Randolph County Courthouse Begins Renovation

The Randolph County courthouse in Winchester, Indiana held a groundbreaking ceremony today for a $7.6 million, 18-month project to renovate it. Parts of the courthouse date back to 1875, and it was the subject of a lot of debate for the past few years about what to do with it. In 2005, county commissioners voted to demolish it, and in 2006, a group of women in their 80's who called themselves the "courthouse girls" made headlines when they posed nude in a calendar to help raise money to restore the courthouse.

During the renovation, county offices have been moved to Winchester's Town Square Business Center (located at 123 W. Franklin St.)

IGS Adds Adams County Cemetery Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more databases to the County Records section of Members Only:

Adams County
--Index of Cross Reformed (Kross Reformed) Church Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana
--Index of Studebaker Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana

These 2 databases are free to the public--no member login is needed to view them.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 378 databases in the Members Only area, covering 81 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

Noblesville Library To Discuss New England Ancestors & Footnote.com

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop, "Using New England Ancestors and Footnote.com," on Wednesday, September 29 from 9:30 am to noon in the library's computer training lab. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to search the genealogy databases New England Ancestors and Footnote.com. There will be time at the end of the class to start on your own research.

Registration is required - to register, visit the library's website, or phone (317) 776-6939.

Boone County Society To Meet in Zionsville

The Boone County Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30 pm at the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library in Zionsville. There will be a program about the Society of Indiana Pioneers. The meeting is open to the public.

IGS Adds College Autograph Album To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the College Records section of Members Only:

College Records:
--Autographs of Students of Central Normal College, Danville (1889) - entries from an autograph album belonging to Lena Jane Amick, who attended Central Normal College in 1888-1889. This database includes digital images of the autographs, as well as transcriptions.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted by Marian Corya.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 376 databases in the Members Only area, covering 81 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

IGS Adds Johnson County Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

County Records:
--Directory of Businesses in Johnson County, Indiana (1868)--a listing of business owners in various towns in Johnson County, as found in a railroad and shipping directory for the state.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 375 databases in the Members Only area, covering 81 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

Noblesville Library To Discuss Scottish Records

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a class, "Bound to Discover: Discovering Family Ties in Scotland," on Saturday, September 25 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in the library's south meeting room. Pam Adams will lead the class in exploring basic Scottish records that are of the most benefit to the researcher looking for their family ties in Scotland. The records of immigrants Adam Henderson (immigrated 1848) and James Jack (immigrated 1908) will be used as examples.

Registration is required - to register, visit the library's website, or phone (317) 776-6939.

IGS Adds Adams And Wells Counties Cemetery Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more databases to the County Records section of Members Only:

Adams County
--Index of Smith Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana

Wells County
--Index of Oaklawn Cemetery, Wells County, Indiana

These 2 databases are free to the public--no member login is needed to view them.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 374 databases in the Members Only area, covering 80 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

Hendricks County Library To Host Genealogy After-Hours

The Local History/Genealogy Department of the Plainfield Public Library in Hendricks County will hold "Genealogy After Hours" on Friday, September 17 from 6:30 to 9 pm. You'll be able to use the library's resources (including access to genealogy databases), consult with genealogy staff, and meet fellow researchers. Registration is required--register online or phone (317) 838-3800.

IGS Adds Shelby County Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

County Records:
--Directory of Businesses in Shelby County, Indiana (1868)--a listing of business owners in various towns in Shelby County, as found in a railroad and shipping directory for the state.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 372 databases in the Members Only area, covering 80 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

IGS Adds September Quarterly To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added the September 2010 issue of Indiana Genealogist, the society's quarterly publication, to the IGS Records section of Members Only. It includes information on researching your ancestors in the Indiana Territory (pre-1816), plus items on schools in Union and Wells counties, and several Civil War ancestor profiles.

The society will be "going green" in 2011. The remaining issue of 2010 will be available online as well as printed & mailed to members, with the 2011 issues available exclusively online.

The quarterly is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members.

