Friday, September 30, 2011

State Library To Discuss Catholic Church Records

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Catholic Church Records," on Friday, October 28 from 9 am to 10 am in the library's History Reference Room. The program will explore the various Catholic Church records that are available and how to use them.

This program is free and open to the public.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

State Library To Discuss Scrapbooks

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Preserving Scrapbooks and Albums," on Tuesday, October 25 from noon to 1 pm in the library's Indiana Authors Room. The program will show some of the challenges in preserving and caring for historic scrapbooks and albums, and how you can create your own archival scrapbooks.

This program is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

QUERY:BACHMANN/HOWE/HOUSTON/PRICE/ROELL/GLOSHEN of Vigo, Porter, and Franklin Counties

I came across the granddaughter of a cousin of mine through Find-A-Grave. Her grandmother and my great-grandfather were first cousins. We both have been working on this info for a couple of years now. Her grandmother was sent to an orphanage in 1883 in Terre Haute (St. Ann’s) when she was 2 ½ years old. Our search is to find her biological father, confirm her biological mother and determine why she was sent to an orphanage while her brother, 2 years older than her, was not and who she stayed with until that time. Below is the info we have on her, as briefly as possible, and would love to connect some of the dots.

Her name was Emma Cecilia Bachmann Howe Houston Price. She was born 18 March 1881 in Oldenburg, Indiana (based on a letter she wrote). No records of her birth have been found through Franklin County Courthouse Records in Brookville or the Holy Family Church in Oldenburg or St. Anthony’s Church in Morris, Indiana. No baptismal records were found either. Emma had written a letter to be opened upon her death in July 1929. She indicated in this letter that she had found her grandparents, Gervasis and Magdalena Bachmann from Oldenburg and that she had found her biological mother in Morris, Indiana but had since lost her address. She gave no indication as to how she found this information, nor did she write down her name! We assumed it was from her adoptive mother, Frances Rose Howe but that was never confirmed. Only one of the children of Gervasis and Magdalena Bachmann ever lived in Morris, Indiana. Her name was Magadalena Bachmann Roell. Magdalena had a previous child, out of wedlock, Albert Louis Bachmann, who later changed his name to Albert Louis Gloshen, after his father, Monroe Gloshen. A death certificate confirmed his parentage. We have not looked for any official adoption records for Albert. We assumed he just changed it because he knew his father. We have assumed that Monroe Gloshen was the biological father of Emma, but have not been able to confirm this since we have been unable to find descendents to the line of Albert or Monroe Gloshen.

We found a one line notation from an adoption ledger several years ago listing Emma “Mary” Bachmann, from INDIANAPOLIS. Her granddaughter was confused by the different middle name, as her grandmother always used Cecilia. I assume it was changed in honor of her adoptive mother’s relative, Mother Superior Mary Cecilia Bailly. Mother Superior is the daughter of Joseph Bailly, from the Bailly Homestead at Dunes State Park, in Porter County, Indiana. Mother Superior was the General Superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the Woods, directly succeeding Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. Frances Rose Howe adopted Emma. Frances visited her relative regularly and that is how she met Emma at the orphanage that Mother Superior oversaw. We have been unable to find any records of her birth in Indianapolis. These records of St. Ann’s orphanage have since been lost and no one knows where they are located any longer. A contact with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis would be helpful as numerous calls to try to find the records produces no results/return phone calls. There was no other information in this specific ledger. Trying to locate actual files from the orphanage has produced no results at all. We have checked with the Indiana Archives in Indianapolis, who would love to find these records, as they have had several inquiries for info on these orphans. The Indiana State Library has no genealogical records for the orphanage other than a couple of pictures of the building.

While on a trip to Porter County the first of June 2011, I went to several locations trying to find anything on Emma. The Porter County museum has numerous documents on Frances Rose Howe, Emma’s adoptive mother. Only brief mentions of her adoptive daughter are in the documents we have come across through the museum. Emma was officially adopted by Frances 23 September 1904, when Emma was 23 years old. Emma was removed from the orphanage in 1894 by Frances Rose Howe when she was 13, but was never formally adopted until she was 23 in 1904. A reason for this delay has not been found. We have come across some passport applications for Emma as she travelled abroad with Miss Howe. We were hoping to come across some personal diaries or papers from Miss Howe, but have not been able to locate any. We hoped to find that she had made mention somewhere of Emma’s parentage in her documents, as Miss Howe was a very astute business woman and left no T uncrossed or I un-dotted. While at the Clerk’s office in Valporaiso (the county seat), we tried to look up the will or estate of Frances Howe but could not find any records of significance. I showed them a receipt that we had from 1977, stating adoption information dates, etc. but the other information was not with it and we were told that the would have been the actual file of the adoption. The Clerk’s office indicated that the adoption records they once had for that time period “had been shipped to Indianapolis.” Which is a standard answer I receive from them any time I call. They cannot tell me to who or where they were shipped, just that they were shipped to Indianapolis. GEEZ!

