| Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne, No. 258, August 31, 2025 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygems genealogycenter.info)
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| Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2025 21:37:06 -0400 | |
Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne
No. 258, August 31, 2025
In this issue:
*Preparing for Family History Month 2025
*A Review of “New York in 1698: A Comprehensive List of Residents”
*Y DNA Testing Results
*PERSI Gems: Mondays
*Preservation Tips: The Chain of Custody--Lessons from the Pearl Harbor Logbook
*History Tidbits: The Jewish Refugees of Shanghai
*Genealogy Center’s September 2025 Programs
*Family History Month - October 2025 – A Quick Overview
*Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
*Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
*Genealogy Center Social Media
*Driving Directions to the Library
*New Parking at the Library
*Genealogy Center Queries
*Publishing Note
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Preparing for Family History Month 2025
by Curt B. Witcher
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Though the calendar doesn’t exactly agree, for many Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer. I trust your summer was filled with many research opportunities, the discovery of new family stories, and a sense of renewed interest in learning and networking. And if you have that renewed interest in learning, in just thirty-one days it will be Family History Month 2025! I want to take a few moments to share some of the highlights with you. It is hard to choose highlights, though, from all that is planned. It is truly a super month of programming--you are being called to participate. It will truly change and enhance your family history journey.
As genealogists we know that every generation there exists the possibility that one of our ancestors participated in defending our country and securing the freedoms we enjoy today. That continues to motivate me to learn as much of our country’s various engagements over the centuries. And while many of us are considerably further back than WWII in our research, it remains fascinating and extremely engaging to recall the activities of those brave ancestors as well as their cunning. Family History Month begins with a fantastic program on a special WWII unit, the Ghost Army. The Ghost Army was a top-secret unit of more than one thousand men who were charged with simulating two military divisions by using visual, sonic, and radio deception to fool German forces during critical times in the last year of the Second World War.
Fort Wayne’s own world-renowned designer, Bill Blass, was a member of the Ghost Army. Bill joined the army in 1942, and became a member of the 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion, which eventually became known as the Ghost Army. The battalion’s sole mission was to deceive the Germans about the location and strength of American troops on battlefields across Europe. Bill and his fellow soldiers designed and produced elaborate ploys, including inflatable tanks, trucks, jeeps, and airplanes, as well as sound trucks, phony radio transmissions, and temporary campsites. These deceptions provided critical support as the Allied front lines moved eastward after D-Day luring German forces away from the fighting units’ true locations.
The presenter of this program, Rick Beyer, is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, best-selling author, and long-time history enthusiast. He produced and directed the award-winning PBS documentary “The Ghost Army,” and is the co-author of “The Ghost Army of World War II.” This great program will be October 1st at 6 p.m. in the Main Library’s theater. This presentation dovetails nicely with an amazing exhibit of Ghost Army artifacts at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art through the end of October.
Just two days later, on Friday, October 3rd, there is an all-day program designed for activity directors in senior living communities, professionals working in the aging services field, and family caregivers supporting loved ones at home. The program, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Main Library Theater is entitled, “Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare.” I continue to advocate that what we do as genealogists is truly big, important work. Now healthcare professionals and those specializing in eldercare are telling us recounting family stories and using photographs to tell those stories have major, positive impacts on brain health and over all wellbeing of our elders.
The morning of October 3rd will open with a focus on brain health featuring Dr. Joshua Freitas, Ph.D. who is the Chief Research Officer for CERTUS Senior Living. The afternoon will feature discussions on aging well with Dr. Charlotte Yeh, M.D. Charlotte has been recognized for her commitment to patient care with such honors as the 2024 Academy of Geriatric Medicine Gerson Sanders Award and a place among Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives in 2021. Participants will also learn from 2024 American Business Award Maverick of the Year, Rick Voight, CEO and Co-Founder of Vivid-Pix and Publisher of Reunions magazine about the engaging offerings of Vivid-Pix in the eldercare space. Join in person or virtually. Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897
Saturday, October 18th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Genealogy Discovery Center, the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne and the Genealogy Center are cooperating to present “Making the Records Talk” with African American research experts Timothy Pinnick and Janis Forte. Tim will present “Toolbox Building I: Eight Essential African American Resources” and “Toolbox Building II: Fifty Noteworthy Books for the African American Researcher” in the morning while Janis will present “Seven Proven Strategies for Identifying Slave Ownership & Reconstructing Slave Era Families” and “They’re Not on the Census: Using Non-Traditional Sources to Identify Slave Holders” in the afternoon. This information-packed day will offer much for beginning and more experienced researchers alike. Making the Records Talk is free, and it offers great opportunities to enjoy more success in finding your families’ stories.
And then have some fun with the Genealogy Center at the end of the month. On October 30, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. we will be sponsoring an in-person program called “Brain Buzz: SPOOKY Genealogy Trivia Night” at the Neon Pear at Electric Works, 1622 Broadway, Fort Wayne. In partnership with Electric Works, we are providing a spirited evening of history, heritage, and fun at Genealogy Trivia Night! This event is perfect for adults interested in local history, famous family trees, and uncovering stories from the past. Enjoy three rounds of trivia, prizes, giveaways, and casual conversation with Genealogy Center staff. The first 10 teams to register will receive free cocktail coupons—so gather your team and sign up early! Contact the Genealogy Center for details.
Truly, so many good choices await you in October. Use September to clear your October calendar of regular activities and fill it with Family History Month fun and engagement! Make this the year you completely engage in Family History Month!
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A Review of “New York in 1698: A Comprehensive List of Residents”
by John D. Beatty, CG
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In 1698 and 1703, the colony of New York did something remarkable: it took censuses that not only counted numbers of inhabitants but listed specific names. It comprised residents living in a handful of counties that were then settled, mostly New York City. These included the counties of Albany, Ulster/Dutchess, Orange, New York, Richmond, Westchester, Suffolk, Kings, and Queens. While the statistical totals still exist, only small fragments of the actual censuses survive.
Genealogist Kory Meyerink has attempted to reconstruct these lost returns in a book titled “New York in 1698: A Comprehensive List of Residents Based on Census, Tax, and Other Lists” (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2024), GC 974.7 M75n. For sources, he turned primarily to church records and tax lists that replicated some of the information that the original might have contained.
The results are impressive. Meyerink reviews the information for each county, discusses the available sources as well as the process he used for reconstructing the returns for that county. He also includes short bibliographies for further reading. Maps show the existing town boundaries for each county in 1698, which will help readers get their bearings.
For example, in his chapter on Queens County, Meyerink states there were five towns in 1698: Newtown, Flushing, Jamaica, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay. He provides the population totals, which are still extant from the original census. He offers a short discussion of how the county was settled: “Although the Dutch originally claimed this area of Long Island, obtaining deeds from the Native American tribes, settlements by Dutch families were sparse. Between 1642 and 1656, the Dutch governors granted patents to these five towns to English settlers, resulting in an increase of British settlers. Many came from Connecticut or elsewhere in New England.” These types of research notes are immensely helpful to researchers studying the families in these areas. Hempstead and Flushing have original surviving returns from 1698, while Newtown was reconstructed using genealogical data from James Riker’s “Annals of Newtown,” published in 1852.
New York can be a challenging place to research in the colonial period. The availability of church records from many congregations helps, but they do not cover everyone. Meyerink has assembled a valuable book that is a must-see for any researcher of New York at the turn of the eighteenth century.
