Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library, No. 42, August 31, 2007
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygemsgenealogycenter.info)
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:11:56 -0700 (PDT)
Genealogy Gems:  News from the Fort Wayne Library
No. 42, August 31, 2007

In this issue:
*Hot August Nights!
*1798 Rebellion Papers
*Atlantic Canadians – Maine Soldiers
*Preservation Tip of the Month
*Area Calendar of Events
*Family History Month Reminder
*Driving Directions to the Library
*Parking at the Library
*Queries for the Department

***************************************
Hot August Nights!
by Curt B. Witcher
***************************************
Yes, there have been some hot, muggy nights across so much of the
nation over the past month.  But part of the "hot" we experienced here
were the nights of the Federation of Genealogical Societies'
conference in Fort Wayne the week of August 13th when the Grand Wayne
Center and the Allen County Public Library were ablaze with
genealogical activity.  Almost 1500 genealogists from around the
country and as far away as New Zealand spent nearly a week in Fort
Wayne learning from the dozens of lectures presented each day,
exploring a packed vendor hall, networking with other genealogists,
and discovering new branches of their family with the resources of the
Genealogy Center.  The Center was open early three days of the
conference week and stayed open until midnight twice during the event.
 Family historians left Fort Wayne tired, but very happy.  We look
forward to our next opportunity to host such a spectacular, "hot"
event!

We continue to believe in the old phone company invitation to "reach
out and touch someone."  This month, a number of new virtual offerings
were launched.  We developed two online tutorials based on print
publications crafted by the Center.  They are meant to assist those
who are just beginning their genealogical adventures.  The first
tutorial is entitled "The Mystery of Your Family History."  It
approaches family history as though you are a detective working on a
case.  It has a very nice list of terms a true beginner will find
helpful.  "How to Start Researching Your Family Tree" is the second
tutorial which takes a bit more traditional approach to beginning
family history research.  Both have fillable PDF documents to help one
get started, and both are linked off the Center's "Getting Started"
web page.  <www.ACPL.Infos/Genealogy/getstart.html>

This past month, colleague and reference librarian John Beatty and his
wife recorded a very useful orientation to the Genealogy Center.  We
invite you to take a walking tour with the Beattys and learn about the
resources of the Center.  It is a most informative piece if you want
to learn about our new facility and more efficiently use your time
while in the Center.  Some of you may have already viewed the video on
YouTube as Dick Eastman announced it in his newsletter a number of
days ago.  That orientation is also available for viewing at
RootsTelevision.com.

And speaking of RootsTelevision, to celebrate the launch of their
Societies and Libraries & Archives channels they are sponsoring a
contest in which the organization that drives the most traffic to
their website between now and October 31st will win $1000!  So I
invite you and your friends to take a look at RootsTelevision and view
a program or two during the next couple of months by clicking on the
RootsTelevision link found at <www.GenealogyCenter.Info>.

Finally, through the efforts of one of the Center's summer staff,
49,381 detailed records were added to our online Microtext Catalog
from the end of May through the first of August.  If you haven't had a
chance to take a look at our vast holdings in a microtext format, you
might want to click on <www.genealogycenter.info/search_microtext.php>
and take a look around.  You could be pleasantly surprised by what you
find.

***************************************
1798 Rebellion Papers
by Steven W. Myers
***************************************
The Genealogy Center recently acquired microfilmed copies of the 1798
Rebellion Papers from the National Archives of Ireland. The bulk of
this important series of papers date from 1796-1805 and consist of
correspondence to Dublin Castle from a variety of informants keeping
authorities abreast of developments in counties "disturbed" by the
seditious activities of the United Irishmen. This secret society hoped
to wrest control of the country from the English by building a
republican coalition of Catholics, Presbyterians and other
Protestants. Their failed revolt in 1798 left as many as 30,000 people
dead, many falling victim to atrocities committed by both sides away
from the battlefields.

For the genealogist, the rebellion is strategically placed just one
generation before the beginning of most Catholic or Presbyterian
Church registers. The voluminous manuscript records and substantial
published literature created by and about the rising provide a vivid
snapshot of Ireland and its people. Besides the extensive
correspondence mentioned above, the Rebellion Papers also contain
records of courts martial, many lists of prisoners and surrendering
rebels, and prisoner's petitions. For some localities a virtual census
of families may be constructed. Even in counties where fighting did
not occur, government surveillance of United Irishmen activities
throughout the 1790s generated a rich source of documentation.

The Rebellion Papers Calendar, in five volumes, lists and describes
each individual document or group of documents in the collection,
providing a reference number that will lead researchers to the correct
roll of microfilm. As an example, box 4, folder 53, items 1-14 are
"Lists of rebels who surrendered [in] Queen's Co., 1798." These lists
contain a combined total of 2361 names with varying descriptive
information for each person. Some provide only the name, occupation,
parish and weapon surrendered. Others add the age or specific townland
of residence, and one even provides the person's height and color of
complexion and hair.

For genealogists descended from rebel and loyalist exiles, or whose
families left Ireland later in the aftermath of the famine, the
archives of 1798 offer one of the few opportunities to trace a
family's history beyond the beginning of church registers. The
microfilmed 1798 Rebellion Papers and the associated Rebellion Papers
Calendar are sources worth exploring for the local history of a
turbulent time in Ireland or for that genealogical tidbit that will
further your research.

