Beginning Genealogy Workshop in Hendricks County

The Danville Public Library will present the first of a 2-part beginning genealogy workshop on Saturday, August 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 am in their program room. Indiana Room manager Cindy Rutledge will cover genealogy forms, organization, sources, and how to evaluate evidence. Class size is limited and registration is required--register online or phone (317) 745-2604.

Madison County Group To Meet in Elwood

The Elwood Pipecreek Genealogy Society of Elwood, Madison County, Indiana will meet on Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 pm in the Elwood Public Library. The public is welcome to attend.

Madison County Group To Hold Genealogy Seminar and Fair

The Elwood Pipecreek Genealogy Society in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana will hold their second annual Genealogy Seminar and Fair on Saturday, October 24, 2009. The guest speaker for this all-day event will be Jana Sloan-Broglin. For more information, please contact elwoodpipecreek@yahoo.com

IGS Seminar To Focus on Records Access

The Indiana Genealogical Society will hold a Society Management Seminar on Friday, September 25, 2009 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Plainfield Public Library in central Indiana. Among the speakers: Heather Neal, Indiana Public Records Counselor, will talk about access to Indiana's public records; Curt Witcher from Allen County Public Library will talk about how to preserve local records, and Hendricks County Clerk Cindy Spence will discuss the role of county clerks as keepers of local records.

Pre-registration is encouraged, as seating is limited. Registration is free for all those who are members of an IGS chapter or an appointed Indiana County Genealogist; otherwise, registration is $5 ($7 at the door). Visit http://www.indgensoc.org/seminar.php to register online, or to print out a registration form.

In Memoriam: Glenn Mather

The Indiana Genealogical Society has learned of the passing of Dr. Glenn Mather of Bloomington. Glenn was the former chair of the Honors & Awards committee, presenting awards to honorees at the IGS annual conference. He was also a volunteer at the Indiana State Archives. Our condolences to his family.

Query: RODECAP/McLAUGHLIIN/WALLES/WALLACE/MINNICK/COMER of Henry, Madison counties

I am looking for an obituary of my great-grandfather, David Solomon Rodecap. He died in either Henry County or Madison County, Indiana in approximately 1928. His wife's name was Clara May (McLaughlin) Rodecap. I believe he was buried in Middletown, Henry County, Indiana, as that is where they lived before coming to Auburn.

I am also looking for any info on Charles and Rebecca (possibly Walles or Wallace) McLaughlin, who lived in Middletown in the 1870's. They both died before 1880, leaving behind a family of small children I am told. I know of at least 3 of their children: Catharine (married Michael Minnick), Clara May (my great grandmother) and Lillian (married William Comer). I believe all the children stayed in the Henry or Madison counties area. I would also like to find the children's obituaries, if possible--I already have Clara's obit as she died in Auburn. I am hoping to visit there in the summer, but I am somewhat disabled, so any help on finding any information on them is appreciated.

Thank you.

Submitted by:
Meg Rodecap
2101 Luanne Ln.
Auburn, IN 46706
megger@netscape.com

Query: CONNELLY of Dearborn County

I am seeking information on the Samuel or Hugh Connelly family that lived in Dearborn County, Indiana in the early 1800's.

Submitted by:
Renee Knapp
P.O. Box 468
Salem, UT 84653
rsmithk@msn.com

History of State Library To Be Discussed

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Indiana State Library: A Brief History," in their Indiana Authors Room on Friday, July 31 from 2 to 3 pm. Janet Meek, Indiana Collection Librarian, will talk about the history of the Indiana State Library, its services and mission, and will also include a brief discussion of the architecture of the building. This program is free and open to the public.

IGS Adds Lake County Databases to Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added databases for Lake County to the County Records section of its Members Only area:

-- Qualified Electors in Lake County, Indiana (1890-1892)--a list of men who have qualified to be electors in the 1890 and 1892 elections, as listed in a book found in the Lake County Clerk's office.

--Register of Farms in Lake County, Indiana (1914-1966)--a register of the names of farms and their owners, as listed in a book found in the Lake County Recorder's office.