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Y DNA Testing Results
by Sara Allen
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The Y-Chromosome DNA test has been offered by the genealogical testing company FamilyTreeDNA for more than 25 years. This is a STR (short tandem repeat) test that looks at the direct paternal line of a male test taker. It compares the results of other men who have taken the same test and allows them to find matches to those descended from a common paternal ancestor who lived between 50 to 1000 years ago.
Advanced testing of the Y-Chromosome is called the Big Y test (a SNP test). This test will provide matches and additionally, it will show the ancient origins of the paternal line, migration patterns, and the approximate year of the connection between matches. Both types of testing can be useful to family history research, but neither is a substitute for thorough, complete genealogical research on the family of interest. The best-case scenario, when using this test to solve genealogical questions, is for the man who tests to have matches to others with his same surname. Not every man who tests gets this result. This article today will be exploring practical scenarios for men who do get matches to their own predicted surname.
When to Test and Whom to Test?
Any genealogist who is struggling to identify a male ancestor on their tree can try to recruit as a test taker a male who is a direct male descendant of that mystery male ancestor. He needs to take the Y-chromosome DNA test at the FamilyTreeDNA testing company. (This test is not generally recommended for adoptees; they will have better results taking an autosomal DNA test). Once you identify a male relative to take the Y-chromosome test, you have to decide which level of testing to purchase. Generally speaking, I advise those who can afford it to purchase the Big Y test at the beginning point of testing. Alternatively, you can start out testing at Y-37 or Y-111, if desired, and upgrade later (if enough of the original sample still exists). Purchasing a Y-37 test does provide an inexpensive way to see if you get any useful matches to the predicted surname or not, before deciding to upgrade.
What should you look for in the results?
Once you get the results for the Y chromosome test, you need to look for matches at the 37-marker level or higher who share the same surname as the test taker. Look at all matches of the same surname regardless of the genetic distance with them, since that is not always a reliable indicator of degree of relatedness. You want to build trees for your matches, collaborate with matches, and use genealogical records to link each match’s direct paternal ancestors back to one common paternal ancestor.
Once you determine the identity of that common paternal ancestor, you will want to trace his male descendants forward in time, tracking all his sons and grandsons in the hopes of linking his family to yours and your brick wall ancestor. This method sometimes works well in some cases, but in others it does not. Other strategies may need to be employed.
Another strategy is to target-test an individual that you think may be related to the paternal line in question. Let’s say we discovered that our ancestor John Mitchell’s father may have been Major Mitchell 1758-1803 of Granville Co., NC. To test this theory, you could find a direct male descendant of this Major Mitchell to take the Y chromosome test and compare his results to your test taker. If they match at 37 or 111 markers, then you can say that they are at least descended from a common Mitchell ancestor and could very well be father and son.
Big Y
If you are unable to find the exact link between your family and this purported early colonial or immigrant ancestor through genealogical research, you may be able to utilize the Big Y testing to find more clues. To do this, you and at least several of your matches need to upgrade to the Big Y. This strategy works best if 1-2 verified descendants of each son of the common ancestor will test. The results will establish the end-of-line haplogroup (SNP result) for each son of that common ancestor. The son that your kit best matches is probably one you need to focus on as your direct ancestor. (A SNP or haplogroup is just your place on the human paternal genetic tree which is indicated by a number/letter combination called a SNP).
Another use of the Big Y test is to apply the Match Time Tree tool to receive an estimate of the time period your common paternal ancestor might have lived. This feature can help you determine which matches are more closely related to you more recently. Then you could focus on trying to connect genealogically with those matches. If your common ancestor is shown to be in the 1300s, you can forgo trying to find a relationship because most genealogical records do not reach that far back in time.
Example:
Let’s use an example from my own family to illustrate this situation. My mother and I wanted to know more about her father’s line - which was dead-ended at John Mitchell, born about 1780 in North Carolina and died in Sumner Co., TN in 1863. My mom had a brother Gordon whom she recruited to take the Y-chromosome test at the Big Y level. He would carry the same Y chromosome that John Mitchell had passed down from father to son in that family.
When we look at Gordon’s DNA results, we study all his matches with the same surname, since he has Mitchell results, and we start compiling family trees for each match. Several of his matches trace their earliest ancestor to a Henry Mitchell, born about 1634 and died about 1718 in Henrico Co., VA. Coming to Virginia around 1652, he is probably the common immigrant ancestor of my uncle and all his Mitchell matches (20+ men). Several people had already researched this Henry’s family, so we could use that information to start building his tree forward with his presumptive sons: Thomas, Henry, Edward, and Robert. Our goal was to place our John Mitchell (and the other STR matches) somewhere on this tree and determine the exact genealogical connection.
The Big Y test results have not yet yielded enough matches at this time to link us to a specific son. My uncle’s Big Y matches show a common ancestor on the Match Time Tree who lived in the early 1600s, which would seem to confirm that common ancestor being Henry Mitchell, the immigrant.
To summarize my uncle’s Y-chromosome DNA testing results, before we tested, we were stuck on John Mitchell (1780-1863). After testing, we now know his father was Major Mitchell (1758-1803) of Granville Co., NC and that his immigrant ancestor was most likely Henry Mitchell (1634-1718) of Henrico Co., VA and earlier of near Yorkshire, England. Even if we still don't know which son of Henry is the progenitor of our line, we know much more about our Mitchell origins than we did before. We continue the genealogical search and analyze DNA. We are very pleased that we had my uncle take the Y-chromosome test.
Two books are recommended to learn more about Y chromosome testing. One is Roberta Estes’ book, “The Complete Guide to FamilyTreeDNA : Y-DNA, Mitochondrial, Autosomal and X-DNA,” (GC 929 Es85c). The other is “The Genealogist's Guide to Y-DNA Testing for Genetic Genealogy” by David Vance (GC 929 V27ga). The former resource is better suited to beginners, while the latter is geared for a more intermediate level DNA practitioner.
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PERSI Gems: Mondays
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
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Picture it: Muncie, Indiana, Monday, September 18, 1978. Garfield the cat sits on John Arbuckle's window sill batting the pull cord on a roll-up window shade. The shade suddenly retracts, taking an orange claw and the rest of Garfield with it. The startled cartoon feline finds himself trapped, rolled up like a lumpy burrito. His single thought bubble says it all: "I HATE MONDAYS."
