinely exciting resource. If you haven't looked yet, now's the time.
https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-1926-census/
***************************************
PERSI Gems: Oops!
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
***************************************
An altar boy serving for the Rite of Committal was curious about the depth of the open grave. He stepped closer…
A teen girl was on a date to the circus and could stand the discomfort of her girdle no longer…
A boy thought the skunk was dead…
A Nazi Captain’s U-Boat crew didn’t know how to work the toilet…
History is full of blunders, mishaps, and oopsies galore. The next time you find yourself regretting an inopportune mistake, rest assured that you are not alone. Search the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) for stories of others who have suffered moments of embarrassment:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
Captain Karl-Adolph Schlitt and U-1206 faulty toilet sinking, military mishap, 1945
MHQ: the Quarterly Journal of Military History, Vol. 31, Issue 3 (Spr 2019)
Cheatham County Central High School graduation caps and gowns mishap, 1951
CCHGA Bytes (Cheatham County Historical and Genealogical Association, TN), May 2008
Funeral Mass embarrassment anecdote of altar boy James Schiegg, mid-1960s
Reminisce Extra, Vol. 24, Issue 6 (Nov 2016)
Handling sensitive and potentially embarrassing family information
Black Tracks (Black Genealogy Search Group, CO), Vol. 15, Issue 4 (Oct 2006)
James L. Douthat, oops, common research errors with personal research examples
Tree Talk (Cherokee County Genealogical Society, TX), Vol. 49, Issue 1-2 (Fal 2023)
John William Humm, age 10, broke leg at party, later burned it in fire cracker mishap, 1934, IL
Shawnee (Saline County Genealogical Society, IL), Vol. 25, Issue 2 (Win 2010)
L. Chase Allen, MD, recalls a misadventure with a skunk, 1940, Breathitt County, KY
Kentucky Explorer, Vol. 23, Issue 6 (Nov 2008)
Last child really grandma's, oops baby from older daughter, genealogy tip
Diablo Descendants (Contra Costa County Genealogical Society, CA), Vol. E-9, Issue 7 (Jul 2016)
Luriene Gutke embarrassing moment as policeman's wife, her car got stolen, n.d., UT
Blue Mountain Shadows (San Juan Historical Commission, UT), Vol. 42 (Fal 2010)
Oops etymology theory, derived from ooperzootic equine epidemic, 1872+
American History, Vol. 54, Issue 5 (Dec 2019)
Rosemary Williams recalls date with Bill, girdle mishap, circus visit, 1950s
Reminisce, Vol. 31, Issue 3 (Apr 2021)
***************************************
Preservation Tips: History of Papermaking Part 1 - Ancient Civilizations
by Christina Clary, C.A.
***************************************
Before the invention of paper as we know it today, people used materials native to their regions as writing surfaces, especially to record family genealogies and histories. Mesopotamians in the Middle East used clay tablets to record their cuneiform writing system beginning around 3,000 B.C.E. These were also used by the ancient Greek civilizations of Mycenae and Minoa for accounting purposes. A stylus was used to inscribe writing into the malleable surface of the tablet. Unfired tablets could be soaked in water to erase writing incisions and reused. Clay tablets that were fired in kilns hardened and became more durable.
In Southeast Asia, palm leaves that had undergone a curing process were used as a writing medium beginning in the 5th century B.C.E. Texts were incised into the leaves with a stylus, and black soot was rubbed in to make the marks visible. These leaves could then be bound together by cutting one or two holes and tying them with string to create a manuscript. The Chinese used a variety of media, including pottery, bones (used mainly for divination), silk (boshu), bamboo strips (jiandu), and wooden tablets (mudu), while the Japanese primarily used silk and wooden tablets (mokkan).
Tree bark served as a writing surface across many civilizations. Amate, a paper-like material made from fig and mulberry bark, was used by the Aztecs and Mayans. Similarly, Polynesian cultures such as the Samoans, Hawaiians, and Tongans used the bark of mulberry trees—brought to the islands from Southeast Asia around 3,000 years ago—to create tapa. Tapa—called kapa in Hawaiian—differs from amate in that the bark was not boiled. It was used in a variety of ways beyond writing surfaces, including fabric, bedding, and for ceremonial purposes. Scraps of tapa have been found in other tropical regions, including parts of Southeast Asia, China, South America, and Africa. However, it is primarily associated with the Pacific Islands, where it is still used in crafting and religious ceremonies.
The two best known types of writing surfaces are papyrus and parchment. The papyrus plant grows in the Nile River region of Egypt, and its use as a writing surface began around 3,000 B.C.E., when Mesopotamians were using clay tablets. Ancient Egyptians used the reed of the plant by cutting the stem into strips and using the resin of the plant to adhere a second layer across the strips perpendicularly. After drying, the sheets were joined together to form a scroll. Scrolls were usually about twenty sheets long, and the horizontal side was used for writing. Unlike many other surfaces, writers used ink rather than inscribing the text. Papyrus also had many uses beyond writing, though today the plant population is greatly diminished
Parchment was developed around the 2nd century B.C.E. by the ancient Greeks in the city of Pergamum (modern-day Bergama, Turkey). It was made from the processed skins of goats, sheep, and calves and was rolled into scrolls similar to papyrus. Later processing methods allowed both sides of the parchment to be used, leading to the creation of the codex, a precursor to the bound book. The use of parchment eventually supplanted papyrus and spread throughout Europe. It declined in the 15th century as plant-based paper became a more affordable alternative.
