Query: Manlius Asher, Valparaiso, IN

            I am trying to find a birth certificate for my great grandfather, Manlius Asher, born August 13, 1852, in Valparaiso, IN. I am unable to locate any such records in the databases.

Daniel Asher
11830 175th Street W
Lakeville, MN 55044-7855
dasher.49@gmail.com

Query: Elijah Detro/Dutttrow & Jane Smith, Clark County

            I am writing this email to request your help with a genealogy query. My great grandparents were married in 1828 in Clark County, Indiana. They were Protestant. I think possibly they were married at Silver Creek Baptist Church, but I am not sure.

            Do you have any recommendations how I can get their marriage record from the church? Their names were Elijah Detro (also spelled Duttran and Duttrow) and Jane Smith. Thanks so much.

Sean Welsh
California

seanwelsh3@gmail.com

Query: J. T. Robinson, Monroe County

            I am attempting to determine if the following individual is related:
Capt. J. T. Robinson,  Co. G, 47th IN INF.
Died: July 9, 1891; Buried Mountain View Cemetery, Davenport, Washington.

            Note: I had relatives that lived in the Bloomington, Indiana area and in Davenport, WA. No one that I know has any knowledge of Capt. Robinson.

Kirk Mayer
1613 North Ashland Avenue
East Wenatchee, Washington 98802
kdmac4@nwi.net

Query: James Payne/Mariah Daly, Parke County

            I know of a marriage between James Webster PAYNE and Mariah DALY on 15 Sep 1853 in Rookville, Parke Co.  I would like to know if there is any information on Mariah DALY.  Parents, Residence, Siblings. She was born July 1825 in Vermont.  Parents born in Ireland (according to 1880 census data)

David Payne
514 Americas Way #5703

Box Elder, SD
4sadie@gmail.com

Query: Thomas Cunningham, Parke County

            Hello, I am trying to find information on my ancestor. I found 2 Thomas Cunninghams in Parke County;

one buried in Wolf Creek Cemetery 1872 with one child Ella Martha, No spouse listed on Find a Grave Born: 7 Sep 1821 in Kentucky;

one living in Sugar Creek, Parke County in 1870 with 9 children. Estimated birth date: 1822 Spouse: Martha

            Do you have any information in your records or know where I can possibly find it? I'd like to prove if these are different or the same person. I believe my Thomas was the son of Jonathan and Susannah Black. Thank you for any help you can give. I live in Colorado so researching in Indiana is difficult.

Mary Kemper

mary.kemper63@gmail.com

Query: William Van Loan/Mary Barnaby, Putnam County

            Whom do I contact to obtain a noncertified copy of an original marriage license and /or application for a marriage license? My great grandparents, William Franz Van Loan and Mary A Barnaby, were married in Putnam County on April 28, 1897. Thank you for your help.

Karen Cuzzolino
2115 Darby Creek Road
Havertown PA 19083
karen362@verizon.net

Query: James Moss, Putnam County

                I am seeking information on the birth parents of James Moss, born April 15, 1874.  Lived in Greencastle, Indiana, I believe, for most of his life until he went into the service, married, and moved to Indianapolis.  His adoptive parents were Nancy Albaugh Moss and John C. Moss of Greencastle.  He died in indianapolis 1932. 

                There was a name mentioned in an old Bible of a Black family; Peter Black from Kentucky or VA.  I looked up a family there-David Black, relative of Peter Black; resemblance is possible.  Moss family, no resemblance to any of the Mosses, including my three sons.  Can you give me some tips?  I have exhausted every lead.  Thanks.

