| Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne, No. 271, September 30, 2026 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygems genealogycenter.info)
|
|
| Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:55:52 -0400 | |
Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne
No. 271, September 30, 2026
In this issue:
*National Family History Month
*“The Miami Nation: A Middle Path for Indigenous Nationhood” by Aamaawia John Bickers--A Review
*Migration from the Russian Empire
*PERSI Gems: What We Build
*Preservation Tips: Preserving Textiles
*History Tidbits: The Count of Rumford, New Hampshire--The life of Sir Benjamin Thompson
*Genealogy Center’s October 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
***************************************
National Family History Month
by Curt B. Witcher
***************************************
As the Fourth of July meant more to many individuals this semiquincentennial year, it is my aspiration that even larger numbers of individuals will actively do more to celebrate and engage with national Family History Month this year. There are so many activities happening in communities all over the country, and there is such great variety among the events from which one can choose. As much as ever, I would like you to engage with us in the Genealogy Center. I have highlighted a few engagements below that should be of significant interest to many. Please know that in addition to the modest number of events listed below, you have an opportunity to engage with the Genealogy Center in some way every day in October.
One of the most regular ways of engaging with the Genealogy Center during Family History Month is through our social media, specifically Facebook & Instagram. These engagements take very little time, can get one thinking, and might actually be a little fun. We have four regular Facebook & Instagram engagements this October.
*Source Sundays
*Preservation Mondays
*Writing Wednesdays
*From the Stacks Fridays
We are always pleased to partner with the Allen County Genealogical Society in offering great programs, and we are always super pleased to talk about the terrific work being done by Rick Voight and his team at Vivid-Pix. On Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 7 p.m., we are offering “Vivid-Pix Memory Station–What It Is And How It Preserves Stories.” This special program will highlight how memory stations help people easily scan, organize, enhance, describe, and share photographs, memorabilia, and videos–turning life’s moments into searchable memories, printed keepsakes, and beautifully crafted video stories. This session will provide practical education and training to use the Memory Stations available for free at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, to preserve research, photographs and other treasures. Don’t Let Your Memories Fade™!
For many years, the Genealogy Center has participated in the Genealogy Education Network’s Family History Month programming. And we are participating again this year on Friday, October 16, 2026. The annual offering from this educational network is amazing, consisting of individual libraries and genealogical societies from across the United States offering up to eight prerecorded programs presented by seasoned researchers and subject specialists. Each hosting organization chooses the order of the shared programs. The goals are to provide the public with a free educational opportunity, connect libraries and societies, and showcase the genealogy collections and resources across the world. Enjoy the entire day or pick just the events that interest you the most.
The Genealogy Education Network line-up:
9 a.m.--Unlocking Your Roots: Starting Your Genealogy Journey
Presented by Barbara Coakley, Genealogy Researcher, Speaker, Author
10:25 a.m.--Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy
Presented by Adrienne Cain Darough, MLS, CA Assistant Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History
11:20 a.m.--Gen Z + Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested in Genealogy Research
Presented by Carl Smith, MLIS, Manager of the Family History Research Center at the
1:10 p.m.--Building Your Digital Family History Archive
Presented by EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy & Local History Librarian at Wilmette Public Library
2:05 p.m.--Cluster Research, or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block
Presented by Jessica M. Trotter, Genealogy Presenter and Researcher
3:05 p.m.--Researching Your Scottish Ancestors
Presented by Erika A. Ward, PGCERT (Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies)
4:05 p.m.--Texas & Southern Genealogy Resources at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
Presented by Margaret Schlankey, Assistant Director for Public Services, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, UT
5:05 p.m.--Researching Your Revolutionary War Soldier: A Case Study
Presented by Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc
If any questions arise from these prerecorded programs, always remember you can email them to us at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info. The Genealogy Education Network is a great opportunity to make October 16, 2026 a *YOU* day--reserving the entire day just for you to delve deep into your family stories! For the link to the programs, you need to email the Genealogy Center at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info.
The ACPL Genealogy Center and the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogical Society continue their strong education and outreach collaboration with the launch of a new AI Special Interest Group (AI SIG) on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. AI has been headlining the news in recent weeks. We hear a lot of doom-and-gloom, and we’re bombarded with all the terrible things that can happen when casually and whimsically (and maybe even maliciously) deploying this amazing tool. We are so strongly tempted to only listen to that side of the story when the real picture, when the true picture, is quite a bit different. Artificial intelligence is transforming genealogy (and has been for several years!), and now is the perfect time to learn how to use it with confidence in getting real, factual results.
This inaugural meeting will introduce the purpose of this AI SIG, explain how artificial intelligence can support family history research, and outline what participants can expect from future monthly meetings. You'll learn about the unique 20/20/20 format: a 20-minute introduction to an AI tool or concept, 20 minutes of group discussion, and 20 minutes of guided hands-on practice. We believe that will be a winning combination.
Whether you are completely new to AI or have already begun exploring tools like ChatGPT, this group is designed to help genealogists learn, experiment, and grow together in a welcoming environment. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your family history challenges as we begin discovering how AI can become a valuable partner in your research. No prior AI experience is required. The AI SIG, led by Genealogy Services Manager Allison DePrey, is virtual and will continue monthly on the third Wednesday of each month.
