Probate records as a genealogy tool

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Probate and will records are important in genealogy because they can contain information that cannot be found in any other source. They can be more difficult to navigate than census or vital records, but they can be valuable, especially to anyone looking to glean more information about family relationships. Below is an example of a probate record that gives many specific details. It lists the full names of the deceased man’s surviving children as well as those of his grandchildren whose parent had already died. Several of the children listed never appear on a census record with their father as any federal census prior to 1850 only listed the head of household.

Robert Burnett probate record, Probate Record C, page 374, Fayette County Ohio, 1878.

In the example below, the probate record of Catharine Wall lists her children as Patrick Wall, Margaret Toban, Mary Gore and Ellen Hoban. This is the only record that links the four as siblings, because they never appear on a census record together and marriage records for the sisters, which would list their maiden names, cannot be located.

Catharine Wall probate estate case file, Washtenaw County, Michigan, 1870.

The record below contains the 1820 testimony of Fanny Shaw regarding her husband John, giving a brief biography and listing his heirs, including his daughter, Elizabeth. It also gives the full name of his first wife, Jane Jones. This information is particularly valuable in a period in which women were less commonly found in records.

Fanny Shaw affidavit, Order Book, 1818-1831, Shelby County, Kentucky, 1820.

Until recently, probate records were not always indexed and could require looking through many pages. However, FamilySearch’s new full-text capability has made searching through these types of records much easier. Learn more about this new function here.

This post was written by Laura Williams, genealogy librarian at the Indiana State Library.

Tea Time with Librarians episode guide

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It isn’t a secret that I love libraries! My love of libraries began early on. I can’t remember that first visit because I was really young, but I remember being proud that I already  had a library card when my kindergarten class took a field trip to the library. I wish I could boast that being a librarian was what I always wanted to be, but that isn’t the case. It wasn’t until I was in college and starting my sophomore year that I realized I could turn my love of libraries into a career!

Fast forward to 2025, and I’ve been living my librarian dreams for over twenty years! Prior to coming to work at the Indiana State Library, I worked in various positions in two different library systems in Lake County. Now, as the Northwest regional coordinator for the Indiana State Library, I have the privilege of visiting the public libraries in the Northwest region. I have to tell you that public libraries all over Indiana are doing incredible things!

Libraries and library staff are the champions in their communities. Libraries are not just buildings that house books. Libraries are so much more! It was from my work in public libraries and my library visits that Tea Time with Librarians was born. I wanted a way for libraries to be able to brag, boast and shout to the world what they are doing. Tea Time with Librarians is an interview program that debuted in November 2024. The purpose of the program is to talk about all the amazing things that Indiana libraries and library staff are doing for their communities.

The Tea Time interviews are typically under 30 minutes, therefore not eligible for LEU’s. If you’re interested in being a guest on Tea Time, please send an email to me. You don’t have to be a librarian to participate.

Tea Time with Librarians episode guide
Episode one of Tea Time with Librarians features Kara Cleveland, Professional Development Office supervisor at the Indiana State Library. She talks about what the professional development office does, what State Library services she would like Indiana libraries to know more about and current projects she is working on. At the time of the interview, she was reading “Our Kind of Game” by Johanna Copeland. This episode was published to YouTube on Nov. 12, 2024. You can watch episode one here:

Episode Two of Tea Time with Librarians features Jennifer Clifton, Library Development Office supervisor at the Indiana State Library. She talks about what the Library Development Office does, discusses her “why” for working in libraries and what motivates her most in her position. At the time of the interview, she was reading “Best of Europe” by Rick Steves. This episode was published to YouTube on Dec. 10, 2024. You can watch episode two here:

Episode three of Tea Time with Librarians features Courtney Brown, Evergreen Indiana coordinator at the Indiana State Library. She discusses what she found to be surprising about her position, projects that she is excited about and the most rewarding part of her job. At the time of the interview, she was reading “Tell Me What You Did” by Carter Wilson. This episode was published to YouTube on Jan. 14. You can watch episode three here:

Episode four of Tea Time with Librarians features Jane Feyl, with Andrew Laverghetta, from the Eckhart Public Library. Feyl is a genealogy librarian at their Willennar Genealogy Center and Laverghetta is their tech guru. Feyl tells us about their Facebook shows, “Cemeteries of DeKalb” and “Memories of DeKalb.” Feyl and Laverghetta also discuss how other libraries can start similar shows. At the time of the interview, Feyl was reading “Dewey” by Vicki Myron, Laverghetta was reading the “Magic Tree House” books by Mary Pope Osborne with his child and I was listening to “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros and reading “The Beyond” by Agnes Stone. This episode was published to YouTube on Feb. 11. You can watch episode four here:

