Jeffersonville To Host Lectures on Southern Indiana History

The Filson Historical Society of Louisville, along with The Paul Ogle Foundation and the Jeffersonville Carnegie Library Foundation, is sponsoring a series of lectures about events in southern Indiana history. The lectures will focus on how historical events impacted southern Indiana, utilizing artifacts, manuscripts and other items from The Filson’s collections.

These lectures are free and will be held at the Jeffersonville Carnegie Library, 129 E. Court Avenue, Jeffersonville IN:

--Tuesday, March 20 beginning at noon: "The Hannibal of the West: George Rogers Clark and the American Revolution in the West" with Jim Holmberg, the Filson’s curator of special collections. Holmberg will discuss George Rogers Clark’s 1778-79 Illinois campaign. Clark’s success helped secure the United States’ claim to the area north of the Ohio River that eventually became five states, including Indiana.

--Wednesday, April 18 beginning at noon: "The Great River Catastrophe: The Collision of the Steamboats America and United States on the Ohio River in 1868," with Mark V. Wetherington, the Filson’s director. He will examine the collision between the two steamboats and what the disaster tells us about life and death along the Indiana shore of the Ohio River.

--Wednesday, May 16 beginning at noon: "The Hard Dilemma’ of Quaker Pacifists in Civil War America" with A. Glenn Crothers, Filson director of research. Crothers will explore the ways in which Quakers living in the Ohio and Potomac Valleys — the great borderlands between slavery and freedom — responded to the Civil War.

Registration is requested - to register, visit the Upcoming Events section of the Filson Historical Society's website.

Brown County Library To Host Workshop on Online Resources

The Brown County Public Library in Nashville, Indiana will host a free genealogy workshop by the Brown County Genealogical Society on Wednesday, March 7 from 12:30 to 2 pm. Genealogists of all levels are welcome - beginners will start with the very basics, while intermediate and advanced researchers can brush up on their skills and learn about recent releases of historic data. Diana Biddle, Indiana County Genealogist and Historian for Brown County, will be the instructor.

This workshop will focus on computer software as well as online resources on the local, state and national level.

If you have a laptop computer, you are welcome to bring it to the workshop. Registration is required in order to ensure adequate space. To register, contact Diana Biddle - dlynbid@gmail.com

Query:GRIST/STAFFORD of Hancock and Vigo Counties

I am looking for descendents of Carl (Carlson) GRIST, b. 1878 Hancock Co, IN and d.
1952 Vigo Co,IN, brother to my grandfather, George GRIST. He married Jessie STAFFORD and settled in Vigo County, IN. They had Pearl A, Robert(Bobby)J and Claude A. Looking for information and connection.
Thanks.
Roberta Girst Hunt
8428 S. Greensboro Pike
Knightstown, IN 46148
robertahunt40@hotmail.com

IGS Adds Database for LaGrange County 1860 Mortality Schedule

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

--Index to Mortality Schedule for LaGrange 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 739 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000+ records.

Query: NELSON/BRANHAM

Looking for proof of birth or a Birth Certificate for Elijah Monroe NELSON, born January 18, 1885 in Indiana. His parents were Peter NELSON and Ida Belle BRANHAM NELSON
Clydene Janssen
208 Holcomb rd.
Kelso, WA 98626
pnh13gk@cni.net

Query: HELLER of Clay County

Looking for information on a HELLER family said to have been from Brazil City, Ward 4, Clay Co, IN.

David K. HELLER b. 1850 PA wife Sarah J. b. 1851 no other info (must have been living when Daughter Cora was born in 1879. Daughters of David and Sarah are Lillian A. Heller b. 1873, Lydia May Heller b. 1877 d.1930, Cora M. Heller b. 1879

Either Sarah J, or one of the three daughters said to had been the first auto fatality in Brazil but no other information known or found. Wondering if it is possible that Sarah J was the first fatality and not one of the daughters.

A David K. Heller shows in the 1870 census of Crane, Paulding, OHIO in the home of a LANE family. David K. is 20 --said to be a "collier" which could be a coal miner.

Thanks for any info you may have.