All Genealogy Center Family History Month activities can be found at the following link.
www.acpl.lib.in.us/family-history-month One can download a PDF brochure of the month’s programs at that link. This Family History Month, we are delighted to offer daily activities to inspire you to pursue, preserve, and present your family stories. Here’s to new discoveries!
***************************************
“The Miami Nation: A Middle Path for Indigenous Nationhood” by Aamaawia John Bickers--A Review
by John D. Beatty, CG, FASG
***************************************
Secondary histories of Indigenous tribes are important sources for genealogists, who sometimes ignore them at their peril. When researching Indigenous ancestors, it is vital for the researcher to have a strong grasp of the history of the tribal group that these secondary sources provide. In addition to including extensive bibliographies for further research, they can help frame important questions that are essential for understanding their story and planning genealogical research in an effective and comprehensive manner. For this reason, the Genealogy Center collects secondary tribal histories and seeks to have a broad spectrum from Indigenous nations across North America. These works are important, not because they are likely to contain the name of a specific ancestor (in general, they will not), but because they provide context for interpreting the available records and an understanding of the historical events affecting the tribe that are both essential tools for successful researchers.
A most welcome addition to this genre is Aamaawia John Bickers’s new book, “The Miami Nation: A Middle Path for Indigenous Nationhood” (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2026), GC 970.5 B47mi. Bickers, an Assistant Professor of History at Case Western Reserve University, has produced an authoritative academic study of the Myaamia tribe, a work deserving the attention of both genealogists and historians for its fresh perspectives.
Bickers has Myammia roots and brings his personal connection through the influential Godfroy family to his study of the tribe. Shaped by the teachings of his grandfather, his writing demonstrates an awareness of Myammia self-identity, including traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, that enriches his study in ways that an outsider would have more difficulty interpreting. He uses phrases from the Myaamiaataweenki (the Miami language) throughout the text, which further grounds his study in tribal context.
Central to his thesis is Bickers’s view that Myammia leaders approached nationhood from their own unique perspectives rather than relying on Euro-American views or imitating the ways of other Indigenous Nations. In so doing, they created a “middle path” that incorporated traditional concepts of community that demanded intentional decision-making to preserve “village-based autonomy” and tribal unity. Since many tribal members had mixed French and Indigenous ancestry, they created a centralized nation that resisted American expansion efforts, protected village sovereignty, and engaged creatively in extensive diplomacy with both the United States and other Indigenous nations. They adapted what they found useful in American society while avoiding full assimilation with it.
The book begins in the eighteenth century with the tribe’s history in northern and central Indiana. Bickers describes conditions for the tribe in the aftermath of the Treaty of Greenville (1795), the rise of the Miami National Council, and the War of 1812. He brings special insight to the first decades of the nineteenth century, a time of federal annuity payments, alcohol abuse, and relations with the federal Indian Agency. In 1840, the Miami National Council agreed to leave Indiana and move west to a new reservation in association with the Weas, Piankeshaws, Peorias, and Kaskaskias. The story culminates with the ratification of a tribal constitution in Oklahoma in 1939.
Genealogists will find useful the lists of principal chiefs by date and the book’s extensive bibliography. A fluent speaker of the Miami language, Bickers uses Indigenous names and terminology throughout the text, which underscores the importance of knowing aspects of the language when studying historical records. “The Miami Nation” is a masterful book that demands the serious attention of anyone interested in the Myammia tribe.
***************************************
Migration from the Russian Empire
by Logan Knight
***************************************
“Migration from the Russian Empire: Lists of Passengers Arriving at the Port of New York,” edited by Ira Glazer, is a series of books that extracts the names of passengers from port arrival lists: specifically, those who once resided in the old Russian Empire. In some respects, this series is the poor cousin of the other big indexes such as “Germans to America” and “Italians to America.” Of course, value is in the eye of the genealogist. This nearly forgotten set of books does have some treasures for the intrepid family historian.
The title may deceive some researchers. Most immigrants from the Russian Empire were not ethnic Russians, but rather, other subject peoples. These included Jews, Poles, Lithuanians, and Germans, etc. Between 1871 and 1910, more than 2.3 million people left the Tsar’s realm. Of that number, roughly 1.7 million would come to America.
The volumes are organized sequentially, starting with June of 1875 and ending in June of 1891. They contain extracts from the passenger lists, documenting the ships and their human cargo. To keep the books of manageable size, there are codes for occupation, destination, and home village, etc. All books have an index to these codes. They also all have an alphabetical index in the back, if you want to look for your people that way. Unlike other sets, these indexes will include immigrants traveling on ships from English ports, not just continental ones.
There are six volumes in this series. It was planned to go to about fifty volumes. Unfortunately, the series only made it to six. This was because by the time the last volume was published, in the late 1990’s, old phonebook-style indexes were increasingly seen as passe.
So, why bother to use these indexes? After all, the microfilm has long been digitized. Yet, there are a number of reasons to flip through them. First, the indexes cover the earliest years of mass migration from the Russian Empire. Passenger lists get more detailed the closer they are to the present day. More categories are added as time goes on, often making identification easier. These older lists contain much less information and can be difficult to go through online.
Secondly, names are notoriously butchered on passenger lists and all sorts of indexes. However, by having a published index to scan through, you can swiftly get an idea of different possible spellings. Seeing names printed clearly, in black and white, can make a crucial difference in whether you recognize your ancestor or not. In particular, family groupings (along with names) stand out much more than they do digitally.
Finally, the experienced researcher knows that another set of eyes is crucial to breaking through a brick wall. This is often the case with handwriting in particular. A prepared index gives one an opportunity to get an expert’s second opinion. If you are having trouble finding that immigrant, it is worth a flip through the series.
I would suggest this book series to anyone who has ancestors who immigrated early on from the Russian Empire or those who simply wish to know more about the subject. All six volumes are available in print here at the Genealogy Center.
***************************************
PERSI Gems: What We Build
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
***************************************
Walls and roofs are built for shelter. Pipes are constructed to quench our thirst. Bridges, trails, highways, and rails are laid to connect communities. Furniture is crafted to aid our needs for work, rest, and storage. Monuments are raised as places of honor. Indexes, like PERSI, are assembled as tools for discovery. Family trees are built to help us understand our place in history. Libraries are built to preserve and share knowledge.
As you build your family and local history research, take time to consider the legacy built by those who have gone before.
Try a PERSI search here:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
A. M. Smith built floating palace as family boat, 1883, Virginia, IL
Cass County (IL) Historian, Issue 102 (Sep 2008)
Addison House last remaining continuously inhabited sod house in Sask., built c. 1909
Folklore, Vol. 26, Issue 2 (Spr 2005)
Avoiding assumptions and self-built brick walls
Questing Heirs (Long Beach, CA), Vol. 41, Issue 4 (Apr 2008)
Beer saloon built instead of cheese factory, 1877
Linn County (IA) Heritage Hunters, Vol. 24, Issue 1 (Feb 2009)
Bill Compton built Wichita a pyrolysis plant, 1970s+
Kansas History, Vol. 31, Issue 3 (Aut 2008)
Camp Dine-A-Mite built by Fred Rogers, photo and note, late-1920s-1940s
Paper Talks: Central Maine Edition (1988)
Captain Christopher Marshall mahogany and white pine desk photo, built c. 1767, Boston, MA
American Spirit, Vol. 142, Issue 6 (Nov 2008)
Cocoa Beach built welcome sign for unidentified flying objects, 1966
Journal of the Brevard County (FL) Historical Commission, ol. 10, Issue 2 (Fal 2011)V
Domes built for stargazing, observatories in Indiana, history and preservation, 1861+
Indiana Preservationist (Mar 2013)
Early church built with lumber from saloon
Footprints (Fort Worth Genealogical Society, TX), Vol. 29, Issue 3 (Aug 1986)
Four hundred lakes built by Works Progress Admin. good fishing and duck nesting grounds, 1939
Outdoor Indiana, Vol. 6, Issue 11 (Dec 1939)
John Clifford Garrett and pressurized flight, business built on thin air, 1920s+
Pacific Historical Review, Vol. 35, Issue 3 (Aug 1966)
Ken Drake recalls grandma's sod shanty built next to a rattlesnake den, 1907
Quest (Dunn County Genealogical Society, WI), Vol. 18, Issue 3 (Jan 2011)
Middlesboro built within meteorite crater
Kentucky Explorer, Vol. 18, Issue 10 (Apr 2004)
Robert Warth, his three wives, and the houses he built for each, 1800s, OH
Gallia County (OH) Glade, Vol. 34, Issue 2 (Sum 2009)
Solar pond built for milking and washing systems at Ohio State University dairy barns, 1981
Ohio State University Monthly, Vol. 72, Issue 7 (Mar 1981)
Staircases built into hillsides of Gilpin Co. history and preservation notes, 1860s+
Nugget (Gilpin County Historical Society, CO), Jul 2012
Tiny landmarks, architectural structures built for children
Indiana Preservationist, Dec 2007
Wooden water pipe system built by Henry Schaeffer discovered, 18th C., 2010
Aus Em Schteddel (Historic Schaefferstown, Inc., PA), Win 2012
***************************************
Preservation Tips: Preserving Textiles
by Christina Clary, C.A.
***************************************
The first thing to do when assessing how to preserve textiles found in your family archives is to determine what materials were used to create the fabric. Plant-based fabrics, such as cotton and linen, should be stored with alkaline-buffered tissue paper to prevent acid migration. Other types of fabrics, especially ones made from animal proteins, will be damaged by buffered tissue paper. These types of fabrics, which include leather, silk, and wool, contain protein fibers which will weaken and degrade if exposed to high levels of alkaline over time. Use unbuffered tissue paper for these items. If you are unsure what exactly the textile is made from, err on the side of caution and go with unbuffered. You can also use undyed and unbleached cotton fabric to wrap around the items. Acid-free boxes should still be used as the main housing for all types of textiles and fabrics.
Extra care should be taken when handling items. Use two hands when carrying items, or even better, use their box to carry them around instead. Make sure to have clean, dry hands and remove any jewelry that might catch on the fabric. This is one of the few instances when gloves can be worn, but make sure you still have good dexterity with them on. Textiles pick up oil and dirt easily, so wash your hands or replace your gloves as they become soiled.
Modern items can gently be handwashed with detergent before storing. Wedding dresses should be taken to a dry cleaner as soon as possible. Be sure to request no starch, conditioning agents, and finishing chemicals. Many bridal dress shops offer preservation services now, which can be used if they specify the exact process and archival materials they use. Other modern items may be repaired or mended.