Episode five of Tea Time with Librarians features Judy Gray, supervisor of Talking Book and Braille Library at the Indiana State Library. She talks about all the wonderful services that Talking Book and Braille Library provides, what service she would like for Indiana libraries to know more about and what motivates her in her position. At the time of the interview, she was reading “Cartographers” by Peng Shepherd. I was listening to “The Woman in the Garden” by Jill Johnson. This episode was published to YouTube on March 11. You can watch episode five here:

Episode six of Tea Time with Librarians features Dr. Michella Marino, deputy director of the Indiana Historical Bureau, a division of the Indiana State Library. She gives a history of the Indiana Historical Bureau and discusses their many services. She sheds light on a service that she would like for Indiana residents to know more about and discusses what her biggest wish is for the Indiana Historical Bureau. At the time of the interview, she was reading “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut and had just finished “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston. This episode will be published to YouTube on April 8.

New episodes are published to YouTube on the second Tuesday of the month. I hope you’ll be watching!

This post was submitted by Lacey Klemm, Northwest regional coordinator at the Indiana State Library.

The Indiana State Library’s 2025 public programming lineup!

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This year, during the Indiana State Library’s Bicentennial, we have an exciting public programming lineup, beginning with escape rooms and trivia contests that anyone can attend during their lunch break. Our first escape room event, held Feb. 20, was a huge success and enjoyed by all. Come join us for any of the following events that will take place in the Indiana State Library! The Lunch and Learn Series and the Summer Lecture Series offer both in-person and virtual attendance options.

Indiana State Library Bicentennial Programs

“Indiana Trivia Game” 
April 17 and Aug. 20, 12-1 p.m.

Gather your team and join us on your lunch break for a lively game of Indiana trivia!! What is your day missing? Trivia! How much does this cost? Nothing! It’s free! Will there be prizes? Yes! The winning team will win a gift basket filled with Indiana goodies. Will this be fun? Yes, all of our trivia is certified fun.

How do I join the fun? This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register your team here for April 17 and here for Aug. 20! You will receive a reminder email two days before the event with parking information.

“Hoosier Women Escape Room”
May 15, 12-1 p.m.

Gather your team and join us on your lunch break for an escape room featuring amazing Hoosier women throughout history!

Step into an intriguing world where participants are tasked with unraveling the mystery behind the disappearance of a set of photographs featuring notable Hoosier women. These images were meticulously curated by the librarians at the Indiana State Library, only to be swiped by none other than Sammy, the Interviewing Toucan. This clever bird, feeling underappreciated, has taken it upon himself to stir up some excitement through his playful antics. As you navigate this immersive experience, your mission is to outwit Sammy and recover the stolen photographs, piecing together the stories of these inspiring women. Will you be able to catch the elusive toucan and restore the scrapbook to its former glory? The challenge awaits!

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register here.

“Constitution Day Trivia”
Sept. 17, 12-1 p.m.

Celebrate Constitution Day with a lunchtime trivia showdown! Join the Indiana State Library for a fun and fast-paced trivia game focused on the U.S. Constitution, American history and civics. Participants will test their knowledge, compete with friends and coworkers and win prizes! Whether participants are history buffs or just in it for fun, this event is a great way to honor the founding document of our Nation. Registration is required. The program will take place in the History Reference Room at the Indiana State Library. Participants can join a team or gather their own dream team and register together. Register here.

“A Ghostly Gathering at the Indiana State Library”
Oct. 10, 6-9:30 p.m.

Step into the shadows of the Indiana State Library for a thrilling night of treats, tales and things that go bump in the stacks! Come in costume and don’t forget a goodie bag for trick-or-treating through the library’s stacks. Enjoy spooky stories, snacks, photo ops and a movie screening to end the evening with a few laughs and frights. Registration is required to attend this ghostly gathering, so reserve a spot before it vanishes.

Special guests, Circle City Ghostbusters, will be in attendance.

Registration coming soon.

Lunch and Learn Series

“Introduction to Genealogy at the Indiana State Library”
May 13, 12-1 p.m.

