RESEARCH OUTLINE Indiana FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS INTRODUCTION This outline lists major sources of information about families from Indiana. Before reading this outline, study the United States Research Outline, which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records. RECORDS OF THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY The Family History Library has some of the records listed in this outline. The major holdings include censuses, a major index to county histories, vital records, church records, probate records, and military records. The library is continuing to acquire microfilms of church, land, probate, cemetery, and other genealogical records. Some of the sources described in this outline list the Family History Library's book, microfilm, and microfiche numbers. These are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History Library. You can use these numbers to locate materials in the library and to order microfilm and microfiche at family history centers (formerly known as branch genealogical libraries). FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG The library's records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog found at the library and at each family history center. To find a record, look in the locality section of the catalog for: The place where your ancestor lived, such as: UNITED STATES - CENSUS RECORDS INDIANA - BIOGRAPHY INDIANA, MARION - COURT RECORDS INDIANA, MARION, INDIANAPOLIS - CEMETERIES The record type you want to search, such as: UNITED STATES - CENSUS RECORDS INDIANA - BIOGRAPHY INDIANA, MARION - COURT RECORDS INDIANA, MARION, INDIANAPOLIS - CEMETERIES The section headings in this outline match the names of record types used in the Family History Library Catalog. ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES The following archives, libraries, and societies have collections or services helpful for genealogical research. Archives Division, Commission on Public Records 140 North Senate Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46204 The Archives Division, Commission on Public Records, houses state and local records including land office, census, and military records for Indiana. Indiana State Library 140 North Senate Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46204 The Indiana State Library is located in the same building as the Archives Division, but is a separate organization. The library has two divisions that are important for genealogists. The Genealogy Division is well-known for its family and local histories, census, military, cemetery, and vital record collections. The Indiana Division has histories, periodicals, newspapers, maps, etc. An important guide to the Indiana State Library is Carolynne L. Miller, Indiana Sources for Genealogical Research in the Indiana State Library (Indianapolis, Ind.: Genealogical Section, Indiana Historical Society, 1984; FHL book 977.2 D23mi). National Archives--Chicago Branch 7358 South Pulaski Road Chicago, IL 60629 Indiana Genealogical Society P.O. Box 66 Tunnelton, IN 47467 Indiana Historical Society Genealogical Section 315 West Ohio Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Although a public library, the Genealogy Department and its Reynolds Historical Genealogy Collection has an outstanding collection of midwestern and national sources. These are described in Karen B. Cavanaugh, A Genealogist's Guide to the Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Public Library (Owensboro, Ky.: McDowell Pub., 1980; FHL book 977.274/P2 A3c). More than thirty county courthouses have had their records damaged by fire. These include: Brown (1873) Clay (1851) Dearborn (1826) Dubois (1839) Jasper (1864) Johnson (1849 & 1874) Knox (1814) Madison (1880) Miami (1843) Morgan (1876) Noble (1859) Parke (1833) Sullivan (1850) Wabash (1870) To learn more about the history and record-keeping systems of Indiana counties, use the 22 inventories of county archives published by the Historical Records Survey around 1940. The Family History Library has acquired all of these inventories. You may also want to use Donald E. Thompson, Preliminary Checklist of Archives and Manuscripts in Indiana Repositories (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1980; FHL book 977.2 A3p). BIBLE RECORDS The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Collection contains some Indiana Bible records. This collection is described in the "Genealogy" section of this outline, and is partially indexed by E. Kay Kirkham, An Index to Some of the Bibles and Family Records of the United States, vol. II (Logan, Utah: The Everton Publishers, Inc., 1984; FHL book Ref 973 D22kk v.2). BIOGRAPHY The Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library, the Genealogical Section of the Indiana Historical Society, and the Allen County Public Library have major collections of biographical sources. The Family History Library also has an outstanding collection. Most town and county histories have separately-published indexes to