IGS Adds Washington County Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

County Records:
--Directory of Businesses in Washington County, Indiana (1868)--a listing of business owners in various towns in Washington County, as found in a railroad and shipping directory for the state.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 371 databases in the Members Only area, covering 79 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

IGS Adds Adams County Cemetery Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more databases to the County Records section of Members Only:

Adams County
--Index of Alpha-Bethel Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana
--Index of Immanuel Lutheran (Bleeke) Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana
--Index of Salem Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana

These 3 databases are free to the public--no member login is needed to view them.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 370 databases in the Members Only area, covering 78 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

IGS Adds Fountain County Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

County Records:
--Directory of Businesses in Fountain County, Indiana (1868)--a listing of business owners in various towns in Fountain County, as found in a railroad and shipping directory for the state.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 367 databases in the Members Only area, covering 78 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

IGS Thanks Eastman's Dinner Group For War of 1812 Donation

The Indiana Genealogical Society thanks Bunny Heroman of Baton Rouge, LA and the rest of Dick Eastman's EOGN dinner group for their donation to our War of 1812 $10,000 Matching Grant Challenge! The group met for dinner at the Federation of Genealogical Societies' conference this weekend in Knoxville, Tennessee.

In this challenge - which goes to support the effort to digitize the War of 1812 pension files at the National Archives and make them available online for free - the Indiana Genealogical Society will MATCH any donation made, up to the first $10,000. ANY amount you can give will help - even $5 will digitize 10 pages. Plus, thanks to the matching grant challenge, your donation amount is automatically doubled.

More donations are welcome - donate online, or send your check (made payable to Indiana Genealogical Society) to:

Indiana Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 10507
Fort Wayne, IN 46852-0507

IGS Adds Rush County Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

County Records:
--Directory of Businesses in Rush County, Indiana (1868)--a listing of business owners in various towns in Rush County, as found in a railroad and shipping directory for the state.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 366 databases in the Members Only area, covering 77 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

Query: Death Record/Declared Dead

I am told that my great uncle was "declared dead" after he was missing for a time. He lived in Tipton Co. Where would I find such a record? I do not have an exact year. He is not in the county's death records.
Peggy Fairchild
687 Coral. Ct.
Cicero, IN 46034
fairchip1@comcast.net

IGS Adds Noble County Cemetery Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

Noble County
--Index of Lisbon Cemetery, Noble County, Indiana

This database is free to the public--no member login is required to view it.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 365 databases in the Members Only area, covering 76 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

QUERY: JOHNS of Madison County

I am trying to find my cousins, Emily Johns and Margret Johns. They are the daughters of Daniel Johns and Maxine ??, whose last residence was in Oakland, California; however Daniel Johns and his family were from Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

Daniel Johns was the son of John Johns (born about 1874) and Margret ?? (born about 1882), who both immigrated from Wales and settled in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. Daniel had siblings Elizabeth, Olwyn and Lucille Johns (married SANDERS), as well as Robert Lee Johns (1920-1987). Robert was my father and he lived in Oakland, California, but was buried in Elwood, Indiana.

All of this family are deceased except Emily Johns and Margret Johns - I am desperate to find my cousins. Thank you!

Submitted by:
Sara Ann Johns
champion.johns3@gmail.com

Howard County Society To Meet In Kokomo

The Howard County (Indiana) Genealogical Society will meet on Monday, September 13 at 6 pm at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library's South Branch (1755 E. Center Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902). The meeting is open to the public.

IGS Adds Wells County Cemetery Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more databases to the County Records section of Members Only:

Wells County
--Index of Colbert Cemetery, Wells County, Indiana
--Index of Hosier Cemetery, Wells County, Indiana
--Index of Lynn Cemetery, Wells County, Indiana
--Index of Miller Cemetery, Wells County, Indiana
--Index of Nottingham Cemetery, Wells County, Indiana
--Index of Redding (Reddick) Cemetery, Wells County, Indiana

These 6 databases are free to the public--no member login is required to view them.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 364 databases in the Members Only area, covering 76 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

IGS Adds More Adams County Cemetery Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more databases to the County Records section of Members Only:

Adams County
--Index of Kunkle Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana - this database was submitted by Jim Cox & Penny Baughman North.
--Index of Shady Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana - this cemetery was read by Thomas Liby and the database formatted by Margie Roop Pearce & Jim Cox.
--Index of Zion Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana - this cemetery was read by Thomas Liby and the database formatted by Margie Roop Pearce & Jim Cox.

