Family History

Family History Research

The IHS library’s vast collection of manuscripts, visual materials and rare published volumes help create a clearer image and understanding of the time in which your ancestors lived. Maps, on-site genealogy databases, Civil War diaries, club and organizational records and personal papers are among the many treasures that may help in illuminating the past and discovering your ancestors.

Through our publications, programs, and library and archives, we can connect you with your Hoosier ancestors, and to the tools and knowledge to learn about the people, events, and time in other places, too. Why does Family History matter? Digging into our own history helps us to better connect to others, connect to Indiana’s unique stories, and brings us together in remembering and sharing the past.

IHS has been publishing indexes and research guides for primary source material and the journal THG: Connections for more than half a century. As family historians progressed from simply tracking ancestors to learning about their lives, IHS’s other books became important for learning about Indiana’s families and communities. Today, IHS Press indexes and other data are published in Online Connections.

Learning How and Doing Family History and Genealogy Research

We offer a collection of tools for access onsite and/or from home. These tools include assistance by our library staff via email, by calling our Library Reference Desk at 317-234-0321, or by visiting the William H. Smith Memorial Library. See our Using Our Library page for information about visiting the library. These services include providing referrals to our colleagues across the state for those questions for which we don’t hold the resources. The IHS Library is happy to provide all our members with one free hour of research, a $30 value, per membership year. These requests can be on any topic, but are often family history related questions. Research services, beyond the free hour for members, is available to anyone interested in our librarians doing research for them, email our library staff for more details.

Search our calendar for upcoming programs and explore recorded segments of previous Family History programs for more research tips.

Tips

• Building a Research Team
• Create a Research Log
• Source Inspiration
• Exposed Top Genealogy Myths

Exploring Source Types

• Funeral Cards & Obituaries

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