Genealogy and Local History
The Indiana Room at PGTPL is the perfect place for historians, history buffs, researchers, and curious minds of all ages. The Indiana Room has a wealth of treasures and knowledge ready to be explored! Our staff is here to help you find the materials you need to start and complete your research.
Explore Our Genealogy and Local History Resources
Genealogy Databases
Ancestry Library Edition
(can only be accessed within the library)
Ready to discover your ancestors? With over 10,300 databases, this is your gateway to online genealogy records.
Newspaper Archive
Newspaper Archive World Collection provides access to 15,963 titles and counting. It includes all 50 U.S. States and 46 International Countries.
(Note: to access Newspaper Archive outside of the library, please use the link on this page.)
Find My Past
(can only be accessed within the library)
Great genealogy collection focused on British and Irish records
Hendricks County Photographs
Searchable database of Plainfield and Hendricks County, Indiana photographs.
Indiana Memory
Indiana’s Digital Library: a free collection of digitized primary sources from Indiana institutions.
Newspapers.com
Newspapers.com Library Edition provides access to over 4,000+ historical newspapers. Dating from the early 1700s into the 2000s, this database contains full runs and portions of runs of well-known, regional and state titles to small local newspapers in the United States and other countries.
Indianapolis Star (Historic 1903-2004)
Providing digital images of historical issues of the Indianapolis Star newspaper. This database can be accessed remotely with valid PGTPL library card.
Hendricks County Obituaries
Searchable database of Hendricks County, Indiana obituaries
Hendricks County Cemeteries
Searchable database of Hendricks County, Indiana cemeteries.
Hendricks County Flyer
Search full-text articles on local news, issues, events, people and more from current and archived issues of Hendricks County Flyer. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device.
Family Search
The world’s largest collection of free family history and genealogy records from over 100 countries.
Hendricks County Indexes and Records
Archival Collection at the Plainfield-Guilford Twp. Public Library
Biography Database (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Businesses (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Cemetery Records (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Cemetery Search (by Surname or Cemetery) >
Cemetery Locations (Hendricks County, Indiana) >
Maple Hill Cemetery 1977-2013 Plainfield, IN >
Census (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Coroner Inquests (Hendricks County, IN)
Coroner Inquest index (part 1)
Divorce Records (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Divorce Index Hendricks County Cases Settled 1824-1989 >
Family Histories
Family Files Surname List
(alphabetical index of surnames in the Family Files collection)
Family Files (digitized)
Hendricks County Historical Society newsletters
Hendricks County, Indiana Mental Illness Records
Index of records pertaining to persons admitted to the Hendricks County Home, Central State Hospital, or the Indiana Hospital for the Insane. Records are stored in CH Box 24 in the Indiana Room archives.
Hendricks County Archives (off-site)
Hendricks County, Indiana Archives Digital Records >
The above link will redirect you to the Hendricks County Government website. The images were scanned and posted by the Hendricks County Government Computer Center.
Hendricks County, Indiana Records (from INGENWEB)
House Histories
Plainfield, Indiana Historic District >
(National Register of Historic Places Registration Form)
Indenture Records (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Indiana Boys’ School (Plainfield, Indiana)
Alumni of Charlton High School (1935-1939) >
Deaths at Indiana Boys School 1869-1932 >
Graduates of Charlton High School (1925-1927) >
Inmates released from Indiana Boys’ School (1880-1882) >
Newspaper: Indiana Boys’ School Herald >
Maps, Plats and Atlases (Hendricks County, Indiana)
List of Maps in the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library
Hendricks County Maps (from the Hendricks County Archives)
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Hendricks County for various years) >via the Hendricks County Archives
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Indiana) via I.U. Digital Collections
Marriage Certificates (Hendricks County, Indiana)
These certificates are from a collection of records given to the Guilford Township Historical Collection. The certificates appear to be the “take-home” copies given to the bride and groom. There is no indication why these certificates were not taken at the time of the marriage. Currently, the list is in GROOM SURNAME order. Dates range between the 1860s and 1919. The Collection is stored in DB 103-107 (for staff reference). This is not a complete listing of Hendricks County marriages, just what certificates were in the donation.