Older items should not be washed except by a textile conservator. Washing may cause the item to fall apart or dyes to bleed and run. You can gently vacuum items without beading or loose threads using a brush attachment. Use the lowest level of suction and place cheesecloth over the brush to provide a screen. Very gently pat the item to pick up any loose dirt but be sure to keep the nozzle slightly elevated to reduce suction. Fragile items should be left as they are. Do not try to repair or mend older items or items with monetary or sentimental value. They should be left in their original state, aside from light vacuuming.
When storing items, try to minimize folds and creases and pad the folds with crumpled rolls of tissue paper. If an item is already folded and unfolding it will cause damage, leave it as is. Wrap items in the appropriate tissue paper before placing them in an acid-free box. Items should be stored separately, if possible, especially items such as hats, gloves, and shoes. Some items can be hung using well-padded plastic hangers but be mindful of the weight of the item. Gravity will cause heavier items to eventually distort and pull apart. For most items, use boxes instead.
The most damaging thing to textiles is light, especially sunlight. If the item is not stored in a box, keep the item in a dark place and reduce exposure to sunlight and fluorescent lights. As with all archival materials, a cool, temperature-controlled room is the best place for storage.
***************************************
History Tidbits: The Count of Rumford, New Hampshire--The life of Sir Benjamin Thompson
by Logan Knight
***************************************
Concord, New Hampshire, is not a particularly well-known community. Yes, it is the capital of New Hampshire, but that sounds like an answer to bar trivia more than any true claim to fame. However, it is the only place in all the United States of America that can claim to be the namesake of a genuine Imperial Count of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation (Reichsgraf in German). How could this be? Read on!
Benjamin Thompson was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, on March 26, 1753. From a family of modest means, he seemed destined for a conventional life. His fortunes changed when he moved to Rumford, New Hampshire (today known as Concord). Here he was able to marry a wealthy widow, which enabled him to pursue a life of ease. Like many gentlemen of leisure at the time, he cultivated a fascination with science. His area of specialty was heat in all its forms, and he exchanged at least one letter with Thomas Jefferson.
As a well-to-do landowner, Thompson’s sympathies lay with the British government during the American Revolution. He acted on his sympathies by actively spying for the British. He was caught, and a mob threatened him with tarring and feathering. He was run out of Rumford, staying just one step ahead of the baying mob, never to return.
Thompson bounced back by raising a unit of Loyalist militia (with himself as colonel, naturally), the King’s American Dragoons. Stationed on Long Island, this force became notorious when they demolished a local Presbyterian Church. The soldiers used the church’s raw materials and even tombstones to build a fort. It was called Fort Golgotha, (“place of the skull”) and is famously the name of the hill where Christ was crucified. Shockingly, this did not endear Colonel Thompson to the local populace. When the war was lost, he had no choice but to flee to England.
Thompson used his connections and organizational ability to rise in government service and was knighted for his trouble. He was sent by the British government to the Electorate of Bavaria as an aide-de-camp for its army. The Prince-Elector liked him so much that he took him into his service full-time. Thompson became the Minister of War, Minister of Police, Minister of the Interior, Grand Chamberlain, and practically every other senior position in the Bavarian government.
In his eleven years in Bavaria, Thompson turned the government into a giant laboratory for his scientific and social experiments. He had the Army kidnap every beggar in Munich and put them into workhouses to make army uniforms. The workhouses provided free children’s education and medical care (perhaps offsetting some of the hard feelings about the kidnappings).
He introduced the potato and all of its many wonders to Bavaria. Thomspon would follow this action up with his invention of “Rumford’s Soup” an exceedingly unappetizing but cheap and calorie rich gruel. Many historians argued that this led to the founding of the first modern soup kitchens.
His greatest gift to the city of Munich, though, was the establishment of the Englischer Garten (exactly what it sounds like) in the heart of the city. Originally designed as a military garden, the project swiftly changed into a public park. Ranging over nine hundred acres, it remains one of the largest urban parks on the planet. Opening it to the general public was quite revolutionary at the time as the majority of European parks were reserved for society’s elites.
In the realm of science, Thompson contributed many things that we still use today. His experiments revealed that heat was a form of motion caused by friction, which underpins the First Law of Thermodynamics. His work with army uniforms would lead to thermal underwear. To the delight of chefs and food lovers everywhere, he invented the first kitchen range and is the father of Sous-Vide cooking.
For his services to Bavaria, Elector-Prince Charles Theodore raised him to the rank of Reichsgraf (Count) of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. Now, being a titled noble requires a geographical connection (Duke of Earl etc.) When asked where he wanted his title to be located, Thompson asked it to be the same New Hampshire town that had run him out on a rail, all those years before.
It seems that Thompson chose his title with more humor than hate. By the time he died in 1814, he left much of his estate to Harvard University to endow a professorship in his name, the Rumford Chair of Physics. Other gifts went to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which still issue medals in his name for great achievements in light and heat. That is how one Benjamin Thompson became The Count of Rumford.
