NOBLE COUNTY, IN HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

Historical and Biographical Counties of Whitley and Noble Indiana by Weston A Goodspeed And Charles Blanchard, (1882) – 958 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.16.0031.CD.AR

History of Northeast Indiana: Lagrange, Steuben, Noble and Dekalb Counties by Ira Ford (1920) – 614 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.22.1925.AR

Alvord’s History of Noble County, Indiana by Samuel E. Alvord (1902) – 762 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.22.1905.AR

Noble County and the Indiana Sesquicentennial by Norman J. Carter (1902) – 108 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.22.1910.AR

Popular History of Noble County Capitals and Greater Albion by George W. Roof (1908) – 338 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.22.1930.AR

Illustrated Historical Atlas of Noble County, Indiana by S. W. & P. A. Durant (1874) – 96 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.22.1935.AR

County History of Whitley and Noble, Indiana by Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard (1882) – 960 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.22.1900.AR

Noble County, Indiana: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of northeastern Indiana, Noble County is a region defined by its rolling farmland and an abundance of natural lakes, including the scenic Chain O’Lakes State Park. It is a largely rural county with a rich agricultural heritage, dotted with small towns and a history of industrial innovation. The area was famously home to author and naturalist Gene Stratton-Porter, whose work was inspired by the county’s natural beauty. Its history is a classic Midwestern story of Native American displacement, pioneer settlement, and agricultural development.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Noble County’s formation from its parent counties is the first step for locating the correct records for ancestors who were among the area’s early settlers.

  • 1836: County Formed: Noble County was authorized by an act of the Indiana General Assembly on February 7, 1835, and was officially organized in March 1836.
  • Parent County: It was created from the southern portion of LaGrange County and the eastern portion of Elkhart County. For a brief period before its organization, the land was attached to LaGrange County for administrative purposes. Records prior to 1836 for this area would be located in the records of these parent counties.
  • Subsequent County Formations: The boundaries of Noble County have remained stable since its formation.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Noah Noble, who was the fifth Governor of Indiana, serving at the time the county was created.
  • County Seat History: The first designated county seat was Augusta (now defunct). It was then moved to Port Mitchell before a permanent location was established in Albion in 1847, where it remains today.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was originally the territory of the Miami and Potawatomi peoples. A major trading post, the “forks of the Elkhart,” was located nearby. Treaties in the 1820s and 1830s led to the cession of these lands, opening them for formal American settlement.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant non-native settlement began in the early 1830s, primarily by pioneers migrating from New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. They were drawn by the fertile soil and abundant water. The economy was, and largely remains, based on agriculture (corn, soybeans, livestock). Later, manufacturing grew in towns like Kendallville (windmills) and Ligonier, and the county’s many lakes fostered a local tourism and recreation industry.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Noble County.

  • Courthouse: The Noble County Courthouse is located at 101 N Orange St, Albion, IN 46701.
    • The Clerk of the Circuit Court holds marriage records (from 1836), probate records (wills and estates), and court records.
    • The County Recorder holds land records (deeds and mortgages) from the county’s formation.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Official, county-level registration of births and deaths began in 1882. These records are held by the Noble County Health Department. Statewide registration began in 1907, and those records can be obtained from the Indiana Department of Health, but copies are also typically available at the county health office. For records prior to 1882, researchers must consult church records, newspapers, and cemetery records.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records are a major strength for Indiana researchers. Records from 1836 to the present are held by the Noble County Clerk. Many early records have been indexed and are widely available online and in print.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Noble County Public Library: The main branch in Albion houses the Iva G. Whan Genealogy & Local History Collection, which is the primary resource for family research in the county. It includes family histories, local records, newspapers on microfilm, and more.
    • Kendallville Public Library: Also maintains a strong local history collection with resources relevant to the northern part of the county.
    • Noble County Genealogical Society: An essential resource for queries, publications, and connecting with other local researchers.
    • Old Jail Museum: Run by the Noble County Historical Society in Albion, this museum offers historical context and may have archival collections.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • LaGrange County, IN
    • DeKalb County, IN
    • Allen County, IN
    • Whitley County, IN
    • Kosciusko County, IN
    • Elkhart County, IN

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks