I started my family research in 1982.At that time the Health Dept was in
the Cass County Courthouse[Govt.
Building] in a very small room. The birth and death record books were in
huge metal cabinets with locks. During the day they were unlocked. There
were several tables. I did a vast amount of research right in this room.
There were index books, too. I was allowed to take down and put back the
books.
The marriage records, wills, etc., were in a big room behind the Clerks'
Office in the Courthouse. This was all open and I was free to get into
any type of records. The marriage books went from floor to ceiling along
the far wall. There was a ladder for the upper rows of books. They were
heavy books and hard for me to get but I did. I found my grandparents
marriage affidavits and certificate with their signatures on them. Also
my parents and many others. Copies could be made in the Clerks' Office. I
think $1.00 so most of them I just copied down.
I am so thankful I started my research then when all records were open to
us. Later, the death/birth records were locked up. The marriage, wills
etc., remained open to all. I belonged to Cass Co. Gen Society. Even tho
it was a small group, they did all they could to get the records open
again but couldn't.
All this time the Library Gen Room was under lock and key with, I
thought, an uninterested staff. I did get to look at the newspaper films
finding obits, etc. I also got info from the City Directories and some
death/burial records. But, it was under duress as the help made it plain
they considered me a pain in their neck.
As I work on my Gen books, now in 2003, I am so thankful I got these
records when I did. They are so precious to me even when I had to 'fight'
to get the helps attention.
The Funeral Homes in Logansport are very helpful, too. They have vast
records and copied them off and sent them to me here in Texas. In the
past year I have received burial records from them.. One had my gr
uncle's service number.
Even with all the hassle, now, I still think the place to find the
records we need are in the actual counties our ancestors were in at the
time of birth, marriage, death, etc. I have gotten lots of wonderful
information over the Internet but am still glad I started my research
when I did.
By the way Mr. Songer was a very nice man, interested in what research we
were involved. But this CC Gen Society was hard to get in as far as
acceptance. I went month after month with Mr. Songer and a lady by the
name of Kay accepting my presence. I have Kay last name in my records.
I have surely enjoyed our Library dialogues. I thought I was the only
frustrated researcher in Cass County. Sallie Lou Morris Nelson Tex via
Logansport and Deacon, Indiana.