We at the Periodical Source Index take no official position on the matter of our least favorite day of the week. We prefer to let our citations speak for themselves. Here are some Monday gems from our PERSI vaults:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
Black Monday mining disaster, Nov. 6, 1922
Cambria County (PA) Heritage, Vol. 26, Issue 3 (Sum 2006)
Bloody Monday in Portland, Know-Nothings cause worse riot in Louisville history, election day, 1855
Lines-and-By-Lines (Louisville Genealogical Soc., KY), Vol. 20, Issue 4 (Win 2005)
First Monday market crowds, newspaper note, c. 1921
Cross Timbers Post (Cross Timbers Genealogical Soc., Gainesville, TX), Dec 2011
Inmates who died in Easter Monday Fire at Ohio Penitentiary, Apr. 1930
Certified Copy (Greater Cleveland Genealogical Society, OH), Vol. 34, Issue 2 (Sum 2005)
Martha Gold gunned down by Edward Monday, 1729
Wiltshire (Eng.) Family History Society Journal, Issue 39 (Oct 1990)
Nancy Lasater re wringer washing machine and Monday washday, n.d., OK
Muskogee County (OK) Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 21, Issue 4 (Oct 2004)
Rexall 1 cent sale starts Monday, 1958
Gratiot (MI) Genealogical Group, Vol. 19, Issue 3 (Jul 2011)
Saint Monday holiday for tradesmen and factory workers, 1680s-1918
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine (Eng.), Issue 13 (Sep 2008)
Stony Monday, 1849, riots in Bytown
Ontario History, Vol. 63, Issue 3 (Sep 1971)
Tuesday class Monday and other absurdities, OSU Presidents' Day scheduling confusion, 1977
Ohio State University Monthly (The), Vol. 68, Issue 7 (Mar 1977)
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Preservation Tips: The Chain of Custody--Lessons from the Pearl Harbor Logbook
by Christina Clary, C.A.
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The big archival news for August was the announcement that a Navy ship log from Pearl Harbor had been identified and sent to the National Archives this year. The logbook covers the period in which the attacks on December 7, 1941, occurred. The notes from that day and the ones preceding and following do not necessarily add to historical analysis. It does provide official verification of the events as they unfolded. It has been digitized and is now available to view in the National Archives’ digital collection.
According to the family, the logbook was found by the donor’s mother in a trash can at an air force base in California in the 1970s. She was told she could keep it. How it came to be in California is unknown, suggesting that it was an unauthorized transfer and disposal of government property. With archival materials – especially those with strong historical value – documenting the chain of custody is vital for confirming its validity.
While this may not seem like a top priority for a family collection, knowing who originally owned an item and how it has been passed down through the generations can add credibility to a family story or legend that might be associated with it. Document how a family record or heirloom came into your possession, whether you know exactly who possessed it before you or not. This way future generations will know at least some of an item’s provenance.
Because the logbook never passed through official government channels, it still belongs to the government—specifically, the National Archives. With government and military records, there is an official deaccession process that must occur before a record is no longer considered government property. This process includes reappraising the item for its legal, administrative, and historical value before recommending disposal. The disposal method must be approved by an agency head, and the process thoroughly documented. Merely tossing an item in the trash does not legally end the government’s ownership. Furthermore, Navy deck logs are considered permanent government records, meaning they are never deaccessioned. Instead, they are transferred to the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, when no longer in use, and made public once declassified.
One important point is that archivists do not assign monetary value to records. The Archivists’ Code of Ethics prohibits monetary appraisal by archivists, as this could create conflicts of interest and lead to inflated or undervalued assessments, among other concerns. Archivists focus on preservation and historical significance, not financial worth. As with the couple who held the logbook, anyone seeking a monetary appraisal of family archives should reach out to a certified appraiser—not an archivist.
There is no need for a formal deaccession process with your own family archives. However, you should still document if you dispose of an item. What you keep is entirely up to you and your family, though items with extensive mold should be safely digitized and then discarded. If you choose to donate materials to a library or repository, ensure there is clear documentation confirming the transfer so there is no later confusion about legal ownership of the collection.
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History Tidbits: The Jewish Refugees of Shanghai
by Logan Knight
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In the 1930s, the Jews of Europe were increasingly under threat. The triumph of the Nazi regime saw the immediate restriction of Jewish life in Germany, and the horror was only dialed up from there. By the end of that sorry decade, over three hundred thousand German Jews had fled the country.
Everywhere they turned, the doors were barred against them. Expressions of sympathy abounded, but these did nothing to change the fact that the Jewish refugees would not be allowed to settle in most European and American countries. There were a few notable exceptions to this policy. The most unique had to be that of Shanghai International Settlement.
Shanghai is an ancient port city located roughly in the middle of today’s China. During the nineteenth century, after China’s defeat in the Opium Wars, Shanghai had extensive “foreign concessions.” These were enclaves of westerners who had a city within a city. They ran their own police, fire service, post office, municipal orchestra, etc. and were subject to their own laws. These colonialist outposts angered the Chinese, but there was nothing they could do at the time. In the midst of all these crises, the first refugees began to arrive.
The International Settlement had no rules concerning passports, and uniquely among most governments, had passed no anti-Jewish immigration restrictions. As such, with limited options, almost 20,000 Jewish refugees managed to take shelter in the settlement. They came from all over Europe: Germany, Austria, the Soviet Union etc. all hoping for a safe place. Somehow, they managed to make their way to Shanghai (their pathways there deserve their own article). In this strange new world, the Jews attempted to set up life as they had known it before. Newspapers were published, people joined sports teams, Jewish schools were established, and orchestras became quite popular. Life seemed to have begun again.
This arrangement came to an end in 1941, when the Japanese invaded the settlement (they took the rest of the city in 1932) and added it to their deceptively named “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.” All the Jews were forced into the tiny ghetto of Hongkou, which was roughly one square mile. Things progressively got worse as the war went on. Jobs and food dried up. The threat of allied bombings never went away.
The greatest fear though was that the Japanese would hand over the refugees to the Nazis who wished to inflict their horrific Final Solution on the group. While the Japanese were by no means filled with kindness, they were completely bewildered by the Nazi’s ferocious anti-Semitism. One story (probably apocryphal) says that when the Japanese asked the local rabbis why the Nazis hated them so much, they replied it was because they were Oriental. Either way, the Japanese did not allow the refugees to be murdered.
With the defeat of Japan, Shanghai would return to complete Chinese control. After the war, the vast majority of the refugees immigrated to Israel or North America, starting the process over once again. However, the memory of this refugee community, holding together during their people’s greatest trial, will never be forgotten.
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Genealogy Center’s September 2025 Programs
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September’s robust program offerings are below. Take a moment to review which ones might benefit your research. One might be surprised about what can be learned if you register for all of them!
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “How the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center Makes Local History Accessible Online” with Kristen Merryman - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14272866
Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “In-Person DNA & Genealogy Interest Group” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14273054
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “What’s New in Family Tree Maker” with Mark Olsen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14273304
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7 p.m. “Mein Feld ist die Welt: A Guide to Hamburg Passenger Lists 1850‐1934” with Logan Knight – This in-person and virtual program in cooperation with the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana is in the Genealogy Discovery Center and online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aMOoEULjRh6YOMG3OSWKRg#/registration
Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Beyond the Family Tree: Managing Genealogical Knowledge with Zotero” with Donna Cox Baker - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14273434
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Identifying the Unknown: How Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Is Solving Cold Cases” with Tracie Boyle - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14285859
Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Tornado Talk: A Virtual Tornado Memorial Project” with Jen Narramore - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14274352
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 2 p.m. ET “Research Tools & Tips: Between the Census Years - Researching Your Ancestor’s City, Community and Family Life” with Dr. Al Brothers – This in-person and virtual program in cooperation with the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne is in the Genealogy Discovery Center and online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hWMJsQR7Rt-VEreov3FxBw
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Inquisitions Post Mortem: How can they be Used to Construct the Families of Medieval Women?” with Rhiannon Lloyd - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14274647
Thursday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. ET “The British Home Children: Canada’s Forgotten Legacy” with Lori Oschefski - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14276366
Register for these engaging programs in advance to ensure they are on your calendar!
