January show-and-tell meeting

Have you found something old? Something new? Weather permitting, La Porte County Genealogical Society members and friends will swap favorite genealogy finds, relics, and research stories at their monthly meeting, 7 pm Tuesday, January 10, at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte.

The society meets there on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues for 2012 are now due as well -- $10 individual, $12 family.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2012. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/ has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865).

You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com.

Fern Eddy Schultz is Genealogist of the Year

Tuesday night's annual dinner meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society included the presentation of one award -- Genealogist of the Year. The honoree for 2011 was Fern Eddy Schultz, in recognition of her advice, publications, indexing, and enjoyment of family history, as well as her long service to the society dating back to when it was a part of the Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society. The presentation was a genuine surprise, as the committee members involved kept the secret well. In the picture, Dorothy Palmer presents Fern with the award.

New La Porte County Information

Two recent items, the first available only in hard copy and the second only on line:

(1) Fern Eddy Schultz, "Painless Opium Antidote: Invention of 'Dr.' Samuel B. Collins," The Oldletter (La Porte County Historical Society), December 2011, pp. 2-3. Collins (1835-1893) went from brick mason to physician to spiritualist, and from Darke County, Ohio, to La Porte and later to Chicago during his lifetime. The article gives fascinating glimpses of his life, sometimes just one step ahead of the law. The original block naming his building is on display at the Historical Society museum on US 35 south of La Porte.

(2) Rachel Popma, "Hanna High School (La Porte County) Class of 1923 Class Roll and School Photograph," Indiana Genealogist 22(4) (December 2011):166-7. From her great-grandmother Myrtle Hazel Hammerback's papers. Many of the people in the photograph have yet to be identified. (IG is published quarterly on-line as a benefit of membership in the Indiana Genealogical Society.)

December meeting -- dinner!

If you never quite get enough time to catch up with genealogy-minded friends, then the La Porte County Genealogical Society's annual dinner party on Tuesday, December 13, is just for you. The catered event will begin at 6 pm at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte (weather permitting) and will not be followed by any business meeting. The second annual Genealogist of the Year award will be presented.

Advance paid reservations are required before December 6 -- $8 for members, $9.50 for non-members. Send to the society at 904 Indiana, La Porte IN 46350.
The society meets there on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues for 2012 are now due as well -- $10 individual, $12 family.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2012. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/ has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865).

You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com.

November meeting recap

On November 8 La Porte County Genealogical Society members and guests heard Dr. Barbara Backer's fascinating account of the Everts family. They were prominent in early La Porte County, including the first judge and several of the first doctors. Dr. Orpheus Everts (1826-1903) graduated from La Porte University, the first medical school in Indiana. The school later moved to Illinois and then Iowa in a tangled tale. Orpheus served as surgeon of the 20th Indiana Infantry in the Civil War and wrote a letter from Gettysburg describing the horrible carnage of that battle. In later life he superintended Central State Hospital in Indianapolis and an asylum in Cincinnati. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis. Dr. Backer began learning about this large and multi-talented family in 1976. Her documentation will be placed on file at the county historical society and museum.

Also at the meeting the current officers were renominated and re-elected for a second two-year term: Alan Zeller, president; Lester Chadwick, vice-president; Harold Henderson, secretary; Dorothy Palmer, treasurer. Fern Eddy Schultz continues as historian-genealogist and ex-officio board member until there is a vacancy.

The society's annual dinner meeting will be held December 13, weather permitting. Reservations are $8 for members, $9.50 for non-members, and are due by December 6. Contact Fern Eddy Schultz through the society web site (listed below), or mail in your reservations to the society at 904 Indiana Avenue, La Porte 46350.

Next year's programs will include "show and tell" by members in January, a program on the 1940 census in March, and a program on families at Bailly and Chellberg Farm in April. The annual bus trip to Allen County Public Library will be Wednesday, April 18.

The society meets at 7:15 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2012. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/ has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865).

You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com.

November meeting -- Dr. Sylvanus Everts

Dr. Barbara Backer will offer glimpses into local history, medical history, and family history in the story of Dr. Sylvanus Everts when the La Porte County Genealogical Society meets on Tuesday, November 8.

The society's business meeting will begin at 7:15 pm, followed by the program -- all at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte. The society meets there on the second Tuesday of each month, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2012. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/ has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865).