Marriage Records (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Hendricks County, Indiana Marriages (1850 – 1920) >
Hendricks County, Indiana Wedding Anniversaries (50th and higher) >
Index to Applicants in Hendricks County Marriage Application Books (1905-1950) >
Index to Parents in Hendricks County Marriage Application Books (1905-1950) >
Military Records (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Index to the Plainfield GAR (Virgil Lyons Post) Membership Roster Book (alpha by surname) Original located in archives (ACB 136)
Grand Army of the Republic [GAR] (Virgil H. Lyon Post #186, Plainfield, Indiana) Record Book (original located in archives ACB 136)
GAR Record Book p. 1-50
GAR Record Book p. 51-68 >
GAR Record Book p. 75-100 >
GAR Record Book p. 101-125 >
GAR Record Book p. 126-150 >
GAR Record Book p. 151-175 >
GAR Record Book o. 176 to end >
Hendricks County, Indiana Township Enrollment Lists for Military Service >
(these original enrollment papers (from 1886, 1890 and 1894) are available in the Indiana Room
Military pensions (1883) >
Mortality Schedules (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Naturalization Records (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Index to Hendricks County Declarations of Intent (1852-1906) >
Newspaper Microfilm Holdings
Obituary Database (Hendricks County, Indiana )
Photograph Databases
Photograph Collection Database uploading images weekly!
Plainfield High School Class Photos (1922 – 1964) >
Plainfield High School Index to Class Photos (1922 – 1964) >
Schools: Central Academy (Plainfield)
Central Academy was a secondary high school operated by the Society of Friends.
Central Academy School Catalogs:
Commencement/Graduation Programs:
1885 Invitation to Commencement >
1891 Invitation to Commencement >
1892 Invitation to Commencement >
1903 Invitation to Commencement >
1904 Invitation to Commencement >
1908 Invitation to Commencement >
1913 Invitation to Commencement >
Schools: Hendricks County Schools
Sheriff’s Records
Voting Records (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Voters in Hendricks County, Indiana (August 1845) >
Yearbooks (Hendricks County, Indiana Schools)
Clayton Elementary 1972-1973 >
Hazelwood Elementary 1968-1969 >
Plainfield High School Yearbooks digitized (1951 – 1989)
Hendricks County Yearbook Index (work in progress) Everyname Index to yearbooks in the Indiana Room’s yearbook collection.
Genealogy Links
United States
American Ancestors (New England Historic & Genealogical Society)
ArchiveGrid (primary source materials held in archives and other institutions)
Bureau of Land Management (Land Records)
DAR (National Society of) (Daughters of the American Revolution)
Digital Public Library of America
Documenting the American South
Family Search > (Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah)
Genealogy Center > (Fort Wayne/Allen County Public Library)
Library of Congress Digital Collections
Linkpendium (Genealogy Resources)
National Genealogical Society >
National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections > (NUCMC)
PERSI (Periodical Source Index)
SAR (Sons of the American Revolution)
USGENWEB >
We Relate > (world’s largest genealogy wiki)
WikiTree >
Indiana
American Indian Center of Indiana >
Indiana Genealogical Society >
Indiana State Archives Digital Collections >
Indiana State Health Department > (birth and death certificates)
Indiana State Library Genealogy >
INGENWEB > (from the USGENWEB)
Hendricks County, Indiana
Hendricks County, Indiana Genealogy Blog > (News and Tips for finding your Hendricks Co., IN relatives)
Hendricks County Genealogy > (from INGENWEB)
Hendricks County Government Archives > (Digitized items from Hendricks County, Indiana government)
Books (finding them online)
Genealogy Gophers > (search books digitized by Family Search)
Family History Books > (available digitally through the Family History Library)
WorldCat > (find items in libraries worldwide–and near you)
DNA Testing and Information
Ancestry DNA > (through Ancestry.com)
DNA Painter (online tool for chromosome mapping)
DNA Testing Adviser > (Richard Hill website)
GEDMatch (DNA and genealogical analysis tools)
ISOGG > (International Society of Genetic Genealogy)
Forms
Fillable forms > and charts from Mid-Continent Public Library Genealogy Center
Forms and Charts from Ancestry.com
Forms and Charts > from National Archives
Research Forms > from the Family History Library
Immigration
Castle Garden Immigration Depot >
Immigrant Ancestors Project (from BYU)
Immigration Records Online > (from Family Search Wiki)
Maps
Historical Maps > (David Rumsey collection)
Hendricks County (IN) Historical Maps
Maps of US.org (Historical Atlases and Maps of the U. S.)
