Thought this might come in hardy for many as Ft. Wayne library is great...
Deborah Ray Piper
Spencer Co., IN
allpiper(a)swindiana.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kay Spears" <Kspears(a)acpl.lib.in.us>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 3:48 PM
Subject: GenealogyGemsI
Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library
No. 1, March 31, 2004
Welcome!
Only a very few short years have passed since the celebrated dawning of
both this new century and this new millennium, and we have already
experienced some amazing events. Indeed, these are exciting times of
discovery and opportunity for those researching family and local
history. Technology continues to provide opportunities to access more
records, and explore new tools for evaluating and conveying data found
those records. Never have opportunities for collaboration and
networking been greater--and never has so much information been so
readily available.
Since its inception, the Historical Genealogy Department of the Allen
County Public Library has been committed to serving a nation of
researchers through a great collection and outstanding reference
service. In the early days of this new millennium, we continue to look
for innovative ways of assisting twenty-first century genealogists. The
premier issue of this electronic newsletter marks the beginning of such
an initiative.
Through this publication, we will inform you about both our new
collections and our many lesser-known treasures; we will share
information about the use of important resources and provide best
research practices and methodologies; and we will provide you with news
about genealogical happenings in our area. And we commit to doing it
all in a short, easily-read format of an e-zine. We trust you will find
it useful and share it with your family and friends.
Curt Witcher, Manager
************************************************************************
Southern Claims Commission Disallowed Claims, 1871-1880
(National Archives Microfiche Publication M1407, RG 233)
Timothy Dougherty
Southern Claims Commission Disallowed Claims is an engaging and useful
tool for American Civil War era research. This collection may help flesh
out a family history. It may enable a researcher to establish
connections with neighbors, relatives, ex-slaves, and ex-slave owners.
The contents may note an ancestor's occupation and standing in the
community, or may help discover a missing link. And often, they provide
an ancestor's first-hand account of the times. This collection is
available in our Microtext area.
In 1871, Congress established a commission to receive and examine
monetary claims for Civil War losses. These claims were based on the
facts that the claimant had been both loyal to the Union and had
supplies or stores seized by or furnished to the US Army during the war.
States affected in the commission were AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC,
TN, TX, VA and parts of WV. This collection includes just the claims
that were wholly "disallowed ," or ultimately never paid out, and
claims that were "barred," that is, failed to make the March 10, 1880
deadline.
The claims contain varying degrees of information. Some have merely a
card with a few hastily scrawled notes. Many others, however, include
pages of documents�lists detailing the claim and depositions by both
claimants and witnesses. The nature of the claims is also varied; they
include property, stores and supplies�damaged houses, flatboats,
potatoes, pork, crockery, and fodder, for example. The claim treats the
specifics and itemizes the losses. The depositions may detail
claimant's age, birthplace, specific location, and circumstances
regarding the claim. They may reveal, in his or her own words, what
the claimant felt and witnessed during the war. These provide a
fascinating glimpse into the claimant's life and surroundings.
This collection includes a comprehensive, easy-to-use index.
These claims can be utilized with a separate National Archives
publication, Records of the House of Representatives: Southern Claims
Commission, 1871-1880 ( P-2257). This includes the Summary Reports of
the Commissioners of Claims. It is strongly recommended that the report
s
be checked in addition to the Disallowed Claims, as it includes
material not found in the claim itself. It contains the commissioners'
reasons for disallowing the claim, and may include additional personal
data. Each wholly disallowed claim should have such an entry. Also
included in the Summary Reports are statistical analysis, overall
observations, and the "rules" concerning the claims.
**********************************************************************
British Parliamentary Papers on the Irish Famine
Steven W. Myers
Many genealogists with Irish forebears trace descent from families that
lived through the Great Famine of the 1840s. Those interested in adding
some historical background to their family narrative often consult a
general famine history for that purpose, in spite of the fact that local
conditions varied dramatically within Ireland. Few realize that a wealth
of detailed information about famine era conditions is available for the
precise locale in which their ancestors resided. A rich source of this
detailed data is the eight volume Famine series of British Parliamentary
Papers published by the Irish University Press. This series contains
selected correspondence and reports of relief commissioners and local
boards of health and public works attempting to respond to the crisis.
