Not every cemetery moves from one county to another, but that's what
Sauktown Cemetery did in 1850. The cemetery did not actually move,
only the boundaries changed when Wills Township was shifted from St.
Joseph County to La Porte County.
On June 8, the La Porte Genealogical Society will meet early (6 pm) to
go on its annual cemetery adventure. This year members and friends
will visit and learn about this old rural cemetery, where the oldest
known burial occurred 172 years ago. John Cuson of the Sauktown
Cemetery Association will be our guide. The cemetery is located on
150N between 875 and 925E, and it is expected to stay put. All are
welcome -- you do not need to be a member to attend!
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the
Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public
is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and 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).
UPDATE AND CORRECTION 22 May, from Fern Eddy Schultz: Wills Township did not become a part of La Porte County in 1850--it was already in La Porte County. What happened 14 January 1850 was that Sections 22, 23, 26, 27, 34 and 35 of Township 37 North Range 1 West were added to La Porte County from St. Joseph Couunty. Sauktown Cemetery is located in Section 27.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
May 2010 meeting on treasures of La Porte County
County historian Fern Eddy Schultz spoke at the La Porte County Genealogical Society meeting Tuesday, May 11. She encouraged those attending to be more ambitious when they go to the courthouse to research their ancestors. Most people look only for a few things -- records of marriages, wills, landholdings, and naturalizations. In La Porte, we have much more, including partition records (division of property after a family member's death), tax duplicates (starting in 1864), county commissioners' records (from 1832), mortgages, insanity records, and Miscellaneous Record books that include many Civil War veterans' discharges.
The county historical society also holds records that have been discarded, including licenses for junk dealers, physicians, nurses, dentists, and teachers; coroner's records from the 1950s to 1979, and numerous old school and township records. Some were in such bad shape when acquired that she had to piece them together in order to index or transcribe them. The society also has very detailed La Porte marriage applications 1890-1905, a full fifteen years before they were required statewide.
Concerns were expressed in the talk and the discussion afterwards about inadequate security in the vault in the La Porte courthouse, and excessive security in the Michigan City courthouse, where employees have forbidden visitors to examine public records.
The society's April 21 bus trip to the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne was a success, with the largest group ever. Our bus driver was able to do some research as well!
Future plans include a visit to the Sauktown Cemetery in June, and programs for July (research when the record you want isn't there), August (how to organize and continue to improve your genealogy after the first steps), and September (movie stars in Michigan City).
Two indexing and abstracting work projects continue at the courthouse. Applications for residency societies and genealogist of the year are available; the awards will be made at the December supper meeting.
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and more information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site.
The county historical society also holds records that have been discarded, including licenses for junk dealers, physicians, nurses, dentists, and teachers; coroner's records from the 1950s to 1979, and numerous old school and township records. Some were in such bad shape when acquired that she had to piece them together in order to index or transcribe them. The society also has very detailed La Porte marriage applications 1890-1905, a full fifteen years before they were required statewide.
Concerns were expressed in the talk and the discussion afterwards about inadequate security in the vault in the La Porte courthouse, and excessive security in the Michigan City courthouse, where employees have forbidden visitors to examine public records.
The society's April 21 bus trip to the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne was a success, with the largest group ever. Our bus driver was able to do some research as well!
Future plans include a visit to the Sauktown Cemetery in June, and programs for July (research when the record you want isn't there), August (how to organize and continue to improve your genealogy after the first steps), and September (movie stars in Michigan City).
Two indexing and abstracting work projects continue at the courthouse. Applications for residency societies and genealogist of the year are available; the awards will be made at the December supper meeting.
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and more information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
May LPCGS meeting -- La Porte County records
La Porte County has not lost its memory. "We still have most of the documents" created to record births, marriages, deaths, wills, probates, naturalizations, court cases, and property transactions, says veteran local genealogist and historian Fern Eddy Schultz.
Schultz will speak at the Genealogical Society meeting 7 pm May 11 on La Porte's records -- in the courthouse, in outlying buildings, and at the county historical society. Schultz was a former member of the Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society and was the Founding President of the La Porte County Genealogical Society. She is an active member of the La Porte County Historical Society, having served as President of the Board, and is currently 1st Vice-President. She has served the County for 20 years as the official La Porte County Historian. She maintains an active schedule of lecturing and research. She is currently a member of the genealogical society's board and serves as genealogist/historian for that society.