***************************************
History Tidbits: Escape from Colditz Castle
by Logan Knight
***************************************
High above the Zwickauer Mulde River, in Saxony, looms Colditz Castle. For over a millennium, there has been some sort of castle upon the site. It has served many different purposes over the years, from its original military function to Renaissance palace, to workhouse and asylum.
In 1942, though, it served a much darker cause. Colditz Castle had been transformed into Oflag IV-C, a prisoner of war camp overseen by the Nazis. Five hundred men had been imprisoned there. These were the true hard cases, soldiers who had already attempted to escape from captivity or had refused to swear an oath to not fight the Germans. The fascists put them in the castle for this exact reason. The castle’s walls were considered impenetrable and led to a straight drop into the Zwickauer Mulde. Even if a prisoner escaped, Colditz was hundreds of miles from any border not controlled by Germany.
For men like British Lieutenant Colonel Airey Neave and Dutchman Anthony Luteyn, these were the kind of odds they liked. Determined to escape and rejoin the fight, they hatched a daring plan. While the camp was far from cheery, there were some creature comforts. In particular, the guards allowed the prisoners to perform various plays for entertainment. These performances included The Importance of Being Ernest, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Pygmalion. An original piece, called Ballet Nonsense, was based around the hairiest prisoners dancing around the stage in pink tutus.
The Nazis attended these entertainments (Colditz wasn’t exactly Paris) and were willing to invest in making them better. To that end, they supplied tools, clothing, and makeup. Neave and Luteyn prepared to take full advantage. They began by making a series of costumes, first, Nazi officer uniforms and then a set of civilian clothes (they also kept their original uniforms). Then they used the tools to carve a tunnel from the theatre to a nearby guardhouse. After a performance, they crawled through the hole and put on their Nazi officer uniforms. Despite the shambolic nature of their costumes (most of the insignia had been made with linoleum), their plan worked. As the “officers” made their way through the castle grounds, the goose-stepping soldiers hurried to salute them. The two soldiers quickly made it outside, where they buried their uniforms and put on their civilian costumes.
As mentioned before, Colditz was a long way from safety. Knowing they would have to move quickly, their absence was discovered, they managed to take the train from nearby Leipzig all the way to Ulm (they sold their Red Cross chocolate bars to pay for the tickets). By then, their escape had been revealed and alarms rang out across the Reich. A railway employee became quite suspicious of the two, despite their flawless German. This led to them being arrested by the local police and imprisoned in the local jail.
After Colditz Castle, though, a local jailbreak was no big deal. The soldiers quickly managed to escape to another village, catching yet another train to the border town of Singen. The two managed to bluff their way past a Hitler Youth patrol by claiming to be Westphalian laborers. They spent the night in an uninsulated beekeeper’s shed. The cold was so bad that they awoke to find their shoes frozen to the floor.
Exhausted after their travails, they had finally made it to the Swiss border. There, the police were combing the area for them. Waiting for the weather to turn foul, the two struggled across the border, surrounded by snowdrifts until they miraculously reached the Swiss border town of Ramsen. They had made one of the greatest escapes of the Second World War.
Taken to the British consulate in Bern, both men would eventually be smuggled out of the country to continue the fight. In a bit of poetic justice, Airey Neave, in his flawless German, would read out the indictments to the Nazi leaders at the Nuremburg Trials, just a few years later.
***************************************
Genealogy Center’s May 2026 Programs
***************************************
May’s numerous amazing programs are listed below. Make this your month of learning and networking. Take a look and register for at least a few programs today while committing to the nation conference at the end of the month!
Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET. The event is sponsored by the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society. There are two programs to attend in-person in the Genealogy Center or virtually. Virtual registration details and the event link are available on the NEIJGS website at www.NEIndianaJGS.org/upcoming-events/.
***2:00 p.m. “Polish Jewish Research – The JRI‑Poland Experience” will explore one of the most important resources for Jewish genealogical research. Jewish Records Indexing–Poland (JRI‑Poland) has created the world’s largest online index of Polish Jewish vital records, resident registers, census lists, and related sources. Researchers will be shown the database and will learn how to trace ancestors in both historical and present‑day Polish territories.
***3:30 p.m., “Was My Ancestor Rich or Poor? What We Can Learn from Polish Business Court Records” Polish business court records, maintained by the Polish State Archives from 1916 through the 1940s, document enterprises ranging from small family businesses to larger partnerships. These records offer insights into family life and economic conditions between the world wars.
