Hendricks County residents who graduated from Purdue University, West Lafayette (1953)

source: Coatesville Herald (Coatesville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 4, 1953 - page 1, column 4:

BROWNSBURG:
Robert B. WARRICK - Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering
John W. WILSON - Bachelor of Science in Forestry

COATESVILLE:
Merrill Thomas McCAMMACK - Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

DANVILLE:
Robert L. ELSON - Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

PITTSBORO:
Thomas R. McCLUNG - Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Indiana changes marriage law (1958)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 19, 1957 - page 1, column 3:

CLERK HUGHES SAYS MARRIAGE LAW IS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1
Claude Hughes, clerk of the Hendricks County Circuit Court, announces that changes made by the 1957 General Assembly in the marriage laws will be effective January 1, 1958.

The most radical changes in the new law are:

1. Three full days must elapse after making application for a license before the marriage license can be issued.
2. Couple must have written proof of their ages.
3. A written medical examination report must be submitted at the time the application is made.
4. The county fee for the license is $5.00 payable with the application.
5. Written consent must be given if the male is under 21 years of age or the female under 18 years of age.
6. One or both must be residents of the county where the license is obtained. If both applicants live out of state, then they must be married in the county where the license is obtained.

NOTE: Before this, the fee for the marriage license was $2, and the marriage license could be issued immediately after the application was filled out.

Adoption of Judith Ann, Janice Rae & Katherine Joan LAYMON (1958)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 6, 1958 - page 2, column 4:

According to a public notice, in February 1958, there was a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (Docket Book 184, Page 532) to adopt Judith Ann Laymon, Janice Rae Laymon and Katherine Joan Laymon. Their biological father was identified as Frederick Franklin Laymon, and his residence was unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard on March 29, 1958.

List of Amo High School graduates in 1959 added

An index of the students who graduated from Amo High School in 1959 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from a May 22, 1959 commencement program, which is in the collection of the Plainfield library.

Jack COONS of North Salem dies (1984)

source: Crawfordsville Journal Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 1, 1984 - page 2:

[obituary courtesy of Karen Zach]

NORTH SALEM - William C. "Jack" Coons, 70, of North Salem, died at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday in Methodist Hospital at Indianapolis.

He was retired from the State Highway Department and Moreland Elevator at Salem. He also was a 1933 graduate of North Salem High School.

Mr. Coons was born Dec. 3, 1913, in Boone County, a son of Otis and Stella Day Coons. He was married to Eleanor Tanselle on May 13, 1939. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons Dwayne of Brownsburg and Darrell of New Ross; a brother, Gene of North Vernon; a sister Verie Hicks of Indianapolis; and two grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Porter Funeral Home at North Salem with the Rev. Mark Dodd officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Plainfield and Brownsburg get direct dial telephone service (1957)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 27, 1957 - page 1, columns 6-7

According to a June newspaper article, on August 4 at 2:01 am, the towns of Plainfield and Brownsburg were to go live with direct dialing of telephone calls, using new phones that had rotary dials. Before that, if a resident wanted to make a call, they had to lift up the receiver and ask the operator to complete the call. As with when Danville got direct dial service in 1954, Plainfield and Brownsburg got phone numbers that started with two letters and then had 5 numbers. The 2-letter prefix was given a name to make it easier to remember - Danville's prefix was SH ("Sherwood"); Plainfield's prefix was TE ("Terrace") and Brownsburg's prefix was UL ("Ulrick").

By having Plainfield and Brownsburg join the Indiana Bell telephone exchange, calls made between Danville, Plainfield and Brownsburg were now local calls - previously they were long-distance calls, subject to additional charges beyond the basic monthly rate.

Hendricks County Circuit Court complete book index (1892-1895) added

An index of Hendricks County Circuit Court Complete Records Book volume 11 (22 April 1892 - 9 March 1895) has been added to the Civil Court Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. A complete record book contains an extensive summary of a civil case from its beginning to its end. Making a complete record of a civil case was not a requirement - it required the lawyer to pay an additional fee to the clerk - so most civil cases are not included in these books. The option of having a complete record made of a civil case was abolished in Indiana by 1920.

The complete records books of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for volumes 2 through 16 (1834-1920) have been microfilmed. That microfilm is available for viewing locally at the Plainfield Public Library and the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, and it can also be ordered through FamilySearch.

St. Augustine Episcopal Church opens in Danville (1957)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana), issue of Thursday, August 1, 1957 - page 1

According to an August 1, 1957 newspaper article, ground was to be broken on Sunday, August 4, 1957 for the St. Augustine Episcopal Church on North Washington Street (aka Old Lebanon Road) in Danville. The land for the church had been donated by Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Eckler. The church was to cost $50,000. The church was actually completed in December 1957, with dedication ceremonies held on Sunday, December 22, 1957 (source: December 19, 1957 newspaper article).

NOTE: Today St. Augustine's remains at the same site - address 600 North Washington Street.

Calvary Methodist Church to open in Brownsburg (1957)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 16, 1957 - page 1, column 3:

CHURCH PLANNED AT BROWNSBURG
Property owned by Mrs. Joseph F. Sheetz, Brownsburg, has been purchased for the site of a new Calvary Methodist Church at Brownsburg, according to Louis Reynolds, pastor.

The site is at the south edge of Brownsburg where two new subdivisions are in the process of completion.

The tract, containing over six acres, is located at 409 South Green Street. The Sheetz home will be used for church activities until construction of the new building.

The construction will begin as soon as adequate funds are raised and architect's plans are approved.

Members of the committee for selection of the site were William Patterson, chairman; Fred Hallett, Earl Neese, Walter Bertzing and Leo Newby.