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Family History Month - October 2025 – A Quick Overview ***************************************
Get your 2025 Family History Month engagements on your calendar now. There are so many enriching opportunities and ways you can participate. It’s
October 1, Wednesday – Welcome to Family History Month! from Susan Baier, Chief Executive Officer of ACPL on Facebook.
October 1, Wednesday – 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Main Library Theater – Chasing Ghosts: The Story of the Ghost Army Receiving the Congressional Gold Medal with Rich Beyer.
October 2, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Genealogy Discovery Center – In-Person DNA & Genealogy Interest Group with Sara Allen
October 3, Friday – Researching Sides of Your Family Social Media Post - Which side of your family have you researched more?
October 3, Friday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Main Library Theater – Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare – An in-person program in partnership with Vivid-Pix and the ACPL Genealogy Center.
An in-person program presented in partnership with Vivid-Pix and the ACPL Genealogy Center. This full-day experience is designed for activity directors in senior living communities, professionals working in the aging services field, and family caregivers supporting loved ones at home. Join in person or virtually. Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897
October 4, Saturday - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM – In-Person Historic Neighborhood Walking Tour with Elizabeth Hodges: “Building a Nation, One Block at a Time: A Walking Tour of Williams-Woodland Park.” Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14480997
October 5, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - Start Small, Start Real
October 6, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 7, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Helene Prokop – ”Unlocking the Past with Transkribus: AI Tools for Genealogy and Historical Research” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14502623
October 8, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 9, Thursday – 7 p.m. Main Library Theater – “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America” with Steve Inskeep, author, journalist, and host of NPR's Morning Edition. Watch www.ACPL.info for free ticket information.
October 10, Friday - Records for Research Social Media Post - What’s your favorite type of record to dig into?
October 11, Saturday - 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Genealogy Discovery Center – “Caring for Your Family Archives,” an in-person program with Christina Clary.
October 12, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - A Time The Story Changed.
October 13, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 14, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Rhonda Lauritzen: “The Curious Call of Place: Telling the Stories of People and Places” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14502920
October 15, Wednesday – Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 16, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Megan Clark Young - “Documenting Your Sources: The Key to Credible Genealogy” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503230
October 17, Friday Fascinating Ancestor Social Media Post - Who is the most fascinating ancestor you’ve discovered?
October 17, Friday- Genealogy Network of Texas - A Day of Virtual Learning in the Genealogy Space! Contact the Genealogy Center for login information at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info.
The 2025 Line-up
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.: From Names to Narratives: A Simple Guide to Writing
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: Following a Civil Case Through Documents Filed in Court
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.: Jakten - Researching Your Scandinavian Ancestors
11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Lunch on Your Own
12:50 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.: The Stories of Our Lives: Beginning Your Family History
2:25 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Research Road Trips: Productive for You, Fun for Family
3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.: Resources for New Orleans Area Genealogical Research
4:35 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.: Family Trees Get Smart: AI as Your Genealogy Assistant
5:40 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: All in the Family: Using Collateral Research to Build Your Family Tree
October 18, Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Genealogy Discovery Center – Making the Records Talk – with Timothy Pinnick and Janis Forte. An in-person program partnership with the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne and the ACPL Genealogy Center.
October 19, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - A Letter to the Past (or Future)
October 20, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 20, Monday – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Lineage Lab: Drop-In Genealogy Help at Tecumseh Branch Library, 1411 East State Boulevard, Fort Wayne IN 46805
October 21, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Logan Knight: “Digging into Military Records: Genealogy Research with Fold3” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503527
October 22, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 23, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Jens Clegg: “History of Spanish Language” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503692
October 24, Famous Ancestors Social Media Post - Do you have any famous (or infamous!) ancestors?
October 24, 25, 26 at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., & 8 p.m. – Lindenwood Tour “Haunted Forest” - Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave. Ages 8-adult. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring younger children to the 6 pm programs for less intense tricks. Tours run 3 times each day. Pre-registration is required. There is no fee.
Registration is required: https://bit.ly/3HElTUz
FREE Location: Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave.
October 26, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - Share a “Why”
October 27, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 28, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. ET to 3:30 p.m. ET - Virtual Program with Gabi Jauregui: “Tracing Family Roots Through German Words” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503801
October 29, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 30, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. ET to 7:30 p.m. ET - Virtual Program with Aimee Rose-Haynes: “Uncovering Truth Through DNA: The Power of Genetic Genealogy” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14504401
October 30, Thursday – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. IN-PERSON – “Brain Buzz: SPOOKY Genealogy Trivia Night” at the Neon Pear at Electric Works, 1622 Broadway, Fort Wayne.
October 31, Grave Research Social Media Post - What’s your favorite kind of “grave” research?
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Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
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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.
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Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
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Time to visit the Allen County Public Library’s online merchandise store? Look for the Genealogy Center merch! You really need to check it out--we have added more merch offerings! The special Genealogy Center section of the store with some pretty cool items. 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. More than ever, this support is so very important. Indeed, I would call this support vital.
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Genealogy Center Social Media
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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
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Driving Directions to the Library
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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.
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New Parking at the Library
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During the month of September, the library will be implementing a new parking system. For parts of 2024 and all of 2025 our current parking system has been offline. The previous gated system experienced technical and mechanical issues that ended up not being able to be fixed or upgraded. To restore parking access and a reliable revenue stream for parking lot maintenance, the Library evaluated several modern gateless solutions. After significant research by staff and careful review by the ACPL Board of Trustees, the Trustees approved the installation of a new system from ABM Industries, Inc. ABM is a company with a local presence, managing a number of lots including the City of Fort Wayne’s Civic Center Parking Garage.
The new system 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. There is a thirty-cent transaction fee associated with each parking session.
How this new system will work for guests using the Library:
1. Park your vehicle in the garage or surface lot.
2. Take note of your license plate number.
3. Enter the library and scan the posted QR code.
4. Follow prompts to enter your license plate number and basic contact info. No credit/debit card required.
5. Enjoy your library visit and 3 free hours of parking. You’ll receive emails and texts as your parking session winds down. If you wish to remain at the library longer than the three hours, or visit other locations in the Fort Wayne downtown, you will need to start a new paid session following the process below.
How it works for guests NOT using the Library:
1. Park your vehicle in the garage or surface lot.
2. Scan the posted QR code or text the number provided on signage.
3. Enter your license plate number, basic contact info, credit or debit card number, (Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted), and anticipated parking time to check in.
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 other questions you may have. And of course, you can always reach out to your friends in the Genealogy Center.
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Genealogy Center Queries
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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.
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Publishing Note
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This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center, and is intended to enlighten readers about genealogical research methods as well as inform them about the vast resources of the Allen County Public Library. We welcome the wide distribution of this newsletter and encourage readers to forward it to their friends and societies. All precautions have been made to avoid errors. However, the publisher does not assume any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, no matter the cause.
To subscribe to “Genealogy Gems,” simply use your browser to go to the website: www.GenealogyCenter.org. Scroll to the bottom, click on E-zine, and fill out the form. You will be notified with a confirmation email.
If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please follow the link at the very bottom of the issue of Genealogy Gems you just received or send an email to sspearswells [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line.
Curt B. Witcher and John D. Beatty, CG, co-editors
No. 258, August 31, 2025
In this issue:
*Preparing for Family History Month 2025
*A Review of “New York in 1698: A Comprehensive List of Residents”
*Y DNA Testing Results
*PERSI Gems: Mondays
*Preservation Tips: The Chain of Custody--Lessons from the Pearl Harbor Logbook
*History Tidbits: The Jewish Refugees of Shanghai
*Genealogy Center’s September 2025 Programs
*Family History Month - October 2025 – A Quick Overview
*Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
*Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
*Genealogy Center Social Media
*Driving Directions to the Library
*New Parking at the Library
*Genealogy Center Queries
*Publishing Note
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Preparing for Family History Month 2025
by Curt B. Witcher
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Though the calendar doesn’t exactly agree, for many Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer. I trust your summer was filled with many research opportunities, the discovery of new family stories, and a sense of renewed interest in learning and networking. And if you have that renewed interest in learning, in just thirty-one days it will be Family History Month 2025! I want to take a few moments to share some of the highlights with you. It is hard to choose highlights, though, from all that is planned. It is truly a super month of programming--you are being called to participate. It will truly change and enhance your family history journey.
As genealogists we know that every generation there exists the possibility that one of our ancestors participated in defending our country and securing the freedoms we enjoy today. That continues to motivate me to learn as much of our country’s various engagements over the centuries. And while many of us are considerably further back than WWII in our research, it remains fascinating and extremely engaging to recall the activities of those brave ancestors as well as their cunning. Family History Month begins with a fantastic program on a special WWII unit, the Ghost Army. The Ghost Army was a top-secret unit of more than one thousand men who were charged with simulating two military divisions by using visual, sonic, and radio deception to fool German forces during critical times in the last year of the Second World War.
Fort Wayne’s own world-renowned designer, Bill Blass, was a member of the Ghost Army. Bill joined the army in 1942, and became a member of the 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion, which eventually became known as the Ghost Army. The battalion’s sole mission was to deceive the Germans about the location and strength of American troops on battlefields across Europe. Bill and his fellow soldiers designed and produced elaborate ploys, including inflatable tanks, trucks, jeeps, and airplanes, as well as sound trucks, phony radio transmissions, and temporary campsites. These deceptions provided critical support as the Allied front lines moved eastward after D-Day luring German forces away from the fighting units’ true locations.
The presenter of this program, Rick Beyer, is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, best-selling author, and long-time history enthusiast. He produced and directed the award-winning PBS documentary “The Ghost Army,” and is the co-author of “The Ghost Army of World War II.” This great program will be October 1st at 6 p.m. in the Main Library’s theater. This presentation dovetails nicely with an amazing exhibit of Ghost Army artifacts at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art through the end of October.
Just two days later, on Friday, October 3rd, there is an all-day program designed for activity directors in senior living communities, professionals working in the aging services field, and family caregivers supporting loved ones at home. The program, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Main Library Theater is entitled, “Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare.” I continue to advocate that what we do as genealogists is truly big, important work. Now healthcare professionals and those specializing in eldercare are telling us recounting family stories and using photographs to tell those stories have major, positive impacts on brain health and over all wellbeing of our elders.
The morning of October 3rd will open with a focus on brain health featuring Dr. Joshua Freitas, Ph.D. who is the Chief Research Officer for CERTUS Senior Living. The afternoon will feature discussions on aging well with Dr. Charlotte Yeh, M.D. Charlotte has been recognized for her commitment to patient care with such honors as the 2024 Academy of Geriatric Medicine Gerson Sanders Award and a place among Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives in 2021. Participants will also learn from 2024 American Business Award Maverick of the Year, Rick Voight, CEO and Co-Founder of Vivid-Pix and Publisher of Reunions magazine about the engaging offerings of Vivid-Pix in the eldercare space. Join in person or virtually. Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897
Saturday, October 18th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Genealogy Discovery Center, the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne and the Genealogy Center are cooperating to present “Making the Records Talk” with African American research experts Timothy Pinnick and Janis Forte. Tim will present “Toolbox Building I: Eight Essential African American Resources” and “Toolbox Building II: Fifty Noteworthy Books for the African American Researcher” in the morning while Janis will present “Seven Proven Strategies for Identifying Slave Ownership & Reconstructing Slave Era Families” and “They’re Not on the Census: Using Non-Traditional Sources to Identify Slave Holders” in the afternoon. This information-packed day will offer much for beginning and more experienced researchers alike. Making the Records Talk is free, and it offers great opportunities to enjoy more success in finding your families’ stories.
And then have some fun with the Genealogy Center at the end of the month. On October 30, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. we will be sponsoring an in-person program called “Brain Buzz: SPOOKY Genealogy Trivia Night” at the Neon Pear at Electric Works, 1622 Broadway, Fort Wayne. In partnership with Electric Works, we are providing a spirited evening of history, heritage, and fun at Genealogy Trivia Night! This event is perfect for adults interested in local history, famous family trees, and uncovering stories from the past. Enjoy three rounds of trivia, prizes, giveaways, and casual conversation with Genealogy Center staff. The first 10 teams to register will receive free cocktail coupons—so gather your team and sign up early! Contact the Genealogy Center for details.
Truly, so many good choices await you in October. Use September to clear your October calendar of regular activities and fill it with Family History Month fun and engagement! Make this the year you completely engage in Family History Month!
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A Review of “New York in 1698: A Comprehensive List of Residents”
by John D. Beatty, CG
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In 1698 and 1703, the colony of New York did something remarkable: it took censuses that not only counted numbers of inhabitants but listed specific names. It comprised residents living in a handful of counties that were then settled, mostly New York City. These included the counties of Albany, Ulster/Dutchess, Orange, New York, Richmond, Westchester, Suffolk, Kings, and Queens. While the statistical totals still exist, only small fragments of the actual censuses survive.
Genealogist Kory Meyerink has attempted to reconstruct these lost returns in a book titled “New York in 1698: A Comprehensive List of Residents Based on Census, Tax, and Other Lists” (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2024), GC 974.7 M75n. For sources, he turned primarily to church records and tax lists that replicated some of the information that the original might have contained.
The results are impressive. Meyerink reviews the information for each county, discusses the available sources as well as the process he used for reconstructing the returns for that county. He also includes short bibliographies for further reading. Maps show the existing town boundaries for each county in 1698, which will help readers get their bearings.
For example, in his chapter on Queens County, Meyerink states there were five towns in 1698: Newtown, Flushing, Jamaica, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay. He provides the population totals, which are still extant from the original census. He offers a short discussion of how the county was settled: “Although the Dutch originally claimed this area of Long Island, obtaining deeds from the Native American tribes, settlements by Dutch families were sparse. Between 1642 and 1656, the Dutch governors granted patents to these five towns to English settlers, resulting in an increase of British settlers. Many came from Connecticut or elsewhere in New England.” These types of research notes are immensely helpful to researchers studying the families in these areas. Hempstead and Flushing have original surviving returns from 1698, while Newtown was reconstructed using genealogical data from James Riker’s “Annals of Newtown,” published in 1852.
New York can be a challenging place to research in the colonial period. The availability of church records from many congregations helps, but they do not cover everyone. Meyerink has assembled a valuable book that is a must-see for any researcher of New York at the turn of the eighteenth century.
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Y DNA Testing Results
by Sara Allen
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The Y-Chromosome DNA test has been offered by the genealogical testing company FamilyTreeDNA for more than 25 years. This is a STR (short tandem repeat) test that looks at the direct paternal line of a male test taker. It compares the results of other men who have taken the same test and allows them to find matches to those descended from a common paternal ancestor who lived between 50 to 1000 years ago.