These are premium databases and are part of the 2 for 92 Project, where IGS will develop a minimum of two genealogical databases for each of the 92 counties in Indiana and post them to the Members Only area.

Preservation Workshop in Fort Wayne

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will host a workshop, "Preserving Family History: Basics of Care & Storage" by Rebecca Schipper, on Saturday, August 22 at 1 pm in the library's Meeting Room A. This is a free program.

Query: WALKER/KNILL Marriage Record

I'm try to locate a marriage record for my parents, Edward Harrison Walker and Leah Knill, so that my mother will be able to receive VA benefits available for veterans (and spouses) who served during wartime. I only know that they got married in Indiana sometime in the 1944/1945 timeframe while my father was there attending a wedding for a friend that was underage. I have been contacting all the counties that border Michigan but have been unsuccessful. Can any one help me locate this record? I appeciate any help that you may give.

Submitted by:
Stephen Walker
507 Parkland Dr.
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
E-mail: saw090@hotmail.com

Query: PHILLIPS of Marion County

I am researching three people that were in the Asylum for Friendless Homeless Colored Children in Indianapolis in the 1910 census. Their names were Dorothy, Fannie, and Beatrice Phillips, born between 1902 and 1904. I am looking for any and all information on them, including their parents' names and how they ended up there. I understand the records may be housed at the Indiana Historical Society?

Submitted by:
Susan Cole
114 Wilson Ave.
Springfield, OH 45505
E-mail: susane114@yahoo.com

Query: LACEY of Wayne County

I am searching for the parents of William Lacey who lived in Wayne County, Indiana for most of his life. He died in 1874. I have his obituary and it says he was a life long member of the Methodist Church. Can anyone tell me who I can reach with any information about the early records of the church in Wayne County? I would be very grateful for any help you can offer.

Submitted by:
Helen MacKain, Registrar
Mojave Chapter NSDAR, Fullerton, CA
E-mail hmackain@aol.com

Ouery: SHEPHERD/RICKABAUGH/BRANDENBURG of Washington and Greene Counties

I am trying to tie one Daniel Shepherd to whom I believe is his father John Shepherd. Daniel Shepherd was born 21 August 1823 in Washington County, Indiana , and later married Elizabeth Rickabaugh (born 4 December 1822) on 10 October 1843 in Greene County, Indiana.

I have a biography written in 1896 in Iowa stating that Daniel's father was John Shepherd and he owned land in Indiana. All I know about him is that he was born about 1790 and married 15 April 1813 in Adams Co, OH. I believe his wife was Sarah Brandenburg.

I am looking for proof to tie Daniel and John Shepherd together as son and father.

Submitted by:
Susan Keipp
436 W. 88th Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64114
E-mail skeipp@kc.rr.com

State Library To Discuss Google Books

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Using Google Books in Genealogy Research," in their History Reference Room on Thursday, July 23 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Autumn Gonzalez, Genealogy Collection Librarian, will talk about about Google's digitization project and how it can help you with your at-home research. The program is free and open to the public.

Research Lock-In At Kokomo Library

The Genealogy & Local History Department of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library (220 N. Union St., Kokomo IN 46901-4614) will sponsor a research lock-in on Sunday, July 26 from 1 to 5 pm, while the library is closed. There is no fee to attend--you are welcome to bring a lunch or snacks. Registration opens on June 26. For information on fees, and to register, please contact Marcia Ford--e-mail mford@khcpl.org; phone (765) 457-3242.

Update: Jefferson County Courthouse Fire

The Jefferson County Genealogical Society is circulating a petition to help raise awareness of the need to preserve all possible records of historical or genealogical value from the fire at the courthouse in Madison on May 20th. The petition will be presented to county officials, including the county's commission on public records. To sign the petition, go to http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-our-history.html

State Library To Discuss Hoosiers in World War I

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Mobilizing the Home Front: Hoosiers and World War I," in their Indiana Authors Room on Monday, July 20 from 11 am to noon. Marcia Caudell, Reference & Government Services Librarian, will discuss how early in 1917, as relations between the United States and Germany became strained, Hoosiers volunteered their time and money to assist in the war effort. This program is free and open to the public.