Virginia M WINN Parker
Ventura Co, CA
winngen7391@aol.com

Query: CLARK/PELHAM of Franklin County

Looking for Information on War of 1812 for, Johnson C. CLARK of Franklin County
And a marriage record for Johnson J. CLARK and Elizabeth Elva PELHAM, County unknown date abt; 1847.
Thank you,
Joy Morris
5356 Anchorage Dr.
St. James City, FL 33956
j.h.morris@embarqmail.com

Query: MATHIAS/HOLLAND of Tippecanoe County

Looking for the final resting place of Thomas MATHIAS In the 1880 U.S. Census he is listed age: 62, shoemaker, married to Sarah age: 47, both living in Clarks Hill, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Listed with them are two children, Joseph, age 36 and Anna, age 9. Thomas was born Sept. 15, 1818, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, son of Joseph and Prudence HOLLAND MATHIAS. He is a younger brother of James MATHIAS, my great-great grandfather. Any other information on these people after 1880 would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
David Mathias
406 N. 6th st.
Wyoming, Il61491
dmathias1953@yahoo.com

LaPorte County Society To Discuss Genealogy Finds

The LaPorte County, Indiana Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, March 13 at 7 pm at the Swanson Center for Older Adults (910 State Street, LaPorte, IN). Members and friends will share their favorite "lucky finds" of all sorts - even those that are not related to their own families. The public is welcome.

Query: AKERS/ACERS of Elkhart

I am researching the Jacob AKERS (ACRES) family. He is in the 1860 census and not the 1870 census so I’m trying to find where and when he died. The rest of his family is still in the Elkhart area for the 1870 census. Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Nancy Sansone
lvlady@cox.net

Query: ACUFF of Posey County

Am interested in the ACUFF family in Posey County, Indiana in the first half of the 1800s, particularly John Acuff and wife Lydia, and John D. Acuff and wife Jane. Some of these Acuff's also moved into White County Illinois. Dozens of ACUFF's lived in these two counties from the 1820s through the late 1800s, but I can find very little information about the family, and have only found three Acuff gravesites in Posey County. Need any info and any grave locations. Will share more detailed information I have upon request.
Jerry Hanson
528 Ramsey
Whitefish, MT 59937
jericho@cyberport.net

Query: ROGERSON/ROWE/BURGER of Clay County

I am looking for information about Eliza J (ROGERSON) ROWSE. She was b.Feb 1865 and d.28 Nov 1894 and is buried at Peavey Cemetery in Clay County. She was married to Artemus ROWSE for a short time before she died. I know she had one child, Myrtle D. (b.1892-d.1971) and possibly my Great Grandmother Lettia Matilda (ROWSE) BURGER. My G Grandmother was b.1884 - d.1934 and is buried also at Peavey Cementary in Clay County. FYI and very odd, Myrtle is buried in Mishawaka, just a few miles from my home !
Mark Merrill
2907 Lexington Blvd
Mishawaka, IN 46544
ivy_walls@yahoo.com

Query: RODMAN/OGLESBY/BALLARD of Washington County

I’m looking for any will, obituary or any other documents of my 4th great grandfather, Dr. William T. RODMAN (1783-1841), husband of Ann Haden OGLESBY(1788-1846), mentioning my 3rd great grandfather Hugh Hurst RODMAN (1807-1884), husband of Rebecca BALLARD (1812- abt 1885). My grandfather Dr. RODMAN died in Washington Co. and is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Thanks so much for any help or guidance!
Jeff Wise
Jeff.Wise@microsoft.com]

Query: BROWN

I'm looking for information on my great grand father...Charles T. BROWN who was a la'santiate (sic) or priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Indiana in the 1800. He was sent to Liberia , West Africa, to open a school. I have found that he was sent to Maryland or Sinoe Counties of Liberia. Any infomation would be highly appreciated. His name lingers with the Cuttington College or Ferguson High school of Liberia which are both run by the Episcopal Church.
Bankee Brown-Stewart
302 Idalroy Trail
hopatcong, NJ 07843
bankeestewart@optonline.net

Carmel Library To Discuss Heritage Quest

The Carmel Clay Public Library in Hamilton County is offering an "Ask The Expert" genealogy roundtable on Thursday, March 22 at 7 pm. Priscilla Austen will lead a discussion about the resources on Heritage Quest Online. All are welcome.

