Genealogy Resources In Elkhart County, Indiana

This page represents the attempt to compile a comprehensive list of genealogical information sources in Elkhart County, Indiana. This is an ongoing project. Please submit additions and corrections to Tom Stevens.

Elkhart County Health Dept., Vital Records
608 Oakland Ave.
Elkhart, IN 46516
(574) 523-2283
FAX (574) 295-6186 (LHD)

new address, 03/99
has birth & death records from about 1882-present.

Birth	The fee is $9.00 for the 1st copy; $7.00 for each additional copy. Wallet size cost $11.00 (wallet size is available in lamination or a plastic pouch). Regular size in a plastic pouch is an additional $2.00. Payment must be in cash, certified check or money order only to: Elkhart County Health Department. PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
Death	The fee is $9.00 for the 1st copy; $7.00 for each additional copy. Wallet size cost $11.00 (wallet size is available in lamination or a plastic pouch). Regular size in a plastic pouch is an additional $2.00. Payment must be in cash, certified check or money order only to: Elkhart County Health Department. PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

give the following information:

Birth

full name at birth
place of birth
date of birth
fathers name
mothers name, including maiden name
Birth records for genealogy purposes are only available on individuals who would be at least 100 years old.

Death

The name of the person, their date of death, the parent's names and the year of death. Records date back to 1882. Anything prior to 1882 would not be available in Elkhart County Vital Records.

For both, state your relationship to the person and send a copy of your identification.

Thanks to Toni Britton.

Elkhart County Courthouse
Elkhart County Clerk's Office
101 N. Main Street
Room 204 Attn: Bev
Goshen, IN 46526
(574) 535-6427 (support desk)

address and info updated 06/00

The cost of a copy of the application is $1 each and a copy of the certified license is $2 each. They only take cash or money order but no personal checks.

County Clerk has marriage records from 1831, court records from 1853, probate records from 1852.

Thanks to Jeff and Diane Barner for the updates.

Elkhart County Genealogy Society
P.O. Box 1031
Elkhart, IN 46515-1031

The Elkhart County Genealogy Society's first meeting was in November 1967. They are a non-profit organization seeking to further the interest in genealogy contributing to the preservation of genealogical and historical records of the Michiana area. The ECGS publishes The Michiana Searcher four times a year which is sent free to members. Queries are free. Membership is $12. yearly (Jan 1 - Dec 31) and payable to the Elkhart County Genealogy Society, P.O. Box 1031, Elkhart, IN 46515-1031. Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month. Guests are always welcome. The ECGS maintains a small genealogy library at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Beardsley, Elkhart, IN, open Thursdays, 1-8 pm.

Elkhart Public Library
300 S Second St.
Elkhart, IN 46514
(574) 522-5669 (reference)

has a large collection of Elkhart County related books, documents, newspapers on microfilm, etc.

Bristol Public Library
505 W Vistula
Bristol, IN 46507
(574) 848-7458

several unique books/documents & microfilms on Elkhart County can be found here

Goshen Public Library
601 S 5th
Goshen, IN 46526
(574) 533-9531

their Indiana Room contains many county/state information sources

Elkhart County Historical Museum/Rush Memorial Center
304 W Vistula
Bristol, IN 46507
(574) 848-4322

Hours: Wed-Fri 10-4, Sun 1-5

many unique documents and items of genealogical/historical
interest can be found here

Mennonite Historical Library
Goshen College
1700 S Main
Goshen, IN 46526
(574) 535-7418

An impressive collection of published historical and genealogical information about Mennonites, Amish, and related groups. Includes some general genealogical resources for regions with large Amish/Mennonite populations such as Elkhart County. Open to the public M-F 8-5 and some Saturday hours when the college is in session (call). Genealogical materials do not circulate.

Goshen Historical Society Inc.
P.O Box 701
Goshen, IN 46526
Dale Garber, President

Jimtown Historical Society
C/O Carl Bradley Wright
59312 Hoover Ave
Elkhart, IN 46517

New Paris Historical Society
P.O. Box 101
New Paris, IN 46553
Mike Harris, President

Wakarusa Historical Society Inc.
Box 2
Wakarusa, IN 46573
Helen Klein, President

Family History Center
930 Park Place
Mishawaka, Indiana 46545
Phone: 219-243-1633 Hours open: Tue, Wed 9AM-9PM, 2nd+4th Sat 10AM-2PM

Hours change. Please call to verify.

The Family History Center contains a wealth of books, magazines, microfilm, microfiche, and other sources for genealogists. Many different CD-ROM disks packed with genealogical info are available for browsing, printing, or downloading to a diskette in ASCII or GEDCOM format. The Mishawaka FHC possesses some indexes relating to Elkhart County genealogy.

St. Joseph County Public Library
304 S. Main
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 282-4600

Their Local History / Genealogy department contains an impressive selection of materials.

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If you have any suggestions, additions, corrections or comments, please contact me: Tom Stevens