Government relief measures, the state of workhouses, and famine
conditions in each district of Ireland all emerge from the statistical
and narrative material in these volumes. Using them will enable the
family historian to reconstruct a more accurate picture of the world
their ancestors left.
These contemporary famine reports are generally arranged in
alphabetical order by the name of the Poor Law Union. Each union was
centered on a market town, in which the union workhouse was located. The
key to accessing information relevant to an ancestor's place of origin
is to know the name of the poor law union in which they resided. To find
the name of the union, consult the General Alphabetical Index to the
Townlands and Towns, Parishes, and Baronies of Ireland [call no.
941.50003 G28A], based on the 1851 census of Ireland, and reprinted by
the Genealogical Publishing Co. Once the name of the union is known, the
table of contents in each volume of parliamentary papers can be
consulted for relevant items. Correspondence from local officials can be
graphic in its description of conditions, sometimes mentioning specific
individuals and poignant episodes. In addition to statistical data, some
tables provide the names, ages, relationships, and residences of
individuals affected by the famine. The following brief list of examples
will illustrate the possibilities: "Return of Persons receiving Out-Door
Relief, as Paupers (Castlebar Union)," "Occupiers of Land within the
Union of Kilrush�who are willing�to emigrate with their families to
Canada," and "Female Orphans in the Donegal Union Workhouse between the
Ages of 14 and 18 Years�willing to emigrate to Australia." Genealogists
can readily access this valuable set on open shelves in the Genealogy
Department at 941.5 P1997.
***********************************************
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE LIBRARY
***********************************************
Wondering how to get to the library? Our exciting temporary location is
located at 200 E. Berry, Fort Wayne, Indiana. We will be in this
location until 2006. We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy
Department.
To get directions from your exact location to 200 E. Berry, Fort Wayne,
Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=Fort+Wayne&state=IN&200...
From the North or South
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 102. Come east on Jefferson St. into
downtown. Turn left on Barr St. to Berry St. The library is located on
the corner of Berry and Barr streets.
From the West
Using US 30:
Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Rd. Coming up to an
angled street (State St.) make an
angled left turn. Turn right on Wells
St. Go south on Wells until Wayne St. Left on Wayne. When you cross
Clinton, the library will be on your left on Wayne St.
Using US 24:
After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from
the North or South.
From the East
Follow US 30 into New Haven. Following that through New Haven, under
an overpass into downtown Fort Wayne. You will be on Washington St.
when you get into downtown. Turn right on Barr St. Turn left on Berry
St. The library is on your left on Berry St.
********************************************
PARKING AT THE LIBRARY
********************************************
Lot in front of the library, east side
Available for short-term library parking. Limited to an hour.
Tippman Parking Garage
Clinton and Wayne streets. Across from the library, however the
skybridge in NOT accessible. Hourly parking, $1.25 per hour up to
$5.00, than $5.00 a day.
Park Place Lot
Covered parking on Barr St. at Main St., this lot is one block away
from the library. Hourly parking Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Street (metered) parking on Wayne St. and Berry St.
On the street you plug the meters 8am - 5pm, weekdays only. It is free
to park on the street after 5pm and on the weekends.
Visitor center/Grand Wayne center
This is the Hilton Hotel parking lot that also serves as a day parking
garage. Covered parking at Washington and Clinton streets. Hourly
parking, 7am - 11 pm. Charges are .50 for the first 45 minutes, that
$1.00 per hour. There is a flat $2.00 fee between 5pm and 11pm.
******************************************
HOTEL OF THE MONTH
******************************************
Each issue we will feature a local hotel, for visitors from
out-of-town.
The Downtown Fort Wayne Holiday Inn is very near ACPL (2 short
blocks!). It has 208 rooms, a pool and fitness center, and longterm
guests will be pleased to know they can do their laundry there. For
those arriving by air, you can arrange to be picked up by their
airport
shuttle. There is a coffee shop and bar; other restaurants are nearby,
and the Historical Genealogy dept. can supply a list and map to help
you
find a place to eat.
The Holiday Inn has special rate of $62.00 plus tax for Genealogists,
Group rates are available.
