Bartholomew County was created on January 8, 1821 and was formed from Delaware New Purchase and Jackson County. The Delaware New Purchase: Set up in 1820, portions were set apart as the entire counties of Allen, Bartholomew, Hamilton, Henry, Johnson, Marion, Rush, and Shelby. Parts of the counties of Delaware, Hendricks, Madison, and Morgan also were located in the Delaware Purchase. In 1827, the name of the tract was changed to the Adams New Purchase. The County was named for Lt. Col. Joseph Bartholomew, wounded at the Battle of Tippecanoe.
The County Seat is Columbus . John Tipton, later United States Senator from Indiana, was connected in an interesting way with the founding of the County Seat at Columbus. He donated thirty acres for the site, and the commissioners, grateful for the donation, named the County Seat Tiptona, in honor of General Tipton. This was done February 15, 1821, however, on March 20, the commissioners rescinded their action, on account of Tipton's political views, it is supposed, and changed the name of the County Seat to Columbus.
Counties adjacent to Bartholomew County are Shelby County (northeast), Decatur County (east), Jennings County, Jackson County (south), Brown County (west), Johnson County (northwest).
Bartholomew County is divided into 12 Civil Townships as follows: Clay, Clifty, Columbus, Flat Rock, German, Harrison, Haw Creek, Jackson, Ohio, Rock Creek, Sand Creek and Wayne.
Cities, Towns and Communities include Azalia, Bethel Village, Burnsville, Clifford, Columbus, Corn Brook, Elizabethtown, Flat Rock Park, Garden City, Grammer, Grandview Lake, Hartsville, Hope, Jewell Village, Jonesville, Kansas (historical), Lowell, Moriah (historical), Mount Healthy, Newbern, North Columbus, North Gate, North Ogilville, Northcliff, Nortonburg, Ogilville, Old Saint Louis, Parkside, Petersville, Pleasant View Village, Rosstown, Rugby, Saint Louis Crossing, South Bethany, Stony Lonesome, Taylorsville, Walesboro, Waynesville and Waymansville .

NOTE: The date listed for each category of record is the earliest record known to exist in that county. It does not indicate that there are numerous records for that year and certainly does not indicate that all such events that year were actually registered. See also the Bartholomew County Courthouse History
Bartholomew County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1821 , Probate Records from 1821 and Court Records from 1821 and is located at 234 Washington Street, P.O. Box 924, Columbus, IN 47201; Phone 812 379-1600, Fax 812 379-1675
The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a ministerial officer who is the custodian of the Clerk's record and seal, issues process, accepts filings of commencement of actions in litigation, enters judgments and orders of the court, receives money in his official capacity, makes certified copies of record, issues many miscellaneous licenses, and keeps a record of all wills and matters of trust in probate proceedings.
Bartholomew County Recorder has Land Records from 1822 and is located at 440 Third Street, Suite 203, Columbus, IN 47202-1121; Phone 812-379-1520.
The county recorder's function is to maintain permanent public records involving a wide variety of instruments. These documents detail transactions involving real estate, mining, personal property, mortgages, liens, leases, subdivision plats, military discharges, personal bonds, etc. Generally, all of these instruments are recorded either for giving legal public notice of their existence or for safekeeping and future reference. The recorder maintains and preserves all legal documents affecting title to real property.
Records of county taxes were kept as early at 1842, although most were discarded. Remaining ones would be at the county courthouse. National Archives-Great Lakes Region has records of the Internal Revenue Service for Indiana for 1867 to 1873. These are tax assessment records, arranged by district and then chronologically.
Bartholomew County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at 440 Third Street, Columbus, IN 4720; (812) 379-1550, Fax: (812) 379-1040
Below is a list of online resources for Bartholomew County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Bartholomew County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Indiana State Department of Health Vital Records office is located at 6 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. The office is open for walk-in requests from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., E.S.T., Monday through Friday (excluding official State Holidays). They have the following records:
Below is a list of online resources for Bartholomew County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Bartholomew County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable
Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Bartholomew County, Indiana are 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Bartholomew County, Indiana are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.
Below is a list of online resources for Bartholomew County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Bartholomew County Census Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Bartholomew County Maps. Email us with websites containing Bartholomew County Maps by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Bartholomew County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Bartholomew County Military Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Bartholomew County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Bartholomew County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
There are many churches and cemeteries in Bartholomew County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Bartholomew County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Bartholomew County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Bartholomew County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Bartholomew County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Bartholomew County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below: