Allen County, Indiana Genealogy

Indiana Archives Digital Index Records

Just in time for Memorial Day - we’ve added new records to the Research Indiana Indexes. Now you’ll be able to search...

Posted by Indiana Archives and Records Administration on Friday, May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023 post by Indiana Archives and Records Administration on Facebook:

Just in time for Memorial Day - we’ve added new records to the Research Indiana Indexes.

Now you’ll be able to search for WWI and WWII Deceased military members.

Search the Index here: Indiana Archives Digital Index Records

 

Website: Military Records

FRIDAY FACT: In March 1925 the Indiana legislature passed a law making it a responsibility of county recorders to keep a...

Posted by Indiana Genealogical Society on Friday, December 13, 2013

Friday, December 13, 2013 post by the Indiana Genealogical Society on Facebook:

FRIDAY FACT: In March 1925 the Indiana legislature passed a law making it a responsibility of county recorders to keep a record of the discharge of soldiers in their area. The details of each discharge were to fit on one page and no fee was to be charged. Veterans are encouraged to file a copy of their separation from the military (known as a DD 214) with the county recorder where they are a resident. The Indiana State Archives also has copies of some DD 214s (see https://www.in.gov/iara/ for more information).

Source: Laws of the State of Indiana passed at the seventy-fourth regular session of the General Assembly begun on the eighth day of January A.D. 19425 (Indianapolis: William B. Burford, 1925).

Fort Wayne men who served with Colonel George Armstrong Custer in 1876

Private John Noonan is shown second from right in this public domain photo with Colonel George Armstrong Custer from the page Bloody Knife . He was an American Indian who served as a scout and guide for the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment. He was the favorite scout of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and has been called "perhaps the most famous Native American scout to serve the U.S. Army." The bear Custer shot and later said to be his greatest hunting achievement was during his Black Hills Expedition (1874) both on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

On June 25, 1876, exactly 144 years ago today, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Calvary into the Battle...

Posted by The History Center on Thursday, June 25, 2020

Thursday, June 25, 2020 post by The History Center on Facebook:

On June 25, 1876, exactly 144 years ago today, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Calvary into the Battle of the Little Bighorn, an event known to the ages as “Custer’s Last Stand.” Amongst the nearly 700 men of the 7th Calvary were 19 young men from Indiana, including Private George A. Bott and Corporal John Noonan of Fort Wayne. In May 1876, 12 companies of the 7th Calvary left Fort Abraham Lincoln in Dakota Territory and marched to the Yellowstone River. On June 15th, Corporal Noonan of Company L was detached to the Yellowstone Depot and thus he survived the Battle of Little Bighorn. Private Bott of Company A participated in the actual fighting and emerged unscathed. Little is known about Bott’s later life; however, Noonan’s life is better documented.

John Noonan (3rd from the left) was born in Fort Wayne in 1847; though not much is known about his early life in our community, he did enlist in the U.S. Army in 1865 in Fort Wayne and served until 1868. Noonan reenlisted in 1872 and would eventually serve with the 7th Calvary for four years. In 1873, John Noonan married Mrs. James Nash, a laundress and midwife at Fort Lincoln. On October 30, 1878, Noonan’s wife passed away while he was out in the field. On her deathbed, Mrs. Noonan requested that she be quickly buried and in the same clothes that she died in. Disregarding these wishes, the deceased was given to the women of the fort in order to prepare her body for burial. During preparation, it was discovered that Mrs. Noonan was a man. As one historian described: “When the truth was finally known, Noonan became the butt of many uncomplimentary jokes. Eventually it was more than he could handle.” After enduring weeks of insults from his peers, on November 30, 1878 John Noonan shot himself and died of this self-inflicted wound. Both Mr. and Mrs. Noonan were buried in the post cemetery and upon the closure of Ft. Lincoln were moved along with the rest of the cemetery’s residents to the Custer National Cemetery in Montana. #sociallyhistory