State Archives Databases In Limbo

The June 2009 issue of the IGS Newsletter includes an article by Ron Darrah, a long-term volunteer at the Indiana State Archives, about several databases that Archives volunteers have done over the past few years that have yet to be put online and made available to the public. The article encouraged IGS members to contact State Archivist Jim Corridan and Governor Mitch Daniels concerning this issue. Darrah was subsequently contacted by State Archivist Jim Corridan, who expressed his disappointment with the article and told Darrah his services as a volunteer were no longer needed.

The issue of the databases and a timeline for them being posted online has yet to be addressed. Here is a listing provided by Ron Darrah of the databases and their progress:

Department of Correction (DOC) Databases
--Jeffersonville (DOC-Jeffersonville) 11,995 records
--Old State Prison North (Indiana State Prison North Inmate Index 1858-1897) 10,574 records
--New State Prison North (DOC-Prisoners) 34,428 records
--Boys School (DOC - Boys School) 12,376 records
--Girls School (DOC - Girls School Inmates) 5,670 records
[NOTE: Girls School files will be added in the future, as well as databases for the Reformatory from 1897 forward.]

Military Databases
--World War I - Book of Merit 1,626 records
--World War II - Gold Star 3,461 records
--Civil War - 200,000 records [proofing is nearly done]
--National Guard - 37,000 records [now at the letter K--there is the potential to reach approximately 100,000 records when complete]
--Early soldiers - approximately 20,000 records
--Mexican War - 4,783 records
--United Spanish American War Veterans Files - underway
--Upcoming Spanish American War - underway

Orphans and Foster Children Databases
--Foster Children Files - 10,691 records
--Foster Parent Applications - 1,462 records
--Orphanages and Other Licensed Institutions for Children 922 records
--Juliana Work - 4,628 records

Court Records Databases
--Marion County Loft 1 - 27,578 records
--Marion County Loft 2 - 23,614 records
--Marion County Loft 3 - 36,000 records [still increasing]

Naturalization Databases
--The Naturalization database that is currently online contains approximately 23,540 records. There are several additional smaller counties ready to be added. In the near future the volunteers hope to have more counties proofed and ready to be uploaded, including Marion County (23,226 records) and St. Joseph County (approximately 39,000 records). These two counties, along with various other counties (with considerably smaller tables) will triple the size of the current online Naturalization database.

Land Records Databases
--LaPorte-Winamac land office 18,785 records
--Fort Wayne land office 73,250 records
--General Land Office (Reserves) 2,579 records [already on the Indiana State Archives website]
--Vincennes land office 100,000+ records [soon to be finished]
--Terre Haute-Crawfordsville land office approximately 20,000 records [soon to be finished]

State Library Moves Its Marriage Databases

The Indiana State Library has changed the locations of the Indiana marriage databases on its website. Their Indiana marriages through 1850 is now located at http://208.119.72.68/INMarriages1850/, and their Indiana marriages 1993-1002 is now located at http://208.119.72.68/INMarriages93to02/.

IGS Adds Cemetery Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added more cemetery databases to the County Records section of its Members Only:

Whitley County
--Index of Compton Oak Grove Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana
--Index of Jefferson Chapel Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana


These are free databases and were donated by Jim Cox and Penny L. North. More cemetery databases will be added to the website as time permits.

Cemetery Restoration in Hendricks County

The Hendricks County, Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project will be working on restoring Lingeman Cemetery in Brownsburg from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. The tombstones will be cleaned, repaired and reset.

Volunteers of all ages and ability levels are welcome to come help for all or part of the day. Lingeman Cemetery is located on Washington Street in Brownsburg, about 1/4 mile southwest of the intersection of State Road 267 and US 136.

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Felix, the project coordinator--jlfelix24@yahoo.com.

