ELKHART COUNTY, Indiana
History <-> Genealogy

*First created in 1830.
*County seat: Goshen.
Located in northern Indiana, with the state of Michigan at it's northern boundary.
*Cities, Towns & Communities include: Baintertown, Benton, Bonneyville Mills, Bristol, Dunlap, Elkhart, Foraker, Goshen, Jamestown, Locke, Middlebury, Midway, Millersburg, Nappanee, New Paris, Nibbyville, Simonton Lake, Southwest, Vistula, Wakarusa and Waterford Mills.
Select this LINK to see GENERAL Elkhart County information and links.
Select from the TOWN list above to learn which township the community is located in, and view information and links specific to that area.
Select from the TOWNSHIPs Table below to view information and links specific to the township.
Note: The community of Mount Pleasant is located in Perry Township, rather than the township which shares its name.
Please note:  Though the information on this web page is believed to be correct, the possibility of error remains.  Please notify the webmaster should an error be found.
 
 

Townships in Elkhart County 
(North = Top)

Surrounding Counties:
                                 NW =  Cass County, MI   NE = St. Joseph County, MI
W = St. Joseph County, IN     ELKHART COUNTY     E = LaGrange County, IN
    SW = Marshall County, IN    S = Kosciusko County, IN  SE = Noble County, IN

Visit American Local History Network for Michigan hosted by Vicki Wilson.

ELKHART COUNTY, INDIANA
Established in 1830; County seat is Goshen.
+ MAPS + TOWNS + TOWNSHIPS + NEIGHBORING COUNTIES +
+ CHURCHES + CEMETERIES + MUSEUMS and HISTORIC SITES +
+ NEWSPAPERS +
+ COMMERCE, TOURISM & ONLINE COMMUNITY  +
+ HISTORY & GENEALOGY: Articles & Online Databases + BIOGRAPHIES +
+ Native American + NATURE +
+ ARCHIVES & LIBRARIES for Further Research +
+ COUNTY GOVERNMENT & Vital Records Information+
+ PROFESSIONAL HISTORICAL GENEALOGY RESEARCH +

MAPS
[Return to Main Menu]

• Interactive Census Bureau Map of Elkhart County

• 1875 Map of Elkhart County, Indiana, from Higgins Belden & Co. ( see citation )

• 1895 Map of Elkhart County, Indiana, by Pam Rietsch at: prietsch@ismi.net

• Use the query form, at USGS, to map features including cemeteries, churches, populated places, and more.  Please note that the map town listed with a feature may be used as a map reference for the site, and may not be the town where the feature is actually located...Select a map to see the location of the actual feature.  This database may not be complete, and, as with any database, there may be errors.

NATIVE AMERICAN
[Return to Main Menu]

• Miami Nation of Indians    

  • P.O. Box 41 - Peru, Indiana 46970  Phone: (765) 473-9631.

  • The web site was at www.miamiindiansofindiana.org, however, it does not appear to be accessible at this time.

• Annuity Payroll:  June 12, 1895, on the USGenWeb for Miami County

• The MYAAMIA Project, from the Miami Nation and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

• Indians of Indiana - Guide which includes migration maps, from Ray's History and Guide to Terre Haute

• Information about the Illinois-Miami language.

•  - The Miami lived primarily in the area of northern Indiana.  In the 1650s, the Wea and Piankashaw were driven from the area of Indiana by the Iroquois, however, they gradually returned to Indiana beginning about 1680.

• Miami History, by Lee Sultzman.

• History of the Potawatomi - By the 1760s, they expanded into northern Indiana from the northern areas between  Milwaukee and Detroit.

MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES
[Return to Main Menu]

CHURCHES
[Return to Main Menu]

• Elkhart & LaGrange Counties - Amish Culture, Amish Beliefs!

• Local Catholic Church History & Genealogy Research Guide & Worldwide Directory + Indiana*  Page.

CEMETERIES
[Return to Main Menu]

• Indiana State Library.
     140 North Senate Avenue - Indianapolis, IN 46204-2296

• Indiana Cemetery Locator Database

• Use the query form, at USGS, to map features including cemeteries, churches, populated places, and more.  Please note that the map town listed with a feature may be used as a map reference for the site, and may not be the town where the feature is actually located...Select a map to see the location of the actual feature.  This database may not be complete, and, as with any database, there may be errors.