1. George A. Bott a private was born in 1853 Fort Wayne, it is unknown when or where he died, and John Noonan (John McKinney) a corporal born in 1846 Fort Wayne, committed suicide November 30, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. His suicide is explained in the article Noonan’s Last Stand “We was flabbergasted” written by Paul Andrew Hutton was published December 01, 2005 and updated January 20, 2023 in True West Preserving the American West magazine. Both men served in the Seventh U.S. Cavalry under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. On June 25, 1876, Custer’s troops were defeated at the Battle of Little Big Horn in Montana.
2. The Indiana Historical Society has a three page paper the List of Indiana Soldiers Who Served with Custer in the Seventh Cavalry, Extracted from Men with Custer: Biographies of the 7th Cavalry in 1876, edited by Ronald H. Nichols (2000) by Paul A. Carr and Melinda Moore Weaver. Biographies for these men are found in the book Men With Custer: Biographies of the 7th Calvary, June 25, 1876, edited by Ronald H. Nichols (Hardin, MT: Custer Battlefield Historical and Museum Association, 2000).
3. The Men Who Won 'Custer's Last Stand' video about David Humphreys Miller from Van Wert, Ohio while a high school student traveled to South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, interviewed and painted portraits of the the survivors of the 1876 Battle of the Little Big Horn by Eric Olson published March 23, 2017 on 21AliveNews.com.

Allen County Military Information

November 14, 2023 post by the Allen County Recorder's Office on Facebook:

Last week Recorder Nicole Keesling was joined by Allen County Commissioner Rich Beck, Allen County Veteran Services Officer Joe Wasson, Allen County Surveyor Mike Fruchey, and Prosecutor Mike McAlexander from the Allen County Prosecutor's Office for a press conference on the services that are available to the over 22,000 veterans that live in Allen County.

21Alive

Allen County Veterans’ Service Office assists veterans and their families: “It is our turn to help them.”

The Journal Gazette

County prosecutor gets veteran rewards card from recorder's office

1. American Legion Post 241, 7605 Bluffton Road, on Facebook.
2. American Legion - Fort Wayne, Indiana Post #499, 2202 West Main Street, on Facebook.
3. Disabled American Veterans Chapter#40 Allen County, Indiana on Facebook.
4. Military History of Fort Wayne on Facebook.

5. VFW Jim Eby Post 857 Organization was originally Chartered on January 13, 1922. It is the 2nd oldest. 2202 West Main Street, on Facebook. Occupies the former Orff homestead who established the Orff Mill in the early 1840s.

   Hello Comrades and supporters, Last night's presentation from the City Engineer, in which the speakers were...

   Posted by VFW Jim Eby Post 857 Organization on Thursday, July 18, 2024

   Thursday, July 18, 2024 post by the VFW Jim Eby Post 857 Organization on Facebook:

   Hello Comrades and supporters,

   Last night's presentation from the City Engineer, in which the speakers were comprehensive, shared a presentation that should be already available on there website.

   I encourage you to review the attached picture for details about the project scope.

   - The project is scheduled to take place from late 2024 to 2026;
   - The roundabout will include the construction of a 35-foot-tall military wounded veteran Memorial, as depicted in the attached picture.

   On behalf of the VFW, I expressed our first collective concerns about our weekly delivery trucks during the project period, as they will be coming through the alley, which is set to be paved soon.

   I ask for your patience as the project progresses. Remaining flexible is essential, as factors such as material arrival, workforce, weather, and contracts can impact the project timeline.

   Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

   Have a good day!
   VFW Commander 23-24

October 8, 2019 post by The History Center on Facebook:

Since the founding of the first American fort at the Three Rivers on October 22, 1794, there has been a continuous American military presence in our community. During the month of October, the History Center celebrates our military heritage by sharing artifacts covering the last 225 years. Today we share some artifacts from our collection representing the military presence in our county from the 20th century. #sociallyhistory

1. Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services, 1841 Allen County in the State of Indiana lists 3 names: Michael Crance 97 Wayne, Charles Weeks 79 Perry, William Berry 76 Cedar. (Source: Internet Archive)
2. List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883  on page 4-8 from Allen County, Indiana
3. History of the 160th Ind. vol. infantry in the Spanish-American war, with biographies of officers and enlisted men and rosters of the companies.. by George B Bowers on Archive.org.
4. GE’s WWI memorial merits care A memorial to GE workers who served in World War I was erected by fellow employees on Nov. 11, 1924, has hundreds of names on it, all GE employees who served in World War I. Included are the names of six GE employees who died in the war. By Frank Gray published November 20, 2012 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. General Electric Company Donates WWI Memorial to City on City of Fort Wayne Indiana Parks & Recreation. On May 24, 2013, the City of Fort Wayne rededicated it at its new location in McCulloch Park from GE Donates World War 1 Memorial to Fort Wayne, Indiana by PB Cora published May 29, 2013 on WWI Centenail Network America Remembers the Great War archived on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
5. The Purple Heart by Nancy McCammon-Hansen posted January 7, 2015 on the History Center Notes & Queries blog.

