January 2013 LPCGS meeting

Members, friends, and guests will share favorite genealogy finds at the January 8, 2013, meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society. It's show and tell: bring anything from a question to a quilt!

Weather permitting, the society meets at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues are $10 individual, $12 family -- and they are now due for 2013 as well!

For those who believe they have early La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!), July 31, 2013 is the deadline to apply for one or more residency certificates. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/categories.htm has information . 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.

Patricia Harris Genealogist of the Year 2012

At the La Porte County Genealogical Society's annual dinner meeting December 11, Patricia Harris was named the society's Genealogist of the Year. Harris is one of two still-active charter members of the society, a past president and current board member, a volunteer at Michigan City Public Library, an authority on Catholic records and Polish research, and the author of a number of historical and genealogical publications including Camp Anderson 1863-1864: Michigan City's Civil War Camp.

The award was presented by Fern Eddy Schultz following a convivial dinner at the Western Inn. Besides Schultz, the awards committee includes Dorothy Palmer and chairman Gloria Arndt. (Photo: Schultz, Harris.)

Weather permitting, the genealogy society meets at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues are $10 individual, $12 family. The January 8 meeting will be a sharing time with members and guests bringing in favorite artifacts, stories, or research wins to tell about.

For those who believe they have early La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!), July 31, 2013 is the deadline to apply for one or more residency certificates. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/categories.htm has information . 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.

December Dinner Meeting!

If you never get quite enough time to catch up with genealogy-minded friends, then the La Porte County Genealogical Society's annual dinner party on Tuesday, December 11, is just for you. The catered turkey dinner will be held at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte (weather permitting). Social time will begin at 6 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm. A brief business meeting will follow, along with presentation of the third annual Genealogist of the Year award.

Deadline for advance paid reservations is Friday, December 7 -- $8.50 for members, $9.50 for non-members. Send check for the number of reservations to the society at 904 Indiana, La Porte IN 46350.The society meets at the Swanson Center on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues for 2013 are now due as well -- $10 individual, $12 family.

It's not too early to start applying for one or more residency certificates for 2013. 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.

War of 1812 sharing program -- November

Two hundred years ago the US was at war with Great Britain. If you have an ancestor, relative, or person of interest who served in the War of 1812, come to the November 13 meeting of the La Porte County Genealogical Society to share that story and hear other members and friend share theirs. Also known as the Second War for Independence, this war that gave us our national anthem and a national hero in General Andrew Jackson. But it does not always get the attention its history deserves.

Weather permitting, the genealogy society meets at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues are $10 individual, $12 family.

For those who believe they have early La Porte County ancestors (and can prove it!), July 31, 2013 is the deadline to apply for one or more residency certificates. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/categories.htm has information . 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 2012 meeting wrapup

At the La Porte County Genealogical Society's October 9 meeting, Katie Marsh and Jenny Minich gave an inspiring presentation on the 4-H genealogy program in La Porte County for ages 8 through high school, and on some of their own family stories they have documented. The process is very systematic at all ages, starting with a three-generation tree for beginners. 4-Hers are taught to find documentary sources, not just "Grandma told me so." 

Weather permitting, the society meets at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street in La Porte, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues are $10 individual, $12 family. The November meeting will feature members' sharing accounts of ancestors or others who fought in the War of 1812. Plans are also being laid for the December dinner meeting.

In the business meeting, members OKd plans for the annual bus trip to Allen County Public Library, to be held Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Leave the driving to a professional and enjoy a day of research at one of the country's premier genealogy resources! The Indexing, Abstracting and Publications Committee is planning to index back issues of the society's newsletter.

Following a successful presentation of county residency certificates in September, the residency committee is now welcoming applications for 2013. Applications and documentation must be received no later than July 31, 2013, to be considered for awarding at the September 10, 2013, meeting of the Society. Applications may be requested from the La Porte County (IN) Genealogical Society, 904 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350 or from Committee Chair, Fern Eddy Schultz at netster@csinet.net. More information at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/categories.htm.

You can read or search some 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.

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September 2012 Residency Certificates Awarded!

PHOTO CAPTION, left to right: James A. Pike, Patricia Ann Lyke Townsend, Monica Nowatzke, Karen Louise Peters, Bruce R. Johnson, Colin James Hay and Cynthia Blicher with residency certificates issued at the La Porte County (IN) Genealogical Society September 11 honoring their descendancy from an early ancestor in the county.

At its September 11, 2012, meeting, the La Porte County (IN) Genealogical Society awarded thirteen residency certificates. 

Five First Family residency certificates (before 31 December 1840) were issued to:

*Cynthia L. Blicher for documenting her ancestor Gideon Brayton in the county in 1833, and 

* James A. Pike, Taylor Nicole Townsend, Michael Evans Townsend, and Patricia Ann Lyke Townsend for documenting their ancestor, James Gordon, in the county in 1832.

Five Pioneer residency certificates (1841-1860) were issued to:

* Monica Nowatzke for documenting her ancestor William Zeese in the county in 1853, and 

* Colin James Hay, Elizabeth Ann Hay, Edward Andrew Hay, and Eliot Anthony Hay for documenting their ancestor Daniel Nelson Hay in the county in 1855.

Three Settler residency certificates were issued to:

* Karen Louise Peters for documenting her ancestor Henry Haack in the county between 1861 and 1880, and

* Bruce R. Johnson for documenting his ancestors Johannes Olson and Daniel Johnson for the same period -- one certificate for each ancestor.

In addition, certificates for Civil War Families of La Porte County may be awarded if an ancestor served in the Civil War and is documented as a resident during the period between 1861 and 30 April 1865. There were no Civil War applications or awards this year. The society has awarded a total of 259 certificates since the program began in 1987. Documents supporting these and prior certificates are on file at the La Porte County Historical Society.

The Residency Committee -- Fern Eddy Schultz, Chair, Gloria Arndt, and Dottisue Gansemer -- reviewed all materials submitted with the applications and presented the certificates to the recipients.

The committee is now welcoming applications for 2013 certificates. Applications and documentation must be received no later than July 31, 2013, to be considered for awarding at the September 10, 2013, meeting of the Society. Applications may be requested from the La Porte County (IN) Genealogical Society, 904 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350 or from Committee Chair, Fern Eddy Schultz at netster@csinet.net. More information at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/categories.htm.

In business prior to the awards, the society voted to contribute $100 to the ongoing pension digitization project for the War of 1812 being sponsored by the Federation of Genealogical Societies, and voted to add the immediate past president to its board as an advisory non-voting member. 

Weather permitting, the society meets at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street in La Porte, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues are $10 individual, $12 family. The October meeting will feature this year's 4-H genealogy project winners.

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.

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September Presentation of Residency Certificates

What does it take to get a La Porte County residency certificate in honor of your local ancestor? Come to the La Porte County Genealogical Society's September 11 meeting and find out! At this meeting, 2012 residency certificates will be presented to successful applicants, and the qualifying applications will be available to read or browse in. If you have thought of applying for a certificate, this is a chance to see and discuss exactly what is needed to prove that your ancestor was in the county prior to a certain date.

Weather permitting, the genealogy society meets at the Swanson Center for Older Adults, 910 State Street, La Porte, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. The public is welcome at all meetings. Membership dues are $10 individual, $12 family.

July 31, 2013 is the deadline to apply for one or more residency certificates next year. Our web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/categories.htm 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).

Nominations are still open for Genealogist of the Year. Details on our web site, http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/Gen%20of%20the%20Year.jpg.

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.