IGS Welcomes New Quarterly Editor

The Indiana Genealogical Society is proud to welcome Annette Harper of Madison, Indiana as the new editor of its quarterly publication, Indiana Genealogist. Annette is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and holds the Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. She is also the Principal Member of The Genealogy Shop, LLC, which allows her to combine her passions for genealogical research, training, systems design, and love of Ohio River communities into a unique offering of genealogical services.

Annette can trace her maternal ancestral line back through nine generations and 200 years in Jefferson County. An avid local historian, she recently republished Edward Eggleston’s novel Roxy with added historical references. She is also a certified Oracle DBA, Crystal Reports Engineer, and Novell Master CNE, the author of multiple training manuals and books, and the primary developer of facTree, a genealogy utility application.

Query: Alkire/Hinkle of Sullivan and Greene counties

Looking for information on Eliza Jane Alkire (born 18 May 1820 in ?Ohio?; died 18 January 1892) and Jackson Hinkle (born 28 February 1815 in ?Kentucky?; died 27 September 1910 in Farmersburg, Sullivan County, Indiana), who were married 10 December 1856 in Greene County, Indiana and lived in Sullivan County, in the towns of Farmersburg and Pleasantville. Jackson apparently had a previous marriage to Maria S. Watson on 4 September 1845 in Greene County. I cannot find where Eliza Jane (Alkire) Hinkle died or where she is buried.


Diane Nelson
7114 Brodie Blvd.
Dublin, OH 43017
twogators@columbus.rr.com

Query: Boor/Miller of Clay County

I am seeking information on my grandparents, John Albin Boor (born 1 November 1801; died 8 August 1848 in Clay County, Indiana) and Sarah Miller (born 25 August 1800; died 26 January 1876).


Liz Lanning
6522 Olympic Dr.
Everett, WA 98203
sailinon12@yahoo.com

Query: Nichols/Cockrel of Indiana

I am looking for any information on Benjamin Nichols born about 1800 in Indiana or Kentucky. He married Aley Cockrel who was born about 1804 in Indiana or Kentucky. I am looking to find their birthdates, marriage date, and death/burial info.



Shirley Pierce
6043 W 1st St.
Greeley, CO 80634
shirl281@msn.com

Query: Angel/Miller of Warrick County

William F. Angel married Mary Ann Miller on 8 October 1849 in Warrick County, Indiana. I don't have William's birth or death dates. Family legend states he and 3 brothers and 1 sister floated down the Ohio River to Evansville in southern Indiana and settled there. His brothers were Anderson, Hampton, and Ceyrus (I think) Angel. His sister went by the name Maggie Angel. The 1850 census shows they were born in Ohio. Does anyone have a connection and/or more information than this?


Marie Erwin Turner
1222 Downey St.
Laramie, WY 82072
meturner.laramie@yahoo.com

Query: Ramey of Jay County

Looking for information on Lawrence Ramey of Portland, Jay County, Indiana. He was born in 1925 and died ??. He had 3 children: Larry L., Dick, and Betty Ramey.


Lloyd L. Ramey
6467 NW 54th Ct.
Johnston, IA 50131
Jhnstnbud@aol.com

Query: Johnson/Rittenhouse of Huntington County

I am seeking information about my father, Herman Cleon Johnson. He was born April 3, 1903 in Huntington, Huntington County, Indiana to William C. Johnson and Pearl L. Rittenhouse. I imagine that I have relatives still living in the area and I would enjoy making a connection with them.


Jan Johnson
960 Moana Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106
jan-johnson@cox.net

Marriage Indexing: Top 9 Questions for Marriage Indexers

Q. When do you enter township?
When it is the ONLY thing you have for location, enter township name followed by “Twp”.

Q. Do we enter Co. for county or the word county?
No. Forget you even know the word or the abbreviation while indexing!

Q. Do we enter only the given name and an initial if a middle name is also given?
We want the MOST COMPLETE name on the document so if a middle name is included, enter it ENTIRELY – not just the initial.

Q. How do we treat Fort or Ft, St or Saint, and Mt or Mount as part of a place name?
Use FORT spelled out, ST abbreviated, and MOUNT spelled out.

