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Martin County, Indiana

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Martin County was created on February 1, 1820 and was formed from Daviess and Dubois Counties. The County was named for Maj. John T. Martin of Kentucky

The County Seat is Shoals. Shoals wasn't always the County Seat. In fact, this county has the record for the greatest number of County Seat changes. Hindostan was the first County Seat. Before a Courthouse could be built, the County Seat was relocated. Mount Pleasant, laid out in 1817, was the next County Seat until May, 1844. Memphis, the present site of Shoals, became the next County Seat only to be moved in the fall of the same year. Harrisonville, near the site of Trinity Springs became the location of the County Seat. Hillsboro became the County Seat on April 30, 1845. The name of the city was changed to Dover Hill by a legislative act of February 11, 1848. Laid out in 1845, by 1849 Dover Hill had about 50 inhabitants. While the county buildings were being built at Dover Hill, Mount Pleasant again became the County Seat. After the building of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad through the county in 1856 agitation was started to change the County Seat again and on December 11, 1869 it was moved to the west side of White River at the City of Memphis, which was christened the town of "West Shoals" where business was opened July 4, 1871. On April 27, 1876, the Courthouse was destroyed by fire, and pending the erection of new buildings, the offices were moved across the river to Shoals. A few years later, the boundaries of West Shoals were dissolved and extended to take in that territory, thus placing the County Seat at Shoals.

Counties adjacent to Martin County are Greene County (north), Lawrence County (east), Orange County, Dubois County (south), Daviess County (west).

Martin County is divided into 9 Civil Townships as follows: Baker, Brown, Center, Halbert, Lost River, McCameron, Mitcheltree, Perry and Rutherford. The township once known as Columbia in now included mostly in Halbert Township although small portions are included in Center and Lost River Townships.

Cities, Towns and Communities include Blankenship, Bramble, Burns City, Cale, Crane, Dover Hill, Hindostan Falls, Indian Springs, Ironton, Loogootee, Mt. Olive, Natchez, Pleasant Valley, Rusk, Scenic Hill, Shoals, South Martin, Trinity Springs, Whitfield, Willow Valley, Windom, and Yenne.

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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 Apr. 1876, Saved: all records of genealogical interest. See also the Martin County Courthouse History

Martin County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1820 , Probate Records from 1821 and Court Records from 1821 and is located at 111 Main St. (Annex), PO Box 120, Shoals, IN 47581; (812)247-3651

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.

Martin County Recorder has Land Records from 1820 and is located at PO Box 147, Shoals, IN 47581; (812)247-2420.

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.

Martin County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at Corner of Main and Second St, P.O. Box 368, Shoals, IN 47581; (812) 247-3303

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

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County Maps & Atlases

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

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

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