Howard County Genealogical Society To Meet in Kokomo

The Howard County (Indiana) Genealogical Society will meet on Monday, July 6 at 6:30 pm in the Community Room of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library (220 N. Union St., Kokomo IN 46901-4614). The meeting is open to the public.

Wallpaper in Lafayette Home Reveals Marriage Info

The Legacy News blog had this recent item about a homeowner in Lafayette, Indiana who removed layers of old wallpaper and discovered a marriage inscription from 1905 written on the plaster. The inscription reads "H E and D B Goaz July 1th 1905."

Genealogy Group To Hold Luncheon In Danville

The Danville Public Library's Genealogy Nuts Group will hold a pitch-in luncheon on Monday, June 8 beginning at noon in the library's program room. Guests should bring a covered dish to share--tableware and drinks will be provided. After the luncheon, there will be a show & tell where guests will discuss an heirloom or antique they've brought with them. For more information, please contact Cindy Rutledge, manager of the library's Indiana Room--phone (317) 745-2604; e-mail dplind@dpl.lib.in.us

Marriage Indexing: Do It Your Way

Marriage Record Indexers

Tired of tabbing through all those unnecessary fields? And wouldn't it be nice if the fields were in the same order as the fields on the image? You can control both! 

Go to VIEW and look for the link at the bottom of the dropdown that says ORGANIZE FIELDS. Click on that and you can hide all those fields you don't need for this particular batch. Once that's done, you can then move the remaining fields up or down to arrange them into the same order in which they appear on the image. WOW! Now your grid looks just like you want it to and you'll finish this batch in no time at all! But beware!

Behind every cloud there is a silver lining so that means that for every silver lining, there is a cloud. The cloud in this case is that as soon as this batch is done and submitted, your organized fields go away with the batch. Download another batch and you'll have to organize the fields again. Is it worth it? For me it is at times -- other times I don't bother. It's up to you so do it your way!

Records Commission To Meet In Indianapolis

The Marion County Public Records Commission will meet on Thursday, June 18 at 9 am in Room 118 of the Indianapolis City-County Building (200 E. Washington St., Indianapolis IN). The meeting is open to the public. Interested genealogists and historians are encouraged to attend and to monitor the Marion County records situation.

Hamilton County Library To Demonstrate Genealogy Databases

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will offer a class, "Using Heritage Quest Online, New England Ancestors and Footnote.com," in their Computer Training Room on Wednesday, June 24 from 9:30 am to noon. This hands-on class will demonstrate how to use these genealogy databases. Participants will have time at the end of the class to work on their own research.

The class is free, but registration is required--register online via the library's website, or contact their Outreach Department--phone (317) 776-6939.

Query: SPEES of Pulaski County

Query: My family is looking for a birth record for my great-grandfather, Daniel Spees. We were told he was born January 16, 1876 in Winamac, Pulaski County, Indiana. I have found a World War I draft registration card that states his date of birth is January 16, 1878. He is in the 1880 census in Spencerville, Allen County, Ohio; the 1900 census in Lima City, Allen County, Ohio, and the 1910 census in Lima Ward 1, Allen County, Ohio. By 1917 he was in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. His parents are Mathias Emmet Spees and Mary (maiden name unknown) - we're also looking for his parents' marriage record.

Teena Burchianti
1616 Mallard Nest Way
Fruit Cove, FL 32259
burchianti4u@bellsouth.net

IGS Adds Free Databases to Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added these free databases to the Members-Only section of its website:

--Index of Abshire Cemetery, Wabash County, Indiana

--Index of Coesse Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

--Index of Samuel Miner Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

Our thanks to Penny L. North and Jim Cox for donating these cemetery indexes.

State Library To Discuss Use of Maps in Research

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program, "Using Maps In Your Research," on Monday, June 29 from noon to 1 pm in their Indiana Author's Room. Monique Howell, Indiana Collection Librarian, will discuss the various kinds of maps available at the Indiana State Library, including Sanborn, topographic and transportation maps. Digital and microfilmed maps will also be covered.

Clinton County Society To Discuss Early Medical Practices

The Clinton County Genealogical Society will meet on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 pm in the Ivy Tech Room of the Frankfort Community Public Library. At 6:30 pm, Chirurgeon Richard Hill will present a program, "Medical Practices of the Revolutionary War Era," which will include a re-enactment. Hill has completed extensive research on medical practices of the 1770's and the early 19th century. Some of his finds are extremely fascinating and he will be sharing his knowledge. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, please contact Tami K. Pelling--genealogy_123@yahoo.com.