Monday, May 4, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET. This event is sponsored by the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society. In-person only 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. E-mail NEIndianaJGS [at] gmail.com to sign up.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Freedom’s Debt: A Guide to Revolutionary War Pensions” with Logan Knight - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16272016
Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “IN-PERSON DNA & Genealogy Interest Group” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16229584
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “From Yorkshire Coal Miner to American Professor” with Jude Rhodes - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16229689
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET “Sharing Unique Finds During Genealogy Research” with attendees sharing their unique genealogical finds. An Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana program to attend in-person in the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center’s Discovery Center or virtually. Register to attend virtually at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BNtdBNBRTFegvWphnu6ZVQ#/registration
Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Old Homes, New Discoveries: How to Research Historic Properties” with Mark Belloni - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16232794
Tuesday, May 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Researching Modern-Day Adoptions” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16229880
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET “Sons of Lincoln: Four Boys in a Tumultuous Era” with Abbie Meek - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VGycYRGcS_K8v6tFYt-Hcw
Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Beyond 1870: Finding Our African American Ancestors Beyond the Brick Wall” with Mica Anders - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16229812
Wednesday-Saturday, May 27-30, 2026. The National Genealogical Society’s 48th Annual Family History Conference at the Allen County Public Library and the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Register at: https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/2026registration/ Use discount code: Local50 This code will give a $50 discount on all in-person (member and non-member) registrations, as well as virtual (member and non-member). It will expire on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
***************************************
Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
***************************************
Do you want to know what we have planned? Are you interested in one of our events, but forget? We offer email updates for The Genealogy Center’s programming schedule. Don’t miss out! Sign up at http://goo.gl/forms/THcV0wAabB.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
***************************************
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.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Social Media
***************************************
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenealogyCenter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genealogycenter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACPLGenealogy
Blog: http://www.genealogycenter.org/Community/Blog.aspx
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/askacpl
***************************************
Driving Directions to the Library
***************************************
Wondering how to get to the library? Our location is 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the block bordered on the south by Washington Boulevard, the west by Ewing Street, the north by Wayne Street, and the east by the Library Plaza, formerly Webster Street. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Center.
To get directions from your exact location to 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=900%20Webster%20St&city=Fort%20Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802%2d3602&country=US&geodiff=1
>From the South
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 302. Drive east on Jefferson Boulevard into downtown. Turn left on Ewing Street. The Library is one block north, at Ewing Street and Washington Boulevard.
Using US 27:
US 27 turns into Lafayette Street. Drive north into downtown. Turn left at Washington Boulevard and go five blocks. The Library will be on the right.
>From the North
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 312. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton to Washington Boulevard. Turn right on Washington and go three blocks. The Library will be on the right.
>From the West
Using US 30:
Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Ave. which dead-ends at West State Blvd. Make an angled left turn onto West State Blvd. Turn right on Wells Street. Go south on Wells to Wayne Street. Turn left on Wayne Street. The Library will be in the second block on the right.
Using US 24:
After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from the South.
>From the East
Follow US 30/then 930 into and through New Haven, under an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington Blvd. when you get into downtown. Library Plaza will be on the right.
***************************************
Parking at the Library
***************************************
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.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Queries
***************************************
The Genealogy Center hopes you find this newsletter interesting. Thank you for subscribing. We cannot, however, answer personal research emails written to the e-zine address. The department houses a Research Center that makes photocopies and conducts research for a fee.
If you have a general question about our collection, or are interested in the Research Center, please telephone the library and speak to a librarian who will be glad to answer your general questions or send you a research center form. Our telephone number is 260-421-1225. If you’d like to email a general information question about the department, please email: Genealogy [at] ACPL.Info.
***************************************
Publishing Note
***************************************
This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center, and is intended to enlighten readers about genealogical research methods as well as inform them about the vast resources of the Allen County Public Library. We welcome the wide distribution of this newsletter and encourage readers to forward it to their friends and societies. All precautions have been made to avoid errors. However, the publisher does not assume any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, no matter the cause.
To subscribe to “Genealogy Gems,” simply use your browser to go to the website: www.GenealogyCenter.org. Scroll to the bottom, click on E-zine, and fill out the form. You will be notified with a confirmation email.
If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please follow the link at the very bottom of the issue of Genealogy Gems you just received or send an email to sspearswells [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line.
Curt B. Witcher and John D. Beatty, CG, FASG co-editors
No. 266, April 30, 2026
In this issue:
*Special Program Announcement--National Genealogical Society, 27-30 May 2026
*Special Program Announcement--Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society, 03-04 May 2026
*Special Program Announcement--Special “Linking Lincoln” Program, 20 May 2026
*Records, Flags and Remembering This Memorial Day
*Vintage Aerial - Rural Roots from Above
*A Century Revealed: The 1926 Irish Census Is Finally Here
*PERSI Gems: Oops!
*Preservation Tips: History of Papermaking Part 1 - Ancient Civilizations
*History Tidbits: Escape from Colditz Castle
*Genealogy Center’s May 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
***************************************
Special Program Announcement--National Genealogical Society, 27-30 May 2026
***************************************
The National Genealogical Society’s 2026 Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana starts in less than one month! And you have a discount code to register if you have not already registered! Read on! This is an absolutely terrific learning and networking opportunity, and especially for those living in the Great Lakes states. Such opportunities don’t come along every year. You’ll enjoy engaging with expert presenters; you’ll get to interact with exhibitors; you’ll find more of your families’ stories in the Genealogy Center’s 1.32 million items, especially with the extended research hours during the conference; and you’ll enjoy a safe, walkable city with many local eateries.
