Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Bartholomew County Collection Damaged By Fire

A Christmas Eve fire at the United Way building in Columbus, Indiana has also affected the Bartholomew County Historical Society. According to a news report, the fire in the building (which was home to 27 non-profit agencies) also caused significant damage to the society's collection which was housed there. As many as 75,000 pieces of memorabilia may have been destroyed; some items in their collection, including old photos, are stored in their museum and thus were not affected by the fire.

State Library To Discuss Michigan Road And National Road

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Crossroads of Indiana: The Michigan and National Roads," on Thursday, January 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the library's History Reference Room. Monique Howell, Indiana Collection Librarian, will discuss the history of the Michigan and the National roads and how Indiana developed as a result.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Deadline Approaches for IGS Librarian's Scholarship

There is still time to apply for the Indiana Genealogical Society's Library Staff Educational Scholarship. Entries must be postmarked by December 31 in order to be considered. The scholarship is open to employees of Indiana libraries and includes a $500 credit to be used to help you attend a genealogy conference, seminar or class of your choice, as well as a $100 gift certificate that your library can use towards the purchase of any IGS publications.

The scholarship winner will also receive a complimentary membership in the Indiana Genealogical Society for one year and a complimentary registration to the society's annual conference, which will be held at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne on April 10, 2010. Staff that are new to the field of genealogy are welcome to apply.

Noblesville Library To Demonstrate Ancestry Library Edition

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop on Wednesday, January 27 from 9:30 am to noon in their computer training room. This hands-on class will demonstrate how to search for ancestors in Ancestry Library Edition's databases. Participants should bring information about their ancestors, as there will be time at the end of the workshop to work on their own research.

Registration is required--to register, visit the library's website, or contact their Outreach Department--phone (317) 776-6939. For more information about the workshop, contact the library's Indiana Room--phone (317) 770-3206.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

State Library To Discuss Its Genealogy Resources

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a class, "Researching Family History, Part 2," on Tuesday, January 12 from 11 am to noon in the library's History Reference Room. Diane Sharp, Genealogy Collection Supervisor, will discuss the various resources for family history research that are available within the Indiana State Library.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Indiana Records Experts Sought in New Jersey

Stephen Conte, host of Family Historian, a cable TV show about genealogy that is produced in New Jersey, is seeking New Jersey residents who are knowledgeable about Indiana records sources to appear as guests on an upcoming episode. For more information, please contact him at gentelc@aol.com.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Warrick County Early Landowners Book Published

Family Maps of Warrick County, Indiana (Deluxe Edition) by Gregory A. Boyd, J.D. has been published by Arphax Publishing Co. The book contains information about early Warrick County landowners in map form, which helps you make sense of the township-range descriptions of land found in deeds. The maps are also a way to figure out who your ancestor's neighbors were.

The spiral-bound version of the book costs $29.95; a hardbound version (suitable for libraries) costs $44.99. For more information, including an index of the surnames found in the book, please visit their website.

Hamilton County Early Landowners Book Published

Family Maps of Hamilton County, Indiana (Deluxe Edition) by Gregory A. Boyd, J.D. has been published by Arphax Publishing Co. The book contains information about early Hamilton County landowners in map form, which helps you make sense of the township-range descriptions of land found in deeds. The maps are also a way to figure out who your ancestor's neighbors were.

The spiral-bound version of the book costs $30.95; a hardbound version (suitable for libraries) costs $45.99. For more information, including an index of the surnames found in the book, please visit their website.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

IGS Publishes December Issue of Indiana Genealogist

The Indiana Genealogical Society recently mailed the December 2009 issue of Indiana Genealogist to its members. It includes:

--A listing of Civil Conservation Corps workers who were stationed in Brown County, Indiana in the 1930's.
--Soldiers of the 4th Indiana Regiment who deserted during the Mexican War.
--A commencement program for a high school in Washington, Daviess County, Indiana.
--Bible records of a Robert Franklin (born 1799), who may be from Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana.
--Profiles of Indiana Civil War soldiers that were proven as ancestors by Society of Civil War Families of Indiana members.
--A listing of selected teachers and professors from around the state.
--A listing of alumni of Moores Hill College in Dearborn County from 1858-1872.

Submissions that have an Indiana connection are always welcome. Articles that are submitted may be eligible for the Elaine Spires Smith Family History Writing Award, which includes $500. For more information, see http://www.indgensoc.org/publications/quarterly.php

Noblesville Library To Host Beginning Genealogy Class

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a program on beginning genealogy on Saturday, January 16 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in the library's north meeting room. The program is ideal for those just getting started in researching their family history, and will discuss how to organize your researh and how to find useful records.