State Library To Discuss Hoosier Women

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program, "Remarkable Indiana Dames," on Wednesday, June 24 from 10 to 11 am in their History Reference Room. Ron Sharp, Reference & Government Services Collection Supervisor, will discuss Hoosier women such as May Wright Sewall, Gene Stratton Porter and Madame C.J. Walker who worked to change life in Indiana during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Update: Jefferson County Courthouse Fire

A Louisville TV station has this story about the fire last night at the courthouse in Madison, Indiana. It includes a bleak assessment of the damage the fire caused:

Jefferson County Commission President Julie Berry said the county will be working with a state archivist to set up a task force to help with the document restoration process. Some documents and artifacts were saved, but a majority were ruined or damaged, including marriage documents, deeds and death certificates.

Jefferson County Courthouse Damaged By Fire

The Jefferson County Courthouse in Madison, Indiana is on fire. The cupola has been destroyed and the fire appears to be burning on the top floor right now.

Many records may be in jeopardy, either from the fire itself or water damage. This county has not suffered a major record loss in its entire previous history. It was formed in 1811.

The current courthouse was built about 1850, and was just repainted for the Madison bicentennial, including a gold tone on the cupola.

Kokomo Library To Host Genealogy Workshop

The Genealogy & Local History Department of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library (220 N. Union St., Kokomo IN 46901-4614) will hold a genealogy workshop on Tuesday, June 23 from 6 to 9 pm in the Community Room. Registration opens on May 23. To register for the workshop, contact Marcia Ford--e-mail mford@khcpl.org; phone (765) 457-3242.

Wayne County Honors Descendant of Indiana Governor

The Centerville home of Oliver Perry Morton, who was Governor of Indiana during the Civil War, hosted a tree-planting ceremony recently by Morton's great-great-grandson. Friday, May 15th was declared "Gov. Oliver Hazard Perry Throck Morton Day" by the town of Centerville and Wayne County. The event was coordinated by the Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau, who was able to track down Morton's great-great-grandson in Massachusetts thanks to the detective work of Caroline Throckmorton Lewin, Ph.D. For more information on this event, including a slideshow and newspaper reports, please visit www.throckmortonfamily.com.

Louisville School Adds Digital Collection

The University of Louisville's Kornhauser Health Sciences Library has now published an online collection of images from its historical collections and archives. These images are of people and places associated with the Louisville General Hospital School of Nursing, the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, and the University of Louisville School of Medicine in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Included in this collection are early catalogs from the medical school, along with photos of graduating classes for nursing, medical and dental students. Search the collection at http://digital.library.louisville.edu/collections/kornhauser/

State Library to Discuss Manuscript Collections

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program, "Researching Manuscript Collections," on Wednesday, June 17 from 11 am to noon in their History Reference Room. Brent Abercrombie, Manuscript Librarian, will discuss how to research manuscript or photograph collections using the various tools that are available at the Indiana State Library.

IGS Adds Free Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added these free databases to the Members-Only section of its website:

--Index of Boggs Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

--Index of Cramer Cemetery, Wabash County, Indiana

--Index of Garrison Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

--Index of Gragg Cemetery, Noble County, Indiana

Our thanks to Penny L. North and Jim Cox for donating these cemetery indexes.

Jefferson County Society Marks Milestone

Over 100 individuals have applied to the Jefferson County Genealogical Society's First Family Program, representing more than 50 different early settlers of Jefferson County. Many of these applicants will be walking in the Madison Bicentennial Founder’s Day Parade on June 6th. The society plans to publish a “Biographical Souvenir” containing information about the early settlers in time for the county bicentennial in 2011. See their website at www.jeffersoncountygenealogicalsociety.org for more information.

Partial Indiana Marriage Index Now Online

A partial index to the marriage records for Decatur, Franklin, Henry and Sullivan counties is now online at FamilySearch. This index is a joint effort of the Indiana Genealogical Society and FamilySearch to create an Indiana marriage index for 1790 through 1957.

More volunteers to help with the Indiana Marriage Indexing Project are always welcome!