“Introduction to Genealogy at the Indiana State Library,” presented by Jamie Dunn, will highlight the resources, services and programs of the Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library. Explore the Genealogy collection, with an overview of the content and formats available in the family history collection to help you with your genealogy research. Register here for the in-person or online program.

“Using Maps in Your Research”
Sept. 9, 12-1 p.m.

In “Using Maps in Your Research,” presenter Monique Howell will show the different kinds of maps available at the Indiana State Library, including digital maps. Sanborn, topographic, transportation maps and more will be covered. Register here for the in-person or online program.

“Indiana State Library History”
Oct. 14, 12-1 p.m.

“Indiana State Library History,” a bicentennial celebration Lunch and Learn with cake and a library tour, will be presented by Jamie Dunn. This program tells the history of the Indiana State Library from its establishment in 1825 to the present day. Starting as a small reference collection for the Indiana Legislature, over the past 200 years the library has grown into a premier research library specializing in Indiana history, state government documents, family history, newspapers, maps and more. Register here for the in-person or online program.

“Introduction to Native American Research”
Nov. 18, 12-1 p.m.

“Introduction to Native American Research,” presented by genealogy librarian Sarah Pfundstein, will cover basic methodologies of Native American research and sources in the Indiana State Library and other venues. Register here for the in-person or online program.

Summer Lecture Series

“Unlock the Power of using DNA to Enhance Your Genealogy” 
June 14, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join the Indiana State Library for a day of discovering how to use DNA testing results. In three sessions, attendees will learn how to leverage DNA to uncover their family history, fill in the gaps of their family tree and gain valuable tips and tricks on how to apply these methods to their own research.

Session one: “DNA Ethnicities and Thrulines”
Explore DNA ethnicity estimates and Thrulines. Learn how to interpret ethnicity results and use Thrulines to discover potential connections within a family tree.

Session two: “Shared Matches”
Shared matches are key to confirming relationships and uncovering genetic cousins. Learn what a shared match list shows and how it can be used to identify relatives and confirm connections.

Session three: “Case Studies”
Pulling it all together. Discover practical techniques to analyze shared match data and help you build out a family tree with confidence. The presenter will explore case studies and show how combining traditional methods with DNA insights can lead to breakthroughs in genealogical research.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance genealogy skills and connect with the past in a whole new way! 

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register for the in-person or online sessions. Indiana library staff will receive LEUs for attending. 

Parking validation will be available for attendees who park in the Senate Avenue parking garage directly across from the library and bring their ticket in for validation. 

“The Life and Times of Madge Oberholtzer”
July 12, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

“The Life and Times of Madge Oberholtzer,” with author Charlotte Ottinger, will be presented on July 12. Join us for a compelling lecture with Ottinger, author of “Madge: The Life and Times of Madge Oberholtzer, the Young Irvington Woman Who Brought Down D.C. Stephenson and the Ku Klux Klan.” Discover the gripping true story of Madge Oberholtzer, whose courageous actions led to significant changes in Indiana. Learn about her life, tragic murder and the impact she had on dismantling the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Registration for in-person and online can be found here.

“Jonathan Knight – Pathfinder of American Roads”
Aug. 9, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Pat Chase, author of the book “Jonathan Knight – Pathfinder of American Roads,” will be giving a lecture and book signing detailing his recently-published biography. Jonathan Knight was an American who had a substantial influence in the development of Indiana – and all of American society – in the first half of the 19th century.

Knight was employed by the United State Department of War in 1825 to be the commissioner and surveyor of the National Road through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The National Road became the largest financial undertaking by the federal government prior to the Civil War. In 1827, the town of Knightstown, Indiana was named in his honor. Knight was the official who determined the route that the National Road took through Indiana. After completing his work on the National Road, he was hired to be the first Chief Civil engineer of the B&O Railroad, American’s first commercial railroad. Under Knight’s management the B&O started at the port of Baltimore passing over and through the Appalachian Mountains to the Ohio River, thus creating a major economic and cultural impact for those states that bordered the Ohio River. Knight was a brilliant self-taught mathematician; he was a devout Quaker who worked to stop the spread of slavery in the years prior to emancipation. Knight served in the Pennsylvania State Senate for six years and in 1854 was elected to the United States Congress from his home of Washington, Pennsylvania.

Registration for in-person and online can be found here.

We hope to see you there!

This post was submitted by the administration of the Indiana State Library. 