Connersville To Host Fayette County Heritage Days

Fayette County will host several events on Saturday, June 27th as part of its Fayette County Heritage Days. At 9 am and again at 2 pm, there will be a guided tour of Connersville's historic district and landmarks by Mardee and John Blommel. The tour will leave from the Fayette County Public Library--guests will board the bus/van from the library's back lot (9th Street).

At 10 am and again at 3 pm, student thespian re-enactors from Connersville High School will be graveside at the City Cemetery to give portrayals of some of the people buried there. The library will also be open from 9 am to 5 pm for research, with representatives from the DAR and the Genealogy Club on hand and tables available to display materials.

All events are free but pre-registration is required for the various tours due to limited space--to register, please e-mail paulette@fcplibrary.lib.in.us or Fayette_heritage_days@yahoo.com.

Connersville Library To Hold Genealogy Lock-In

The Fayette County Public Library in Connersville will hold a genealogy lock-in on Friday, June 26 from 8 to 11 pm (check-in is at 7:30 pm). The event will kick off Fayette County Heritage Days. Guests can bring their laptops to take advantage of the library's Wi-Fi network, and also use the library's computer lab. Snacks and drinks will be provided, and guests can take advantage of the reduced price for photocopies. Registration is required--e-mail paulette@fcplibrary.lib.in.us or Fayette_heritage_days@yahoo.com.

State Library To Discuss PERSI Index

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "PERSI for Genealogists," in their History Reference Room on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Leigh Anne Johnson, Genealogy Collection Librarian, will discuss how to use PERSI (The Periodical Source Index) to boost your genealogy research. This vast index includes citations for articles dating from the 1700's to the present. This program is free and open to the public.

IGS Adds June Newsletter To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has now added the June 2009 issue of the IGS Newsletter to the IGS Records section of Members Only. This issue includes an article by Ron Darrah on databases done by volunteers for the Indiana State Archives, and an article by Shirley Richison Fields updating the status of Jefferson County records in the aftermath of the courthouse fire at Madison. Several "Once A Hoosier..." entries are also included.

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

Query: COX/MALEOMA of Wabash County

Hamilton Cox married Eliza Ann Maleoma on 14 March 1838 in Wabash County, Indiana. Searching for any information on either of these people. I believe Hamilton Cox's parents were from Pennsylvania, but I have no proof. As far as I have found, Eliza Ann Maleoma was from Indiana. Any help would be appreciated.

Submitted by:
Betty
2885 Hubbard Ln., Apt. F
Eureka, CA 95501
Bettygadabout@suddenlink.net

State Library To Discuss Non-Population Census Records

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will host a program, "Non-Population Census Records," on Thursday, July 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in their History Reference Room. Charles Hill, Genealogy Collection Librarian, will discuss the information that can be found in agricultural, manufacturing, mortality and other schedules.

Franklin County Library To Discuss County's History

The Brookville Public Library in Franklin County will host a program on Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 pm discussing some of the county's most memorable moments.

Query: SMITH of Hamilton County

Query: I need some research assistance (for cost/fee as determined) to help me research the death of Sidney SMITH, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, who was born in 1805 in South Carolina and died ?1850? in Jolietville, Hamilton County, Indiana. His wife was Eliza and they had 5 surviving children, the last child being born in January 1850. He must have been alive around March 1849. He owned property and farmed in Hamilton County. Thank you very much.

Submitted by:
Mike Smith
500 Calmace Dr.
Dixon, CA 95620
Kntrygent00@ymail.com

Query: BENNETT/VANDYKE of Montgomery and Marion Counties

Query: I am hoping you can give me some suggestions regarding how to find the date and place of death for Ruth Adele BENNETT, who was born December 3, 1891 in Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana. She was the daughter of Robert M. Bennett of Crawfordsville. She married Irvin C. VANDYKE, Jr. on October 10, 1931 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Their marriage dissolved some time in the 1930's but I have no idea when or where they divorced. She may have re-married, and she may have eventually left Indiana--I am not sure.
I would appreciate any help.

Thank you!