Advanced testing of the Y-Chromosome is called the Big Y test (a SNP test). This test will provide matches and additionally, it will show the ancient origins of the paternal line, migration patterns, and the approximate year of the connection between matches. Both types of testing can be useful to family history research, but neither is a substitute for thorough, complete genealogical research on the family of interest. The best-case scenario, when using this test to solve genealogical questions, is for the man who tests to have matches to others with his same surname. Not every man who tests gets this result. This article today will be exploring practical scenarios for men who do get matches to their own predicted surname.
When to Test and Whom to Test?
Any genealogist who is struggling to identify a male ancestor on their tree can try to recruit as a test taker a male who is a direct male descendant of that mystery male ancestor. He needs to take the Y-chromosome DNA test at the FamilyTreeDNA testing company. (This test is not generally recommended for adoptees; they will have better results taking an autosomal DNA test). Once you identify a male relative to take the Y-chromosome test, you have to decide which level of testing to purchase. Generally speaking, I advise those who can afford it to purchase the Big Y test at the beginning point of testing. Alternatively, you can start out testing at Y-37 or Y-111, if desired, and upgrade later (if enough of the original sample still exists). Purchasing a Y-37 test does provide an inexpensive way to see if you get any useful matches to the predicted surname or not, before deciding to upgrade.
What should you look for in the results?
Once you get the results for the Y chromosome test, you need to look for matches at the 37-marker level or higher who share the same surname as the test taker. Look at all matches of the same surname regardless of the genetic distance with them, since that is not always a reliable indicator of degree of relatedness. You want to build trees for your matches, collaborate with matches, and use genealogical records to link each match’s direct paternal ancestors back to one common paternal ancestor.
Once you determine the identity of that common paternal ancestor, you will want to trace his male descendants forward in time, tracking all his sons and grandsons in the hopes of linking his family to yours and your brick wall ancestor. This method sometimes works well in some cases, but in others it does not. Other strategies may need to be employed.
Another strategy is to target-test an individual that you think may be related to the paternal line in question. Let’s say we discovered that our ancestor John Mitchell’s father may have been Major Mitchell 1758-1803 of Granville Co., NC. To test this theory, you could find a direct male descendant of this Major Mitchell to take the Y chromosome test and compare his results to your test taker. If they match at 37 or 111 markers, then you can say that they are at least descended from a common Mitchell ancestor and could very well be father and son.
Big Y
If you are unable to find the exact link between your family and this purported early colonial or immigrant ancestor through genealogical research, you may be able to utilize the Big Y testing to find more clues. To do this, you and at least several of your matches need to upgrade to the Big Y. This strategy works best if 1-2 verified descendants of each son of the common ancestor will test. The results will establish the end-of-line haplogroup (SNP result) for each son of that common ancestor. The son that your kit best matches is probably one you need to focus on as your direct ancestor. (A SNP or haplogroup is just your place on the human paternal genetic tree which is indicated by a number/letter combination called a SNP).
Another use of the Big Y test is to apply the Match Time Tree tool to receive an estimate of the time period your common paternal ancestor might have lived. This feature can help you determine which matches are more closely related to you more recently. Then you could focus on trying to connect genealogically with those matches. If your common ancestor is shown to be in the 1300s, you can forgo trying to find a relationship because most genealogical records do not reach that far back in time.
Example:
Let’s use an example from my own family to illustrate this situation. My mother and I wanted to know more about her father’s line - which was dead-ended at John Mitchell, born about 1780 in North Carolina and died in Sumner Co., TN in 1863. My mom had a brother Gordon whom she recruited to take the Y-chromosome test at the Big Y level. He would carry the same Y chromosome that John Mitchell had passed down from father to son in that family.
When we look at Gordon’s DNA results, we study all his matches with the same surname, since he has Mitchell results, and we start compiling family trees for each match. Several of his matches trace their earliest ancestor to a Henry Mitchell, born about 1634 and died about 1718 in Henrico Co., VA. Coming to Virginia around 1652, he is probably the common immigrant ancestor of my uncle and all his Mitchell matches (20+ men). Several people had already researched this Henry’s family, so we could use that information to start building his tree forward with his presumptive sons: Thomas, Henry, Edward, and Robert. Our goal was to place our John Mitchell (and the other STR matches) somewhere on this tree and determine the exact genealogical connection.
The Big Y test results have not yet yielded enough matches at this time to link us to a specific son. My uncle’s Big Y matches show a common ancestor on the Match Time Tree who lived in the early 1600s, which would seem to confirm that common ancestor being Henry Mitchell, the immigrant.
To summarize my uncle’s Y-chromosome DNA testing results, before we tested, we were stuck on John Mitchell (1780-1863). After testing, we now know his father was Major Mitchell (1758-1803) of Granville Co., NC and that his immigrant ancestor was most likely Henry Mitchell (1634-1718) of Henrico Co., VA and earlier of near Yorkshire, England. Even if we still don't know which son of Henry is the progenitor of our line, we know much more about our Mitchell origins than we did before. We continue the genealogical search and analyze DNA. We are very pleased that we had my uncle take the Y-chromosome test.
Two books are recommended to learn more about Y chromosome testing. One is Roberta Estes’ book, “The Complete Guide to FamilyTreeDNA : Y-DNA, Mitochondrial, Autosomal and X-DNA,” (GC 929 Es85c). The other is “The Genealogist's Guide to Y-DNA Testing for Genetic Genealogy” by David Vance (GC 929 V27ga). The former resource is better suited to beginners, while the latter is geared for a more intermediate level DNA practitioner.
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PERSI Gems: Mondays
by Adam Barrone and Mike Hudson
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Picture it: Muncie, Indiana, Monday, September 18, 1978. Garfield the cat sits on John Arbuckle's window sill batting the pull cord on a roll-up window shade. The shade suddenly retracts, taking an orange claw and the rest of Garfield with it. The startled cartoon feline finds himself trapped, rolled up like a lumpy burrito. His single thought bubble says it all: "I HATE MONDAYS."
We at the Periodical Source Index take no official position on the matter of our least favorite day of the week. We prefer to let our citations speak for themselves. Here are some Monday gems from our PERSI vaults:
https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/
Black Monday mining disaster, Nov. 6, 1922
Cambria County (PA) Heritage, Vol. 26, Issue 3 (Sum 2006)
Bloody Monday in Portland, Know-Nothings cause worse riot in Louisville history, election day, 1855
Lines-and-By-Lines (Louisville Genealogical Soc., KY), Vol. 20, Issue 4 (Win 2005)
First Monday market crowds, newspaper note, c. 1921
Cross Timbers Post (Cross Timbers Genealogical Soc., Gainesville, TX), Dec 2011
Inmates who died in Easter Monday Fire at Ohio Penitentiary, Apr. 1930
Certified Copy (Greater Cleveland Genealogical Society, OH), Vol. 34, Issue 2 (Sum 2005)
Martha Gold gunned down by Edward Monday, 1729
Wiltshire (Eng.) Family History Society Journal, Issue 39 (Oct 1990)
Nancy Lasater re wringer washing machine and Monday washday, n.d., OK
Muskogee County (OK) Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 21, Issue 4 (Oct 2004)
Rexall 1 cent sale starts Monday, 1958
Gratiot (MI) Genealogical Group, Vol. 19, Issue 3 (Jul 2011)
Saint Monday holiday for tradesmen and factory workers, 1680s-1918
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine (Eng.), Issue 13 (Sep 2008)
Stony Monday, 1849, riots in Bytown
Ontario History, Vol. 63, Issue 3 (Sep 1971)
Tuesday class Monday and other absurdities, OSU Presidents' Day scheduling confusion, 1977
Ohio State University Monthly (The), Vol. 68, Issue 7 (Mar 1977)
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Preservation Tips: The Chain of Custody--Lessons from the Pearl Harbor Logbook
by Christina Clary, C.A.
