Longtime genealogy center director enjoys every new day

Curt Witcher is finishing his 44th year of service at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.

As the center’s director, the work continues to feel fresh, he’s quick to point out. No two days, or even years, seem to be alike and his menu has a variety of activities he hasn’t had his fill of yet.

“The 44 years have seemed like barely a decade,” Witcher said. “There have been so many activities in which to engage, so much new technology influencing the space, and so many patrons to serve in increasingly diverse ways, the time has flown by.”

Reaching his key position as director was a process. He worked his way through every position, starting out as a page, then clerk. These days, his title is director of special collections. He’s responsible for the genealogy center, Rolland Center for Lincoln Research, and a fine books collection.

While he didn’t aim for his current role, giving each step along the way his best effort has landed him where he is.

“What I intentionally wanted to do from the earliest days in my career was to be involved in helping others learn history, their own history, in a nontraditional, non-classroom style way. I have long embraced the power of story, of knowing our own stories, and how life changing that can be at every level,” he said.

His days are typical in that they are so atypical. A cornerstone of his work is communicating through “a lot of email.” He collaborates with the library’s special collections division, and leadership teams, in addition to assisting patrons with technology, managing public programs, and giving private tours to visiting dignitaries.

Part of his work involves writing articles. He reads hundreds of documents, New York Times and other significant publications in his field. “Reading provides perspective and context as well as general information and plants seeds of innovation and vision,” Witcher said.

Witcher’s profession deals in words. He has three designations representing his studies after his name. Yet, speaking of his family, consisting of four siblings, his wife, the couple’s four sons, their wives and a granddaughter, his language mainly consists of two words: amazing and awesome.

The center has received numerous accolades, as has Witcher, but when asked what he’s most proud of, it’s his colleagues.

“The very biggest highlight of my work is being able to work with a highly skilled, amazingly self-directed, and extremely dedicated team that makes the Allen County Public Library

Genealogy Center the biggest and best family history research department in a public library in the country,” he said.

Among too many accomplishments to name, it publishes online the “definitive index to periodical literature in the genealogy field,” with 3 million-plus entries, as well as creating an engaging discovery space of Abraham Lincoln’s life and times. There are 1.2 million physical items in the research center.

Yet, he is aware of those who may be reluctant or feel awkward to step inside, physically or online.

“I wish individuals wouldn’t see it as something for serious researchers, something that is really hard, something that is only for smart people or something just for those with ‘normal’ families,” he said.

Witcher pointed out there’s no such thing as a “normal” family and everyone has a story.

“Educators, sociologists and psychologists have been telling us amazing things about the positive benefits of story in our children’s and grandchildren’s lives,” Witcher said.

“Family stories, whether happy or sad, recounting successful times or tragic times, embed positive memories. They are the number one predictor of a child’s emotional well-being, a very strong predictor of children’s beliefs they can affect the world around them in good and positive ways, and a strong predictor of a child’s happiness.”

Knowing our histories benefits people of every age, and he has studies that back him up.

“The National Institute for Dementia Education is telling us that family stories associated with photographs helps slow memory regression, restores better speech, increases one’s positive outlook and improves

Continued from page 1 and a petticoat. First, I look at my pattern, cut the material and then check out my button and trim supply.

“Sometimes I’ll make a smock or shorts to go with an outfit. My dresses are made of 100% cotton. Satin always looks nice and flashy, but I stay away from it because when it’s played with it will begin one’s interest in staying healthy and being compliant with care routines suggested by health care professionals,” said. to fray.”

To get started, he suggested writing down what is known, talking to relatives and engaging with the genealogy center librarians to learn the next steps.

She has about 125 different styles of dresses in her inventory all hanging neatly on special racks made by her husband, Bill. He also made all the miniature hangers from regular-size hangers. Boesch jokes that her husband, a former maintenance man, was her gopher and did all the lifting and hauling.

“If I needed something, he could always make it,” she said.

He accompanied her to craft shows throughout the Fort Wayne area for many years before passing away 26 years ago.

“The price to purchase an American Girl dress has gone through the roof,” said Boesch.

“Of course, the cost of my materials has risen as well, but I sell my dresses for just the cost of the material and the embellishments. The price does not include my time, travel or anything else,” she said.

She said she likes to sew.

“I have a real passion for making the dresses, and I enjoy making each one look different. God gave me the talent to do this. This is my way of giving back,” she noted.

As she put it, “Over the years, many opportunities were available to me, and I took them.”

She worked in the St. Joseph Hospital gift shop for five years, was president of the hospital auxiliary and did flower arrangements in her basement for the gift shop.