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Lake County, Indiana

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Lake County was created on February 15, 1837 and was formed from Porter and Newton Counties. The County was named for its location on Lake Michigan.

The County Seat is Crown Point. Crown Point wasn't always the County Seat. Prior to establishing the County Seat, court was conducted in the home of Milo Robinson, as nearly all the lands within the limits of Lake County were still the property of the government. Liverpool was selected the first County Seat, however, the site was not satisfactory to a majority of the citizens. The County Seat was moved back to the location of Milo Robinson's home and was originally to be called "Lake County Courthouse," however, the name being too cumbersome, it was suggest that the county agent, George Earle, and the two proprietors, Judge Clark and Solon Robinson, select a new name. They settled on Crown Point. First settled in 1835, by Solon Robinson, Esq., by 1849 Crown Point contained three stores, one hotel, Presbyterian and Methodist churches, a good High School kept by the Rev. Wm. Townley, and about thirty-five dwelling houses.

Counties adjacent to Lake County are Cook County, Illinois (west and north, in Lake Michigan), Porter County (east), Jasper County, Newton County (south), Kankakee County, Illinois (southwest), Will County, Illinois (west).

Lake County is divided into 10 Civil Townships as follows: Calumet, Cedar Creek, Center, Eagle Creek, Hanover, Hobart, North, Ross, St. John, West Creek and Winfield.

Cities, Towns and Communities include Aetna, Ainsworth, Belshaw,Buffington, Calumet, Cedar Lake, Clarke, Cook, Creston, Crown Point, Dyer, East Chicago, Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Hartsdale, Hobart, Hornbeck, Indiana Harbor, Leroy, Liverpool, Lottaville, Lowell, Maynard, Merrillville, Miller, New Chicago, North Hayden, Pine, Prairie View, Range Line, Roby, Schererville, Schneider, Shelby, St. John, Weston and Whiting.

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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 Lake County Courthouse History

Lake County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1837 , Probate Records from 1854 and Court Records from ? and is located at Courts Building, 1st Flr, 2293 N. Main Str, Crown Point, IN 46307; Phone: 219-755-3465, Fax: 219-755-3337

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.

Lake County Recorder has Land Records from 1837 and is located at Building 'A', 2nd Floor, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307; Phone: 219-755-3730 , Fax: 219-755-3257.

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.

Lake County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at 2293 North Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307-1854; (219) 755-3655, 3656 or 3657

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

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County Maps & Atlases

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

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

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