Update: Indiana House Bill 1079 (Access To Veterans Records)

On March 30, the Indiana Senate's Local Government Committee deadlocked on House Bill 1079, the bill that would permit public access to veterans' discharge records once the Social Security numbers are removed.

The bill has the support of the committee's chair, Senator Connie Lawson (Hendricks & Putnam counties), and she intends to bring it before the committee when they meet again next week. If HB 1079 does not pass the committee then, it is unlikely it will survive this legislative session.

Please e-mail the committee members before next week's meeting and let them know the importance of this bill:

Phil Boots (Boone, Clinton, Fountain, Hendricks, Montgomery & Warren counties) - Senator.Boots@iga.in.gov

Jean D. Breaux (Marion County) - s34@iga.in.gov

Doug Eckerty (Delaware & Madison counties) - Senator.Eckerty@iga.in.gov

Beverly J. Gard (Hamilton, Hancock & Henry counties) - Senator.Gard@iga.in.gov

Travis Holdman (Adams, Allen, Blackford, Grant & Wells counties) - Senator.Holdman@iga.in.gov

Lindel Hume (Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Martin, Orange & Pike counties) - s48@in.gov

Jim Smith (Clark, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, Switzerland & Washington counties) - Senator.Smith@iga.in.gov

Thomas J. Wyss (Allen County) - Senator.Wyss@iga.in.gov

Richard D. Young, Jr. (Crawford, Dubois, Harrison, Perry, Spencer, Warrick & Washington counties) - s47@in.gov

Indiana State Library To Discuss County Histories

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a free program, "Making The Most of The County Histories," on Thursday, April 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the library's Indiana Author's Room. The program will discuss the information that can be gleaned from histories of counties, cities and townships, including biographical sketches of your ancesetors.

Indiana State Library To Hold Beginning Genealogy Class

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a free program, "Beginning Genealogy, Part 3," on Thursday, April 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the library's History Reference Room. The program will explore the family history resources that are available at various places, including the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, local genealogical and historical societies, public libraries, and the National Archives.

Query: ST. JOHN

I am looking for information on my great grandfather, Wilson ST. JOHN born in Indiana in 1835-1837...I don't know the town or county..any information you can give me will be helpful. Thank You!

Janice Beitler
245 Sunset Ridge
Cave City, AR 72521
janice.beitler@yahoo.com

Allen County Library Offers Behind-The-Scenes Tours

The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne is offering several behind-the-scenes tours of its Genealogy Center in May:

Sunday, May 1, Genealogy Center Tour, 1 to 2 pm -- Take a tour of The Genealogy Center! Learn something new or be reminded of what you've forgotten. Meet in The Genealogy Center's orientation area.

Monday, May 2, Website Tour, 2 to 3 pm -- Lost in the Genealogy Center's new website? Take a guided virtual tour through all of the information awaiting your visit! Meet in the library's Meeting Room C.

Tuesday, May 3, Catalog Tour, 2 to 3:45 pm -- How to locate a book? Where are the call numbers? How to make a list? Find out all this and more by taking a virtual tour of The Genealogy Center's catalog! Meet in the library's Meeting Room C.

Wednesday, May 4, Genealogy Center Tour, 6:30-7:30 pm -- Take a tour of The Genealogy Center! Learn something new or be reminded of what you've forgotten. Meet in The Genealogy Center's orientation area.

Thursday, May 5, Processing, Scanning and Fine Materials Tour, 10 to 11 am -- This behind-the-scenes tour will show where the material is ordered, cataloged and processed for the collection, and where material is scanned for easy access via the Internet. You'll also get a peek
into the Fine Book Area. Meet in The Genealogy Center's orientation area.

Friday, May 6, Catalog Tour, 10 to 11:45 am -- How to locate a book? Where are the call numbers? How to make a list? Find out all this and more by taking a virtual tour of The Genealogy Center's catalog! Meet in the library's Meeting Room A.

Saturday May 7, Genealogy Center Tour, 10 to 11 am -- Take a tour of The Genealogy Center! Learn something new or be reminded of what you've forgotten. Meet in The Genealogy Center's orientation area.

Space is limited, so register early for these free tours by sending an e-mail to Genealogy@ACPL.Info or calling (260) 421-1225.

