Indiana's Allen County Genealogy Society Helps People Learn About their Roots

Imagine you've just learned that you are related to Joan of Arc, William Shakespeare or Benjamin Franklin. Maybe you've wondered about the decades and centuries that have long past, and what, where and who your ancestors were. What did they do for a living? How and where did your bloodline start?

These are very common thoughts that we all share, but what can we do about it? Most people may be unaware of it, but we have a fantastic source of historical documentation and a group of knowledgeable people that specialize in genealogy right here in Fort Wayne. In fact, it may be one of the largest in the country.

The Allen County Genealogy Society of Indiana, housed at the newly rebuilt downtown branch of the Allen County Public Library, accommodates thousands of visitors that are seeking information on their families past each year from all over the United Stated. Currently with members from 21 different states, not including Indiana, the ACGSI has seen 1,385 active members representing 45 states throughout it's history. There are currently 259 members.

In January 1976, the Fort Wayne Park Department sponsored a Senior Citizen Genealogy Club. By November of the same year it had evolved into the Allen County Genealogy Society, and membership was opened to the public. Since then, membership and resources have flourished. And so have the stories.

"People doing genealogy want to find out that their ancestors were connected to royalty, or some famous person," says Phil Husband. He and his wife Shirley make up the Publicity Committee for ACGSI. Asked what was one of the most interesting claims made by a member, Phil Husband says someone had claimed to be a distant relative of Napoleon Bonaparte. Yet another member claimed they could trace their roots back to Adam and Eve. "I don't know whether or not these claims were true," Mr. Husband added, "but it's very important to document everything you find. These were not." He went on to say, "Every time you go to a new generation there's something interesting that you find."

Since the rebuilding of the New Allen County Public Library the Genealogy Center has especially seen a major upgrade. Shirley Husband says, "This has always been a good library for genealogy, but it's just so much better now." One major change is in the Micro Text Reading Room which has many new and up-to-date computers and other equipment.

Some of ACGSI's members have turned their love of genealogical research into a career researching the pasts of others wanting answers about their families origins.
For Phil and Shirley Husband, researching the past is more than a once in a lifetime event. As Phil Husband puts it, "Genealogy is something you can come back to. For us it's a relief from everyday life."

ACGSI have regular meetings twice a month. If you would like more information go to www.ACGSI.org