R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Indiana
Research Outline
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Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
     Record Selection Table
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
     Federal Censuses
     Territorial And State Censuses
Church Records
     Baptist
     Disciples Of Christ
     Lutheran
     Methodist
     Presbyterian
     Roman Catholic
     Society Of Friends (quakers)
Court Records
Directories
Divorce Records
Emigration And Immigration
     Major Ports Of Entry
     Publications Listing Immigrants
Gazetteers
Genealogy
     Nationwide Indexes
     Statewide Collections And Publications
     Example Of A Regional Collection
History
     County History Indexes By The Work Projects Administration
     Additional Sources For Historical Information
Land And Property
     Pre-statehood Land Records
     Land Records After Statehood (1816)
     Subsequent Land Transfers In County Records
Maps
     Boundary Changes
     Statewide Atlases
     City Ward Maps
Military Records
     Revolutionary War (1775–1783)
     War Of 1812 (1812–1815)
     Black Hawk War (1832)
     Mexican War (1846–1848)
     Civil War (1861–1865)
     Indiana Militia Records (1872–1896)
     Spanish-american War (1898)
     World War I (1917–1918)
     World War II (1941–1945) And Korean Conflict (1950–1953)
     Vietnam War (1961 To 1973)
Minorities
     People Of African Descent
     Other Minorities
Native Races
     American Indian Sources
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Orphans And Orphanages
Periodicals
Probate Records
     Statewide Indexes
     Probate Record Inventories
     Availability Of Probate Records
Public Records
Schools
Societies
Taxation
Vital Records
     City And County Records Of Births And Deaths
     State Records Of Births And Deaths
     Marriages
     Marriage Index On Internet
     Marriage Indexes On Compact Disc
     Marriage Index On Floppy Disk
     Coroner’s Records
     Divorces
     Vital Records In The Family History Library Catalog
     Guide To Vital Records
Voting Registers
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

This outline lists major sources of information about families who lived in Indiana. As you read this outline, also study the United States Research Outline (30972), which will help you understand the terminology, contents, and uses of genealogical records.


RECORDS OF THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY

The Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary. has most of the records listed in this outline. The major holdings include censuses, a major index to biographical sketches in county histories, vital records, church records, probate records, and military records. The library is continuing to acquire microfilms of church, land, probate, cemetery, naturalization, and other genealogical records.

Some of the sources described in this outline list the Family History Library’s book, microfilm, microfiche, or compact disc 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 microfilmLook this term up in the glossary. and microficheLook this term up in the glossary. at Family History CentersLook this term up in the glossary..

You can use the computer number if you have access to the Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. on computer. The Computer Number SearchLook this term up in the glossary. is the fastest way to find a source in the catalog.


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FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG

The Family History Library Catalog contains a listing of the records at the Family History Library. It can be accessed at the Family History Library, at each Family History Center, and in FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service at www.familysearch.org. To find a record, look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog for:

•The place where your ancestor lived, such as:

UNITED STATES - Census RecordsINDIANA - BiographyINDIANA, MARION - Court RecordsINDIANA, MARION, INDIANAPOLIS - Cemeteries

If you know the town or county where your ancestor lived, search for records from that place first, and then search for broader collections under the Indiana state headings, if necessary.

• The record type you want to search, such as:

UNITED STATES - CENSUS RECORDSINDIANA - BIOGRAPHYINDIANA, MARION - COURT RECORDSINDIANA, MARION, INDIANAPOLIS - CEMETERIES
The section headings in this outline match the names of record types used in the Family History Library Catalog.


Record Selection Table

RECORD SELECTION TABLE: INDIANA
This table can help you decide which records to search. It is most helpful for post-1850 research.1. In column 1, select a research goal.2. In column 2, find the types of records most likely to have the information you need.3. In column 3, find additional record types that may be useful.4. Look in the section of this outline that corresponds to the record type you chose. It explains what the records might tell you, how to search them, and how to find the records in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog . Some records are not at the Library.5. If you do not find the desired information, see the Records Selection Table in the United States Research Outline (30972) for more suggestions.Note: Records of previous research (under these headings: Genealogy, Biography, History, Periodicals, and Societies) are useful for most goals, but are not listed unless they are especially helpful.
1. If you need information about 2. Look first in 3. Then search
Adoptions Court Records, Vital Records Probate Records, Census
Age Census, Cemeteries, Vital Records Military Records, Bible Records, Schools
Birth date Vital Records, Cemeteries, Church Records Bible Records, Military Records (pensions)
Birth place Vital Records, Church Records Census, Military Records, Naturalization and Citizenship
Boundaries and origins Maps, Gazetteers History
Children Census, Probate Records, Schools Vital Records, Church Records
City or parish of foreign birth Vital Records, Biography History, Naturalization and Citizenship, Church Records
Country of foreign birth Census, Naturalization and Citizenship, Vital Records Biography, Minorities, Voting Registers
Death information Vital Records, Cemeteries, Newspapers Probate Records, Church Records, Bible Records, Societies
Divorce Divorce Records, Vital Records Court Records, Newspapers, Census
Ethnic background Native Races, Minorities, Emigration and Immigration Census, Naturalization and Citizenship
Historical background History, Periodicals, Societies Gazetteers, Maps, Newspapers
Immigration date Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Census Biography, History
Living relatives Probate Records, Directories Court Records, Biography, Newspapers
Maiden name Vital Records, Biography Church Records, Military Records (pensions)
Marriage information Vital Records, Census, Church Records, Probate Records Military Records, Naturalization and Citizenship, Bible Records, Newspapers
Naturalization Naturalization and Citizenship, Census, Court Records Land and Property, Voting Registers, Biography, Periodicals
Occupations Census, Directories Biography, History, Public Records
Other family members Census, Probate Records, Bible Records Vital Records, Church Records, Orphans and Orphanages
Parents Vital Records, Census, Church Records, Bible Records Biography, Schools, Orphans and Orphanages
Physical description Military Records, Naturalization and Citizenship (after 1906) Biography, History
Place-finding aids Maps, Gazetteers, History Periodicals, Archives and Libraries
Places of residence Census, Military Records, Taxation, Naturalization and Citizenship Land and Property, Emigration and Immigration, Public Records
Place of residence when you know only the state Census, Vital Records, Military Records Biography, History
Previous research Genealogy, Biography, Periodicals Societies, History, Archives and Libraries
Record-finding aids Archives and Libraries, Periodicals Societies, Genealogy
Religion Church Records, Vital Records Biography, History, Cemeteries
Social activities Societies, Biography History, Cemeteries, Directories

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Version of Data: 6/8/2001]