Seeking Orphan Train Descendants

On Monday, November 30, 2015, the South Bend Area Genealogical Society's monthly program will feature Educator and Genealogist Barbara Cook of Niles who will speak on the "The Orphan Trains: Saga of the resettlement of homeless or destitute children from the East Coast to foster or adoptive families in the Midwest."

The Orphan Train project, initiated in New York City and Baltimore during the 18th and early 19th century, located homeless waifs with willing families in our area. Indiana was one of the largest recipients of "homeless children."Very little is known about the history of the children placed or their descendants.

We are attempting to identify and invite as many descendants to this event in order to recognize and honor the journey of their ancestors. In addition, we hope to document the beginnings of a data base which would be offered on the South Bend Area Genealogical Society's website (www.sbags.org).

If You're an Orphan Train Descendant:
The SBAGS's meeting is November 30 at 7:00pm at the Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, 115 S. Frances St., South Bend.

If you can't make the meeting, please contact them at local.history@sjcpl.org or (574) 282-4621.

Civil War Veteran John Tilford Haynes of White County

Photo of Sergeant J. T. Haynes' tombstone, courtesy of Barbara Westfall

Barbara Westfall (eysblu2@att.net) saw her great-grandfather, John Tilford Haynes, listed in our Members-Only database, Burials of Civil War Veterans from Indiana (1861-1904) and passed along some additional information on him - thanks Barbara!

John Tilford Haynes was a Sergeant in Company I of the 72nd Indiana Infantry. He was from Wolcott, White County, Indiana but actually enlisted at Remington, Jasper County, Indiana. He was also a Mexican War veteran, serving with the 2nd Indiana and the 7th Indiana.

He was wounded in Farmington, Tennessee and shot through both legs. He died in April 1903 and was buried in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Wolcott, White County, Indiana. More information can be found on his Find A Grave page.

John T.'s oldest son, David Haynes, was 14 years old when he enlisted with him and he served with the same company throughout the war. It's not clear what happened to David and where he is buried - he may be the David Haynes on the Benton County 1880 mortality schedule, but there is no record of his getting a tombstone for his military service.

Indiana State Library's 2015 Genealogy Fair

Thanks to all who stopped by the Indiana Genealogical Society's table at the Indiana State Library's Genealogy Fair this past Saturday! IGS Corresponding Secretary Ron Darrah (pictured) and Central District Director Nichelle Hayes met lots of great people.

FOUND Photo: Hattie White and Ora McCreary of Union County, Indiana (1890's)

Jo-Ann Murphy (jo-ann@spicemail.net) found these 2 photos from the 1890's, identified as being Hattie McCreary and husband Orrie, and is looking for family members to give them to. If you are a descendant of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact her.

Research has found that Hattie M. WHITE (born March 1876 in Indiana; died after 1930) married Ora E. McCREARY (born September 1857 in Indiana; died between 1920-1930) about 1895 and they lived in Union County, Indiana. Hattie and Ora had children: Mary M. McCreary (born September 1899 in Indiana) and Harry R. McCreary (born about 1907 in Indiana).

Hattie was the daughter of Jonathan White (born 29 November 1839 in Indiana; died 14 May 1885; buried in Bath Springs Cemetery, Union County, Indiana) and Mariah COLSON (born October 1843 in Indiana; died after 1920), who were married 1 January 1863 in Union County.

New Databases: At least 7 for each of Indiana's 92 counties

With the newest batch of databases we've added to our website, we've now reached "7 for 92" status - meaning we have at least 7 databases for each of Indiana's 92 counties. These new databases cover Starke County, Jennings County, Boone County, and more.

These are members-only databases - Login to use these collections. Not a member of the Indiana Genealogical Society? Join today! - Memberships that are purchased in October 2015 will not expire until December 2016.