Ancestry.com Workshop at Terre Haute

The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society will hold a workshop on Ancestry.com on Saturday, May 23 in the computer lab of the Vigo County Public Library in Terre Haute. You may choose which time to attend: 9:30 to 11:30 am, 11:45 am-1:45 pm, or 2-4 pm. The sessions will be led by Tom Isbell and Deborah Gentit and you must have a subscription to Ancestry.com. Seating is limited and you must pre-register. To register, or to find out what times are still open, please contact Tom Isbell--e-mail thomas.isbell@gmail.com or phone (812) 894-2404.

Noblesville Library To Discuss Land Records

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will offer a program, "Surveying Land Records," on Saturday, June 20 in their South meeting classroom from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. The program will discuss the use of land records in genealogy research, where to find them and how to use maps and gazetteers to focus your search.

The program is free, but registration is required--register online via the library's website, or contact their Outreach Department--phone (317) 776-6939.

State Library To Discuss Its Genealogy Collection

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program, "Hoosier Mama, Hoosier Papa," on Thursday, June 25 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in their History Reference Room. Daina Bohr, Genealogy Collection Librarian, will give an introduction to the materials the Indiana State Library has available for family history research. This is also a follow-up to their "Genealogy For Beginners" program on June 4.

Brownsburg Library To Discuss Vital Records

The Brownsburg Public Library will hold a program, "Vital Genealogy: Birth, Marriage and Death Records," on Saturday, June 6 at 10 am. Meredith Thompson (whose Hendricks County roots go back 150 years) will show you how to obtain Hendricks County vital records and what they contain. She'll also show you where to search if you hit a stumbling block. Registration is required--register online or phone (317) 852-3167.

Boone County Society To Meet in Lebanon

The Boone County Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 pm at the Lebanon Public Library. The topic will be "Genealogy 101" (Part 2). The public is welcome to attend.

Roundtable on Cemetery Research at Hamilton County Library

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will host a genealogy roundtable on Tuesday, June 9 from 2:15 to 3:15 pm in their genealogy classroom. This month's roundtable will focus on cemetery research. Come and share your stories about searching for your ancestors in cemeteries.

Query: VAUGHN/EVANS/GARRETT

I am researching my husband's father's family. The name is: James C. VAUGHN, born 1918, died September 1945. We know his grandfather's name was Charles. He had 3 sisters (Vivian, married name GARRETT; Edith and Lucille) and a brother named Floyd. He was married to Edith EVANS. We don't have any other info on the family.
Any info...census records, dates, name of the his grandmother would be appreciated.
Thank you

Karen Vaughn
P.O. Box 136
Crestline KS
E-mail kkmimicakes@yahoo.com

State Library To Discuss Church Records

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program, "From Cradle to Grave," on Thursday, June 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in their Indiana Author's Room. Diane Sharp, Genealogy Collections Supervisor, will discuss the many church records and related sources that are available in the Indiana State Library's collections.

Tippecanoe County Society To Meet

The Tippecanoe County Area Genealogy Society (TIPCOA) will meet on Wednesday, June 10 at 7 pm at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation (638 North St., Lafayette IN). Betty Warren will present a program, "Where Did I Find That Document?". The public is welcome.

IGS Adds Free Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added these free databases to the Members-Only section of its website:

--Index of Scott-Keister Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

--Index of Lower (Lauer) Cemetery, Noble County, Indiana

--Index of Otis Miner Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

Our thanks to Penny L. North and Jim Cox for donating these cemetery indexes.

IGS To Add Databases For All 92 Counties

The Board of Directors of the Indiana Genealogical Society recently approved a new project, titled "The 2 for 92 Project." It commits IGS to developing a minimum of two genealogical databases for each of the 92 counties in Indiana. Once developed, these databases will be added to the Members Only section of the IGS website, to be used by members of the Indiana Genealogical Society in researching their family history.

IGS District Directors and Indiana County Genealogists will lead the effort to locate sets of data and to arrange for digital versions to be submitted. The Board also encourages all members of the society to send in their data ideas, suggestions for sources, and any other materials relevant to the project. And *any* individuals who are interested in seeing more research data about Indiana and its counties become available--regardless of whether they are an IGS member or not--are encouraged to submit files to the project. All submissions will be credited.

Examples of possible submissions are: voter lists, cemetery readings, school graduation lists, military rosters, probate indexes, directory indexes, tax lists, and other genealogical materials. Older printed lists that have not been previously digitized are also good candidates for submission. Any materials that are subject to copyright must be accompanied by the copyright owner’s release.