August 30, 2023 post by the City of Fort Wayne Government on Facebook:

A tribute to our veterans.

Residents are invited to attend a dedication ceremony for the new Fort Wayne Veterans Memorial Bridge on Sunday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Read more: COMMUNITY INVITED TO FORT WAYNE VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE DEDICATION

John McGauley

War Veteran Stories

1. Legacies of WWII were published by The News-Sentinel newspaper online but disappeared when the site went offline in October 2023. Articles should be on newspaper microfilm at the The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
2. LEGACIES OF the KOREAN WAR and HONOR FLIGHT stories also went offline.
3. Honor Flight Northeast Indiana always in search for more volunteers and veterans - May 11, 2018 - In J.M. Flagg's infamous recruiting poster released in the thick of World War I, Uncle Sam's emphatic finger point with the phrase "I Want YOU for the U.S. Army" was ingrained into the memory of the generations of people that fought in World War I and World War II.
4. HONOR FLIGHT: Marine artilleryman Ken Bosworth can still recall horrific carnage of battle on Okinawa - May 9, 2018 - This is the third in a series of stories on local veterans that took part in the Honor Flight Northeast Indiana trip to Washington D.C. on April 25. 
5. HONOR FLIGHT: Dewey Price finds a serene retirement in Nappanee after serving in Vietnam, Bosnia and Iraq - May 8, 2018 - This is the second in a series of stories on local veterans that took part in the Honor Flight Northeast Indiana trip to Washington D.C. on April 25.
6. HONOR FLIGHT: After seven decades, memories of Okinawa still fresh for Huntertown’s Walter Hansen - May 7, 2018 - It has been 73 years since Huntertown resident Walter Hansen fought on Okinawa, yet the vivid memories and emotions are as if it happened yesterday. Hansen does not shy away from speaking about the majority of his experiences in World War II.
7. American Veterans Show is a YouTubeof local veterans posted since January 2012 by Dale Parish filmed by Fort Wayne Public Access at the Allen County Public Library.
8. Homeless veteran to receive military burial: Area groups honor a man whose life remains a mystery by Rosa Salter Rodriquez published March 30, 2016 in The Journal Gazette newspaper now on Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Photos of the Funeral of John Pawlowski were published March 31, 2016 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
9. An ocean away, Fort Wayne native Brandon Parrish serves in U.S. navy, lives in Europe, supports NATO mission 2012 South Side High School graduate and Fort Wayne native by Brian T. Glunt publilshed August 11, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.

10. October 26, 2022 post by Kayleen Reusser Media on Facebook:

    Army vet Mike Blough greets Army vet Fritz Bultemeyer and Air Force vet Dr. Al Brothers. Mrs. Bultemeyer, also an Army vet, looks on. Whew! The book launch for Voices From Vietnam: Stories of War in my hometown of Bluffton Indiana is over! A great group of people showed up at the Wells County Public Library to meet and talk with some of the 18 men featured in this book....

    Book launch for ‘Voices From Vietnam: Stories of War’ Is in the Books! at Writing of Kayleen Reusser blog.

Indiana Military Information

November 24, 2023 post by Indiana Historical Bureau on Facebook:

#OTD in 1889, veterans arrived in Marion to help construct the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (NHDVS). At the end of the Civil War, the U.S. undertook care of disabled Union veterans in a system of homes known as the NHDVS which provided members health care, training, work, and recreation events.

In 1920, the Marion branch was converted into a neuropsychiatric hospital for World War I veterans. As part of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, the facility continues to care for veterans. Learn more about the NHDVS with our Indiana state historical marker: Marion Branch NHDVS

The image below, showing the grounds of the Marion NHDVS, is from the Indiana State Library Genealogy Collection.