Q. How do we check for the correct spelling of a place name?
Use the lookup drop down arrow that will show a list of places from which to choose. Not every location is included but many are, especially places in Indiana.

Q. Should I use the auto-fill feature or should I turn it off?
Since auto-fill remembers the last thing typed, Marion Indianapolis Indiana will result if the last location typed was Indianapolis Indiana. You must pay close attention or “Walter J” will result instead of “W” when “Walter J” was your prior entry. You do have the option of turning it off if you don’t want to watch the screen to see what you are typing.

Q. Should I add “Indiana” after the name of a city when I know it is in Indiana?
No. Only add Indiana if it is indicated on the document. If it says “Avon, Ind.” then type “Avon Indiana". If it says only “Avon” then DO NOT ADD Indiana.

Q. What do I do if I can’t read the entire word?
Type as much as you can read and then substitute “?” for one unreadable letter or “*” for several letters unreadable letters.

Q. What do I enter for the number of marriages?
Enter the number of PRIOR MARRIAGES exactly as entered on the document – “once” if it says once, “three” if it says three, or “2” if it says 2. If it says nothing, SKIP that field. DO NOT ENTER “0”.

Chicago Society To Discuss DNA

The Chicago Genealogical Society will meet on Saturday, March 1 at 1:30 pm at the Newberry Library (60 W. Walton St., Chicago IL). George Valko of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists will present a program entitled "Basic Genetic Genealogy for the Paper Trail Genealogist" about the use of DNA in family history research. The public is welcome to attend.

Query: Whitney of Crawford County

I am looking for an obituary for Carleton Whitney who died March 30, 1993 in Sulphur, Crawford County, Indiana. I need to find descendants or survivors.



Marilynn VanBrocklin
336 W. Main St., Apt. 223
Watertown, NY 13601
MVanBrocklin3@twcny.rr.com

Query: Hedricks/Baker of Marion County

I am searching for information about my great-grandmother, Jessie Hedricks, and her parents. Jessie was born about 1882 in Marion County, Indiana and married Ora Baker in about 1903. She died about 1911, also in Marion County, and no one in the family has any information about her before her marriage. When she died, her children--Pansy Lavonne (my grandmother), Robert and Henry--were separated and given to different family members. Pansy Lavonne and Robert have passed away and Henry doesn't remember anything about his mom or her family.

Denise Denham
3609 N. Sixth St.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
denisedenham1@yahoo.com

Query: Cornwell/Taylor of Orange County

I am looking for information on Frances "Fannie" Cornwell. She was born in Orange County, Indiana and married James Martin Taylor in March 1881. James was born 4 February 1859 in Orange County to John Taylor and Candis Brown. James and Frances (Cornwell) Taylor got a divorce, and he is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana.

Joan Mitchell
409 Shandell Dr.
Bedford, IN 47421
joan.mitchell@insightbb.com

Query: Johnson/Coe of DeKalb County

I am looking for confirmation of the July 2, 1853 date of death (or information on where she was buried) for Mary A. Johnson in DeKalb County, Indiana. She married Lyman H. Coe on October 23, 1851. She died shortly after giving birth to a daughter, Mary A. Coe (born February 6, 1853).


Beth Evans
2210 SE Harley
Lane Bend, OR 97702
bethevans_99@yahoo.com

Query: Humble of Indiana

I am looking for any information on William F. Humble, my grandmother's father. According the 1900 census for St. Louis, Missouri, William is listed as being born in 1863 in Indiana. I have searched many online resources but have not been able to find any other information about William or his parents. He died in 1901 in St. Louis.

Dave Gruzeski
2119 Crimson Oaks Ct.
St. Louis, MO 63129
m63129dave.gruzeski@gmail.com

Query: Allen/Flowers of Fountain County

Seeking an obituary for James A. Allen who died about March 27, 1943. He is buried at Cates Cemetery (aka Snoddy Cemetery) in Kingman, Fountain County, Indiana. I am also looking for an obituary for his wife, Minnie A. (Flowers) Allen, who died in 1935 in Fountain County and is buried at Cates Cemetery.