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The big archival news for August was the announcement that a Navy ship log from Pearl Harbor had been identified and sent to the National Archives this year. The logbook covers the period in which the attacks on December 7, 1941, occurred. The notes from that day and the ones preceding and following do not necessarily add to historical analysis. It does provide official verification of the events as they unfolded. It has been digitized and is now available to view in the National Archives’ digital collection.
According to the family, the logbook was found by the donor’s mother in a trash can at an air force base in California in the 1970s. She was told she could keep it. How it came to be in California is unknown, suggesting that it was an unauthorized transfer and disposal of government property. With archival materials – especially those with strong historical value – documenting the chain of custody is vital for confirming its validity.
While this may not seem like a top priority for a family collection, knowing who originally owned an item and how it has been passed down through the generations can add credibility to a family story or legend that might be associated with it. Document how a family record or heirloom came into your possession, whether you know exactly who possessed it before you or not. This way future generations will know at least some of an item’s provenance.
Because the logbook never passed through official government channels, it still belongs to the government—specifically, the National Archives. With government and military records, there is an official deaccession process that must occur before a record is no longer considered government property. This process includes reappraising the item for its legal, administrative, and historical value before recommending disposal. The disposal method must be approved by an agency head, and the process thoroughly documented. Merely tossing an item in the trash does not legally end the government’s ownership. Furthermore, Navy deck logs are considered permanent government records, meaning they are never deaccessioned. Instead, they are transferred to the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, when no longer in use, and made public once declassified.
One important point is that archivists do not assign monetary value to records. The Archivists’ Code of Ethics prohibits monetary appraisal by archivists, as this could create conflicts of interest and lead to inflated or undervalued assessments, among other concerns. Archivists focus on preservation and historical significance, not financial worth. As with the couple who held the logbook, anyone seeking a monetary appraisal of family archives should reach out to a certified appraiser—not an archivist.
There is no need for a formal deaccession process with your own family archives. However, you should still document if you dispose of an item. What you keep is entirely up to you and your family, though items with extensive mold should be safely digitized and then discarded. If you choose to donate materials to a library or repository, ensure there is clear documentation confirming the transfer so there is no later confusion about legal ownership of the collection.
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History Tidbits: The Jewish Refugees of Shanghai
by Logan Knight
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In the 1930s, the Jews of Europe were increasingly under threat. The triumph of the Nazi regime saw the immediate restriction of Jewish life in Germany, and the horror was only dialed up from there. By the end of that sorry decade, over three hundred thousand German Jews had fled the country.
Everywhere they turned, the doors were barred against them. Expressions of sympathy abounded, but these did nothing to change the fact that the Jewish refugees would not be allowed to settle in most European and American countries. There were a few notable exceptions to this policy. The most unique had to be that of Shanghai International Settlement.
Shanghai is an ancient port city located roughly in the middle of today’s China. During the nineteenth century, after China’s defeat in the Opium Wars, Shanghai had extensive “foreign concessions.” These were enclaves of westerners who had a city within a city. They ran their own police, fire service, post office, municipal orchestra, etc. and were subject to their own laws. These colonialist outposts angered the Chinese, but there was nothing they could do at the time. In the midst of all these crises, the first refugees began to arrive.
The International Settlement had no rules concerning passports, and uniquely among most governments, had passed no anti-Jewish immigration restrictions. As such, with limited options, almost 20,000 Jewish refugees managed to take shelter in the settlement. They came from all over Europe: Germany, Austria, the Soviet Union etc. all hoping for a safe place. Somehow, they managed to make their way to Shanghai (their pathways there deserve their own article). In this strange new world, the Jews attempted to set up life as they had known it before. Newspapers were published, people joined sports teams, Jewish schools were established, and orchestras became quite popular. Life seemed to have begun again.
This arrangement came to an end in 1941, when the Japanese invaded the settlement (they took the rest of the city in 1932) and added it to their deceptively named “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.” All the Jews were forced into the tiny ghetto of Hongkou, which was roughly one square mile. Things progressively got worse as the war went on. Jobs and food dried up. The threat of allied bombings never went away.
The greatest fear though was that the Japanese would hand over the refugees to the Nazis who wished to inflict their horrific Final Solution on the group. While the Japanese were by no means filled with kindness, they were completely bewildered by the Nazi’s ferocious anti-Semitism. One story (probably apocryphal) says that when the Japanese asked the local rabbis why the Nazis hated them so much, they replied it was because they were Oriental. Either way, the Japanese did not allow the refugees to be murdered.
With the defeat of Japan, Shanghai would return to complete Chinese control. After the war, the vast majority of the refugees immigrated to Israel or North America, starting the process over once again. However, the memory of this refugee community, holding together during their people’s greatest trial, will never be forgotten.
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Genealogy Center’s September 2025 Programs
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September’s robust program offerings are below. Take a moment to review which ones might benefit your research. One might be surprised about what can be learned if you register for all of them!
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “How the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center Makes Local History Accessible Online” with Kristen Merryman - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14272866
Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “In-Person DNA & Genealogy Interest Group” with Sara Allen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14273054
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “What’s New in Family Tree Maker” with Mark Olsen - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14273304
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7 p.m. “Mein Feld ist die Welt: A Guide to Hamburg Passenger Lists 1850‐1934” with Logan Knight – This in-person and virtual program in cooperation with the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana is in the Genealogy Discovery Center and online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aMOoEULjRh6YOMG3OSWKRg#/registration
Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Beyond the Family Tree: Managing Genealogical Knowledge with Zotero” with Donna Cox Baker - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14273434
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Identifying the Unknown: How Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Is Solving Cold Cases” with Tracie Boyle - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14285859
Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. ET “Tornado Talk: A Virtual Tornado Memorial Project” with Jen Narramore - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14274352
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 2 p.m. ET “Research Tools & Tips: Between the Census Years - Researching Your Ancestor’s City, Community and Family Life” with Dr. Al Brothers – This in-person and virtual program in cooperation with the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne is in the Genealogy Discovery Center and online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hWMJsQR7Rt-VEreov3FxBw
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET “Inquisitions Post Mortem: How can they be Used to Construct the Families of Medieval Women?” with Rhiannon Lloyd - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14274647
Thursday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. ET “The British Home Children: Canada’s Forgotten Legacy” with Lori Oschefski - https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14276366
Register for these engaging programs in advance to ensure they are on your calendar!
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Family History Month - October 2025 – A Quick Overview ***************************************
Get your 2025 Family History Month engagements on your calendar now. There are so many enriching opportunities and ways you can participate. It’s
October 1, Wednesday – Welcome to Family History Month! from Susan Baier, Chief Executive Officer of ACPL on Facebook.
