MARTIN COUNTY, IN HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
*None Listed
Martin County, Indiana: A Genealogical Overview
Located in the rugged, hilly terrain of southern Indiana, Martin County is a rural region characterized by its dense forests, including a large portion of the Hoosier National Forest. Its history and economy are deeply connected to its natural resources and the White River, which flows through it. The county’s development was profoundly shaped by early pioneer settlement, the timber industry, and later, the establishment of the massive Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, which remains a dominant economic force.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Martin County’s formation from a much larger parent county and its dramatic early county seat changes is critical for locating the correct records for ancestors in the region.
- 1820: County Formed: Martin County was established on February 1, 1820, by an act of the Indiana General Assembly.
- Parent County: It was created from the northern portion of Daviess County and a piece of unorganized territory to the east. Records prior to 1820 for this area would be located in Daviess County records, and even earlier records may be found in Knox County, from which Daviess was formed.
- Subsequent County Formations: The county’s boundaries have been relatively stable, with one notable change in 1823 when a small portion of its territory was given to Lawrence County.
- Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Major John T. Martin of Newport, Kentucky, a U.S. Army officer.
- County Seat History: Martin County has a complex county seat history crucial for researchers. The first county seat was Hindostan (1820-1828), a promising town that was wiped out by disease and subsequently abandoned. The seat was then moved to Mount Pleasant (1828-1844). Finally, it was moved to a more central location, first called Halbert’s Bluff, which was soon renamed Shoals, where it remains today. Early records may be found under these former jurisdictions.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was historically the territory of the Miami and Piankeshaw peoples, who used the White River and its tributaries as vital transportation and resource corridors. Most were removed from the area following treaties in the early 19th century.
- Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant American settlement began in the 1810s, with settlers migrating up the White River from states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. The early economy was based on subsistence farming, logging the vast hardwood forests, and flatboat trading on the river. The construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal through the area briefly spurred growth. In the 20th century, the establishment of the Crane Naval Ammunition Depot (now NSWC Crane) during World War II transformed the county’s economy and demographics. The county is also home to significant German Catholic and Amish communities.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Martin County.
- Courthouse: Martin County Courthouse: Located at 220 N. Main Street, Shoals, IN 47581. The Martin County Clerk’s Office is the primary repository for marriage records (from 1820), probate (wills and estates), and court records. Land records (deeds) are held by the Martin County Recorder at the same location.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Official registration in Indiana began in 1882. Records from that date are held by the Martin County Health Department. For records prior to 1882, researchers must consult non-governmental sources such as church records, cemetery inscriptions, family bibles, and newspapers.
- Marriage Records: Marriage records are one of the most complete collections and are available from the county’s formation in 1820 to the present. They are held by the Martin County Clerk.
- Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
- Martin County Public Library: With locations in Shoals and Loogootee, the library system maintains local history and genealogy collections, including microfilm of newspapers and local family files.
- Martin County Historical Society: Located at 310 Line Street, Shoals, IN 47581. This is a crucial resource for local history, photographs, and family records.
- Indiana State Library: (Located in Indianapolis) This is the main repository for statewide genealogical research, holding extensive microfilm collections of county records, newspapers, and state archives.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Greene County, IN
- Lawrence County, IN
- Orange County, IN
- Dubois County, IN
- Daviess County, IN