Janice Phillips
2981 E. Phylbeck Ave.
Terre Haute, IN 47805
jpisme2@aol.com

Query: Moore of Perry County

I am seeking any information about Abijah Moore who lived in Cannelton, Perry County, Indiana in the late 1800's. I believe that he died between 1870 and 1880 and would like to obtain an obituary for him. In particular I would like to know who his father was and if there is a connection to our Moore family of Champaign County, Ohio.

Doris Dilbone
6300 Stoker Rd.
Houston, OH 45333
adeline@erinet.com

Jefferson County Society to Discuss Library Resources

The Jefferson County Genealogical Society will meet on February 14 from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library. Janice Barnes will discuss the genealogy resources available at the Madison-Jefferson County library. The public is welcome to attend.

Beginning Genealogy Workshop in Crawfordsville

The Genealogy Club of Montgomery County, Indiana will hold a Beginning Genealogy workshop on February 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in Room A of the Crawfordsville District Public Library. Pre-registration is required to attend, and must be done before February 22--to register, contact Dian Moore or Dellie Craig, phone (765) 362-2242 ext. 4 or 118, or e-mail gen@cdpl.lib.in.us

Jefferson County Society Adds Website

The Jefferson County Genealogical Society (P.O. Box 651, Madison IN 47250) has just launched a website at http://www.jeffersoncountygenealogicalsociety.org

Over time, the website will include several features accessible only to JCGS members, such as the ability to read and post genealogy documents and pay dues online.

After-Hours Research Offered at Crawfordsville Library

The Genealogy Club of Montgomery County, Indiana is hosting an "After-Hours Genealogy Research" event on Friday, January 25 from 5 to 9 pm at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. Pizza will be available at no charge (donations will be accepted) and researchers must be in the library before it closes at 5 pm. Pre-registration is required to attend, and must be done before January 23--to register, contact Dian Moore or Dellie Craig, phone (765) 362-2242 or e-mail gen@cdpl.lib.in.us

Query: Lutz of Lake or Warren counties

My father, Charles Day Lutz, was born November 1, 1890 in (I think) Hammond, Lake County, Indiana, but the Hammond Health Department has no record of his birth. He also grew up in Pence, Warren County, Indiana. His father's name was Samuel Andrew Lutz, but I don't know what his mother's name was. Information on birthdates, birthplaces, or anything else about this family would be appreciated.


Dick Lutz
1340 SE 107th Ave. #303
Portland, OR 97216
dickbook@earthlink.net

Queries: Reeves of Gibson and Posey counties

I am looking for further information on George J. Reeves and his wife Caroline (I'm not quite sure of her maiden name). They were married in 1850. George was born about 1828 in Kentucky and died between 1871 and 1880 in Gibson County, Indiana. Caroline was born May 1830 in Indiana and I believe died in June 1893 in Gibson County, Indiana.

Children born to this couple were:
--John W. Reeves born about 1852 in Posey County, Indiana
--James W. Reeves born about 1854 in Posey County, Indiana
--Permelia Reeves born Oct 1857 in Posey County, Indiana; died March 1895 in Posey County, Indiana
--George Reeves born June 1859 in Posey County, Indiana; died May 1861 in Posey County, Indiana
--E. Elmer Reeves (or Elmer E. Reeves) born about 1862 in Gibson County, Indiana
--Ada Reeves born April 1867 in Gibson County, Indiana; died November 1881, probably in Gibson County, Indiana
--Namie Reeves (as listed on one census) born April 1870 in Gibson County, Indiana
--Joseph Reeves born May 1872 in Gibson County, Indiana; died February 1938 in Phoenix, Arizona

Where did their surviving children go, who did they marry, and when did they die? Joseph Reeves was married to my great-aunt so I know about him. Any help would be appreciated.


Sandra Johnson
1066 Guthrie
Golden Valley, AZ 86413
kjohnson@citlink.net

Marriage Indexing: Project Stats

(Click on image for larger view)

Here are the latest statistics on the Indiana marriage indexing project through the end of December. At the end of the first year of the project, volunteers have indexed almost 450,000 records!

Howard County Society To Meet

The Howard County (Indiana) Genealogical Society will meet February 2 at 10 am in the Community Room of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library. The meetings are open to the public.