Register today at https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/2026registration/.
Use the discount code: Local50
This code will give a $50 discount on all in-person (member and non-member) registrations, as well as virtual (member and non-member). It will expire on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
***************************************
Special Program Announcement--Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society, 03-04 May 2026
***************************************
The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center is pleased to host the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society’s series of programs on “Jewish Genealogy Using Polish Records” on Sunday, May 3, 2026 and Monday, May 4, 2026. The programs will feature noted genealogy experts Hadassah Lipsius (in person at the Genealogy Center) and Dr. Anna Wiernicka (virtually from Poland), who will share research methods and historical context for tracing Jewish ancestry in Poland.
***Sunday, May 3
2:00 p.m., “Polish Jewish Research – The JRI‑Poland Experience” will explore one of the most important resources for Jewish genealogical research. Jewish Records Indexing–Poland (JRI‑Poland) has created the world’s largest online index of Polish Jewish vital records, resident registers, census lists, and related sources. Researchers will be shown the database and will learn how to trace ancestors in both historical and present‑day Polish territories.
3:30 p.m., “Was My Ancestor Rich or Poor? What We Can Learn from Polish Business Court Records” Polish business court records, maintained by the Polish State Archives from 1916 through the 1940s, document enterprises ranging from small family businesses to larger partnerships. These records offer insights into family life and economic conditions between the world wars.
If you are unable to attend these two programs in person, you can attend virtually via Zoom. Registration is required for virtual attendance. Registration details and the event link are available on the NEIJGS website at www.NEIndianaJGS.org/upcoming-events/.
***Monday, May 4
1:30 p.m. In-person only 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. E-mail NEIndianaJGS [at] gmail.com to sign up.
Hadassah Lipsius is Vice President and a member of the executive committee of Jewish Records Indexing–Poland (JRI‑Poland). Her work is informed by extensive research trips to Eastern Europe and more than 240 years of documented family history. Dr. Anna Wiernicka is a historian, lecturer, researcher, and professional genealogist specializing in Jewish history in Poland. Her research focuses on Jewish life in the 19th‑century Kingdom of Poland, including women’s roles and everyday family life.
***************************************
Special Program Announcement--Special “Linking Lincoln” Program, 20 May 2026
***************************************
On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET Lincoln Librarian, Abbie Meek, will present “Sons of Lincoln: Four Boys in a Tumultuous Era.” This program explores the lives of Abraham Lincoln’s four sons—Robert, Edward, William, and Thomas—from their early years in Springfield, Illinois, to their time in the White House and beyond. From the long and complex life of Robert to the shorter lives of Edward, William, and Thomas, their stories reveal a family shaped by both opportunity and loss.
Join our free Zoom program on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, and discover how these four boys experienced childhood, family, and legacy against the backdrop of a rapidly changing nation. Register for the program at the following link. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VGycYRGcS_K8v6tFYt-Hcw
***************************************
Records, Flags and Remembering This Memorial Day
by Curt B. Witcher
***************************************
In a few days we will be celebrating Memorial Day 2026. This celebration comes in a year where patriotic celebrations will take on an extra special meaning as our country celebrates its 250th anniversary. I really embrace this very short but meaningful explanation of Memorial Day. “This solemn day of remembrance has been observed for over 150 years, allowing Americans to pause and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by service members.”
For genealogists and family historians, we use this solemn day to specifically remember our own family members who made the ultimate sacrifice. We have long ago learned that in every generation there exists the possibility of an ancestor (sometimes more than one) dying in service of family, neighbor, and country. Hence, we should expect that we have many military ancestors, some among those who died in service. More so now than ever, we have an abundance of resources to discover the amazing family stories of these patriotic ancestors. Let’s commit to finding all of their stories, and I believe that can best happen when we use all the resources available to us.
There are numerous resources off-the-beaten-path that we should investigate in our efforts to pursue, preserve, and share our patriotic ancestors’ stories. A few are shared in the following.
