Wabash County, Indiana Genealogy
Guide to Wabash County, Indiana ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Wabash County was named for the Wabash River. The county is located in the north-central part of the state.[3]
County Courthouse
Wabash County Courthouse
1 W Hill St
Wabash, IN 46992
Phone: 219-563-0661
County Website
Wabash County Health Department
Memorial Hall
89 W Hill St
Wabash, IN 46992
Health Officer: David Roe, MD
Phone: 260-563-0661
Fax: 260-563-6082
Email: klower@wabashcounty.in.gov
Health Department
County Clerk has marriage, probate and court records from 1835.
County Health Department has birth and death records.
County Recorder and Museum has burial records. [4]
Health Department has birth records and death records. Copies may be obtained from the county health department or the Indiana State Division of Vital Records.
Wabash County, Indiana Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1899 | 1835 | 1899 | 1835 | 1835 | 1835 | 1807 |
Record Loss
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April 1870 Courthouse burned and many records were damaged. Records saved: treasurer’s, auditor’s, recorder’s and clerk’s records. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
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History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- Seifried Family Bible at INGenWeb
Biographies
- Biographical Memoirs of Wabash County Indiana ... 1901. Chicago: B.F. Bowen. Online at: Google Books
- Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana. 1896. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Online at: Internet Archive
- Indiana Biography Index at Indiana State Library
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Roster of Civilian Conservation Corps, Lagro, Wabash County, Indiana (1938) - at Indiana Genealogical Society ($)
Cemeteries
- Various Cemeteries in Wabash County at The Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library. Scroll down to Wabash County.
- Indexes of Various Cemeteries at Indiana Genealogical Society
Census Records
For tips on accessing Wabash County census records online, see: Indiana Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 2,756 | — |
| 1850 | 12,138 | 340.4% |
| 1860 | 17,547 | 44.6% |
| 1870 | 21,305 | 21.4% |
| 1880 | 25,241 | 18.5% |
| 1890 | 27,126 | 7.5% |
| 1900 | 28,235 | 4.1% |
| 1910 | 26,926 | −4.6% |
| 1920 | 27,231 | 1.1% |
| 1930 | 25,170 | −7.6% |
| 1940 | 26,601 | 5.7% |
| 1950 | 29,047 | 9.2% |
| 1960 | 32,605 | 12.2% |
| 1970 | 35,553 | 9.0% |
| 1980 | 36,640 | 3.1% |
| 1990 | 35,069 | −4.3% |
| 2000 | 34,960 | −0.3% |
| 2010 | 32,888 | −5.9% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
- Index to Defective, Dependent & Delinquent Census for Wabash County, Indiana (1880) at Indiana Genealogical Society ($)
Church Records
Most church records are held by individual churches. For contact information, check a phone directory, such as SearchBug or Dex Knows. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository.
For more information about these major repositories, see Indiana Church Records.
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records
- 1818-1954 Indiana Court Cases at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1835-1920 Court Civil Complete Records, 1835-1920 , Wabash County, Indiana(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1835-1921 Court Civil Order Books, 1835-1921, and General Index, Wabash County, Indiana(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1855-1911 Partition Records 1855-1911, Wabash County, Indiana(*); Court of Common Pleas at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
- Directory of Businesses in Wabash County, Indiana (1858) at Indiana Genealogical Society ($)
- Wabash City Directory for 1904. 1904. By Skelly and Redfield. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Journal Co. Online at: Internet Archive
- Telephone directory, North Manchester, Indiana (1907-08). Eel River Telephone Company. Online at: Internet Archive
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
- Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Inc. in North Manchester, Roann and Wabash.
- McDonald Funeral Home in LaFontaine and Wabash.
- McKee Mortuary Inc. in North Manchester.
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents. See Indiana Land and Property for additional information about early Indiana land grants and patents.
After land was transferred from the government to private ownership, subsequent transactions were recorded at the Wabash County courthouse, where records are currently housed.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Miami Indians who Received Land on Miami Reservation, Grant and Wabash Counties, Indiana (1873) at Indiana Genealogical Society ($)
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Wabash County. County histories may include biographies; church, school and government histories; and military information. For more information about local histories, see Indiana Local Histories.
- History of Wabash County, Indiana. 1971. By Thomas B. Helm, L.H. Newton, and E. Tucker. Evansville, Ind: Unigraphic. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; At various libraries (WorldCat). Reprint of original published: Chicago : J. Morris, 1884.
- The Manual of Wabash : Containing Views of ...: Also a History of the Lives of Prominent Business Men &c. .. 1889. By Butler Geo W. Indiana: Geo. W. Butler. Online at: Indiana Memory
- History of Wabash County, Indiana. 2 volumes. 1914. Editor: Clarkson W. Weesner. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; Vols. 1 & 2 - HathiTrust; At various libraries (WorldCat). Vol. 1 contains historical material; Vol. 2 contains biographical material.
- Tales of the Old Days North Manchester and Wabash County. 1926. By Billings William Edward. North Manchester Ind: News-journal. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Old Antique Atlases & Maps of Indiana
- 1861 Map of Wabash County, Indiana, Hamilton, OH: R.J. Skinner at Library of Congress
- Atlas of Wabash County Indiana. Philadelphia: H. Paul & Co., 1875.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
- Military Record Series Index at Indiana Digital Archives
Civil War
Civil War service men from Wabash County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Wabash County.