Submitted by:
Frank Hoffman
Chicago, IL
fthchicago@aol.com

Query: GEORGE/WEBB of Franklin County

Query: I am researching a Sarah GEORGE, who was born in 1809 in Franklin County, Indiana and died 20 June 1890 in Mendocino County, California. She was married to a Lewis Dewes WEBB who was born 26 April 1811 in Harrison, Indiana and died 4 August 1892 in Butte County, California. Would there be any record of Sarah George's birth or parents in Franklin County?

Submitted by:
Carlin Christensen
P.O. Box 26674
San Francisco, CA 94126
carlin.christensen@comcast.net

Query: HUNTER/LAWRENCE/RAMSEY/GILBERT/HARKINS of Franklin and Ripley Counties

Query: I’m looking for information on a Lodisa HUNTER born 1851 to Aaron HUNTER & Cynthia Ann LAWRENCE RAMSEY. According to family stories Lodisa was married to a Mr. GILBERT in an unknown location. To this union two daughters were born. Molly married a Mr. HARKINS and lived for a short time in Ohio. I have no information on the other daughter, Mae. I was not able to locate Lodisa in an 1860 Indiana census; by the 1870 Indiana census she is no longer living at home. Aaron Hunter was born in 1800 in New Jersey; Cynthia was born in Ohio in 1822. Aaron and Cynthia LAWRENCE RAMSEY were married in Franklin County, Indiana in 1851; it was Aaron’s second marriage. They both were living in Ripley County prior to that. Any information would be appreciated.

Submitted by:
Gerry Yost
514 Pavia Ave.
Ravenna, NE 68869
gyostyogi@rcom-ne.com

Query: SCHWALBE/GORDON of Lake County

Query: I am looking for information/death notice/death certificate of my great-uncle, Rudolph Schwalbe, who was born on March 19, 1896 and died on October 25, 1903 at age 7 1/2 in Clarke Station (Gary), Lake County, Indiana. He is buried in Waldheim Cemetery in Gary. He was the son of Hugo and Bertha Schwalbe.

I am also interested in finding out if the grave of my aunt Lucille Gordon (born 1918 and died 6 months later in 1918) has ever been recorded in the Waldheim Cemetery. I am told that she was buried near the graves of the Schwalbe's. I have found their graves but not hers. Can you please let me know if there is a mention of her on any of the Waldheim listings before 1958? I would also like to know if anyone is in charge of taking care of that cemetery and if so, who I might contact.

Submitted by:
Sheryl Cseke
2954 W. 74th Ave.
Merrillville, IN 46410
sheri53@sbcglobal.net

State Library To Discuss Indianapolis' Crown Hill Cemetery

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Crown Hill Cemetery," in their History Reference Room on Wednesday, July 15 from noon to 1 pm. Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis is the country's third largest cemetery and the final resting place for a diverse group of Hoosiers. Rachael Heger, Indiana Collection Supervisor, will talk about the founding of the cemetery, along with its history and architecture and some of the notable people buried there. This program is free and open to the public.

IGS Adds Cemetery Databases to Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added several cemetery databases to the County Records section of its Members Only:

Allen County
--Index of Riverview Cemetery, Allen County, Indiana

Whitley County
--Index of Cleveland Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana
--Index of Evergreen Bethel Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana
--Index of Nolt Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana
--Index of Sandbank Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana

These are all free databases and were donated by Jim Cox and Penny L. North. More cemetery databases will be added over time.

IGS Adds Databases To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added several databases to the Members Only area of its website:

African American Records
--African American Residents of Posey County, Indiana (1882)--a listing from a county directory.

College Records
--Autographs of Students of Central Normal College, Danville (1878-1899)--a wonderful resource handed down through the family of CNC graduate D.B. Sherry, this database includes copies of each autograph and biographical information about the various people who made entries in this album.

County Records
-- Selected Tax Lists of Marion County, Indiana (1840-1850)--combines 3 sources from this period.

--Faculty of Wayne County, Indiana (1940)--a listing of all the teachers in the county, courtesy of a school directory.

These are all premium databases, accessible only to IGS members. More databases will be added over time.