***************************************
Genealogy Center’s October 2026 Programs
***************************************
October is Family History Month! Give yourself some treats this month by engaging in many of the programs found through the link below. Register for some of the programs today!
www.acpl.lib.in.us/family-history-month
***************************************
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 Genealogy [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. 271, September 30, 2026
In this issue:
*National Family History Month
*“The Miami Nation: A Middle Path for Indigenous Nationhood” by Aamaawia John Bickers--A Review
*Migration from the Russian Empire
*PERSI Gems: What We Build
*Preservation Tips: Preserving Textiles
*History Tidbits: The Count of Rumford, New Hampshire--The life of Sir Benjamin Thompson
*Genealogy Center’s October 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
***************************************
National Family History Month
by Curt B. Witcher
***************************************
As the Fourth of July meant more to many individuals this semiquincentennial year, it is my aspiration that even larger numbers of individuals will actively do more to celebrate and engage with national Family History Month this year. There are so many activities happening in communities all over the country, and there is such great variety among the events from which one can choose. As much as ever, I would like you to engage with us in the Genealogy Center. I have highlighted a few engagements below that should be of significant interest to many. Please know that in addition to the modest number of events listed below, you have an opportunity to engage with the Genealogy Center in some way every day in October.
One of the most regular ways of engaging with the Genealogy Center during Family History Month is through our social media, specifically Facebook & Instagram. These engagements take very little time, can get one thinking, and might actually be a little fun. We have four regular Facebook & Instagram engagements this October.
*Source Sundays
*Preservation Mondays
*Writing Wednesdays
*From the Stacks Fridays
We are always pleased to partner with the Allen County Genealogical Society in offering great programs, and we are always super pleased to talk about the terrific work being done by Rick Voight and his team at Vivid-Pix. On Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 7 p.m., we are offering “Vivid-Pix Memory Station–What It Is And How It Preserves Stories.” This special program will highlight how memory stations help people easily scan, organize, enhance, describe, and share photographs, memorabilia, and videos–turning life’s moments into searchable memories, printed keepsakes, and beautifully crafted video stories. This session will provide practical education and training to use the Memory Stations available for free at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, to preserve research, photographs and other treasures. Don’t Let Your Memories Fade™!
For many years, the Genealogy Center has participated in the Genealogy Education Network’s Family History Month programming. And we are participating again this year on Friday, October 16, 2026. The annual offering from this educational network is amazing, consisting of individual libraries and genealogical societies from across the United States offering up to eight prerecorded programs presented by seasoned researchers and subject specialists. Each hosting organization chooses the order of the shared programs. The goals are to provide the public with a free educational opportunity, connect libraries and societies, and showcase the genealogy collections and resources across the world. Enjoy the entire day or pick just the events that interest you the most.
The Genealogy Education Network line-up:
9 a.m.--Unlocking Your Roots: Starting Your Genealogy Journey
Presented by Barbara Coakley, Genealogy Researcher, Speaker, Author
10:25 a.m.--Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy
Presented by Adrienne Cain Darough, MLS, CA Assistant Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History
11:20 a.m.--Gen Z + Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested in Genealogy Research
Presented by Carl Smith, MLIS, Manager of the Family History Research Center at the
1:10 p.m.--Building Your Digital Family History Archive
Presented by EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy & Local History Librarian at Wilmette Public Library
2:05 p.m.--Cluster Research, or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block
Presented by Jessica M. Trotter, Genealogy Presenter and Researcher
3:05 p.m.--Researching Your Scottish Ancestors
Presented by Erika A. Ward, PGCERT (Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies)
4:05 p.m.--Texas & Southern Genealogy Resources at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
Presented by Margaret Schlankey, Assistant Director for Public Services, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, UT
5:05 p.m.--Researching Your Revolutionary War Soldier: A Case Study
Presented by Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc
If any questions arise from these prerecorded programs, always remember you can email them to us at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info. The Genealogy Education Network is a great opportunity to make October 16, 2026 a *YOU* day--reserving the entire day just for you to delve deep into your family stories! For the link to the programs, you need to email the Genealogy Center at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info.
The ACPL Genealogy Center and the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogical Society continue their strong education and outreach collaboration with the launch of a new AI Special Interest Group (AI SIG) on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. AI has been headlining the news in recent weeks. We hear a lot of doom-and-gloom, and we’re bombarded with all the terrible things that can happen when casually and whimsically (and maybe even maliciously) deploying this amazing tool. We are so strongly tempted to only listen to that side of the story when the real picture, when the true picture, is quite a bit different. Artificial intelligence is transforming genealogy (and has been for several years!), and now is the perfect time to learn how to use it with confidence in getting real, factual results.
This inaugural meeting will introduce the purpose of this AI SIG, explain how artificial intelligence can support family history research, and outline what participants can expect from future monthly meetings. You'll learn about the unique 20/20/20 format: a 20-minute introduction to an AI tool or concept, 20 minutes of group discussion, and 20 minutes of guided hands-on practice. We believe that will be a winning combination.
Whether you are completely new to AI or have already begun exploring tools like ChatGPT, this group is designed to help genealogists learn, experiment, and grow together in a welcoming environment. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your family history challenges as we begin discovering how AI can become a valuable partner in your research. No prior AI experience is required. The AI SIG, led by Genealogy Services Manager Allison DePrey, is virtual and will continue monthly on the third Wednesday of each month.
