State Library To Discuss Genealogy Sources

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Unique Genealogy Sources," on Thursday, December 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in their History Reference Room. Genealogy Collection Librarian Leigh Anne Johnson will discuss little-known sources for genealogy research that are available at the State Library.

Noblesville Library To Discuss Irish Research

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will host a roundtable in their genealogy classroom on Tuesday, December 8 from 2:15 to 3:15 pm. This month's roundtable will focus on Irish research. Come meet with those who have experience researching Irish relatives. Bring your questions and share your own successes. For more information about the roundtable, please contact the library's Indiana Room--phone (317) 770-3206.

Marriage Indexing: Progress Report

The latest progress report for the Indiana Marriage Indexing Project shows that volunteers have started indexing the records available for Marshall County:

--Allen County (1811-1959)--93.21% complete
--Benton County (1811-1959)--99.98% complete
--Boone County (1811-1959)--50.94% complete
--Brown County (1811-1959)--91.84% complete
--Dubois County (1811-1959)--12.04% complete
--Harrison County (1811-1959)--37.32% complete
--Marshall County (1811-1959)--5.38% complete

More volunteers are needed, especially to act as arbitrators (arbitrators are responsible for comparing the indexers' work to the records). Sign up at the FamilySearch Indexing website.

State Library To Discuss African-American Newspapers

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "African-American Newspapers in Indiana," on Monday, December 14 from noon to 1 pm in their Indiana Authors Room. Indiana Collection Librarian Kimberly Brown-Hardin will give an overview of the history of black newspapers in Indiana and show examples of the information they contain.

Query: RILEY/DAY/BOLANDER/MOORE/DAVIS of Marion County

I'm seeking information on Alexis Riley my (gggg-grandfather), born in MD in 1802 and lived in Lawrence Township, Marion County, IN from 1824 until his death. I'm also looking for information on 2 of his sons, George N. Riley (my ggg-grandfather) and Stephen P. Riley, George's brother. I do know that George married Elizabeth Day and Stephen married Lizzie Bolander. It's also my understanding that Alexis was married twice, his first wife was Nancy Moore and his second wife was Jane Davis. I can't locate death notices for Alexis or George, nor can I find George's Civil War documentation. Any information you could provide would be helpful.

Best Regards,
Sherry Byers
502 Glen Run Dr.
Atglen, PA 19310
dlbyers@comcast.net

Query: JOHNSON/GUY/BROWNEN/BOAS/BOSS of Morgan and Owen and Switzerland Counties

My third great grandmother, Sarah Johnson, was an orphan. She was born in 1839 in Indiana (possibly Morgan County) and died 01 May 1895 in Indiana (most likely near Gosport in Owen County). She married James Guy on 28 Nov 1853 in Morgan County, Indiana. Based on census records, I believe that she might have been raised by John and Elizabeth Brownen (There is a Sarah Johnson living with the Brownens in Morgan County in 1850). How might I found out more information about adoptions during this time period?
Another of my third great grandmothers (Elizabeth Boas/Boss b. 1849) was also adopted (in Kentucky before 1860) and was raised in Switzerland County, Indiana. Are there publications or records on such matters?

Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Allison Riggle
4850 Chapel Brook Lane
New Albany, IN
riggleam@yahoo.com

Query: DAWSON/FOWLER/WEST of Fayette and Dearborn Counties

I am looking for information on John Dawson's parents. John was b. 30 Jan 1893 d. abt. 1971. He lived in Connersville, Fayette County, IN before 1951. His wife was Julia (Fowler) Dawson b. 22 Aug 1879 in Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, IN, d. 10 April 1964 in Connersville, Fayette County, IN. She was my father's sister, and I'm trying to locate information on their parents Charles Cleveland Fowler and Mary Louise (West) Fowler who were from Boone County, Ky.

I would be very grateful for any help.
LaVerne Fowler
371 Carrol St.
Greendale, IN 47025
fowl51@yahoo.com

Query: BLOUGH/KINSEY/BLAUCH/BROWN/BLOCHER

I am a descendant of Christian Blauch, and am just starting to dabble into what the elder generation of my family has on our lineage. I would like to hear from Marjorie Blocher Kinsey or anyone else that might have information on Blough family history.