National Archives - Chicago Branch To Close For Repairs

The textual and microfilm research rooms at the National Archives - Great Lakes branch in Chicago will close on Monday, February 27, 2012 for repairs and will reopen to the public on March 30, 2012. During the closure, there will be an alternate research room for the textual records; however, no microfilm readers or public access computers will be available. For updates, please visit their website or Facebook page - www.facebook.com/NationalArchivesChicago.

IGS Conference in Fort Wayne April 28

Thank you to all that have already registered for the Indiana Genealogical Society's annual conference on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Debra S. Mieszala is the featured speaker. Her talks include:

• Lessons from a Snoop: Collaterals and Associates
• Bringing Our Soldiers Home
• Digging Through Documents Word By Word
• Patently Unique: Locating Patent Records, Online and Off

A second track of sessions features:

• What’s New with FamilySearch with Michael Hall from FamilySearch
• Finding Indiana Records and Research in FamilySearch with Michael Hall
• Becoming an Expert on Using Ancestry with ACPL librarian, Melissa Shimkus
• Writing a Book Using Family Tree Maker and Microsoft Word with Curtis Sylvester, President of the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana

Pre-registration is $40 ($30 for Indiana Genealogical Society members) or $45 at the door. Printable registration forms as well as online registration are available at www.indgensoc.org/conference.php.

Spend the day learning from experts, researching in the country’s second largest genealogical library and collaborating with other genealogists.
Come a day early to join the IGS pre-conference and gain research time in the library. Topics on Friday, April 27, 2012 will include:

• Indiana County Genealogists Show N’ Tell
• Social Media for Our Societies
• Ask the Experts Panel

Registration for the pre-conference is only $5 ($7 at the door). Find out more at www.indgensoc.org/seminar.php.

Family Tree Magazine To Hold Indiana Research Webinar

Family Tree Magazine is hosting a webinar, "Indiana Genealogy Crash Course," on Tuesday, March 20 at 8 pm Eastern. Harold Henderson, the Indiana County Genealogist for LaPorte County, will guide you through the essentials of researching in Indiana, including ethnic resources, vital records, immigration details and the best websites to use.

For more information, including cost and registration, visit Indiana Genealogy Crash Course.

Noblesville Library To Explore Fold3 and American Ancestors Databases

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop, "Exploring Fold3 and American Ancestors Databases," in the library's computer training lab on Thursday, March 29 from 9:30 am to 12 pm. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the most effective ways to search for ancestors in the Fold3 and American Ancestors databases. This is a hands-on workshop and you will have access to a computer, so be sure to bring information about your ancestors.

This workshop is free - register online through the library's events calendar, or call their Outreach Department (317) 776-6939.

Society of Indiana Archivists to Hold Conference in Indianapolis

The Society of Indiana Archivists will hold their annual conference on April 27-28 at the University of Indianapolis. The conference theme is "Outreach," with sessions including ways to create a digital library and the use of archival software. The pre-conference will feature a workshop, "Disaster Preparedness and Salvage," which will include a hands-on exercise in salvaging materials that are wet. Registration is limited - for more information, please see their registration information.

National Archives Unveils 1940 Census Website

The National Archives has unveiled the website it will use to release the 1940 census - http://1940census.archives.gov. This website will go online on April 2, 2012 at 9 am Eastern with images from the 1940 census (as a helpful video on the site explains, the census was already on microfilm, but the National Archives has spent the last few years digitizing the microfilm in preparation for the April release date). This website and its images will be free to the public.

The genealogy community will be collaborating to create an index to the 1940 census once the digital images go online - visit http://the1940census.com to learn more about the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project.

LaPorte County Society Offers Bus Trip to Fort Wayne

The LaPorte County Genealogical Society, in conjunction with the Michigan City Public Library, is sponsoring a bus trip to the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne for a day of research at the Genealogy Center. The bus trip will take place on Wednesday, April 18. Reservations are $21 and must be made before March 30 - for more information, see their reservation form (PDF).

Hendricks County Library To Host DAR Workshop

The Danville Public Library will host a DAR Membership Research workshop on Saturday, March 24 from 9 am to 1 pm in the library's Indiana Room. Members of the Wa-Pe-Ke-Way Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be on hand to answer questions about Revolutionary War research and assist you with the research needed to become a DAR member.