While on this visit, I spoke with other individuals in the area at the library and the state park. Some of them suggested that I contact the Genealogical Society in Chicago and Detroit, as Frances Howe contributed much to both of these by way of influence and money. They seem to think that someone from those areas might have purchased the personal records of Frances Howe when the estate was up for auction and we may be able to find something through them. I have yet to find out where to contact someone from those areas. Again, our quest in locating some of the personal documents of Frances Howe may reveal how Emma learned of her parentage.

Emma’s assumed father, Monroe Gloshen, has turned up nothing. He was a resident of Franklin County, Indiana. Son of Nicholas Gloshen. Monroe then was “shipped off” to Rush County, to settle on a farm with his new bride, that his father purchased. Our guess is that Monroe may have been a wild-child of sorts and daddy needed to get him away from the crowd he had been with and straighten up! He married and moved to Rush County about the time Emma was sent to the orphanage, so we assumed there may be some connection, but without any descendents to speak with, we have no way of knowing any reasons for sure; it is all completely speculation on our part as to why he left. We have also not found any descendants of Albert, Emma’s assumed brother, to see if there were any family stories passed on.

Any help with finding descendants, adoption records, or information on the whereabouts of Frances Rose Howe documents or St. Ann Orphanage documents would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions anyone may have.

Kind regards,

Patti Moy
tmjmamamoy@sbcglobal.net

Query: STEWART of Montgomery County

I am looking for Joseph STEWART born Sept. 1st 1800 Ohio, Died 1849 Darlington, Montgomery Co. IN. I am looking for any information about Joseph STEWART parents especially his father. I am trying to go back, perhaps to the man hopfully his father who may have came directly from Scotland.
Any help that you can give me would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Jerri L. Cooperman
Postal Address: 2202 Myrtle Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51103
jerrieast@cableone.net

Query: CRONE/BEACH/THOMPSON/HUFF of Howard and Miami Counites

Subject: CRONE/BEACH/THOMPSON/HUFF

I am searching for information on JOSEPH CRONE and wife, SARAH JANE BEACH who moved from Richland/Ashland County, Ohio to Howard and Miami Counties , Indiana . Joseph: born ca 1812-17 in Pennsylvania died 5 Dec 1891 at Peru, Miami County and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (Now Mt. Hope Cemetery ) in Peru . His father may have been WILLIAM CRONE. SARAH BEACH, born ca 1821-1832 probably in Delaware. Died between 1860 and 1866. perhaps in Miami County-- When and where buried? She may have been the daughter of JOSHUA AND SARAH BEACH of Richland County, Ohio . No marriage record for Joseph and Sarah has been found. Joseph and Sarah had Henry, Joseph Jr. May Ann (deaf and dumb), Sarah, Helen/Ellen, and Emma Irene born in Ohio . After they moved to Indiana about 1856 they had Elizabeth June "Libbie", Bolivar and Ida M. Emma , Libbie, and Bolivar moved to Nebraska . Ida M. married SILAS K. THOMPSON 28 Jul 1882 in Miami County , Indiana . When did she die and where is she buried? After the death of Sarah Jane, Joseph married Mrs. Susan HUFF 31 Mar 1866 in Miami County , Indiana . Her first husband was Hansen Huff. They had at least Benjamin and Emma Huff. Joseph and Susan had no children. When did Susan Huff CRONE die and where is she buried?
Any help would be so appreciated.
Thank you, Sharon Lass Field
SLassField@bresnan.net
6511 Merritt Rd. Cheyenne, Wy 82009.

