Friday, July 31, 2015

Query: Pleasant Reynolds and Rachel Goodman


Pleasant Reynolds born abt 1819 in Indiana; married Rachel Goodman, 28 Oct 1841, in Lawrence Co, Indiana. They had children: Thomas 1842-1915, Joseph 1844-1917, Noah 1849-1902, Abraham 1852-?, John 1855-?, Jacob 1957-?, and James 1859-1928. James is my great-grandfather; he married Sarah A Bailey, 15 Sep 1872, in Putnam Co., and they had children Martha E abt 1874 and George abt 1879.

Would love to know parent’s and/or sibling’s names. I have hit the brick wall on Pleasant Reynolds and Rachel Goodman Reynolds. Thanks.


Barbara Reynolds Miller
402 W 10th St
Oolitic, IN 47451
barbaramiller1203@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Shortened Saturday Hours at the Indiana State Library

Effective 1 September 2015, the Indiana State Library will be open from 10:00am - 4:00pm on Saturdays. Previously, the Saturday hours had been from 8:00am - 4:00pm.

The decision to change Saturday hours was made to align with other state agencies in the downtown Indianapolis area.

"The new Saturday hours will align with the Indiana Statehouse and the Indiana State Museum," said State Librarian Jacob Speer. "This alleviates any confusion to anyone visiting the downtown historic sites and focuses the hours we are open during the times when we have our most customers."

The Indiana State Library is located at 315 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis. The hours are:
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
  • Thursday: 8:00am - 7:00pm (Manuscripts and Rare Books closes at 4:30pm)
  • Saturday (until 1 September 2015): 8:00am - 4:00pm
  • Saturday (after 1 September 2015): 10:00am - 4:00pm

Indiana State Library, 315 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis

Friday, July 24, 2015

Check Illinois for Indiana Marriages


If you're having trouble finding a marriage record for an Indiana ancestor, you may want to expand your search to the bordering counties in eastern Illinois. Depending on the time period, a county in Illinois may have had more lax requirements when it came to getting a marriage license (such as no waiting period). It also offered more anonymity, which was helpful if the couple was underage and/or facing family disapproval.

One of the more popular destinations for Indiana couples was Vermilion County, Illinois. Its county seat, Danville, was just inside the state line and the road that today is US 36 offered a direct link to Indianapolis. Vermilion County marriages for 1826-1899 are included in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900. For marriages after 1899, you can request a search from the Vermilion County Clerk.




Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Anthony Haag of Indianapolis: Are You Related to Him?


Shelley Cardiel (cardiels@comcast.net) has found this photo of a young boy, identified as Anthony Haag of Indianapolis, which was taken at Harrod's New Studio in Indianapolis in the early 1910s. He appears to be about age 4 in the photo. If you are a descendant of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact Shelley.

Anthony Haag of Indianapolis
This is the information Shelley was able to find on Anthony and his family:

Anthony N. HAAG (born 27 February 1908 in Indianapolis; died 8 April 2004 in Indianapolis; buried at Calvary Cemetery in Indianapolis) married Mary Elizabeth YATES (1911-2000). Anthony was the son of John Francis HAAG (1868-1938) and Rosina Mary WEINTRAUT (1867-1939). Anthony was a pharmacist in Indianapolis for more than 50 years. He managed the Keene Drug Company and retired in 1985 from the Hawkins Pharmacy. His obituary names his surviving children as James HAAG; Thomas HAAG, and Rosemarie HAAG ROWNEY. Anthony was living in Beech Grove, Marion County, Indiana at the time of his death in 2004, having moved there in 1998.