Kokomo Library Hosts Internet Workshop

The Genealogy & Local History Services Department of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library will hold a workshop, "Genealogy on the Internet," on January 24 from 7 to 9 pm in their Computer Lab. To register for the workshop, call the Computer Lab--phone (765) 457-3242.

Using Maps for Family History Research

The Indiana Historical Society is offering a workshop on "Using Maps to Discover Your Family History" on Saturday, January 19 from 10 am to noon. Participants will learn how to use various kinds of maps (including plat books, Sanborn maps and topographical maps) in their research. The workshop will be led by Betty L. Warren of the Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library and immediate past-president of the Indiana Genealogical Society.

Registration is $8 for IHS members; $10 for non-members. Registrations must be received by January 11. To register for the workshop, or for more information, call (317) 232-1882 or (800) 447-1830.

Query: Snodgrass/Smith of Pulaski County

Looking for information about Elizabeth (Snodgrass) Smith. She married William Henry Smith on July 5, 1849 in Pulaski County, Indiana and she died November 30, 1850 at or soon after the birth of her daughter, Nancy Jane Smith. Family history says Elizabeth was born in Virginia. I have searched for years but have been unable to find who her parents were.


Susan E. Kranz
2654 Rivers Bluff Ln.
Anoka, MN 55303
skranz@mpls.k12.mn.us

Query: Ogborn/Ogburn of Hendricks County

Seeking information on descendants of Samuel Ogburn or Ogborn. He was born in 1842 in Perry County, Ohio, the son of Joseph and Susannah (Usher) Ogborn. He enlisted in the Civil War twice--in the 25th Ohio Infantry at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio and then in Company I of the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery at Malta, Ohio. He was mustered out in 1865 at Knoxville, Tennessee. Some online records indicate that his widow (Mahala??) filed for a pension from Indiana and may have been living in Hendricks County, Indiana.

Sharon Chuvalas
326 Lakeside Circle
Marysville,OH 43040
SCHUVALAS1@columbus.rr.com

Query: Mathews/Trogdon of Morgan County

I am looking for more information about my great-grandmother Emily Ruth Mathews and her family. She was born 22 January 1847, parents and place unknown. She married Isaiah Hornaday Trogdon on 5 April 1866 at Martinsville, Morgan County, Indiana. She died 3 April 1928 and is buried in the Clear Creek Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. I have no other information about her or the Mathews family.

William Cochiolo
1334 Scott Lee Dr.
Oceano, CA 93445
rbcochiolo@yahoo.com

Query: Thompson of Knox County

My father, Paul Hazel Thompson, was born in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana on November 15, 1920. We have never been able to find a birth certificate for him--in fact, his aunts had to sign a statement verifying his date and place of birth when he enlisted in the Army during World War II.

I found his mother on the 1910 census in Black Dog/Osage/Oklahoma Territory. I got the name of his father, Fred Thompson, from a distant cousin in the last couple of months.

According to family stories, my father's parents, Fred Thompson and Muriel/Merle/Murlie Thomason, were killed in a car accident when he was about 3 years old (which would be around 1923-1924?). My great-aunt refused to discuss their deaths and this is the only information I have.

I found a record for a Frederick C. Thompson who died in Indiana on July 16, 1925, but I am not sure where. Any ideas for where to look would be appreciated.


Terri (Thompson) Trevino
5804 Providance Place
Cheyenne, WY 82001-7446
mtnestx2@bresnan.net

Query: VanDamn of St. Joseph County

I am trying to locate Ellie VanDamn--back in the late 1950's her family lived in the area of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana. She was around my parents’ age, so I'm guessing she was born around the 1920's. Her husband's name may have been Roger, and one of their sons was also named Roger. Ellie and her husband were close friends of my parents. One of their children was born at the same time my brother was--that is how my mother and Ellie met, in the maternity ward!

I think the family moved from South Bend, but if anyone knows how to contact them or their children, we sure would appreciate it.