the names mentioned in the books. An index of 250,000 names found in biographical sketches is Jimmy B. Parker and Lyman de Platt, Indiana Biographical Index (West Bountiful, Utah: Genealogical Indexing Associates, 1983; FHL fiche 6331353). It is at the Indiana State Library, the Family History Library, and the Brigham Young University Library. The Indiana State Library is currently adding to a card index of names found in "who's who" and similar works. The William H. English Collection at the Indiana State Historical Society contains photographs and biographical information about many territorial and nineteenth-century public officials. Two representative biographical encyclopedias are: A Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men of the State of Indiana.... 2 vols. Cincinnati: Western Biographical Publishing Co., 1880. (FHL book 977.2 D3b; film 1,000,527.) Dunn, Jacob Piatt. Indiana and Indianans. 5 vols. Chicago and New York: The American Historical Society, 1919. (FHL book 977.2 H2d; film 1,000,526.) Volumes 3-5 are biographical; a separate every-name index was published in 1939. CEMETERIES The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Collection contains tombstone inscriptions from many counties. This collection is described in the "Genealogy" section of this outline. Many local cemeteries have been surveyed and the names have been published in Cemetery Records of Indiana, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society, 1954-64; FHL book 977.2 V22c; film 873,781). The Indiana State Library has a "Cemetery Locator File," which is an alphabetical list of cemeteries in the state. The cards give the county and township where the cemetery is situated and the location of copied inscriptions. This file is also on microfilm at the Family History Library (FHL films 1,292,061-63 and 1,292,094). A list of the names and addresses of Indiana cemeteries is Mickey Dimon Carty, Searching in Indiana: A Reference Guide to Public and Private Records (Costa Mesa, Cal.: ISC Pub., 1985; FHL 977.2 D23c). The Archives Division, Commission on Public Records, also has a "Veterans Grave Registration File." This is a partial index to graves of veterans buried in Indiana who served from the Revolutionary War through World War I. It covers 50 of the 92 counties and is on microfilm at the Indiana State Library. CENSUS Federal Many federal census records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more detailed information about these records. The Family History Library has micofilms of the U.S. federal censuses of Indiana from 1820 to 1910. The 1890 census was destroyed. Statewide indexes are available for the 1820, 1830, 1840, and 1850 censuses. An index for 42 northern counties is available for the 1860 census. Another index to the 1860 census covers 64 of the counties, including about 20 in the southern portion of the state. Marion County, including Indianapolis, has also been indexed for 1860. A soundex (phonetic) index is on microfilm for part of the 1880 and all of the 1900 census. Street indexes for Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, and South Bend on FHL fiche 6331481 can help you use the 1910 census. Mortality schedules exist for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880. The schedule for 1850 is published and indexed. The original mortality schedules and indexes are available only at the Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library. Territorial and State An 1807 census was published in Census of Indiana Territory for 1807 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1980; FHL 977.2 X2c; film 1,033,927, item 4). The 1810 census records of Exeter and Harrison townships, Harrison County, were published in The Hoosier Genealogist, June 1976 (see "Periodicals" section). An enumeration was made in 1820 of all white male inhabitants over 21. The records for Crawford, Gibson, Jackson, Jennings, Knox, Monroe, Orange, Perry, Posey, Ripley, Vanderburgh, Washington, and Wayne counties are at the Archives Divison. A few scattered fragments of 1853, 1856, 1857, 1877 and other county and state censuses are at the Indiana State Library. CHURCH RECORDS Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Indiana were Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Christian (Disciples of Christ) and Baptist. The Family History Library has some church records and published histories. These include "pastor pocket records" for early circuit riders, and abstracts of numerous records of the Society of Friends. The following directories may help you find church records: A Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Indiana. 3 vols. Indianapolis: Historical Records Survey, 1941. (FHL book 977.2 E4h; vols. 2 & 3 on film 1,036,694.) Rudolph, L.C. and Judith E. Endelman. Religion in Indiana: A Guide to Historical Resources. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana Univ. Press, 1986. (FHL book 977.2 K23r.) Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. Use the following addresses to locate records. Baptist Indiana Baptist Collection Franklin College Library Franklin, IN 46131 Disciples of Christ Christian Theological Seminary Library 1000 W. 42nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46208 Methodist Archives of DePauw University and Indiana United Methodism Roy O. West Library DePauw University Greencastle, IN 46135 The Family History Library has numerous histories and records for the various Methodist circuits and conferences of Indiana and a 1964 inventory of the DePauw records. Roman Catholic University of Notre Dame Archives P.O. Box 513 Notre Dame, IN 46556 For a history of the Catholic Church see Charles Blanchard, History of the Catholic Church in Indiana, 2 vols. (Longansport, Ind.: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1898; FHL book 977.2 K2b). COURT RECORDS Major Indiana courts that have kept records of genealogical value were established as follows: 1796- 1813 Court of quarter sessions was a statewide court with jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, including probates. The Family History Library has some quarter sessions court records. Others are at the Archives Division, Commission on Public Records. 1813- pres. Circuit courts are countywide courts which share jurisdiction with superior courts over naturalizations, major criminal cases, marriages, equity cases, coroner's records, and insanity commitments. The Family History Library has some circuit court records, including 180 microfilms of Marion County: Order books (1822-1909) Entry dockets (1822-1838, 1864-1916) Complete records (1822-1900) Judgement dockets (1822-1912) Issue dockets (1838-1876) 1790- 1817, 1853- 1873 Court of common pleas heard cases dealing with insanity, guardianship, probates, naturalizations, equity, criminal cases, and many civil actions. Some of these records are on microfilm at the Family History Library, including Marion County order books (1849-1873) and issue dockets (1853-1873). 1909- pres. Superior courts handle criminal and civil cases, naturalizations, and some appeals. Superior, supreme, and justice of the peace court records are not currently at the Family History Library. You may obtain copies of the original records by contacting the appropriate clerk's office in each county courthouse. Federal court records are described in Warren B. Griffin, Preliminary Inventory: Records of the U.S. Courts for the District of Indiana (Chicago: Federal Record Center, 1967; FHL book 977.2 A1 #83; film 982,239, item 10). DIRECTORIES Directories of heads of households have been published for major cities in Indiana. For example, the Family History Library has directories for: Indianapolis 1855-1861 FHL fiche 6043992-96 1861-1898 FHL films 1,376,923-37 1916, 1940, etc. FHL book 977.252 E4p Evansville 1858-1861 FHL fiche 6043896-97 1863-1901 FHL films 1,376,851-62 1902-1910 FHL films 186,562-66 1914, 1916, etc. FHL book 977.233 E4b EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION The earliest white settlers in Indiana were Frenchmen who came in the early 1700s to what are now Fort Wayne, Lafayette, and Vincennes. American settlement began before 1800, but increased substantially after the War of 1812, when the Indians were dispossessed. The earliest American settlers came mainly from Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Maryland. Beginning about 1830, many settlers came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Eventually, settlers from the middle Atlantic states and Ohio outnumbered those from the Southern slave states. Indiana did not attract as many overseas immigrants in the mid-nineteenth century as other midwestern states. Over half of those who came directly from overseas were of German origin, with the Irish a distant second. Most of the present Indiana population is of English, Scottish, Irish, or German descent. Before 1850 most immigrants reached Indiana by a water route, such as the Ohio River. In 1816, when Indiana was admitted as a state, the population was concentrated in three areas: in a band along the southern boundary of the Ohio River, along the Wabash River between its junction with the Ohio River and Terre Haute, and along the Ohio-Indiana state line. Most of the settlers were still in the southern half of the state by 1850, but after that date, as railroads were built and industrialization took place, the northern cities and counties began to fill. Around 1900, East Chicago, Gary, and South Bend attracted Polish and other eastern and southern European immigrants. Iowa was the favorite destination of those leaving Indiana in the 1850s, but by 1880 more were leaving Indiana for Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri. Evansville was made a United States port of entry in 1856, but there are no passenger lists. Evansville was the gateway to Indiana for overseas immigrants coming by way of New Orleans. After the railroads were completed, the majority of immigrants arrived through eastern ports such as New York. More information on immigration sources is in the United States Research Outline. GAZETTEERS Several helpful guides to place names in Indiana have been published, including: Baker, Ronald L., and Marvin Carmony. Indiana Place Names. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University Press, 1975. (FHL book 977.2 E2b.) Chamberlain, E. The Indiana Gazetteer, or, Topographical Dictionary of the State of Indiana. Indianapolis: E. Chamberlain, 1849. (FHL book 977.2 E5i; film 873,978; fiche 6051129.) Scott, John. The Indiana Gazetteer or Topographical Dictionary. 1826. Reprint. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1954. (FHL book 977.2 E5s.) GENEALOGY Most archives, historical societies, and genealogical societies have special collections and indexes of genealogical value. These must usually be searched in person. Some important manuscript collections of compiled genealogies and genealogical source material for Indiana include: WPA Card File. The Work Projects Administration prepared an extensive card file to many, but not all, of the pre-1850 record series at the Archives Division, Commission on Public Records. This file is available to researchers at the Archives Division. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Collection. This collection consists of transcripts of Bible records, cemetery records, church records, marriages, deaths, obituaries, and wills. It was microfilmed in 1971 at the DAR Library, Washington, D.C., and is on 83 films at the Family History Library. The volumes are generally arranged by county and many have individual indexes. Some major published genealogical collections for Indiana are: Dorrel, Ruth. Pioneer Ancestors of Members of the Society of Indiana Pioneers. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1983. (FHL book 977.2 D2do.) This book lists information about more than 7,500 Indiana pioneers from the applications of society members. For a small fee, the society will supply photocopies of the actual applications. Heiss, Willard. Indiana Source Book: Genealogical Material from the Hoosier Genealogist [1961-79]. 3 vols. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1977-82. (FHL book 977.2 D29h.) These volumes reprint church, vital, probate, and other records from the magazine. A cumulative index to 175,000 names is Index, Indiana Source Books (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1983; FHL book 977.2 D29h Index). Riker, Dorothy L., Comp. Genealogical Sources: Reprinted From the Genealogy Section, Indiana Magazine of History. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1979. (FHL book 977.2 D2rd.) HISTORY The following are important dates in the history of Indiana. These events affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movements. 1700- 1735 The French established three outposts along the Wabash-Maumee trade route, one at the present site of Fort Wayne, one near present-day Lafayette, and the largest and most important at Vincennes. 1763 The British took possession of the area and discouraged settlers, but the few hundred Frenchmen already there were permitted to remain, and Americans began filtering in. 1784 Clarksville, on the north bank of the Ohio River opposite Louisville, Kentucky, became the first authorized American settlement in Indiana. 1787 The United States government established the Northwest Territory to open the land to Revolutionary War veterans and other settlers. 1790 Knox County was created with Vincennes as the seat of government. 1800 Indiana Territory was established. The Michigan Territory was detached in 1805, and the Illinois Territory in 1809. 1811 The last major battle with the Indians was fought at Tippecanoe. By 1815, there was no effective Indian opposition to settlement in Indiana. 1816 Indiana became a state. 1830s- 1850s New roads, canals, and railroads hastened settlement in central Indiana. The National Road reached Indianapolis in 1834. The Wabash and Erie Canal reached Terre Haute in 1850, and was completed to Evansville in 1853. Major railroad building was underway in the 1850s. 1861- 1865 Indiana remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War and contributed about 200,000 Federal troops, although the southern heritage of some communities caused trouble. The Family History Library and the archives mentioned previously have fine collections of local histories. The following books are good introductions to the history of the state: Esarey, Logan. History of Indiana from Its Exploration to 1922. 