Barbara Moss Hagy
5949 Buck Rill Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46237
sunshinekids64@gmail.com

Query: Hattie and Charles Herbert Blain/Blaine, Marion County

                Searching for records of Hattie Blain/Blaine and Charles Herbert Blain/Blaine.  Father Thomas Blain, born 1849 Scotland. Mother Sophrona Blain died in 1885, a widow at that time leaving three young kids as orphans.                 The children were born in Marion County and Charles Blain lived and died there.  Presumably Hattie died there too. There is a third child, a daughter.  Thomas Blain , the father, disappears from records after 1873.  1880 census his wife declares herself a widow; however, I think it's just as likely that he deserted the family or was institutionalized because I found no grave or death certificate.  In 1873 a news article reports his beating his wife blaming whiskey.  

                Several mysteries with this family:  Thomas Blain(e)'s wife Sophrona (Sophron/Fronia/Fronie/Forona) claims she's related to the John Jacob Mellonkopf family of Marion County.  No records to support this other than her word. (1860,1870 census she's not there with mellonkopfs).  Also one census has her stating that her parents were born in Pennsylvania.  Mollenkopfs were not.  She gives different birth years. I'm guessing it was 1852 and she lied about age earlier because she hadn't reached majority when she married.  Pregnant? Kicked out of the Mollenkopf house?  

                I'm thinking she could been an orphan train person which would explain why she saw herself as family and they did not.  There is an article of an orphan train arriving in 1859, so she could have been placed  in the family just after the 1860 census and then was married in 1869- why she wouldn't show up in 1870 census.  She died very young 1885 and is buried next to a Mollenkopf. 

                So many intriguing mysteries: What happened to Thomas blain(e) Jr. after 1873? Who was Sophrona Blain, a foster child? How did Sophrona die? What happened to Hattie, Charles H. and Elizabeth(?) Blaine when their mother and grandfather died in 1885?

                Charles Blaine later shot himself in 1909 after lifelong battle with alcoholism and at least one stay at a drunk farm.  So you see a tragic family all in all

Lisa Pardon
8575 Stonebrook Circle

Middleton, WI 53562
Harrinanan@hotmail.com

Query: Tipton County Records

            I am searching for information regarding the birth of my great-great grandmother who was born in Windfall, Tipton Co., Indiana in 1882.
            I was unable to find a genealogist listed on your website for Tipton County. Could you point me the right direction to be able to find birth records in Tipton County? Thank you.

Jessica Courtney
jessicacourtney07@gmail.com

New Databases for Clay, Gibson, Monroe, Owen and Union Counties - and More!

The weather might be cooling off, but the rate that IGS adds more databases to the website! Check out the latest additions, which brings the total to more than 1,850!

FREE Databases:

- Students and Teachers of Spencer High School, Owen County, Indiana (1921)
An index of 220 students and teachers listed in The 1921 Spencerian, the Spencer High School 1921 yearbook. This database was contributed by Randi Richardson.

- Students of Brownsville High School, Union County, Indiana (1948)
Digital images of the students in grades 7 through 12, as listed in the school's 1948 yearbook. This database was contributed by Wayne Klusman.

- Teachers of Brownsville High School, Union County, Indiana (1948)
Digital images of the teachers in grades 7 through 12, as listed in the school's 1948 yearbook. This database was contributed by Wayne Klusman.

Members-Only Databases:

These databases are available to IGS members. (Members - just log in and you have access.) Not a member? Join today and get access to these and more than 1,850 other databases!

Clay County:
- Students of Knightsville Grade School, Clay County, Indiana (1957)
An index of 93 students in grades 1 through 8 who attended Knightsville grade school, as listed in the school's 1957 yearbook, "Recollections". This index consists of the student's name and their grade.

Gibson County:
- History of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Fort Branch, Gibson County, Indiana (1934)
Digital images of a 1934 booklet, "Bethlehem Church: Program, Directory, Historical Sketch".

- Roster of Columbia Rifles, Indiana Legion, Gibson County, Indiana (1863)
Digital images of the roster of an Indiana Legion unit that was formed in Gibson County. Indiana Legion units were formed during the Civil War to protect the state’s borders.

