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Clay County, Indiana

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Clay County was created on April 1, 1825 and was formed from Owen, Putnam, Vigo and Sullivan Counties. The County was named for Kentucky Congressman and U.S. Speaker of the House Henry Clay.

The County Seat is Brazil. Brazil has not always been the County Seat. Bowling Green, which was laid out in 1825, was selected as the first County Seat and held that distinction for fifty years until November 30, 1851, when the Courthouse and all the records were burned and a fight was begun to select a new location for the County Seat, Bellaire being the chief contender. On February 23, 1853, the advocates of relocation got an act through the Legislature providing commissioners to select and locate a new seat of justice, and for the second time Bowling Green was selected. In 1872, the County Seat was ordered removed to Brazil, as a result of a petition on the part of those favoring that place, and the formal transfer was made January 26, 1877.

Five buildings have served as Courthouse: first at Bowling Green, 20 x 30 hewn log, 1827; second at Bowling Green, 40 x 50 brick, 1839, burned 1851; third at Bowling Green, completed 1853; fourth, records were moved to a brick building in Brazil, 1877; present building in Brazil, built 1912-14, the Corner Stone being laid by the Grand Lodge F & A M of the State of Indiana. In 1849 Bowling Green contained a brick Courthouse, a County Seminary, two hotels, four stores, 100 houses and 300 inhabitants while Brazil was just a small village fortuitously located on the National Road.

Counties adjacent to Clay County are Parke County (north), Putnam County (northeast), Owen County, Greene County (south), Sullivan County (southwest), Vigo County (west).

Clay County is divided into 11 Civil Townships as follows: Brazil, Cass, Dick Johnson, Harrison, Jackson, Lewis, Perry, Posey, Sugar Ridge, Van Buren and Washington.

Cities, Towns and Communities include Asherville, Bee Ridge, Billtown, Bowling Green, Brazil, Carbon, Cardonia, Centerpoint, Clay City, Clovrland, Coalmont, Cory, Eel River, Harmony, Hickory Island, Hoffman Crossing, Lancaster, Martz, Old Hill, Perth, Poland, Pontiac, Purdy Hill, Saline City, Six Points, Staunton and Turner.

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Indiana Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

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. Courthouse destroyed by Fire in Nov. 1851, All records lost except Recorder's records. See also the Clay County Courthouse History

Clay County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1851 , Probate Records from 1873 and Court Records from ? and is located at 609 East National Avenue, Brazil, IN 47834; (812)448-9024, mbrown@claynet.com

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.

Clay County Recorder has Land Records from 1825 and is located at 609 East National Avenue, Brazil, IN 47834; (812)448-9005, (812)446-5095 Fax, jdierdorf@ticz.com.

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.

Clay County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at Courthouse, 609 E National Ave, Brazil, IN 47834; (812) 448-9021

Below is a list of online resources for Clay County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Clay County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Indiana

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:

  • Birth Certificates: The Division of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth records that occur in Indiana since Oct 1907 to the present. Prior to October 1907, records of birth are filed only with the local health department in the county where the birth actually occurred.
    • Cost: Initial search and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $10.00 and $4.00 for each additional copy. Make your check or money order payable to "Indiana State Department of Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • Processing Time: 5 weeks when ordered by MAIL. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE.
  • Death Certificates: The Division of Vital Records and Statistics maintains death records that occur in Indiana since 1900 to the present. Prior to 1900, records of death are filed only with the local health department in the county where the death actually occurred. For deaths occurring from 1900 to 1917, the city and/or county of death is required in order to locate the record.
    • Cost: Initial search and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $8.00 and $4.00 for each additional copy. Make your check or money order payable to "Indiana State Department of Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • Processing Time: 5 weeks when ordered by MAIL. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE.
  • Marriage Certificates: Certified copies of marriage certificates are not available from the State Health Department. They are available from the Clerks of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage was granted. Fees vary.
  • Divorce Certificates: Certified copies of divorce certificates are not available from the State Health Department. They are available from the County Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Fees vary.
  • Ordering Vital Records Online- You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service

Below is a list of online resources for Clay County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Clay County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Indiana

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 Clay 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 Clay 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 Clay County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Clay County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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County Maps & Atlases

Below is a list of online resources for Clay County Maps. Email us with websites containing Clay County Maps by clicking the link below:

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County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Indiana

Below is a list of online resources for Clay County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Clay County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Indiana Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Clay County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Clay County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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County County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Indiana

There are many churches and cemeteries in Clay County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Clay County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Clay County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Clay County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Church & Bible Records in Indiana

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Clay County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Clay County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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