All Genealogy Center Family History Month activities can be found at the following link.
www.acpl.lib.in.us/family-history-month One can download a PDF brochure of the month’s programs at that link. This Family History Month, we are delighted to offer daily activities to inspire you to pursue, preserve, and present your family stories. Here’s to new discoveries!
***************************************
“The Miami Nation: A Middle Path for Indigenous Nationhood” by Aamaawia John Bickers--A Review
by John D. Beatty, CG, FASG
***************************************
Secondary histories of Indigenous tribes are important sources for genealogists, who sometimes ignore them at their peril. When researching Indigenous ancestors, it is vital for the researcher to have a strong grasp of the history of the tribal group that these secondary sources provide. In addition to including extensive bibliographies for further research, they can help frame important questions that are essential for understanding their story and planning genealogical research in an effective and comprehensive manner. For this reason, the Genealogy Center collects secondary tribal histories and seeks to have a broad spectrum from Indigenous nations across North America. These works are important, not because they are likely to contain the name of a specific ancestor (in general, they will not), but because they provide context for interpreting the available records and an understanding of the historical events affecting the tribe that are both essential tools for successful researchers.
A most welcome addition to this genre is Aamaawia John Bickers’s new book, “The Miami Nation: A Middle Path for Indigenous Nationhood” (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2026), GC 970.5 B47mi. Bickers, an Assistant Professor of History at Case Western Reserve University, has produced an authoritative academic study of the Myaamia tribe, a work deserving the attention of both genealogists and historians for its fresh perspectives.
Bickers has Myammia roots and brings his personal connection through the influential Godfroy family to his study of the tribe. Shaped by the teachings of his grandfather, his writing demonstrates an awareness of Myammia self-identity, including traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, that enriches his study in ways that an outsider would have more difficulty interpreting. He uses phrases from the Myaamiaataweenki (the Miami language) throughout the text, which further grounds his study in tribal context.
Central to his thesis is Bickers’s view that Myammia leaders approached nationhood from their own unique perspectives rather than relying on Euro-American views or imitating the ways of other Indigenous Nations. In so doing, they created a “middle path” that incorporated traditional concepts of community that demanded intentional decision-making to preserve “village-based autonomy” and tribal unity. Since many tribal members had mixed French and Indigenous ancestry, they created a centralized nation that resisted American expansion efforts, protected village sovereignty, and engaged creatively in extensive diplomacy with both the United States and other Indigenous nations. They adapted what they found useful in American society while avoiding full assimilation with it.
The book begins in the eighteenth century with the tribe’s history in northern and central Indiana. Bickers describes conditions for the tribe in the aftermath of the Treaty of Greenville (1795), the rise of the Miami National Council, and the War of 1812. He brings special insight to the first decades of the nineteenth century, a time of federal annuity payments, alcohol abuse, and relations with the federal Indian Agency. In 1840, the Miami National Council agreed to leave Indiana and move west to a new reservation in association with the Weas, Piankeshaws, Peorias, and Kaskaskias. The story culminates with the ratification of a tribal constitution in Oklahoma in 1939.
Genealogists will find useful the lists of principal chiefs by date and the book’s extensive bibliography. A fluent speaker of the Miami language, Bickers uses Indigenous names and terminology throughout the text, which underscores the importance of knowing aspects of the language when studying historical records. “The Miami Nation” is a masterful book that demands the serious attention of anyone interested in the Myammia tribe.
***************************************
Migration from the Russian Empire
by Logan Knight
***************************************
“Migration from the Russian Empire: Lists of Passengers Arriving at the Port of New York,” edited by Ira Glazer, is a series of books that extracts the names of passengers from port arrival lists: specifically, those who once resided in the old Russian Empire. In some respects, this series is the poor cousin of the other big indexes such as “Germans to America” and “Italians to America.” Of course, value is in the eye of the genealogist. This nearly forgotten set of books does have some treasures for the intrepid family historian.
The title may deceive some researchers. Most immigrants from the Russian Empire were not ethnic Russians, but rather, other subject peoples. These included Jews, Poles, Lithuanians, and Germans, etc. Between 1871 and 1910, more than 2.3 million people left the Tsar’s realm. Of that number, roughly 1.7 million would come to America.
The volumes are organized sequentially, starting with June of 1875 and ending in June of 1891. They contain extracts from the passenger lists, documenting the ships and their human cargo. To keep the books of manageable size, there are codes for occupation, destination, and home village, etc. All books have an index to these codes. They also all have an alphabetical index in the back, if you want to look for your people that way. Unlike other sets, these indexes will include immigrants traveling on ships from English ports, not just continental ones.
There are six volumes in this series. It was planned to go to about fifty volumes. Unfortunately, the series only made it to six. This was because by the time the last volume was published, in the late 1990’s, old phonebook-style indexes were increasingly seen as passe.
So, why bother to use these indexes? After all, the microfilm has long been digitized. Yet, there are a number of reasons to flip through them. First, the indexes cover the earliest years of mass migration from the Russian Empire. Passenger lists get more detailed the closer they are to the present day. More categories are added as time goes on, often making identification easier. These older lists contain much less information and can be difficult to go through online.
Secondly, names are notoriously butchered on passenger lists and all sorts of indexes. However, by having a published index to scan through, you can swiftly get an idea of different possible spellings. Seeing names printed clearly, in black and white, can make a crucial difference in whether you recognize your ancestor or not. In particular, family groupings (along with names) stand out much more than they do digitally.