COMMERCE, TOURISM & ONLINE COMMUNITY
[Return to Main Menu]

• Elkhart & LaGrange Counties - Northern IN Amish Country
      Amish Culture, Amish Beliefs!
      Hometowns of Elkhart County!

NATURE
[Return to Main Menu]

• Indiana DNR

NEWS & NEWSPAPERS
[Return to Main Menu]

• Indiana State Library:     140 North Senate Avenue - Indianapolis, IN 46204-2296.

• County Newspaper Holdings (in Indianapolis)

BIOGRAPHIES
[Return to Main Menu]

• countyhistory.com: for Elkhart County, by Ronald Branson!

• The Political Graveyard, for Hendricks County, Indiana, created and maintained by Lawrence Kestenbaum, a web site about U.S. political history, politicians and cemeteries.

HISTORY <-> GENEALOGY: Articles and Online Databases
[Return to Main Menu]

• Indiana State Archives.
     6440 E. 30th Street - Indianapolis, IN 46219   Phone: (317) 591-5222

  • ICPR Collections

  • Naturalization Databases for the Indiana counties of Blackford, Dubois, Elkhart, Floyd, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Howard, Jefferson, Marshall, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Switzerland, Union, Wayne, and Whitley.

• Elkhart Public Library   

  • 300 South Second Street - Elkhart, IN 46516-3184  Phone: (574) 522-2665.

  • Obituary Index to Elkhart Truth

• INGenWeb for Elkart County Genealogy by Tom Stevens. - Examples of information found on this site: 1850 Elkhart County Census - submitted by Beverly Telfer.
  CRIMP Files: These records consist of Probate records, Guardianships, Minor Heirs, Wills, Marriage Licenses, Marriage Applications, Marriage Consent, Lawsuits and Late Birth Certificates issued during the war... Elkhart County Marriages 1862 to 1957 - submitted by Beverly Telfer.
  Listing of Elkhart County Cemeteries

• 1820 Indiana Census Index, by Lori!

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

• The Doughboy Center - presented by The Great War Society.

• World War II Veterans Online Information Center

• Library of Congress: American Memory All Collections Search - enter topic or Indiana town and/or county location to find available online photos, maps, and more!

• Indiana State Library.    140 North Senate Avenue - Indianapolis, IN 46204-2296

  • Indiana Cemetery Locator Database

  • Indiana Biography Index

  • Index of Indiana Marriages Through 1850.

  • Images from the County

  • County Newspaper Holdings (in Indianapolis)

ARCHIVES & LIBRARIES for Further Research
[Return to Main Menu]

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

• Elkhart Public Library   

  • 300 South Second Street - Elkhart, IN 46516-3184  Phone: (574) 522-2665.

• Goshen Public Library    601 South 5th Street - Goshen, IN  46526-3969     Phone:  (574) 533-9531.

• Middlebury Community Library    101 East Winslow Street - P.O. Box 192 - Middlebury, IN 46540 Phone: (574) 825-5601.

• Nappanee Public Library    157 North Main Street - Nappanee, IN 46550-1956    Phone:  (574) 773-7919.

• Bristol - Washington Township Public Library    505 West Vistula Street - Bristol  46507-9464     Phone:  (574) 848-7458.

• Wakarusa-Olive & Harrison Township Public Library    124 North Elkhart Street - P.O. Box 485 - Wakarusa, IN 46573-0485
      Phone:  (574) 862-2465.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT & Vital Records
[Return to Main Menu]

Elkhart County Health Department (For Birth & Death Certificates from ca. 1882)

• Elkhart County Health Department (Goshen Office)    117 North Second St., Rm. 112 - Goshen, IN 46526-3231  Phone: (574) 535-6786.

• Elkhart County Health Department (Elkhart Office)    608 Oakland Avenue - Elkhart, IN 46516   Phone: (574) 523-2283
  Dunlap Environmental Health Office (Dunlap Office)
     Elkhart County Health Department
     4230 Elkhart Road - Goshen, IN 46526-5795  Phone:  (574) 875-3391.

