roots and wings

TO MARK WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, we followed two influential women on a trip to the world-renowned Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center—one of Indiana’s best kept secrets—to explore and celebrate their past.

STORY BY ALYSSA CHASE + PHOTOS BY KELLY BENTON

Allison DePrey Singleton of The Genealogy Center helped Lisa DesadierSobek find resources that could help her locate ancestors in Africa. M arch is Women’s History Month, a time to highlight women’s contributions to our progress and culture. At Kit, we’re marking the occasion by featuring two local ladies who are making a difference in our community: Lisa Desadier-Sobek, who currently serves on the Noblesville Schools Board of Trustees, and Danielle Carey Tolan of Westfield, who serves as Westfield Washington Township Trustee. (See their bios on page 53.)

We wondered: How did these women’s history help shape who they are today, and what does it mean to them to discover their family stories? To find out, Kit publisher Kelly McVey accompanied both women on a trip to the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana—an international treasure just a couple of hours away. The second-largest genealogical library in the United States, The Genealogy Center doesn’t just focus on Indiana—its collection and databases include materials from throughout the United States, Canada, the British Isles and Europe, as well as African American and Native American/First Nation records and vast online databases. The center’s librarians are visionaries in their field, and also warm and welcoming. On top of all that, the center’s resources are free. “We help anyone from anywhere,” Allison DePrey Singleton, senior librarian, said. Here are some highlights from Lisa and Danielle’s experience.

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY ELEVATE YOUR RESEARCH WITH A VISIT TO THE ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY GENEALOGY CENTER IN FORT WAYNE

Starting with stories Both Lisa and Danielle had an interest in genealogy and had done some groundwork before their visit to the center in Fort Wayne. Danielle’s parents and their stories inspire her research. “We pull out boxes of old pictures and talk about aunts, uncles and grandparents,” Danielle, who hasn’t yet explored genealogy websites or DNA, said. “My parents know a lot about their history.” Lisa got involved two years ago through her cousin and MyHeritage.com. “It has always been an interest of ours,” Lisa said. “My family are descendants of slaves, and I knew I’d hit a brick wall in my search; there were so many unknowns. It was scary to think about what I might find.” A girls’ night with family and friends gave Lisa courage to dig deeper. “We’d heard stories that a man named Alton was my biological father,” she said. A search on the MyHeritage site led to Google and a hit: a Facebook page for the Alton in question. “It’s all a blur—so many thoughts were running through my mind in that moment,” Lisa said. Via Facebook, Lisa and her twin sister, Leslie, sent a simple message that included the words: “We think we might be related.” Alton immediately responded. They’d found their father!

The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center’s collection is immense, and growing. The largest public genealogical library in the United States, it includes access to vast resources, including North American, European, British Isles, African American and Native American/First Nation records. The center’s experienced librarians welcome everyone, from children to senior citizens, beginners to experienced researchers. Access and resources are free of charge.

THE GENEALOGY CENTER STATS

20 Database subscriptions with free access in-house 42,000 Square footage of The Genealogy Center

1.5 million Physical items

68,000 One-of-a-kind family histories

4 million Digital assets on website

$0 Cost to use The Genealogy Center's assets and services

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Feel inspired to take a trip to The Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne? Use this checklist to prepare:

▢ Surf the website. Browse The Genealogy Center’s website, genealogycenter.org, for tips and special programs. To download a pedigree chart form, click on "How to Get Started", then go to "BYU Family History Library Forms." ▢ Line up help. Email genealogy@ACPL.info or call (260) 421-1225 to ask for advice or schedule a free 30-minute consultation (highly recommended). ▢ Grab a flash drive. Use it to save large files and skip the photocopier. ▢ Stock up on ones. Bring plenty of $1 bills for the copier. Your only other costs will be gas and parking. ▢ Pack a sweater. You never know what the temperature may be! ▢ Wear a backpack or bring a rolling bag. There are no lockers available, so be prepared to keep your items with you at all times. ▢ Don’t be shy. Speak up and ask questions. The librarians are there to help! There’s even an in-house DNA expert. ▢ Enjoy Fort Wayne. The center is a two-hour drive from the Indianapolis area. Consider traveling with family members to reconnect and prep for your visit. No open food or drink are allowed in The Genealogy Center, so plan a lunch break, too! The map on the center’s website notes several nearby eateries, or you can eat a packed lunch in other parts of the library.