3 vols. Dayton, Ohio: Dayton Historical Society, 1923. (FHL book 977.2 H2e.) Dillon, John B. A History of Indiana. Indianapolis: Bingham and Doughty, 1859. (FHL book 977.2 H2dj; fiche 6051127.) LAND AND PROPERTY Early settlers of Indiana obtained their land through grants issued by France, England, or Spain. Land records of 1789-1837 are published in American State Papers and are indexed in Phillip W. McMullin, ed., Grassroots of America (Salt Lake City: Gendex Corp., 1972; FHL book 973 R2m; fiche 6051323). As the United States acquired the area, unsettled land became public domain and was sold by the Federal government. The first General Land Office to serve Indiana opened in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1800. The first office within the state of Indiana was established at Vincennes and the first sales took place in 1807. The original federal land record books and microfilm copies from 1807 to 1876 are at the Archives Division of the Indiana State Library. The National Archives has land-entry case files. Patents, and copies of tract books and township plats, are located at the Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States Office (350 South Pickett Street, Alexandria, VA 22304). In addition to the Ohio land files, you may want to use the following sources for Indiana: Lux, Leonard. The Vincennes Donation Lands. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1949. (FHL book 977.2 B4 vol. 15, no. 4; film 928,192, item 5; fiche 6051134.) Includes private land claims and settlers in Knox County before 1800. Waters, Margaret R. Indiana Land Entries. 2 vols. 1948. Reprint. Knightstown, Ind.: The Bookmark, 1977. (FHL book 977.2 R2w; fiche 6046718.) Land entries indexed for Cincinnati (1801-1840) and Vincennes (1807-1877) districts. Cowen, Janet C. Jeffersonville Land Entries, 1808-1818. Indianapolis: J. Cowen, 1984. (FHL book 977.2 R2c.) Subsequent land transfers were recorded by each county recorder. These usually date back to the time of the county organization. These records and their indexes are at the county courthouses. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of some Indiana county land records. For example, the Family History Library has 33 microfilms of deeds for Marion County residents, 1822 to 1875. The following publications will help you understand the land system: Wilson, George R. Early Indiana Trails and Surveys. Indianapolis: C. E. Pauley, 1919. (FHL book 977.2 B4 v. 6 no. 3; film 824,286, item 13; fiche 6051190.) History of early roads and land grants. This Land of Ours: The Acquisition and Disposition of the Public Domain. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1978. (FHL book 977 R2i.) A series of historical essays. MAPS The following statewide atlases may be helpful to you: New Topographical Atlas and Gazetteer of Indiana. 1871. Reprint. Evansville: Unigraphic, Inc., 1975. (FHL book Q 977.245 E3a; film 940,201.) Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana. Chicago: Baskin, Forster, 1876. (FHL book Q 977.2 E3i; film 465,403.) Pence, George, and Nellie C. Armstrong. Indiana Boundaries: Territorial, State, and County. 1933. Reprint. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1967. (FHL book 977.2 B4i vol. 19; film 1,425,615, item 2.) The Family History Library has city ward maps of Indianapolis for the years 1864, 1870, 1874, 1889, and 1898 (FHL film 1,377,700; fiche 6016655-59) and a few state maps. Indiana University, Ball State University, University of Notre Dame, and Indiana State University have substantial map collections. MILITARY RECORDS Many military records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more information on the federal records. Many of Indiana's military records are stored at the Archives Division, Commission on Public Records. These include: Indiana Civil War volunteers Indiana Legion (Civil War State Militia) Civil War substitutes Veterans' grave registrations Indiana Militia Index, 1872-1896 Indiana Mexican War Volunteer Index, 1846-1848 Indiana Black Hawk War Militia Index, 1832 Gold Star Roll of Honor, 1914-1918 Grand Army of the Republic records Spanish-American War volunteer records Other sources for Indiana include: Revolutionary War, 1775-1783 Waters, Ruth Margaret. Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Indiana. 1949. Supplement, 1954. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1970. (FHL book 977.2 M2w; film 928,104, item 4; fiche 6046585.) Wolf, Barbara Schull. Index to Revolutionary Soldiers of Indiana and Other Patriots. Indianapolis: Ye Olde Genealogie Shoppe, 1983. (FHL book 977.2 M22w.) War of 1812 Franklin, Charles M. Indiana, War of 1812 Soldiers: Militia. Indianapolis: Ye Olde Genealogie Shoppe, 1984. (FHL book 977.2 M2fr.) Civil War, 1861-1865 "Indiana in the War of the Rebellion: Report of the Adjutant General," Indiana Historical Collections. Vol. 41. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Bureau, 1960. (FHL film 1,425,647, item 6.) This is a reprint of a volume published in 1869. Terrell, W. H. H., comp. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana. 8 vols. Indianapolis: Indiana Adjutant General's Office, 1869. (not at FHL.) An "Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Indiana, 1861-1865" is at the Family History Library (FHL films 881,722-807). The service and pension records have not been filmed and are only at the National Archives. Spanish-American War, 1898 Record of Indiana Volunteers in the Spanish-American War, 1898-1899. Indianapolis: W. B. Burford, 1900. (FHL film 1,033,588, item 3.) World War I, 1914-1919 A list of those who died in World War I is kept at the Archives Division. NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP Naturalization papers have been filed in local and federal courts. Declarations, petitions, and other naturalization documents prior to 1813 were handled by the court of common pleas. From 1813 to 1853 and after 1873, these proceedings were also handled by circuit courts, and the county clerks kept the records. After 1909 the superior court kept these records. Several district courts were organized by the 1930s, and they also had jurisdiction over naturalizations. Naturalization records were included with other court proceedings, such as minute books, until the 1850s, and then they were kept in separate books with indexes. You may obtain copies by contacting the appropriate clerks' office. Most pre-1940 records are with the county clerk in each courthouse. The Family History Library has microfilms of naturalization records from some counties. For residents of Indianapolis and Marion County, for instance, the library has indexes for the years 1843 to 1929 and records filed between 1879 and 1927. The Archives Division has many indexes which were compiled by the Work Projects Administration. Another valuable index is An Index to Indiana Naturalization Records Found in Various Order Books of the Ninety-two Local Courts Prior to 1907 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1981; FHL book 977.2 P42i). For naturalization records after 1906, contact the National Archives--Chicago Branch. This office has files from the Southern and Northern U.S. District Courts (1906-1948). You may also visit a federal office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to request files from Washington, D.C.. The Indiana INS office (507 State Street, Hammond, IN 46320) has maintained all records for the state filed since 1956. NEWSPAPERS The Indiana Division of the Indiana State Library has the state's largest newspaper collection. They have many newspapers on microfilm and an index of names and obituaries in Indianapolis newspapers from 1898. A useful guide for locating newspapers is John W. Miller, Indiana Newspaper Bibliography: Historical Accounts of All Indiana Newspapers Published from 1804 to 1980 and Locational Information for All Available Copies, Both Original and Manuscript (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1982; FHL book 977.2 B32m). PERIODICALS The major genealogical periodicals and magazines which you may use for Indiana research are: Genealogy. 1973-. Published by the Genealogy Section, Indiana Historical Society, 315 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. (FHL book 977.2 B2gi.) Emphasizes Quaker research. The Hoosier Genealogist. 1961-. Published by the Genealogical and Genealogy Section of Indiana Historical Society, 315 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. (FHL book 977.2 B2h.) The Hoosier Journal of Ancestry. 1967-. Published by N.K. Sexton, P.O. Box 33, Little York, IN 47139. (FHL book 977.2 B2hj.) Has an index for 1971-1979. Sycamore Leaves. 1971-. Published by the Wabash Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 85, Terre Haute, IN 47808. (FHL book 977.23 B2s.) The Tri-State Packet. 1977-. Published by the Tri-State Genealogical Society, c/o Willard Library, 21 1st Ave., Evanston, IN 47710. (FHL book 977 D25t.) Covers Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana. PROBATE RECORDS Probate records in Indiana have been kept by several courts. Before statehood, the court of common pleas had jurisdiction over probate matters. In 1813, circuit courts became responsible for probate records. In 1829, probate courts were created in each county. In 1853, all but two of the courts were abolished, leaving Marion and St. Joseph's counties with probate courts, and transferring probate responsibility to the clerks of the circuit courts in the other counties. Indiana probate records include inventories, guardianship papers, wills, and bonds. The probate "complete records" detail the settlement of estates involving real estate. The Family History Library has copies of important probate papers from about half of the counties in Indiana. From Marion County, for example, the library has 150 microfilms which include: Circuit Court guardian dockets (1847-1931) Execution dockets (1822-1909) Inventories (1875-1911) Wills (1824-1939) Common Pleas appearance dockets (1853-1884) Complete records (1853-1871) Probate Court complete records (1829-1853) Administrations (1876-1907) Claims and allowance dockets (1874-1934). The original records of all counties may be obtained at the various county courthouses. Many probate records have been transcribed and published. For example, over 6,000 testator's names are in Charles M. Franklin, Index to Indiana Wills: Phase 1, Through 1850 (Indianapolis: Heritage House, 1986; FHL book 977.2 P22f.) PUBLIC RECORDS County commissioners' records began when a county was organized and contain local information on roads and bridges, licenses issued, education, care of