United States Federal Government Documents
The US Federal Government is among the largest publishers in the world. As defending our liberties and our nation are consequential activities of the federal government, one can expect to find much military history, many military publications, and critical contexting data in federal governments. They can be challenging to use, but it is typically well worth the effort for great information the persistent researcher will find. Federal government documents are freely accessible in many libraries of all types and sizes, and increasingly available online. A useful guide created by the Federal Depository Library Program office can be explored through the following link. https://libguides.fdlp.gov/fdlp-basic-collection
The Periodical Source Index (PERSI)
While some may consider this resource mainstream, the number of individuals who have not heard of it or don’t use it on a regular basis relegate it to this off-the-beaten-path category. PERSI subject indexes thousands of periodicals published by societies and organizations all over the world. More than 3.2 million articles are in PERSI. With a very strong focus on North American publications, PERSI will necessarily contain an amazing number of articles about veterans, their units, their towns and their families. PERSI is available for free from the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center at the following link. www.genealogycenter.info/persi
Chronicling America
Chronicling America is a free resource from the Library of Congress. This resource contains millions of newspaper pages from nearly every state and territory in the United States published through 1963. As the title implies, newspapers chronicle the lives and times of our ancestors and their communities. As such, we can expect much military related information. This is an excellent complement to Newspapers.com and NewspaperArchive.com. Chronicling America is available for free at the following link. www.loc.gov/collections/chronicling-america
Our Military Heritage
The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center has been digitizing and posting military and veteran information for a significant number of years. That information is posted online and accessible for free. While small compared to Fold3 and other large information aggregators, you may find some really unique resources here that can complete another part of your particular patriotic ancestor’s story. You can also contribute to this website to ensure copies of your family’s military documents are available for many future generations. You can find Our Military Heritage at the following link. www.genealogycenter.info/military
National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC)
This can be one of the more challenging free online resources to use. It doesn’t appear to function in a straight-forward, familiar manner, and certainly doesn’t have the look and feel of Google or Amazon. Nonetheless, if you have some spare moments (or insomnia some night!) it is worth taking a look around. It can be an important way to access significant manuscript collections in colleges, universities, and special libraries. Military records, references, and histories abound. You can access NUCMC at the following link. www.loc.gov/coll/nucmc
Finally, both the National Archives and the digital collections of the Library of Congress are filled with military references and resources. Those sites definitely are worthy of exploration. Google them for the links to their respective webpages and collections.
Celebrate this Memorial Day by finding more of your military ancestors’ stories.
***************************************
Vintage Aerial - Rural Roots from Above
by Kate McKenzie
***************************************
One of our newer on-site databases is Vintage Aerial. If you have not yet explored this resource, we encourage you to do so. Vintage Aerial Library Edition is available at no cost while visiting the Genealogy Center and provides access to more than 54,000 historical aerial images from Allen County alone! In addition, the collection spans approximately 82% of the United States, with millions of aerial photographs currently representing 41 states. This distinctive database offers a rich visual record of rural landscapes from the 1960s through the early 2000s, allowing you to explore both personal and community histories through an extensive and engaging archive.
There are several ways to navigate and utilize Vintage Aerial. The homepage includes quick links to images from Allen County and other locations throughout Indiana. However, it is important to emphasize that the database extends far beyond the Hoosier state, making it especially valuable for those researching ancestors or relatives who lived in rural areas across the country.
Users can search by map location, selecting specific states and counties, or by entering keywords such as “cemetery,” “farm,” or even family names. It should be noted that not all images are currently associated with keyword descriptions, as much of this information is contributed by users. As engagement with the database continues to grow, these details are steadily expanding and improving.
Another effective search method is by address. For example, I entered the address of my grandmother’s house - a house she has occupied for nearly 50 years. This search returned several rolls of film associated with the approximate location. By browsing these images, I was able to locate an aerial photograph of the property from 1984. It was fascinating to observe how both the home and its surrounding landscape have changed over the past four decades. Features such as a swimming pool, which is no longer present, were visible, and elements of the home’s exterior facade have been updated over time.
It was especially meaningful to share this photograph with family members, as it quickly sparked memories and conversation. Relatives began recalling details about the property and surrounding area. These included stories about gatherings, changes to the home, and features that no longer exist. The image served as a visual prompt that brought back experiences that might not have surfaced otherwise, allowing different generations to connect through shared history. In this way, the photograph became more than just a record of a place; it acted as a catalyst for storytelling, preservation of family memories, and a deeper appreciation of how the landscape, and the lives connected to it, have evolved over time.
Vintage Aerial provides a meaningful way to connect with your family’s past and the history of your community. Records and photographs of rural areas can often be more difficult to locate, presenting unique challenges for researchers. This database helps bridge that gap by offering access to visual documentation that might otherwise be unavailable. Whether you are exploring the history of a family farm passed down through stories, researching a home in a rural area, or seeking to understand how a community has evolved over time, Vintage Aerial offers a valuable and engaging resource for discovery.
***************************************
A Century Revealed: The 1926 Irish Census Is Finally Here
https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-1926-census/
by Elizabeth Hodges
***************************************
If you have Irish roots and you've been banging your head against a 20th century brick wall trying to trace your family, this month just got a lot more interesting.
The 1926 census of the Irish Free State was released to the public April 18, 2026, exactly 100 years after it was taken, and it's freely available through the National Archives of Ireland. For anyone who's done Irish genealogy research, you already know why this is a big deal. The destruction of earlier census records left a gaping hole in the historical record, and the jump from the 1911 census to anything usable has long been one of the most frustrating gaps in the field. This new record fills a lot of it.
The census was taken on April 18, 1926, just a few years after the end of the Civil War. Ireland was quite literally a different country than it had been in 1911, and the records reflect that fact. Taken five years after the 1921 partition of Ireland, this census covers only the 26 counties of the Irish Free State — if your family was from Antrim, Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, or Derry, you'll need to look elsewhere for this period. Over 700,000 household returns, covering close to three million people, have been digitized and made fully searchable.