October 1, Wednesday – 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Main Library Theater – Chasing Ghosts: The Story of the Ghost Army Receiving the Congressional Gold Medal with Rich Beyer.
October 2, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Genealogy Discovery Center – In-Person DNA & Genealogy Interest Group with Sara Allen
October 3, Friday – Researching Sides of Your Family Social Media Post - Which side of your family have you researched more?
October 3, Friday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Main Library Theater – Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out: Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare – An in-person program in partnership with Vivid-Pix and the ACPL Genealogy Center.
An in-person program presented in partnership with Vivid-Pix and the ACPL Genealogy Center. This full-day experience is designed for activity directors in senior living communities, professionals working in the aging services field, and family caregivers supporting loved ones at home. Join in person or virtually. Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897
October 4, Saturday - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM – In-Person Historic Neighborhood Walking Tour with Elizabeth Hodges: “Building a Nation, One Block at a Time: A Walking Tour of Williams-Woodland Park.” Registration is required for this free event. https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14480997
October 5, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - Start Small, Start Real
October 6, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 7, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Helene Prokop – ”Unlocking the Past with Transkribus: AI Tools for Genealogy and Historical Research” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14502623
October 8, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 9, Thursday – 7 p.m. Main Library Theater – “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America” with Steve Inskeep, author, journalist, and host of NPR's Morning Edition. Watch www.ACPL.info for free ticket information.
October 10, Friday - Records for Research Social Media Post - What’s your favorite type of record to dig into?
October 11, Saturday - 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Genealogy Discovery Center – “Caring for Your Family Archives,” an in-person program with Christina Clary.
October 12, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - A Time The Story Changed.
October 13, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 14, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Rhonda Lauritzen: “The Curious Call of Place: Telling the Stories of People and Places” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14502920
October 15, Wednesday – Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 16, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Megan Clark Young - “Documenting Your Sources: The Key to Credible Genealogy” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503230
October 17, Friday Fascinating Ancestor Social Media Post - Who is the most fascinating ancestor you’ve discovered?
October 17, Friday- Genealogy Network of Texas - A Day of Virtual Learning in the Genealogy Space! Contact the Genealogy Center for login information at Genealogy [at] ACPL.info.
The 2025 Line-up
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.: From Names to Narratives: A Simple Guide to Writing
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: Following a Civil Case Through Documents Filed in Court
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.: Jakten - Researching Your Scandinavian Ancestors
11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Lunch on Your Own
12:50 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.: The Stories of Our Lives: Beginning Your Family History
2:25 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Research Road Trips: Productive for You, Fun for Family
3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.: Resources for New Orleans Area Genealogical Research
4:35 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.: Family Trees Get Smart: AI as Your Genealogy Assistant
5:40 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: All in the Family: Using Collateral Research to Build Your Family Tree
October 18, Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Genealogy Discovery Center – Making the Records Talk – with Timothy Pinnick and Janis Forte. An in-person program partnership with the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne and the ACPL Genealogy Center.
October 19, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - A Letter to the Past (or Future)
October 20, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 20, Monday – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Lineage Lab: Drop-In Genealogy Help at Tecumseh Branch Library, 1411 East State Boulevard, Fort Wayne IN 46805
October 21, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Logan Knight: “Digging into Military Records: Genealogy Research with Fold3” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503527
October 22, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 23, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Virtual Program with Jens Clegg: “History of Spanish Language” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503692
October 24, Famous Ancestors Social Media Post - Do you have any famous (or infamous!) ancestors?
October 24, 25, 26 at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., & 8 p.m. – Lindenwood Tour “Haunted Forest” - Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave. Ages 8-adult. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring younger children to the 6 pm programs for less intense tricks. Tours run 3 times each day. Pre-registration is required. There is no fee.
Registration is required: https://bit.ly/3HElTUz
FREE Location: Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave.
October 26, Sunday - Storytelling Sunday Social Media Post - Share a “Why”
October 27, Monday - Virtual Cemetery Tour Social Media Post
October 28, Tuesday - 2:30 p.m. ET to 3:30 p.m. ET - Virtual Program with Gabi Jauregui: “Tracing Family Roots Through German Words” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14503801
October 29, Wednesday - Stories Behind the Shelves Social Media Post
October 30, Thursday - 6:30 p.m. ET to 7:30 p.m. ET - Virtual Program with Aimee Rose-Haynes: “Uncovering Truth Through DNA: The Power of Genetic Genealogy” https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14504401
October 30, Thursday – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. IN-PERSON – “Brain Buzz: SPOOKY Genealogy Trivia Night” at the Neon Pear at Electric Works, 1622 Broadway, Fort Wayne.
October 31, Grave Research Social Media Post - What’s your favorite kind of “grave” research?
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Staying Informed about Genealogy Center Programming
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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.
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Genealogy Center Bits-o’-News
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Time to visit the Allen County Public Library’s online merchandise store? Look for the Genealogy Center merch! You really need to check it out--we have added more merch offerings! The special Genealogy Center section of the store with some pretty cool items. 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. More than ever, this support is so very important. Indeed, I would call this support vital.
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Genealogy Center Social Media
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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
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Driving Directions to the Library
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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.
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New Parking at the Library
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During the month of September, the library will be implementing a new parking system. For parts of 2024 and all of 2025 our current parking system has been offline. The previous gated system experienced technical and mechanical issues that ended up not being able to be fixed or upgraded. To restore parking access and a reliable revenue stream for parking lot maintenance, the Library evaluated several modern gateless solutions. After significant research by staff and careful review by the ACPL Board of Trustees, the Trustees approved the installation of a new system from ABM Industries, Inc. ABM is a company with a local presence, managing a number of lots including the City of Fort Wayne’s Civic Center Parking Garage.
The new system 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. There is a thirty-cent transaction fee associated with each parking session.
How this new system will work for guests using the Library:
1. Park your vehicle in the garage or surface lot.
2. Take note of your license plate number.
3. Enter the library and scan the posted QR code.
4. Follow prompts to enter your license plate number and basic contact info. No credit/debit card required.
5. Enjoy your library visit and 3 free hours of parking. You’ll receive emails and texts as your parking session winds down. If you wish to remain at the library longer than the three hours, or visit other locations in the Fort Wayne downtown, you will need to start a new paid session following the process below.
How it works for guests NOT using the Library:
1. Park your vehicle in the garage or surface lot.
2. Scan the posted QR code or text the number provided on signage.
3. Enter your license plate number, basic contact info, credit or debit card number, (Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted), and anticipated parking time to check in.
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 other questions you may have. And of course, you can always reach out to your friends in the Genealogy Center.
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Genealogy Center Queries
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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.
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Publishing Note
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This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center, and is intended to enlighten readers about genealogical research methods as well as inform them about the vast resources of the Allen County Public Library. We welcome the wide distribution of this newsletter and encourage readers to forward it to their friends and societies. All precautions have been made to avoid errors. However, the publisher does not assume any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, no matter the cause.
To subscribe to “Genealogy Gems,” simply use your browser to go to the website: www.GenealogyCenter.org. Scroll to the bottom, click on E-zine, and fill out the form. You will be notified with a confirmation email.
If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please follow the link at the very bottom of the issue of Genealogy Gems you just received or send an email to sspearswells [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in the subject line.
Curt B. Witcher and John D. Beatty, CG, co-editors
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