Hendricks County Probate Court Docket - 1880's

Volunteers with the Indiana Genealogical Society's Records Preservation Project for Hendricks County probate records found a document listing the docket of cases to be heard in the probate court. The exact date of the docket is unknown - it is sometime in the 1880's. These were the cases on the docket:

Jonathan H. Johnson vs. Estate of Thomas S. Bray, deceased

Joseph Firkins vs. Estate of Ezekiel Clark, deceased (Hadley & Parker, attorneys)

James M. McClain vs. Estate of Elizabeth A. Clark, deceased (Hadley & Parker, attorneys)

Dorman & Dillon vs. Estate of Elizabeth A. Clark, deceased (Hadley & Parker, attorneys)

George W. Wells vs. Estate of Elizabeth A. Clark, deceased (Hadley & Parker, attorneys)

David M. Watts vs. Estate of Elizabeth A. Clark, deceased (Hadley & Parker, attorneys)

James M. Wills vs. Estate of Elizabeth A. Clark, deceased (Hadley & Parker, attorneys)

Henry Hoak (et al) vs. Estate of Elizabeth A. Clark, deceased (Hadley & Parker, attorneys)

Hendricks County Probate Records - September 1888

Volunteers with the Indiana Genealogical Society's Records Preservation Project for Hendricks County probate records found a document listing transactions that had been recorded in the probate court in September 1888, while the court was on vacation from its June term. The transactions were as follows:

Letters of Administration issued to the following estates:
--Mary Carter, deceased; John W. Keeney, administrator
--Sarah Bell, deceased; Thad S. Adams, administrator
--Ira Carter, deceased; Asael H. Carter, administrator
--Jesse C. Hodson, deceased; Ruth Hodson, administrator
--Allie B. Sandusky, deceased; Thad S. Adams, administrator
--Mary Marshall, deceased; William R. McClelland, administrator

Wills Probated and Letters Testamentary issued as follows:
--Last will and testament of James Padgett, deceased
--Last will and testament of Julia A. Lawson, deceased
--Last will and testament of Malachi Haley, deceased; Michael J. Power, administrator with will annexed
--Last will and testament of Robert R. Downard, deceased; George T. Pattison, administrator with will annexed
--Last will and testament of Ralph Barton, deceased; Angalina Barton, administrator
--Last will and testament of Alfred H. Richardson, deceased; George W. Millhon, executor

Letters of Guardianship issued to the following persons:
--James M. Emmons, guardian of Cora Bateman, Theodore Bateman, Nelly Bateman and James H. Bateman, minor heirs of Noah Bateman, deceased
--Patrick Walsh, guardian of William Walsh, minor heir of Thomas Casserly, deceased
--William R. McClelland, guardian of James C. Hamrick, an habitual intoxicant
--Bridget Corkern, guardian of Timothy Corkern, a minor
--George W. Millhon, guardian of D. Voorhees Richardson, Frank E. Richardson, Earl H. Richardson and Von E. Richardson, minor heirs of Alfred H. Richardson, deceased
--George W. Millhon, guardian of William B. Craven, minor heir of Alfred H. Richardson, deceased

Submitted 24th day of September, 1888 by Enoch G. Hogate, Clerk

New Database of Muncie Library's Records

The Muncie Public Library and Ball State University have collaborated to create What Middletown Read, a database of the Muncie library's circulation records for 1891 through 1902. It is a fascinating glimpse into the reading habits of Delaware County residents, and the database also contains supplemental information about the residents, as compiled from census records and city directories.

Bartholomew County Society Offers War of 1812 Calendar

The Bartholomew County Genealogical Society in Columbus is commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 by selling a 2012 calendar commemorating Bartholomew County's War of 1812 veterans. The calendar is $12, with an additional $3 if the order is shipped (local residents can pick up their order). The proceeds from the calendar will be used to provide War of 1812 markers for these veterans and if funding permits, to restore some of their gravestones.

To order a calendar, visit their website, send an e-mail to bcgs47202@yahoo.com, or call (812) 372-4033. Check and order information may also be sent directly to:

Bartholomew County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 2455
Columbus, IN 47202

If you know of a War of 1812 veteran that has links to Bartholomew County, please contact the society so that they may also be honored.

Newton County Library To Host DAR Genealogy Workshop

The Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution will be sponsoring a genealogy workshop at the Kentland Public Library in Newton County on Saturday, December 3 from 9 am to noon Central time. This is a free workshop that is open to the public and casual - no reservations are necessary. The workshop is for beginners, as well as anyone who has a general interest in genealogy. If someone has a Revolutionary War ancestor and is interested in DAR membership, that help will be provided. For more information, please contact JoAn Nichols (joanichols@juno.com)

Social Security Applications Now Have Information Restricted

Bad news for researchers who request the Social Security application of an ancestor - if the record you are requesting is for someone whose birthdate isn't at least 100 years ago (e.g. 1911 or earlier), the Social Security Administration is now blacking out the parents' names. As Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak points out in her blog, this would mean the parents would likely have been born 120-150 years ago.