Any woman who is 18 or older who can prove their lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership in the DAR. If you would like more information on DAR or on the workshop, please contact Tammy Snider, phone (317) 858-9321, or Ruth Sims, phone (317) 852-2365.

IGS Adds Indiana University 1901 Databases

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added databases about Indiana University to the College Records section of the Members Only area:

--Faculty of Indiana University, Bloomington (1901)
--Students of Indiana University, Bloomington (1901)

NOTE: This database only includes information about the students in the class of 1901.

These are premium databases, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 738 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000+ records.

Hamilton County Library To Discuss Finding Female Ancestors

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop, "Finding Your Female Ancestors," in the library's genealogy classroom on Saturday, March 24 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Honor March as Women's History Month by learning more about your female family members and their place on the family tree. Because female ancestors can sometimes be the hardest ones to find, this workshop will share tips on how to find those elusive female relatives, including how to find their maiden names.

This workshop is free - register online through the library's events calendar, or call their Outreach Department (317) 776-6939.

Brown County Archives To Host Workshop on Court Records

The Brown County Historical Society Archives in Nashville, Indiana will host a free genealogy workshop by the Brown County Genealogical Society on Wednesday, February 29 from 12:30 to 2 pm. Genealogists of all levels are welcome - beginners will start with the very basics, while intermediate and advanced researchers can brush up on their skills and learn about recent releases of historic data. Diana Biddle, Indiana County Genealogist and Historian for Brown County, will be the instructor.

This workshop will focus on various court records - digging deeper into probates, wills, estates, land grants & deeds, and other miscellaneous records.

If you have a laptop computer, you are welcome to bring it to the workshop. Registration is required in order to ensure adequate space. To register, contact Diana Biddle - dlynbid@gmail.com

Hamilton County Library to Discuss World War II Ancestors

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a genealogy roundtable in the library's genealogy classroom on Tuesday, March 13 from 2:15 to 3:15 pm. The focus of the roundtable will be your World War II ancestors - share your knowledge of World War II resources and bring documents and artifacts to "show and tell."

This roundtable is open to the public - no registration is required.

Query: CHADWICK of Mishawaka

My grandfather died on the street near his home. I am trying to obtain an obituary and death record for him.
John William "Bill" CHADWICK
B. 13 June 1889, Illinois
D. 27 May 1962, Mishawaka, Indiana

Norman E. Tutorow
P.O. Box 321
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
tutorow@alumni.stanford.edu

Query: MARTIN/TEEL

Looking for birth, death and burial information on Minerva MARTIN, 10th child of Benjamin MARTIN and Miranda A. TEEL I believe she was born in the 1840's, and only lived 16 months. The family was living in Indiana at the time.
Linda Martin Barth
4695 W. Ponds Dr.
Littleton, CO 80123
LKBarth73@aol.com

Query: WETHERILL/HARGRAVE/of Posey and Montgomery Counties

I am looking for the parents of John WETHERILL born 1803 in Philadelphia PA. He was married to Emmaline HARGRAVE in Posey County Indiana in 1832. She was the daughter of Seth HARGRAVE and was born in Indiana in 1815. John and Emmaline had a daughter who married and lived in Montgomery County.
Susie Stretton
P.O. Box 517
Cry Creek, LA 70637
nightsong@camtel.net

Query: RODMAN/OGLESBY/BALLARD of Washington County

I’m looking for any will, obituary, or any other documents of my 4th great grandfather, Dr. William T. RODMAN (1783-1841), husband of Ann Haden OGLESBY (1788-1846), mentioning my 3rd great grandfather Hugh Hurst RODMAN (1807-1884), husband of Rebecca BALLARD (1812- abt 1885). My grandfather Dr. RODMAN died in Washington Co. and is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Jeff.Wise@microsoft.com

Brown County Library To Host Genealogy Workshop on Local Resources

The Brown County Public Library in Nashville, Indiana will host a free genealogy workshop by the Brown County Genealogical Society on Wednesday, February 22 from 12:30 to 2 pm. Genealogists of all levels are welcome - beginners will start with the very basics, while intermediate and advanced researchers can brush up on their skills and learn about recent releases of historic data. Diana Biddle, Indiana County Genealogist and Historian for Brown County, will be the instructor.