Richard Brown
4 Lion Ave.
St. Johnsville, NY 13452
Email Address: reb10560@gmail.com

Query: BENNETT

Leonard K BENNETT appears in the 1930 census in Detroit, aged 43 (b. England) in the company of his wife, Ruth, age 32, b. Indiana (and both parents b. Indiana), and stepson, Robert W Bennett, age 14, b Michigan (parents, confusingly, b England and Michigan). Leonard gives his age at first marriage as 43. As his birthday was 6 March, it means that (if he were telling the truth) he and Ruth were married between 6 March and 1 April 1930.

I have contacted the relevant authorities in Michigan, and the only marriage of a Leonard BENNETT to a Ruth, within a couple of years of that date, was 20 June 1931 in Ann Arbor, but the groom's father's name was not correct, and the (somewhat smudgy-font) ages were too young.

If anyone actually recognises my combination of names, dates and places, I would be delighted to hear from them.

Christine
SW Hertfordshire, England
mbenedict51@yahoo.co.uk

Query: GEORGE/BROWN/GRIFFITH of Kosciusko and Hamilton Counties

I am looking for infomation on my great-grandfather Samuel Perry George who moved to Puyallup, WA with his family from Noblesville, Hamilton County, Indiana in 1905. He was born 13 May 1855--I'm not sure where. He was married twice, first to a Mary or Martha Brown in Warsaw, Kosciusko County, Indiana around 1882. I'm not sure but we think she may have died in childbirth. His second marriage was to Rose Mae Griffith and took place on 11 March 1886 also in Warsaw.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Donald George
20917 1313 Ave. E
Graham, WA 98338
georgesfam@aol.com

Allen County Library To Discuss Genealogy Blogs

The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne will present a lecture, "Reading Genealogy Blogs," on Wednesday, December 9 at 2:30 pm in Meeting Room B of the library. As part of the library's WinterTech lecture series, Melissa Shimkus will discuss how blogs can teach you about research methodologies, databases, conferences, and new technologies, as well as helping you keep up with your distant cousins and their research. You'll also learn about how to manage and organize the blogs you read and where to look to find genealogy blogs. To register, phone (260) 421-1225 or e-mail genealogy@acpl.info.

Noblesville Library To Discuss Research in Ireland

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will host a class, "Irish Footprints in Ireland," on Saturday, December 5 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in their genealogy classroom. In this second of a 2-part series, presenters Pat Adams and Shannon Kennedy will talk about Irish history and geography and explore the records and resources of Ireland. Registration is required--to register, visit the library's website, or contact the library's Indiana Room--phone (317) 770-3206.

State Library To Discuss Vital Records

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Indiana Vital Records Resources," on Thursday, December 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in their History Reference Room. Genealogy Collection Librarian Daina Bohr will give an introduction to the birth, marriage and death resources (including electronic and microfilmed resources) for Indiana that are available at the State Library.

Madison County Group To Meet in Elwood

The Elwood Pipecreek Genealogy Society of Elwood, Madison County, Indiana will meet on Thursday, December 17 at 7:30 pm in the Elwood Public Library. The public is welcome to attend.

Noblesville Library To Demonstrate Heritage Quest, New England Ancestors and Footnote.com

The Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville will hold a workshop on Wednesday, December 9 from 9:30 am to noon in their computer training room. This hands-on class will demonstrate how to use 3 genealogy databases--Heritage Quest Online, New England Ancestors and Footnote.com. Participants should bring information about their ancestors, as there will be time at the end of the workshop to work on their own research.

Registration is required--to register, visit the library's website, or contact their Outreach Department--phone (317) 776-6939. For more information about the workshop, contact the library's Indiana Room--phone (317) 770-3206.

Boone County Society To Meet In Thorntown

The Boone County Genealogical Society will meet at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 17 at the Thorntown Public Library. The public is invited to attend.