You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com.

October 2011 meeting recap

Fall is a busy time for genealogists too! The La Porte County Genealogical Society's October meeting began with mentions of activity in nearby counties: an open house at the St. Joseph County Archives on Saturday and a workshop with Dick Eastman at Elkhart on November 5. In the society's own business:

* Members deplored the random incompleteness of the Herald-Argus coverage of last month's residency certificate ceremony.

* Abstraction of wills and probates is continuing now that the format for the finished book is agreed upon.

* The society will again sponsor its annual bus trip to the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in April 2012.

* A nominating committee will report a slate of proposed officers to the November meeting.

* A publications policy committee will meet to discuss a formal policy on society publications.

* The December annual dinner plans are proceeding.

* Fern Eddy Schultz will give a talk Saturday 1 pm at the county historical museum on genealogy research in La Porte County -- information applicable to research in other places as well. Reservations are requested ahead of time.

* Pat Harris mentioned new information about the 1940 census (to be made public next spring) and on-line information about veterans who stayed in the various US veterans homes in times past.

* Pat Harris and Harold Henderson presented a program on immigration and naturalization. They're part of our national DNA, even though for 250 years those immigrants who were already here have tended to look down on the newcomers. The laws have changed frequently with the main divide being the federal law passed in 1906. After that date it is likely that more information will be found in the records than was given before. But inconsistencies and mangled spellings are very common. It's a never-ending challenge!

* In the November program, Dr. Barbara Backer will discuss the work of Dr. Sylvanus Everts and his family.

The society meets at 7:15 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte., weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2012. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/ has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865).

You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com.

#

October meeting -- immigration and naturalization

Pat Harris and Harold Henderson will discuss immigration and naturalization records and research at the October 11 meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society, including illustrations of fantastic misspellings, why you shouldn't focus only on Ellis Island, how naturalization laws and forms changed over time, and other pitfalls and potentials of this important part of genealogy research. Bring your questions!

The society's business meeting will begin at 7:15 pm, followed by the immigration and naturalization program -- all at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte. The society meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2012. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/ has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865).

You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com.

September meeting -- ancestor certificates awarded

At the September 13 meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society, fifteen people received a total of 27 residency certificates for proving eight different early La Porte County ancestors. The surnames of ancestors honored were Crosier, Freeman, Garwood, Gordon, Hay, Palmer, and Wilhelm. Different certificates are available depending on how early the ancestor is known to have lived in the county.

Those receiving First Family Certificates for documenting their ancestors, Ebenezer and Frances "Fanny" (Crosier) Palmer, in 1835 were Christina Germaine Palmer, Georgeann Elaine (Palmer) Quealy, Aidan Victoria Quealy, Kiera Palmer Quealy, Kevin Victor Palmer, Daniel Joseph Palmer, and Luke Joseph Palmer.

Cynthia Lee Blicher received First Family Certificates for documenting her ancestors, Avery D. Freeman (1839) and John Garwood (1838).

Those receiving First Family Certificates for documenting their ancestor, James Gordon (1834), were Patricia K. Gordon Kubik, Cecilia F. Gordon Granzo, Douglas Gordon, and Lucy A. Gordon Barden. They also received Civil War Families certificates for proving that their ancestor Jacob James Gordon resided here 1861-1865 and served in the Civil War (Co. B, 9th Indiana Volunteers).

Gene R. Hay and David L. Hay received Pioneer Certificates for documenting their ancestor, Daniel Nelson Hay (1855).

Connie Wilhelm Garrison received a Pioneer Certificate for documenting her ancestor, Ludwig Wilhelm (1852).

The Residency Committee of the Genealogical Society consists of Fern Eddy Schultz (chair), Gloria Arndt, and Dottisue Gansemer. They reviewed all materials submitted with the applications and made the presentations. They encourage others to apply before July 31, 2012 for the next annual presentation at the society's meeting September 11, 2012. Documentation is required, and it can take many forms, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates; obituaries; property deeds; and other original documents. Successful past applications are indexed and on file at the La Porte County Historical Society library. It's never too early to start!

The society meets the second Tuesday of every month, weather permitting, at 7:15 pm at the Senior Citizens Activity Center, 910 State Street, La Porte. Everyone is welcome. More information is available on our web site and our blog. Next month's meeting will feature immigration and naturalization research.