Military
Aztec Club of 1847 > (Military Society of the Mexican War)
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database > (National Park Service)
Colonial Dames > (National Society of)
GAR records > (Grand Army of the Republic/Civil War Veterans organization)
Military Records: National Archives >
SAR > (Sons of the Revolution, National Society of)
Spanish American War Centennial Website >
US Army Heritage and Education Center >
War Department Papers > (United States)
Native American
Native American Ancestry (Dept. of Interior)
Native American Records (National Archives)
Newspapers
Chronicling America > (digital historic newspapers at the Library of Congress)
Chronicling America – Indiana Newspapers (digital historic newspapers at the Library of Congress)
Historical Newspapers Online > (via Bowling Green State University master index)
Illinois Digital Newspaper Collection >
Indiana Boys’ School Herald > (through Indiana Memory)
Indiana Digital Historic Newspapers/Hoosier State Chronicles > (Indiana State Library)
Indiana Newspaper Holdings > at the Indiana State Library
Library of Congress Digitized Newspapers >
New York State Historic Newspapers > on Old Fulton Postcards site (searchable)
New York State Historic Newspapers (Empire State Library Network)
Ohio Digitized Newspapers > (through Ohio Memory)
Texas Digital Newspaper Program >
Virginia Chronicle (Virginia Digitized Newspapers)
Miscellaneous Sites
ArchiveGrid (locating archives near you)
Family History Research WIKI > (from Family Search)
Legal Genealogist (Judy Russell)
Linkpendium > (Genealogy Links)
State Sites and Organizations
Michigan: Michiganology (Michigan State Archives and Library)
North Carolina Genealogical Society >
Ohio Obituary Index (Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center)
State Genealogical Society websites >
International Sites and Organizations
British Isle Genealogy (Dusty Docs)
Irish Genealogy > (Government of Ireland)
National Records of Scotland > (Scotland)
Scotland’s People > (Scotland)
GENUKI > (United Kingdom)
Indiana Links
Agricultural/Farm
Indiana Grown >
Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Trader’s Point Creamery >
Art, Artists and Authors
Arts Council of Indianapolis >
Celebrating Indiana’s Courthouses >
(photograph collection of 92 Indiana courthouses by Max Hank)
Hoosier Salon >
Indiana Arts Commission >
Indiana Authors Award >
Indiana Children’s Authors and Illustrators >
Indiana Humanities Council >
Traditional Arts Indiana
Business and Industry
EDGAR Database (SEC Filings) >
Indiana Business Research Center >
Indiana Chamber of Commerce >
Indiana Economic Development Corporation >
Indiana Philanthropic Alliance (formerly Indiana Grantmaker’s Alliance) >
Indiana Secretary of State Business Services Division >
Small Business Administration (Indiana Office)
Unclaimed Funds (Indiana)
Education
Excel Center (earn a Core 40 high school diploma) >
Geo Foundation >
Independent Colleges of Indiana >
Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Indiana College Network >
Indiana Department of Education >
Indiana Foundation for Home Schooling >
Employment/Unemployment
Indiana Career Connect >
Indiana Career Ready (State of Indiana)
Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Unemployment Information (file a claim through UPLINK) >
Work One
Fairs and Festivals
Indiana State Fair
Indiana State Festival Association >
Visit Indiana >
Government
State of Indiana >
Indiana Code >
Access Indiana (State of Indiana Website) >
IDEM Environment >
Indiana Attorney General >
Indiana Bills and Legislation
Indiana Code Online (laws) >
Indiana Department of Education >
Indiana Department of Natural Resources >
Indiana General Assembly >
Indiana Insurance Department >
Indiana Secretary of State >
Indiana State Data Center >
Indiana State Emblems >
Indiana State Library >
Indiana Transparency Portal >
Indiana Unclaimed Funds
Contact Indiana’s US Representatives >
Contact Indiana’s US Senators
Telephone Privacy List >
Indiana Voting, Elections & Political Parties
Register to Vote >
Indiana Election Division >
Indiana Voters.com (voter registration, polling sites) >
Project Vote Smart >
Indiana Democratic Party Online >
Indiana Republican State Committee >
Libertarian Party of Indiana >
Recursos Para Los Que Hablan Espanol (Hispanic Resources)
Indiana Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs
Indiana Latino Insitute
La Plaza, Inc (Hispanic Center) >
History
Historical Societies in Indiana
Indiana Historical Society >
Society of Indiana Archivists >
Society of Indiana Pioneers >
Indiana Historical Bureau >
Indiana Historical Markers >
Indiana Landmarks
Indiana Memory Project (through Indiana State Library) >
