Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library, No. 33, November 30, 2006 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygemsfriendsofallencounty.org) | |
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 19:33:41 -0800 (PST) |
Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library No. 33, November 30, 2006
In this issue: *It's Beginning to Look . . . *Sources for World War I Heroes *The George O. Zabriskie Collection *Countdown to Conference 2007 *Preservation Tip of the Month *Area Calendar of Events *ACPL Librarians on Tour *Driving Directions to the Library *Parking at the Library *Queries for the Department
*************************************** It's Beginning to Look . . . by Curt B. Witcher *************************************** Well, of course it's beginning to look a bit like Christmas (particularly if you were in the Pacific Northwest earlier this week). But . . . it's also beginning to look a lot like The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library is ready to begin housing our hundreds of thousands of research materials--and after that, welcome all of you! The brand new microtext storage units are bolted in place; the final bracing of the stacks is rapidly drawing to a close, with the installation of striking, oak end-panels marking the final touches to those areas; and sturdy, comfortable research tables are being assembled. We can't wait to begin the move back!
And speaking of the move back, we are just a few short weeks away from starting that venture. As stated in previous communiques, The Genealogy Center will close in our temporary location at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2006. After a short holiday break, staff will begin moving the genealogy materials to 900 Library Plaza--and then assist with moving the rest of the library's materials. There is a wonderful grand opening ceremony planned for Saturday, January 27, 2007 around mid-day. Watch the library's website for more specific details about the celebration!
The very handsome, recently published two-volume work "History of Fort Wayne & Allen County, Indiana, 1700-2005," by John Beatty and Phyllis Robb, reminded me again of how critical it is for us, as genealogists, to explore the histories of the areas where we find our families. I have a favorite expression: "Exploring the history eliminates the mystery!" It has proven to be quite true in so much of my research and in the assistance I have been able to provide to other researchers.
As there currently is no easy or convenient online access to the many thousands of town and county histories on the free, open web, many researchers undervalue them. Others nearly ignore them because the histories fall into the category of secondary source documents. I, however, believe county and town histories should be approached as sources of great clues and leads, as well as sources which provide tremendous (and necessary) context for our research. It is often in these local histories that we find when waves of immigrants settled in a particular area and learn from whence they came. It is in these histories that we discover the first evidences of religious denominations in a specific locale, as well as when stores, schools, and manufacturing shops opened. All this information, all these clues, can significantly advance one's genealogical endeavors.
The Genealogy Center is blessed with an abundance of town and county histories covering nearly all of North America and the British Isles. These works can be a tremendous research complement for the thorough genealogist.
*************************************** Sources for World War I Heroes by Delia Cothrun Bourne *************************************** Veterans' Day reminded me that the day selected to honor all of our veterans was originally called Armistice Day in honor of November 11, 1918, the end of World War I, known then as the European War, the Great War, or, more optimistically, The War to End All Wars.
Only about twenty veterans of American service from that conflict survive at this time. While some service records were destroyed in the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire, there are still sources for searching for soldiers of that era, especially those to whom a citation for heroism had been given.
Albert F. Gleim compiled or reprinted four of these works. Citation Orders, General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces (940.410 AA1GLE) is a reprint of orders which authorize the wearing of the Silver Star citation on the Victory Medal Ribbon. Although there is no index, most of the ten sections are roughly alphabetical, and provide the soldier's name, rank, military organization, and date, place and activity for which he was honored.
Belgian Awards to the American Expeditionary Force (940.410 AA1BELA) lists more than six hundred American recipients of Belgian medals in alphabetical order by name, providing rank, decoration, and organization with which served.
Tentative List of Decorations Awarded U.S. Army Air Service, AEF (940.410 AA1AI) is a 1987 reprint of a 1920 Government Printing Office publication. The alphabetical list by award provides name and rank only, but includes American, British, French, Italian, Romanian, Belgian, Serbian, Montenegrin, and Chinese awards.
About the same time (1918-1925), the U.S. military also had personnel on the Mexican border to which the Office of the Quartermaster General awarded service medals. Army Mexican Service Medal Issue Records (940.410 AA1GLEA) consists of a name index providing the medal number, with a cross-index of medal numbers to name with rank. Dates of the award are only indicated in groupings of about 500.
Not wanting to forget our neighbors to the north, where the holiday is Remembrance Day, the Genealogy Department has two volumes of interest compiled by David K. Riddle and Donald G. Mitchell. The Military Cross Awarded to the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1915-1921 (940.4102 AA1R) and The Distinguished Service Order to the Canadian Expeditionary Force and Canadians in the Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, 1915-1920 (971 R43D) both have name indexes. They list rank, serial number, organization, date of award in the London Gazette, date and a citation for the announcement in the Canada Gazette, and a brief description of the act which merited the award. Appendices include lists of recipients of selected other awards.
Even if one does not have a WWI soldier ancestor, the accounts of the bravery exhibited by these heroic young men and women are fascinating reading. Come visit us soon to learn more about our North American heroes.
*************************************** The George O. Zabriskie Collection by John D. Beatty *************************************** The late George Olin Zabriskie, FASG (1904-1988) was a leading authority on colonial Dutch families of New Netherland. As a contributing editor of the American Genealogist and a member of the Holland Society of New York, he was a frequent contributor of articles about Dutch families in New York and New Jersey, which were published in a variety of scholarly journals from the 1950s to the 1980s. In the course of his research, he amassed an extensive collection of files containing family group charts, notes, colonial church record abstracts, local history, and correspondence, which he later offered to the Genealogical Society of Utah for microfilming. These microfilms are available from the Family History Library, and a portion of them are part of the permanent holdings of the Allen County Public Library.