Monroe County:
- Index to Records of Day Funeral Home, Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana (1946-1949)
An index of the records of the Day Funeral Home, which are kept at the Monroe County History Center. This index includes the name, the date that their body was received at the funeral home (which is not always the same as the date of death), and the page number. NOTE: Today the funeral home is known as the Day and Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home. This database was contributed by Randi Richardson.

Randolph County:
- History of W.E. Miller & Co. General Store, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana (1902)
Digital images of a 1902 booklet , "The W.E. Miller Co.'s Store 'As It Is'."

College and University Records:
- Graduates of DePauw University, Greencastle (1931)
An index of 296 students who graduated from DePauw University, as listed in a 1931 commencement program. This index consists of the student's name and the degree they received.

- Graduates of Evansville College, Evansville (1958)
An index of 251 students who graduated from Evansville College, as listed in a 1958 commencement program. This index consists of the student's name and the degree they received. NOTE: Evansville College later changed its name to the University of Evansville.

- Graduates of Goshen College, Goshen (1910)
An index of 30 students who graduated from Goshen College, as listed in a 1910 commencement program. This index consists only of the student's name.

From the History of W.E. Miller & Co. General Store, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana (1902)

Query: Stevens Family, Harrison County

                 I am writing because there are notes in the Harrison County Genealogy Society that say that there are records in the Indiana State Library in 1940 showing the burial of the Stevens family in Potts Cemetery. 

                This would be James Stevens (1746-1822), Thomas Stevens (1778-1844), Dorcas Dorr (1780-1829--Thomas’ wife, William Stevens (1802-1874) and wife Keziah Simpson (1806-1834).  Can anyone help me with this verification?

Shannon Langmaid shanlangmaid@hotmail.com

Query: School Records, Porter County

                Looking for a source for school records for elementary schools in Pleasant Township, Porter County in the era 1900-1920. I'm particularly interested in information about the names and locations of the schools                 I've checked various sources, including the Newberry Library,Chicago map collection, the Allen County Public Library, The L.D.S. Family History Center Catalog, the Valparaiso Public Library, the Kouts Public Library, Worldcat.org, E-bay, Amazon,the University of Chicago Library and your on- line databases.

Bruce Harmel
2311 Dakota Ridge

Johnsburg, Il. 60051-5225
bruceharmel@hotmail.com

New Databases: Orange County and Phi Beta Psi

The Indiana Genealogical Society is happy to announce the first databases created as part of our Indiana Genealogy Digitization Project. The Paoli Public Library has digitized these materials which are in their collection. They are now available for free on the IGS website.

Orange County:

- Directory of Lynn Public School, Stampers Creek Township, Orange County, Indiana (1923)
Digital images of a 1923 souvenir for Lynn Public School District #1, listing the students and school officials. Stampers Creek Township is in the eastern part of Orange County, east of Paoli.

Statewide Records:

- Members of Phi Beta Psi Sorority in Indiana (1933)
Digital images of a 1933 directory for the Phi Beta Psi sorority. This service-oriented sorority was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1904. In 1933, it had 17 chapters in Indiana: Arcadia, Anderson, Aurora, Batesville, Columbus, Corydon, Fairmount, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, Lawrenceburg, Orleans, Paoli, Scottsburg, South Bend, Terre Haute, and Tipton. This directory includes group photos of each chapter and information about the births, marriages, and deaths of its members.

Does your organization have Indiana genealogy materials that need digitizing? Maybe IGS can help you, too, through the Indiana Genealogy Digitization Project. See the website for more details.

Tau Chapter, Phi Beta Psi, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

IGS At The State Library Genealogy Fair Oct. 22

                The Indiana Genealogical Society will have a Publicity Booth at the State Library Genealogy Fair in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 22.

                We are requesting that any members with an hour or two to spare to please stop at the booth and assist in the staffing rotation. Tell the attendees about IGS and all the exciting programs we offer.