Photo captions, left to right:
Top photo: Kiera Quealy, Georgeann Palmer Quealy, Daniel Palmer and Victor Palmer. In front, Luke Palmer.

Bottom photo: Back row, Connie Wilhelm Garrison, Patricia Kay Gordon Kubik, Douglas Gordon, and Cynthia Lee Blicher. Front row, Cecilia F. Gordon Granzo and Lucy A. Gordon Barden.

September meeting -- ancestor certificates!

On Tuesday, September 13, you can meet folks who have proven their old-time La Porte County ancestors and learn how you might be able to join the club. The La Porte County Genealogical Society will meet at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 710 State Street, at 7:15 pm to award new family certificates to applicants who succeeded in proving that they're descended from someone who lived here before 1880. In addition to awards, the gathering will include business meeting, refreshments, discussion, and a chance to view the evidence gathered to support the applications. The categories are:

"First Family"certificates for families that arrived in La Porte County on or before 31 December 1840,

"Pioneer Families" (1841-1860),

"Settler Families" (1861-1880), and

"Civil War Ancestors " (1861-30 April 1865). To qualify for a Civil War Ancestor certificate, the Civil War ancestor must have been a resident of La Porte County prior to or at the time of enlistment in the military.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings. You do not need to have old-settler ancestors to join and participate in the society!

Also at our web site, there's information on how to apply for next year's round of certificate awards. You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

August meeting recap

At the August meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society, we learned from Gloria Arndt and Dorothy Palmer about Michigan City mayors William F. C. Dall, who served during the 1920s, and R. C. "Hemp" Fedder, who served two terms in the 1930s and 1940s. As one member commented afterwards, the presentations were enjoyable even for those who don't care for politics. Dall had to resign as mayor when the brick company he worked for moved to Mishawaka. Fedder, who among other things was a barber in private life, gave free haircuts to the down and out, and lobbied in Washington DC for Michigan City's share of WPA money. The Ku Klux Klan was a factor in politics during both mayors' careers, as it was in other parts of Indiana.

In society business:

* We learned that Brian Roeske of the Historical Society of Porter County is seeking information on the 9th Indiana Volunteer Infantry that formed in La Porte County for the Civil War.

* Our committee on residency certificates will be meeting in preparation for the awards to be presented at next month's meeting September 13.

* The indexing and abstracting group will consider various approaches to our next project of making La Porte County wills and probates easier to research.

* The deadline for contributions to the fall newsletter "The Door" is August 15.

* Finally, it's not too early to think about what programs to choose for 2012.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

Also at our web site, those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!) can find information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

SEVENTY-TWO YEARS OF COMMITMENT RECORDS IN LA PORTE COUNTY book now available

As government and society evolved in the 1800s, it was the thinking that government had a proper role in providing for the good of those who were out of the norm or from whom society needed protection. As a result, Indiana built prisons, insane asylums, and homes and schools for the feeble minded, the deaf, the blind, the epileptic, and the orphan. These governmental actions left a paper trail in the courthouses. A new book abstracts these records in La Porte County. The earliest entry of the 565 entries found was 13 October 1848. No records after 1920 were abstracted.

The compilers searched numerous records in the county clerk's office, including Court of Common Pleas Order books A-E and additional books covering 1869 to 1873; all Circuit Court Civil Order books from B to Z and 1 to 40; and Insanity Record Books 6, 7, 11, 12, and 13. Civil Order Book A and Insanity Record Books 1-5 and 8-10 are missing.

Pictures of pertinent Indiana institutions are included.

_________

La Porte County, Indiana, Commitments to Benevolent, Educational, and Reformatory Institutions and Related Guardianships, 1848-1920, compiled by Dorothy Palmer and Mary Wenzel (La Porte: La Porte County Genealogical Society, 2011). 98 pages, soft cover, comb bound, 8 1/2 x 11. $20 through http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/booksales.htm

Unusual Early Indiana Court Index Now Available

In Court In La Porte is an every-name index to the first legal proceedings in La Porte County, Indiana, containing more than 800 distinct surnames. Compiled by Harold Henderson, it indexes every personal, business, and place name mentioned in Complete Record Book A (June 1833 to April 1837), Judgment Docket A (June 1833 to June 1838), and Minute Record A (June 1833 to October 1836). A very limited amount of relevant genealogical information is included, such as when an individual stood bail for someone else's payment or performance of a duty.