Query: AGY/YOUNG of Clay County

AGY FAMILY - lived on Depot Street in Saline City, Sugar Ridge Township, Clay County, during 1870's until around 1888. 2 AGY children died during that period, and are buried in the area.
Looking for information on Joshua AGY or Mary Elizabeth YOUNG AGY or any of the AGY children.
They moved from Saline City to Houston County, TN. Thank you!
Elizabeth Weir
1932 Mooty Bridge Rd
LaGrange, GA 3024
barbweir@charter.net

Query: COQUILLARD/CARTER of South Bend

I am a direct descendant of Alexis Serat dit Coquillard (co-founder of South Bend) through his son Alexis Theodore, his son Alexis Charles, and his daughter Matilda Coquillard (my grandmother), her son Allen Lewis Carter (my father).

Strange thing though, my family does not have our own Family Bible, but is in possession of the family Bible of the Alexis Coquillard that married Maude Perley. There is a hand written note in the back of the Bible with the date of marriage, Feb 23, 1881 and it is signed by Father Sorin (who states that he performed the marriage at St. Mary's - this is the same Father Sorin who founded Notre Dame). I have tried to make contact with the University of South Bend, and St Mary's Church which I believe would both have interest in the Bible, as well as the Coquillard family. Perhaps through this arena I will find an interested party. We are willing to return the Bible to its rightful owners or to donate it to the University or to the Church.

I had long believe that the photo in the Bible that was labeled Alexis Theodore was my Great Great Grandfather but now learned that the photo was mislabeled. So for my part - I are looking for any photos out there of Alexis Theodore Coquillard. I have a few of Alexis Charles as a child, but none of him as an adult and would love to see that as well. Alexis Charles left Indiana and moved to New York as a young man. He lived in the Riverdale/Spuyten Duyvil area of The Bronx where he met and married Winifred Sweeney Parks. They had 3 children Frederick Edward, Matilda Agatha, and Alexis Theodore (Ted). Neither of these boys married, so the Coquillard name died out in the New York area.

Thank you for any help in these two quests.
Contact me at:
Cherie Magee
PO Box 806
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
or ctimeline@aol.com

Query: EDGAR from Huntington

Looking for information on a - Richard C. "Chick" Edgar from Huntington, Indiana, born sometime around 1931. Any information about Mr. Edgar is welcome! Thank you.

Paula Coil
3811 Oakland Circle
Houston, Texas
prcoil@hotmail

Query: BECKS of Indianapolis and Marion and Fayette Counties

I am researching three brothers who were noted gunsmiths in the Marion County and Indianapolis area in the mid-1800s. Their names were Christian BECK, Samuel BECK, and Jacob BECK. Their father was Christian BECK; however, he did not open a gun shop in Indianapolis. He eventually moved to Tioga Illinois and then westward on the Oregon Trail.

The three Becks had gun shops listed in Indianapolis and they were listed in the Indianapolis City Directory from 1858 onward.

Christian BECK was born in Pennsylvania, I believe, in 1813 and died in Marion County, Indiana on August 17, 1886. Christian was the brother of Samuel BECK who also made rifles. Christian was a gunsmith in Connersville indiana and moved to Indianapolis in 1835. He was a gunmaker in Indianapolis for main years with the last year of record being 1880. Christian made both flintlock rifles and percussion rifles. Christian held 3 ranks during the Civil War. Here are his stats: Residence Connersville IN; Enlisted on 9/25/1861 as a 1st Lieutenant. On 10/5/1861 he was commissioned into "L" Co. IN 2nd Cavalry He was discharged for promotion on 11/2/1863 On 11/2/1863 he was commissioned into Field & Staff IN 7th Cavalry He was discharged for promotion on 3/1/1864 On 4/30/1864 he was commissioned into Field & Staff IN 9th Cavalry He Resigned on 10/28/1864 Promotions: * Capt 6/21/1862 * Major 11/2/1863 (As of 7th IN Cav) * Lt Colonel 3/1/1864 (As of 9th IN Cav) When a captain in the Civil War his outfit was surrounded by Rebs and he and his men cut their way out without losing a man. For this deed the Governor of Indiana, Oliver P. Morton, persented him with a gold-headed cane.

I am trying to verify the information above and see if anyone has any information on the BECKS either in Connersville or Indianapolis.

I will be using information in an article and all sources will be cited as well as societies. Thank you.

Regards,

Greg Allard

g.e.allard@hotmail.com

Query: Native American Heritage Research in Hamilton and Madison Counties

Looking for anyone who strongly suspect or were told that they have Native American Heritage particularly Delaware (Lenni-Lenape) from ancestors who lived on the White River near Strawtown, Perkinsville, and Anderson in Hamilton and Madison County.