                Note from the State Library:

  “Please feel free to bring along photographs to be scanned during the Fair by the Indiana Album, a non-profit organization that copies, catalogs, and shares history photographs of Indiana from all eras. The project, endorsed by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, seeks images of buildings, businesses, churches, clubs, schools, and interesting people. See their web page (www.indianaalbum.com) to learn more, discover how to submit your own scans, or to view over 5,000 images scanned so far.”

Query: Daniel Goodson, Wells County

Dear IGS:                 Can you confirm yea/nay whether a Daniel Goodson is buried in Poor Farm Cemetery in Wells County, IN. Thank you.

David Carnes
4204 Holly Drive
Barboursville, VA 22923 carnesmd@icloud.com

Query: Maria Victoria Sears, Grant County

Dear Sir: We are looking for a former pastor of our church from 1905. We do not have first or middle name; only initials--M.V. Sears.
            We have become interested in finding the obituary for Reverend Maria Victoria Sears, who died in Grant County, Indiana, Jan 16, 1926, to see if it mentions the Wesleyan Church. One of the largest Wesleyan Universities is in Indiana and where the denomination began back in the 1800's. Thank you.

Nick Gill
718 Third Street
Rock Hill, S.C. 29730
lyong2@hotmail.com

Query: Ned Prichard, Adams County

            My mother's brother is Ned Prichard, who was born in Decatur, Adams County, Indiana, I'm trying to find a picture of him in an old school year book. No one in the family has a photo of him. I'm sickly, in my 60's and hope to find a photo of him before I pass away.

            His parents are Charles Ray Prichard and Flossie Jane Miller Prichard. They moved to Van Wert, Ohio. They had 12 children, Olive, Silvia, Viola, Betty, Alice, Princess, Janet, Homer, Ned, Charles(Chuck), James(Jim), and Max Prichard. There is no photo of Betty Prichard because she died as a child, missing photos are of Silvia, Homer, and Ned. Family reared most of their children in Van Wert, Ohio. Thank you for your time.

Dinah Atwell
107 Zack Circle

Elizabeth City, NC 27909
dinahatwell@embarqmail.com

New Databases: Daviess, Fountain, Jay, Montgomery, Noble and Porter Counties - and more

Our latest update has new collections from across the state. Check out what's new!

These databases are available to members of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Not a member? Join today and get access to these and more than 1,800 other databases to help you with your Indiana research.

Daviess County:

- Students of Washington High School, Daviess County, Indiana (1935)
Digital images of the students in grades 9 through 12, as listed in Washington High School's 1935 yearbook, The Washingtonian 1935. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

- Teachers of Washington High School, Daviess County, Indiana (1935)
Digital images of the teachers in grades 9 through 12, as listed in Washington High School's 1935 yearbook, The Washingtonian 1935. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Fountain County:

- History of Osborn Prairie Christian Church, Van Buren Township, Fountain County, Indiana (1838-1938)
Digital images of a 1938 booklet about a church celebrating its centennial. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Jay County:

- History of New Corydon, Jay County, Indiana (1821-1971)
Digital images of a 1971 booklet about a town celebrating its sesquicentennial. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Montgomery County:

- Students of Crawfordsville High School, Montgomery County, Indiana (1924)
Digital images of the students in grades 7 through 12, as listed in Crawfordsville High School's 1924 yearbook, The Athenian 1924. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

- Teachers of Crawfordsville High School, Montgomery County, Indiana (1924)
Digital images of the teachers in grades 7 through 12, as listed in Crawfordsville High School's 1924 yearbook, The Athenian 1924. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Noble County:

- Graduates of Ligonier High School, Noble County, Indiana (1944)
An index of students who graduated from Ligonier High School, as listed in the school's 1944 commencement program.

Porter County:

- Students of Valparaiso High School, Porter County, Indiana (1915)
An index of students at Valparaiso High School, as listed in the school's 1915 yearbook, "The Tubican." NOTE: This index only contains information on the students in the senior class.

Colleges and Universities:

- Graduates of Ball State Teachers College, Muncie (1941)
An index of students who graduated from Ball State, as listed in a 1941 commencement program. This index contains the student's name, hometown, and the degree they received. NOTE: Ball State Teachers College changed its name to Ball State University in 1965.