Surprises and connections Now Lisa and Leslie have a great relationship with their biological father, who even asked his newfound daughters to share his last name, to which they agreed. Contact with her father’s side of the family helped Lisa complete her pedigree chart, and much more. She now knows that one side of her family migrated to Indiana from Louisiana. She also learned that her maternal and paternal grandmothers were best friends, though she never met her paternal grandma. Danielle’s family surprises came to light during her visit to The Genealogy Center. During their consultation, Danielle and Allison reviewed materials going back to 1707. Danielle learned the real reason her great-grandpa Alva Carey, a World War II veteran, served as a veterinarian in the war. Military records showed he was a conscientious scruple—a synonym for conscientious objector. “That explains why they had to find him a noncombatant job,” Danielle said. “That was probably the most fascinating thing to learn.” Danielle also got clarification on a story about Viona Pugh, her paternal grandmother, who was orphaned at birth. “We always thought my greatgrandmother had died at birth,” she said. “But records showed that she died two days after my grandmother’s birth, of pneumonia.” The records also showed that, soon after her grandmother’s birth, Danielle’s great-grandfather moved to Los Angeles. “That’s part of the story, too,” Allison said. “The father remarried. He was alive. I’m guessing he was heartbroken.” Clockwise from left: Lisa Desadier-Sobek’s maternal grand- mother, Doris Carter, taught her to be a lady. Her paternal grand- mother, Jefaye Desadier, owned her own business. Grandma Carter in later years. Lisa’s great-grandma “Bo” Juanita Ridgel completed a year of high school, a rare feat in the 20s.

The women before us Both Lisa and Danielle feel proud of and inspired by the women in their families. Danielle remembers spending time with her greatgrandmother, Laura (Taylor) Carey, while her dad was out in the fields. “She founded the farm we own now,” Danielle said. “I remember playing games with her—how caring she was. We rarely get to have those experiences with our greatgrandparents.” Danielle’s maternal grandmother, Ruth Estelle (Fletcher) Deckard, lived in Westfield on a small farmstead. “Not only did she teach me how to swim, dive and play tennis,” Danielle recalled. “She taught me lessons that helped form the work ethic I have today.” Danielle remembers that both of her grandmothers “dressed and acted with class. They were way ahead of their time,” she said. Lisa’s equally proud of her own female ancestors. “My maternal grandmother, Doris Carter, taught me the difference between being a woman and being a lady. She was the definition of a lady,” Lisa said. “She had a quiet strength and grace that I’ll always remember and keep with me.” After Lisa’s paternal grandmother, Jefaye Desadier, and her husband divorced, the full-time homemaker became a business owner, too. “I’m inspired by her entrepreneurial drive,” Lisa shared. “She owned a restaurant and lounge, and truly made something out of nothing, providing a space and service for the black community. She was a strong and classy lady, too. I have characteristics of both of my grandmothers, and that makes me proud.” At The Genealogy Center, Lisa learned that her maternal greatgrandmother, Grandma “Bo” Juanita Ridgel, had completed a year of high school. “That was unusual in the 20s,” Lisa said. “To me, this demonstrates how important getting an education was to my family, despite social and economic challenges.”

At The Genealogy Center, Danielle Carey Tolan learned that her greatgrandfather, Alva Carey, who served as a veterinarian in World War II, had been a conscientious objector. From Top: Danielle Carey Tolan’s family on the farm in Westfield: greatgrandma Laura (Taylor) Carey, Hugh Carey and Flora (Laudig) Carey. A portrait of ancestors Walter Carey, Hugh Carey, Flora (Laudig) Carey and great-grandpa Alva Carey (front row); Alva’s siblings Allen, Mary and Olive Carey (back row). Danielle’s grandma Ruth Estelle (Fletcher) Deckard, who taught her how to swim, play tennis and work hard.

Seeking and sharing Lisa and Danielle agreed that their trip to The Genealogy Center only scratched the surface of their family histories. Both are planning trips back to learn and share more. Lisa wants to know more about her great-grandfather, Lester Carter, who may have been the first free man in their family. “My great-great grandfather may have been a slave,” she said. “It appears his owner was a man named William Carter. Anything after that, there’s the brick wall—a dead end.” Fortunately, Allison shared new resources that may help Lisa pinpoint her maternal family’s origins in Africa. Lisa wants to learn how her ancestors helped to create a future for the next generations, and how they survived and thrived at a time when black people were legally discriminated against, marginalized and oppressed. “That’s something I want our children to know about,” she said. “The past always informs the future. I want my sons to know where they come from and be proud of that.” Danielle plans to return to the center with her son, Ezra. “Once I find a resource like this, I want to share it,” she said. Danielle has been encouraging women in her peer group to visit the center, too. She also plans to share some of her family’s photos and documents with the center so they can be scanned and help others tell their own stories. “We need to do those things,” she said, “so the history doesn’t get lost.”