[NOTE: The Green Street location was near the intersection of Tilden Road. In 2006 the church (which is now known as Calvary United Methodist Church) moved to the west end of Northfield Drive in Brownsburg, across from the Lowe's store and the Kohl's shopping center. The former site on Green Street then became the site of the Brownsburg Meadows retirement home].

Hendricks County residents who graduated from Purdue University (1926)

source: A commencement program for Purdue University, West Lafayette for June 15, 1926:

CLAYTON:
John Lorin Richardson - Master of Science in Agriculture

DANVILLE:
Harold Jasper Thompson - Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Glenn Edwin Vogel - Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

HAZELWOOD:
Roy Sigler Hazelwood - Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

PITTSBORO:
Ulysses Byron Yeager - Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Hendricks County estate index for 1984 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1984 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1984; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Ted Evan ANDREWS saved from drowning (1957)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 21, 1957 - page 1, column 6:

LITTLE ANDREWS SAVED FROM POND
Little Ted Evan Andrews, "almost-four"-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Andrews of Danville, enjoyed a delayed piece of birthday cake, Sunday, at his home, after he was rushed to the Methodist Hospital for a checkup following an ill-fated exploration of a pond behind the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Faris, 8613 Paddock Road, Indianapolis.

Ted and his parents had gathered at the Faris home with 30 other relatives to celebrate a giant triple birthday dinner honoring three family members, including Ted, who will be four years old on December 15.

Only minutes after the 30 celebrants sat down to dinner, someone noticed that Ted was missing. The boy's panic-stricken mother, Doris, age 27, spotted the child floating face down in the muddy pond.

She and a cousin, Harold David Bales, age 15, waded into the water and dragged him back to land. Ted was not breathing. His body was cold and blue.

But his father, athletic director at Decatur Central High School, moved fast. He placed Ted on the ground and applied artificial respiration. Within two or three minutes Ted started breathing.

"I've had a lot of training in artificial respiration, but never thought I'd have to use it on my own boy," Ted's father said.

Adoption of Charles Keith LAW (1956)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 23, 1956 - page 2, column 3:

According to a public notice, in February 1956, Nita L. Leonard was petitioning the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case #146) to adopt a child, Charles Keith Law. His biological father was identified as John Law, and according to the affidavit of Rosemary Hodge, he was not a resident of Indiana. The petition was scheduled to be heard on March 16, 1956.

List of Lizton grade school students in 1967 added

An index of the Lizton students in grades 1 through 6 in 1967 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1967 yearbook, Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

2 Plainfield newspapers merge (1956)

source The Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 20, 1956 - page 1, columns 5-6:

According to a newspaper article, in December 1956, The Friday Caller (owned by Mrs. Grace M. Jackson) announced it had been sold to The Plainfield Messenger (owned by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Curtis and Don Cochran). The Friday Caller was established in 1934; The Plainfield Messenger was established in 1866. In August 1956, Grace M. Jackson had retired and leased The Friday Caller to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hopper, who had since joined the staff at the Indianapolis Star. The Hoppers' lease of The Friday Caller was then terminated to allow its sale to the Plainfield Messenger. The first combined issue of the Plainfield newspaper was to be published on January 3, 1957, with the masthead of the Messenger to include a line that referenced the Friday Caller.

Adoption of Juinita EDWARDS (1956)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 19, 1956 - page 2, column 3:

According to a public notice, in April 1956, Rex E. Edwards and wife Orpha Edwards were petitioning the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case #155) to adopt a child, Juinita Edwards. Her biological mother was identified as Lillieth Edwards, and according to the affidavit of A.M. Watkins, she was not a resident of Indiana. The petition was scheduled to be heard on April 10, 1956.

Adoption of Terry George CHRIST, II (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 27, 1980 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in November 1980 Kenneth Edward Farley filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-29) to adopt Terry George Christ, II (age 9). His biological father, Terry George Christ, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Hendricks County Circuit Court complete book index (1895-1900) added

An index of Hendricks County Circuit Court Complete Records Book volume 12 (7 February 1895 - 24 April 1900) has been added to the Civil Court Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. A complete record book contains an extensive summary of a civil case from its beginning to its end. Making a complete record of a civil case was not a requirement - it required the lawyer to pay an additional fee to the clerk - so most civil cases are not included in these books. The option of having a complete record made of a civil case was abolished in Indiana by 1920.

The complete records books of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for volumes 2 through 16 (1834-1920) have been microfilmed. That microfilm is available for viewing locally at the Plainfield Public Library and the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, and it can also be ordered through FamilySearch.

Adoption of Chad Eiel MAYO (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 20, 1980 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in November 1980 M. Jack Minton filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-41) to adopt Chad Eiel Mayo, a minor. His biological father, Charles Eiel Mayo, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

John Edwin & Patricia DOOLEY seek to adopt baby boy (1955)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 13, 1955 - page 2, column 3:

According to a public notice, in October 1955, John Edwin Dooley and wife Patricia Dooley were petitioning the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case #156) to adopt a white male baby boy. The biological mother of the baby boy was identified as Julia Ann Hayslett, whose whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard on November 28, 1955.

Adoption of Zachary Scott SCHULTZ (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 2, 1980 - page 6, column 8:

According to a legal notice, in September 1980 Gary W. Hinkle filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-33) to adopt Zachary Scott Schultz, a minor. His biological father, Stephen R. Schultz, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Hendricks County estate index for 1983 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1983 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1983; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Adoption of Thomas Dean LYNCH (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 14, 1980 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in July 1980 Jeffrey M. Calbert and Shirley J. Calbert filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-28) to adopt Thomas Dean Lynch, a minor. His biological father, Kifflyn Lynch, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Steven Maurice DAYHUFF (1955)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 13, 1955 - page 2, column 3:

According to a public notice, in September 1955, Lester G. Weidler, husband of Emma Jean (Dayhuff) Weidler, was petitioning the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case #154) to adopt Dayhuff's minor son, Steven Maurice DAYHUFF. The biological father was identified as Edgar Maurice Dayhuff, and was alleged by disinterested witness Reverend John Frank (address 1620 Beeler St., Speedway, Indiana) to have abandoned the child more than 2 years prior. The petition was scheduled to be heard on November 23, 1955.