This book is a finding aid, not a substitute for the records themselves. The original handwritten books (with handwritten indexes of plaintiffs only) are in the office of the La Porte County Clerk and should be consulted for legal and genealogical information. Also in the clerk's office are microfilms of the “loose papers” for certain cases.

The legal proceedings offer glimpses of many aspects of life on the frontier more than 170 years ago: fights, liquor sales, gambling parties, road building, timber cutting, slander, divorce, death, murder, and – above all – debt and the repayment of debt. These proceedings may also provide unique information on the whereabouts of early settlers who do not appear in census or property records. It is hoped that this index will encourage genealogists to make court records a regular part of their research.

In Court In La Porte: An Every-Name Index to the First Legal Proceedings in La Porte County, Indiana (La Porte: compiler via blurb.com, 2011). 246 pages, soft cover, 5x8. $20, Indiana sales tax included; 25% donated to La Porte County Genealogical Society. Shipping & handling $5 if needed. Available from the compiler at hhsh@earthlink.net, or with slightly different pricing through blurb.com.

A professional writer since 1979 and professional genealogist since 2009, Harold Henderson has published genealogical articles in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Utah, and the National Genealogical Society Magazine. He maintains a blog, “Midwestern Microhistory.” He serves on the boards of the La Porte County Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists; moderates the Transitional Genealogists Forum on-line discussion list; and is the Indiana Genealogical Society county genealogist for La Porte.

26 July 2011

August 2011 meeting -- mayors!

On Tuesday, August 9, you can learn about two Michigan City mayors for the price of one! Dorothy Palmer and Gloria Arndt will share the podium to describe two who served during the 20th century. When Wm. F. C. Dall ran for mayor in 1923, the Dispatch called his ticket "Pro-Klan," while the News endorsed it as made up of "Leaders, straight thinkers and good business men." In the 1930 and 1940s, Rheinhart C. "Hemp" Fedder led the city through the Great Depression and WWII years.

The society's business meeting will begin at 7:15 pm, followed by the program -- all at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte. The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

Residency certificate applications for 2011 are due before the end of July, but it's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2012. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/ has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com.

July genealogy meeting

As our intended speaker for the July 12 meeting, Mattie Dunlap, was indisposed, her friend Chuck West (who is not 101 yet!) filled in and relayed some of what she would have told us about the experience of black people who migrated north in the mid-20th century. Her family moved from Itta Bena, Mississippi, to Kingsford Heights in 1953 and then to Michigan City in 1963. Chuck told many wonderful stories, but the short version is that the family's high hopes for life in the North were not always fulfilled; not everyone made the move, but when someone wanted to come up they waited until there was a job lined up; and nowadays they are comfortable to go back south and visit, which was not always the case. After moving to Indiana, they still faced prejudice and discrimination (including the death of a daughter for lack of medical treatment), but unlike in the South in the 1950s they could vote and own property, and didn't have to ask permission for every little thing.

The business meeting followed the program and was brief. Nominations are still open for Genealogist of the Year, and applications are still available for residency certificates. Two new La Porte County books are just out from the abstracters and indexers. One abstracts guardianships and commitments 1848-1920, and the other is an every-name index of court records from the 1830s. More information on these later.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

Also at our web site, those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!) can find information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

#

July meeting

On Tuesday, July 12, Mattie Sue McMillan Dunlap, a 100-year-old resident of Michigan City, will tell the La Porte County Genealogical Society her story of growing up African-American in the South and moving to the North.

The society's board will meet at 6:30 pm, followed by the business meeting at 7:15 pm, and then the program -- all at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte. The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

The June meeting was the exception, when the society visits and learns about a county cemetery. On June 14 more than a dozen members and guests convened at the Eahart-Reed Cemetery in New Durham Township. A copy of the listing of internments copied from the Pioneer Cemeteries website was provided, as well as a partial list of veterans buried there. After the visit, ten members and guests assembled at Denny's Restaurant in Michigan City.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2011. Our web site has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

June genealogy meeting recap

President Alan Zeller on the La Porte society's June cemetery tour:

Last Tuesday, 14 June 2011, about thirteen members and guests of the LPCIGS convened at the Eahart-Reed Cemetery in New Durham township. A copy of the listing of interments copied from the Pioneer Cemeteries website was provided, as well as a partial list of veterans buried there.
After the visit, ten members and guests assembled at Denny's Restaurant in Michigan City, where they enjoyed some discussion of the cemetery and of genealogy.