These 3 databases are free to the public--no member login is required to view them.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 358 databases in the Members Only area, covering 76 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

Query: COOK/MORRIS

I am trying to locate my grandfather, William Eugene Cook, who I know has passed however it is unknown to my family where his final resting place is. I do have limited information on his birth and place of marriage and where he attended high school. He attended Mentone High School and was married at St Josephs memorial Methodist church on the 11th of august 1945. Her name was Helen Carol Morris. They later divorced and he was never heard from again. Any information that you could provide me would be so greatly appreciated. There are so many unanswered questions and I am trying to figure my way through all of this.
Thank you,
Kristen Conway
2165 Gillian Lane
Easton, Pa 18040
kristennconway@gmail.com

Query: BUCHANAN/LANE

I have a book entitled "Our Wedding Bells" and the copyright is 1889, 1892, 1895, and 1897. The first page says "This certifies that on the 27th day of June in the year of our Lord 1899 Charles Howard Buchanan and Bradie Lane were by me united in Marriage at Odom according to the Ordinance of God and Laws of the State of Indiana.
The witnesses are Dr. and Mrs Lane and Charles McCormick was the Minister. None of the other pages have been filled out. I have no clue how to or is it is even possible to get it to the right family, but I would so hate to throw it away. I ran across it at a yard sale and have hung on to it for a while now and so hope you can help me.
Sincerely,
Judy Kingsley
judykoo1@aol.com

Query: CHANDLER/COLSON/KITTS

I am trying to find information on my Grandfather, Charles Oscar Chandler. I am having diffuculty getting info. I know that he was born in Indiana according to his marriage certificate in Idaho to Anna May Colson(Kitts) in 1920. Son is Everett Charles and daughter Eleanor Fay. He died in 1928 in Ellensburg, Wa. I have not been able to locate any other info. Any help is aprreciated.

Thank you,

Chris Chandler
27422 122nd Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030
chrisnlindy@msm.com

Query: BRUNNER of Madison County

I'm looking for any information on a John Calvin Brunner from Ingalls, Madison, IN

John Murdoch
2304 Angler Ave.
Lake Isabella, Ca. 93240
peedrom@verizon.net

Query: MOCKERMAN/MAUGHERMAN/BECHTEL

My dad Adam Mockerman was born in 1896 and died in 1959. He told me his mother Lilly Bechtel Mockerman or Maugherman was born in 1873 in Indiana and that she had 2 children that died very young or were still born. I’m told Lilly was killed in 1903 however I have not located anything to collaborate this.

My Grandfather is Adam Maugherman. I believe changed his name to Mockerman. My Great-Grandfather is Adam Maugherman who was married to Elizabeth ?(maiden name unknown) who lived to be 108 years old and is buried in Pleasant Lake Cemetery.

Any help with these people would be greatly appreciated.

Vic Mockerman
201 Miner St.
Bensenville, IL 60106
ilmjpray@msn.com

Noblesville Library To Host Roundtable On DNA

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a genealogy roundtable on Tuesday, September 14 from 2:15 to 3:15 pm in the library's genealogy classroom. This month's roundtable will focus on "DNA and Genealogy." Participants will discuss the ins and outs of using DNA test results in genealogy research. This is an informal discussion group - no registration is required.

Query: GRIGBSY of Gibson County

My Great Grandfather, John H Grigsby died on 11 January, 1882 in Poseyville Indiana, Gibson county. He is buried in the Black River Cemetery in Poseyville. I have written to Gibson and Posey counties to find his death certificate or cause of death with no sucess. I was told they didn't start to keep records until later in 1882. I was hoping to find the cause of death does anyone have an ideas where I might find the cause of death for John.

