Scott County Offers Beginning Genealogy Class

The Scott County Genealogical Society will hold a Beginning Genealogy Class on March 15 from 2 to 4 pm at the Scott County Heritage Center and Museum (1050 S. Main St., Scottsburg IN). There is a $10 class fee. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required--to register, phone (812) 752-3388, or e-mail SCGSI@c3bb.com.

Workshop on Searching HeritageQuest Online

The Indiana Historical Society will host a workshop, "Using HeritageQuest Online: Tips for Successful Searching," on April 12 from 10 am to noon at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center (450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis IN). Elaine M. Kuhn, MLS, will discuss ways to optimize your searches as well as viewing, printing and saving records. Registration is $8 for IHS members, $10 for non-members. Registrations must be made by April 4. To register, call (317) 232-1882 or (800) 447-1830, or e-mail welcome@indianahistory.org.

Scott County Society to Meet

The Scott County Genealogical Society will meet March 6 at 6:30 pm at the Scott County Heritage Center and Museum (1050 S. Main St., Scottsburg IN). The public is invited to attend.

Deadline Nears for Discounted Hotel Rate at IGS Conference

The Executive Inn, Evansville is offering a special room rate of $69 a night (plus tax) for attendees of the Indiana Genealogical Society's annual conference, which will be held Saturday, April 5, 2008 at The Centre. To be eligible for the special rate, you must make your reservation before March 5, 2008, and a credit card or advance deposit is required. To make a reservation, call (877) 424-0888 and mention the IGS conference.

Registration for the conference is $25 for IGS members, or $30 for non-members. To register online, or for a printable registration form, visit the Conference section of the IGS website.

Query: Lanning/Johnson of Jay, Randolph, and Allen counties

I have traced my genealogy back to my great-great-grandfather Amos Lanning (born March 14, 1853) who was married in Jay County, Indiana in 1870. He passed away in Randolph County, Indiana in 1920. His wife was Clara Johnson (born September 28, 1851 in Indiana; died in 1914 in Allen County). Amos' father was Robert (Robt.) Lanning. Clara's parents were Urion Johnson and Sarah Houts from Ohio. It appears the the Lannings also came from Ohio. I would love to hear from anyone who might have some information that could help me to find out more.


Joseph Costa
1423 Nottingham Circle
Los Banos, CA 93635
joe@mohlernixon.com

Allen County Society to Discuss German Place Names

The Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana will meet March 12 at 7 pm in Room A of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. Don Litzer, Reference Librarian at the library's Genealogy Center, will present a program, "What's in a German Place Name?", about how to use maps, gazetteers and other materials to identify ancestor's villages. Sarah Litzer, Don's wife, will also be available to help translate small passages of German documents.

German Immigration Subject of Workshop

The Indiana Historical Society will host a workshop on German immigration on March 8 from 10 am to noon at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center (450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis IN). Giles R. Hoyt, a professor at IUPUI, will talk about the history and nature of German immigration to the United States, particularly to Indiana and the Midwest.

Registration is $8 for IHS members, $10 for non-members. Registrations must be made by February 29. To register, call (317) 232-1882 or (800) 447-1830 or e-mail welcome@indianahistory.org

Query: Eckhard of DeKalb County

I am looking for any information or connection to my great-great-great-great-grandfather, Henry Eckhard (also spelled Eckhart or Eckhardt) who owned 80 acrees of farm land in Franklin Township, DeKalb County, Indiana around 1850-1860. He died August 17, 1853, but his family--widow Barbara, son John and daughter Martha--is still there in the 1860 census. Henry's son George Eckhard (Eckhart) (Eckhardt) is my great-great-great-grandfather, and was a preacher on horseback and a pastor in the German Methodist Church. The entire family was devoted to the church, and particularly the German Methodist. George's cousin was the Charles Eckhart who began the Eckhart Carriage Co. (which later became the Auburn Car Co.).

Tom Eckhardt
1026 N. Parkside Dr.
Peoria, IL 61606
tombeumc@sbcglobal.net

Query: Winchester of Harrison County

Searching for death record or burial site of Freeman Henry Winchester (aka Henry F. Winchester) who was born about 1795 in Vermont and died between 1880 and 1886. He was listed on the 1880 census for Taylor Township, Harrison County, Indiana as F.H. Winchester, and had a wife Martha.