• Elkhart County Circuit Court Clerk (For Marriage, Divorce and Probate records)    Courthouse - 101 N. Main Street - Goshen, IN 46526  Phone: (574) 535-6430.

Elkhart County Communities

Baugo Township - communities include: Jamestown.  The city of Elkhart encompasses portions of the townships of Baugo, Cleveland, Osolo and Concord, with the largest portion located in Concord Township.

Brad Wright is currently writing a history of Baugo Township, and has given permission to post his E-mail address for those who may have questions concerning Baugo Township.  Brad Wright may be reached at WRIBAR@aol.com.

---

Benton Township - communities include: Benton.

---

Cleveland Township - The city of Elkhart encompasses portions of the townships of Baugo, Cleveland, Osolo and Concord, with the largest portion located in Concord Township.  A small portion of suburban Elkhart is in Cleveland township.

---

Clinton Township - communities include: Millersburg.

---

Concord Township - communities include: Dunlap and Midway.  The city of Elkhart encompasses portions of the townships of Baugo, Cleveland, Osolo and Concord, with the largest portion located in Concord Township.

---

Elkhart Township - communities include: Goshen and Waterford Mills.

• Goshen Chamber of Commerce

• Goshen News

• Goshen Public Library
     601 South 5th Street - Goshen, IN  46526-3969     Phone:  (574) 533-9531

  ---

  Harrison Township - communities include: Southwest.

• Wakarusa-Olive & Harrison Township Public Library
     124 North Elkhart Street - P.O. Box 485 - Wakarusa, IN 46573-0485
      Phone:  (574) 862-2465

  ---

  Jackson Township - communities include: Baintertown and New Paris.

  ---

  Jefferson Township - is a rural township.

  ---

  Locke Township - communities include: Locke.  A large portion of the city of Nappanee is situated in Union Township, with the remaining portion located in Locke Township.

• Nappanee, Indiana

• Nappanee Public Library
     157 North Main Street - Nappanee, IN 46550-1956    Phone:  (574) 773-7919

  ---

  Middlebury Township - communities include: Middlebury.

• The Town of Middlebury, IN.

• History of Middlebury, IN - From Chapman's, History of Elkhart County, Indiana, (1881).

• Middlebury Community Library
     101 East Winslow Street - P.O. Box 192 - Middlebury, IN 46540 Phone: (574) 825-5601.

  ---

  Olive Township - communities include: Wakarusa.

• Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce

• Wakarusa-Olive & Harrison Township Public Library
     124 North Elkhart Street - P.O. Box 485 - Wakarusa, IN 46573-0485
      Phone:  (574) 862-2465

  ---

  Osolo Township - communities include:  Simonton Lake.  The city of Elkhart encompasses portions of the townships of Baugo, Cleveland, Osolo and Concord, with the largest portion located in Concord Township.

• City of Elkhart, IN

• The Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce - Businesses and information.

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

• Elkhart Public Library    300 South Second St. - Elkhart, IN 46516-3184  Phone: (574) 522-2665.

  ---

  Union Township - communities include: Foraker and a large portion of the city of Nappanee.  The remaining portion of Nappanee is located in Locke Township.

• Nappanee, Indiana Cemeteries include:
     Nappanee, IN: South Union Cemetery, located on County Road 50 East, Nappanee;
     Foraker, IN:  Wenger Cemetery, Stutsman Cemetery and Yellow Creek Cemetery.

  ---

  Washington Township - communities include: Bristol and Nibbyville.

• Bristol - Washington Township Public Library    505 West Vistula Street - Bristol  46507-9464     Phone:  (574) 848-7458

  ---

  
  York Township - communities include: Bonneyville Mills and Vistula.

[ Additional Research Resources for All Indiana Counties ]
[ Return to Indiana Local History ]

PROFESSIONAL HISTORICAL GENEALOGY RESEARCH
Ann McRoden Mensch, Professional Historical Genealogist

Researching on-site, and with the vast resources of The Allen County Public Library, holding one of the largest genealogical collections in North America.  Search the Library's online catalogue to see some of the printed resources available for a location or topic.