Name change of Lillie Sue OGDEN (1955)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 16, 1955 - page 5, column 5:

According to a public notice, in June 1955, Lillie Sue Ogden was petitioning the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case #7436) to change her name to Lillie Sue Hadley. The petition was to be heard in the September 1955 term of court.

Adoption of Rachel Ann DEAN (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 19, 1980 - page 5, column 7:

According to a legal notice, in June 1980 Michael William Walsh filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-20) to adopt Rachel Ann Dean, a minor. Her biological father, Richard Lee Dean, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted her and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Gina Lynn PERSINGER (1982)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 11, 1982 - page 7, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in March 1982 there was a petition filed in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 82-2) to adopt Gina Lynn Persinger, a minor. It stated that the paternity had not been determined by law, but was to notify Perk Persinger, whose whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after the notice was published.

Adoption of Jeremy James Jeffrey RICHARDSON (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 13, 1980 - page 7, column 2:

According to a legal notice, in February 1980 James Lee Masten and Blanche Ann Masten filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-4) to adopt Jeremy James Jeffrey Richardson, a minor. His biological mother was Mary Richardson; his biological father, James Jonathan Whitaker, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

List of North Salem students in 1966 added

An index of the North Salem students in grades 1 through 12 in 1966 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1966 yearbook, Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Adoption of Angela Jean EIERMANN (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 28, 1980 - page 7, column 7:

According to a legal notice, in February 1980 David R. Downing filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-6) to adopt Angela Jean Eiermann, a minor. Her biological father, Steven M. Eiermann, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted her, and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss brick walls in research

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. There will be a group discussion about what to do when you encounter "brick walls" in your genealogy research.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Hendricks County residents who graduated from Purdue University (1930)

source: A commencement program for Purdue University, West Lafayette for June 10, 1930:

BROWNSBURG:
Paul Brown Sumpter - Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

DANVILLE:
Cecil John Merritt - Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Anna Lucile Simpson - Bachelor of Science in Home Economics

STILESVILLE:
Emily Lorene Hicks - Bachelor of Science in Home Economics

Adoption of Tracy Michelle STIDHAM and Daniel Ray STIDHAM (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 7, 1980 - page 6, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in January 1980 William Edson Larison filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-1) to adopt minor children Tracy Michelle Stidham and Daniel Ray Stidham. Their biological father, Raymond Stidham, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Hendricks County Circuit Court complete book index (1899-1907) added

An index of Hendricks County Circuit Court Complete Records Book volume 13 (12 June 1899 - 8 January 1907) has been added to the Civil Court Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. A complete record book contains an extensive summary of a civil case from its beginning to its end. Making a complete record of a civil case was not a requirement - it required the lawyer to pay an additional fee to the clerk - so most civil cases are not included in these books. The option of having a complete record made of a civil case was abolished in Indiana by 1920.

The complete records books of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for volumes 2 through 16 (1834-1920) have been microfilmed. That microfilm is available for viewing locally at the Plainfield Public Library and the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, and it can also be ordered through FamilySearch.

Name change of Jeraldean Fay (McANINCH) SANDERS (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 27, 1980 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in November 1980 Jeraldean Fay (McAninch) Sanders filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 11 80-536) to change her name to Geraldine Fay (McAninch) Sanders. The petition was scheduled to be heard on February 19, 1981.

Name change of Barbara Ann MILLER (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 6, 1980 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in October 1980 Barbara Ann Miller filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 10 80-485) to change her name to Barb Miller Hennon. The petition was scheduled to be heard on January 8, 1981.

Name change of Darrell Lynn HURT (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 6, 1980 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in November 1980 Darrell Lynn Hurt filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court to change his name to Darrell Lynn Marks. The petition was scheduled to be heard on January 8, 1981.

List of Danville High School students in 1962 added

An index of the students in grades 8 through 12 at Danville High School in 1962 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Danville High School 1962 yearbook, Tom Tom. This yearbook is in the collection of the Plainfield library.

Names changes of Eric Vaughan GUYNN and Jennifer Lee GUYNN (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 28, 1980 - page 6, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in August 1980 Kathleen J. (Guynn) Bachle filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # S 80-93) to change the names of minor children Eric Vaughan Guynn and Jennifer Lee Guynn to Eric Vaughan Bachle and Jennifer Lee Bachle, respectively. The petition was scheduled to be heard on October 20, 1980.

Beverly Ann HODGINS seeks annulment (1955)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 10, 1955 - page 5, column 2:

In February 1955 Beverly Ann Hodgins filed suit for an annulment from James T. Tague, alleging that in September 1954 Tague had gotten her to go with him to Texas and they had filed a false marriage application while there. Hodgins was represented by Walter Hodgins in the case because she was a minor under the age of 21.

Name change of Wayne Keith MABREY and Wendy Kaye MABREY (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, July 3, 1980 - page 5, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in June 1980 Elva Adelle Sutherlin (the biological mother) and Larry Lee Sutherlin (the stepfather) filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 6 80-366) to change the name of her minor children Wayne Keith Mabrey and Wendy Kaye Mabrey, to Wayne Keith Sutherlin and Wendy Kaye Sutherlin, respectively. The petition was scheduled to be heard on September 10, 1980.