Borrow interactive kits from the Indiana State Library

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The Indiana State Library’s kit booking program has recently received a facelift. Librarians and teachers in Indiana can now book kits from the new online system powered by SpringShare.

While easy to use, two videos have been created to teach users how to interact with the new system. The quick version covers all the basics including navigating the system, booking different kinds of kits and learning how to use the availability grid. The longer version covers all that in more detail and includes booking limitations and deeper explanations. Additionally, an instructional webinar was offered on March 25. Click here to view the video.

The new system allows users to book kits from the Indiana Young Readers Center including Storytime kits, Lego & Duplo kits, Book Club kits and our new Indiana Escape Experience kits. The Indiana Young Readers Center kits can be booked out a year and a half in advance to accommodate future planning.

There are also a variety of kits available from the Professional Development Office, including NASA kits, Breakout Box kits and Tech kits. Kits from the Professional Development Office can be booked out a year in advance.

Both teachers and librarians in Indiana are welcome to use this system, however it is essential that teachers work closely with their public libraries to book their kit as all kits are delivered through the Indiana State Library’s InfoExpress courier service for Indiana libraries.

Questions? Suzanne Walker in the Indiana Young Readers Center can answer any questions you might have about the Indiana Young Readers Center kits. You can reach Suzanne via email. Kara Cleveland in the Professional Development Office is the contact for the Professional Development Office kits. Kara can be reached via email.

The new system is easy to use. Book your first kit today!

This post was submitted by Suzanne Walker and Kara Cleveland of the Indiana State Library. 

Robert Dale Owen’s Law of Descents

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Robert Dale Owen was the son of New Harmony founder, Robert Owen. A well-known Hoosier, the younger Owen had a long career as a politician and social reformer. He served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1835 to 1838 and 1851 to 1853, as a member of the 1851 Indiana Constitutional Convention and as member of the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1847. Additionally, Owen served as U.S. charge d’affaires and minister to Naples, Italy from 1853 to 1858.

He was a champion of women’s rights, particularly regarding property, divorce and suffrage. In working toward women’s suffrage, Owen fought for women’s right to property as part of the 1851 Indiana Constitution, but it was rejected by the convention. In his subsequent term in the Indiana House, he authored Indiana’s revised Law of Descents, giving widows the right to own property.

Pictured is a handwritten copy of Indiana’s Law of Descents by author Robert Dale Owen.

This legislation drastically changed the apportionment of estates in Indiana. The law of descents was meant to provide a will when the deceased has not created one themselves. In a speech published Dec. 20, 1851 by the Daily State Sentinel, he explains that the law’s original intention was to build up and maintain male wealth.[1] Before 1852 in Indiana, if a man died without children and his parents were also deceased, the majority rights to his property would go to any other blood relative before his wife. A widow was allowed to remain a tenant on her deceased husband’s property, but not to be the primary owner. Despite this lack of ownership, the widow would be compelled to pay her portion of taxes levied on that property and maintain its upkeep. If the marriage resulted in children, they would receive full rights to the property. Owen argued that most men in the state left humble estates and passing that income and/or real estate to other relatives doomed many widows to poverty. He also believed that proprietors were better for society as stewards of their land rather than tenants. Owen’s new law, passed on May 14, 1852, divides the property between widow and child. The revision excluded anyone other than the husband’s parents from inheritance and the widow would receive the majority. He saw this revised law as a resounding victory for justice.

He also outlines some of his views on women in a lengthy letter to the publisher of The Atlantic on Aug. 25, 1872 in which he also pitches himself, his writing and experience. He states, “I do not think moral and spiritual progress will keep pace with physical and material until women have a chance of influence in public affairs.”

This blog post was written by Rare Books and Manuscripts librarian Lauren Patton.

[1] Owen, Robert Dale. “Law of Descent.” Daily State Sentinel (Indianapolis, IN), Dec. 20, 1851.

Discover the wonders of the Indiana State Library

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Have you ever wondered what treasures lie within the walls of the Indiana State Library? From interactive tours to diving deep into the state’s rich history, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a list of activities that will make your visit both fun and enlightening:

Clifford The Big Red Dog’s house

Families with young children will love visiting Clifford The Big Red Dog’s house in our Indiana Young Readers Center. It’s a delightful spot for kids to engage with their favorite storybook character. Did you know that Clifford the Big Red Dog’s adventures started right here in Indiana? Norman Bridwell, the creative genius behind this iconic tale, hailed from Kokomo.