Finally, the experienced researcher knows that another set of eyes is crucial to breaking through a brick wall. This is often the case with handwriting in particular. A prepared index gives one an opportunity to get an expert’s second opinion. If you are having trouble finding that immigrant, it is worth a flip through the series.
I would suggest this book series to anyone who has ancestors who immigrated early on from the Russian Empire or those who simply wish to know more about the subject. All six volumes are available in print here at the Genealogy Center.
***************************************
PERSI Gems: What We Build
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
***************************************
Walls and roofs are built for shelter. Pipes are constructed to quench our thirst. Bridges, trails, highways, and rails are laid to connect communities. Furniture is crafted to aid our needs for work, rest, and storage. Monuments are raised as places of honor. Indexes, like PERSI, are assembled as tools for discovery. Family trees are built to help us understand our place in history. Libraries are built to preserve and share knowledge.
As you build your family and local history research, take time to consider the legacy built by those who have gone before.
Try a PERSI search here:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
A. M. Smith built floating palace as family boat, 1883, Virginia, IL
Cass County (IL) Historian, Issue 102 (Sep 2008)
Addison House last remaining continuously inhabited sod house in Sask., built c. 1909
Folklore, Vol. 26, Issue 2 (Spr 2005)
Avoiding assumptions and self-built brick walls
Questing Heirs (Long Beach, CA), Vol. 41, Issue 4 (Apr 2008)
Beer saloon built instead of cheese factory, 1877
Linn County (IA) Heritage Hunters, Vol. 24, Issue 1 (Feb 2009)
Bill Compton built Wichita a pyrolysis plant, 1970s+
Kansas History, Vol. 31, Issue 3 (Aut 2008)
Camp Dine-A-Mite built by Fred Rogers, photo and note, late-1920s-1940s
Paper Talks: Central Maine Edition (1988)
Captain Christopher Marshall mahogany and white pine desk photo, built c. 1767, Boston, MA
American Spirit, Vol. 142, Issue 6 (Nov 2008)
Cocoa Beach built welcome sign for unidentified flying objects, 1966
Journal of the Brevard County (FL) Historical Commission, ol. 10, Issue 2 (Fal 2011)V
Domes built for stargazing, observatories in Indiana, history and preservation, 1861+
Indiana Preservationist (Mar 2013)
Early church built with lumber from saloon
Footprints (Fort Worth Genealogical Society, TX), Vol. 29, Issue 3 (Aug 1986)
Four hundred lakes built by Works Progress Admin. good fishing and duck nesting grounds, 1939
Outdoor Indiana, Vol. 6, Issue 11 (Dec 1939)
John Clifford Garrett and pressurized flight, business built on thin air, 1920s+
Pacific Historical Review, Vol. 35, Issue 3 (Aug 1966)
Ken Drake recalls grandma's sod shanty built next to a rattlesnake den, 1907
Quest (Dunn County Genealogical Society, WI), Vol. 18, Issue 3 (Jan 2011)
Middlesboro built within meteorite crater
Kentucky Explorer, Vol. 18, Issue 10 (Apr 2004)
Robert Warth, his three wives, and the houses he built for each, 1800s, OH
Gallia County (OH) Glade, Vol. 34, Issue 2 (Sum 2009)
Solar pond built for milking and washing systems at Ohio State University dairy barns, 1981
Ohio State University Monthly, Vol. 72, Issue 7 (Mar 1981)
Staircases built into hillsides of Gilpin Co. history and preservation notes, 1860s+
Nugget (Gilpin County Historical Society, CO), Jul 2012
Tiny landmarks, architectural structures built for children
Indiana Preservationist, Dec 2007
Wooden water pipe system built by Henry Schaeffer discovered, 18th C., 2010
Aus Em Schteddel (Historic Schaefferstown, Inc., PA), Win 2012
***************************************
Preservation Tips: Preserving Textiles
by Christina Clary, C.A.
***************************************
The first thing to do when assessing how to preserve textiles found in your family archives is to determine what materials were used to create the fabric. Plant-based fabrics, such as cotton and linen, should be stored with alkaline-buffered tissue paper to prevent acid migration. Other types of fabrics, especially ones made from animal proteins, will be damaged by buffered tissue paper. These types of fabrics, which include leather, silk, and wool, contain protein fibers which will weaken and degrade if exposed to high levels of alkaline over time. Use unbuffered tissue paper for these items. If you are unsure what exactly the textile is made from, err on the side of caution and go with unbuffered. You can also use undyed and unbleached cotton fabric to wrap around the items. Acid-free boxes should still be used as the main housing for all types of textiles and fabrics.
Extra care should be taken when handling items. Use two hands when carrying items, or even better, use their box to carry them around instead. Make sure to have clean, dry hands and remove any jewelry that might catch on the fabric. This is one of the few instances when gloves can be worn, but make sure you still have good dexterity with them on. Textiles pick up oil and dirt easily, so wash your hands or replace your gloves as they become soiled.
Modern items can gently be handwashed with detergent before storing. Wedding dresses should be taken to a dry cleaner as soon as possible. Be sure to request no starch, conditioning agents, and finishing chemicals. Many bridal dress shops offer preservation services now, which can be used if they specify the exact process and archival materials they use. Other modern items may be repaired or mended.