Mike Lennis
E-mail melennis@iupui.edu

Query: SIDERS of Indianapolis

We know that our grandfather was living in Indianapolis, IN in 1963, the year of his death. However, he passed away while visiting his sister in Michigan and that is where he is buried. The last year we found any information on him was in 1949. He was in the City Directory in Decatur, Illinois. So, we thought we would track backwards from 1963. His name was Alonzo "Lonnie" SIDERS, born March 1898 in Fulton County, Illinois. He died in Michigan in June of 1963. Most of the records we found has his name as Lonnie. We are trying to bridge the gap from 1949 to 1963. We do not know when he left Illinois. If you could just point us in the right direction, we would be so appreciative.
Thanks,
Linda and Phil Siders
4005 Manzanita Avenue, Suite 6-207
Carmichael, CA 95608
suelindajon@yahoo.com

Query: COMER of Madison and Delware Counties

I am trying to locate the family of my great grandmother, Laura Eleanor COMER, born Oct. 20, 1860. Her father's name was Johnathan M.COMER, born June 6, 1834 in Ohio. I do not have her mother's name. She had siblings named Robert, Charles, Mildred and Rebecca. She was either born around Anderson, IN or Muncie, IN. Johnathan's father name was William COMER.

Laura moved to Missouri and married here around 1880.

Mildred lived at 215 East 6th St, Muncie, IN in June of 1927 and Rebecca was working in Indianpolis in this year. I do not know if Mildred married. Rebecca was married to a man named Will in March 1926 but I do not have is last name. I know this from lettersd written to my great grandmother that are in my possesion.

I can find nothing on her brothers.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Gloria Phillips
3120 Denmark Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044
gloria_phillips@sbcglobal.net

Allen County Library To Discuss Irish Research

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a class, "Resources for Irish Research in The Genealogy Center at ACPL," on Monday, October 17 from 2 to 3 pm in the library's Meeting Room A. Steve Myers will review some of the many resources for Irish research that are at the library.

The class is free - to register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

La Porte County Society To Discuss Immigration & Naturalization Records

The La Porte County, Indiana Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:15 pm at the Swanson Center for Older Adults (910 State Street, La Porte IN). Pat Harris and Harold Henderson will discuss immigration and naturalization records, including examples of fantastic misspellings, why you shouldn't focus only on Ellis Island, how naturalization laws and forms changed over time, and other research pitfalls. The meeting is open to the public - bring your questions!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Allen County Library to Discuss Footnote.com

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a class, "Introduction to Footnote.com," on Sunday, October 9 from 1 to 2 pm in the library's Meeting Room A. Delia Bourne will provide tips and techniques for searching the databases at Footnote.com.

The class is free - to register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

State Library to Discuss Census Research Problems

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Is Your Norma Listed As Warnie In The Census?," on Monday, October 24 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am in the library's History Reference Room. The program will show you how to deal with a variety of indexing errors when researching with the census, including mangled names. This program is free and open to the public.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Northwest Indiana Society To Discuss Census Records

The Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society will meet on Saturday, October 15 at 10 am at the Dyer-Schererville branch of the Lake County Public Library. Steve Szabados will give a program on "Mining Census Records," about how to utilize every morsel of information found in the census. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Northwest Indiana Society To Discuss Genealogy Brick Walls

The Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society will meet on Saturday, November 19 at 10 am at the Valparaiso branch of the Porter County Public Library. There will be a panel of experts to help you break through your most challenging research problems - aka genealogy "brick walls." The meeting is free and open to the public.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Allen County Library To Discuss Word 2010

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a class, "Microsoft Word 2010 for Beginners," on Monday, October 10 from 2 to 4 pm in the library's Computer Classroom. Kay Spears will present techniques for organizing a manuscript to prepare for printing, and how to manipulate photographs.

The class is free - to register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Allen County Library To Discuss Genealogy Blogs

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a class, "How to Become a Genealogy Blogger," on Thursday, October 13 from 2 to 3 pm in the library's Meeting Room A. Melissa Shimkus will dsicuss how to use blogs as a tool to share your genealogy research online.

The class is free - to register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Allen County Library To Discuss Family Tree Maker

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a class, "Beginning Family Tree Maker," on Sunday, October 2 from 1 to 2 pm in the library's Meeting Room A. Cynthia Theusch will show the basics of using Family Tree Maker genealogy software, including inserting photos and creating charts and reports.