1. 1812 Burials in the State of Indiana compliments of Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Indiana archived on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Current site: https://indiana1812.org/
2. Indiana Military Records wiki at FamilySearch.org.
3. Indiana Military Records on INGenWeb
4. Indiana State Library World War II Servicemen Database Index is an index of Indianapolis newspapers (News, Star, and Times) for notices of casualties, missing military personnel, prisoners, and decorations of Indiana servicemen and women.
5. Indiana Soldiers & Sailors Children's Home at the Indiana Archives and Records Administration.
6. Record of Indiana Volunteers in the Spanish-American War 1898-1899 - no longer online
7. Indiana Veterans of World War I
8. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975 About this collection Following the conclusion of the French Indochina War in 1954, Vietnam was divided into communist North Vietnam and noncommunist South Vietnam. In the late 1950s, North Vietnam activated communist cadres in the South in an effort to take the country by force. Concerned that these actions might trigger a wider war in the area, America pursued intervention eventually committing armed forces in March 1965. Hoosiers volunteered and/or were drafted to serve in all military capacities during what became a controversial conflict at home (known in America as the Vietnam War). In 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed. U.S. troops were withdrawn and many prisoners of war were repatriated. North Vietnamese forces overran the South Vietnamese army by 1975 and created a unified, communist Vietnam. At We Do History online digital collection by the Indiana Historical Society.

United States Military Information

1. 1922 - What We Have Done for the Veteran

   Article from Apr 22, 1922 The Fort Wayne Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1922, Veterans

   1922 - What We Have Done for the Veteran The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, Apr 22, 1922, Page 4

2. American Battle Monuments Commission - government site commemorates armed forces
3. America's Wars - how many served in each war from Department of Veteran Affairs

4. On August 7, Americans commemorate the establishment of the Purple Heart, the nation's oldest military honor for...

   Posted by US National Archives on Monday, August 7, 2023

   Monday, August 7, 2023 post by the US National Archives on Facebook:

   On August 7, Americans commemorate the establishment of the Purple Heart, the nation's oldest military honor for valor.

   The Purple Heart is one of the most recognizable decorations awarded to service members who have been hurt or killed by enemy action while serving in the U.S. military. Its origins can be found as far back as the American Revolution. George Washington designed the "Badge of Military Merit" toward the close of the American Revolution to honor the sacrifices and accomplishments of enlisted soldiers. Only three enlisted men received the badge, and after Washington's Presidency, it became dormant for more than a century. After World War I, Gen. Charles Summerall started a drive to bring back the honor and submitted his idea to Congress, but the bill died in committee in 1928 and was not revived until 1931. Gen. Douglas MacArthur modified the name to the Purple Heart in 1932.

   Visit the Pieces of History blog to learn more about the Purple Heart's past recipients and history:
   Tag: Purple Heart

   Image: Purple Heart, 1943.
   Purple Heart

    

   The Badge of Military Merit / The Purple Heart explains the history of the Purple Heart medal originating from August 7, 1782 when General George Washington devised two new badges of distinction for enlisted men and noncommissioned officers on the U.S. ARMY CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY website archived on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.

5. Clues for Discovering Military Service by Amy Johnson Crow

6. November 11, 2022 by US National Archives on Facebook:

   History Hub - Are you searching for Navy deck logs or Army unit histories? Records from the Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard?

   Get started researching your family's military service history with #HistoryHub's Military Records Community this #VeteransDay. Military Records.

7. History of Veterans Day from United States Department of Veteran Affairs archived on Internet Archive Wayback Machine.

8. In 1908, the Signal Corps considered the future value of airplanes in warfare and solicited bids to purchase one....

   Posted by Fold3 on Sunday, July 30, 2023

   Sunday, July 30, 2023 post by Fold3 on Facebook:

   In 1908, the Signal Corps considered the future value of airplanes in warfare and solicited bids to purchase one. Pictured here are military officials and curious civilians watching as an early Wright Flyer is moved into a hangar. Discover your military ancestors Search over 640 million records.

9. Artwork: "1ST Military Flight, Fort Meyer, Virginia ". Artist: Joe Pisani https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6375540...

   Posted by Today's Document on Tuesday, July 30, 2024

   Tuesday, July 30, 2024 post by Today's Document on Facebook:

   Artwork: "1ST Military Flight, Fort Meyer, Virginia ". Artist: Joe Pisani

   https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6375540

   Record Group 330: Records of the Office of the Secretary of DefenseSeries: Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files

   This item is a color drawing. An early biplane flies above a green field while a small crowd of people in early 20th century clothing watches. On the left hand side there is a tree stump with portraits of Orville and Wilbur Wright. The words “Ft. Myer, July 30, 1909” are carved into the stump.