Registration is required--to register, visit the library's website, or contact their Outreach Department--phone (317) 776-6939. For more information about the workshop, contact the library's Indiana Room--phone (317) 770-3206.

Monday, December 21, 2009

IGS Adds Marion County Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added a database for Marion County to the County Records section of the Members Only area:

--Graduates of Castleton High School, Marion County, Indiana (1897-1941)--Castleton High School was a school in Lawrence Township, on the north side of Indianapolis.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. There are more than 205 databases in the Members Only area. More databases will be added over time.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

IGS Updates African-American Settlements Database

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another 1,200 entries to the database, Individuals Associated with Indiana’s African-American Settlements (1817-1930), which is in the African-American Records section of Members-Only. This database is being compiled by Dawne Slater-Putt, CG and is part of a larger effort to study Indiana’s African-American settlements from their earliest days through about 1930.

The database includes the individual’s name, approximate year of birth and date of death (if known), and the names of the townships and counties with which the individual was associated. Women are cross-referenced under their maiden names. The database also includes links (when available) to newspaper articles, tombstone photos, marriage records and other source materials.

This database is free and is being shared with the Indiana Genealogical Society and the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center. There are now over 6,000 entries in the database.

State Library To Discuss Beginning Genealogy Research

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a class, "Researching Family History, Part 1," on Thursday, January 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the library's History Reference Room. Diane Sharp, Genealogy Collection Supervisor, will give an overview of the documents and resources used to trace your family tree, and the beginning elements of genealogy research.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Noblesville Library To Host Genealogy Roundtable on Resolutions

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a genealogy roundtable on Tuesday, January 12 from 2:15 to 3:15 pm in the library's genealogy classroom. The roundtable will discuss New Year's resolutions for your genealogy research.

This is an informal discussion group and no registration is required. For more information, contact the library's Indiana Room--phone (317) 770-3206.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Query: VINCENT of Marion County

I am seeking grave locations for:
John Vincent 1750 - 1837
Sarah Vincent 1758 - 1808

A 1930 letter states they were buried 7 miles north of Indianapolis in the Wheteinger (sp?) graveyard.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Bill Tate
2514 Prairie Oak Trl
Woodbury, MN 55125-7618
bill_tate@comcast.net

Query: HUDSON/HUTSON/PERKINS/SHAVER of Fayette and Hancock Counties

I am looking for more information on a William Hudson/Hutson. The last census I can find is for 1860 in Columbia, Fayette County, Indiana. He is listed as age 67 born in Pennsylvania. However, in the previous census it says he was born in Virginia. An 1880 census entry for his son Thomas declares his father's birthplace to be Virginia. In the 1860 census William's wife Anna is age 60 and born in Virginia. I find her in the 1880 census in Brown, Hancock County, Indiana as a widow with her married daugher Harriete Perkins. I can't find where William and Anna got married or any other information. Where he is buried?

Children of William & Anna Hutson/Hudson:
1. Isaac b. abt. 1829 Orange Township, Fayette County, Indiana
2. Thomas Harrison b. 1832 Orange Township, Fayette County, Indiana, m. Cynthia Harriet Shaver 27 Jan. 1856 in Fayette County, Indiana
3. Harriet b. 1834 Orange Township, Fayette County, Indiana, m. Charles Perkins 11 Aug. 1853
4. Mary b. 1837 Orange Township, Fayette County, Indiana
5. Eleanor/Ellen b. 1839 Orange Township, Fayette County, Indiana

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Lorna Hudson
850 Durham Terrace
Colorado Springs, CO 809018
shuttletat59@yahoo.com

Query: CORY

Fay C. Cory (a male born in 1903) is in the 1930 census for the Indiana State Penitentiary, listed as a prisoner. Is there a resource available to find out for what and the length of stay?

Michelle Herrin
25 Carrington Ln.
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
mic@alternateimage.com

Query: ALLEN/FOSTER of Delaware County

My grandfather James Allen was born in Indiana on February 28, 1878 (maybe in Albany, Delaware County, Indiana). I am trying to determine who his father and mother were with only these limited facts. His father was supposed to be an Irish born immigrant but I can find nothing in the US census that would identify them together. James was married in 1902 to Minnie Foster if that's helpful.

Thank you for your consideration.

Harry Senteney
13425 Spring Grove
Dallas, TX 75240
haypat@peoplepc.com

Query: HALL of 5th Indiana Battery

I am looking for information on my great-grandfather Nelson Wesley Hall who served in the 5th Indiana Battery. Do you have a photograph of the 5th Battery of Indiana? If NOT, do you have a photograph of any soldier of this battery as I would like to include a picture of their uniform? Do you have information and photos on what kind of weapons these men used?