- Graduates of Indiana University, Bloomington (1906)
An index of students who graduated from Indiana University, as listed in a 1906 commencement program. This index includes the student's name, hometown, degree they received and the subject of their degree.

- Graduates of Oakland City College, Gibson County, Indiana (1960)
An index of students who graduated from Oakland City College, as listed in a 1960 commencement program. This index includes the student's name, hometown, and the degree they received. NOTE: Oakland City College later changed its name to Oakland City University.

From The Athenian, Crawfordsville High School, Crawfordsville, Indiana, 1924.

Query: Malachi Thomas, Pike County

            My g-grandparents were Marguery (Mary) K. Thomas b: 29 Dec 1845 d: 8 May 1918 & was married on 13 Sep 1867 to George Washington McAtee b: 15 April 1842 d: 20 May 1924. Both lived & died in Pike Co, IN & are buried in Little Zion Cemetery near Union, Pike Co, IN.

            Marguery K. Thomas parents were Malachi B. Thomas b: Feb 1820 in Indiana died 22 Feb 1880 in Pike Co, IN & Ruth Hillman b: 9 Oct 1821 in Mason Co, KY died after 1880. They were married in Pike Co, IN on 17 May 1842. Malachi’s father was born in either KY or TN (conflicting Census information). Malachi's occupation is listed as a farmer in the US Census. Most records list Malachi's middle initial as "B", but other documents list it as "S". This was confusing at first, but most of the "reliable" data bases list it as "B".

            I have considerable information on Ruth Hillman, but additional information on Malachi is very minimal. The problem in finding more information on Malachi Thomas is threefold.  1) US Census prior to 1850 does not include family members names or exact ages. By the time the 1850 US Census was taken, Malachi was 30 years old , was married & no longer living at home; 2) Malachi was born in 1820, this is before either the Indiana or Pike Co began keeping birth records; 3) Malachi died before 1882, the year when when Indiana began keeping death records.

            Also I know that he is buried in Little Zion Cemetery near Union, Pike Co, IN. This cemetery is associated with the Primitive Baptist Church. However, the Church does not maintain any death records. Malachi Thomas had several children, one of his younger sons was also named Malachi B. Thomas. Malachi the younger's life is well documented as he was very successful in the Pike Co, IN school system.

William E. Beasley

12 Timberline Dr

Blue Grass, Iowa 52726

563-381-4366

email: wbmecon@aol.com 

Query: Martin Tade/Mary Knipe, Knox County

            My 3rd. great grandmother was Mary Knipe born 1807 England; she married Martin Tade in Wythe County, Virginia, in 1827. Martin Tade was born circa 1800-1810 in Wythe County Virginia.  According to the 1830 census they were living in Knox County, Indiana.

            Their first daughter Elizabeth Tade was buried in Knox Co, IN, Royal Oak Cemetery in Dec 1831. One family researcher states that the Knipe family (Mary's parents) migrated from Virginia during the spring of 1828 via the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap, KY and across to Knox Co, IN. They arrived in Knox Co, IN, in Nov 1828. I am not positive, but we believe the Tade & Knipe families traveled together.

            Martin appears in Knox land & legal records in 1835 & 1836. He does not show up in the 1840 Knox County, Indiana, census. Their youngest child Jane Tade was born circa 1838 per US Census.  Neither Martin nor his family appear in the 1840 US Census records. Mary, his wife does appear in the 1850 Knox County, Indiana census, but Martin is noticeably missing. We cannot find any addition records for Martin. We are assuming that he either died or abandoned the family after 1837-1838 period. 