Indiana Museums and Historic Sites
Ben Hur Museum (General Lew Wallace Study and Museum)>
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis >
Conner Prairie Museum >
Eiteljorg Museum >
Freetown Village Living History Museum >
George Rogers Clark National Park >
Hendricks County Museum >
Historic New Harmony >
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame >
Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites
Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Mathers Museum and Glenn Black Laboratory)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum >
Indianapolis Museum of Art / Newfields>
Lincoln Boyhood National Monument
Celebrating Indiana’s Courthouses >
(an Indiana Bicentennial photograph project by Max Hank)
Hoosier History Live! >
(a live weekly radio adventure through Indiana History)
Indiana State Archives >
Underground Railroad in Indiana >
Legal/Law
Adoption–Indiana’s Adoption Program >
Indiana Administrative Code >
Indiana Building Codes (IAC 675) >
Indiana Code >
Indiana Legal Services Organization >
Indiana Offender Database Search (Department of Correction) >
Indiana Register >
Indiana State Police >
Indiana Tax Forms >
Publicdata.com (sex offenders) >
Sex Offender Directory (Indiana) >
Unclaimed Money/Property (Indiana) >
Legal Forms and Information
DIVORCE Forms (with children) >
DIVORCE Forms (without children) >
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Forms >
Indiana Court Forms >
Indiana Self-Service Legal Center (Indiana Courts)
Indiana Self-Service Legal Help (Coalition for Court Access)
Libraries
Media/Radio/Television
Indiana Historical Radio >
Indiana Newspapers >
Indiana Radio Stations >
Indiana Scanner Frequencies >
Indiana Television Stations >
Music
IN Harmony (Sheet music for Indiana) >
Miscellaneous Indiana
Indiana Ghost Trackers >
Maps/Land/Geography/Weather
Archaeological Institute of America (Central Indiana Society)
Archaeology in Indiana
Indiana Department of Natural Resources Maps
Indiana Geological Survey Maps
Indiana Historical Aerial Photos
IndianaMAP (GIS data)
Indiana Maps
Indiana State Archaeologist
Indiana Topographical Maps
National Weather Service NOWData (NOAA Online Weather Data)
Public Records
Indiana Court Records (free via MyCase)
- People Finders.com >
- Search dozens of databases and billions of records in a single search.
- Real Estate/Public Records Research >
- This site provides links to official state and county websites that have public record information available online. Mostly geared toward property research.
- Search Systems >
- Provides over 13,000 free searchable records. Categorized by national, state and worldwide records.
Real Estate Websites
- MIBOR >
- Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors
- Realtor.com >
- Nationwide listing of homes for sale. Searchable by location.
- Zillow.com
Nationwide real estate and rental marketplace.
Recreation/Tourism
Bicycle Indiana >
Indiana State Museum >
Indiana Greenways and Trails >
Enjoy/Visit Indiana >
Explore Southern Indiana >
Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari >
Indiana Beach >
Indiana Festivals >
Historic Sites and Links >
Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs >
Indianapolis Conventions and Visitors >
Northern Indiana Amish Country >
Ohio River Scenic Byway >
Visit Indiana >
Indianapolis Zoo >
Scholarship and Education information
21st Century Scholars >
FAFSA >
Learn More Indiana (formerly ICPAC) >
State of Indiana Scholarship Program >
State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana >
Social Services
Indiana Disability Resources FINDER
Indiana Family and Social Services >
Social Security >
Sports and Leisure
Brickyard 400 >
Hoosier Park (Anderson) >
Indiana Grand Racing (Shelbyville) >
Indiana Grand Casino (Shelbyville) >
Indiana Fever (WNBA) >
Indiana Fuel (Hockey)
Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) >
Indiana Pacers (NBA) >
Indianapolis Colts >
Indianapolis Indians >
Indianapolis Motor Speedway >
Lucas Oil Raceway Park >
Indy 500 >
Indy Runners >
Indy Walkers >
Taxes
Indiana Department of Revenue >
Indiana Department of Revenue (TAX FORMS) >
Internal Revenue Service >
Internal Revenue Service (FORMS) >
Transportation
Amtrak (train) >
Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) >
Greyhound (bus) >
Indiana Department of Transportation >
Indiana Passenger Rail Alliance >
Indiana National Road Association >
Indiana Railroad Sites
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society >
Hesston Steam Museum >
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum >
Indiana Railroad / Railfans >
Indiana Railway Museum >(French Lick Scenic Railroad)
Indiana Transportation Museum >