This workshop will focus on documentation - why it's important and how to do it. You'll also find out about some local resources, including church records, cemetery records, obituaries and newspapers.

If you have a laptop computer, you are welcome to bring it to the workshop. Registration is required in order to ensure adequate space. To register, contact Diana Biddle - dlynbid@gmail.com

Noblesville Library To Discuss Newspaper Research

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop, "Newspaper Research," in the library's genealogy classroom on Saturday, March 3 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. You'll see the various ways that newspapers can help you discover genealogical and family history information - not just through obituaries. You'll also learn how to find newspapers, access them and read them for genealogy information.

This workshop is free - register online through the library's events calendar, or call their Outreach Department (317) 776-6939.

FamilySearch Increases Microfilm Rental Cost

FamilySearch.org has increased the cost to rent their microfilm. It now costs $7.50 per roll for a short-term loan (the full list of new prices can be found at www.familysearch.org/films/). As noted in this article in Dick Eastman's newsletter, the price increase is due to the lack of available supplies to produce new rolls of microfilms.

IGS Adds Database of Marion County Teachers

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

--Selected Teachers of Marion County, Indiana (1874)

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

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 736 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000+ records.

Allen County Library Presents "March Madness: Genealogy Style"

The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana is once again hosting its annual "March Madness: Genealogy Style," ushering in the spring research season with a week of educational opportunities to jumpstart your research for your ethnic ancestors.

On Sunday, March 18 from 1 to 2 pm, you can begin "Researching Your Polish Ancestors." This program will explore the challenges, important American sources (both print and online) and research strategies that can shed light on your ancestral town in Poland.

Find "French Canadian Research at The Genealogy Center," on Monday, March 19 from 2 to 3 pm. This program will highlight various French Canadian and Quebec resources that are available within The Genealogy Center.

Discover "The Riches of First Nations Heritage: Beginning Native American Genealogical Research," on Tuesday, March 20 from 2 to 3 pm. This lecture is an introduction to beginning First Nations/Native American genealogical research.

Learn about Revolutionary War service in a discussion, "It Was Everyone's War," on Wednesday, March 21 from 2 to 4 pm. Come for an informal discussion with the Daughters of the American Revolution and converse about your ethnic patriot.

Locate those "Shadowed Roots: Antebellum Era Records for African-American Research," on Thursday, March 22 from 10 to 11 am. Discover the "hidden" and "buried" genealogical and historical records that are available to research the lives of African Americans before the Civil War.

To register for any of these programs, please contact the Genealogy Center - phone (260) 421-1225 or e-mail Genealogy@ACPL.Info.

IGS Adds Database for Adams County 1860 Mortality Schedule

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

--Index to Mortality Schedule for Adams 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 735 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000+ records.

Lake County Added To Indiana Marriage Index

FamilySearch has updated the Indiana marriage index 1811-1959 that is in progress. Some 80,000 entries from Lake County have been added. The index now includes 36 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.

IGS Puts More Hendricks County Probate Files Online

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more digitized files of Hendricks County probate records to our website. The newest files cover the surnames JESSUP, NELSON, POLK, SCOTT, VESTAL and WILSON.

There are now 610 files of Hendricks County probate records online. These files are free to the public and are part of our Records Preservation Project.

Brown County Library To Host Genealogy Workshops

The Brown County Public Library in Nashville is offering a series of "Who Do You Think You Are" - Discover Your Own Family History!" workshops on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. The workshops will be held on February 15, 22, 29 & March 7 and will be led by Diana Biddle. To register for the workshops, e-mail Diana Biddle, dlynbid@gmail.com.

Pre-Conference Seminar Offered in Fort Wayne

If you need another reason to come a little early to Fort Wayne on the weekend of the Indiana Genealogical Society Conference, we're also offering a Seminar on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Allen County Public Library.

Enjoy a relaxed, interactive atmosphere with a morning open forum/show & tell about what's going in our counties and an afternoon session where you are invited to brainstorm about your research brick walls and consult our Ask the Experts panel.