IGS Adds Databases For Southeastern Indiana Counties To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added 10 more databases to the County Records section of the Members Only area, all for counties in southeastern Indiana:

County Records
--Directory of Businesses in Dearborn County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Decatur County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Fayette County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Franklin County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Jefferson County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Jennings County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Ohio County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Ripley County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Switzerland County, Indiana (1858)
--Directory of Businesses in Union County, Indiana (1858)

These are premium databases, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 561 databases in the Members Only area, covering all 92 Indiana counties.

IGS Thanks Elkhart County Genealogical Society For War of 1812 Donation

The Indiana Genealogical Society thanks the Elkhart County Genealogical Society in Elkhart, Indiana for their $100 donation to our War of 1812 $10,000 Matching Challenge. Coupled with IGS' match, their donation means 400 more pages of pension files will be digitized!

In this challenge - which is in support of the Federation of Genealogical Societies' 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 before June 30, 2011, up to the first $10,000. Thanks to the generosity of so many, we are over 40% to our match goal!

Any amount you can give will help - even $5 will digitize 10 pages. Donate online, or send your check (made payable to Indiana Genealogical Society, with "War of 1812" in the memo line) to:

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

Indiana Legislature To Discuss Records Access

Indiana's state senate will vote on House Bill 1079, a bill that would ease the restrictions on the public's access to some veterans' records, in a committee meeting this Wednesday, March 30 at 1:30 pm. HB 1079 helps ease the restrictions on public access to some military records, yet still helps safeguard veterans from possible identity theft.

Specifically, the bill states that veterans' discharge records that are recorded in a county recorder's office are considered public records if the veteran's Social Security number has been removed from them. Further, it requires a county recorder to remove the Social Security number from the veteran's discharge record when they receive a written public record request for the discharge record.

This bill passed the House of Representatives unanimously and has the support of veterans' groups and county officials. The bill must now be passed out of the Senate's Local Government committee in order to move to the full Senate.

Appreciating the tremendous significance of military records in historical and genealogical research, and acknowledging the importance our military ancestors have played in securing our freedoms, the Indiana Genealogical Society's Board of Directors recognizes and supports Indiana House Bill 1079. We honor our veterans by memorializing their service and we foster informed citizens by providing them with appropriate access to records that document our history and heritage.

We encourage you to e-mail your state senator before Wednesday afternoon and let them know how important this bill is for those that engage in historical and genealogical research.

Allen County Library To Discuss Scrapbooking

The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a free program, "Scrapbooking Historical Photographs and Memorabilia," on Tuesday, April 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. This session will discuss considerations and methods for scrapbooking your historical photos and memorabilia, including materials, organization and more.

To register, e-mail Genealogy@ACPL.Info or call (260) 421-1225.

Allen County Library To Discuss Family History Storytelling

The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a class, "Storytelling for Family Historians," on Monday, April 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. You'll learn the elements of a good story, why storytelling is important, how to tell a good story, and listen to a couple of stories as examples.

To register, e-mail Genealogy@ACPL.Info or call (260) 421-1225.

Indiana State Library To Discuss Southeast Genealogy Resources

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a free program, "Researching Southeast Genealogy at the Indiana State Library," on Wednesday, April 6 from 10:30 to 11:30 am in the library's History Reference Room. The program will discuss the genealogy resources available at the library if you are researching ancestors from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana or Mississippi.

Boone County Society To Discuss Genealogy 101

The Boone County Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 pm at the Thorntown Public Library. Larry Truitt will present Part 2 of his program, "Genealogy 101." The public is welcome.

Noblesville Library To Hold Ancestry Library Edition Workshop

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a computer workshop, "Using Ancestry Library Edition," on Wednesday, April 27 from 9:30 am to noon in the library's computer training lab. This hands-on workshop will show participants the most effective ways to search for ancestors using the databases available on Ancestry Library Edition. Participants will have 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 - (317) 776-6939.

Query: JACOBS of DeKalb County

My family was located in Dekalb County Indiana from around 1838 to about 1844.

Riley JACOBS ran for some political positions of the times and held several appointed positions. His brother Levi (My ggg-grandfather) JACOBS was in the census there also, his father Aarton Clark JACOBS was also in Iniana, but I do not know where. I do know he was in the War of 1812, in 1813 in New York.

Thank You one and all.

