Dear Buddy,
I think I can help you. Where are you from? Jasper is the county seat
of Dubois Co., IN. It is located on IN hwy 231. If you need help with
directions, I can probably help.
Are your ancestors Catholic, Lutheran or other? The Dubois Co. people
often stayed to themselves within their religious community.
The Whitaker and Beard names sound like names which might have been there
before the German influx which began about 1835, so they would be of English
descent.
Several weeks ago I went to Jasper to do research. The public library
has a very nice genealogy room with books, microfilm, and fiche. One of the
best things is an index and notes to Wilson's book on Dubois Co. The
librarians are very nice. If you want to copy, it costs .10 per copy and it
is meter fed, so when I go, I always pick up a couple of rolls of dimes. The
other place is the County Courthouse. You can't miss it because it is one of
the older situated courthouses which sits is the center of the town square.
They are open from 8A until 4P Eastern daylight time. Go down to the
basement. There you will find the old record room. A lady named Rose will
help you. They have wills, marriage licenses, deeds, court records, family
pedigree charts, etc.
The Dubois Co. Genealogical Society is $10.00 per year and can be
helpful.
If there is anything else I can help you with, let me know.
Happy hunting!!!
Jo Ann Wolff