Query: James Moss, Putnam County

                I am seeking information on the birth parents of James Moss, born April 15, 1874.  Lived in Greencastle, Indiana, I believe, for most of his life until he went into the service, married, and moved to Indianapolis.  His adoptive parents were Nancy Albaugh Moss and John C. Moss of Greencastle.  He died in indianapolis 1932. 

                There was a name mentioned in an old Bible of a Black family; Peter Black from Kentucky or VA.  I looked up a family there-David Black, relative of Peter Black; resemblance is possible.  Moss family, no resemblance to any of the Mosses, including my three sons.  Can you give me some tips?  I have exhausted every lead.  Thanks.

Barbara Moss Hagy
5949 Buck Rill Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46237
sunshinekids64@gmail.com

Query: Hattie and Charles Herbert Blain/Blaine, Marion County

                Searching for records of Hattie Blain/Blaine and Charles Herbert Blain/Blaine.  Father Thomas Blain, born 1849 Scotland. Mother Sophrona Blain died in 1885, a widow at that time leaving three young kids as orphans.                 The children were born in Marion County and Charles Blain lived and died there.  Presumably Hattie died there too. There is a third child, a daughter.  Thomas Blain , the father, disappears from records after 1873.  1880 census his wife declares herself a widow; however, I think it's just as likely that he deserted the family or was institutionalized because I found no grave or death certificate.  In 1873 a news article reports his beating his wife blaming whiskey.  

                Several mysteries with this family:  Thomas Blain(e)'s wife Sophrona (Sophron/Fronia/Fronie/Forona) claims she's related to the John Jacob Mellonkopf family of Marion County.  No records to support this other than her word. (1860,1870 census she's not there with mellonkopfs).  Also one census has her stating that her parents were born in Pennsylvania.  Mollenkopfs were not.  She gives different birth years. I'm guessing it was 1852 and she lied about age earlier because she hadn't reached majority when she married.  Pregnant? Kicked out of the Mollenkopf house?  

                I'm thinking she could been an orphan train person which would explain why she saw herself as family and they did not.  There is an article of an orphan train arriving in 1859, so she could have been placed  in the family just after the 1860 census and then was married in 1869- why she wouldn't show up in 1870 census.  She died very young 1885 and is buried next to a Mollenkopf. 

                So many intriguing mysteries: What happened to Thomas blain(e) Jr. after 1873? Who was Sophrona Blain, a foster child? How did Sophrona die? What happened to Hattie, Charles H. and Elizabeth(?) Blaine when their mother and grandfather died in 1885?

                Charles Blaine later shot himself in 1909 after lifelong battle with alcoholism and at least one stay at a drunk farm.  So you see a tragic family all in all

Lisa Pardon
8575 Stonebrook Circle

Middleton, WI 53562
Harrinanan@hotmail.com

Query: Tipton County Records

            I am searching for information regarding the birth of my great-great grandmother who was born in Windfall, Tipton Co., Indiana in 1882.
            I was unable to find a genealogist listed on your website for Tipton County. Could you point me the right direction to be able to find birth records in Tipton County? Thank you.

Jessica Courtney
jessicacourtney07@gmail.com

New Databases for Clay, Gibson, Monroe, Owen and Union Counties - and More!

The weather might be cooling off, but the rate that IGS adds more databases to the website! Check out the latest additions, which brings the total to more than 1,850!

FREE Databases:

- Students and Teachers of Spencer High School, Owen County, Indiana (1921)
An index of 220 students and teachers listed in The 1921 Spencerian, the Spencer High School 1921 yearbook. This database was contributed by Randi Richardson.

- Students of Brownsville High School, Union County, Indiana (1948)
Digital images of the students in grades 7 through 12, as listed in the school's 1948 yearbook. This database was contributed by Wayne Klusman.

- Teachers of Brownsville High School, Union County, Indiana (1948)
Digital images of the teachers in grades 7 through 12, as listed in the school's 1948 yearbook. This database was contributed by Wayne Klusman.

Members-Only Databases:

These databases are available to IGS members. (Members - just log in and you have access.) Not a member? Join today and get access to these and more than 1,850 other databases!

Clay County:
- Students of Knightsville Grade School, Clay County, Indiana (1957)
An index of 93 students in grades 1 through 8 who attended Knightsville grade school, as listed in the school's 1957 yearbook, "Recollections". This index consists of the student's name and their grade.

Gibson County:
- History of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Fort Branch, Gibson County, Indiana (1934)
Digital images of a 1934 booklet, "Bethlehem Church: Program, Directory, Historical Sketch".

- Roster of Columbia Rifles, Indiana Legion, Gibson County, Indiana (1863)
Digital images of the roster of an Indiana Legion unit that was formed in Gibson County. Indiana Legion units were formed during the Civil War to protect the state’s borders.

Monroe County:
- Index to Records of Day Funeral Home, Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana (1946-1949)
An index of the records of the Day Funeral Home, which are kept at the Monroe County History Center. This index includes the name, the date that their body was received at the funeral home (which is not always the same as the date of death), and the page number. NOTE: Today the funeral home is known as the Day and Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home. This database was contributed by Randi Richardson.

Randolph County:
- History of W.E. Miller & Co. General Store, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana (1902)
Digital images of a 1902 booklet , "The W.E. Miller Co.'s Store 'As It Is'."

College and University Records:
- Graduates of DePauw University, Greencastle (1931)
An index of 296 students who graduated from DePauw University, as listed in a 1931 commencement program. This index consists of the student's name and the degree they received.

- Graduates of Evansville College, Evansville (1958)
An index of 251 students who graduated from Evansville College, as listed in a 1958 commencement program. This index consists of the student's name and the degree they received. NOTE: Evansville College later changed its name to the University of Evansville.

- Graduates of Goshen College, Goshen (1910)
An index of 30 students who graduated from Goshen College, as listed in a 1910 commencement program. This index consists only of the student's name.

From the History of W.E. Miller & Co. General Store, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana (1902)