the poor, etc. Many county residents are mentioned. The records are kept in the county offices. Some of these records are on microfilm at the Family History Library. Commissioner's records for Indianapolis and Marion County are available from 1822 to 1899. TAXATION Tax lists were often kept by the county auditor. Some of the tax lists from about 1840-1920 are on microfilm at the Family History Library. For example, the library has 57 rolls of Tippecanoe County tax records (1843-1876). The Internal Revenue Assessment Lists of Indiana, 1862-1866, are on 42 microfilms available from the National Archives. VITAL RECORDS City and County Records of Births and Deaths A few cities began creating vital records in the 1870s. In 1882 the State Board of Health requested each county to register births, deaths, and marriages. Many of the records kept by the counties exist for the period 1882 to 1920. The Work Projects Administration extracted and compiled these records into one set. They are arranged by county, and then alphabetically by surname. Each county retained a copy of its records. The Family History Library has microfilms of a combined set of the county records listed in the catalog under INDIANA - VITAL RECORDS - INDEXES. The original typescripts are at the Indiana State Library. Some additional records are listed in the catalog under the counties. State Records of Births and Deaths The statewide registration of vital statistics began in 1899 (deaths) and 1907 (births), and was generally complied with by 1917. The Family History Library has not obtained copies of these records. Records of births that occurred within the last 75 years are only available to the individual or a member of his immediate family. Death records to the present are available to all researchers. For copies of state records write to: Division of Vital Records State Board of Health P.O. Box 64-1964 Indianapolis, IN 42606-1964 The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces (Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, August 1987). Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and the family history centers. You can also write to the Division of Vital Records (address above) for current information. Delayed registrations of births may be found in the county. Most registrations occurred after 1940. Contact the clerk of the circuit court if you want copies. The Family History Library has some microfilms of delayed registrations. Marriages There has been no state registration of marriages. These records are kept by the individual counties. Some county records have been destroyed, but for the most part the records date from the organization of each county. You can write to the clerk of the circuit court or the clerk of the superior court in the county where the license was issued. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of marriage records from most counties. For example the library has 96 microfilms of marriages in Marion County for the years 1818 to 1921. Marriage records for some counties were indexed by the WPA and these transcripts are also on film at the Family History Library. From 1820 to 1940 members of the Society of Friends were not required to obtain a marriage license. See the church registers for these marriages. Divorces Divorces were granted by the Indiana State Legislature from 1817 to 1851. The court of common pleas in each county has had jurisdiction over these matters from 1853 to the present. The Family History Library has very few divorce records of Indiana. Guide to Vital Records You can learn more about the history and availability of Indiana vital records in Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Indiana (Indianapolis: Historical Records Survey, 1941; FHL book 977.2 A5h; film 874,046, item 5; fiche 6051202). FOR FURTHER READING These handbooks will give more detailed information about research and records of Indiana. Carty, Mickey Dimon. Searching in Indiana: A Guide to Public and Private Records. Costa Mesa, Calif.: ISC Publications, 1985. (FHL book 977.2 D23c.) Miller, Carolynne L. Aids for Genealogical Searching in Indiana: A Bibliography. Detroit: Detroit Society for Genealogical Research, 1970. (FHL book 977.2 D23m.) Newhard, Malinda E. E. A Guide to Genealogical Records in Indiana. Harlan, Ind.: M. Newhard, 1979. (FHL book 977.2 D27n.) COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this outline. Please send your suggestions to: Publications Coordination Family History Library 35 N. West Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 84150 We appreciate the archivists, librarians, and others who have reviewed this outline and shared helpful information. Copyright (c) 1988 by Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA. First Edition, June 1988. Series US-STATES, No. 15. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher. Send all requests for such permission to: Copyrights and Permissions Coordinator Family History Department 50 E. North Temple Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84150