The family is found in the census in Indianapolis:

1910 census - 826 N. West St.:
  • Catherine HAAG, age 63, a widower, born IN, parents born Germany
  • John F. HAAG, son, age 42, married 7 years, born IN, parents born IN, a Hardware Store Owner
  • Rosina W. HAAG, dau-in-law, age 42, married 7 years, 1 child/1 living, born IN, parents born Germany
  • Anthony N. HAAG, grandson, age 4, born IN, parents born IN
  • Anthony F. HAAG, son, age 38, born IN, parents born IN, Store Owner
1920 census - 838 N. West St.:
  • Catherine HAAG, age 99
  • John F. HAAG, son, age 51
  • Rosina HAAG, dau-in-law, age 50
  • Anthony M. HAAG, grandson, age 12, born IN
  • Anthony J. HAAG, son, age 48, born IN
1930 census - 1644 Union St.:
  • F. John HAAG, age 62, married 34 years, born IN, parents born IN, a Hardware Merchant
  • Rosina HAAG, wife, age 62, married 34 years, born IN, parents born IN
  • Anthony HAAG, son, age 22, born IN, a Drug Store Pharmacist
  • J. Anthony HAAG, brother, age 57, born IN, parents born IN, a Hardware Merchant
1940 census - 1644 Union St.:
  • Anthony N. HAGG, age 32, born IN, a Drug Store Pharmacist
  • Mary E. HAGG, wife, age 28, born IN
  • James HAGG, son, age 5
  • Thomas HAGG, son, age 3
  • Anthony J. HAGG, uncle, age 67, born IN, a Hardware Store Dealer

Friday, July 17, 2015

Research Tip: Guardianships of Adults

When you think of guardianship records, do you think they are only for children? Think again. The law also provided for guardianships to be established for adults in various situations. A guardianship could be for mental incapacity (unsound mind, insane and idiot were the main categories), but there were also guardianships for being a "habitual drunkard" or for old age (referred to as "aged and infirm").

Whether the guardianship was for a minor or an adult, it will be found in probate records. If the guardianship was for unsound mind or insanity, there was a separate court proceeding to prove the mental incapacity, so you'll also want to look for "insanity inquests" in court records.

As a general rule, probate cases are their own record group and are kept separate from civil cases. However, when the probate case is about the guardianship of an adult, you also need to look in civil court records. Guardianship cases normally begin with someone filing an application in probate court to be appointed guardian. However, if their intended ward is an adult, a separate case must first be filed in civil court. This civil court case is full of details that will not be found in the probate case. The intended guardian must specify why they believe the adult cannot care for themselves (whether it's because of habitual drunkenness, mental incapacity, old & infirm, etc.) and provide witnesses to support their claims. A jury then rules on the case.

NOTE: The adult ward can later file a petition to end the guardianship and have their remaining assets returned to them - if you see this notation in their probate case, don't forget to also look for that follow-up case in the civil court records.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

New Databases: Allen, Clinton, Elkhart, Hancock, and Jasper Counties and More!

There's no summer break when it comes to putting more collections online! Here are the latest additions to the Indiana Genealogical Society website.

Free Database:

Wayne County
- Members of the Grand Army of the Republic in Wayne County, Indiana (1894)
Searchable digital images of listings of Wayne County’s Civil War veterans who belonged to the GAR posts in the county, as listed in a 1894 GAR souvenir booklet. This database was contributed by Wayne Klusman.

Premium Databases:

The following new databases are available to IGS members. Log in to use these collections. Not a member? Join today!

Allen County
- Members of Fort Wayne Second Presbyterian Church, Allen County, Indiana (1844-1869)
An index of 325 members and the year they joined, as listed in an 1869 church publication.

Clinton County
- Students of Frankfort High School, Clinton County, Indiana (1921)
Searchable digital images of students in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1921 yearbook, The Cauldron. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

- Teachers of Frankfort High School, Clinton County, Indiana (1921)
Searchable digital images of teachers in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1921 yearbook, The Cauldron. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Elkhart County
- Students of Nappanee High School, Elkhart County, Indiana (1923)
An index of 185 students in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1923 yearbook, The Purple Parrot.

- Teachers of Nappanee High School, Elkhart County, Indiana (1923)
An index of 10 teachers in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1923 yearbook, The Purple Parrot.

Hancock County
- Phone Directory of New Palestine, Hancock County, Indiana (1959)
Searchable digital images of a 1959 phone directory. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Jasper County
- Enumeration of Males in Carpenter Township, Jasper County, Indiana (1931)
An index of 525 males over the age of 21, as listed in a special census taken by the township trustee in 1931. This database was contributed by Sue Caldwell, Jasper County Genealogist.