Older items should not be washed except by a textile conservator. Washing may cause the item to fall apart or dyes to bleed and run. You can gently vacuum items without beading or loose threads using a brush attachment. Use the lowest level of suction and place cheesecloth over the brush to provide a screen. Very gently pat the item to pick up any loose dirt but be sure to keep the nozzle slightly elevated to reduce suction. Fragile items should be left as they are. Do not try to repair or mend older items or items with monetary or sentimental value. They should be left in their original state, aside from light vacuuming.
When storing items, try to minimize folds and creases and pad the folds with crumpled rolls of tissue paper. If an item is already folded and unfolding it will cause damage, leave it as is. Wrap items in the appropriate tissue paper before placing them in an acid-free box. Items should be stored separately, if possible, especially items such as hats, gloves, and shoes. Some items can be hung using well-padded plastic hangers but be mindful of the weight of the item. Gravity will cause heavier items to eventually distort and pull apart. For most items, use boxes instead.
The most damaging thing to textiles is light, especially sunlight. If the item is not stored in a box, keep the item in a dark place and reduce exposure to sunlight and fluorescent lights. As with all archival materials, a cool, temperature-controlled room is the best place for storage.
***************************************
History Tidbits: The Count of Rumford, New Hampshire--The life of Sir Benjamin Thompson
by Logan Knight
***************************************
Concord, New Hampshire, is not a particularly well-known community. Yes, it is the capital of New Hampshire, but that sounds like an answer to bar trivia more than any true claim to fame. However, it is the only place in all the United States of America that can claim to be the namesake of a genuine Imperial Count of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation (Reichsgraf in German). How could this be? Read on!
Benjamin Thompson was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, on March 26, 1753. From a family of modest means, he seemed destined for a conventional life. His fortunes changed when he moved to Rumford, New Hampshire (today known as Concord). Here he was able to marry a wealthy widow, which enabled him to pursue a life of ease. Like many gentlemen of leisure at the time, he cultivated a fascination with science. His area of specialty was heat in all its forms, and he exchanged at least one letter with Thomas Jefferson.
As a well-to-do landowner, Thompson’s sympathies lay with the British government during the American Revolution. He acted on his sympathies by actively spying for the British. He was caught, and a mob threatened him with tarring and feathering. He was run out of Rumford, staying just one step ahead of the baying mob, never to return.
Thompson bounced back by raising a unit of Loyalist militia (with himself as colonel, naturally), the King’s American Dragoons. Stationed on Long Island, this force became notorious when they demolished a local Presbyterian Church. The soldiers used the church’s raw materials and even tombstones to build a fort. It was called Fort Golgotha, (“place of the skull”) and is famously the name of the hill where Christ was crucified. Shockingly, this did not endear Colonel Thompson to the local populace. When the war was lost, he had no choice but to flee to England.
Thompson used his connections and organizational ability to rise in government service and was knighted for his trouble. He was sent by the British government to the Electorate of Bavaria as an aide-de-camp for its army. The Prince-Elector liked him so much that he took him into his service full-time. Thompson became the Minister of War, Minister of Police, Minister of the Interior, Grand Chamberlain, and practically every other senior position in the Bavarian government.
In his eleven years in Bavaria, Thompson turned the government into a giant laboratory for his scientific and social experiments. He had the Army kidnap every beggar in Munich and put them into workhouses to make army uniforms. The workhouses provided free children’s education and medical care (perhaps offsetting some of the hard feelings about the kidnappings).
He introduced the potato and all of its many wonders to Bavaria. Thomspon would follow this action up with his invention of “Rumford’s Soup” an exceedingly unappetizing but cheap and calorie rich gruel. Many historians argued that this led to the founding of the first modern soup kitchens.
His greatest gift to the city of Munich, though, was the establishment of the Englischer Garten (exactly what it sounds like) in the heart of the city. Originally designed as a military garden, the project swiftly changed into a public park. Ranging over nine hundred acres, it remains one of the largest urban parks on the planet. Opening it to the general public was quite revolutionary at the time as the majority of European parks were reserved for society’s elites.
In the realm of science, Thompson contributed many things that we still use today. His experiments revealed that heat was a form of motion caused by friction, which underpins the First Law of Thermodynamics. His work with army uniforms would lead to thermal underwear. To the delight of chefs and food lovers everywhere, he invented the first kitchen range and is the father of Sous-Vide cooking.
For his services to Bavaria, Elector-Prince Charles Theodore raised him to the rank of Reichsgraf (Count) of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. Now, being a titled noble requires a geographical connection (Duke of Earl etc.) When asked where he wanted his title to be located, Thompson asked it to be the same New Hampshire town that had run him out on a rail, all those years before.
It seems that Thompson chose his title with more humor than hate. By the time he died in 1814, he left much of his estate to Harvard University to endow a professorship in his name, the Rumford Chair of Physics. Other gifts went to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which still issue medals in his name for great achievements in light and heat. That is how one Benjamin Thompson became The Count of Rumford.
***************************************
Genealogy Center’s October 2026 Programs
***************************************
October is Family History Month! Give yourself some treats this month by engaging in many of the programs found through the link below. Register for some of the programs today!
www.acpl.lib.in.us/family-history-month
***************************************
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 Genealogy [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.