IGS aims to complete this project as soon as possible, so Indiana researchers can have more resources available to them. The Board emphasizes that the 2 files per county is a minimum project figure, and expects the state’s genealogical community to respond with a much greater quantity of material.

Questions about the project (including what file formats will be accepted) may be directed to the Indiana Genealogical Society’s webmaster at webmaster@indgensoc.org. You may also get some ideas for databases by visiting the Members Only section.

IGS Honors Allen County Genealogists

Two people from the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana were given the Outstanding County Genealogical Contribution Award at the Indiana Genealogical Society's annual conference, which was held in Indianapolis on April 25.

Outstanding County Genealogical Contribution is awarded to an individual for recognition of a singular, outstanding contribution to the field of genealogy in a local area. The individual does not have to be a member of IGS, but the nomination is made by an IGS member.

John Perrey has been volunteering for the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center since 1987. One day he realized there were no marriage records for Allen County on the library's shelves and arranged to meet with the Allen County Clerk, beginning a relationship which still exists to this day. John goes to the clerk's office every Wednesday and picks up some marriage records, then takes them to the library and enters the information in a database which eventually becomes a book on the shelf. There are now 86 of these books. John has accumulated 3,689 hours of volunteer work.

Margery Graham has been involved with the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana since 1983. From 1984-2006 Margery and Marie Goodrich led the Elder Hostel classes using the resources of the genealogy department at the Allen County Public Library. Margery has held several offices in the Allen County society and began volunteering at the Allen County Public Library in 1992 assisting with patron submissions and assisted in copying thousands of Quaker records which took 13 years to complete. In 1994 Margery received Certified Genealogist credentials from the National Genealogical Society board. She also volunteers at Allen County's Vital Records office filling request for birth and death records. Margery says it best: "I enjoy all the various jobs related to genealogy and the library. By volunteering, I have received an education that could not be learned any other way."

Congratulations to both of these award recipients for their years of outstanding service!

Family History 101 Course At Fort Wayne

The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will host a 2-day mini-course, "Family History 101," on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11. Margery Graham, CG, and Steve Myers, MLS will lead a series of workshops on such topics as census records, vital records, and directories. There will also be time for one-on-one consultations. Registration is $50. To register, or for more information, visit http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/programs.html

Franklin County Society To Discuss Local History

The Franklin County Historical Society will meet on Tuesday, June 9 at the Laurel Hotel in Laurel. Local historians Donna Murray and Lindsay Jackson will present a program about the history of the town. Dinner starts at 6 pm, and the program starts at 7 pm. There is a fee for dinner, and reservations must be made before June 5. To make a reservation, contact Lowell and Pam Beneker--phone (765) 647-7365.

Indiana and Illinois Genealogy Books Wanted

Nina Hendricks volunteers with a genealogical society out of state and is looking to purchase some genealogy books that will help them answer research questions concerning Indiana and Illinois, particularly marriage records and biographies. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail her--NINASCLAN@aol.com.

State Library To Give Family History Orientation Tours

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will give an orientation tour of their family history resources on Tuesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 18 from 9:30 to 11 am. Pre-registration is required--to register, phone (317) 232-3689.

Historic Homes Research At Franklin County Library

The Brookville Public Library in Franklin County will host a program on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 pm about some of the historic homes in the area. Information will also be provided on how to start researching the history of your own home.

State Library To Discuss Beginning Genealogy Research

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program on Thursday, June 4 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in their History Reference Room for those who are new to genealogy. Autumn Gonzalez, Genealogy Collection Librarian, will give an overview of the basic documents and resources used in tracing your family tree.

State Library To Discuss Unconventional Federal Documents

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program on Monday, June 8 from noon to 1 pm in their Indiana Author's Room on some unique documents published by the Government Printing Office. Elisabeth O'Donnell, Federal Documents Librarian, will talk about some examples, such as: how to feed an army, grow tomatoes, and why all books are not kept out on display.

State Library to Discuss Last African-American Settlement

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program about Lyles Station on Wednesday, June 3 from noon to 1 pm in their Indiana Author's Room. Rachael Heger, Supervisor Indiana Collection Division, will give a presentation about the legacy of the Lyles family of Gibson County. The presentation will discuss the inception of Lyles Station in 1886 to the devastasting flood in 1913, to the renovation of the historic schoolhouse in 2003.