10. How did “Taps” originate? by Elizabeth Nix published April 15, 2016 on History.com.
11. The 1973 Fire, National Personnel Records Center at The National Archives at St. Louis. On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF). The fire destroyed 80% of records for Army personnel discharged November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1960 and 75% of Air Force personnel discharged September 25, 1947 to January 1, 1964 (with names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.).
12. Memorial Day History at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
13. The National ArchivesVeterans' Service Records and Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773 - 2007
14. National Cemetery Administration at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
15. The Remarkable and Complex Legacy of Native American Military Service Why do they serve? The answer is grounded in honor and love for their homeland by Alicia Ault Museums Correspondent November 11, 2020 in Smithsonian Magazine. See our Indians - Native Americans page.
16. Ordering a Headstone, Marker or Medallion for a Veteran Buried in a Private Cemetery at United States Department of Veteran Affairs - The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 38.632 "Headstone and Marker Application Process" became effective on July 1, 2009. This regulation describes the processes required to apply for a Government headstone and marker, as well as request a new emblem of belief be added to the list of emblems available for inscription on headstones and markers. ... If someone other than the NOK is applying for the headstone, marker or medallion, the application package must include a written statement signed by the NOK or decedent authorizing that person (the applicant) to apply for this benefit. A notarized statement is not required for these purposes.
17. United States, Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933 - on FamilySearch.org
18. Veteran History Project - The Library of Congress - the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

19. September 2, 2019 post by GenTracer on Facebook:

    Describes the removal and conditions of our treatment of Enemy Aliens (Japanese, German, and Italian) during World War II. Presented 21 February 2019 at Cafe Grand Prix in Salt Lake City, UT.

    [ starts with World War I Alien Camps ]

20. May 20, 2023 post by Amy Johnson Crow on Facebook:

    What does "No man left behind" truly mean? For Megan Smolenyak, it means working to identify service members from past conflicts, finding their families, and bringing them home in the process of military repatriation.

    She and I discuss Army Repatriation - a perfect topic with Memorial Day approaching. It’s time to continue to honor our fallen soldiers - and help them finally return to their families.

    Learn more here: https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/army-repatriation.../

21. January 10, 2024 post by WANE 15 on Facebook:

    During Governor Eric Holcomb’s final State of the State address, the widow of a fallen marine was honored. He recognized Lauren Tomkiewicz's efforts to create a new design for license plates for Gold Star Families.

    Governor Holcomb honors Fort Wayne widow during State of the State

22. February 1, 2024 post by VFW Jim Eby Post 857 Organization on Facebook:

    FEBRUARY 1 is known as Blue Star Mother's Day!

    To all mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans. They support each other and their children while promoting patriotism.

    Thank you!

    VFW Post 857

AncestryPaths.com has several pages with links to Archive.org or Google ebooks - they all are searchable and freely available

1. Official Army Register for the United States - United States Army register 1813 to 1969. Early years are clustered around war years.
2. DAR Lineage Book first 60 volumes of the DAR Lineage Books.
3. DAR National Directory 1896 to 1911 containing names, addresses and national member numbers for over 50,000 DAR members.
4. Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine 29 volumes spanning 30 years (1893 to 1923).
5. Medals of Honor 1862-1923 four volumes
   
6. Official Register of the United States 90 volumes of the Official Register of the United States 1816 to 1959. Include names and salaries of all civil servants and in some cases members of the military as well.
7. Register of the Department of State Persons employed in the department and diplomatic, consular and territorial service. 38 volumes cover 1870 to 1950 showing staff names and salaries.
8. Society of Colonial Wars over 85 books covering the officers and members of the Society of Colonial Wars written between 1893 and 1921. National membership level and State level.
9. Sons of the American Revolution over 130 books published between 1889 and 1930, details about the membership, including the National Society and State level societies.
10. Sons of the Revolution links to 150 books published between 1884 and 1923 with details about the membership, including the National Society and State level societies.
11. United States Revolution Military pensions interesting collection of books covering the Revolutionary War Military Pension lists and property rights for soldiers.