State Library To Discuss Preservation Techniques

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Preservation For The Non-Professional," on Wednesday, December 1 from 10 to 11 am in their Indiana Authors Room. Manuscripts & Rare Books Collection Area Supervisor Mark Vopelak will show laypeople how to safeguard their own personal papers, photos, scrapbooks and other memorabilia outside of digital formats.

Indiana Marriage Index Updated

FamilySearch's Indiana Marriage Index 1811-1959 has been updated. There are now partial records for 9 counties online: Adams County, Blackford County, Decatur County, Franklin County, Henry County, Huntington County, Owen County, Rush County and Sullivan County.

This project is a joint effort of the Indiana Genealogical Society and FamilySearch to create an Indiana marriage index and put it online for free. For more information, including how you can help, please visit the Indiana Marriage Indexing Project page.

Query: WARREN/RISHER of Parke and Hendricks Counties

I am interested in my WARREN family and related families of IN. My great-great-great-grandfather was Zimri WARREN.  His son William Allen WARREN born 1854 was my great-great-grandfather, he was married to Mary RISHER and had three children, two girls and one boy. William’s father and mother-in-law raised the 3 kids. The boy was my great-grandfather Harry and his son was Robert WARREN my grandfather and his son was my dad Leroy (Rea) WARREN, who last lived in Rockville, Parke County, IN before moving to Oregon during WWII. Zimri Warren lived in Coatesville, Hendricks County, IN.

John Warren
9832 Pioneer Valley Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
jwarren@npgcable.com

Query: ALLIS/PYLE/DRISCOLL of Floyd County

I’m looking for marriage records for Franklin ALLIS b. 8 July 1830 in Elyris, Marion, OH. His first marriage was to a Louisa PYLE on 16 Oct 1855 in Floyd County, IN. Franklin's second marriage was to a Mary A. DRISCOLL in an unknown location.

Patricia Spears
1193 Sumter Landing Circle
Evans, GA 30809
spearspat@hotmail.com

IGS Adds Elkhart County Database To Members-Only

The Indiana Genealogical Society has added a database for Elkhart County to the County Records section of the Members Only area:

--Alumni of Middlebury High School, Elkhart County, Indiana (1886-1916)--a listing from the school's first yearbook, The Original, which was published in 1916.

This database is 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.

It is a premium database, accessible only to IGS members. The Indiana Genealogical Society has now posted over 200 databases to the Members Only area. More databases will be added over time.

Marriage Indexing: Progress Report

The latest progress report for the Indiana Marriage Indexing Project shows that volunteers have almost finished indexing the records available for Benton County and have started indexing the records available for Dubois County:

--Allen County (1811-1959)--86.96% complete
--Benton County (1811-1959)--94.28% complete
--Boone County (1811-1959)--48.88% complete
--Brown County (1811-1959)--82.29% complete
--Dubois County (1811-1959)--0.47% complete
--Harrison County (1811-1959)--31.97% complete

More volunteers are needed to be arbitrators (comparing the indexers' work to the images), particularly for the Allen County, Benton County and Boone County records. You can sign up at the FamilySearch Indexing website.

Hamilton County Society To Meet in Carmel

The Hamilton County Genealogical Society will meet at 7 pm on Wednesday, December 2 at the Hensel Government Building (10701 N. College Ave., Carmel IN). The meeting is free and open to the public.

The Hamilton County Genealogical Society (formerly known as the North Indianapolis Area Genealogists) meets from October through May on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at the Hensel Government Building in Carmel. Meetings include programs and roundtable discussions. The meetings are free and everyone is welcome.

African American Group To Discuss DNA Testing

The Indiana African American Genealogy Group will meet on Saturday, December 19 from noon to 3 pm at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis. Gina Paige of African Ancestry, Inc. will present a program from noon to 2 pm, and from 2 to 3 pm there will be individual DNA testing offered for $299. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, please contact indplsaagenegroup@yahoo.com.

Greene County Health Department Restricts Access

According to this post on the National Genealogical Society's UpFront blog, the Greene County Health Department in Bloomfield, Indiana is restricting access to their death records until further notice. According to the blog post, the researcher who visited there in October was told the health department was boxing up their death records in order to have enough space to administer flu shots.