The class is free - to register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Allen County Library To Discuss Family Histories

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a class, "Evaluating Published Family Histories," on Thursday, October 6 from 10 am to 11 am in the library's Meeting Room C. John Beatty will discuss how to assess the quality of a published family history and use them effectively in your research.

The class is free - to register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Hamilton County Library To Hold Ancestry Computer Workshop

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a computer workshop on using the Ancestry.com Library Edition on Wednesday, October 26 from 9:30 am to noon in the library's computer training lab. In this hands-on workshop, you'll have access to a computer and will learn the most effective way to search for your ancestors in the Ancestry Library Edition databases. There will also be time at the end of the workshop for you to start your own research.

This workshop is free but registration is required - register online through the library's events calendar or contact their Outreach Department - phone (317) 776-6939.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

State Library To Discuss Newspaper Research

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Newspapers in Genealogy," on Wednesday, October 19 from noon to 1 pm in the library's Indiana Authors Room. The program will explore the library's collection of Indiana newspapers and give tips for how to get the most out of it for your genealogy research.

This program is free and open to the public.

Allen County Library To Discuss Local Resources

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will hold a class, "Using Locality Sources," on Monday, October 3 from 2 to 3 pm in the library's Meeting Room A. Delia Bourne will discuss what useful sources may be available in the communities of your ancestors, and how to access them.

The class is free - to register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Allen County Library to Offer One-On-One Genealogy Consultations

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will offer 30-minute sessions of one-on-one consultations with a staff member to help you break through your brick wall in your research. The sessions will be offered on:

Tuesday, October 4 - 2 to 4 pm
Tuesday, October 11 - 2 to 4 pm
Tuesday, October 18 - 2 to 4 pm
Tuesday, October 25 - 2 to 4 pm
Wednesday, October 26 - 2 to 4 pm

You must pre-register for these sessions, and space is limited. To register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Allen County Library to Discuss Periodical Source Index (PERSI)

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will present a program on using PERSI (Periodical Source Index) on Saturday, October 8 from 10 am to 11 am in the library's Globe Room. Delia Bourne will discuss now to use PERSI, which is the largest subject guide to genealogy and local history periodicals. The program is free - to register, call (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Marion County Society To Discuss Civil War Records

The Genealogical Society of Marion County will meet on Saturday, October 1 at 1 pm at the waiting station of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. Vicki Casteel will present a program on the Indiana State Archives's collection of Civil War records, including the 1862 draft list, Indiana State Soldier's Home applications and veterans' grave registrations. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Louisville To Host Family History Seminar

The Louisville Genealogical Society in Louisville, Kentucky will host a Family History Seminar and Book Fair on Saturday, October 15 from 8:30 am to 4 pm at Beargrass Christian Church (4100 Shelbyville Road, Louisville KY). John Humphrey will be the featured speaker, with sessions on: "Finding Your German Ancestor’s Place of Origin"; "Using Church Records Effectively;" "German Immigration, Migration and Settlement Patterns within the U.S.," and "Reconstructing Families on the Colonial Frontier."

General admission is $5 and includes access to 8 free classes of wide-ranging interest to beginning and advanced genealogists alike, an exhibit area and a silent auction. The sessions by John Humphrey are an additional $10 each or $30 to attend all four. An optional box lunch is available for $7 for those who pre-register. Seating is limited and pre-registration is recommended.

To register, or for more information, please visit their website.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

State Library To Discuss Records Preservation

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Preservation for the Non-Professional," on Tuesday, October 11 from noon to 1 pm in the library's Indiana Authors Room. The program is geared towards the layperson who is interested in safeguarding their personal papers, photographs and other memorabilia in a non-digital format.

This program is free and open to the public.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

State Library To Discuss Naturalization Records

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Locating Naturalization Records in Indiana," on Saturday, October 8 from 11 am to noon in the library's History Reference Room. The program will explore the various naturalization records used in Indiana since 1816 and where to find those records.

This program is free and open to the public.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Hamilton County Library To Discuss Canadian Research

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop on Canadian research on Saturday, October 29 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in the library's Genealogy Classroom. You'll learn about what Canadian records are available, how to read them and where to find them.

This workshop is free but registration is required - register online through the library's events calendar or contact their Outreach Department - phone (317) 776-6939.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Seymour Library To Hold Research Lock-In

The Jackson County Public Library in Seymour will hold a research lock-in on Friday, October 28 from 6 to 11 pm. The evening will begin with a soup & sandwich (and dessert) supper and a talk on riverboat travel and records by Dan Back, river historian from Patriot, Indiana.

