VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IN HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

A History of Evansville and Vanderburgh County Indiana by R.K. Anaugi, (1897) – 512 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.16.0002.CD.AR

Vanderburgh County, Indiana: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the southwestern corner of Indiana on the banks of the Ohio River, Vanderburgh County is the primary commercial, medical, and cultural hub for the tri-state region of Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. Centered around its principal city, Evansville, the county’s history is deeply connected to the river, fueled by significant German immigration and a strong industrial base. Its heritage is a story of riverfront commerce, manufacturing growth, and midwestern pioneer spirit.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Vanderburgh County’s creation from three parent counties is essential for locating the earliest records for pioneer ancestors in the area.

  • 1818: County Formed: Vanderburgh County was officially established on January 7, 1818, by an act of the Indiana General Assembly.
  • Parent Counties: It was created from portions of Gibson, Perry, and Warrick counties. Researchers seeking records prior to 1818 must consult the records of these parent counties, depending on the specific location of their ancestor’s land.
  • Subsequent County Formations: The boundaries of Vanderburgh County have remained largely stable since its formation, and it did not serve as a parent county for any subsequent counties.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Henry Vanderburgh, a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and later a judge for the Indiana Territory.
  • County Seat History: Evansville was designated as the county seat upon the county’s formation in 1818 and has remained the sole county seat throughout its history.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was home to ancient civilizations, most notably the Mississippian culture, whose impressive earthworks are preserved at the Angel Mounds State Historic Site. In the centuries before European settlement, the area was utilized by various Native American groups, including the Miami, Shawnee, and Piankeshaw peoples.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: American settlement began in the early 1800s, with the founding of Evansville by Hugh McGary Jr. in 1812. The Ohio River was the lifeblood of the early economy, making Evansville a key port for flatboats and steamboats. The economy boomed with the arrival of German immigrants in the mid-19th century, who brought skilled labor for industries like furniture making and brewing. The county grew into a major manufacturing center for furniture, cigars, and later, automobiles and refrigerators (Servel and Whirlpool).

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

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

  • Courthouse: The main county offices are located in the Civic Center Complex in Evansville. The Vanderburgh County Clerk holds marriage, probate, and court records from 1818. Land records (deeds and mortgages) are held by the Vanderburgh County Recorder at the same location.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: County-level registration began in 1882, and these records are held by the Vanderburgh County Health Department. Statewide registration in Indiana became mandatory in October 1907. Records after that date can be obtained from both the County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Health.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records are well-preserved and are available from 1818 to the present from the Vanderburgh County Clerk.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Willard Library: Located at 21 First Avenue, Evansville, IN 47710. This historic private library is a premier genealogical research center for the region, with an extensive collection covering the tri-state area and major migration routes.
    • Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library (EVPL): The Central Library, located at 200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Evansville, IN 47713, has a dedicated Indiana Room with significant local history and genealogy resources, including newspapers on microfilm, city directories, and family histories.
    • Vanderburgh County Historical Society: A valuable resource for local history, photographs, and family files.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Gibson County, IN
    • Warrick County, IN
    • Posey County, IN
    • Henderson County, KY

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