Indiana Genealogy

USA (1,379,301) > Indiana (48,994)

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Overview of Indiana records

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Overview of Indiana Genealogy Records

• History: Indiana was first settled in 1784, became Indiana Territory in 1800, and became a state in 1816.
• Birth records: Birth records were kept by the government starting in 1882, but they were incomplete. Statewide registration of births began in 1907 with complete records by the 1920s. Copies of birth records for 1907 and later can be obtained from the Indiana State Department of Health .
• Marriage records: Marriage records were kept since the date each county was organized. Copies of recent marriage certificates can be obtained from the appropriate county clerk.
• Death records: Death records were kept by the government starting in 1882, but they were incomplete. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1900 with complete records by 1920. Copies of death records for 1900 and later can be obtained from the Indiana State Department of Health .
• Divorce records: Divorce records were kept by the state legislature from 1817 to 1851. In 1853 and later, divorce records can be obtained from the court of common pleas in the individual county.
• Census records: The first federal census available for Indiana is 1820. There are federal censuses publicly available for 1820 (partial), 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950. There was a territorial census in 1807.
• County records: Court, land, probate, naturalization, and tax records were kept by the individual counties.
• Other records: Many cities and towns had newspapers, records kept by churches, cemeteries, histories, school, city directories, and other records that can be located on the city pages on this site. Records specific to minority groups can be found in the Minority Records section.
• All records: Online indexes and images of many of the above records can be found by using the links on this site.