Whitley County, Indiana Archives

Whitley County, Indiana
Archives

Important notice from Merri Frankle, the Whitley County File Manager regarding the marriage books:
Marriage License books (1838-1957) and Marriage Return books (1864-1946) were micro-filmed during the summer of 2006 and were unavailable for a period of time. The books have been returned to the archives. In an effort to protect and preserve the originals, the microfilm version is now being used for checking the records and for making copies.

In September 2005, the Archives moved to the new Whitley County Government Building on the north side of Van Buren Street a block west of the Court House.

Hours for Merri Frankle, the File Manager/Archivist are 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday. Call ahead to make sure she will be there.

Merri's priority is to help the County Workers locate records. However, she can do requested record lookups and copying if provided with the book and page number of the record. As time permits she can also help researchers who are welcome to come by in person to use the records.

Copies will cost $1 per page. This is just a copy, and is not certified. Those persons needing certified copies would need to go through the appropriate office.

If requesting copies via mail, payment should be made with a Check or Money Order; if in person, payment can be made with Cash, Check or a Money Order.

To ensure access to the records you need, contact the Whitley County File Manager via regular mail, email or phone. Please be patient, it may take some time for her to respond since she does have other duties.

Whitley County File Manager
220 W. Van Buren Street
Columbia City, Indiana 46275

email: wcfilemanager@whitleynet.org
phone: 260-248-3143
fax: 260-248-3182

Some of the Records available in the Archives

Clerk’s Records
    Marriages (ledgers, 1838 to present, indexed by individual ledger) Online Index 1838-1910 1911-1938
    Estates (Ledgers and packets accessible) Online index 1838-2000
    Guardianships (ledgers accessible; packets sorted from 1838 to present) Online index 1844-1925
    Circuit Court Civil (packets indexed from 1838-1873)
    Civil Order Books and some case packets remain in the clerk’s office. Includes divorces.
    Circuit Court Criminal (packets indexed from 1839-1873)
    Insanity Proceedings (packets and ledgers, indexed from 1850-1958)
    Coroner’s Inquests (not indexed, 1883-circa 1970)
    Physician’s licenses (ledgers, indexed, 1882-circa 1970)
    Nurse’s licenses (ledgers and certificates, indexed)
    Court of Common Pleas (packets indexed 1853-1871; includes divorces)
    Probate Proceedings (partitions, estate claims,ledgers and packets) Not sorted or indexed.

Auditor’s Records
    Transfer Books (1853-1915)
    Commissioner’s Records (1838-August, 1970)
    County Council Records (1899-1963)

Treasurer’s Records
Tax Duplicates (1859; 1881-present)

Recorder’s Records
    Mortgages (ledgers indexed by individual ledger, 1843-1942)
    Entry Books (circa 1877-March, 1992, some years missing)
    Chattel Mortgage (1885-1902)

Site Links
GSWC Website
Whitley County Resources
kinexxions.com