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and 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).
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Tuesday, April 13, 2010
April 2010 meeting
The La Porte County Genealogical Society met Tuesday, April 13. St. Joseph County Archives manager Vicky Rydzynski described the resources available in her office in downtown South Bend, dating from 1832 up to 2008. Rule Number One, quoted from former state archivist John Newman: One hour's research ahead of time at home can save you three hours or more at the archives. Researchers should call ahead, and should know as much as possible of the who, what, when, where, and why of the people they want to learn about. Record types available in the archives include marriage records (both licenses and applications), delayed birth records, probate records, and delinquent tax records. Naturalization records are available through 1856; more recent ones were sent to the state archives, which has provided an index with a 10 percent error rate. The archives has benefited greatly from volunteer indexing by genealogists, who are now working on marriage licenses after 1958 and estate records from the 1800s.
Beginning with the June issue, vice-president Lester Chadwick will take over editing the society's quarterly newsletter from retiring Donna Nelson.
Future plans discussed include the annual bus trip to Allen County Public Library April 21, and future programs for May (La Porte courthouse resources), June (Sauktown Cemetery tour), July (researching without Perry Mason), August (how to organize and continue to improve your genealogy after the first steps), and September (Michigan City movie stars).
Indexing and abstracting work continues at the courthouse. Applications for residency societies and genealogist of the year are available; the awards will be made at the December supper meeting. The La Porte County GenWeb site has greatly increased its online listings of Pine Lake Cemetery burials.
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and more information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site.
Beginning with the June issue, vice-president Lester Chadwick will take over editing the society's quarterly newsletter from retiring Donna Nelson.
Future plans discussed include the annual bus trip to Allen County Public Library April 21, and future programs for May (La Porte courthouse resources), June (Sauktown Cemetery tour), July (researching without Perry Mason), August (how to organize and continue to improve your genealogy after the first steps), and September (Michigan City movie stars).
Indexing and abstracting work continues at the courthouse. Applications for residency societies and genealogist of the year are available; the awards will be made at the December supper meeting. The La Porte County GenWeb site has greatly increased its online listings of Pine Lake Cemetery burials.
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and more information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site.
Friday, March 19, 2010
St. Joseph County Archives at April 2010 meeting
There's a genealogical resource in South Bend with 10,000 volumes of records and over 23,000 boxes containing more. The St. Joseph County Archives and Records Center has birth, marriage, court, probate, and other records. On Tuesday, April 13, manager Vicky Rydzynski will tell us all about "What's in the St. Joseph County Archives and What You Can Get Out of Them." (Note: Archives are not libraries. You need to call ahead and get oriented before showing up!)
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and more information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site.
Image from flickr.com via Creative Commons, credit
I found it here.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Indentures of Apprenticeship & Guardianship Records
The following 13 abstractions of original documents were made by Fern Eddy Schultz and published in the La Porte County Genealogical Society Newsletter for September 1989, pages 21 and 23. I have retyped and posted them with her permission to make them more accessible in the internet age. This entire blog is every-word searchable, so it can serve as a repository of some of the work that has gone into the newsletter over the years.
If you find your people in this list, check the original Miscellaneous Record Books, volumes 1 through 10 (covering a period of 27 April 1857 through October 1907) in the Recorder's Office in La Porte. There may be more information there!