- 2nd Regiment, Indiana Cavalry (41st Regiment), Company F
- 3rd Battery, Indiana Light Artillery
- 7th Regiment, Indiana Cavalry, Company L or K
- 8th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Companies H, and K, and Reorganized Companies F, K and I
- 11th Regiment, Indiana Cavalry, Company L
- 13th Battery, Indiana Light Artillery
- 13th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Reorganized Company G
- 14th Battery, Indiana Light Artillery
- 16th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Reorganized Companies I and K
- 17th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Company F
- 20th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Reorganized Company H
- 34th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Company K
- 35th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Company F
- 46th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Company I
- 47th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Companies B, D and I
- 75th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Company A
- 89th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Company A
- 101st Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Companies F, and K
- 118th Regiment, Indiana Infantry (6 months, 1863-4), Companies H and K
- 130th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Companies E, G and H
- 138th Regiment, Indiana Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies F and G
- 153rd Regiment, Indiana Infantry, Companies A, B, F and K
- 28th US Colored Troops, Addition Recruits for Colored Troops
Civil War Books:
- Thomas B. Helm, History of Wabash County, (Chicago: J. Morris, 1884). Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, FamilySearch Digital Library
- Weesner, Clarkson W. History of Wabash County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its People and Its Principal Interests. (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co, 2008.) Online at: Vol. 1 FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; Vol 2 FamilySearch Digital Library
World War I
- 1919 Indiana, World War I, Enrollment Cards, 1919 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Naturalization and Citizenship
- Naturalization Record Series (for this county) at Indiana Digital Archives. Search by names.
Newspapers
Indiana newspapers may contain genealogical value including obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, family gatherings, family travel, achievements, business notices, engagement information, and probate court proceedings.
For more Indiana newspaper information see the wiki page Indiana Newspapers.
- 1800s-Current Indiana, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
Obituaries
- Newspaper obituary abstracts of Wabash County, Indiana, 1873-1899 at FamilySearch Library (not online)
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
In most counties in Indiana, probate records have been kept by the county clerk of the circuit court. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. The records are available at the Wabash County courthouse. For more information, see Indiana Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1798-1999 Indiana Wills and Probate Records 1798-1999 at Ancestry ($)
- 1835-1929 Probate Complete Records 1838-1911, and Index ca. 1835-1929, Wabash County, Indiana(*); Common Pleas and Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1835-1929 Probate Records, 1835-1929, Wabash County, Indiana(*); Circuit and Common Pleas Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1842-1894 Wabash County, Indiana Will Records, 1842-1894. By Slevin, Ruth M. Kokomo, Indiana : Selby Publishing and Printing, 1983. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Indiana tax records complement land records and can be used in place of censuses or to supplement the years between censuses. Because only persons who owned taxable property were listed, many residents were not included in tax lists. There may also be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information see the wiki page Indiana Taxation.
Vital Records
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Indiana law in 1882 required registration of births and deaths in counties. The Indiana Department of Health has birth records filed after October 1907 and death records filed after January 1900 for deaths. Copies may be obtained from the county health department or the Indiana State Division of Vital Records.
Birth
Marriage
- 1780-1992 Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Also at: MyHeritage ($)
- 1800-2007 Indiana, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($)
- 1802-1892 Indiana, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1892 at Ancestry ($)
- 1811-1959 Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959 at MyHeritage - index & images ($)
- 1811-2007 Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Death
- Pre-1882 WEB: Indiana, Deaths, Pre-1882 at Ancestry - index, (Free collection)
- 1750-1993 Indiana Deaths and Burials, 1750-1993 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1882-1920 Indiana, Death Index, 1882-1920 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1899-2011 Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 at Ancestry ($)
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Wabash County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Indiana Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Huntington Indiana FamilySearch Center
- Kokomo Indiana FamilySearch Center
- Marion Indiana FamilySearch Center
- Allen County Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Huntington City - Township Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Marion Public Library/ Indiana History and Genealogy Service - an affiliate library.
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Wabash County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Indiana Archives and Libraries.
Museums
North Manchester Center for History
122 E Main St
North Manchester, Indiana 46962
Phone: 260-982-0672
Email: nmhistoryinfo@gmail.com
Facebook
Website
Wabash County Historical Museum
36 E Market St
Wabash, IN 46992
Phone: 260-563-9070
Email: info@wabashmuseum.org
Facebook
Website
Societies
Listed below are societies in Wabash County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Indiana Societies.
North Manchester Historical Society
122 E Main St
North Manchester, IN 46962
Phone: 260-982-0672
Email: nmhistory@cinergymetro.net
Website
Wabash County Genealogical Society
PO Box 825
Wabash, IN 46992
Website
Wabash County Historical Society
PO Box 4
Wabash, IN 46992-0004
Phone: 260-563-4443
Facebook
Websites
- Wabash County, Indiana Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Indiana Digital Archives Search by name in all records or specific collections
- Indiana Historical Society Digital Collections Extensive - keyword searches suggested
- Indiana Memory Click the map or select a statewide collection
- List of indexes and databases at Indiana State Library
- Indiana Genealogical Society Databases Select a county
- Every Name Index.com Online indexes for county histories. Select a county
- USGenWeb, Wabash County
- INGenWeb, Wabash County
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wabash County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabash_County,_Indiana accessed 04/04/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Indiana.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wabash County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabash_County,_Indiana accessed 04/04/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Indiana.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Indiana.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Indiana.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wabash County, Indiana" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabash_County,_Indiana (accessed 10 May 2012).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wabash County, Indiana," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabash_County%2C_Indiana, accessed 14 January 2020.