Sally Beringer
3200 Old Winter Garden Road Apt 1911
Ocoee, FL 34761
Musicgal_1952@yahoo.com

Query: BOZARTH/MITCHELL of Carroll County

Looking for information on John Bozarth about 1810 Carroll county, Indiana who married Sluthy Mitchell. John Bozarth was my 3rd great grandfather.

Any help on where I might look would be appreciated.

Thank you
Teresa Sweetland
1503 Mozingo
Denton, Texas 76209
t.sweetland@verizon.net

LDS Church in Indianapolis To Offer Free Family History Classes

The Indianapolis Stake of the LDS church (900 East Stop 11 Rd., Indianapolis) will hold their 1st Annual Temple & Family History Workshop on Saturday, September 18 from 9 am to 4 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Several family history classes will be offered during the day, including military records in the Indiana State Archives and British research. For more information, or to register online, visit http://www.indystaketfhw.org.

IGS Adds Putnam County Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

Putnam County
--Veterans in Putnam County, Indiana (1913)--a listing of all of the veterans who were living in Putnam County as of May 1, 1913, from an annual enumeration taken by township trustees.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted by Ron Darrah as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 355 databases in the Members Only area, covering 76 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

IGS Adds Adams County Cemetery Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more databases to the County Records section of Members Only:

Adams County
--Index of Little Family Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana - this database was submitted by Margie Roop Pearce & Jim Cox.
--Index of Pleasant Dale (Steele) Cemetery, Adams County, Indiana - this cemetery was read by Thomas Liby and the database formatted by Margie Roop Pearce & Jim Cox.

Both of these databases are free to the public--no member login is required to view them.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 354 databases in the Members Only area, covering 75 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

Noblesville Library To Hold Beginning Genealogy Class

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a class, "Beginning Genealogy," on Saturday, September 4 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in the library's north meeting room. You'll see examples of the various records you might find, how to use them to find others, and how to organize and record your data. Registration is required - to register, visit the library's website, or phone (317) 776-6939.

Fort Wayne To Host Military Symposium on Civil War

The Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana is sponsoring the 3rd Annual Military Symposium on Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9 at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. In honor of 2011 being the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, the topics will be devoted to researching your Civil War ancestors. Curt Witcher and Amy Johnson Crow will be the featured speakers.

Registration is $25 - visit http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/programs.html for the registration form and more information.

Thanks For Visiting IGS At Midwestern Roots

Thanks to all who stopped by the Indiana Genealogical Society's booth at the Midwestern Roots conference in Indianapolis this past weekend! Marlene Polster (pictured), Shirley Richison Fields and Curt Witcher really enjoyed interacting with everyone.  IGS appreciates the new volunteers and members we gained and the generous donations to the War of 1812 $10,000 matching grant challenge.

War of 1812 $10,000 Matching Grant Challenge Reaches $1,000 Mark

The Indiana Genealogical Society has received over $1,000 in donations so far for our War of 1812 $10,000 Matching Grant Challenge. We thank all of the donors: Shirley Amond - Monica Brunelle - Marian Corya - Amy Johnson Crow - Linda Eckert - Marlene Polster - Gail Prewitt - Charlotte Sellers - Linda Swisher - and several anonymous cash donations made at the recent Midwestern Roots conference.

In this challenge - which goes to support the effort to digitize the War of 1812 pension files at the National Archives and make them available for free online - the Indiana Genealogical Society will MATCH any donation made to the project, up to the first $10,000. Any amount you can give will help - even $5 will digitize 10 pages. Plus, the amount will be automatically doubled, thanks to the matching grant challenge! Donate online, or send your check (made payable to Indiana Genealogical Society) to:

Indiana Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 10507
Fort Wayne, IN 46852-0507

Allen County Society To Hold Beginners Workshop

The Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana will hold a beginner's workshop, "Getting Started in Family History & Genealogy Research," on Saturday, October 2 from 9 am to noon at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. Instructor Marge Graham will discuss how to gather and organize your information for best results, and how to use proven basic research methods. Participants will also tour the library's Genealogy Center and learn about available resources.