Nancy Bush
306 Lincoln St.
Karnak, Illinois 62956
npegib@yahoo.com

Noblesville Library To Discuss Black Sheep Ancestors

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a genealogy roundtable on Tuesday, April 12 from 2:15 to 3:15 pm in the library's genealogy classroom. Attendees will share stories of their "black sheep" ancestors - the ones that families kept in the closet for many years. They will discuss how they found records of these not-so-angelic ancestors who may have broken the law, violated their church's rules or participated in other misadventures.

This is an informal discussion group - no registration is required.

Northwest Indiana Society To Meet in Lake County

The Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society, which represents Lake County and Porter County, will meet on Saturday, April 16 at 10 am at the Dyer-Schererville branch of the Lake County Public Library. NWIGS President Sally Phillips will speak on "Building Your Medical Pedigree." The meeting is free and open to the public.

IGS Adds Free Database of Posey County Cholera Deaths

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

County Records
--Cholera Deaths in Mount Vernon, Posey County, Indiana (1873)

This database was submitted by Dawne Slater-Putt and is free to the public.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 551 databases in the Members Only area, covering all 92 Indiana counties.

Query: PICKERING / FARR / HENLEY of Johnson and Rush Counties

Looking for informatin on Charles PICKERING b. 1868 in Blue River, Johnson County, IN m. Lilly FARR (b. 1877) in 1920. Charles had two sisters Julia B. b. abt 1865 and Rosa b. abt 1873, all were living with Enos and Carrie HENLEY in the 1880 census in Ripley, Rush County, IN. I believe that Enos and Carolyn PICKERING were the parents of Charles, Julia B. and Rosa. I would appeciate any help that would be given on this family.

Juanita Pickering Vautor
P.O. Box 224
Belfrade Lakes, Maine 04918
dvautor@aol.com

IGS Adds Free Databases of Hendricks County Cemeteries

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

County Records
--Index of Irons Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana
--Index of Miles Cemetery, Hendricks County, Indiana

NOTE: These 2 databases were submitted by Jeff Curtis and are free to the public.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 550 databases in the Members Only area, covering all 92 Indiana counties.

Elizabeth Shown Mills To Speak at Kentucky Seminar

The Kentucky Genealogical Society will hold their Annual Seminar on August 6 in Frankfort, Kentucky. The theme will be "Clearing Your Genealogical Hurdles," and the featured speaker will be author, researcher and historian Elizabeth Shown Mills. For more information, please see their registration form - http://kygs.org/meetings/sem2011.pdf.

South Bend Society Adds St. Joseph County Marriage Index

The South Bend Area Genealogical Society has added a searchable marriage index for St. Joseph County 1922 - February 1989. The index also contains entries from marriage licenses that were issued in Mishawaka 1979 - 1997. The marriage index is at http://www.sbags.org/marriage.htm.

Query: MAIN/CLEVELAND of Dubois County

Samuel MAIN, b. 1769, Hartford Co, CT, d.1835, Dubois Co, IN, m. Mary CLEVELAND, 1792, b. 1768, Rutland Co, VT, d. 1818, Dubois Co., IN. I believe this couple is buried in the Main Cemetery, Patoka Rd, near Huntingburg, IN. Is there a list for the cemetery? Thanks for your time and attention.

Russell Haynes
209 Canyon Way
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

IGS Adds Database of Deaths in Hendricks County Probate Records

The Indiana Genealogical Society has extracted the dates of death from the Hendricks County probate packets we are working on in our Records Preservation Project and compiled them into a database, Deaths Listed in Probate Records of Hendricks County, Indiana.

This database will be updated - there are over 400 entries so far, with dates of death ranging from 1837 to 1898. This database is free to the public.

Query: CENTZ / ZENTZ / LENTZ / RUHL of Allen County

Looking for death, land, tax or estate records for Elizabeth CENTZ/ZENTZ/LENTZ and Catherine RUHL in Allen County. There were on the 1860 federal census for Allen County.

Lillie Soles
les_ruhl@sbcglobal.net

Noblesville Library To Discuss Irish Records

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop, "Irish Footprints: Exploration in Irish Records," on Saturday, April 23 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in the library's north meeting room. Using real-life research examples, participants in this workshop will be guided by presenters Pat Adams and Carl Lowry through the use of pertinent Irish records from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

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

Query: HOLDREN/SHILDER of Delaware County

I'm looking for documentation of the birth of my gggrandfather John W. HOLDREN. He was born in Eaton, Delaware County, IN in 1838. His parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth SHILDER HOLDREN. Any help would be appreciated.