Hendricks County estate index for 1982 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1982 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1982; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Name change of Frank Allen GAEDE (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 22, 1980 - page 5, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in May 1980 Frank Allen Gaede (aka Frank Allen Gaede Wells) filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 8 80-196) to change his name to Frank Freeland Gaede. The petition was scheduled to be heard on July 10, 1980.

Gilbert BRYANT commits suicide in jail (1954)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 9, 1954 - page 1, columns 3-4:

BRYANT'S FIFTH SUICIDE TRY IS SUCCESSFUL; RITES MONDAY
A fifth attempt at suicide was finally successful, Friday about noon for Gilbert Bryant, age 70, who died in the Hendricks County Jail after slashing his throat with a razor blade.

Bryant was being held in the jail pending a Grand Jury investigation of the alleged shooting of his ex-wife, Mrs. Pauline Shorter, on July 17.

He had asked for a razor Friday morning so he could shave. Three other prisoners were in the bullpen at the time, but Bryant slipped back to his cell, took the blade from the razor and slashed his throat.

His first attempt at suicide was immediately following the murder and after his former wife's home exploded. The second attempt came shortly afterward on the way to the hospital in the Weaver ambulance. The next day he made a third attempt to take his life by jumping from a window at the Long Hospital, but was caught. The fourth try came when he succeeded in jumping from a window and received a fractured pelvis.

He was removed to the local jail on August 3 to await the calling of the Grand Jury this week.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon from the Baker Funeral Home. Surviving is a brother, Hester Rudd of Bloomingdale. Burial was in the South Cemetery.

Infant Robert Edward SHIMER killed by car (1954)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 17, 1954 - page 1, columns 3-4:

NORTH SALEM TODDLER INJURED FATALLY BY CAR SATURDAY
Robert Edward Shimer, 1-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Loren C. Shimer of near North Salem, died Saturday evening in the Crawfordsville Hospital an hour and a half after he was run over by an automobile.

The Shimers were visiting at the Russell Rankin home as were Mrs. Gladys C. Callaway and son.

Russell Ray Callaway, age 19, driving a 1953 Chevrolet owned by his mother, started to pull from the driveway at the Rankin home when he felt a slight bump under the tire. On investigating he found the body of the Shimer child. Apparently the child had wandered into the driveway unnoticed.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon in Indianapolis with burial in Floral Park Cemetery.

Surviving besides the parents are two sisters, Mary Jane and Carol Ann; two brothers, Harry H. and Sgt. Loren Joseph Shimer, and the paternal grandfather, Joseph Shimer.

Sheriff Porter Money investigated the accident.

Hendricks County marriage index for 2002-2002 added

An index of Hendricks County marriage license book 66 (which covers 27 April 2002 through 13 December 2002) has been added to the marriage records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This marriage index now covers 1904 through 2002; more years will be added later.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the marriage license books for 1824 through 2003.

Coatesville newspaper stops publishing (1961)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 28, 1961 - page 1, columns 7-8:

According to a December 1961 newspaper article, the Coatesville Herald had just published its last issue. Its editor, Harmon Hathaway, had been in charge since September 1, 1916. His father, Horace E. Hathaway, had purchased the weekly newspaper in May 1911; the Herald had been started on January 6, 1910, by Wolf & Metsker.

Existing subscribers to the Herald would start receiving a subscription to The Republican in January 1962; the Herald's correspondent, Mrs. Mable Hanlon, would be sending her Coatesville news items to the Republican for publication.

Belleville opens post office (1962)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 1, 1962 - page 1, column 7:

According to a March 1962 article, a post office was to open March 8, 1962 in Belleville in Ed Laster's grocery store, which was at the intersection of State Road 39 and US 40. It would be operated as a branch of the Clayton post office, with mail picked up from Belleville at 4:30 pm and delivered at the Clayton post office at 5 pm.

Hendricks County Circuit Court complete book index (1907-1911) added

An index of Hendricks County Circuit Court Complete Records Book volume 14 (29 January 1907 - 25 March 1911) has been added to the Civil Court Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. A complete record book contains an extensive summary of a civil case from its beginning to its end. Making a complete record of a civil case was not a requirement - it required the lawyer to pay an additional fee to the clerk - so most civil cases are not included in these books. The option of having a complete record made of a civil case was abolished in Indiana by 1920.

The complete records books of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for volumes 2 through 16 (1834-1920) have been microfilmed. That microfilm is available for viewing locally at the Plainfield Public Library and the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, and it can also be ordered through FamilySearch.

Name change of Robert William WEAVER and Susan Kathy WEAVER (1980)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 7, 1980 - page 7, column 7:

According to a legal notice, in January 1980 Robert William Weaver and Susan Kathy Weaver filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 1 80-42) to change their names to Robert William Swafford and Susan Kathy Swafford, respectively. The petition was scheduled to be heard on March 17, 1980.

Name change of Timothy Bryan ADAMS (1953)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 18, 1953 - page 10, column 5:

According to a public notice, in June 1953, Helen E. Adams was petitioning the Hendricks County Circuit Court to change the name of her minor son from Timothy Bryan Adams to Timothy William Bryan Adams. The petition was to be heard in the September 1953 term of court.

Hendricks County residents who graduated from Butler University, Indianapolis (1938)

source: A commencement program for Butler University, Indianapolis for June 13, 1938:

AVON:
Norval W. Ayers - Bachelor of Science in Journalism

NORTH SALEM:
A. Ethmer Gordon - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

PLAINFIELD:
Jack Chester Miller - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Name change of Hattie Edith BARKER (1953)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 12, 1953 - page 7, column 5:

According to a public notice, in February 1953, Hattie Edith Barker was petitioning the Hendricks County Circuit Court to change her name to Harriet Eastman Barker. The petition was to be heard on March 28, 1953.