The basics are all there: names, ages, occupations, religion, marital status. But the 1926 census asks some questions that earlier ones didn't. Birthplaces are recorded more precisely. There are details about employers. It asks whether people could speak Irish, and how long couples had been married. These are small things, maybe, but the kind of details that can suddenly make a person feel real on the page.
Worth noting too: enumerators occasionally scrawled notes in the margins, corrections and clarifications, relationship details that didn't fit neatly into any column. These annotations are easy to overlook and can be genuinely surprising. Sometimes they complicate the family story you thought you knew. Think about where your family was in 1911. The children in those records would be young adults by 1926, maybe married, maybe with kids of their own. People who seemed to vanish between records, through emigration or marriage or just the chaos of those years, have a decent chance of turning up here.
It's nowhere near a solution to every Irish research problem, but if your family was in Ireland in that era (even collateral family members), it's a genuinely exciting resource. If you haven't looked yet, now's the time.
https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-1926-census/
***************************************
PERSI Gems: Oops!
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
***************************************
An altar boy serving for the Rite of Committal was curious about the depth of the open grave. He stepped closer…
A teen girl was on a date to the circus and could stand the discomfort of her girdle no longer…
A boy thought the skunk was dead…
A Nazi Captain’s U-Boat crew didn’t know how to work the toilet…
History is full of blunders, mishaps, and oopsies galore. The next time you find yourself regretting an inopportune mistake, rest assured that you are not alone. Search the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) for stories of others who have suffered moments of embarrassment:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
Captain Karl-Adolph Schlitt and U-1206 faulty toilet sinking, military mishap, 1945
MHQ: the Quarterly Journal of Military History, Vol. 31, Issue 3 (Spr 2019)
Cheatham County Central High School graduation caps and gowns mishap, 1951
CCHGA Bytes (Cheatham County Historical and Genealogical Association, TN), May 2008
Funeral Mass embarrassment anecdote of altar boy James Schiegg, mid-1960s
Reminisce Extra, Vol. 24, Issue 6 (Nov 2016)
Handling sensitive and potentially embarrassing family information
Black Tracks (Black Genealogy Search Group, CO), Vol. 15, Issue 4 (Oct 2006)
James L. Douthat, oops, common research errors with personal research examples
Tree Talk (Cherokee County Genealogical Society, TX), Vol. 49, Issue 1-2 (Fal 2023)
John William Humm, age 10, broke leg at party, later burned it in fire cracker mishap, 1934, IL
Shawnee (Saline County Genealogical Society, IL), Vol. 25, Issue 2 (Win 2010)
L. Chase Allen, MD, recalls a misadventure with a skunk, 1940, Breathitt County, KY
Kentucky Explorer, Vol. 23, Issue 6 (Nov 2008)
Last child really grandma's, oops baby from older daughter, genealogy tip
Diablo Descendants (Contra Costa County Genealogical Society, CA), Vol. E-9, Issue 7 (Jul 2016)
Luriene Gutke embarrassing moment as policeman's wife, her car got stolen, n.d., UT
Blue Mountain Shadows (San Juan Historical Commission, UT), Vol. 42 (Fal 2010)
Oops etymology theory, derived from ooperzootic equine epidemic, 1872+
American History, Vol. 54, Issue 5 (Dec 2019)
Rosemary Williams recalls date with Bill, girdle mishap, circus visit, 1950s
Reminisce, Vol. 31, Issue 3 (Apr 2021)
***************************************
Preservation Tips: History of Papermaking Part 1 - Ancient Civilizations
by Christina Clary, C.A.
***************************************
Before the invention of paper as we know it today, people used materials native to their regions as writing surfaces, especially to record family genealogies and histories. Mesopotamians in the Middle East used clay tablets to record their cuneiform writing system beginning around 3,000 B.C.E. These were also used by the ancient Greek civilizations of Mycenae and Minoa for accounting purposes. A stylus was used to inscribe writing into the malleable surface of the tablet. Unfired tablets could be soaked in water to erase writing incisions and reused. Clay tablets that were fired in kilns hardened and became more durable.
In Southeast Asia, palm leaves that had undergone a curing process were used as a writing medium beginning in the 5th century B.C.E. Texts were incised into the leaves with a stylus, and black soot was rubbed in to make the marks visible. These leaves could then be bound together by cutting one or two holes and tying them with string to create a manuscript. The Chinese used a variety of media, including pottery, bones (used mainly for divination), silk (boshu), bamboo strips (jiandu), and wooden tablets (mudu), while the Japanese primarily used silk and wooden tablets (mokkan).
Tree bark served as a writing surface across many civilizations. Amate, a paper-like material made from fig and mulberry bark, was used by the Aztecs and Mayans. Similarly, Polynesian cultures such as the Samoans, Hawaiians, and Tongans used the bark of mulberry trees—brought to the islands from Southeast Asia around 3,000 years ago—to create tapa. Tapa—called kapa in Hawaiian—differs from amate in that the bark was not boiled. It was used in a variety of ways beyond writing surfaces, including fabric, bedding, and for ceremonial purposes. Scraps of tapa have been found in other tropical regions, including parts of Southeast Asia, China, South America, and Africa. However, it is primarily associated with the Pacific Islands, where it is still used in crafting and religious ceremonies.