I believe Freeman's family, along with his widow Martha, moved to Louisville, Kentucky after his death. They are not mentioned in the 1886 directory, but an 1887 Louisville directory lists Martha and other family members. I'd appreciate any clues I can get.

Carol McNeely
3810 Park Ave. N
Renton, WA 98056
cmconpark@gmail.com

Query: Rathburn of Decatur County

I am seeking information regarding Private Benjamin F. Rathburn (from Decatur County, Indiana?) who served in Company D of the 16th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War. I believe his date of birth to be 6 November 1846 and I believe he died on 24 July 1891.


Jim Rathburn
6642 Dial Dr.
Huber Heights, OH 45424
jimrathburn1950@sbcglobal.net

Query: Christlieb of Elkhart County

Looking for more information on John Christlieb who died June 4, 1920 in Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana. His death record was supposedly in book CH-12, page 129. I would like to know his birth date and wife's name.


Linda Jervis
1825 E. 1050 S
LaFontaine, IN 46940
jervisdl@omnicityusa.com

Query: Barnard of Washington County

I am seeking information on the birth place and birth date of Samuel Barnard who died January 1825 in Washington County, Indiana, and also his burial site. Samuel was the father of John, Obed, Reuel and Fanny Barnard. He came to Indiana from New York state about 1819.


Joanne Peters
24 E. Normandy Dr.
West Hartford, CT 06107
petersjg@sbcglobal.net

Query: Van/Wilson/Thomas/Peterson of Indiana

I am looking for marriage information for Edward H. Van (born 4 November 1891) and Marie Wilson (born 22 March 1885). I have obituaries for both. The obituary for Edward Van says he married Marie Wilson in Indiana in 1938. The obit for Marie (Wilson) Van says she was married to Mr. Van in October 1935.

Marie was born Maria M. Thomas, but was first married to a William Peterson, and then a George Wilson before marrying Edward H. Van.

Judy Haessly
6935 Cedar St.
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
haessj@wi.rr.com

Noblesville Library Offers Genealogy Classes

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville is offering several genealogy classes:

--Wednesday, February 20 at 9:30 am--"Using HeritageQuest Online and NewEnglandAncestors.org" (a hands-on computer workshop)
--Saturday, February 23 at 9:30 am--"Coming to America: Immigration and Naturlization Records"
--Saturday, March 15 at 9:30 am--"Finding Female Ancestors"
--Wednesday, March 26 at 9:30 am--"Using Ancestry Library Edition" (a hands-on computer workshop)

These classes are free to the public, but advance reservations are required. To sign up, visit their Events Calendar.

Marion County Group to Discuss Revolutionary War Records

The Genealogical Society of Marion County will meet March 8 at 1:30 pm at the Nora Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library (8625 Guilford Ave., Indianapolis IN). Ron Darrah will speak on "Revolutionary War Records." The public is welcome to attend.

IGS Appoints Putnam County Genealogist

At its February board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Don Weaver of Greencastle as the Indiana County Genealogist (ICG) for Putnam County. Don completed the Reference course at the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at IUPUI and was the head of the Putnam County Public Library's Department of Local History and Genealogy for 7 years, retiring in 2007. He also had a brief stint as Greencastle City Clerk.

His past experience as a computer analyst and data processor has helped him to create and transfer genealogy data to electronic formats, including an index of the 1930 census for Putnam County. Don has worked closely with DePauw University's Archives, including on a project to digitize oral histories of Putnam County residents. He is also actively involved in his wife's family organization.


About ICG
Indiana County Genealogist is a program of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Its goal is to appoint qualified individuals to represent each of the 92 counties in Indiana. The ICG is a liaison between the Indiana Genealogical Society and local organizations and individuals, acting as a conduit for genealogy-related news. For more details (including an application form), please visit http://www.indgensoc.org/ICG.html

IGS Appoints Huntington County Genealogist

At its February board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Joan Keefer of Roanoke as the Indiana County Genealogist (ICG) for Huntington County. Joan is already familiar to many of those interested in Huntington County genealogy. She has worked in the Huntington City-Township Public Library's Indiana Room for almost 30 years and has served as Huntington County Historian since 1999.

A former member of the Huntington County Historical Society's board, she also helped to organize the Huntington County Genealogical Society and was a charter member. She is a frequent speaker at area meetings and workshops and is especially known for inspiring students to research their family history. In 2007 the Indiana Historical Society recognized her long service and presented her with their Willard C. Heiss Family History/Genealogy History Award.