Registration is $10 and pre-registration is required. Download the registration form (PDF).

State Library To Discuss Census Indexing Errors

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will hold a program, "Is Your Norma Listed As Warnie In The Census?," on Thursday, August 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in their History Reference Room. This program will show researchers how to deal with a variety of indexing errors, such as mangled names and misapplied geographic identifiers.

IGS Adds Noble County Cemetery Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

Noble County
--Index of Sweet Cemetery, Noble County, Indiana.

This database was submitted by Jim Cox and Penny Baughman North. It is free to the public--no member login is required to view it.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 352 databases in the Members Only area, covering 75 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

Query: BAGWELL of Parke County or Greene County

I am looking for descendants of Doven Bagwell (born about 1806 in Wake County, North Carolina) and William Bagwell (born about 1808) who settled in either Parke County or Greene County, Indiana and had a descendant named Doyle Bagwell who also was in the area. I descend from Doven and William's brother, Willis Bagwell (born 1803 in Wake County, North Carolina) and I would love to talk to someone from this line.


Submitted by:
Clarice Moore (ciemor40@gmail.com)

IGS Adds Allen County 1880 DDD Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added another database to the County Records section of Members Only:

Allen County
--Index to Defective, Dependent & Delinquent Census for Allen County, Indiana (1880)

NOTE: Please see earlier post for an explanation of the 1880 DDD and its availability on microfilm.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 351 databases in the Members Only area, covering 75 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

State Library To Discuss Vital Records Resources

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will hold a program, "Indiana Vital Records Resources," on Wednesday, August 11 from 11 am to noon in their History Reference Room. This program is an introduction to Indiana birth, death and marriage indexes and other vital records resources at the Indiana State Library. It covers print, microfilm and electronic resources, with emphasis on the special materials within the library's genealogy collection.

IGS Adds 350th Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added the 350th database to the Members Only area:

Marion County
--Index to Defective, Dependent & Delinquent Census for Marion County, Indiana (1880)

NOTE: Please see earlier post for an explanation of the 1880 DDD and its availability on microfilm.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. It was submitted as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

The Indiana Genealogical Society has 350 databases in the Members Only area, covering 75 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

IGS Adds August Newsletter To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added the August 2010 issue of the IGS Newsletter to the IGS Records section of Members Only. In addition to the latest news and information, the issue contains Part 2 of an article about records preservation on the local level.

The newsletter is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. The Indiana Genealogical Society has 349 databases in the Members Only area, covering 75 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.

State Library To Discuss Genealogy Microfilm

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will hold a program, "More Genealogy Microforms," on Tuesday, August 10 from 10 to 11 am in their History Reference Room. This program, which is a follow-up to an earlier presentation, "Genealogy Microform Collection," will talk about additional genealogy microfilm and microfiche to enhance your research.

IGS Adds College Records Etc. Databases To Members-Only

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

College Records
--Students of Indiana State Normal School, Terre Haute (1925)--a listing of the students in the class of 1925 only, as found in a 1925 yearbook. NOTE: Indiana State Normal School later became Indiana State University.

--Students of Indiana University, Bloomington (1924)--a listing of the students in the class of 1924 only, as found in a yearbook.

County Records
--Directory of Businesses in Boone County, Indiana (1868)--a listing of business owners in various towns in Boone County, as found in a railroad and shipping directory for the state.

--Farmers of Sullivan County, Indiana (1896)--a listing from a farmers directory.

--Teachers of Kokomo High School, Howard County, Indiana (1931)--a listing from a 1931 yearbook.

NOTE: These databases were submitted as part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS is committed to adding at least 2 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties.

Miscellaneous Records
--Dentists in Indiana State Dental Association (1882)--a membership list, as found in the association's annual report.

--Doctors in Indiana State Medical Association (1912)--a membership list, as found in the association's journal.

These are premium databases, accessible only to IGS members. The Indiana Genealogical Society has 349 databases in the Members Only area, covering 75 Indiana counties. More databases will be added over time.