May 2014 genealogy meeting wrap-up

Tuesday, May 13, the La Porte County, Indiana Genealogical Society met at the La Porte City Parks and Recreation Department Headquarters on Pine Lake Avenue in La Porte. Fourteen members and guests were in attendance.The business meeting was called to order by the President, Dorothy Palmer. Among the committee reports, Editor Lester Chadwick said that his study of alternative formats for the “The Door” suggested some benefits in using double-sized paper and folding the publication for mailing. Patricia Harris reported on the successful trip to Allen County Public Library. Harold Henderson said that the committee on indexing, abstractions and publications is almost done with the early probates.

After refreshments provided by Laura Shields, Archivist/ Records Manager Vicky Rydzynski of the St. Joseph County Archives presented “What the St. Joseph County Archives Can Do for You.” Ms. Rydzynski explained that the archives is the official repository of documents for all the local government bodies in the county, including cities, school corporations, and libraries. The primary duty is preserving the records, but assistance to researchers is provided when possible. Some records are the property of the bodies which generate them, and may be subject to the rules of that body. Her first advice is that you find as many details as possible on the person of interest. A group of volunteers are steadily indexing some of the records, and their indexes are available on the South Bend Area Genealogical Society website, http://www.sbags.org/. Armed with a narrow range of dates and type of record, the busy staff at the archives will be able to show you which items and group of records will be most helpful. A call in advance is always recommended. The archives are located at 1140 S. Lafayette Blvd. South Bend, IN 46601-3328, and the phone is 574-235-9091.

The records are in more than one location, so advance notice could help avoid delays. Cameras are allowed, since some records are too fragile to allow scanning. When scanning is possible, a fee may apply.

It isn’t too early to nominate someone as the Genealogist of the Year. The deadline is September 30, 2014. Contact Gloria Arndt or check the website mentioned below.

The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month, weather permitting, at the La Porte City Parks and Recreation Department building at 250 Pine Lake Avenue. The business meeting will start promptly at 7:00, and the social time and refreshment period will come between the business meeting and the program. The public is welcome at all meetings. July 31 is the deadline for residency applications.  If you had an ancestor who came to La Porte County early, check the certification categories link from the main page of the web site. For more information about the society's activities in awards, research, abstracting, transcribing, indexing, publishing, and records preservation, visit our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/.