State Archives Launches New Site

The Indiana State Archives has a new website for Indiana research. Located at www.indianadigitalarchives.org, the new site currently has about a dozen searchable databases.

Although still a rudimentary resource and at present without any images, the site has great growth potential. Researchers are encouraged to check out this resource periodically to look for changes and additions. Congratulations to Archives manager Alan January, his staff and volunteers for getting this new site up and running.

We do not know if databases that are currently on the State Archives site or the State Library site will be migrated to this new site, but hopefully that will be in future plans.

IGS Appoints Tippecanoe County Genealogist

At its October board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Lou Ann Clugh of Lafayette as the Indiana County Genealogist for Tippecanoe County. Lou Ann has been involved with the Tippecanoe County Area Genealogical Society (TIPCOA) for over 20 years and is currently serving as their president and webmaster. She is the state coordinator of the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project (INPCRP) and also serves as their coordinator for Tippecanoe County.

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

IGS Appoints Ripley County Genealogist

At its October board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Sally Widener of Batesville as the Indiana County Genealogist for Ripley County. A frequent speaker at the Tri-County Genealogical Society's meetings, Sally is also indexing and taking photos of area tombstones for Find A Grave.

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

IGS Appoints Grant County Genealogist

At its October board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Rhonda Stoffer as the Indiana County Genealogist for Grant County. Rhonda has been head of the Indiana History and Genealogy Services at Marion Public Library since 2001. She has helped compile several indexes for the county, including an obituary index for 1867 to present and a marriage index for 1837 to 2006, and also helped organize several of the GenFests held in the area.

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

IGS Appoints Jackson County Genealogist

At its October board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Charlotte Sellers of Brownstown as the Indiana County Genealogist for Jackson County. Charlotte has been a Local History Specialist at the Jackson County Public Library in Seymour for 10 years and is also the Jackson County Historian. She initiated the Jackson County History Alliance and also served as editor of the Indiana Genealogist.

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

IGS Appoints Boone County Genealogist

At its October board meeting, the Indiana Genealogical Society appointed Jamey Hickson as the Indiana County Genealogist for Boone County. Jamey is a Librarian Specialist for Lebanon Public Library and has been involved with both the Boone County Historical Society and the Boone County Genealogical Society since 2001. She presents various genealogy programs in the community and is preparing to become a certified genealogist.

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

State Library To Discuss Family Research

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis will present a program, "Hoosier Mama, Hoosier Papa," on Thursday, November 19 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in their History Reference Room. Genealogy Collection Librarian Leigh Anne Johnson will give an overview of the materials available at the State Library for family history research. This is a follow-up to their "Genealogy For Beginners" program.

Marriage Indexing: Progress Report

The latest progress report for the Indiana Marriage Indexing Project shows that volunteers have completed the batches of records that were available for Ohio County and have started indexing the records available for Brown County:

--Allen County (1811-1959)--80.75% complete
--Benton County (1811-1959)--68.85% complete
--Boone County (1811-1959)--45.49% complete
--Brown County (1811-1959)--69.25% complete
--Harrison County (1811-1959)--23.05% complete

More volunteers are needed to be arbitrators (comparing the indexers' work to the images), particularly for the Allen County, Benton County and Boone County records. Sign up at the FamilySearch Indexing website.

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
--Indiana's African-American Soldiers in the Civil War (1861-1865)--a listing of over 2,500 African-Americans from Indiana who served in various regiments across the country. This listing was compiled from Indiana's Adjutant General report (8 volumes), which was published in 1869.

College Records
--Faculty of Earlham College, Richmond (1859)--a listing of teachers, as found in a school catalog.
--Faculty of Taylor University, Upland (1901)--a listing of teachers, as found in a school yearbook. This database includes photos of the teachers.

County Records
--Directory of Businesses in Decatur County, Indiana (1868)
--Directory of Businesses in Scott County, Indiana (1868)

NOTE: These 2 databases are a listing of business owners for the respective counties, as included in a railroad and shipping directory. They 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.

These are all premium databases, accessible only to IGS members. The Indiana Genealogical Society has now posted 200 databases to the Members Only area of its website. More databases will be added over time.