KEY: (1) Type of document, (2) Name of child/children, (3) Date of document, (4) Parties making document, (5) Miscellaneous information contained in document, (6) Witnesses, and (7) Location of record.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Eliza Jane CONCANON, (3) 26 March 1864, (4) Between Thomas CONCANON of Laporte County (father of child) and William CONCANON of Laporte Co., (5) Child: aged 6 years on 11th day of July 1863. Apprenticeship to remain in effect until she is 18 years unless she marries, (6) Before Azariah WILLIAMS, a Justice of the Peace in county, (7) MR Book 1/58.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Augusta BROCKMAN, (3) 22 January 1872, (4) Between Theodore BROCKMAN (father of the child) and Henry BAUMGARTNER of La Porte County, (5) Child: 11 years old on 25 March 1871. To remain in effect until 18 years old. To be taught the art of housekeeping and common sewing. (6) Before Henry H. WALKER, Mayor of the City of Michigan City, (7) MR Book 1/346.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Emma HUSSELFELDT, (3) 11 January 1872, (4) Between Mary HUSSELFELDT (mother of child) of La Porte Co. and Christian FRECE/FREEZE of La Porte County, (5) Child: aged 2 years. In effect until 18 years old, (6) Before Mortimer NYE, Notary Public, (7) MR Book 1/354.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Hattie Louise HARTLEY, (3) 04 June 1872, (4) Between Ira L. BARNES, Overseer of the Poor of Center Twp. La Porte Co. and Fredrick/Frederick C. KING and Nancy A. KING his wife of La Porte Co., (5) Child about 4 years old and 18 mos. Child has same name as mother, Hattie Louise HARTLEY. Reason of abandonment and neglect and inability of mother to provide for her child. Mother only parent of child known to the law. To remain in effect until 18 years if she shall so long live. To be taught the art trade and occupation of housekeeping, (6) Before Samuel E. WILLIAMS, Notary Public, (7) MR Book 1/372.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Eldora STEELE and Hiram Wesley STEELE, (3) 27 January 1880, (4) Between James STEELE (father of the children) of La Porte Co., and Rachel STEELE, (5) Age of Eldora, 8 years, 05 September 1879; Hiram, 6 years, 27 September 1879. Eldora to learn occupation of housekeeping and doing general housework; Hiram to learn the occupation of a farmer, (6) Before Anson HARVEY, Notary Public, (7) MR Book 3/9.
(1) Guardianship of Heirs, (2) E. Bill McCLUNG, Frank Lee McCLUNG, M. Alice McCLUNG, and John William McCLUNG, (3) 30 July 1877, (5) M. Alice, E. Bill and Franklin Lee, infant children of W. A. McCLUNG (deceased) over the age of 14 years with approbation of the court made choice of their mother, C. I. McCLUNG as their guardian and she was assigned guardian to John William, infant child of W. A. McCLUNG, (6) Filed in Virginia at Rockbridge Circuit Court, (7) MR Book 3/218.
(1) Assignment of Daughter, (2) Sarah Jane WELLS, (3) 04 February 1882, (4) Between Samuel WELLS of La Porte County (father of the child) and Clarence L. HASKINS of La Porte County, (5) Child - near 5 years old. Mother of child died and father "desirous to provide comfortable home for my child." In effect until she arrives at maturity or marries, (6) Joseph F. TAYLOR, (7) MR Book 3/258.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Ben F. CASE, (3) 02 September 1884, (4) Between Julia E. WORK, Pres. of St. Joseph Co. Orphans' Home and Charles WILLS Sr., member of La Porte County Commissioners and W. EDICK family, (5) Child - 7 years old and inmate of said orphans' home, (6) Before C. D. PHELPS, Justice of Peace, (7) MR Book 4/114.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Ralph Chapman KNEISLEY, (3) 02 September 1899, (4) Between Melissa KNEISLEY of Walkerton, St. Joseph Co. (mother of child) and Jacob KNEISLEY, La Porte County, (5) Child was born 21 November 1885. In effect until child is 21 years of age and said child is to be given one hundred dollars in cash, (6) Before Mortimer NYE, Notary Public, (7) MR Book 5/207.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Leroy MOORE, (3) 15 July 1892, (4) Between the Infirmary Director of Van Wert County, OH and Aron MOORE and wife Jane MOORE of La Porte County, (5) Child - aged one year on 09 December 1891. To learn the trade and occupation of carpenter and joiner. At the expiration of term of service to be furnished with a new Bible, at least two suits common wearing apparel, one dress suit and $50 in money, (6) K. J. SMITH, R. DAVIDSON, A. J. STEWART, Infirmary Directors of Van Wert Co., OH and witnessed by John BOHLONDER, (7) MR Book 5/591.
(1) Letters of Guardianship, (2) Chas. CUMMINGS and Iva CUMMINGS, (3) 04 September 1899, (5) State of Illinois, Livingston Co. (Pontiac, IL). Fred DUCKETT, Clerk of County Ciourt. Chas. H. TUESBURG, Guardian, (7) MR Book 8/496.
