Genealogy Center

⚠️ Heads up, everyone! All ACPL locations will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

The Main Library reopens on Sunday, July 5.

All branches reopen on Monday, July 6.

📚 Don't forget to stock up on books, movies, games, and more before the holiday weekend. Our digital library is always open 24/7!

Kids would come running when they saw Ralph E. Beard's Eskay Dairy truck as he would pass out ice chips to them on hot summer days in Fort Wayne! ☀

This picture from 1956 is courtesy of the Harter collection in our Community Album. Check it out here: http://contentdm.acpl.lib.in.us/digital/

Passenger manifests were typically created before immigrants boarded the ship, often at the port of departure. When immigrants arrived at Ellis Island, officials generally worked from those existing lists rather than creating new names on the spot.

So why do we see name changes in family histories?

Names often evolved over time as immigrants adapted to life in a new country. Some chose to simplify spellings, translate names into English, adopt nicknames, or use different versions of their names in records. Clerks, census takers, teachers, and employers could also record names differently.

If you've hit a brick wall because your ancestor's surname seems to change, don't assume Ellis Island is the reason. Explore alternate spellings, pronunciations, and versions of the name across different records.

Have you discovered multiple spellings of the same family surname in your research?

Join us for a FREE IN-PERSON workshop on June 11 at 2:00 p.m. ET!
Learn more here: https://acpl.libnet.info/event/16453212

Have a box of old family photos but aren’t sure when they were taken—or who’s in them? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to identify common 19th and early 20th century photograph types, from daguerreotypes to cabinet cards, and resources to help you along the way. We’ll also explore practical strategies for identifying the people in your images, using details like clothing, studio imprints, and family context. Bring your own photographs and leave with tools and techniques you can apply right away to your own collection. Please limit the number of photographs to 5. Presented by Christina Clary.