            We also know that Mary Knipe & Martin Tade's Children are:

John Tade b: Sept 1828 in VA, d: 25 Apr 1886, b: Royal Oaks Cemetery, Knox Co, IN

Elizabeth Tade b:Feb 1830, d: Dec 1831, b: Royal Oaks Cemetery, Knox Co, IN

Mary Tade b: Aug 1831, d: Sept 1859, b: Royal Oaks Cemetery, Knox Co, IN

Thomas Tade b: Mar 1834, d: Sept 1872, b: Royal Oaks Cemetery, Knox Co, IN

Jane Tade b: circa 1838

We are trying to determine who Martin Tade's parents are.  Any information you have on this family would be appreciated.

Penny Tade Beasley

12 Timberline Drive

Blue Grass, IA 52726

563-381-4366

wbmecon@aol.com

Query: Ida May Morrical, Winchester, Indiana

            Searching for information on Ida May MORRICAL (Green); b 1883, d 6/1/1950, Winchester, Indiana --In particular Ida's parentage, siblings.

Renee Rule
19561 Tradewinds Dr.

Noblesville, IN 46062 srrule@gmail.com

Query: Jesse Green/Sarah Gillum, Randolph County

            Searching for information on Jesse GREEN Jr.; parents Jesse GREEN Jr., b 1/3/1779 Halifax Co, NC, d 9/14/1838 in Randolph County, Indiana. Buried at Dunkirk Cemetery. Married Sarah Gillum.
            Also searching for information on Sarah GILLUM (Gilliam)  b 3/11/1772 in NC, d 9/27/1873, Randolph County, buried at Dunkirk Cemetery. In particular, Sarah's siblings and parents, grandparents.

Renee Rule
19561 Tradewinds Dr.

Noblesville, IN 46062
srrule@gmail.com

New Databases: Purdue, Valpo, Indiana State Evansville and More

Heads up, Boilermakers, Crusaders, and Eagles! We have just added new databases for Purdue, Valparaiso, and Indiana State - Evansville. Also new to the site is a list of injured coal miners.

These databases are available to members of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Not a member? Join today and get access to these and more than 1,800 other databases to help you with your Indiana research.

Indiana State University - Evansville:
- Graduates of Indiana State University Evansville (1977)
An index of 403 students who graduated from Indiana State University Evansville, as listed in a 1977 commencement program. This index includes the student's name, the degree they received, and their subject of study. NOTE: In 1985 Indiana State University Evansville became the University of Southern Indiana.

Purdue University:
- Graduates of Purdue University, West Lafayette (1943)
An index of 399 students who graduated from Purdue University, as listed in a 1943 commencement program. This index includes the student's name, hometown, and the degree they received.

Valparaiso University:
- Graduates of Valparaiso University, Valparaiso (1908)
An index of 221 students who graduated from Valparaiso University, as listed in a 1908 commencement program. This index includes the student's name, hometown, the degree they received, and their subject of study.

Statewide Records:
- Coal Miners Injured in Indiana (1881)
An index of coal miners who were injured in Indiana coal mines, as listed in an 1881 annual report from the state mine inspector. This index includes the miner's name, the county and name of the coal mine, and the date and details of their injury.

New Databases: Mortality Schedules, Funeral Homes and More

Looking for more records to explore? We have new databases for Fayette, Gibson, Owen, Pike, St. Joseph, Union, and Vermillion counties. Check them out:

FREE Database:

- Index to Records of West, Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home, Spencer, Owen County, Indiana (1925-1928)
An index of 292 entries in a funeral home record book. The index contains the deceased's name and the date of their record, as well as the page their entry can be found on. This database was contributed by Randi Richardson.

Members-Only Databases:

These databases are available to members of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Not a member? Join today and get access to these and more than 1,800 other databases!

Fayette County:
- Index to Mortality Schedule for Fayette County, Indiana (1870)
An index of 82 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.

Gibson County:
- Index to Mortality Schedule for Gibson County, Indiana (1870)
An index of 241 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.

