Indiana Genealogical Society

Survey of IGS Conference Sites

2008-07-07T09:10:00.003-04:00

The Indiana Genealogical Society board is conducting a brief survey to see the interest in potential sites for future IGS annual conferences. To take the survey, please visit http://www.indgensoc.org/conference_survey.html

If you include your name and e-mail address when you fill out this survey, you will automatically be entered in our drawing for a free registration to the 2009 IGS conference in Indianapolis. Only one entry per person.

Bloomington Cemeteries Damaged By Vandals

2008-07-06T08:40:00.002-04:00

White Oak Cemetery (located on 7th Street on the west side of Bloomington) was the victim of vandals this past week. Some 44 headstones were knocked over sometime between June 30 and July 1. Cemetery workers were able to reset 15 of those stones, but the other 29 will require the services of an expert restorer, which could cost the cemetery $15,000, according to a report in the Indianapolis media. Some of the graves there date back to the early 1800's.

On July 3, workers at the Dunn Cemetery on the campus of Indiana University discovered that two of the headstones had been damaged and another four headstones appeared to have been removed.

Thanks to IGS President Michael Maben for providing this information.

Flooding Damages Johnson County Cemetery

2008-07-05T08:45:00.002-04:00

Workers at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, Indiana are still cleaning up after being hit by the flooding that affected a large portion of the state in early June. The cemetery has over 20,000 graves and the flooding toppled about 80 headstones (though none of the graves were disturbed). The office of the cemetery's sexton was also heavily damaged.

Family History Conference in Indianapolis

2008-06-28T08:12:00.001-04:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold their 4th Annual Central Indiana Family History Conference on Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Indianapolis Stake Center on the south side of Indianapolis (900 E. Stop 11 Rd., Indianapolis IN). The theme of the event is "Linking Lives Long Lost," and Dr. Stephen McDonald will deliver the keynote address, "Putting The Genes Back into Genealogy." There will be multiple lecture tracks offered, including research on African-Americans, Germans, Hispanics and women, as well as land records, church records, and computer genealogy.

The conference is free. A boxed lunch will be available for $6. Registration is available on their website.

Danville's College Subject of Talk

2008-06-27T08:31:00.001-04:00

The Plainfield Public Library in Hendricks County, Indiana will host a talk on the history of Central Normal College on July 22, 2008 at 7 pm. The talk will be given by Cindy Rutledge, who is the manager of the Indiana Room of the Danville Public Library, and will include a display of some of the college's memorabilia that the library has in its collection. Central Normal College existed in Danville from 1878 to 1946 and produced over 50,000 alumni from all over the country.

Registration is required--you may register via their website, or by calling (317) 839-6602, ext. 114.

Plainfield To Host Cemetery Research Workshop

2008-06-26T15:36:00.003-04:00

The Plainfield Public Library in Hendricks County, Indiana will host "Cemetery Etiquette 101," a workshop by local historian Libbe Hughes, on July 31, 2008 at 7 pm. The workshop will discuss Indiana law as it applies to cemeteries, repair techniques for tombstones, how to read inscriptions on tombstones, and what to consider when exploring Hoosier graveyards.

Registration is required--you may register via their website, or by calling (317) 839-6602, ext. 114.

Lake County Marriage Index 1837-1920 Online

2008-06-25T09:17:00.003-04:00

The Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society is working on a marriage index for 1837-1920 for Lake County, Indiana. The marriage index is online at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~innwigs/Archives/MarriageBooks-Lake.htm.

Marriage Indexing: Blurry Images & Other Tidbits

2008-06-24T07:58:00.002-04:00

Ever get a blurry image? Here's how you handle them. If an image is blurry, look at the next image before indexing the blurry image. Chances are pretty good that the next image is a duplicate of the blurry one and will be much clearer. When that happens, go back to the blurry image, mark it as a duplicate, go to the clearer image and index it!

If the given name is William Edward, we want the whole thing -- not William E. and the field help says. And usually the name is written several times on a document. Please take the time to find the most COMPLETE name because that is the one we want you to index.

And sometimes a name may be Sarah one place on the document and maybe Sally someplace else. Which one to use? Use both! Index it as Sarah or Sally. Two versions of any name with "or" between them is not only acceptable, it is what we would like to see!