Printed resources for this page include:

• Indiana Atlas & Gazetteer.  First Edition, Second Printing.  Yarmouth, Maine:  Delorme.  1998.

• School and Library Atlas of the World.  Fred W. Foster, Ph.D. (Editor).  Sycamore, Illinois:  School and Library Publishing Company.  1982.

• New Sectional Township Map of Indiana.  Chicago, Illinois : Higgins Belden & Co., 1875.

• Index of An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Elkhart County, Indiana.  Higgins, Beldon and Co., 1874. [Fort Wayne, Indiana : Public Library], 1970.   (Gc 977.201 EL5HA).

• Standard Atlas of Elkhart County, Indiana : Including a Plat Book of the Villages, Cities and Townships of the County.  Geo. A. Ogle & Co.  (Compiler).  Chicago, Illinois : Geo. A. Ogle & Co., 1915.  (Gc 977.201 EL5OG).

• History of Elkhart County, Indiana : Together with Sketches of its Cities ... and Biographies of
  Representative Citizens : History of Indiana, Embracing Accounts of the Pre-historic Races... Chicago, Illinois : Chas. C. Chapman, 1881.  (Gc 977.201 EL5HI).

• A Standard History of Elkhart County, Indiana : An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development.   editorial supervision of Abraham E. Weaver.  (Editorial Supervisor).  Chicago : The American Historical Society, 1916.  [Includes index.]   (Gc 977.201 EL5W).

• Pioneer History of Elkhart County, Indiana, with Sketches and Stories... Henry Sager Knapp Bartholomew.  (Author).  Goshen, Indiana : Goshen Printery, ca. 1930.   (Gc 976.201 EL5BA).

• Elkhart County, Indiana Index of Names of Persons and of Firms.  Works Progress
  Administration of Indiana, [Work Project 6-20205].  (Compiler).  The Indiana State Library.  (Sponsor).  Indianapolis, Indiana :  Indiana Work Projects Administration, 1939.  (Gc 977.201 EL5AA). [Name index to eleven Elkhart County histories].

• Index to Birth Records of Elkhart County, Indiana, 1882-1921, Inclusive, Letters A-Z Inclusive.  Indiana Works Progress Administration. (Compiler). Indianapolis?, Indiana : Indiana Work Projects Administration, [n.d.].  (Gc 977.202 EL52UN).

• Index to Birth Records, Elkhart County, City of Nappanee, Indiana, 1907-1920, Inclusive, compiled from records in the city Health Office, Nappanee.  Indiana Works Progress Administration.  (Compiler).  Nappanee, Indiana : Indiana Work Projects Administration, 1940.  (Gc 977.202 N16U).

• Elkhart County, Indiana Marriage Records, 1830-1849.  Ruth M. Slevin. (Author).  [s.l. : s.n.], 1971.  [part 1: Index of grooms; part 2: Index of brides].  (Gc 977.201 EL5SL).

• Index to Death Records of Elkhart County, Indiana, 1882-1921, Inclusive, Letters A-Z Inclusive.  Indiana Works Progress Administration. (Compiler). Indianapolis?, Indiana : Indiana Work Projects Administration, 1940.  (Gc 977.202 EL52U).

• Index to Death Records : Elkhart County, Indiana, City of Goshen, 1882-1920 Inclusive, City of
  Nappanee 1904-1920, Letters A-Z Inclusive.  Indiana Works Projects Administration.  (Compiler). Indianapolis?, Indiana : Indiana Work Projects Administration, 1940.  (Gc 977.202 G69UNDA).

• Elkhart County, Indiana, Will Records, 1845-1881 : Books 1-2. Ruth M. Slevin.  (Author).  [n.p.], 1971.  (Gc 977.201 EL5S).

• Miscellaneous Elkhart County Cemeteries. [n.p.; n.d.].  (Gc 977.201 EL5MI).

• Whitehead or Maple Grove Cemetery, Elkhart County, Indiana.  Miriam Glanders.  (Author).  Published by author, [n.d.]   (Gc 977.201 EL5GL].

[ Return to Indiana Local History ]

Copyright 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002-2008, by Ann Mensch.  All Rights Reserved.