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Whitley County, Indiana

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Whitley County was created on January 29, 1839, which became effective April 1, 1839 and was formed from Unorganized Land. Whitley County was formed out of what was originally Cleveland Township of Huntington County. The County was named for Col. William Whitley, who was killed at the decisive American victory at the Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812.

The County Seat is Columbia City. Columbia City wasn't the original location for the County Seat. The site for the first County Seat, which was selected by sate commissioners, did not prove satisfactory and the Legislature passed an act February 18, 1839, naming five new commissioners to relocate the County Seat. On October 19, 1839, the commissioners met and decided to place the County Seat on centrally located fractional Section 11, Township 31 North, Range 9 East. This land was owned by Elihu Chauncey, of Philadelphia and he agreed to donate 222 1/2 acres and build a sawmill on the land. There was not a family of settlers living within one and a half miles of the County Seat, called Columbia and afterward changed to Columbia City, when it was established. By 1849 it contained seventy houses, two were brick the others being frame, and a brick Courthouse had been commenced; the population was 350.

Counties adjacent to Whitley County are Noble County (north), Allen County (east), Huntington County (south), Wabash County (southwest), Kosciusko County (west).

Whitley County is divided into 9 Civil Townships as follows: Cleveland, Columbia, Etna-Troy, Jefferson, Richland, Smith, Thorn Creek, Union and Washington; originally Etna-Troy was divided into individual townships named Etna and Troy. Cities, Towns and Communities include Arnolds, Churubusco, Coesse, Collins, Columbia City, Dunfee, Etna, Larwill, Peabody and South Whitley.

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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 Whitley County Courthouse History

Whitley County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1838 , Probate Records from 1839 and Court Records from 1839 and is located at 101 W Van Buren, Columbia City, IN 46725; (260) 248-3102, fax: (260) 248-3137

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.

Whitley County Recorder has Land Records from 1813 and is located at 101 W Van Buren, Columbia City, IN 46725; (260) 248-3106, fax: (260) 248-3163.

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.

Whitley County Health Department has Birth / Death Records from 1882 and is located at 101 West Market, Suite A, Columbia City, IN 46725-2402; (260) 248-3121

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

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County Maps & Atlases

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

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

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