The two best known types of writing surfaces are papyrus and parchment. The papyrus plant grows in the Nile River region of Egypt, and its use as a writing surface began around 3,000 B.C.E., when Mesopotamians were using clay tablets. Ancient Egyptians used the reed of the plant by cutting the stem into strips and using the resin of the plant to adhere a second layer across the strips perpendicularly. After drying, the sheets were joined together to form a scroll. Scrolls were usually about twenty sheets long, and the horizontal side was used for writing. Unlike many other surfaces, writers used ink rather than inscribing the text. Papyrus also had many uses beyond writing, though today the plant population is greatly diminished
Parchment was developed around the 2nd century B.C.E. by the ancient Greeks in the city of Pergamum (modern-day Bergama, Turkey). It was made from the processed skins of goats, sheep, and calves and was rolled into scrolls similar to papyrus. Later processing methods allowed both sides of the parchment to be used, leading to the creation of the codex, a precursor to the bound book. The use of parchment eventually supplanted papyrus and spread throughout Europe. It declined in the 15th century as plant-based paper became a more affordable alternative.
***************************************
History Tidbits: Escape from Colditz Castle
by Logan Knight
***************************************
High above the Zwickauer Mulde River, in Saxony, looms Colditz Castle. For over a millennium, there has been some sort of castle upon the site. It has served many different purposes over the years, from its original military function to Renaissance palace, to workhouse and asylum.
In 1942, though, it served a much darker cause. Colditz Castle had been transformed into Oflag IV-C, a prisoner of war camp overseen by the Nazis. Five hundred men had been imprisoned there. These were the true hard cases, soldiers who had already attempted to escape from captivity or had refused to swear an oath to not fight the Germans. The fascists put them in the castle for this exact reason. The castle’s walls were considered impenetrable and led to a straight drop into the Zwickauer Mulde. Even if a prisoner escaped, Colditz was hundreds of miles from any border not controlled by Germany.
For men like British Lieutenant Colonel Airey Neave and Dutchman Anthony Luteyn, these were the kind of odds they liked. Determined to escape and rejoin the fight, they hatched a daring plan. While the camp was far from cheery, there were some creature comforts. In particular, the guards allowed the prisoners to perform various plays for entertainment. These performances included The Importance of Being Ernest, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Pygmalion. An original piece, called Ballet Nonsense, was based around the hairiest prisoners dancing around the stage in pink tutus.
The Nazis attended these entertainments (Colditz wasn’t exactly Paris) and were willing to invest in making them better. To that end, they supplied tools, clothing, and makeup. Neave and Luteyn prepared to take full advantage. They began by making a series of costumes, first, Nazi officer uniforms and then a set of civilian clothes (they also kept their original uniforms). Then they used the tools to carve a tunnel from the theatre to a nearby guardhouse. After a performance, they crawled through the hole and put on their Nazi officer uniforms. Despite the shambolic nature of their costumes (most of the insignia had been made with linoleum), their plan worked. As the “officers” made their way through the castle grounds, the goose-stepping soldiers hurried to salute them. The two soldiers quickly made it outside, where they buried their uniforms and put on their civilian costumes.
As mentioned before, Colditz was a long way from safety. Knowing they would have to move quickly, their absence was discovered, they managed to take the train from nearby Leipzig all the way to Ulm (they sold their Red Cross chocolate bars to pay for the tickets). By then, their escape had been revealed and alarms rang out across the Reich. A railway employee became quite suspicious of the two, despite their flawless German. This led to them being arrested by the local police and imprisoned in the local jail.
After Colditz Castle, though, a local jailbreak was no big deal. The soldiers quickly managed to escape to another village, catching yet another train to the border town of Singen. The two managed to bluff their way past a Hitler Youth patrol by claiming to be Westphalian laborers. They spent the night in an uninsulated beekeeper’s shed. The cold was so bad that they awoke to find their shoes frozen to the floor.
Exhausted after their travails, they had finally made it to the Swiss border. There, the police were combing the area for them. Waiting for the weather to turn foul, the two struggled across the border, surrounded by snowdrifts until they miraculously reached the Swiss border town of Ramsen. They had made one of the greatest escapes of the Second World War.
Taken to the British consulate in Bern, both men would eventually be smuggled out of the country to continue the fight. In a bit of poetic justice, Airey Neave, in his flawless German, would read out the indictments to the Nazi leaders at the Nuremburg Trials, just a few years later.
***************************************
Genealogy Center’s May 2026 Programs
***************************************
May’s numerous amazing programs are listed below. Make this your month of learning and networking. Take a look and register for at least a few programs today while committing to the nation conference at the end of the month!
Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET. The event is sponsored by the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society. There are two programs to attend in-person in the Genealogy Center or virtually. Virtual registration details and the event link are available on the NEIJGS website at www.NEIndianaJGS.org/upcoming-events/.