Suzanne Norman
1785 Jamieway
Carson City, NV 89701
normasg60@att.net

Query: ABNEY/RODMAN of Howard County

Looking for information on Robert John ABNEY of Kokomo, Howard County, IN b. 13 Jan 1856 d. 9 Jan 1933 m. 9 Nov 1877 to Mary RODMAN b. Mar. 1857 d. 1940.

Bo Abney
460 Forest Tr.
Oviedo, FL 32765
babney@cfl.rr.com

Query: LASH/VAN ATTA of Wells and Noble Counties

My GGrandfather, John Lash, enlisted in Company A, 34th Regiment, Indiana Infantry on 2 Sep 1861 in Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana. He was born 6 Aug 1843 in Bolivar, Tacarawas County, Ohio. He migrated to Indiana with his mother, Mary "Van Atta" Lash and several siblings. After the war he returned to Ohio. I believe his mother died in Indiana, in Wells or Noble Counties, before he returned to Ohio but I can not find anything on her death.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Owen H. Butler
7105 S. 49 St.
Omaha, NE 68157
owenadnalva@cox.net

Query: SEXTON / PHELPS / HARRIS / MORRIS of Blackford County

Looking for information on my Grandfather and Great Grandfather's line in Indiana. My Grandfather was Dennie SEXTON b. 5 May 1901 in Montpelier, Blackford County, IN. His father was John SEXTON b. in Indiana in 1869. John's wife Nannie PHELPS b. Feb 1872 in KY. I Believe my grandfather married Leona HARRIS first then later married a Martha MORRIS b. 25 Jan 1909 in Passaic, NJ.

Thanks for any help.

Robert Boscarelli
4600 Fairway Dr.
Soquel, CA 95073
bosco@boscarelli.com

Query: STINSON/SMITH of Jackson County

Looking for information on William STINSON, b. 1815 Jackson County, Indiana m. 3 May 1845 in Jackson County, IN to Margaret SMITH. Margaret died in Winterset, Iowa.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Andrea Burzynski
6119 Orient Lane
Columbia, MD 21045
agsburzynski@yahoo.com

IGS Adds Greene County Database; Reaches "2 for 92" Status with Members-Only Area

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

County Records
--Directory of Businesses in Greene County, Indiana (1858)

NOTE: This is a premium database, accessibly 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. With the addition of this database, we have now reached "2 for 92" status with our Members Only area.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 548 databases in the Members Only area, covering all 92 Indiana counties.

Allen County Society's Computer Users Group To Meet in Fort Wayne

The Computer Users Group of the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana will meet on April 20 at 7 pm in Meeting Room B of the Allen County Public Library. The meeting is open to visitors.

IGS Welcomes Rachel Popma As Quarterly Editor

The Indiana Genealogical Society welcomes Rachel Popma as the new editor of Indiana Genealogist. Rachel is a graduate of Ball State University and the University of Illinois, and received her Certificate in Genealogical Research from the Center for Professional Education at Boston University. She was an assistant editor of Indiana Historical Society Press' family history publications, both print and online, and now provides freelance research and editorial services for clients in the Indianapolis area.

Southern Indiana Genealogical Society To Discuss Cemetery Restoration

The Southern Indiana Genealogical Society will meet on Thursday, April 14 at 7 pm in the Strassweg Auditorium of the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library. Jeannie Regan-Dinius, Director of Special Initiatives for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources's Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, will speak on "Cemetery Restoration". Ms. Regan-Dinius will address cemetery laws, rules and regulations, cemetery preservation, and marking, recording and platting pioneer cemeteries. Her presentation is sponsored by Southern Indiana Genealogical Society and the Floyd County Cemetery Restoration Team.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

IGS Adds Newton County and Porter County Databases To Members-Only

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

County Records
--Directory of Businesses in Newton County, Indiana (1884)
--Directory of Businesses in Porter County, Indiana (1884)

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.

These are premium databases, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 546 databases in the Members Only area, covering all 92 Indiana counties.

QUERY: ELLSWORTH/DRUMMOND of Blackford County

Looking for information on Mary Elizabeth Ellsworth born in Blackford County, Indiana in 1849. She married Sylvester Drummond and had a daughter Clara Belle (Claribel) Drummond born 5 January 1882.