--Early History of Eagle Township, Boone County, Indiana
Browseable digital images of the early history of Eagle Township (which is where Zionsville is located), as listed in a 1937 manuscript published by Zionsville High School. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Early Settlers of Eagle Township, Boone County, Indiana
Browseable digital images of biographical entries of the early settlers of Eagle Township (which is where Zionsville is located), as listed in a 1937 manuscript published by Zionsville High School. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Students of Rochester High School, Fulton County, Indiana (1931)
Browseable digital images of students in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1931 yearbook, “Ripplette.” This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Teachers of Rochester High School, Fulton County, Indiana (1931)
Browseable digital images of teachers in grades 9-12, as listed in the school’s 1931 yearbook, “Ripplette.” This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Students of Plainfield High School, Hendricks County, Indiana (1930)
Browseable digital images of students in grades 7-12, as listed in the school’s 1930 yearbook, “The Van Buren Elm.” This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Teachers of Plainfield High School, Hendricks County, Indiana (1930)
Browseable digital images of teachers in grades 7-12, as listed in the school’s 1930 yearbook, “The Van Buren Elm.” This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Students in Jasper County, Indiana (1883-1884)
An index of 1,800 students and the name of the school they attended during the 1883-1884 school year, as listed in a school ledger in the collection of the Jasper County Historical Society. This database was contributed by Sue Caldwell.

--Teachers in Jasper County, Indiana (1883-1884)
An index of 130 teachers and the names of their schools for the 1883-1884 school year, as listed in a school ledger in the collection of the Jasper County Historical Society. This database was contributed by Sue Caldwell.

--WPA Index to Published Biographies for Jennings County, Indiana (1942)
Browseable digital images of an every-name index to the biographies published in an 1884 atlas and an 1889 history. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Students of Rushville High School, Rush County, Indiana (1926)
Browseable digital images of students in grades 7-12, as listed in the school’s 1926 yearbook, “The Holcad.” This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Teachers of Rushville High School, Rush County, Indiana (1926)
Browseable digital images of students in grades 7-12, as listed in the school’s 1926 yearbook, “The Holcad.” This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

--Students in Grovertown Schools, Starke County, Indiana (1953)
An index of 400 students in grades 1-12 who attended Grovertown schools in 1953, as listed in Grovertown High School’s 1953 yearbook, “Memories.”

Main street in Zionsville, Indiana (photo courtesy of Zionsville town government)

IGS Help Wanted Oct. 24

  The Indiana Genealogical Society will be staffing an information table at the Genealogy Fair at the Indiana State Library on Saturday, October 24.
   IGS would appreciate 2-3 member volunteers to assist in representing the Society at that event. If you are within reasonable driving distance of Indianapolis and can dedicate at least a two-hour shift between 9 am and 4 pm, please contact IGS Corresponding Secretary Ron Darrah at rdarrah@att.net or at 317-594-9786.
   The event is free, but you may have to pay for some parking. Lunch is on your own. Information and materials will be provided. Your Society appreciates your assistance.

New Databases: Notre Dame, University of Indianapolis & more

The latest databases we've added to our website cover Notre Dame, the University of Indianapolis and more. These are members-only databases - Login to use these collections. Not a member of the Indiana Genealogical Society? Join today! - Memberships that are purchased in October 2015 will not expire until December 2016.

--Students of Franklin College, Franklin (1891-1899)
An index of 2,600 students, their hometowns and their course of study, as listed in the school’s annual catalogs for the 1890-1891 through the 1898-1899 school years.

--Students of Hanover College, Hanover (1880-1899)
An index of 3,000 students, their hometowns and their course of study, as listed in the school’s annual catalogs for the 1879-1880 through the 1898-1899 school years.

--Alumni of Moores Hill College, Dearborn County, Indiana (1858-1875)
An index of 80 graduates and their year of graduation, as listed in the school’s catalog for the 1874-1875 school year.

--Students of Indiana Central University, Indianapolis (1913-1917)
An index of 800 students, their hometowns and their course of study, as listed in the school’s annual catalogs for the 1912-1913 through the 1916-1917 school years. Indiana Central University later became the University of Indianapolis.

--Students of University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame (1888-1889)
An index of 1,200 students and their hometowns, as listed in the school’s annual catalogs for the 1887-1888 through the 1888-1889 school years.

The library at Moores Hill College (photo courtesy of University of Evansville)

Query: Seeking Images of 137th Indiana & 100-day Regiments

I'm hoping to find out if someone can point me to any media that would illustrate the flags, uniforms, insignia, etc., of the Indiana 100-day regiments - photos of originals, reproduction items, etc.

My third-great-grandfather (Samson Thomas) was a Private in Co. D of the 137th, and I would like to be able to display his discharge certificate with some images that would demonstrate specific context of his service.

I haven't had much luck finding any photos or images online for the 137th, or for many of the 100-day regiments, and I'm hoping that someone with more detailed knowledge of Indiana's Civil War history might be able to help me.