GenWishList blogger Tina Lyons will offer a session about how the power of social media (blogs, Facebook and Twitter) can be harnessed by genealogical and historical societies. We've also built in some time in the schedule for you to do a little research at the Genealogy Center.

Indiana librarians: We have applied for LEU credits for the seminar sessions.

Registration is just $5 - register online or print out & mail in the registration form.

Online Petition To Protect Access To Social Security Death Index

The Records Preservation & Access Committee (RPAC) - a joint coalition of international genealogical societies representing millions of genealogists and family historians - has announced the launch of its Stop ID Theft NOW! campaign with its We The People petition posted at WhiteHouse.gov.

Call To Action For IRS To Do Its Job
Each year, fraudulent tax refund claims based upon identity theft from recently deceased infants and adults are filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The current target is the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) or Death Master File since this file, as found on numerous genealogy-oriented websites, could possibly be the source of identity thieves acquiring a deceased person's Social Security number.

The IRS could close the door to this form of identity theft if, in fact, it were to use the Death Master File for the purpose for which it was created: to reduce fraud. If returns claiming a tax refund were screened against the Master Death File and matching cases identified for special processing, the thief should receive a rejection notice for the filing.

Tax Fraud and Identity Theft: Genealogists Are Not To Blame
The House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Social Security is proposing to completely shut down use of the SSDI by genealogists as well as other industries such as banking and insurance that rely upon its information. Such an attempt is short-sighted and runs counter to the original purpose of the SSDI: to actually combat fraud.

Loss of Access to SSDI Affects More Than Genealogists
The SSDI is accessed by many different companies, non-profits and other entities besides individuals researching their family history. Forensic specialists utilize the SSDI when reuniting remains of military veterans with their next-of-kin and descendants. Law offices, banks and insurance companies utilize the SSDI to resolve probate cases and to locate heirs.
All of these entities would be required to spend more money and more time leveraging other resources of information when the SSDI has served this purpose, uninterrupted, for over a decade.

RPAC Petitions Obama Administration
The We the People petition, now posted at http://wh.gov/khE and accepting signatures, has a simple yet effective mission:

Take immediate steps that would curtail the filing of fraudulent tax refund claims based upon identity theft from recently deceased infants and adults.

No need for lengthy hearings in front of a Congressional committee. No need for filing statements for or against any House action. No need to waste time and effort which could be directed to more pressing national issues. In fact, the National Taxpayer Advocate in 2011 issued suggestions which do not require additional legislation but can be implemented collaboratively between the IRS and Social Security Administration (SSA) almost immediately in time to impact the current tax filing season.

25,000 signatures are needed before March 8th. You must have an account at WhiteHouse.gov to sign the petition. If you don't have an account yet, please see the instructions at http://fgs.org/pdf/rpac_petition.pdf.

Hendricks County Library Adds Microfilm Viewer/Digital Scanner

The Danville Public Library's Indiana Room is now the home of a ST ViewScan Digital Film Viewer/Scanner (pictured with Janet Woodrum, the library's Adult Department Manager). This state-of-the-art equipment allows you to view images from microfilm and print them on either letter or legal size paper. You can also digitize these images and save them to your flash drive. A 23-inch monitor makes viewing much easier and there are also options to allow you to adjust the size and quality of the image before printing it.

The Danville Public Library received an $8,545 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to purchase the viewer. The project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act and administered by the Indiana State Library. Additional funds to cover the new computer and printer came from donations to the Indiana Room's gift fund.

The library's previous microfilm reader is going to a new home — the Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD). There it will be used by Indiana Deaf Heritage, Inc., which collaborates with ISD to preserve the school's archives and the Indiana Deaf History Museum. They will use the microfilm reader to research the school's history and the history of the Deaf Community in Indiana for the development of future museum exhibits.

If you would like to learn more about the Danville Public Library's new microfilm viewer/scanner, please contact the Indiana Room for an appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, call the library at (317) 745-2604 or e-mail them at dplind@dplindiana.org.

IGS Puts More Hendricks County Probate Records Online

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more digitized files of Hendricks County probate records to our website. The newest files cover the surnames EATON, JESSUP, LEACH, LEAK, LEITZMAN, LEMAN, NEWMAN, SCOTT, THOMPSON, WILLIAMS and WILSON.

