Rich -
You should definitely start at TIPCOA which is located in the Alameda
McCullough Library. There are city directories beginning about 1861,
plus card files of marriages, court records, family records, military
service, cemetery listings, and obituraries. They have most of the
early court record books and marriage records, they even have mine
(1970). They have the census for Tippecanoe and surrounding counties,
and a good collection of books from other areas.
Tippecanoe County Library, which is just down the street, has all the
census records for Indiana, plus county histories on microfilm, civil
war index for IN on microfilm, city directories both books and on film,
and newspapers on microfilm from 1833 until now. There is an index to
the newspapers from 1905-1955. There are also a few county histories in
book form in the Indiana Room, and some genealogical books as well, such
as Tippecanoe Co. WPA, some cemetery books, etc. The hours for the
county library are 9-9 M-Th and 9-6 Fri-Sun.
You can also go to the county office building and check the land record
books at the recorder's office. They are pretty helpful.
I have heard that White County (Monitcello) has a nice selection of
materials, but I have not been there to check it out myself. Their
hours conflict with mine, 8-2 M, W, F. Carroll Co. has a nice library
in the courthouse (in Delphi), but I'm not sure of their hours either,
it's been a while since I've been there. But the lady that is in charge
is very helpful. Her name is Phyllis Moore.
The Indiana State Library would probably also be a good place to check.
It's pretty easy to get to from Lafayette and is only an hour away.
If you have time, and you've never been to the Allen Co. Public Library
in Fort Wayne, it would be worth the drive even if for just a day, but
you should probably count on at least 2 days! It is truly a
genealogist's paradise!! Fort Wayne is about 3 hours from Lafayette.
While you're here, be sure to check out the sites - The Tippecanoe
Battlefield, Fort Ouiatenon, PURDUE university, the Fowler House Museum
which is just across the street from Alameda McCullough Library. If you
are here on the 16th of May, the Historical Assoc. is having a cemetery
walk at the Greenbush Cemetery (see the events page).
This should get ya started and keep you busy while you're here.
Adina Watkins Dyer, coordinator
Tippecanoe Co. IN USGenWeb Project
http://www.rootsweb.com/~intippec/index.html
INTIPPEC-L: Discussion list for Tippecanoe Co. IN Genealogy and History
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.