(1) Letters of Guardianship, (2) Persons and estates of Nomie M. McLAUGHLIN and George McLAUGHLIN, (3) at Knox, IN 13 February 1903, (5) Ella McLAUGHLIN tendered bond of $10,000 with Michael D. FALVEY, Patrick C. BRAZILL and Michael HOGAN as sureties. Nomie - aged 14 years 04 May 1897 (B: 04 May 1883); George, aged 12 years 05 February 1897 (B: 05 February 1885). Minor heirs of John John McLAUGHLIN of Stark Co., IN. Minors reside in Stark Co., (7) MR Book 9/26 & 27.
(1) Guardianship Bond, (2) Sarah Emma HICKS, Alice Jane HICKS, William Allen HICKS, (3) 08 December 1863, (5) minor heirs of Lewis HICKS. To Eliza HICKS, (7) MR Book 9/347.
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If you find your people in this list, check the original Miscellaneous Record Books, volumes 1 through 10 (covering a period of 27 April 1857 through October 1907) in the Recorder's Office in La Porte. There may be more information there!
KEY: (1) Type of document, (2) Name of child/children, (3) Date of document, (4) Parties making document, (5) Miscellaneous information contained in document, (6) Witnesses, and (7) Location of record.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Eliza Jane CONCANON, (3) 26 March 1864, (4) Between Thomas CONCANON of Laporte County (father of child) and William CONCANON of Laporte Co., (5) Child: aged 6 years on 11th day of July 1863. Apprenticeship to remain in effect until she is 18 years unless she marries, (6) Before Azariah WILLIAMS, a Justice of the Peace in county, (7) MR Book 1/58.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Augusta BROCKMAN, (3) 22 January 1872, (4) Between Theodore BROCKMAN (father of the child) and Henry BAUMGARTNER of La Porte County, (5) Child: 11 years old on 25 March 1871. To remain in effect until 18 years old. To be taught the art of housekeeping and common sewing. (6) Before Henry H. WALKER, Mayor of the City of Michigan City, (7) MR Book 1/346.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Emma HUSSELFELDT, (3) 11 January 1872, (4) Between Mary HUSSELFELDT (mother of child) of La Porte Co. and Christian FRECE/FREEZE of La Porte County, (5) Child: aged 2 years. In effect until 18 years old, (6) Before Mortimer NYE, Notary Public, (7) MR Book 1/354.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Hattie Louise HARTLEY, (3) 04 June 1872, (4) Between Ira L. BARNES, Overseer of the Poor of Center Twp. La Porte Co. and Fredrick/Frederick C. KING and Nancy A. KING his wife of La Porte Co., (5) Child about 4 years old and 18 mos. Child has same name as mother, Hattie Louise HARTLEY. Reason of abandonment and neglect and inability of mother to provide for her child. Mother only parent of child known to the law. To remain in effect until 18 years if she shall so long live. To be taught the art trade and occupation of housekeeping, (6) Before Samuel E. WILLIAMS, Notary Public, (7) MR Book 1/372.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Eldora STEELE and Hiram Wesley STEELE, (3) 27 January 1880, (4) Between James STEELE (father of the children) of La Porte Co., and Rachel STEELE, (5) Age of Eldora, 8 years, 05 September 1879; Hiram, 6 years, 27 September 1879. Eldora to learn occupation of housekeeping and doing general housework; Hiram to learn the occupation of a farmer, (6) Before Anson HARVEY, Notary Public, (7) MR Book 3/9.
(1) Guardianship of Heirs, (2) E. Bill McCLUNG, Frank Lee McCLUNG, M. Alice McCLUNG, and John William McCLUNG, (3) 30 July 1877, (5) M. Alice, E. Bill and Franklin Lee, infant children of W. A. McCLUNG (deceased) over the age of 14 years with approbation of the court made choice of their mother, C. I. McCLUNG as their guardian and she was assigned guardian to John William, infant child of W. A. McCLUNG, (6) Filed in Virginia at Rockbridge Circuit Court, (7) MR Book 3/218.