About ICG
Indiana County Genealogist is a program of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Its goal is to appoint qualified individuals to represent each of the 92 counties in Indiana. The ICG is a liaison between the Indiana Genealogical Society and local organizations and individuals, acting as a conduit for genealogy-related news. For more details (including an application form), please visit http://www.indgensoc.org/ICG.html

IGS Appoints Whitley County Genealogist

At its February board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Charlotte Blair of Columbia City as the Indiana County Genealogist (ICG) for Whitley County. Charlotte is a retired teacher and principal. A Whitley County native, her interest in the area never waned, even when she lived out-of-state. Her family's roots in the county go back 5 generations. She is currently Vice-President of the Genealogical Society of Whitley County and Historian of the Col. Augustin de la Balme Chapter of DAR. Her current projects include developing a resource guide for the county and compiling an obituary index.

About ICG
Indiana County Genealogist is a program of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Its goal is to appoint qualified individuals to represent each of the 92 counties in Indiana. The ICG is a liaison between the Indiana Genealogical Society and local organizations and individuals, acting as a conduit for genealogy-related news. For more details (including an application form), please visit http://www.indgensoc.org/ICG.html

Monroe County Makes Marriage Records More Accessible

The Monroe County Historical Society's genealogy library has added some Monroe County marriage records to its collection. The county's marriage books for 1818-1954 have been placed in the library and can be easily accessed. The library is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.

Allen County Society Adds Civil War Records

The Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana has added a listing of some 3,500 soldiers from Allen County who served in the Civil War to its website. The listing is the latest addition to the website's records section, which already included a cemeteries index and some special census schedules.

Monroe County Publishes History

The Monroe County Historical Society recently published Monroe County Family Heritage 2007 (306 pages, softcover). The book, which includes an every-name index, has information on some 150 families, as well as numerous photos. The book costs $30 + $4 shipping (Indiana residents must add $1.80 for sales tax). Make checks payable to the Monroe County Historical Society and mail to: Monroe County Historical Society, 202 E. 6th St., Bloomington IN 47408.

Allen County Society to Discuss Census Records

The Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana will meet February 13 at 6:30 pm at the main branch of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. Curt Witcher, the manager of the library's Genealogy Center, will present a program on "All That Other Stuff!: Other Census Records Beyond The Population Schedules." The public is welcome to attend.

IGS Welcomes New Newsletter Editor

The Indiana Genealogical Society is proud to welcome Cynthia Ogorek of Calumet City, Illinois as the new editor of its bi-monthly newsletter, IGS Newsletter. Cynthia was born in Hammond, Indiana and raised "across the line" in Calumet City, Illinois. For many years she was a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines, including for the Northwest Indiana Times. After authoring an entry for Women Building Chicago, 1790-1990, A Biographical Dictionary, she realized she was really a historian at heart and she returned to school, earning a Master's in U.S. History from Purdue University as well as a certificate from the Seminar for Historical Administration at Colonial Williamsburg.

Cynthia is currently self-employed as a public historian, focusing on enhancing the activities and supporting the goals of historical institutions such as the Indiana Genealogical Society. She consults on a variety of issues facing societies in Indiana and Illinois, from newsletters to grant proposals to National Register of Historic Places nominations.

She also continues to produce historical publications. Most recently, she authored an article about the Century of Progress houses located in Beverly Shores, Indiana for the Indiana Historical Society's Traces magazine. Her first book, Along the Calumet River, was published in 2004. It is a photo essay about the history of the river in Indiana and Illinois. This spring her second book, The Lincoln Highway Around Chicago, will be published. It is another bi-state, regional history, focusing on the Lincoln Highway between Schererville, Indiana and Geneva, Illinois.

Last year she launched a four-part series of programs called “The First Ladies from the Midwest.” Part One described the personalities and contributions to the presidency made by Mary Todd Lincoln, Lou Henry Hoover and Bess Wallace Truman. This year she will describe the talents, ideas, and quirks that Anna Symmes Harrison, Caroline Scott Harrison and Hillary Rodham Clinton brought to the White House. Along with her presentation, Cynthia provides a table-top exhibit featuring a portrait of each First Lady, plus objects and other photographs that highlight her unique role in American history.

Cynthia is a long-time member of the Calumet City Historical Society, the Hammond Historical Society, the Historical Community of Northwest Indiana and the South Suburban Heritage Association.