***************************************
Atlantic Canadians – Maine Soldiers
by Delia Cothrun Bourne
***************************************
The foreign-born soldier was not an oddity during the Civil War, with
entire regiments composed of natives of Germany or Ireland serving
both sides of the fray, and many Canadians crossing the border to
serve in various, primarily Union regiments. Many Atlantic Canadians
from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland
already lived in Maine before the War, and some of these men, as well
as others from that area in Canada, joined Maine Regiments for
patriotic or ethical reasons, or for cash in the form of a bounty or
payment as a substitute.

Daniel F. Johnson examined more than 70,000 cards located in the Maine
State Archives on these soldiers to compile "The American Civil War:
the Service Records of Atlantic Canadians with the State of Maine
Volunteers" (973.74 M28JD). Johnson's explanation at the beginning of
the book details the problems and discrepancies that occur with some
of these soldiers, including the recruiter's clerical errors and the
use of aliases.

Listed by soldier's name, entry information might include age and
marital status, physical description, occupation, birth place and
residence, enlistment, muster and discharge information, regiment and
company. As each community had to supply a specific quota of recruits,
an indication is also made of which town was credited with the
enlistment. Occupations are listed, from the most common farmers,
lumbermen, laborers, and sailors to shoemakers and blacksmiths.
Transfers, desertions or absences are also noted.

Some men served out their term of enlistment, like 25-year-old
Frederick L. McDonald, a New Brunswick farmer, who enlisted in
November, 1863 and mustered out in Florida in December, 1865. Others
deserted, either immediately, like Andrew Gillis, 22, of Cape Breton
who enlisted in the 17th Maine Infantry on 4 August 1862, then
deserted while the regiment was embarking on the train to leave for
Washington, or later, like Benjamin Laboree, a New Brunswick laborer,
who enlisted in August, 1864 as a substitute for Joseph S.
Wheelwright, a merchant of Bangor. Laboree deserted to the enemy near
Petersburg, Virginia. But others were just unlucky, like Nicholas
Summers of Andover, New Brunswick, who joined the 1st District of
Columbia Cavalry in September, 1861 for a term of three years, was
discharged in February, 1863 for disability, and re-enlisted February,
1864 in the 1st Maine Cavalry, then died in prison on November 11,
1864.

The volume also contains lists of Atlantic Canadians by regiment,
those killed in action, or who died of wounds, died of disease, died
in a Rebel prison, or just died. Reading through the entries is a
fascinating look at a specific group of soldiers and an interesting
source for Atlantic Canadians.

***************************************
Preservation Tip of the Month
by Becky Schipper
***************************************
You may want to scan your photos, documents, and records into
electronic files to share with family. When doing this be careful of
small, auto-feed scanners that may harm your material. It is best to
scan on a flat-bed scanner, where the risk of harm is minimal.  If you
want to make an electronic record of your documents or photos, you
will want to use a scanner that will allow you to save in a number of
formats (e.g. tif, jpg, pdf, etc.).  A tif image is still widely
recognized as the preferred archival format.  The files can then be
stored on CD or DVD.

***************************************
Area Calendar of Events
***************************************
Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI)
+Sep. 12, 2007 at 6:30 pm at the Allen County Public Library's Main
Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne.  Genealogy Center manager Curt
Witcher will speak about updates in the Genealogy Center in his
presentation entitled, "New Building, A New Name, A New Beginning."
+Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:30 pm at the Allen County Public Library's Main
Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne.  John Kalb of the Indiana
Postal History Society will speak about early correspondence and
stampless folded letters.
+Nov. 14, 2007 at 6:30 pm at the Allen County Public Library's Main
Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne.  John Hannigan will speak
about 21st Century military veterans of Allen County and an effort to
record them.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) "First Wednesday" program
of lineage assistance is Wednesday, May 2nd from 9 am – 7 pm.  Expert
help from members of the DAR on becoming a member of that
organization.

***************************************
Family History Month Reminder
***************************************
There is an awesome listing of programs lined-up for this October,
Family History Month 2007.  We'd love for you to join us!  Click on
the following link to see the details.
<www.ACPL.Info/Genealogy/programs.html>

***************************************
Driving Directions to the Library
***************************************
Wondering how to get to the library?  Our location is 900 Library
Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, on 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 Department.

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 102.  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 112.  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 Road.  Coming up to
an angled street (State Street) and make an angled left turn.  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
***************************************
At the Library, underground parking can be accessed from Wayne Street.
Other library parking lots are at Washington and Webster, and Wayne
and Webster. Hourly parking is $1 per hour with a $7 maximum. ACPL
library card holders may use their cards to validate the parking
ticket at the west end of the Great Hall of the Library. Out of county
residents may purchase a subscription card with proof of
identification and residence. The current fee for an Individual
Subscription Card is $70.

Public lots are located at the corner of Ewing and Wayne Streets ($1
each for the first two half-hours, $1 per hour after, with a $4 per
day maximum) and the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Harrison Street
($3 per day).

Street (metered) parking on Ewing and Wayne Streets. 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 garage 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 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.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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