Though little used, the collection is a goldmine of information on Dutch colonial families, especially in Bergen County, New Jersey, where his Zabriskie family originated. In addition to Zabriskie, other surnames that figure prominently are Ackerman, Bogert/Bogardus, Van Horne, Willsie, Moyle, Blauvelt, Bertholf, Terhune, Van Saun, VanderBeek, Westervelt, and many others. A more complete inventory can be found by examining the catalog for the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org and searching under the microfilm numbers ranging from 1421759 through 1421776.
Zabriskie used some of the data in the compilation of his two-volume Zabriskie Family, published in 1963, and in many of his articles, but it remains unclear how much material was in his files that was never published. Researchers face many challenges in using the collection, including the fact the material is not well organized and lacks either a published guide (except for the FHL Catalog) or an index. Further, the material lacks page numbers and is difficult to cite. ACPL's holdings are arranged into four series of numbered items, which do not correspond with the Family History Library cataloging. In spite of these challenges, this collection is worth a look, especially if you find a published article by Zabriskie and wish to explore his research notes in further detail.
*************************************** Countdown to Conference 2007! by Elaine Kuhn *************************************** Have enough bathrobes and slippers? Don't need another screwdriver set? Here's your chance to get what you *really* want this holiday season. Add a FGS/ACPL 2007 Conference registration to your wish list! The price is reasonable, especially for what you'll be getting in return: four days of outstanding genealogy-related presentations and workshops, the chance to meet fellow researchers from all across North America, and hours of ancestor hunting in the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library.
While you're making out that perfect holiday wish list, remember to include your travel and hotel plans as well. Fort Wayne is easily accessible by plane and automobile, and lodging and dining costs in the area put big city prices to shame (for more information on lodging and dining go to http://www.visitfortwayne.com/visitors.html.) Finally, remember to ask Santa to set aside a little "pin money" for you to purchase books, software and souvenirs from the many vendors at the conference.
You can download and print the FGS/ACPL 2007 Conference informational brochure at http://www.acpl.info/genealogy/FGS07AnnouncementFlyer%20FinalWeb.pdf. Attach a copy of the brochure to your wish list and maybe even leave one under Santa's cookie plate for good measure.
May all your wishes come true and may you have very happy holidays!
*************************************** Preservation Tip of the Month by Becky Schipper *************************************** ACPL's Preservation Technician Becky Schipper offers advice on conserving your documents:
Silica Gel can be used as a desiccant by placing it with damp materials to absorb moisture, or in an enclosed area as a buffer to maintain a specific relative humidity. Artifacts should not be in direct contact with the gel.
*************************************** AREA CALENDAR OF EVENTS *************************************** Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI) Refreshments at 6:30, meeting at 7:00. Questions: contact Katie Bloom kathrynabloom [at] verizon.net Wednesday December 13, 2006, Aboite branch: Deborah Eidson will speak about one-room schoolhouses in Allen County, Indiana.
Computer Users Group Questions? Contact Marge Graham, gramar57 [at] aol.com or 672-2585. December 20, 2006, Aboite branch, ACPL, 5630 Coventry Lane, 7 p.m.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) First Wednesday of each month in the Genealogy Department 9am – 7pm. Expert help from members of the DAR in becoming a member of that organization
*************************************** ACPL LIBRARIANS ON TOUR *************************************** December will be devoted to organizing and packing offices and departmental archives in preparation for our move commencing on December 26, 2006. Look for a great line-up of lectures and programs from the Genealogy Center staff in the New Year.
*************************************** DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE LIBRARY *************************************** Wondering how to get to the library? Our exciting transition location is 200 E. Berry, Fort Wayne, Indiana. We will be at this location until late 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?country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=&searchtab=address&searchtype=address&address=200+E+Berry+St&city=Fort+Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802-2706&search=++Search++&finditform=1
From the South
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 102. Drive east on Jefferson Blvd. into downtown. Turn left on Barr Street to Berry Street. The library is located on the corner of Berry and Barr Streets.
From the North
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 112. Drive south on Coldwater Road, which merges into Clinton Street. Continue south on Clinton, the library will be on your left when you cross Berry Street.
From the West
Using US 30: Drive into town on US 30. US 30 turns into Goshen Road. Coming up to an angled street (State Street.) make an angled left turn. Turn right on Wells Street. Go south on Wells to Wayne Street. Left on Wayne Street. When you cross Clinton, the library will be on your left on Wayne Street.
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. Turn right on Barr Street. Turn left on Berry Street. The library is on your left on Berry Street.
*************************************** PARKING AT THE LIBRARY *************************************** Lot in front of the library, east side of the lot. Available for short-term library parking. Limited to one hour. There are handicapped parking spots near the door.
Tippman Parking Garage Clinton and Wayne Streets. Across from the library, however the skybridge is NOT accessible. Hourly parking, $1.25 per hour up to a maximum of $5.00 per day.
Park Place Lot Covered parking on Barr Street at Main Street. This lot is one block away from the library. Hourly parking Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Street (metered) parking on Wayne Street and Berry Street. 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 Covered parking at Washington and Clinton Streets. This is the Hilton Hotel parking lot that also serves as a day parking garage. For hourly parking, 7am – 11 pm, charges are .50 for the first 45 minutes, then $1.00 per hour. There is a flat $2.00 fee between 5pm and 11pm.
*************************************** GENEALOGY DEPARTMENT QUERIES *************************************** The Historical Genealogy Department 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 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.
To subscribe to Genealogy Gems, simply use your browser to go to the website: www.FriendsOfAllenCounty.org. Scroll down toward the bottom of the first screen where it says, "Enter Your Email Address to Subscribe to "Genealogy Gems." Enter your email address in the yellow box and click on "Subscribe." 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 GenealogyGems you just received or send an email to kspears [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line.
Curt Witcher, editor pro-tem
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