Thanks for your help on this fantastic project! You are creating an index that will last and be helpful to future generations long after all of us are gone. What better legacy to leave!

Shirley Fields

Indianapolis Probate Records Book Reprinted

2008-06-19T15:42:00.005-04:00

The Genealogical Society of Marion County has reprinted Marion County, Indiana, Probate Records, January 1830-August 1852 by Jane E. Darlington. The hardbound book is 510 pages and is available for $47 + $3 shipping and handling (Indiana residents must add $3.50 for sales tax). An order form is available on the GSMC website.

Marriage Indexing: Roll of Honor

2008-06-16T15:58:00.004-04:00

Our world-wide pool of indexers continue to plug away at the vast number of Indiana marriage records we are indexing in preparation for putting the digital images online for reseachers to access. Congratulations to all who are helping with this project and a special thank you to the following Roll of Honor indexers and arbitrators for their contribution.

Over 20,000 Records Indexed
Harold Martin of Melbourne, Florida
Sheryl Porter of Monmouth, Illinois
Robert E. Van Lue of Rochester, Indiana
Jane Chamberlain of Bloomfield, Indiana

Over 10,000 Records Indexed
Bea Barton of Washington, Utah
Don Sylvester of Sanford, North Carolina
Clara J. Whan of Avilla, Indiana
Teresa Taramasso of Graham, Texas
Michelle Golden of Roy, Washington
Linda Harney of Huntington, Indiana
Darlene Shuart of Monroe, Washington
Justina Cook of Nampa, Idaho
Mary Sallee of Mesa, Arizona
Carolyn Lowe of Knoxville, Tennessee
Barbara Scott of Sunnyvale, California

Over 5,000 Records Indexed
Patricia Hodges of Stacy, Minnesota
Cindy Fuller of West Lafayette, Indiana
Robert McKillip of Rock Mount, Virginia
Evelyn D. City of Clinton, Indiana
William Stevens of West Point, Utah
Walter Caplinger of Kansas City, Missouri
Mary Stewart of Muncie, Indiana
Sandra Wincek of New Berlin, Wisconsin
Ronald R. Hall of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Judy Vanaugh of Poland, Ohio
Karen Creamer of Connersville, Indiana
Martha Roll of Rockford, Illinois

Over 20,000 Records Arbitrated
Dan Elliott of Mount Vernon, Indiana
Clara J. Whan of Avilla, Indiana
Nancy Brower of Oroville, California

Over 10,000 Records Arbitrated
Bernie Cinkoske of Indianapolis, Indiana
Ronald Chard of Ocala, Florida
Justina Cook of Nampa, Idaho
Larry Munden of Houston, Texas

Over 5,000 Records Arbitrated
Lori White of Windsor, Colorado
Michelle Golden of Roy, Washington
Ann C. Richardson of Woods Cross, Utah
Robert McKillip of Rock Mount, Virginia
Jennifer Cruse of Terre Haute, Indiana

Whitesell Cemetery in Indianapolis Rededicated

2008-06-12T15:37:00.002-04:00

As reported in July 2007, the Wright-Gentry-Whitesell Cemetery, which was on Castleton Drive on the northeast side of Indianapolis, was relocated due to the planned expansion of Interstate 69. Last fall the 33 sets of remains that were buried there were painstakingly exhumed, along with their headstones, and this spring they were reburied in the identical configuration at the Pioneer Cemetery section of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. The move cost the state an estimated $400,000.

On June 11, 2008 a rededication ceremony was held at Crown Hill Cemetery, and over 100 people--including several descendants of the pioneers buried in the cemetery--attended. The ceremony included speeches by the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' preservation officer.

Query: McAvoy of Cass or La Porte counties

2008-06-10T12:14:00.004-04:00

I am interested in these siblings:

--George McAvoy born November 1879
--Harry McAvoy born October 1883; died 1950 in Albuquerque, New Mexico
--Mary (or May) S. McAvoy born October 1885

They may have been from Logansport, Cass County, Indiana or Laporte, La Porte County, Indiana. They are in the 1900 census in Chicago, Illinois--George is the head of household and his birthplace is given as Illinois; Harry and Mary S.'s birthplaces are both given as Indiana. Their father's birthplace was listed as New York and their mother's birthplace as Wisconsin.