LISA DESADIERSOBEK EXECUTIVE PROJECT MANAGER, BALL STATE UNIVERSITY Lisa hails from Gary. She attended Ball State, where she met her husband, Brian, before transferring to Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. She holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She worked for years in sales and as a marketing product manager at Roche Diagnostics. Lisa and her twin sister, Leslie, lived on Indy’s west side before Lisa married Brian and moved to Noblesville to start a family. Serving on Noblesville Schools’ Board of Trustees is her way of giving back to the community, she said. “Being a regular parent volunteer in Noblesville Schools and spending several months meeting with minority students inspired me,” she shared. “I want to do my part to bring a diverse perspective through policies by helping to create an equitable and inclusive educational environment for all students.”

DANIELLE CAREY TOLAN WESTFIELD WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Danielle comes from a farming family that helped settle Westfield, moving north from Carmel in the 1830s. Westfield’s Carey Road is named after her family, which still operates a 2,800-acre farm in Westfield. Her devotion to public service came from watching her grandmothers, grandfathers, and mom and dad all serve the community. While appointed to the Westfield Planning Commission, she knew she wanted to give more, and was elected as township trustee. “I love the fact that my roots are here,” she said. “Westfield’s history is part of my family history, and I’ll always be dedicated to giving back to the community.”

HISTORY TIPS 9 IDEAS TO INSPIRE YOUR FAMILY RESEARCH

Researching your family history is like trying to solve a mystery. It’s fun—even addictive—and there’s a celebration each time you discover a new clue. Whether you’re an experienced sleuth or just getting started, these tips from Allison DePrey Singleton, senior librarian at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, and Lauren Peightel, manager of genealogy and cultural programs at the Indiana Historical Society, will help you on your journey. 1 Start with yourself. As family historians, we sometimes neglect to pay attention to our own documents, Lauren said. “We take photos on our phones and post them on social media, but what are we doing to save them for future generations?” This is one good reason to begin your family history with yourself, then work backward. 2 Interview family members. And do it sooner vs. later, Lauren said. So many of us learn this lesson the hard way. When family members pass away or are lost to dementia, their stories are lost with them. Allison recommends talking to relatives of all ages. “You don’t know who has heard which stories and what has been passed on to whom,” she said. “Younger generations may have inherited materials you’ve never seen.” 3 Put your blinders on. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed, Allison said. “Every generation back, your family doubles, and that doesn’t even account for aunts and uncles! It really helps to focus on one line and be deliberate with what you’re doing.” 4 Create a paper trail. Both Allison and Lauren recommend documentation. Find charts on The Genealogy Center website. Create research logs and to-do lists. “Noting where you get information is really important,” Lauren said. You don’t want to revisit the same sources. 5 Avoid comparisons. Not every family history is easy, Allison said. “Getting from Point A to Point B is a journey, and there’s no set path.” The good news: The Genealogy Center is renowned for its multicultural collections, as well as its inclusiveness and commitment to every story. 6 Consider bloodlines and heartlines. There’s no rule that says you have to follow bloodlines, Allison says. “You can research your bloodline or your heartline. Your heartline is the people you love. Your bloodline is the people who gave you life.” Both are important, and both matter. 7 Be impulsive. Lisa DesadierSobek, who found her birth father while talking and laughing at a girls’ night, says the camaraderie helped her overcome her fear. “We create barriers for ourselves. If you really want to know about something, you just have to do it. Don’t overthink it. It’s scary, but it’s worth it.” 8 Explore DNA. Researching DNA is a personal decision, Allison said. “Go into it with open eyes, because family secrets will often be uncovered.” For that reason, Lauren does not recommend giving DNA kits as gifts. Review privacy agreements before you choose a service, too. Once you get results, DNA experts at The Genealogy Center can help you interpret them, free of charge. 9 Bring your history to life. “Family history isn’t just dates and names,” Allison said. It helps to learn what was going on in the world when your ancestors were alive so you can give their stories context and bring them to life. Engage people in your family by sharing those stories instead of recounting your genealogical research. Put together a book, make a video or create voice recordings.