Trace your ancestry
Are you interested in genealogy? Our Genealogy Division offers resources to help you trace your family tree and discover your ancestry. Who knows what you might discover about your past! If you’re new to genealogy or just starting out, don’t worry – we have you covered with our comprehensive genealogy FAQs.

Image credit: Map Collection, Indiana Division, Indiana State Library.

Learn about Indiana history
Dive into the rich history of Indiana with our extensive collection of historical documents, photographs and maps. Whether you’re a history buff or a curious mind, there’s plenty to explore. One of my favorite things to do is browse our online digital collection or search Hoosier State Chronicles, which contains 186,601 newspaper issues comprising 1,589,638 pages and 619,771 articles!

Explore maps, rare books, manuscripts and exhibits

Our library boasts an impressive collection of maps, rare books, manuscripts and rotating exhibits. Each visit can reveal new and intriguing finds. This year, to celebrate our bicentennial, a significant portion of our exhibit space will be dedicated to showcasing items from our collection. Don’t forget to check out our virtual exhibits online from the comfort of your home!

Learn about our State Data Center

Discover a wealth of information available at our State Data Center. It’s the perfect place for researchers and anyone looking to delve into data and statistics about Indiana. One of our State Data Center Director’s favorite resources is the original volumes of each U.S. Census return, located on the second floor of the library. These allow you to look at the original censuses from 1790 through 1870 and cover the entire United States. Indiana is covered starting in the 1810 volume (Indiana Territory).

Don’t forget to check out the DataPoint Newsletter, created for Indiana Data Users and subscribe for the latest Indiana Data news and lore, plus learn about professional development opportunities for data and GIS professionals.

Visit the Indiana Historical Bureau
Stop by the Indiana Historical Bureau, located inside the Indiana State Library, to learn about the Indiana Historical Marker Program and how it commemorates significant historical sites throughout the state. This year, some of the markers they will be dedicating include William P. Jungclaus, Riley Hospital for Children, Bess Sheehan and the Piankashaw Tribe. Don’t forget to check out their podcast Talking Hoosier History and their blog Untold Indiana.

Attend programs and conferences
We host a variety of programs and conferences throughout the year. From author talks to educational workshops, there’s always something interesting happening at the library. Check out our library calendar to see our upcoming events.

Whether you’re a student, researcher or just someone with a thirst for knowledge, the Indiana State Library has something to offer. Your Indiana State Library is free and open to the public, so plan your visit today and discover the many wonders waiting for you!

This blog post was submitted by Michelle Sharp, collections and outreach manager at the Indiana State Library.

Summer reading 2025: Color Our World!

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During the summer of 2025, many public libraries across Indiana will explore all aspects of the arts through the summer reading theme “Color Our World.” This national theme, selected by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, will encourage library patrons to celebrate summer through painting, drawing, music, textile arts, theater, writing, storytelling, photography and more! If you work at a library, I’ve compiled some helpful resources to assist you with planning.

Webinar: In January of 2025, I offered a webinar that highlights the 2025 “Color Our World” program and shares a variety of resources that should help you with program planning. You can view the webinar here.

Resource website: The resources shared during the above webinar can be found on Indiana State Library’s website.

Program ideas: Library staff are always seeking new and exciting ways to offer programming for their community members, so I collected program ideas from library staff who attend my in-person summer reading workshops (these workshops take place around the state in December and January ever year) and posted them under “Summer Program Ideas for Current Year” on the State Library’s website. You can also view program ideas from past years here. Of course, you can use most of these ideas year-round!  I recommend bookmarking them in your browser for quick access.

Collaborative Summer Library Program website and manual: The CSLP Online Manual is a treasure trove of summer planning resources and program ideas, so don’t forget to browse through it! To access the manual, go to www.cslpreads.org, then to “Manual Downloads,” and select “2025 Color Our World.” You’ll be prompted to enter the manual code, and once you do, you’ll have access to the artwork and manual! The online manual code was sent to directors via email in October of 2024, but Indiana public library staff may also request the code through this form through May 30, 2025.

Collaborative Summer Library Program Summer Symposium: The CSLP Summer Symposium is a national, virtual and free mini-conference that takes place in December. This year’s symposium featured a keynote from Mychal Threets and sessions on marketing summer, process art and sustainability. The recordings from the fourth annual symposium are available to watch and are eligible for one LEU per one hour session. View them here.