- Index to Photo Album of Early Pioneers in Jasper County, Indiana
An index to a photo album kept by Judge Simon P. Thompson that is in the collection of the Jasper County Historical Society. This database was contributed by Sue Caldwell, Jasper County Genealogist.

- Lawyers Admitted to the Bar in Jasper County, Indiana (1912-1931)
An index of bar admission records that are in the collection of the Jasper County Historical Society. This database was contributed by Sue Caldwell, Jasper County Genealogist.

University of Indianapolis (Indiana Central)
- Graduates of Indiana Central University, Indianapolis (1912-1916)
An index of 55 graduates, their hometowns and the degrees they received, as listed in the school’s annual catalogs. Indiana Central University later became the University of Indianapolis.

Moores Hill College
- Graduates of Moores Hill College, Dearborn County, Indiana (1872-1875)
An index of 17 graduates and their hometowns, as listed in the school’s annual catalogs. Moores Hill College later became the University of Evansville.
From the Frankfort High School yearbook, The Cauldron, 1921

Friday, July 10, 2015

Research Tip: Drainage Records


If your ancestor owned land, you probably know to look for their names in deed books and on plat maps. But did you know there’s another resource that can help you locate their land and also show you their neighbors?

In March 1867 to help improve land, the Indiana legislature passed a law (Acts of 1867, Chapter 99) allowing landowners to petition for ditches and drains to be created on their land. This law also benefited the state—improved drainage meant more land could be used for planting crops or putting up buildings, which meant higher property taxes could be assessed.

These drainage petitions were to be filed with the county commissioners, and because it would have an effect on adjacent land, the petitions not only had to give a technical description of the ditch or drain, they also had to list the names of the petitioner’s neighbors and give the legal descriptions of those lands.

This law was in effect for several decades—the petition shown here is from 1905, and shows all the neighbors in Sections 26 and 35 of Township 17 North, Range 1 East in Hendricks County. Note how some of the land parcels are held by a group of people, and some by a guardian on behalf of their ward—a boon to a researcher.

References to these drainage petitions can be found in various places:
  • County Commissioners records
  • County Auditor records
  • Official notices in newspapers
  • Court order books and loose papers
 
Drainage petition from Hendricks County, Indiana, 1905. (Click to enlarge)

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Genealogy Events in Indiana, July 2015

Summer is heating up! Beat the heat and check out these cool genealogy events!

July 11
Genealogy Special Interest Group, Goshen Public Library, 601 S. 5th St., Goshen. 10am-12:30pm – Open to everyone!

July 13
Wabash Valley Genealogy Society: Cemetery Committee – “Navigating Find-A-Grave: The Good and Bad of Online Memorials.” 6:30pm at the Vigo County Public Library, 1 Library Square, Terre Haute.

July 14:
Warsaw Community Public Library: 11:00am to 12:00pm – Questions and Answers About Genealogy, presented by Teresa Crews.Warsaw Community Public Library, Meeting Room C, 310 East Main Street, Warsaw.
July 16
Elkhart County Genealogical Society: 7pm “All This Technology: What to do?”
will feature members demonstrating various software programs and websites, including Shutterfly/This Life Photo. All meetings are free and open to the public. First Presbyterian Church, 200 East Beardsley, Elkhart, Indiana. Use the East door.

July 18
Elkhart County Historical Museum: 10:00am - Have an item you think belongs in a museum? The Elkhart County Historical Museum staff will sponsor “The Do’s & Don’t of Museum Donations.” 304 W. Vistula St., Bristol.

Kokomo-Howard County Public Library: 9:15am – 11:30am – Genealogy Basics Class – . This free class will cover the basics for the first-time genealogy researcher. We’ll meet in Meeting Rooms A&B in the lower level. Feel free to bring your laptops. We’ll provide handouts. To register, call the Genealogy & Local History Department at 765.626.0839. KHCPL Main, 220 N. Union St., Kokomo.

July 21
Twigs Meeting – Picnic in South Bend City Cemetery 6pm- Yes, we’re talking about a cemetery picnic! Join us as we discuss the history of South Bend City Cemetery and ongoing efforts to revitalize this important landmark! We will meet near the front gate at 6:00pm RSVP to Lisa Ellam ellam.lisa@gmail.com.