Former La Porte postmaster William Banks on WeRelate

William Allen Banks (1836-1904) was a progressive farmer and La Porte postmaster. A thorough biography page on him has been posted at the WeRelate wiki (which is affiliated with the Allen County Public Library and claims to be the world's largest genealogy wiki). Alan Zeller notes that it is the featured post on the site as of June 14. The full biographical site, with source citations, is here. It's a great sample of what people can do on this collaborative website.

Annual Cemetery Tour: Eahart-Reed Cemetery

On June 14, the La Porte County Genealogical Society will meet early and in a different location for its annual cemetery tour. All are invited to convene at 6 pm Central time at the Eahart-Reed Cemetery in New Durham Township to visit, view, and learn about the cemetery. The cemetery is located on County Road 350S between 800 and 900W. That's south of Indiana Route 2 between Pinhook and Westville.

The cemetery dates from 1837. Those buried here include members of the Cattron, Eahart, Garwood, Long, and Reed families, as well as two veterans of the War of 1812, B. J. Hayward and Samuel Johnson. More information about the cemetery is available at the web site of the Cemeteries and Research Association of La Porte County (http://www.dunelady.com/laporte/cemeteries/eahart.htm) and at FindAGrave (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&GSln=eahart&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=17&GScntry=4&GSob=n&CRid=84885&df=all&pt=Eahart-Reed%20Cemetery&). And you can learn a little about William Eahart from Jasper Packard's 1876 history of La Porte County on line at Google Books.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2011. Our web site has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). Deadline is July 31. Nominations are also open for Genealogist of the Year, deadline September 30. You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

Funeral Home Records

Sometimes we find key information about ancestors, not in cemeteries or obituaries or death certificates, but in the records of funeral homes. On May 10 Lynn Haverstock of Ott/Haverstock Funeral Home in Michigan City will speak at the monthly meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society, 7 pm at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte. We'll learn about the history of this business and the records and search engines available to family researchers. There will be time for questions. The program will take place prior to our regular business meeting, so don't be late!

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2011. Our web site has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

Living History in La Porte

Seven people who have documented their early La Porte County ancestors were awarded eleven certificates at the April 12 meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society. To receive the certificates they had to provide good evidence of two things: that these people were their ancestors, and that they lived here at least 131 years ago.

[PHOTO CAPTION:

Recipients of Residency Certificates awarded at the recent La Porte County (IN) Genealogical Society meeting are shown above. Left to right: Cheryl Good, accepting First Family and Settler certificates for Alan Dean Good, her husband and Jerry Lynn Good her brother-in-law; James M. A. McCoy, First Family and Settler; William R. Hunsley, Pioneer certificate; Timothy L. Harris, First Family certificate; and Joan Lee Good McCoy, First Family and Settler certificates. Not in attendance but a recipient of a Pioneer certificate was Sandra Lee Rauschenbach Mafera.]

Fern Eddy Schultz, Gloria Arndt, and Dottisue Gansemer of the society's Residency Certification Committee reviewed the proofs and made the presentations. The society has now made a total of 219 awards in four categories (First Family, Pioneer Family, Settler, and Civil War Ancestor) since the program began in 1987. All information provided is placed in the archives at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum and is available to anyone who may be researching the same surnames.

This year's successful applicants documented the following:

Timothy L. Harris is descended from David Stoner, who was living in La Porte County before December 31, 1840 (First Family Certificate).

Joan Lee Good McCoy, James M. A. McCoy, Alan Dean Good, and Jerry Lynn Good are descended from John Stoner, who was living in the county before December 31, 1840 (First Family Certificates).

Sandra Lee Rauschenbach Mafera is descended from Daniel L. Cain, who was living in the county between 1840 and 1860 (Pioneer Certificate).

William R. Hunsley is descended from Thomas Hunsley, who was living in the county between 1840 and 1860 (Pioneer Certificate).