There are now 603 files of Hendricks County probate records online. These files are free to the public and are part of our Records Preservation Project.

IGS Puts More Hendricks County Probate Records Online

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more digitized files of Hendricks County probate records to our website. The newest files cover the surnames ERGANBRIGHT, FOX, FREE, GLADDEN, HADLEY, HULTS, JACKSON, KISE, MASTEN, MOBERLY, MOODY, NEFF, OURSLER, PARNELL, PRATHER, SCOTT, SCOTTEN and WILLIAMS.

There are now 591 files of Hendricks County probate records online. These files are free to the public and are part of our Records Preservation Project.

IGS Adds February 2012 Newsletter to Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added the February 2012 issue of IGS Newsletter, the society's bi-monthly newsletter for IGS members, to the Members Only area. IGS members can login to the IGS Records section to download their copy.

This issue includes the full schedules and registration information for our April 27th seminar and April 28th conference in Fort Wayne, as well as articles about FamilySearch's research wiki for Indiana and our plan to index the Indiana portion of the 1940 census. There are also numerous news items from around the state.

The newsletter is available for download in its regular size, as well as in a compressed version which downloads faster on slower Internet connections.

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

IGS Puts More Hendricks County Probate Records Online

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more digitized files of Hendricks County probate records to our website. The newest files cover the surnames DARNALL, DEARMON, DE HAPPART, DEVAN, MATLOCK, SACRE, SALMON, SCAMAHORN and WILLIAMS.

There are now 571 files of Hendricks County probate records online. These files are free to the public and are part of our Records Preservation Project.

IGS Adds Members-Only Databases for Grant, Henry, Johnson & Monroe Counties

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added databases for Grant County, Henry County, Johnson County and Monroe County to the County Records section of the Members Only area:

Grant County:
--Graduates of Marion High School, Grant County, Indiana (1928)
--Teachers of Marion High School, Grant County, Indiana (1928)

Henry County:
--Residents of Henry County, Indiana (1874)

Johnson County:
--Students of Franklin High School, Johnson County, Indiana (1926)
--Teachers of Franklin High School, Johnson County, Indiana (1926)

Monroe County:
--Index to Will Records for Monroe County, Indiana (1818-1904)

IGS has also added a database about Purdue University to the College Records section:

--Students of Purdue University, West Lafayette (1923)
[NOTE: This database only includes students from the class of 1923]

These are premium databases, accessible only to IGS members.

The Indiana Genealogical Society now has 734 databases in the Members Only area. They cover all 92 Indiana counties and encompass 500,000+ records.

Allen County to Accept Credit Card Payments for Vital Records

Those who request birth records and death records from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health will now be able to pay by credit card. According to this article in The Journal Gazette, the Vital Records office, which previously allowed payment only by cash or money order, will also now accept credit cards. These credit card transactions are subject to a processing fee.

Sullivan County Library To Discuss Civil War Medicine

The Sullivan County Public Library in Sullivan, Indiana is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with a special program on Tuesday, February 7th at 7 pm. Ryan Rokki, former curator of collections of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, will talk about the amazing history of battlefield medicine during the Civil War. If you have a Civil War ancestor, or are interested in the history of medicine, come and learn about how they took care of battlefield injuries and the sicknesses in between the battles.

This is a free program - everyone is welcome!

IGS Puts More Hendricks County Probate Records Online

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more digitized files of Hendricks County probate records to our website. The new files cover the surnames DARNALL, FOSTER, LAWSON, SHUEY, SHULTZ, SIMPSON, VAUGHAN and WILLIAMS.

There are now 560 files of Hendricks County probate records online. These files are free to the public and are part of our Records Preservation Project.

Cemetery Database for Southern Indiana at JustGraveDiggin.com

Doretha Diefenbach-Hines's free site, JustGraveDiggin.com, has a burials database for some of the cemeteries in southern Indiana, particularly Orange County, Spencer County, Vanderburgh County and Warrick County. The database is updated each year and currently contains almost 90,000 listings, with over 20,000 tombstone photos.

Knox County INGenWeb Adds Death Index (1920-2005)

The Knox County INGenWeb site has added a Knox County death index that covers 1920 through March 2005. The index is browseable and some of the entries also include the place of burial.