Thomas McAvoy
18575 E. Fieldbrook
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
thomasmcavo9985@aol.com

Query: Hamilton of Grant County

2008-06-10T11:21:00.002-04:00

I am looking for information on J.T. Hamilton (born about 1838 in Indiana), who was sometimes called Liberty. He was married about 1873 to Almira/Elmira (born about 1846 in Indiana). They had daughter Myrtle (born December 1873 in Indiana). They also raised Liberty's niece Pearl Hamilton (born April 1889 in Indiana).

They were in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 censuses for Jefferson Township, Grant County, Indiana. I cannot locate him after the 1920 census. I would like to find out who his father was.

Jonann Hamilton
317 Gawin Dr.
Warner Robins, GA 31093
dannyhamilton1@yahoo.com

Query: Frazier/Shaw of Indiana

2008-06-10T11:18:00.002-04:00

I am trying to locate information on James Amos Frazier, who was born about 1800 (probably in Kentucky). I found that a petition for divorce was filed in Kentucky in 1846 by his wife, Margaret (Shaw) Frazier. The petition says that they moved to Indiana for awhile, but then she moved back to Kentucky to be supported by friends and family. This divorce petition was dismissed without prejudice in 1848.

According to the petition, James and Margaret had 5 children. I know one of their children was Joel P. Frazier, who was born in 1827 in Kentucky. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Darlene Amos
612 Forbes Dr.
Shelbyville, KY 40065
Damos621@aol.com

Query: Pennington of Morgan County

2008-06-10T10:00:00.004-04:00

I am trying to locate Kandice or Candy Pennington who lived in Martinsville, Morgan County, Indiana in 1978. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington.

Brenna (Brown) Burnette
2149 3rd St.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
bburnette@scusd.net

Query: Ridgeway of Greene County

2008-06-10T09:58:00.001-04:00

According to his death certificate, my great-grandfather, George F. Ridgeway, was born 8 December 1873 in Worthing, Indiana (perhaps Worthington, Greene County, Indiana?). His father's name was George W. Ridgeway and his mother's name was Mary Branch. Oral tradition is that George W. and Mary were on their way home to Waverly, Pike County, Ohio after visiting relatives in Illinois when Mary went into labor in Indiana. Any information on this family would be greatly appreciated.

Karen Henchel
203 Nicklaus Ct.
Evans, GA 30809
dkhenchel@hotmail.com

Query: Dean of Marion County

2008-06-09T22:13:00.002-04:00

I am trying to find information on my uncle Sherman Daniel Dean (nicknamed "Friendly"). He was born March 2, 1952 in Virginia and according to the Social Security Death Index, he died in June 1987 (last residence unknown). He lived in Indiana--I'm not sure of the town but I think maybe Indianapolis, Marion County. I know that he was killed in some kind of explosion while cleaning some kind of tank.

Barbara Hicks
4990 State Route 138
Hillsboro, OH 45133
barbhicks@att.net

Query: Romine of Jefferson County

2008-06-09T22:12:00.001-04:00

I am looking for information on the Jacob Romine family that was living in Lancaster Township, Jefferson County, Indiana according to the 1830 census, and possibly the 1840 census.

Sarah Winckelman
4069 Howell Rd.
Malvern, PA 19355
nocreek@aol.com

Query: Hoff/Sonnefeld of Harrison County

2008-06-09T21:13:00.002-04:00

I am trying to determine the birthplace of Clara Catherine Hoff, who was born 1 January 1866, possibly in Harrison County, Indiana. Her parents were Rev. Frederick Albert Hoff and Catherina Maria Sonnefeld.

Elizabeth Elshoff
8990 S. 450W
Huntingburg, IN 47542
russf@psci.net

Query: Mathews of Cass and Noble counties

2008-06-09T21:09:00.002-04:00

I am trying to find the obituary of John William Mathews who was born November 18, 1884 in Michigan. He lived in Noble County, Indiana since at least 1920. Prior to that, he lived in Cass County, Indiana. According to the Social Security Death Index, he died in March 1967 and his last residence was Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana.