Joan Lee Good McCoy, James M. A. McCoy, Alan Dean Good, and Jerry Lynn Good are descended from John Elmer Good, who was living in the county between 1861 and 1880 (Settler Certificates).

For more information about the program, contact the La Porte County (IN) Genealogical Society, Residency Certification Committee, 904 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350, or visit the Society’s website at www.rootsweb.com/~inlcgs. The next presentation of awards will be at the September 20, 2011 meeting of the Society. Deadline for receipt of applications is July 30.

#

April meeting

The La Porte County Genealogical Society will meet at 7 pm Tuesday, April 12, at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte. Following the business meeting, the program will feature awards of the 2010 residency certificates, postponed from last December.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

It's not too early to apply for one or more residency certificates for 2011. Our web site has information for those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!). There's information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

March meeting recap

At the March meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society, Donna Nelson was named the 2010 La Porte County genealogist of the year for her publishing and other services to genealogy in the county.

Members raised more than $50 for the society's treasury in an informal auction of genealogy materials.

In upcoming events, March 19 is the deadline to sign up for the society's April 6 bus trip to the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne. Visit our web site. To prepare for the actual visit, visit the book catalog and the microtext catalog. The society's April 12 meeting will feature awards of the 2010 residency certificates, postponed from last December.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

Also at our web site, those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!) can find information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

#

March meeting -- auction

Do you have too much genealogy "stuff" in your house? If so, bring the extras to the La Porte County Genealogical Society's meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte. Your trash may be someone else's treasure, and vice versa. The society will hold an informal auction of the books, magazines, and other materials, and hopefully everyone will leave better off. This is the event planned for January that was snowed out.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings. For more information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/.

It's not too late to sign up there for our annual April bus trip to the world-famous genealogy collection at Fort Wayne's Allen County Public Library.

Also at our web site, those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!) can find information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com/2010/08/la-porte-county-genealogical-society.html.

February meeting -- first one since November

Fourteen members and friends of the La Porte County Genealogical Society held a "reunion"
February 8 at the Swanson Center in La Porte -- the first meeting since November, as weather had forced cancellation of both the December and January meetings. For the evening program, attendees shared genealogy-related items and experiences, from Lincoln to baby boots.

Two indexing and abstracting projects are nearing completion. The March meeting will be an auction of surplus genealogy materials to benefit the society (postponed from January). Residency certificates that would have been presented in December will be presented at the April 12 meeting.

The society's annual bus trip to the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne will be April 6. Deadline to sign up and pay for a seat on the bus is March 19. The trip is once again co-sponsored by the Michigan City Public Library. A signup form and information about future meetings are on the society's web site.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings.

Also at our web site, those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!) can find information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

February meeting: show and tell

"Show and tell" will be the theme of the La Porte County Genealogical Society's meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte. Members and visitors will share genealogy-related objects, memories, or experiences in this month's program.

The scheduled December and January meetings were canceled due to bad weather. The December 2010 residency and Genealogist of the Year awards will be presented at a later meeting, as will the January 2011 auction.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Swanson Center, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings. For more information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site.

Also at our web site, those who believe they have La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!) can find information on how to apply for First Families of La Porte (before December 1840), Pioneer Families (1841-1860), Settler Families (1861-1880), and Civil War Families (1861-1865). You can also read or search back issues of the society's newsletter, December 2005 through December 2009, including genealogical and historical information from members' research and abstracting work in local records, on our blog.

Indiana resources in Michigan

(Please forgive the cross-posting.)

If you had a genealogical problem in La Porte County, Indiana, the first place you'd look would be Kalamazoo, Michigan, right? No, but it should be somewhere on your list.

The Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections' on-line catalog reveals two resources for "LaPorte":

* LaPorte County News Collection, 1902-1908, collection no. A1274, three reels of microfilm of the Union Mills La Porte County News from Union Mills. The Indiana State Library's excellent collection holds only one issue of this newspaper.

* Minnesota Historical Society Collection, 1834-1926, no collection number, containing papers of James Mandigo 1834-1891,with a scrapbook that at least mentions his attendance at Indiana Medical College in La Porte.

In this index as in many others, the search term "LaPorte" brings up different results from "La Porte." It's all part of our incompletely digested French heritage.