List of North Salem students in 1962 added

An index of the North Salem students in grades 1 through 12 in 1962 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1962 yearbook, Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Name change of Sunshine Nicole FIELDS (1987)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Circuit Court Order Book 131 (July 1986 - November 1987), in September 1987, Sunshine Nicole Fields petitioned the court (case # 32C01-8707-MI-231) to change her name to Sunshine Nicole Parrott. The petition was granted.

Enos MILHON killed by shotgun (1925)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 10, 1925 - page 1, column 2:

BOY TRAPPER KILLED SELF ACCIDENTALLY
The second fatal accident of the hunting season happened two miles south of Stilesville Sunday morning, when Enos Milhon, the 16-year-old son of Corbin Milhon, was fatally wounded when his shotgun was accidentally discharged.

The boy had been running a trap line since the opening of the season and he started out Sunday morning to visit his traps. A short time after he left the house his mother heard the report of his gun. She investigated and as she approached a fence in the rear of their home she saw her son's hat hanging on the wire. She found the body of her son lying by the fence. The charge from the gun entered his face and almost blew his head off.

The boy is survived by his parents and three brothers. Some time ago he had an attack of pneumonia and on recovering from that was inclined toward tuberculosis. For this reason he had been kept out of school this winter and had been encouraged to do trapping to get the benefit of outdoor activities.

Hendricks County estate index for 1981 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1981 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1981; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Avon builds new elementary school building (1958)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 21, 1958 - page 1:

According to an August 1958 newspaper article, Avon's new elementary school building was to be used to house students in grades 1 through 6. According to an October 2, 1958 newspaper article, the final cost was $627,511. The population of Washington Township at that time was estimated at 5,000. In 1957, 28 students graduated from the high school. They had 9 school buses covering 18 routes.

According to a December 20, 1956 article, the addition would be built on 12 acres purchased on the west side of the current high school (which had been completed in 1952), and would extend south to the railroad tracks. An outlet to Avon Avenue would be created. The new elementary school would have 18 classrooms and a gymnasium with seating for 1,700 initially, with plans at a later date to seat 3,000 total.

In 1952, total enrollment had been 450 students; in 1956, the enrollment was 830; and was expected to reach 1,000 by the time the new elementary school was finished.

Danville installs parking meters around the courthouse square (1950)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, July 6, 1950 - page 1, column 1:

According to a newspaper article, Monday, July 10, 1950 was to be the first day that parking meters around the courthouse square in Danville would be operational. The parking meters were installed by the Danville Town Council as a way to deal with the traffic congestion, particularly with people parking their cars and then leaving them there all day.

The parking meters charged you 1 cent for every 12 minutes, or 5 cents for every 1 hour. They would be enforced Monday through Saturdays; they would not be enforced on Sundays and legal holidays. People who remained beyond their allotted time would be issued a parking ticket for 50 cents, which had to be paid within 72 hours of the offense. It was a misdemeanor to deface or tamper with the parking meters - violators would be subject to a $10 fine.

As part of the project to install the posts for the parking meters, the hitching posts on the south side of the courthouse square - which were a leftover of the horse and buggy days - were finally removed.

NOTE: According to an article in the February 16, 1956 issue of the Danville Gazette, on February 24, 1956, the parking ticket fee was raised to $1, as the 1950 ordinance was amended.

Teacher Robert E. MILLER dies of polio (1952)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 20, 1952 - page 1, columns 5-7:

BROWNSBURG TEACHER, 27, FATHER OF 3, DIES OF POLIO
Robert E. Miller, 27, industrial arts teacher in Brownsburg schools, died Monday evening, a victim of bulbar polio.

Mr. Miller, the father of three small children, was taken ill Friday but remained at school. He had been a regular timekeeper at Brownsburg High School basketball games but did not attend Friday's game at Danville.

His illness progressed and he was taken to Methodist Hospital Monday where he died about 8 pm.

Classes at Brownsburg are expected to continue, except for being dismissed so students may attend Mr. Miller's funeral. The state board of health in similar past cases has expressed the belief that closer observance is possible if children continue class attendance than if they are released.

Funeral services will be at 2 pm tomorrow (Friday) at Brownsburg Christian Church. Officiating will be Rev. Lester Yearick, church pastor, and Rev. Sharp, minister at Lebanon. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon. Jones & Matthews, Brownsburg undertakers, are in charge.

The popular teacher had been employed at Brownsburg schools for three years and lived one and one-half miles southeast of Brownsburg on rural route 1.

Mr. Miller was born at Lebanon on March 27, 1925, the son of Jubal and Goldie Miller. He was graduated from Ball State Teachers College, Muncie. During World War II he was a gunners mate 3rd class in the Navy.

He is survived by his wife, Louise, and three children, Charles, James and Wanda June.

Hendricks County Circuit Court complete book index (1911-1916) added

An index of Hendricks County Circuit Court Complete Records Book volume 15 (12 March 1911 - 10 November 1916) has been added to the Civil Court Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. A complete record book contains an extensive summary of a civil case from its beginning to its end. Making a complete record of a civil case was not a requirement - it required the lawyer to pay an additional fee to the clerk - so most civil cases are not included in these books. The option of having a complete record made of a civil case was abolished in Indiana by 1920.

The complete records books of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for volumes 2 through 16 (1834-1920) have been microfilmed. That microfilm is available for viewing locally at the Plainfield Public Library and the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, and it can also be ordered through FamilySearch.