Downtown Fort Wayne Holiday Inn, 300 East Washington Blvd., Fort
Wayne IN 46802. Phone 260 422 5511. E-mail gmfwa(a)lodgian.com. For
toll-free reservations, dial 1 800 465 4329 and ask for the
Genealogical Rate
******************************************************
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
******************************************************
Allen County Public Library
3rd floor atrium display area
Eastern European Immigration: Highlights of Allen County Public Library
Genealogy Department Resources
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
April 7, 2004 / Wednesday / 9am - 3pm / Genealogy Department ACPL 200
E. Berry, Fort Wayne, IN (260-421-1225)
First Wednesday of each month
Expert help from members of the DAR in becoming a member of that
organization
Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI)
http://www.ipfw.edu/ipfwhist/historgs/acgsi.htm
April 14, 2004 / Wednesday 6:30pm refreshments, 7:00pm meeting
Aboite Branch Library, 5630 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne, IN
(260-421-1310)
Amy Johnson Crow
"Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker: Using Occupations Records"
May 12, 2004 / Wednesday 6:30pm refreshments, 7:00pm meeting
New Haven Branch Library, 648 Green St., New Haven, IN (260-421-1345)
Steve Hofer
Philo T. Farnsworth Museum
Computer Users Group
April 21, 2004 / Wednesday 6:30pm refreshments, 7:00pm meeting
Aboite Branch Library, 5630 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne, IN
(260-421-1310)
Roundtable Discussion
Indiana Genealogical Society
April 3, 2004 / Saturday / Annual meeting and conference
Bloomington Convention Center, Bloomington, Indiana
Speakers include: Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, Julian Livingston, James
Madison, and Randi Richardson.
http://www.indge
nsoc.org/conference.html
Ohio Genealogical Society
April 22 - 24, 2004 / Willmington, Ohio
"Settlers and Builders of Ohio: Discovering Family History Resources
and Strategies"
Featuring Thomas W. Jones and 28 other speakers
http://www.ogs.org/PDF/2004%20Conference%20Brouchure.pdf
National Genealogical Society
www.ngsgenealogy.org
May 19 - 22, 2004 / Sacramento, California / Sacramento Convention
Center
NGS Conference in the States
http://www.eshow2000.com/ngs/
Federation of Genealogical Societies
www.fgs.org
September 8 - 11, 2004 / Austin, Texas / Austin Convention Center
"Legends Live Forever: Researching the Past for Future Generations"
http://www.fgs.org/2004conf/FGS-2004.htm
ACPL Librarians on Tour
Curt Witcher
April 7 Huntington Public Library "Effective Use of the
Historical Genealogy Department", 7p.m.
April 14 Indiana Library Federation (Indianapolis Convention
Center) "More Than Surname Surfing: Assisting Genealogists With the
Web", 3:30p.m.
April 23 Ohio Genealogical Society Annual Conference, Wilmington,
Ohio "Using Church Records in Your Genealogical Research", 4p.m.
April 24 Ohio Genealogical Society Annual Conference, Wilmington,
Ohio "Doing Effective Genealogical Research in Libraries", 10:30a.m.
May 5 Utah Library Association Pre-Conference Workshop, Ogden, Utah
"Books, Bytes, and Bridges: Serving Genealogists in the 21st Century",
1:30p.m.
May 6 Utah Library Association, Ogden, Utah "Pain in the Access:
Getting More from the Internet for Your Genealogy", 1:15p.m.
May 6 Utah Library Association Pre-Conference Workshop, Ogden, Utah
"Mining the Motherlode: Using Periodical Literature in Genealogical
Research", 2:30p.m.
Sue Kaufman
April 18 - 19 Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis "Jewish
Genealogical Research"
www.indianahistory.org
Elaine Kuhn
25 April Washtenaw County Genealogical Society of Michigan
"PERSI" St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center, Ann Arbor, 1:30
Ryan Taylor
12 April DeKalb County Indiana Genealogical Society, Auburn
Indiana "Calendars and the Genealogist"
Publishing Note: This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen
County Public Library's Historical Genealogy Department, 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. If you do not want to receive this
e-zine, please send an email to kspears(a)acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe
e-zine" in the subject line.
Sue Kaufman, editor