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Jennings County, Indiana

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Jennings County was created on February 1, 1817 and was formed from Jackson and Jefferson Counties. The County was named for the first Governor of Indiana, Jonathan Jennings.

The County Seat is Vernon, was laid out in 1815 by Colonel John Vawter, and the first settlers were himself and Achilles Vawter; by 1849 it had 35 brick and 65 frame houses with 520 inhabitants. There were attempts to remove the county seat from Vernon, the geographical center of the county, to North Vernon - the most populated city in the county. One reason was that some taxpayers did not want to pay any more money on renovating the courthouse which was built in 1859-61. Another reason was to move it to the more populated town. On July 22, 1919, a special election was held to decide if the seat should be removed. If the vote for removal was 60% or more, the change was to have taken place. On that date, the vote for removal received 2,217 votes (59.6%) and the vote for no removal received 1,512 votes (40.4%). However, there was allegations of illegal balloting and 182 votes were in dispute. The case was taken to court where it linger for 25 years, until in September of 1948 when Judge Fred S. Matthews declared that too much time had elapsed and there was not enough witnesses to verify to the voter irregularity and declared, "Vernon is and remains the county seat of Jennings County." Vernon can claim many firsts: The elevated railroad and underpass, known locally as "the Arch", were the first west of the Alleghenies and are still in use; it also was the first Indiana town to have a public playground; the first all-woman jury trial, held on June 6th, 1921, just after the ratification of the 19th amendment; the first woman's club, the "Clionian Society" established before 1859. With a 2003 population of 319, Vernon is the smallest County Seat in Indiana.

Counties adjacent to Jennings County are Decatur County (north), Ripley County (east), Jefferson County, Scott County (south), Jackson County (west), Bartholomew County (northwest).

Jennings County is divided into 11 Civil Townships as follows: Bigger, Campbell, Center, Columbia, Geneva, Lovett, Marion, Montgomery, Sand Creek, Spencer and Vernon.

Cities, Towns and Communities include Brewersville, Butlerville, Commiskey, Four Corners, Grayford, Hayden, Hilltown, Lovett, Nebraska, North Vernon, Oakdale, Paris, Paris Crossing, Queensville, San Jacinto, Scipio, Vernon, Walnut Ridge, Whitcomb and Zenas.

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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. See also the Jennings County Courthouse History

Jennings County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1818 , Probate Records from 1818 and Court Records from 1817 and is located at 24 N. Pike Street, PO BOX 385, Vernon, IN 47282;

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.

Jennings County Recorder has Land Records from 1817 and is located at PO Box 397, 200 E Brown ST, Vernon 47282; (812) 352-3053, FAX: (812) 352-3000 .

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.

Jennings County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at Government Center, 200 East Brown Street, P.O. Box 323, Vernon, IN 47282; (812) 352-3024

Below is a list of online resources for Jennings County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Jennings 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 Jennings County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Jennings 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 Jennings County, Indiana are 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Jennings 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 Jennings County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Jennings County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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County Maps & Atlases

Below is a list of online resources for Jennings County Maps. Email us with websites containing Jennings 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 Jennings County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Jennings 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 Jennings County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Jennings 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 Jennings County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Jennings County Tombstone Transcription Project.

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

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