Summer 2025 should be a colorful celebration of the arts in our communities. I wish you all “happy planning!”

This blog post was submitted by Beth Yates, children’s consultant at the Indiana State Library.

Love lives in the library: Newspaper databases for finding love on the record

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Although Valentine’s Day has come and gone, love is always in the air when you’re a genealogist. Either that, or I’m looking for an excuse to feature some lovely marriage and anniversary announcements from a recent historic newspaper search.

Marriage records are the most frequently requested items in the Genealogy Division, but they typically only include basic information, like the couple’s names, date of marriage and name and title of the officiant. If you’re interested in learning more about an ancestor’s marriage, newspapers can include details you won’t find anywhere else. Through newspapers you can unearth specifics like what the bride and groom wore, what they ate and who was in the bridal party. A delightful example of this is the wedding of Christ Tsetse and Polixeni Gounaris, which was such a sensation there were numerous articles about the couple and their festivities. The Nov. 7, 1920 Fort Wayne Journal Gazette even includes a lovely photo of them in their wedding attire.

Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, Oct. 29, 1920.

Tsetse ran a bakeshop and grocery store on Graeter Street. He chose to wed Gounaris without meeting her after seeing a photograph sent from her mother, “…one glimpse at it was sufficient to convince him that she was just the girl for him.” Their civil ceremony took place right after she arrived in the U.S. at Ellis Island and was followed by a more traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony in Indiana. It’s easy to find yourself imagining you are a guest at this wedding when you read details like these, included in the Nov. 1, 1920 Fort Wayne News and Sentinel:

“It was a fantastic affair, beginning in the morning and continuing far into the night. The wedding guests assembled while a Romanian band played tunes so familiar in the old country and the jollification started when the bride entered and was escorted to a seat of honor at the front of the hall. Then the dancing began and it continued until almost noon when a Romanian priest arrived from Michigan to perform the ceremony. The services were concluded and next came the bridal banquet at which a gorgeous array of viands previously prepared in nearly every home in the Rolling Mills district was served to the guests. After the feast, the dancing and festivity broke out again with renewed enthusiasm, and the party continued for hours… Tsetse has furnished a home for his bride near his grocery on Graeter street.”

Tsetse and Gounaris had five children together and are buried side by side in the Lindenwood Cemetery in Fort Wayne.

Elaborate descriptions of what a bride and the bridal party wore on the wedding day were common for wedding announcements. On her wedding day the soon to be Mrs. Maria Vega wore, “a gown of white Chantilly lace, styled with a fitted bodice, a Peter Pan collar and a long satin train … Her fingertip veil fell softly from a beaded tiara and she carried a bouquet of stephanotis and dragon lilies.” The bridal party’s outfits were “trimmed with French lace peplums sprinkled with sequins … completed with the matching sprays of yellow and orchid gladiolus they wore in their hair and carried in bouquets.” The couple is pictured looking ahead, as if envisioning the bright future they will share together.

The Hammond Indiana Times, Aug. 31, 1949.

Although we imagine our ancestors having traditional or modest weddings, unconventional ceremonies aren’t exclusive to today’s couples. Donald E. Phelps and Margaret Reichenbach were flying high on their wedding day, literally! Newspapers reveal, “The ceremony will take place in a Fairchild cabin airplane over the Shockley airport in Kokomo, Ind.” The ceremony was infused with meaningful symbolism. Reichenbach is quoted, “We will make a four-leaf clover in the air. In each clover a vow will be made. Then after that two complete circles around the clover to bind the ceremony.” For most people in the 1930s riding in an airplane was considered an extraordinary and novel experience. This couple’s aerial wedding was likely a meaningful and memorable spectacle for family and friends.

South Bend Tribune, Sept. 4, 1930.

Indianapolis Star, July 13, 1915.

Long before the invention of the camcorder, Daniel M. Vandawalker Jr., assistant manager of a film company, and his bride, Lillian Kellison set trends by filming a motion picture of their wedding. Vandawalker is quoted accurately prophesizing, “Having motion pictures taken of the wedding was my own idea … for they will mean so much more than ‘still’ photographs. I think before long that it will become customary for motion pictures to be taken of weddings and other events, and families will have a valuable family history in pictures.”Mr. and Mrs. Vandawalker had two daughters and moved to California where Lillian was the owner of a confectionery store.