Much thanks for your time. :)

Scott Thomas
scott@plainofsharon.org
http://www.plainofsharon.org/scott/

Rules & regulations for Indiana University students (1881)

This page from Indiana University's annual catalog for the 1880-1881 school year shows some of the rules and regulations that IU students had to follow - including staying away from pool halls, no swearing and no whispering in class.

source: Indiana University's annual catalog for the 1880-1881 school year

Query: Valentine Stoner of Clark County, Indiana

Looking for descendants of Valentine Stoner who came from Germany to PA in 1783. Moved to Clark Co., Indiana and built Stoner's Ft. on the Ohio River. Need to compare him with a Valentine Stoner from Woodford Co. KY, who came to Clark Co., Indiana 1802. Are these different men?

I am descended from Dan Stoner (1791 Woodford Co. KY--1862 Bethlehem IN.) Buried Turner Cemetery.

Cherie Kuhn
11932 New Douglas Rd.
New Douglas IL 62074
mckuhn@frontiernet.net

New Databases: Tax lists, high school yearbooks and more

The latest databases we've added to the Indiana Genealogical Society website include businesses, tax lists, high school yearbooks and Civil War rosters of some Indiana Legion units. Take a look!

FREE Database:

Monroe County
- Businesses in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana (1976)
An index of 178 businesses in Bloomington and their owners, as listed in a 1976 newspaper. This database was contributed by Randi Richardson.

Premium Databases:

The following are members-only databases. Log in to use these collections. Not a member of the Indiana Genealogical Society? Join today!

County Records:

Floyd County:
- Students of New Albany High School, Floyd County, Indiana (1927)
An index of 735 students in grades 9-12, as listed in the school's 1927 yearbook, Senior Blotter. This database also includes digital images. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Fulton County:
- Students of Rochester High School, Fulton County, Indiana (1948)
Browseable digital images of students in grades 9-12, as listed in the school's 1948 yearbook, Manitou Ripples. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.
- Teachers of Rochester High School, Fulton County, Indiana (1948)
Browseable digital images of teachers in grades 9-12, as listed in the school's 1948 yearbook, Manitou Ripples. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Jasper County:
- Delinquent Taxpayers of Jasper County, Indiana (1874)
An index of 270 residents who had not paid their property taxes, as listed in an 1874 newspaper. This database was contributed by Sue Caldwell.

Vanderburgh County:
- Roster of Brownlow Guards, Indiana Legion, Vanderburgh County, Indiana (1863)
- Roster of Gray Jaegers, Indiana Legion, Vanderburgh County, Indiana (1863)
These are browseable digital images of rosters of Indiana Legion units, which were formed to protect the state’s borders during the Civil War. These rosters are in the collection of the Indiana State Archives and were contributed by Ron Darrah.

Some of the senior class in the Rochester High School yearbook, Manitou Ripples, 1948.

New Databases: Coroner's inquest records, tax lists and more

The latest databases we've added to the Indiana Genealogical Society website include coroner's inquest records, tax lists, mortality schedules and phone directories. Take a look!

FREE Database:

Perry County
- Tax List of Perry County, Indiana (1835)
Browseable digital images of an index of residents who paid property taxes, as listed in a county assessor’s book. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Premium Databases:

The following are members-only databases. Log in to use these collections. Not a member of the Indiana Genealogical Society? Join today!

County Records:

Dubois County:
- Index to Coroner's Inquest Records for Dubois County, Indiana (1909-1919)
An index of 86 people who died under suspicious circumstances between March 1909 and October 1919, as listed in a coroner’s record book. This database includes their age, the date the inquest was held and the coroner’s verdict on the cause of death, as well as the page number their entry can be found on. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Martin County:
- Index to Mortality Schedule for Martin County, Indiana (1860)
An index of 117 people who died between June 1859 and May 1860, as listed on the county’s 1860 mortality schedule. This database includes their age, sex, place of birth and month of death, as well as the enumeration and page number their entry can be found on. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Newton County:
- Index to Mortality Schedule for Newton County, Indiana (1870)
An index of 54 people who died between June 1869 and May 1870, as listed on the county’s 1870 mortality schedule. This database includes their age, sex, place of birth and month of death, as well as the enumeration and page number their entry can be found on. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Shelby County:
- Phone Directory for Fairland, Shelby County, Indiana (1959)
Browseable digital images of a telephone directory from 1959, showing the street address and phone number of residents. Contributed by Ron Darrah.

Part of the 1959 phone directory for Fairland, Shelby County, Indiana.