Hendricks County roads transferred over to a numbered road system (1961)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, July 27, 1961 - page 1, column 1:

According to a July 1961 newspaper article, Hendricks County roads were being transferred over to the new "Purdue system of numbering", whereby instead of named roads, the roads would have numbers, which corresponded to their distance from a fixed point - in this case, the Hendricks County Courthouse, which was the center of Danville. As an example, they gave the first cross-street on US 36 east of Danville - it was known as "Coon Path" or "Randolph Road", depending on who you asked, but under the Purdue system, it would be known on all maps as "County Road 110 East" - because it was 1.10 miles east of the courthouse.

The changeover required the installation of 600 new signs at all the intersections, which cost $32,500. The cost of the road signs was being paid for by area businesses, which were being allowed to place their ads on the road signs.

Adoption of Michael Todd GALL and Sineal Roshea GALL (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 27, 1979 - page 7, column 7:

According to a legal notice, in December 1979 Wayne N. Caruso filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 79-39) to adopt minor children Michael Todd Gall and Sineal Roshea Gall. Michael's biological father, Martin Joseph Jacobson, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him. Sineal's biological father, Francis A. Gall, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted her. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Plainfield genealogy group to hold pitch-in luncheon

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, December 1 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. You are invited to bring your favorite dish to share at the pitch-in luncheon. There will also be a "show and tell" to display your family treasures to everyone.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Hendricks County marriage index for 2001-2002 added

An index of Hendricks County marriage license book 65 (which covers 16 June 2001 through 5 April 2002) has been added to the marriage records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This marriage index now covers 1904 through 2002; more years will be added later.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the marriage license books for 1824 through 2003.

Adoption of Samantha Jo COLES (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 18, 1979 - page 7, column 8:

According to a legal notice, in October 1979 James H. Coles and Pauline B. Coles filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 79-30) to adopt Samantha Jo Coles, age 13 months. Her biological mother, Beverly Ann Coles, was listed as whereabouts unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

NOTE: According to a June 1985 legal notice, James Henry Coles and Pauline Coles had filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 6 85-16) to adopt minor child Samantha Jo Coles. Her mother was listed as Beverly Ann Coles and her father was listed as unknown; both were said to have deserted and abandoned her. The petition was scheduled to be heard on August 9, 1985.

Adoption of Melanie Starr BOWEN (1981)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 5, 1981 - page 7, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in November 1981 Gregory Alan Davis filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 81-39) to adopt Melanie Starr Bowen, a minor. Her biological father, Samuel R. Bowen, was listed as having abandoned and deserted her, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Name change of Donald Lee CLEVELAND (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 20, 1979 - page 7, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in September 1979 Clifford L. Clonce and Annie L. Clonce filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 8 79-366) to change the name of their maternal grandson, Donald Lee Cleveland, to Donald Lee Clonce. The petition was scheduled to be heard on September 21, 1979.

Adoption of Colennia Ann MACK (1981)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 24, 1981 - page 7, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in September 1981 Steven F. Stickler filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 81-37) to adopt Colennia Ann Mack, a minor. Her biological father, Gregory Allan Mack, was listed as having abandoned and deserted her, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Douglas Gene BENNETT (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 13, 1979 - page 7, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in August 1979 Steven David Russell filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 79-27) to adopt Douglas Gene Bennett, a minor. His biological mother was Patricia Louise Russell; his biological father, Bruce Gene Bennett, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Name change of Duane Carl Carter (1981)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 11, 1981 - page 8, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in June 1981 Duane Carter and Carla Carter filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 5 81-237) to change the name of their minor child, Duane Carl Carter, to Dane Carl Carter. The petition was scheduled to be heard on August 18, 1981.

List of North Salem students in 1952 added

An index of the North Salem students in grades 1 through 12 in 1952 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1952 yearbook, Echoes of '52. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Adoption of Lora Lee SLAYTON and Amber Lyn SLAYTON (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 3, 1979 - page 6, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in May 1979 Ralph Allen Brown filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 79-11) to adopt minor children Lora Lee Slayton and Amber Lyn Slayton. Their biological mother was Joyce Estelle Brown; their biological father, Raymond Dacey Slayton, was alleged to have not visited or provided child support for more than a year and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Name change of Susan Marie BOESCHE (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 23, 1979 - page 7, column 2:

According to a legal notice, in August 1979 Susan Marie Boesche filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 8 79-343) to change her name to Susan Marie Donahue. The petition was scheduled to be heard on November 21, 1979.

Hendricks County estate index for 1980 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1980 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1980; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Name change of Mara Lynn SMYTH (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 24, 1979 - page 6, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in May 1979 Mara Lynn Smyth filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # S 79-55) to change her name to Mara Lynn Stamper. The petition was scheduled to be heard on June 18, 1979.

Adoption of Jerry Lee CLARK, II and Jami Irene Clark (1981)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 27, 1981 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in August 1981 George Hodge filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 81-28) to adopt minor children Jerry Lee Clark, II and Jami Irene Clark. Their biological father, Jerry Lee Clark, was listed as having abandoned and deserted them, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Name change of Earnetta Marie BLOSSER (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 1, 1979 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in February 1979 Earnetta Marie Blosser filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 2 79-71) to change her name to Earnie Marie Blosser. The petition was scheduled to be heard on April 17, 1979.

Name change of Linda Kay ADDUCI (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 22, 1979 - page 5, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in February 1979 Linda Kay Adduci filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 2 79-64) to change her name to Linda Day George. The petition was scheduled to be heard on April 3, 1979.

Name change of Monica Lynn HENDERSON (1982)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 4, 1982 - page 7, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in Octoer 1982, Monica Lynn Henderson petitioned the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 10 82-469) to change her name to Monica Lynn Jayne. Because she was under 21, the petition was filed on her behalf by Ramona J. Henderson. The petition was to be heard in court on January 7, 1983.