Kosciusko County To Host Photo Workshop

The Warsaw Community Public Library in Kosciusko County will host a workshop, "Managing Photographic Collections," on Monday, December 5 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The workshop will be led by Joan Hostetler and is geared towards those who work in libraries, societies, museums and archives, with information on cataloging, preserving, storing and digitizing photos. For more information, including registration cost, visit http://managingphotographs.eventbrite.com.

Union County Cemetery Vandalized

According to an article in the Richmond Palladium-Item, Silver Creek Cemetery in Liberty Township, Union County has been vandalized. The damage was estimated to cost thousands of dollars to repair, with over 80 tombstones broken or toppled. The cemetery's listing on Find A Grave shows 113 burials, dating back to the early 1800's.

Decatur County Genealogist To Receive Award

Congratulations to Russell Wilhoit! The Indiana County Genealogist for Decatur County will be honored by the Indiana Historical Society with their Willard C. Heiss Family History/Genealogy Award for his contributions to genealogy and family history.

You can read more about Wilhoit's accomplishments in this Greensburg Daily News article.

Southern Indiana Genealogical Society To Meet

"A Glimpse Through Time" is the theme for the December meeting of the Southern Indiana Genealogical Society. A video presentation of SIGS members and events throughout the years will be shown. The public is invited to attend and share news of their genealogical research. Refreshments will be served. Meeting time is Saturday, December 1 at 7 pm in the Strassweg Auditorium of the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library (180 W. Spring St., New Albany, IN). For more information about the society, visit http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~insigs/nextmeet.htm.

2 Counties Added To Indiana Marriage Index

FamilySearch has updated the Indiana marriage index 1811-1959 that is in progress. Entries from Gibson County and Jackson County have been added. There are now over 2 million entries representing 32 of Indiana's 92 counties.

Visit our Indiana Marriage Indexing Project page to learn more about this joint project between the Indiana Genealogical Society and FamilySearch and how you can help.

Valparaiso To Host Beginner's Genealogy Workshop

The Porter County Public Library in Valparaiso is sponsoring a Beginner’s Genealogy Workshop on Saturday, December 10 from 9:30 am to noon. The workshop is for people who are just starting out tracing their family history, as well as for those more experienced in genealogy who want to get better acquainted with the library's resources.

Larry Clark - Porter County Genealogist, County Historian, and head of the library's Genealogy Department - will conduct this free workshop. Registration is required - call (219) 462-0524 ext. 5.

IGS Appoints 4 County Genealogists

At its November board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed 4 more Indiana County Genealogists:

Sue Caldwell of Rensselaer is the Indiana County Genealogist for Jasper County. Sue moved to Indiana in 1961 and will soon celebrate her 50th anniversary with her husband James. She worked in banking for 20 years and has been doing genealogical research for about 40 years. In addition to the Indiana Genealogical Society, she also holds memberships in the Jasper County Historical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Ohio Genealogical Society. She has several projects under consideration, including digitizing some of the genealogical records available at the Jasper County Historical Society and starting a photo collection of Jasper County families and their ancestors.

Barb Mulholland of Wolcottville is the Indiana County Genealogist for LaGrange County. Barb is a life member of the Noble County Genealogical Society and has spent the past few years in LaGrange County and Noble County doing genealogy research. She is currently partnering with the LaGrange County Historical Society, the LaGrange County Public Library, the local DAR Chapter and 4-H leaders to form a strong LaGrange County Genealogical Society.

Debby Warren of Clinton is the Indiana County Genealogist for Vermillion County. Debby has worked very closely with Walter Warren, the former ICG for Vermillion County, and has a good working relationship with the county clerk's office. She volunteers in the genealogy department of the Vermillion County Public Library, helping them with indexing and enjoys helping others with their research. She serves on the board of directors of the Wabash Valley Genealogy Society and is also on several of their committees.

Terri Wargo of Williamsport is the Indiana County Genealogist for Warren County. A lifelong resident of Warren County, she serves as the director of the West Lebanon-Pike Township Public Library and is also the Warren County Historian. Terri enjoys writing articles for the Danville, Illinois Commercial News and is dedicated to the preservation of Warren County history and helping anyone with their genealogy.

About ICG
Indiana County Genealogist (ICG) 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 promotes genealogical and historical research and education within the county, is familiar with the genealogical records and repositories in the county, is aware of record retention policies and issues and acts as a resource person for those doing research in the county.