Sondra Rothe
3102 Riverlawn Dr.
Kingwood, TX 77339
ssrothe@hotmail.com

Query: Roach/Cain of Jefferson County

2008-06-09T21:05:00.002-04:00

I am looking for information on William M. Roach (born about 1817 in Kentucky). He married Susan Cain (daughter of Jacob Cain and Ann Cain) in Jefferson County, Indiana in 1836. They were living in Carroll County in 1840 and moved to Iowa about 1849.

Larry Roach
4425 Wesley Way
El Sobrante, CA 94803
roachgirls@aol.com

Query: Debruler of Clay County

2008-06-09T21:02:00.001-04:00

I am researching the family of William Wells Debruler of Clay County, Indiana. William was the eldest son of Jacob and Rachel Debruler of Clermont County, Ohio. William's youngest brother, Joseph Jasper Debruler, enlisted in the Union Army from Clay County in 1864 and was in the 1870 census in Clay County with his wife Mary Wekerley Debruler and three children.

I am the son of Donald Carlos DeBrular and the grandson of Elsworth DeBrular, who was Joseph's youngest son. The name was originally spelled Debruler and is spelled Debrewler in the 1870 census. The name was later spelled DeBrular.

Jerry D. Mills
2524 Glencairn Dr.
Ft. Wayne, IN 46815
jerrydmj@verizon.net

Query: Robertson of Knox County

2008-06-09T20:56:00.002-04:00

I am looking for information on Jane Robertson, who was born in 1897 or 1898 in Scotland. She lived in Knox County, Indiana, in the 200 block of West 7th Street in Bicknell. Her husband's name may have been Alexander. I believe Alexander died in 1991, and was a resident of Bicknell Nursing Home at the time. He was buried in Bicknell Memorial Cemetery.

Brad Butrum
2422 Arleth St.
Terre Haute, IN 47802
bradandpatti2422@yahoo.com

Query: Bledsoe/Walker of Martin County

2008-06-09T20:53:00.002-04:00

I am trying to prove that William Bledsoe (born about 1824 in Indiana; died about 1856 in Martin County, Indiana), who was married about 1842 to Louisa ?Walker?, was the father of Henry Bledsoe (or Bledsaw), who was born about 1846 and died 2 June 1917. Henry married Eliza A. Hitt on 27 September 1868 and they had a son, Charles Bledsoe (born 1871).

All the records I have found so far have been in Perry or Center townships in Marion County, Indiana. Apparently the family went to Martin County, Indiana, before 1824.

Doris Wooden
2260 Grand Cypress Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33810
doriswooden@yahoo.com

Query: Sahm of Dubois County

2008-06-09T19:41:00.004-04:00

Looking for information on Johann Sahm (born 1782/1783 in Jugesheim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died after the 1860 census for Dubois County, Indiana). The 1860 census is the last record I have of him. He was living with his son Heinrich (born 1818 in Jugesheim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died July 1862 in Dubois County) and Heinrich's wife Magdalena (Lutz or Lotz) Sahm. The surname was actually spelled Stahm in the 1860 census.

Heinrich and Magdalena had a son, John Michael Sahm, who was born in December 1851 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He died in late May or early June 1888 in either Huntingburg or Celestine in Dubois County. I believe he is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Celestine. He was married to Klara Oestreich(er), who passed away in October 1915 at St. Anthony and is buried there. Klara's parents were Johann and Elizabeth Regina (Buechlein) Oestreich(er). Johann passed away in August 1851, he is buried at Jasper, Indiana I believe. Elizabeth remarried after the birth of Klara to a man named Hennhoefer. Elizabeth is also buried at St. Anthony Cemetery. Elizabeth's parents were Andrew Buechlein (died 5 February 1852) and Margaret (from Bavaria, died 26 November 1870) Buechlein.

I have a lot of information on the Sahm line, but I'm a bit sketchy on the Oestrichs, Buechlein, and Lutz/Lotz lines.

Michael Sahm
915 Oxford Way
Modesto, CA 95350
bigred93635@yahoo.com