Submitted by:
Kimberly Jenkins Jones
Kimberlyakc3@aol.com

German Ancestry Workshop To Be Held in Indianapolis

The Indiana Chapter of Palatines to America will hold its Spring Meeting and Workshop from 9 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Athenaeum in Indianapolis (401 E. Michigan St.). The featured speaker will be Robert Rau who will present sessions on "Researching Your North German Ancestors" and "Reading German Church and Civil Records." The day will begin with Betty Warren presenting "Introduction to German Research." There will also be an opportunity to have any German documents or other materials translated.

Registration is $10 for Pal-Am members, $15 for non-members. Lunch will be served on an a la carte basis (price not included in the registration fee) in the Rathskeller. Registration deadline is April 1. Register online - for questions, contact the chapter secretary at blwarren49@aol.com

Allen County Society To Discuss Indiana Pioneers

The April 13 meeting of the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana will feature a program on the Society of Indiana Pioneers. Robert H. Everitt of Indianapolis will discuss the role of the organization and benefits of membership. The meeting is open to visitors as well as members and begins at 7 pm in Meeting Room A of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. Gathering time is 6:30 pm.

March 2011 issue of Indiana Genealogist Added To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added the March 2011 issue of Indiana Genealogist, the society's quarterly publication, to the IGS Records section of Members Only. It includes an article on Indiana's Civil War veterans who became GAR members in Colorado and Wyoming, church records from Burnett's Creek, and a case study of the problems in the Works Progress Administration (WPA)'s marriage indexes. As in every issue, there are also brief items from every region of the state.

This is the first issue that is available exclusively online.

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

Marion County Society To Discuss Revolutionary War

The Genealogical Society of Marion County will meet on Saturday, March 12 at 1 pm at the Pike branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Terry D. Prall will present a program on "Researching Revolutionary War Ancestors," using case studies to show what resources are available for tracing Revolutionary War soldiers. Attendees will also have the option of bringing something to be scanned (please contact info@GenealogyIndy.org for more information).

The meeting is free and open to the public.

IGS Thanks Michigan Genealogical Council for War of 1812 Donation

The Indiana Genealogical Society thanks the Michigan Genealogical Council in Lansing, Michigan for their $50 donation to our War of 1812 $10,000 Matching Challenge. Coupled with IGS' match, their donation means 200 more pages of pension files will be digitized!

In this challenge - which is in support of the Federation of Genealogical Societies' 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 before June 30, 2011, up to the first $10,000.

Any amount you can give will help - even $5 will digitize 10 pages. Donate online, or send your check (made payable to Indiana Genealogical Society, with "War of 1812" in the memo line) to:

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

IGS Thanks Elwood Pipecreek Genealogy Society for War of 1812 Donation

The Indiana Genealogical Society thanks the Elwood Pipe Creek Genealogy Society in Elwood, Indiana for their $100 donation to our War of 1812 $10,000 Matching Challenge. Coupled with IGS' match, their donation means 400 more pages of pension files will be digitized!

In this challenge - which is in support of the Federation of Genealogical Societies' 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 before June 30, 2011, up to the first $10,000. Thanks to the generosity of so many, we are over 40% to our match goal!

Any amount you can give will help - even $5 will digitize 10 pages. Donate online, or send your check (made payable to Indiana Genealogical Society, with "War of 1812" in the memo line) to:

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

IGS Adds Dearborn, Fulton & Johnson County Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added 8 more databases to the Members Only area:

College Records
--Students of Central Normal College, Danville (Fall 1935)
--Students of Wabash College, Crawfordsville (1939) [NOTE: This database includes information on the class of 1939 only]

County Records
--Directory of Businesses in Dearborn County, Indiana (1868)
--Directory of Businesses in Fulton County, Indiana (1868)
--Residents of Johnson County, Indiana (1874)

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.

Military Records
--Indiana's Civil War Veterans Buried In Fayetteville (Arkansas) National Cemetery
--Indiana's Civil War Veterans Buried In Green Lawn (Ohio) National Cemetery
--Indiana's Mexican War Veterans At National Home For Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (1904)

These are all premium databases, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 544 databases in the Members Only area, covering all 92 Indiana counties.