Hendricks County Circuit Court complete book index (1915-1920) added

An index of Hendricks County Circuit Court Complete Records Book volume 16 (10 May 1915 - 6 September 1920) has been added to the Civil Court Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. A complete record book contains an extensive summary of a civil case from its beginning to its end. Making a complete record of a civil case was not a requirement - it required the lawyer to pay an additional fee to the clerk - so most civil cases are not included in these books. The option of having a complete record made of a civil case was abolished in Indiana by 1920.

The complete records books of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for volumes 2 through 16 (1834-1920) have been microfilmed. That microfilm is available for viewing locally at the Plainfield Public Library and the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, and it can also be ordered through FamilySearch.

Name change of William Bruce LOWE (1979)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 15, 1979 - page 5, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in February 1979 William Bruce Lowe filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 2 79-48) to change his name to William Bruce Orr. The petition was scheduled to be heard on April 10, 1979.

Items wanted for Hendricks County Bicentennial Time Capsule

In honor of Indiana's bicentennial celebration in 2016, Hendricks County is gathering items for a time capsule to be placed in the Hendricks County Government Center in Danville in December 2016. This time capsule will be opened during Indiana's tricentennial, in 2116. The deadline to donate an item for the time capsule is November 10, 2016. Some examples of possible items:

• A menu from your favorite restaurant
• Coins or currency
• Memorabilia from a local organization
• Photos
• A letter to the future, telling people 100 years from now what life is like now

Items can be dropped off at the libraries in Avon, Brownsburg, Danville and Plainfield, as well as the North West Hendricks Schools administration office in Lizton (104 N. Church St.).

For more information on what can be included in the time capsule, please download the brochure. You can also download the donation form that must accompany your item.

Name change of Patricia Ann BUSH (1981)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, July 9, 1981 - page 8, column 7:

According to a legal notice, in July 1981 Patricia Ann Bush filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 7 81-286) to change her name to Patricia Ann Puglis. The petition was scheduled to be heard on September 2, 1981.

Adoption of Cynthia Lynn WRIGHTSMAN (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 10, 1977 - page 7, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in November 1977 Roger Dale Durham filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 77-42) to adopt Cynthia Lynn Wrightsman, a minor. Her biological father, Richard L. Wrightsman, was listed as having abandoned and deserted her, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

List of Danville High School students in 1955 added

An index of the students in grades 7 through 12 at Danville High School in 1955 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Danville High School 1955 yearbook, Tom Tom. This yearbook is in the collection of the Plainfield library.

Adoption of Jeffrey Ray SPEAR (1981)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 25, 1981 - page 7, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in June 1981 Michael Lee Mitchell filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 81-18) to adopt Jeffrey Ray Spear, a minor. His biological mother was listed as Sarah Faith Mitchell; his biological father was listed as Tony Ray Spear. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of David Wayne SMITH, II (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 10, 1977 - page 7, column 4:

According to a legal notice, in November 1977 Cecil Allen Crabtree filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 77-43) to adopt David Wayne Smith, II, a minor. His biological father, David Wayne Smith, was listed as having abandoned and deserted him, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Suzanne SOUTH (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, July 28, 1977 - page 7, column 2:

According to a legal notice, in July 1977 Randy Dean Neeley filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 77-31) to adopt Suzanne South, a minor. Her biological father, Lawrence South, was listed as having abandoned and deserted her, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Vanessa Lynne KINNEY and Jeffrey Daniel KINNEY (1981)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 20, 1981 - page 2, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in August 1981 James Daniel Mahan filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 81-29) to adopt minor children Vanessa Lynne Kinney and Jeffrey Daniel Kinney. Their biological father, Ralph Edwin Kinney, Jr., was listed as having abandoned and deserted them, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Name change of Roland Eugene THOMPSON (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 23, 1977 - page 7, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in June 1977 Roland Eugene Thompson filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # S 77-130) to change his name to Roland Eugene Moore. The petition was scheduled to be heard on August 8, 1977.

Hendricks County estate index for 1979 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1979 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1979; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Adoption of Christopher Michael BAKER (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 9, 1977 - page 5, column 4:

According to a legal notice, in June 1977 Ralph Emerson Copeland filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 77-24) to adopt Christopher Michael Baker, a minor. His biological father, Richard Wonderly, was listed as having abandoned and deserted him, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Brenda Sue BRANCH and Tina Marie BRANCH (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 2, 1977 - page 7, column 4:

According to a legal notice, in May 1977 Billy Morris Ray filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 77-21) to adopt minor children Brenda Sue Branch and Tina Marie Branch. Their biological father, William Monroe Branch, was listed as having abandoned and deserted them, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

List of North Salem students in 1967 added

An index of the North Salem students in grades 1 through 12 in 1967 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1967 yearbook, Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Adoption of Kelly STATEN, Jr. and Michael Chris STATEN (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 21, 1977 - page 7, column 4:

According to a legal notice, in April 1977 David Jean Rodocker, Jr. filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # A 77-14) to adopt minor children Kelly Staten, Jr. and Michael Chris Staten. Their biological father, Kelly Staten, was listed as unable to be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Peter Jon ROBINSON (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 3, 1977 - page 5, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in February 1977 Ronald K. Allen filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 77-2) to adopt Peter Jon Robinson, a minor. His biological father, Donald J. Robinson, was listed as unable to be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Name change of Mary Jane DEMING (1978)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 21, 1978 - page 9, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in December 1978 Mary Jane Deming filed a petition in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 78-391) to change her name to Mary Jane Walton. The petition was scheduled to be heard on March 2, 1979.