Indianapolis Recorder, Jan. 28, 1939.

Mr. and Mrs. Wager knew how to make a marriage last. The couple had been married for over 58 years when news of their anniversary was reported by the Indianapolis Recorder in 1939. The Wagners spent most of their lives in Indianapolis where they purchased land as early as 1885 and made it their home. They were such established citizens the street they lived on was named Wagner’s Lane, after the couple.

Indianapolis Journal, Sept. 3, 1885.

Baist Altas Plan 36, 1927.

According to Mrs. Wagner’s obituary, from the Dec. 8, 1955 Indianapolis News, she and her husband operated a dairy in the area. “She not only milked cows, she drove her own milk wagon to town and delivered milk.” Rev. Wagner was a pastor who helped organize Bethany Baptist Church.

Speaking of long lasting, the street named for them is still around, north of Raymond and west of Sherman. While their farm is no longer there, traces of them live on in the street which holds their name and the history of the area.

So, remember to include the library’s newspaper databases in your genealogy research. You never know, you may find your ancestor’s love story celebrated in print. Find these and the library’s other databases by clicking here.

This blog post is by Dagny Villegas, Genealogy Division librarian.

Meet your Indiana State Library interlibrary loan team

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Have you ever wondered how books, CDs and DVDs get from library to library in Indiana? Your local public or academic library will place a request on your behalf for an item that your library or library system does not own. This request is processed through Indiana Share and coordinated at the Indiana State Library by a team that works in our Library Development Office.

Leigh Anne Johnson is the resource sharing coordinator for the Indiana State Library. She makes sure that InfoExpress, the library courier system, is running smoothly. She acts as a liaison between Now Courier, the company who runs the courier system, and 322 Indiana libraries to coordinate the best possible transit service. She also oversees the Indiana Share program and keeps statistics on InfoExpress, Indiana Share and INSPIRE, which is our statewide grouping of databases offered for free to Indiana residents.

Eric Altemus is a newcomer to the Indiana State Library, but is very experienced with using ILLiad, the interlibrary loan software that runs Indiana Share. He sends out roughly 250 Share requests daily. He also processes the spreadsheets of received and returned items, and renewal requests sent to us from borrowing libraries. He assists Leigh Anne with requests for InfoExpress canvas bags needed at libraries for transit. The team also cleans and maintains the transit bags as they come back in before they are put back into circulation.

The State Library also loans most of the general collection through Interlibrary loan requests. The staff in the Circulation Support Division pull the items and send them out through InfoExpress, which picks up and delivers items to the State Library every weekday. The State Library fulfills interlibrary loan requests for Indiana state employees for books and articles needed for work in their agencies. Those requests are processed by the circulation staff, as well. When the InfoExpress driver delivers and picks up materials at the State Library, the circulation desk is the location where the items are exchanged.

The ILL team strives to keep the system running smoothly, but if you do have issues with InfoExpress or Indiana Share, please contact us.

This blog post was written by Leigh Anne Johnson, resource sharing coordinator at the Indiana State Library.

Indiana State Library launches bicentennial website

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In celebration of its 200th anniversary as a state agency, the Indiana State Library has announced a new bicentennial website. The website features important historical moments from the library’s past, in addition to the latest news and event information related to the celebration. The website can be viewed here.

Along with launching the website, the library has several activities and events planned for 2025. Throughout the year, the library will administer multiple trivia and escape room events, host a special bicentennial Lunch and Learn program, exhibit and display several items from its collections and screen a movie in October as part of a program featuring the Circle City Ghostbusters. A historical marker will also be dedicated on the grounds of the library this year.

Attendees in the Great Hall of the Indiana State Library during the Bicentennial Reception on Feb. 11.

On Dec. 6, 2024, a proclamation was issued declaring that day to be Indiana State Library Bicentennial Day. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, an invitation-only celebration took place at the Indiana State Library marking the anniversary of the day that the library became a state agency.

The library has also already published “Laying the Foundation,” a richly illustrated book featuring 100 items from the library’s vast and remarkable collection. Some of these items are currently on display in the State Library’s Exhibit Hall. “Laying the Foundation” is available for purchase now for $20 from the Nook Gift Shop on the first floor of the Indiana State Library, located at 315 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. 

The yearlong Indiana State Library Bicentennial celebration is supported by the Indiana State Library Foundation.

This post was written by John Wekluk, communications director at the Indiana State Library.