Pike County:
- Enumeration of Adult Males in Jefferson Township, Pike County, Indiana (1889)
Browsable digital listing of a transcription of an 1889 enumeration of white males and colored males age 21 and over, as done by a county assessor. This transcription listed the male's name and his age.  This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

St. Joseph County:
- Graduates of High Schools in St. Joseph County, Indiana (1928)
Browsable digital listing of all the students who graduated from high schools in the county, as listed in a 1928 public schools manual. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

- Teachers in St. Joseph County, Indiana (1928)
Browsable digital listing of all the teachers in the county, as listed in a 1928 public schools manual. This database was contributed by Ron Darrah.

Union County:
- Index to Mortality Schedule for Union County, Indiana (1870)
An index of 66 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.

Vermillion County:
- Index to Mortality Schedule for Vermillion County, Indiana (1870)
An index of 139 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.

Research Tip: Indiana Teacher Licenses

By Meredith Thompson

Were any of your ancestors Indiana teachers? If so, they may have passed down their teaching certificate. (Pictured below: a certificate issued by the state to Edna G. Nowland in 1911.)

A teacher's certificate issued to Edna G. Nowland in 1911 by the state. (Courtesy of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library Archives.)

Beginning in the mid-1800s, if someone wanted to be a teacher, they had to apply to get a teacher's license, which could be issued either by the county or the state.

If it was issued by the county, the license could only be used for teaching in that particular county - a move to another county meant they would have to apply for another license. If it was issued by the state, however, the license was good for teaching in any county. Testing for county licenses was offered by the county's school superintendent; for statewide licenses, the testing was available at the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Indianapolis and at the offices of school superintendents in select cities.

The process of getting a teacher's license involved an individual evaluation, as well as passing exams in various subjects. Think you could have passed those exams? Pictured below are the questions from the Arithmetic exam in 1913.

The questions asked in the Arithmetic exam in 1913. (Courtesy of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library Archives.)

The lower the average grade you received on the exams, the shorter the time that your license would last. In 1910, for example, licenses were issued for:

• 12 months - if your average grade was 85% or more, with none of the grades below 75%
• 24 months - if your average grade was 90% or more, with none of the grades below 80%
• 36 months - if your average grade was 95% or more, with none of the grades below 85%

The back of a 1911 teacher's certificate, showing the grades received on the two exams. (Courtesy of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library Archives.)

In the certificate above, Edna G. Nowland's license in 1911 was issued for 36 months, and was for teaching 2 subjects (Literature and Composition and the Science of Education) at the high school level. The back of the certificate shows that she received a grade of 95% on the Literature and Composition exam and 91% on the Science of Education exam, plus 97% on her individual evaluation.

If records exist of the teacher's licenses that were issued on the county level, they will be found in the records of the county.

For the licenses that were issued on the state level, they will be found in the records of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The annual reports of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction used to regularly include the lists of those who had received their teacher licenses. Some of these reports have been digitized and are available for free online at sites like Google Books.

For IGS members: The Statewide Records section of the IGS website has information on teachers who received licenses from the state during 1867-1884 and 1906-1910.

[This article originally appeared in Indiana News, IGS's FREE monthly email newsletter. Click here to subscribe and have articles like this delivered straight to your inbox!]

Query: Gibson, Dearborn County

            I am trying to find out more about Isaiah or Isaac Gibson, who was a "country doctor" in Dillsboro, Dearborn County, Indiana in the early 1800s. His son David Gibson was born there in 1827, moved to Indianapolis, and died in 1883. If I am right, Isaiah was the son of David Gibson and Elizabeth Hawkins, who married after both being freed from captivity with Native Americans. David and Elizabeth Gibson are buried in the Old Dillsboro cemetery.
            I'd like confirmation that Isaiah was a doctor and David Gibson's father, the name of Isaiah's wife, names of any other children, date of Isaiah death and his wife's death.

            I was in touch with a volunteer researcher in Dillsboro briefly. He told me of the burial sites, and then, when I tried to call him back, I learned he had died. I have had no luck finding help since then.

Pam Peirce
572 Lakeview Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
p.k.peirce@att.net