Cheryl Horne
27 Pampas Dr.
La Place, LA 70068
tohocheho@bellsouth.net

Query: Evans of Indiana

I am looking for information on the John Evans family who lived in Indiana between 1835-1837 (their location in Indiana is unknown). John Evans was born about 1784 in Virginia and died 25 July 1852 in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky. His parents were Guy and Lucretia Evans. He married Elizabeth ??, who was born about 1800 in Maryland and died about 1856 in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky.

John and Elizabeth had the following children:
--John J. Evans born about 1812 in Virginia--married Nancy ??
--Rebecca Evans born 1814 in Washington, D.C.--married John Cobb
--Martha Ellen Evans born about 1817--married George W. Banta
--George D. Evans born December 1825 in Kentucky
--Jane Evans born before 1828--married Richard Peckover
--Richard Evans born about 1828 in Kentucky
--Mary Adeline Evans born about 1833--married George W. Ryder
--Caroline Evans born about 1835--married Samuel Calhoun
--Sophia Evans born about 1837 in Indiana


Leanne M Baraban
16549 Birch St.
Overland Park, KS 66085
LBaraban@kc.rr.com

Query: Hiers/Wyburns of Laporte and Miami counties

I'm searching for any information on my grandfather, William W. Hiers (born on February 26, 1876 in Michigan City, Laporte County, Indiana) and his mother Ester who lived in Peru, Miami County, Indiana at the turn of the 20th century. I know that William married a Flossie M. Wyburns on June 4, 1904, in Peru (it was his first marriage). I would like to know if William and Flossie Hiers had any children.

Also, William's mother Ester Hiers married a J.W. Shaefer on April 23, 1927. They lived at 407 S. Adams Ave.

Magdalena T. Nava
1818 Dolphin Dr.
Portland, TX 78374
casadenava6@yahoo.com

Query: Beach of Lake County

I am trying to get more information on my great-grandfather, David Wayne Beach. He was born in Alliance, Nebraska in or around 1895 and he died in Cedar Lake, Lake County, Indiana in 1954. He was a High Priest for the Freemasons in the Hammond area. He was involved with some type of debatable situation back when the Jewish immigrants were coming into the Chicago area. I was in contact with Nelson King of the Freemasons and he advised me to contact my great-grandfather’s actual lodge but that is proving to be hard to do. I know he was a lawyer at one point and he was married to a Marie Mquiston.

Stefanie Griffin
126 Easy St.
Hazel Green, AL 35750
stefaniehz@yahoo.com

Query: Emerson of Jackson County

I am seeking information on Joseph Emerson, husband of Elizabeth (Stark) Emerson--Elizabeth died in Brownstown, Jackson County, Indiana on June 17, 1853 and is buried there, but I have been unable to locate information on her husband. Would anyone be able to check obituaries and/or cemeteries in Brownstown? They had a son, Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Emerson, who died January 26, 1874 in Brownstown, and another son and daughter-in-law, Warren Chase Emerson (died November 3, 1890) and Eleanor (McWhinney) Emerson (died October 8, 1908 in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana).


Julia Emerson Tracy
9241 Caribbean Blvd.
Cutler Bay, FL 33157
magatobojt@aol.com

Query: Sewell of Steuben County

I am seeking the location of the family Bible of Andrew Sewell. The Bible was last known to be in the possession of Estel Sewell (deceased) of Hamilton, Steuben County, Indiana. In the Bible is a paper with information listed on the Craigo and Fordyce families--this paper was written by Thomas H. Craigo in 1869.

Patricia Huprich
201 East Slingluff Ave.
Dover, OH 44644
rdph@verizon.net

Query: Gardner/Heady of Sullivan County

I have found out that Simeon Gardner and Sarah A. Heady lived in Sullivan County, Indiana in the 1840 census and probably got married there, but I just found out the courthouse burned down on 17 February 1850 so where do I go from there? Simeon Gardner is the granddaddy of Charles Robert Gardner who came to Texas and founded our town, Vigo Park, in 1907. It was named for Vigo and Parke counties in Indiana, and most of the people who settled here were from those counties. Is there any way I can found out where Simeon Gardner came from in Kentucky?

Frances Henderson
Box 1307
Vigo Park, TX 79088
franhenderson@midplains.coop