"The battery was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana and mustered in for a three year enlistment on November 22, 1861. It was mustered in under the command of Captain Peter Simonson. The battery was attached to 3rd Division, Army of the Ohio, to September 1862."

Thank you very, very much.

LuAnn Kendrick
598 N. 1280 E.
American Fork, UT 84003
luannkendrick@gmail.com

Query: COLLINS of Dubois and Miami Counties

I am looking for an ancestor who seems to have left very few clues behind. All I know is he was born in 1833 in Indiana. His name is William J. Collins, and according to a narration by my grandmother, his father's name was William also. He ended up in Gilroy, California, with a stop in Lane County, Oregon. I am his great-great-granddaughter (he married Adeline Duncan, they had a son Albert, who had a daughter Effie, who had a son Albert who is my father.)

The 1850 census for Columbia Township, Dubois County, Indiana has a William/William father/son possible match, with the son aged 17.

I found one other William Collins aged 17 in the 1850 Indiana census, in Miami County, the township starts with C, but I can't read the rest. It has a pre-printed page #124 on the document.

I understand this may be pure coincidence, however, is there a genealogist who would have access to both county records that you could put me in touch with?

Thank you.

Susan Hoerner
jamminsue@hotmail.com

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Northwest Indiana Society Adds Lake County Databases

The Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society, which represents Lake County and Porter County, has added two new databases for Lake County to the Online Archives section of their website:

Guardian Bond Books, Lake County (1919-1934)
This Index was created from one book which was located at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point, Indiana. The index will provide you with the guardian’s name(s), surety company’s name, the deceased name, the heir's name (or who the guardianship was set up for), the attorney’s name, and the date of the judgment. In some cases the society has added comments. They have also listed the case or the docket number and page number (if one was located). A copy of the bond will also include the bond amount and the relationships of the person listed in the bond, clerks, and the judge's name. By no means does this index represent all of the legal guardianships that were set up in Lake County, Indiana. This book was the only book of bonds that has been located at this time. There is an order form and directions on how you can send for a copy of this record.

Register of Trained Nurses in Lake County (1916-1943)
The information in this database will not lead a genealogist to a copy of the registration, but it will verify that an ancestor was a nurse, and might help locate where the individual resided during a certain timeframe. From this information, a check of city directories might show the person’s address, whether the residence was owned or rented, and the address of the hospital at which he or she was employed. If the residence was owned, the Recorder’s office should have a deed for the property. In those rare instances where a marriage was indicated, the Clerk’s office or the database of marriages on the NWIGS website can be checked for a marriage date, which can then be used to obtain the marriage application and certificate. In some cases there are indications of the nurse’s religion, which might suggest where to search for church records.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Allen County Library To Discuss Genealogy Software

The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will offer a program, "Genealogy Software To Record Your Family History," on Wednesday, January 13 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. This program will highlight various features of Family Tree Maker, Legacy, and The Master Genealogist software. To register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

IGS Adds December Newsletter To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has now added the December 2009 issue of the IGS Newsletter to the IGS Records section of Members Only. The issue contains entries from the "Once A Hoosier..." project, as well as its companion project, "...Always A Hoosier," and also has updates from around the state.

The newsletter is a premium database and is accessible only to IGS members.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Hamilton County Society To Meet In Carmel

The Hamilton County Genealogical Society will meet at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 6 at the Hensel Government Building (10701 N. College Ave., Carmel IN). The meeting is free and open to the public.

The Hamilton County Genealogical Society (formerly known as the North Indianapolis Area Genealogists) meets from October through May on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at the Hensel Government Building in Carmel. Meetings include programs and roundtable discussions. The meetings are free and everyone is welcome.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

IGS Adds Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added several databases to the Members Only area of its website:

African-American Records
--African-American Veterans in Howard County, Indiana (1890)
--African-American Veterans in Jennings County, Indiana (1890)
NOTE: These databases were compiled from the 1890 soldiers enrollment lists for the respective counties.

College Records
--Faculty of Wabash College, Crawfordsville (1912)--a listing of teachers, as found in a school yearbook.
--Students of Central Normal College, Danville (1877-1934)--a listing of over 70,000 students, as compiled from the school's annual catalogs.

County Records
--Residents of Vermillion County, Indiana (1874)--a listing of residents from an 1874 directory.
NOTE: This database is part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS will develop a minimum of two genealogical databases for each of the 92 counties in Indiana and post them to the Members Only area.

These are all premium databases, accessible only to IGS members. The Indiana Genealogical Society has now posted 205 databases to the Members Only area of its website. More databases will be added over time.