IGS Adds Free Databases to Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added these free databases to the Members-Only section of its website:

--Index of Rousseau-Pence Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

--Index of Samuel Leaman Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

--Index of Scott Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

Our thanks to Penny L. North and Jim Cox for donating these cemetery indexes.

Tippecanoe County Society To Host Workshop

The Tippecanoe County Area Genealogical Society will hold a workshop on Saturday, August 22 at the Family History Center in West Lafayette (3224 Jasper St., West Lafayette IN). Jeffrey Bockman will be the featured speaker, with sessions "Living With Brick Walls," No Birth Certificate? No Problem" and "A Gift That Money Can't Buy." There is a registration fee and advance registration is required--contact the society via their website for more information.

IGS Appoints Margery Graham As District Director

At its May board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Margery Graham to fill the unexpired term of Northeast District Director. The position was vacated by Curt Witcher when he was elected president at the annual meeting in April. Margery is the Indiana County Genealogist for Allen County and has been a longtime volunteer with both the Allen County Public Library and the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana. The Northeast District Director represents Adams, Allen, Blackford, Dekalb, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties.

IGS Appoints White County Genealogist

At its May board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Judith Baker of Monticello, Indiana as the Indiana County Genealogist for White County. Judith has been volunteering with the White County Genealogical Society since 1969 and co-founded the organization. She has helped index the county's death records for 1880 to 1960 and marriage records and applications up to 1896. In 2007 she was named Director of the White County Historical Society Museum.

About ICG
Indiana County Genealogist is a program of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Its goal is to appoint qualified individuals to represent each of the 92 counties in Indiana. The ICG is a liaison between the Indiana Genealogical Society and local organizations and individuals, reporting on genealogy-related news (including any issues of records preservation and access). If you would like to apply to be an Indiana County Genealogist for your area, please visit http://www.indgensoc.org/county_genealogists.php

Query: THOMPSON/STORY of Monroe County

John G. THOMPSON, born abt. 1782 in Virginia. Died, 1857 Monroe County, Indiana. Wife, Elizabeth STORY. Died, 1861 in Monroe County, Indiana. Children: Amelia, Catherine, Gilmore, John, Mary, Leonidas, Margaret, Silas & Clifton THOMPSON. Silas THOMPSON served in Co. E, 35th Indiana Infantry from 1861 to 1865. I am looking for any information on the parents John G. THOMPSON and Elizabeth STORY. Particularly where exactly they were born and who were their parents.
Thanks very much for any help.
Peter A. THOMPSON
606 South Alba Circle
Mesa, AZ 85204
police_attorney@hotmail.com

Ancestry Library Edition Workshop in Hamilton County

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will offer a workshop, "Searching Ancestry Library Edition," in their computer training room on Wednesday, May 27 from 9:30 am to noon. This hands-on workshop will show you how to effectively search this genealogy database. Participants should bring information about their ancestors so they can search the database.

The workshop is free, but registration is required--register online via the library's website, or contact their Outreach Department--phone (317) 776-6939.

State Library To Offer Genealogy Fair

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis is hosting an Indiana Genealogy and Local History Fair on Saturday, October 24 from 9 am to 3:30 pm. There will be genealogical and historical organizations as well as commercial vendors, and admission is free. There will also be sessions offered by Jeannie Regan-Dinius ("A Grave Matter in Indiana"), Nicole Etcheson ("Women in Nineteenth Century America"), and James H. Madison ("Pioneer Migration into Indiana"). For more information, please visit http://www.in.gov/library/3505.htm

Marion County Group To Discuss City Directories

The Genealogical Society of Marion County will meet on Saturday, June 13 at 1:30 pm at the Southport Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Terry D. Prall will present a program, "Using City and County Directories To Fill In The Blanks." The meeting is open to the public. The GSMC board will meet at 12:30 pm--you are welcome to come early and sit in.

IGS Adds Databases to Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added these premium databases to the Members-Only section of its website:

--Doctors in Indiana State Medical Society (1896)

--Roster of 17th Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War (1861-1865)--This database includes photos of some soldiers.

--Students of Muncie Normal Institute, Muncie (1915)--This database includes photos of some students. NOTE: Muncie Normal Institute later became Ball State University.