(1) Assignment of Daughter, (2) Sarah Jane WELLS, (3) 04 February 1882, (4) Between Samuel WELLS of La Porte County (father of the child) and Clarence L. HASKINS of La Porte County, (5) Child - near 5 years old. Mother of child died and father "desirous to provide comfortable home for my child." In effect until she arrives at maturity or marries, (6) Joseph F. TAYLOR, (7) MR Book 3/258.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Ben F. CASE, (3) 02 September 1884, (4) Between Julia E. WORK, Pres. of St. Joseph Co. Orphans' Home and Charles WILLS Sr., member of La Porte County Commissioners and W. EDICK family, (5) Child - 7 years old and inmate of said orphans' home, (6) Before C. D. PHELPS, Justice of Peace, (7) MR Book 4/114.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Ralph Chapman KNEISLEY, (3) 02 September 1899, (4) Between Melissa KNEISLEY of Walkerton, St. Joseph Co. (mother of child) and Jacob KNEISLEY, La Porte County, (5) Child was born 21 November 1885. In effect until child is 21 years of age and said child is to be given one hundred dollars in cash, (6) Before Mortimer NYE, Notary Public, (7) MR Book 5/207.
(1) Indenture of Apprenticeship, (2) Leroy MOORE, (3) 15 July 1892, (4) Between the Infirmary Director of Van Wert County, OH and Aron MOORE and wife Jane MOORE of La Porte County, (5) Child - aged one year on 09 December 1891. To learn the trade and occupation of carpenter and joiner. At the expiration of term of service to be furnished with a new Bible, at least two suits common wearing apparel, one dress suit and $50 in money, (6) K. J. SMITH, R. DAVIDSON, A. J. STEWART, Infirmary Directors of Van Wert Co., OH and witnessed by John BOHLONDER, (7) MR Book 5/591.
(1) Letters of Guardianship, (2) Chas. CUMMINGS and Iva CUMMINGS, (3) 04 September 1899, (5) State of Illinois, Livingston Co. (Pontiac, IL). Fred DUCKETT, Clerk of County Ciourt. Chas. H. TUESBURG, Guardian, (7) MR Book 8/496.
(1) Letters of Guardianship, (2) Persons and estates of Nomie M. McLAUGHLIN and George McLAUGHLIN, (3) at Knox, IN 13 February 1903, (5) Ella McLAUGHLIN tendered bond of $10,000 with Michael D. FALVEY, Patrick C. BRAZILL and Michael HOGAN as sureties. Nomie - aged 14 years 04 May 1897 (B: 04 May 1883); George, aged 12 years 05 February 1897 (B: 05 February 1885). Minor heirs of John John McLAUGHLIN of Stark Co., IN. Minors reside in Stark Co., (7) MR Book 9/26 & 27.
(1) Guardianship Bond, (2) Sarah Emma HICKS, Alice Jane HICKS, William Allen HICKS, (3) 08 December 1863, (5) minor heirs of Lewis HICKS. To Eliza HICKS, (7) MR Book 9/347.
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
March 2010 meeting
The La Porte County Genealogical Society met Tuesday, March 9, for the first time in two months. Past president Pat Harris gave the program on why people are sometimes buried in unexpected places. People may be buried with their children, with a predeceased spouse or other relation, with in-laws, in a mass grave, in a prison or military cemetery, or a potter's field. She gave examples of all these possibilities, many of them from her own families. One cemetery west of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was reported to be “equally inaccessible from every point on earth,” but she found it.
The society is seeking an editor for its quarterly newsletter, as Donna Nelson is retiring from the volunteer position after five years.
Future plans discussed include the annual bus trip to Allen County Public Library April 21, and future programs: April (St. Joseph County Archives), May (La Porte courthouse resources), June (Sauktown Cemetery tour), September (Michigan City movie stars), and November (Escape from Slavery, postponed from February due to weather). July, August, and October programs are not yet set.
Indexing and abstracting work continues at the courthouse. The committee to name Genealogist of the Year is receiving nominations (deadline September).
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and more
information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site.
The society is seeking an editor for its quarterly newsletter, as Donna Nelson is retiring from the volunteer position after five years.
Future plans discussed include the annual bus trip to Allen County Public Library April 21, and future programs: April (St. Joseph County Archives), May (La Porte courthouse resources), June (Sauktown Cemetery tour), September (Michigan City movie stars), and November (Escape from Slavery, postponed from February due to weather). July, August, and October programs are not yet set.
Indexing and abstracting work continues at the courthouse. The committee to name Genealogist of the Year is receiving nominations (deadline September).
The society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State St., La Porte. The public is welcome at all meetings. For a list of upcoming programs and more
information about the society's activities in awards, research, publication, and records preservation, visit our web site.
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