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St. Joseph County, Indiana

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St. Joseph County was created on January 29, 1830 becoming effective April 1, 1830 and was formed from Unorganized Land. The County was named for the St. Joseph River, which flows through it toward Lake Michigan.

The County Seat is South Bend. South Bend wasn't always the County Seat. The first County Seat was located on a farm owned by William Brookfield a few miles southwest of South Bend, in German Township, however, it is known that the first board of justices met at the house of Alexis Coquillard, at South Bend, and the courts were also held in his house. Judge Timothy A. Howard, in his history of St. Joseph County, says: "Theoretically, the County Seat was for a time on the farm owned by William Brookfield, at the town laid out by him at the portage of the St. Joseph River. This town was called St. Joseph. Though named as the first County Seat, it was never more than a town on paper. The location of the County Seat at St. Joseph on May 24, 1830, was made by the commissioners under section 3 of the act for the formation of St. Joseph and Elkhart counties." By an act of February 1, 1831, five commissioners were named to relocate the County Seat, which was done September 7, 1831, when South Bend was chosen as the seat of justice.

Counties adjacent to St. Joseph County are Berrien County, Michigan (north), Cass County, Michigan (northeast), Elkhart County (east), Marshall County (south), Starke County (southwest), LaPorte County (west).

St. Joseph County is divided into 13 Civil Townships as follows: Center, Clay, German, Greene, Harris, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, Olive, Penn, Portage, Union and Warren.

Cities, Towns and Communities include Colburn, Crumstown, Granger, Hamilton, Holy Cross, North Liberty, Notre Dame, Osceola, Pine, Plainfield, Lakeville, Lydick, Midway Corners, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, North Liberty, Nutwood, Osceola, Terr Coupee, River Park, Roseland, Rupel, South Bend, Walkerton, Westfield, Whartons, Woodland, and Wyatt.

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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 St. Joseph County Courthouse History

St. Joseph County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1830 , Probate Records from 1830 and Court Records from 1830 and is located at 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601; Pho: (574) 235-9635, Fax: (574) 235-9831

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.

St. Joseph County Recorder has Land Records from 1830 and is located at 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. Room 321, South Bend, IN 46601; Phone: (574) 235-9525, Fax: (574) 235-5170.

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.

St. Joseph County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at City Building, Room 825, 227 West Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601; (574) 235-9750

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

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County Maps & Atlases

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

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

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