Researchers will have access to books, microfilm and computers until 11 pm, but may leave earlier if they prefer. The registration fee of $8 must be received by Thursday, October 20. The fee is not refundable but may be transferred with proper notice. Those attending the lock-in should be in the library by 5:45 pm, but may arrive earlier for a day of research.

A brief workshop for beginners will follow the supper if enough interest is indicated.

For more information about the lock-in and to register, please contact Local History Specialist Charlotte Sellers - (812) 522-3412 ext. 240 or csellers@myjclibrary.org

State Library To Offer Beginning Genealogy

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a series of programs for beginning genealogy on Thursday nights in October:

--Part 1 - Thursday, October 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the library's History Reference Room. In this part, you'll get an introduction to the beginning elements of genealogy research, along with an overview of the basic documents and resources you'll use to trace your family tree.

--Part 2 - Thursday, October 13 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the library's History Reference Room. In this part, you'll learn the various collections for family history research that are available at the Indiana State Library, as presented by Genealogy Collection Librarian Charles Hill.

--Part 3 - Thursday, October 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the library's History Reference Room. In this part, you'll learn what family history resources are available from various organizations, including local genealogical and historical societies and libraries, as well as the National Archives and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

These programs are free and open to the public.

State Library To Discuss County Histories

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Making The Most of The County Histories," on Wednesday, October 12 from noon to 1 pm in the library's History Reference Room. The program will discuss how both historical and modern publications of county histories can help you find biographical information on your ancestors, as well as local history knowledge. This program is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Louisville To Host Lineage Societies Fair

The Sons of the American Revolution's Genealogical Research Library in Louisville, Kentucky will hold a fair on Saturday, October 22 from 10 am to 1 pm. Representatives from several organizations, including Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, Children of the American Revolution and United Daughters of the Confederacy will be available to answer your questions about joining a lineage society. The library's lineage resources will also be available for use, including the SAR Patriot Index and access to Ancestry.com, HeritageQuest and Fold3 databases.

For questions, or additional information, please contact Rae Ann Sauer at (502) 588-6130 or rsauer@sar.org

IGS Adds Franklin County Church Database To Members-Only

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

Franklin County
--Members of Big Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Franklin County, Indiana (1817-1835)

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 670 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000 records.

Greencastle To Host Archives Workshop

The Society of Indiana Archivists and the State Historical Records Advisory Board of Indiana (SHRAB) will hold their Fall Workshop on Friday, October 7 from 9 am to 4:30 pm at the DePauw University Archives in Greencastle, Indiana. The theme of the workshop is "Nuts and Bolts: Archives Basics," and it is geared towards "accidental archivists" or new archivists - those who perhaps have been assigned archives work and are not sure what to do now. In the morning session, everyone will have a chance to work with actual collections in small groups. There will be plenty of opportunities to get your questions answered and discuss best practices. The afternoon will be devoted to management issues that might surprise you: creating a finding aid to aid users in discovering the collection, working with patrons, working with donors, digitizing your first collection, and marketing.

Registration is $30 for SIA members, $40 for non-members. To register, or for more information, visit http://www.inarchivists.org/workshops/files/2011FallWorkshop.php

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Southern Indiana Society To Discuss Civil War

The Southern Indiana Genealogical Society will meet on October 20 at 7 pm in the Strassweg Auditorium of the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library (180 W. Spring St., New Albany, IN). Author and historian Mike Peake will present a program, "The Civil War Illustrations of Captain Adolph G. Metzner." Capt. Metzner’s sketches, drawings, and watercolors were a visual diary of his three years of service with the First German, 32nd Regiment Indiana Infantry.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

State Library To Discuss Early Census Records

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Early Census Questionnaires 1790 to 1860," on Friday, October 7 from noon to 1 pm in the library's Indiana Authors Room. The program will talk about the earliest U.S. censuses and what kind of questions they asked.

This program is free and open to the public.

Monday, September 12, 2011

FGS Honors Curt Witcher With Award


Congratulations to Curt Witcher, the Immediate Past President of the Indiana Genealogical Society. At their recent conference in Springfield, Illinois, the Federation of Genealogical Societies honored him with their inaugural FGS Genealogical Tourism Award. The award was in recognition of his efforts in bringing 100,000+ visitors a year to the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

For details on the award, please see the FGS blog.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

IGS Adds Hendricks County Divorce Index to Members-Only

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

Hendricks County
--Index to Divorce Cases Filed in Hendricks County, Indiana (1953-1975)

This database was compiled from the divorce cases that were listed in Hendricks County Entry Docket Book Volumes 11 and 12.