If you would like to apply to be an Indiana County Genealogist for your area, please visit http://www.indgensoc.org/county_genealogists.php

Query: RICHARDSON/CARROLL of Indianapolis

Seek info Joel RICHARDSON born 28 Mar 1812; married Amy/Ama CARROLL 11 Nov 1852 Botetourt Co, VA; died 2 June 1868 (birth & death according to Family Bible)

Bible records name children:
twins born 12 May 1854
Josephus born 20 Aug 1855 VA; married Jennie U. HILL
Mary Elizabeth born 6 Apr 1857, married Charles J. DUGRANRUT 1882, died 13 May 1925
William L born 12 Mar 1859
James Franklin born 19 May 1862

In 1880 Census, Indianapolis, IN, Josephus RICHARDSON lists mother born Virginia.
Joel's son, Josephus, & grandson, William Henry Harrison, both buried Crown Hill Cem, Indianapolis.

Josephus employed by Indianapolis police late 1890s. (Could "billy club" have been his?)

Cannot find anything on death of Joel. Was he in Civil War? Where buried?

Joan Griffis
12420 Wild Acres Road
Largo, FL 33773
JBGriffis@aol.com

Query: WALLACE of Indiana

Looking for information on Nancy WALLACE b. IN 1839. lived in Iowa in 1856
Joseph WALLACE b IN 1842, lived in iowa in 1856
William WALLACE b. IN 1844, lived in iowa in 1856
Lucinda WALLACE, b. IN 1846, lived in iowa in 1856

Katherine Henley
2516 Longwood
Pearland, TX 77581
hnly_k@yahoo.com

Query: MOREE/HOKE of Kendallville

George DeForest MOREE was b. 13 Nov 1854 in Avilla, Noble Co. only s/o Benjamin MOREE and Lydia Ann (HOKE) MOREE of Kendallville. Court Docket say he was sued on 5 Mar 1888 - by Minerva BLY for damages on breach of promise of marriage contract. He said he didn't. Case was continued at defendant's cost. June 1888 Civil Docket.

[I tried to find the papers for this case and the only ones remaining were the Docket record and Court announcements.]

No1806 - Minerva Bly Breach of Contract to marry -
vs. George Moree
"Come again said parties by their attorneys aforesaid and this cause is now here settled, and upon the written precipe of the parties now here file by them, the same is dismissed at the cost of said plaintiff."
"It is therefore considered and adjudged by the Court that said defendant do have and recover of and from said plaintiff his costs hers expended, taxed at ______ dollars and ____ cents."
"And it is further ordered by the court that said precipe be spread upon the record, which is done, and is in the words and figures following from 'Minerva Bly vs George moree in the Noble Circuit Court June term 1888."
"This cause is settled and by a agreement it is to be dismissed and plaintiff is to pay all costs made in the cause including those taxed to the defendant."
"It is therefore considered and adjudged by the Court that said defendant do have and recover of and from said plaintiff his costs hers expended, taxed at ______ dollars and ____ cents."
"And it is further ordered by the court that said precipe be spread upon the record, which is done, and is in the words and figures following from 'Minerva Bly vs George Moree in the Noble Circuit Court June term 1888."
"This cause is settled and by a agreement it is to be dismissed and plaintiff is to pay all costs made in the cause including those taxed to the defendant." John F. Bowman Plft. Atty.
R. P. Barr, Atty for deft."

Does anyone know of these people or the case. I am interested in any other information. Thanking you in advance.

Bette Butcher Topp
1304 W. Cliffwood
Spokane, WA 99218
toppline@comcast.net

Query: JOHNSON / PARRISH/ VEATCH / LAWSON of Indianapolis

Sarah Jane JOHNSON b. 21 Mar 1833 in Indianapolis, IN was d/o Milton JOHNSON (1807-1832 IN) and Mary "Polly" PARRISH (1809 KY- 1865 IN)

Sarah Jane m. Peter Lowry VEATCH who d. in 1890 in Schuyler Co., MO.
I believe that Milton was s/o Jeremiah JOHNSON and Jane LAWSON.

Appreciate any info at all on this Johnson family.

Bette Butcher Topp
1304 W Cliffwood Ct.
Spokane, WA 99218
toppline@comcast.net

Query: WALL of Lake County

Looking for any information concerning the parents of Andrew J. WALL or when they immigrated from Sweden:

Andrew J (John) Wall
born 4-13-1826, Sweden
died 2-16-09, Hobart, Lake County, Indiana

Married in 1847 to:
Elena Catharina "Ellen C"
born 12-23-1822, Sweden
died 7-5-1886, Hobart, Lake County, Indiana

Any information would be appreciated

Stefanie Powell
3607 Fritz Lane
Corinth, TX 76208
mountainhome1907@yahoo.com

Query: WALLACE Connection In Indiana

Researching "WALLACE connections" who lived in Indiana during the birth of her first 3 children ( from 1839-1844).