Monon Railroad Historic-Technical Society >
National New York Central Railroad Museum >
Whitewater Valley Railroad >
Indiana Traffic Reports >
Indianapolis International Airport >
I-69 Indianapolis/Evansville Highway >
Hendricks County Links
Assisted Living / Nursing Facilities
Cumberland Trace (Plainfield)
Glasswater Creek (Plainfield)
Harmony at Avon (Avon)
Independence Village (formerly The Hearth at Prestwick) (Avon)
Ivy Trace (Danville)
The Oaks Senior Living (formerly Roland’s) Plainfield
Park Square Manor Retirement (Avon)
Sugar Grove Senior Living (Plainfield)
Traditions at Reagan Park (Avon)
Arts/Theater/Entertainment/Music
AMC Movies at Perry Crossing (Plainfield)
Hendricks Civic Theater >
Hendricks County Arts Council >
Hendricks Symphony
Regal Cinemas Avon >
Royal Theater Danville >
Business/Economy
Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau >
Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership >
Shoppes at Perry Crossing (Plainfield)
Chamber of Commerce
Avon Chamber of Commerce >
Brownsburg Chamber of Commerce >
Danville Chamber of Commerce >
Plainfield Chamber of Commerce >
Children and Children’s Services
Hendricks County Division of Family Resources >
Hendricks County Licensed Child Care Facilities >
Churches/Religion
Avon Christian Church >
Bethel AME (Plainfield)
Center Community Church >
Connection Pointe Christian Church (Brownsburg)
First Baptist Church of Plainfield (American) >
Kingsway Christian Church >
Plainfield Baptist Church (Southern) >
Plainfield Bible Church (Independent)
Plainfield Christian Church >
Plainfield Friends Meeting
Plainfield United Methodist Church
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church >
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church >
St. Susanna Catholic Church >
Education/Schools
Avon Community School Corporation >
Bethesda Christian School (private) >
Brownsburg Community School Corporation >
Danville Community School Corporation
Hendricks College Network >
Indianapolis Christian School, Avon Campus (formerly Kingsway Christian School (private)
Mill Creek Community School Corporation >
North West Hendricks School Corporation >
Pittsboro One-Room School
Plainfield Community School Corporation >
Saint Susanna Catholic School (private) >
Food Pantry Locations
Government
Guilford Township (Hendricks County, Indiana)
Hendricks County Fairgrounds Complex >
Hendricks County Food Inspection Reports
Hendricks County Government >
Hendricks County Property Tax and Assessment Lookup Site
Hendricks County Public Court Records
Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department >
Town of Plainfield Ordinances (via American Legal Publishing Corporation)
Health
IU West Medical Center >
Food Establishment Health Inspections (Hendricks County) >
Hendricks Regional Health
Hope Healthcare Services (Kingsway)
Mental Health America, Hendricks County >
St. Francis Health Center
St. Vincent Ascension
Land/Maps
Hendricks Co. Land and Property GIS search >
(on the webpage, select Hendricks Co., IN)
Organizations
Hendricks County Community Foundation >
Leadership Hendricks County
Parks and Recreation
Avon Washington Township >
Brownsburg Parks
Danville Parks and Recreation
Hendricks County Parks and Recreation >
Hummel Park (Guilford Township) >
McCloud Nature Park >
Plainfield Parks and Recreation
Splash Island (Plainfield)
Sodalis Nature Park >
Vandalia Trail
Washington Township Community Park >
Senior Services
CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions >
Hendricks County Senior Services >
Social Services
Hendricks County Social Services Listings >
Hope Healthcare Services (Kingsway)
Project Angel
Sheltering Wings Center for Women >
Statistics
Crime Statistics for Hendricks County (reported from Law Enforcement Agencies) >
Hendricks Co. Census Profile (Stats Indiana)
Tourism
Towns in Hendricks County, Indiana
Avon >
Brownsburg >
Clayton >
Danville >
Lizton >
North Salem >
Pittsboro >
Plainfield >
Town of Plainfield Ordinances (via American Legal Publishing)
Utilities
ATT (telephone) >
Center Point Energy (gas)
Duke Energy (electric) >
Hendricks Power Cooperative (electric) >
Waste Management (trash removal) >
Vectren (Indiana Gas) (gas) >
West Central Conservancy District (water and sewer) >
Photograph Databases
PGTPL Photograph Collection Database
Over 15,000 images uploaded, and we’re adding more each week!
Plainfield Elementary Class Pictures
(1960 – 1974)
Plainfield High School Class Photos
(1922 – 1964)
Plainfield High School Yearbooks Digitized (1951 – 2018)
Plainfield High School Index to Class Photos (1922 – 1964)
Digital Indy (Historic Indianapolis Photographs)
Collections in the Archives
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