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LaPorte County, Indiana

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LaPorte County was created on 9th of January 1832 and was formed from St. Joseph County and Unorganized Land. The County was named for "the door" or "the port" in the French language.

The County Seat is La Porte. It was first settled in 1832 by R. Harris, J. M. Wilson, William Hawkins, Geo. Thomas, and others. General W. Wilson was the proprietor. By 1849 it contained a flourishing Medical College, an Academy and several High Schools, about 350 houses, mostly frame, and 2,000 inhabitants.

Counties adjacent to La Porte County are Berrien County, Michigan (north), St. Joseph County (east), Starke County (south), Jasper County (southwest), Porter County (west).

LaPorte is divided into 21 Civil Townships as follows: Cass, Center, Clinton, Cool Spring, Dewey, Galena, Hanna, Hudson, Johnson, Kankakee, Lincoln, Michigan, New Durham, Noble, Pleasant, Prairie, Scipio, Springfield, Union, Washington and Wills. Washington Township was once part of Union Township while Prairie Township was part of Hanna Township.

Cities, Towns and Communities include Ackerman, Alida, Belfast, Byron, Fish Lake, Hanna, Haskells, Hayville, Heston, Hudson Lake, Kingsbury, Kingsford Heights, La Crosse, Lalimere, Lakeland, Lake Park, La Porte, Magee, Michigan City, Mill Creek, New Carlisle, Otis, Pinelake, Pinola, Rolling Prairie, Smith, South Center, South La Porte, South Wanatah, Stillwell, Thomaston, Tracy, Trail Creek, Union Center, Union Mills, Wanatah, Waterford, Wellsboro, Westville and Youngs.

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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 LaPorte County Courthouse History

LaPorte County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1832 , Probate Records from 1832 and Court Records from 1832 and is located at 813 Lincolnway Suite 105, La Porte, Indiana 46350; 219-326-6808 La Porte, 219-874-5611 Michigan City.

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.

LaPorte County Recorder has Land Records from 1831 and is located at 555 Michigan Ave, Suite 201, LaPorte, IN 46350; Phone: (219) 326-6808 ext. 280, 234, 209, Fax: (219) 326-0828.

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.

LaPorte County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at County Complex, 4th Floor, Suite 401A, 809 State St., La Porte, IN 46350; (219) 326-6808 Ext. 200

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

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County Maps & Atlases

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

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

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