Genealogy
The Main Library in Martinsville has an extensive genealogy collection that includes digitized records, microfilm, local histories, yearbooks and other records in paper form.
Due to the large volume of requests and the amount of time it takes for research, we now charge $3.00 per genealogy inquiry. This fee must be paid BEFORE research is started. Please allow 2-4 weeks for your request to be processed.
Click here to request an obituary.
Click here for all other genealogy requests.
Click here to contact our Genealogy Librarian
Click here to Book-a-Genealogy Librarian
DATABASES
UPDATE: Currently the following two indexes are no longer available. We are working on restoring this information. In the meantime, paper copies of this data are available in the genealogy area of the Morgan County.
Morgan County Cemetery Database – This database will help you find burial information for Morgan County. You can search by name, or you can view the records for an entire cemetery by selecting it from the drop-down menu.
Morgan County Obituary Finder – This database includes obituary information for Morgan County residents. If the death occurred before 2011, the listing indicates the date the obituary was printed in the local newspaper, which we have on microfilm in the library’s Genealogy/Local History Department.
HeritageQuest Online – Search Federal census records from 1790-1950, books, periodical literature, selected Revolutionary War records, Freedman’s Bank records and an Obituary Index from Newspapers.com. To use HeritageQuest outside of the Library, you must have a valid Morgan County Public Library card. NEW as of 2022: If you are a dues-paying member of the Morgan County History and Genealogy Association living outside of Morgan County, you may contact our Genealogy Librarian using the contact link above and request a HeritageQuest look-up for free. This is due thanks to the generosity of the Morgan County History and Genealogy Association who paid for 1/2 of the subscription to HeritageQuest.
Morgan County Probate Index – Completed with many thanks to our volunteer, Rachel. Links to surnames that begin with the letters A through Z.
dIGITAL FILES
Morgan County Hall of Fame – The Hall of Fame honors men and women who were born and/or resided in Morgan County and who achieved county and state or national prominence giving fame to Morgan County and beyond.
John Wooden – PLEASE USE GOOGLE CHROME FOR THESE FILES. Contains photos of John Wooden and his family and their ties to Morgan County.
Chronicles of Upper Burnet – Transcripts of a daily journal of events written by William Gregory Harrison, a farmer in Jefferson Township, Morgan County from 1880 to 1881.
More Morgan County High Schools – Find more yearbooks by scrolling down to “Morgan County” or use drop down menu to select “Morgan County.”
Yearbook of Martinsville High School, Morgan County, Indiana – 1909 Yearbook digitization courtesy of DAR member Patty and the Indiana Genealogical Society.
Students of Martinsville High School, Morgan County, Indiana – 1934 Yearbook digitization courtesy of DAR member, Patty and the Indiana Genealogical Society.
Students of Martinsvlle High School, Morgan County, Indiana – 1940 Yearbook digitization courtesy of DAR member, Patty and the Indiana Genealogical Society.
OTHER WEB RESOURCES
Indiana Resources
Morgan County History and Genealogy Association – Local organization dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of the genealogical and historical aspects of Morgan County. The website is currently under re-construction. Contact the genealogy librarian at the library if you have any questions.
Indiana Genealogical Society – Statewide organization dedicated not only to preservation of information regarding the early settlers of Indiana but also developing interest in the people who were responsible for forming the state of Indiana.
State Historic Architecture & Archaeology Record Database – Also known as SHAARD, this database may be used to search cultural resource information on known historic and archaeological resources throughout Indiana.
Indiana Naturalizations – Searchable database of persons who were naturalized in the state of Indiana before 1951.
Indiana Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project – For anyone interested in volunteering to restore a cemetery.
Indiana State Archives – Contains online indexes pertaining to primary-source and historical documents that relate to Indiana’s heritage.
Indiana County Research Guides – These Indiana County Research Guides provide an overview of information and resources available at the Indiana State Library as well as free resources from around the internet. The guides are not intended to be exhaustive, but merely to provide an introduction to research in Indiana.
Indiana State Library Genealogy Division – The State Library has one of the largest collections of family history information in the Midwest including 40,000 printed items. Some indexes and databases may be accessed online through their website.
Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society Listing – Link to a listing of Indiana’s History and Genealogy associations throughout the state.
Other Resources
African American Genealogy – A good place to start searching for your African American Ancestors (see also the Morgan County Public Library’s Heritage Quest databases).
Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records – Searchable database that provides access to more than five million Federal land title records issued beginning in 1820. Also includes images related to survey plats and field notes dating back to 1810.
Cemeteries – A cemetery transcription library for cemeteries around the world including collections containing flooded cemeteries, National cemeteries, etc.
Daughters of the American Revolution – Organization whose membership has ancestors who were involved in the Revolutionary War. Offers free searches of their records without having to be a member
Cyndi’s List – Categorized and cross-referenced list of free and subscription (payment required) resources available on the internet.
Dead Fred – Searchable genealogical/ancestral photo archive.
Ellis Island Records – Searchable database of 51 million passenger records.
FamilySearch – Family history and genealogy website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Find A Grave – Searchable database of over 210 million graves.
National Genealogical Society – Organization dedicated to the promotion of researching family history and a place to learn more about how to get started with your research.
The National Parks Service Civil War Project – A searchable index of Civil War Soldiers and Sailors.
Purchase Duplicate Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates from the UK – How to order birth records from the United Kingdom for a fee.
Roots Web – Search for ancestors near and far (worldwide).
Social Security Death Index – Free access to 89 million United States citizen death records.
State Libraries in the U.S. – State Libraries are a great place to start searching for ancestors who do not live in your area. Sometimes there are searchable databases of information available online. Or you may write and request the information you are seeking. Be sure to check for details such as the specific location, possible fees, forms to fill out and send in, etc.
USGenWeb – Genealogy information that is organized by State and County.
Wikipedia: List of online newspapers – some are free and some are not. Worldwide list including all of the United States. This list is not comprehensive but it is a good place to start searching for your ancestors.
WorldGenWeb – Similar to USGenWeb, but the genealogy information is organized by Country.
This page was updated on 10 April 2024 by the Morgan County Genealogist.