This database is free to the public - no membership is necessary to view it.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 669 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000 records.

State Library To Discuss Family Businesses

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Researching Your Family's Business," on Wednesday, October 5 from noon to 1 pm in the library's Indiana Author's Room. The program will give you an overview of the library's resources for helping to research historic businesses in Indiana.

This program is free and open to the public.

State Library To Hold Genealogy Fair

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will hold their 3rd annual Indiana Genealogy & Local History Fair on Saturday, October 22 from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Indiana libraries and genealogy/local history groups, as well as commercial vendors, will have tables for you to browse. There will be 3 sessions offered, with speakers Lou Szucs of Ancestry.com and Deborah Engleking of the Indianapolis Stake Family History Center. Admission is free and Indiana librarians can earn LEUs for attending.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

African-American Newspaper for Indianapolis Digitized

The library of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) recently completed a project to digitize issues of the Indianapolis Recorder from 1899 through 2005. The digital images are available at http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/digitalscholarship/collections/Irecorder. The newspaper was published weekly and was a premier source of information about African-Americans in the Indianapolis area.

Friday, September 9, 2011

IGS Presents War of 1812 Check at FGS Conference

Yesterday, during the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in Springfield, Illinois, Indiana Genealogical Society President Presented FGS President Pat Oxley with a check for $24,234. The check was the result of our War of 1812 $10,000 Match Challenge to help raise the money to digitize the War of 1812 pensions at the National Archives and make them freely available online.


From left to right: IGS President Michael Maben; FGS President Pat Oxley; IGS Immediate Past President Curt Witcher; IGS Vice-President Tina Eisworth Lyons; IGS Corresponding Secretary Marlene Polster; IGS Southwest District Director Connie Conrad.


IGS President Michael Maben poses with the big check before the presentation.


Thank you to Tina Eisworth Lyons and Marlene Polster for the photos, and thank you to all who helped make our match challenge such a success!

Cemetery Restoration Workshop in Vigo County

The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society will offer an opportunity to get some hands-on experience cleaning and resetting tombstones with their cemetery preservation/restoration workshop on Saturday, October 8 from 9:30 am to 4 pm at the Rose Hill Cemetery in New Goshen, Vigo County, Indiana. Brad Manzenberger of Stone Revival Cemetery Restoration, Inc. will lead the workshop. Registration is $10 for WVGS members, $15 for non-members. Please visit their website for more information and to register.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

IGS Adds Noble County 1860 Mortality Schedule To Members-Only

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

Noble County
--Index to Mortality Schedule for Noble County, Indiana (1860)

The 1860 mortality schedule was a special schedule to the federal census that listed those who had died between 1 June 1859 and 31 May 1860.

This is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 668 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000 records.

Noblesville Library To Discuss Tombstones

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a genealogy roundtable on Tuesday, October 11 at 2:15 pm in the library's Genealogy Classroom. Participants can bring photos of unusual tombstones they have come across and share their experiences of doing cemetery research.

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

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Noblesville Library To Discuss Cemetery Research

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop, "Digging in The Cemetery," on Saturday, October 8 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in the library's Genealogy Classroom. You'll learn about what types of cemetery records are available, what the symbols on tombstones mean, and how to prepare for a trip to a cemetery.

This workshop is free but registration is required - register online through the library's events calendar or contact their Outreach Department - phone (317) 776-6939.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

September Issue of Indiana Genealogist Added to Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added the September 2011 issue of Indiana Genealogist, the society's quarterly publication, to the IGS Records section of Members Only.

This issue includes a continuation of a listing of Indiana's Civil War veterans who became GAR members in Colorado and Wyoming, as well as another installment of coroner inquest reports in Decatur County, and an article examining the information that can be found in county coroner's records. There is also an article about the history of a GAR chapter in Evansville honoring African-American veterans of the Civil War. As in every issue, there are also brief items from every region of the state.

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

Monday, September 5, 2011

IGS Adds African-American Databases To Members-Only

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

Gibson County
--African-Americans in Civilian Conservation Corps, Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana (1938)

Marion County
--African-Americans in Civilian Conservation Corps, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis (1938)

Posey County
--African-Americans in Civilian Conservation Corps, Wadesville, Posey County, Indiana (1938)

NOTE: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a New Deal employment program operating from 1933 to 1942. The United States and Indiana had numerous CCC companies, all of which were racially segregated.