***2:00 p.m. “Polish Jewish Research – The JRI‑Poland Experience” will explore one of the most important resources for Jewish genealogical research. Jewish Records Indexing–Poland (JRI‑Poland) has created the world’s largest online index of Polish Jewish vital records, resident registers, census lists, and related sources. Researchers will be shown the database and will learn how to trace ancestors in both historical and present‑day Polish territories.
***3:30 p.m., “Was My Ancestor Rich or Poor? What We Can Learn from Polish Business Court Records” Polish business court records, maintained by the Polish State Archives from 1916 through the 1940s, document enterprises ranging from small family businesses to larger partnerships. These records offer insights into family life and economic conditions between the world wars.
Monday, May 4, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET. This event is sponsored by the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society. In-person only 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. E-mail NEIndianaJGS [at] gmail.com to sign up.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Freedom’s Debt: A Guide to Revolutionary War Pensions” with Logan Knight - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16272016
Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET “IN-PERSON DNA & Genealogy Interest Group” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16229584
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET “From Yorkshire Coal Miner to American Professor” with Jude Rhodes - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16229689
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET “Sharing Unique Finds During Genealogy Research” with attendees sharing their unique genealogical finds. An Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana program to attend in-person in the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center’s Discovery Center or virtually. Register to attend virtually at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BNtdBNBRTFegvWphnu6ZVQ#/registration
Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Old Homes, New Discoveries: How to Research Historic Properties” with Mark Belloni - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16232794
Tuesday, May 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Researching Modern-Day Adoptions” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16229880
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET “Sons of Lincoln: Four Boys in a Tumultuous Era” with Abbie Meek - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VGycYRGcS_K8v6tFYt-Hcw
Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Beyond 1870: Finding Our African American Ancestors Beyond the Brick Wall” with Mica Anders - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16229812
Wednesday-Saturday, May 27-30, 2026. The National Genealogical Society’s 48th Annual Family History Conference at the Allen County Public Library and the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Register at: https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/2026registration/ Use discount code: Local50 This code will give a $50 discount on all in-person (member and non-member) registrations, as well as virtual (member and non-member). It will expire on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
***************************************
Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
***************************************
Do you want to know what we have planned? Are you interested in one of our events, but forget? We offer email updates for The Genealogy Center’s programming schedule. Don’t miss out! Sign up at http://goo.gl/forms/THcV0wAabB.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
***************************************
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.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Social Media
***************************************
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenealogyCenter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genealogycenter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACPLGenealogy
Blog: http://www.genealogycenter.org/Community/Blog.aspx
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/askacpl
***************************************
Driving Directions to the Library
***************************************
Wondering how to get to the library? Our location is 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the block bordered on the south by Washington Boulevard, the west by Ewing Street, the north by Wayne Street, and the east by the Library Plaza, formerly Webster Street. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Center.
To get directions from your exact location to 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=900%20Webster%20St&city=Fort%20Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802%2d3602&country=US&geodiff=1
>From the South
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 302. Drive east on Jefferson Boulevard into downtown. Turn left on Ewing Street. The Library is one block north, at Ewing Street and Washington Boulevard.
Using US 27:
US 27 turns into Lafayette Street. Drive north into downtown. Turn left at Washington Boulevard and go five blocks. The Library will be on the right.
>From the North
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 312. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton to Washington Boulevard. Turn right on Washington and go three blocks. The Library will be on the right.
>From the West
Using US 30:
Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Ave. which dead-ends at West State Blvd. Make an angled left turn onto West State Blvd. Turn right on Wells Street. Go south on Wells to Wayne Street. Turn left on Wayne Street. The Library will be in the second block on the right.
Using US 24:
After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from the South.
>From the East
Follow US 30/then 930 into and through New Haven, under an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington Blvd. when you get into downtown. Library Plaza will be on the right.
***************************************
Parking at the Library
***************************************
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.
***************************************
Genealogy Center Queries
***************************************
The Genealogy Center hopes you find this newsletter interesting. Thank you for subscribing. We cannot, however, answer personal research emails written to the e-zine address. The department houses a Research Center that makes photocopies and conducts research for a fee.
If you have a general question about our collection, or are interested in the Research Center, please telephone the library and speak to a librarian who will be glad to answer your general questions or send you a research center form. Our telephone number is 260-421-1225. If you’d like to email a general information question about the department, please email: Genealogy [at] ACPL.Info.
***************************************
Publishing Note
***************************************
This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center, and is intended to enlighten readers about genealogical research methods as well as inform them about the vast resources of the Allen County Public Library. We welcome the wide distribution of this newsletter and encourage readers to forward it to their friends and societies. All precautions have been made to avoid errors. However, the publisher does not assume any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, no matter the cause.
To subscribe to “Genealogy Gems,” simply use your browser to go to the website: www.GenealogyCenter.org. Scroll to the bottom, click on E-zine, and fill out the form. You will be notified with a confirmation email.
If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please follow the link at the very bottom of the issue of Genealogy Gems you just received or send an email to sspearswells [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line.
Curt B. Witcher and John D. Beatty, CG, FASG co-editors
- (no other messages in thread)
Results generated by Tiger Technologies Web hosting using MHonArc.