July 23
Genealogy Roundtable – Downtown Mishawaka Library, 209 Lincolnway East, Mishawaka. 6:30pm-7:30pm

July 25
Genealogy Center, Allen County Public Library"Beyond Just Starting." You will learn how to verify the family information you find, and the importance of documenting what you find and where you found it. You can also discover how to harvest as much information as possible from various records. We will also show you how to use the free FamilySearch website, and provide a virtual tour of The Genealogy Center’s licensed databases. This 90-minute class is designed for beginners – or for anyone who wants to ensure that the best paths to success are being utilized. 9:30am, Meeting Room A, Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne.

Wabash Valley Genealogy Society: Rob Johnson – “Eastern and Southern States Research.” 10:00am at the Vigo County Public Library, 1 Library Square, Terre Haute.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

New Databases: Marion, Monroe, Porter, and Shelby Counties - and More!

Just in time for the long 4th of July weekend, we have new databases on the Indiana Genealogical Society website!

Free Database:

Monroe County
- Directory of Businesses in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana (1930)
Searchable digital images of listings from a 1930 business directory for the city of Bloomington. This database was contributed by Wayne Klusman.

Premium databases:

The following new databases are available to IGS members. Not a member? Join today!

Marion County:
- Marion County Divorce Cases Settled in Hendricks County, Indiana (1925-1959)
An index of 250 divorce cases that were originally filed in Marion County courts but were later transferred to Hendricks County courts, as listed in Hendricks County Circuit Court order books.

Porter County:
- Students of Valparaiso High School, Porter County, Indiana (1923)
An index of 300 students in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1923 yearbook, The Valenian.

Shelby County:
- Students of Shelbyville High School, Shelby County, Indiana (1939)
Searchable digital images of students in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1939 yearbook, The Squib. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

- Teachers of Shelbyville High School, Shelby County, Indiana (1939)
Searchable digital images of teachers in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1939 yearbook, The Squib. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Indiana State University:
- Students of Indiana State Normal School, Terre Haute (1871-1897)
An index of almost 19,000 students and their hometowns, as listed in the school’s annual catalogs. The school opened in 1865 for the training of teachers and later changed its name to Indiana State University.

Vincennes University:
- Faculty of Vincennes University, Vincennes (1959)
An index of 55 staff and their positions, as listed in the school’s 1959 yearbook, ReVoo. This database includes digital images.

- Students of Vincennes University, Vincennes (1959)
An index of 375 students in the freshman and senior classes, as listed in the school’s 1959 yearbook, ReVoo. This database includes digital images.

Fort Benjamin Harrison:
- Civilians in Training Course at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis (1926)
Searchable digital images of men from Indiana and Ohio who participated in a Civilian Military Training Camp (CMTC), as listed in the camp’s 1926 yearbook. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.
Civilians in Training Course at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, 1926

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Join IGS Now and Save!

Want to save money on your Indiana genealogy? Join the Indiana Genealogical Society now! Join before September 30 and your membership will be only $20 (normally $30)!

This offer is also good if you've let your membership lapse. Renew your membership before September 30 and renew for only $20!

Why Join IGS?


Members of the Indiana Genealogical Society receive:
  • Access to our Members-Only section, which includes 1,500+ databases as well as the current issues of IGS Newsletter and Indiana Genealogist.
  • A subscription to our monthly e-mail, Indiana News, which is filled with items of interest to the Indiana genealogy community.
  • A 25% discount on registration to the IGS annual Conference in April.
  • A 50% discount on Find My Past's World annual subscription, which includes the Periodical Source Index (PERSI), records from the United States and the United Kingdom + Ireland. That's $100 in savings.
  • E-mail notifications when the latest issues of IGS Newsletter and Indiana Genealogist are available for download.
  • A discount on selected publications in the IGS Shop.
IGS will send you an e-mail (usually within 72 hours of your purchase) notifying you when your membership login for the Members-Only section has been activated and is ready to use.

Your membership will still expire on December 31, 2015. However, you will have access to all of the 2015 issues of Indiana Genealogist and IGS Newsletter.

What are you waiting for? Join now!