These are premium databases, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 667 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000 records.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Porter County Library To Hold Beginner's Genealogy Workshop

The Genealogy Department of the Porter County Public Library is sponsoring a Beginner’s Genealogy Workshop on Wednesday October 5 from 6:15 to 8:45 pm at the Hebron Public Library (201 W. Sigler St., Hebron, IN 46341).

The workshop is for people just starting out tracing their family history, as well as for those more experienced in genealogy who want to get better acquainted with the resources that are available at the Porter County Library in Valparaiso. It will be led by Larry Clark, Porter County Genealogist, County Historian, and Head of the library's Genealogy Department.

The workshop is free but registration is required - to register, call (219) 996-3684.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Dick Eastman To Speak At Elkhart County Genealogical Society Workshop

Dick Eastman of Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter will be the speaker at the Elkhart County Genealogical Society's fall workshop on Saturday, November 5 at the Rush Memorial Center (304 W. Vistula St., Bristol, IN). Topics will include photographs, genealogy searches on Google, organizing and technology.

Registration is $25 if before October 29 or $30 if after October 29 or at the door. The registration fee includes lunch - see their website for registration and more information.

Lake County Museum To Host Civil War Photo Exhibit

The Merrillville/Ross Township Historical Society Museum in Lake County is hosting "Faces of the Civil War," a traveling exhibit created by the Indiana Historical Society. This special exhibit can be viewed from September 11 through October 2 during the museum's regular hours, which are Sundays from 1-4 pm (admission is free).

The exhibition brings to life the stories of many Hoosiers whose lives were touched, and in some cases taken, by the Civil War. Not all are well known or revered - many were just everyday citizens fulfilling their duties to their friends, family, state and country. Rather than focusing on statistics and large scale battles, "Faces of the Civil War" illustrates how regular people coped with the tragic experiences of the day — all from an Indiana perspective.

Civilian stories featured in the exhibit include the stories of women who served both on the homefront and on the battlefield. Lovina Streight followed her husband into battle and was captured more than once by the Confederate army while tending to her husband as well as his wounded and dying comrades. Streight, along with her husband, was buried with full military honors at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

In addition to the special exhibit, this year the museum is featuring information about local Civil War soldiers and veterans.

Friday, September 2, 2011

IGS Adds 10 County Records Databases To Members-Only

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

Porter County
--Residents of Porter County, Indiana Who Died in World War II (1942-1946)
NOTE: This database was submitted by the Porter County Public Library.

Jay County
--Index to Mortality Schedule for Jay County, Indiana (1860)
Marion County
--Index to Mortality Schedule for Marion County, Indiana (1860)
NOTE: The 1860 mortality schedule was a special schedule to the federal census that listed those who had died between 1 June 1859 and 31 May 1860.

Clay County
--Directory of Businesses in Clay County, Indiana (1858)
Fountain County
--Directory of Businesses in Fountain County, Indiana (1858)
Montgomery County
--Directory of Businesses in Montgomery County, Indiana (1858)
Owen County
--Directory of Businesses in Owen County, Indiana (1858)
Parke County
--Directory of Businesses in Parke County, Indiana (1858)
Putnam County
--Directory of Businesses in Putnam County, Indiana (1858)
Vermillion County
--Directory of Businesses in Newport, Vermillion County, Indiana (1858)

These are premium databases, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 664 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000 records.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

IGS Raises $12,117 For War of 1812 $10,000 Match Challenge

The Indiana Genealogical Society thanks these organizations for their donations to our War of 1812 $10,000 Matching Challenge, which ended on August 31:

--LaPorte County, Indiana Genealogical Society - $100 donation
--Detroit Society for Genealogical Research - $100 donation
--Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan - $150 donation

We not only met our goal in our $10,000 Match Challenge, we surpassed it - we rasied a total of $12,117 thanks to the generosity of some 220 individuals and organizations. Our donors represented 34 states as well as Australia! The Indiana Genealogical Society will be matching that $12,117 with $12,117 of our own, so the check we will be presenting the Federation of Genealogical Societies at their conference next week will be for $24,234. That represents over 48,000 images! And with Ancestry.com matching the Indiana Genealogical Society's donation, those 48,000 images will be matched by another 48,000 images - 96,000 images total!

Thank you all those who participated! Remember to check Fold3's site for progress on the digital images - there are over 60,000 images online so far.