Stated in the Iowa State Census Collection 1836 - 1925....Mother, Cornelia WALLACE (b. abt.1807 in NY); Daughter Nancy b. 1839 IN; Son Joseph b. 1842 IN; Son William b. 1844 IN; and Daughter Lucinda b. 1846 Iowa.

Spouse of Cornelia not listed.
Thanks for your assistance.

Katherine Smith Henley
hnly_k@yahoo.com

Query: PAGE of Gibson County

I am looking for information on my (3rd Great Grandfather) James PAGE born 14 July 1783 in The state of New York, passed away Feb. 21, 1862 in Gibson County, Indiana. I'm specifically looking for who were his parents.

Robert Lee Page
stampede_maximize@hotmail.com

Query: SPAULDING / JONES / TURPIN / LAWLER / MURRAY of Vanderburgh County

Looking for Information on the following names: James A. SPAULDING b. 1809 Maryland d. 09 Nov. 1856 Evansville, Wife Almira Lucretia THOMPSON SPAULDING b. 1813 Virginia d. 18 Jan 1902 Evansville, Ind.

James came to Indiana from Portsmouth, VA with 8 children in 1851-52. He was a gunsmith by trade and became an assessor for Vanderburgh Cty. 2 additional children were born in Ind. He died suddenly in 1856 and is buried in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Evansville.

The 10 Children are:
Cecilia SPAULDING/JONES&TURPIN Abt. 1920
John E. SPAULDING 1838 - Civil War
Amelia E. SPAULDING/LAWLER 1841 - 1885
James A. Polk SPAULDING 1844 - 1926
Mary Ann SPAULDING 1847 - aft. 1860
Francis "Frank" Thompson SPAULDING 1849 - 1881
Joseph SPAULDING 1850 - 1970 Civil War
Charles Anthony SPAULDING b. Ind. 1853 - 1902
Emma P. SPAULDING/MURRAY b. Ind. 1855 - aft. 1861

Cheryl Spaulding
406 Lloyd Ave.
Downingtown, PA 19335
ccspaulding@verizon.net

Query: WOODS of Warren County

Looking for Mariah WOODS - who she married - Father was William WOODS who lived in Warren Co. (farmer) and her mother was Isabel WOODS. Both born in Ireland - had 5 children in US. She died early in life, but cannot find where she was buried. She was born 1859 in Ohio.

Thanks in advance.
Rita Woods
P.O. Box 6441
Spring Hill, FL 34611
rsnyder8@tampabay.rr.com

Fountain County Cemetery Damaged by Construction

According to a report by the Fountain County Cemetery Commission, some of the graves at Burch-Covalt Cemetery has been damaged by nearby construction. The cemetery dates back to 1858 and includes 47 graves that lie underneath U.S. 41. Read the article in the Danville (Illinois) Commercial-News for more information.

National Archives Posts 1940 Census Video

With the release of the 1940 census planned for April 2012, the National Archives has posted a 10-minute video on YouTube. The video is a newsreel from the time, instructing census enumerators on how they were to complete their forms and the importance of the census. It offers some fascinating details about the questions that were asked for the 1940 census, including the many detailed questions about each person's employment. Thanks to Dick Eastman for sharing the link.

Changes to Social Security Death Index

Updates made to the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) will no longer include deaths that are reported from death records, due to state laws that restrict public access to vital records. Also, some 4 million entries that are already in the SSDI will be removed because they used death records as their source.

For more information about this change, please see Steve Danko's blog post.

Nominations for 2011 Indiana Governor's Award

The Indiana State Historic Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Governor's Award. The award honors individuals (both professionals and volunteers) who have contributed substantially to the preservation, recognition or appreciation of Indiana’s historic records. Nominations must be made before November 15th, with the award presented in December. Please visit their website for the nomination form and more information.

IGS Adds 8 Databases To Members Only

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

College Records:
--Faculty of Indiana Asbury University, Greencastle (1858)
[NOTE: Indiana Asbury University later became DePauw University]

--Students of Earlham College, Richmond (1940)
[NOTE: This database only includes the class of 1940]

--Faculty of Indiana Dental College, Indianapolis (1925)
[NOTE: Indiana Dental College later became Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)]
--Students of Indiana Dental College, Indianapolis (1925)
[NOTE: This database only includes the class of 1925 and the class of 1926]

--Faculty of Wabash College, Crawfordsville (1939)

County Records:
--Elected Officials in Dearborn County, Indiana (1803-1915)

--Teachers of Kokomo High School, Howard County, Indiana (1932)

Military Records:
--Veterans Who Died At Indiana State Soldiers Home, Lafayette, Indiana (1910-1911)

These are premium databases, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 696 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000 records.