Hendricks County estate index for 1978 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1978 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1978; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Name changes of Brian Earle HULL and siblings (1978)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, July 20, 1978 - page 7, column 7:

According to a legal notice, in July 1978 Robert A. Humphries and Sharon T. Humphries filed a petition in the Huntington County Circuit Court (case # C 78-238) to change the names of minor children Brian Earle Hull, Vickie Lee Hull, Lisa Kaye Hull and Jeffrey Alan Hull to Brian Earle Humphries, Vickie Lee Humphries, Lisa Kaye Humphries and Jeffrey Alan Humphries, respectively. Their biological father was listed as Camden Earle Hull. The petition was scheduled to be heard in Huntington County on September 13, 1978.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss publishing family history

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, November 3 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Frankie Meyer will give a presentation on various methods to write and publish your family history so that it can be shared with others.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Adoption of Scott Vincent PHILYAW, Jr. (1978)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 13, 1978 - page 9, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in April 1978 Daniel Alan Reeder filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 78-16) to adopt Scott Vincent Philyaw, Jr., a minor. His biological father, Scott Vincent Philyaw, was listed as having abandoned and deserted him, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

List of Clayton High School graduates in 1941 added

An index of the graduates of Clayton High School in 1941 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from a commencement program that is in the Archives of the Plainfield library.

Adoption of Nicholas Eugene PITMAN (1978)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 16, 1978 - page 7, column 8:

According to a legal notice, in March 1978 Bruce L. Schnabel filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 78-10) to adopt Nicholas Eugene Pitman, a minor. His biological father, David L. Portish, was listed as having abandoned and deserted him, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Robert Allan JONES and siblings (1975)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 20, 1975 - page 5, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in February 1975 a petition was filed by Jeffrey Ray Chastain and Frances Elizabeth Chastain in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 75-5) to adopt minor children Robert Allan Jones, William Allan Jones, Barret Wayne Jones and Deborah Lynn Jones. Their biological father was listed as Barret Jones, Jr., whose whereabouts were unknown and who was alleged to have abandoned and deserted them. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice had been published.

Adoption of Lisa Ann SCHUSTER (1976)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 30, 1976 - page 7, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in September 1976 Donald Eugene Merrill filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 76-37) to adopt Lisa Ann Schuster, a minor. Her biological father, Daniel Emery, was listed as having abandoned and deserted her, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Steven Michael RICHES (1975)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 20, 1975 - page 5, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in February 1975 a petition was filed by Jeffrey Ray Chastain and Frances Elizabeth Chastain in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 75-5) to adopt Steven Michael Riches, a minor. His biological father was listed as Robert Jack Riches, whose whereabouts were unknown and who was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice had been published.

Adoption of Edward Thomas BIRGE (1975)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 10, 1975 - page 7, column 4:

According to a legal notice, in April 1975 a petition was filed by Gene Paul Downs in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 75-15) to adopt Edward Thomas Birge, a minor. His biological mother was listed as Helen Downs. His biological father was listed as Jack Devon Birge, whose whereabouts were unknown and who was alleged to have had no contact or support of the child for more than 1 year. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice had been published.

Name change of Roy Ernest McGOWEN, IV (1976)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 16, 1976 - page 7, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in September 1976 Roy Ernest McGowen, IV (along with Katharine L. Rushton) filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # S 76-224) to change his name to Patrick Stephen McGowen. The petition was scheduled to be heard on October 28, 1976.

Hendricks County estate index for 1977 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1977 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1977; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Adoption of Lori Carline JONES and Kevin Paul JONES (1975)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 8, 1975 - page 7, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in May 1975 a petition was filed by Clayton O. Whisler in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 75-20) to adopt minor children Lori Carline Jones and Kevin Paul Jones. Their biological father was listed as John Paul Jones, whose whereabouts were unknown and who was alleged to have abandoned and deserted them. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice had been published.

Adoption of Shawn Ansley KIDD (1976)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 27, 1976 - page 7, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in May 1976 Nelson Lee Baxter filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 76-22) to adopt Shawn Ansley Kidd, a minor. His biological father, Gary H. Kidd, was listed as having abandoned and deserted him, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of John R. BEARD and Vivienne V. BEARD (1975)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 22, 1975 - page 5, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in May 1975 a petition was filed by Elmer Leonard Broadhuhn in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 75-22) to adopt minor children John R. Beard and Vivienne V. Beard. Their biological father was listed as Charles Beard, whose whereabouts were unknown and who was alleged to have abandoned and deserted them. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice had been published.

Name change of Robert Dale WILSON (1976)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 29, 1976 - page 5, column 4:

According to a legal notice, in February 1976 Dorothy Laverne Blair filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # S 76-38) to change the name of her minor son, Robert Dale Wilson, to Robert Dale Blair. The petition was scheduled to be heard on April 23, 1976.

Hendricks County marriage index for 2000-2001 added

An index of Hendricks County marriage license book 64 (which covers 23 September 2000 through 22 June 2001) has been added to the marriage records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This marriage index now covers 1904 through 2001; more years will be added later.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the marriage license books for 1824 through 2003.

Adoption of Scott Ashley HELTON (1975)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 21, 1975 - page 5, column 7:

According to a legal notice, in August 1975 there was a petition filed by Glenn W. Billeter in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 75-34) to adopt Scott Ashley Helton, a minor. His biological father was listed as John Dickinson, whose whereabouts were unknown and who was alleged to have abandoned and deserted him. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice had been published.

Adoption of Shannon Machell MEISENHEIMER (1976)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, January 8, 1976 - page 5, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in December 1975 Douglas A. Coryell filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 75-51) to adopt Shannon Machell Meisenheimer, a minor. Her biological father, Michael Lee Meisenheimer, was listed as having abandoned and deserted her, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Brownsburg schools deal with rapid growth (1955)

source: Danville Gazette - issue of Thursday, June 23, 1955 - page 1, column 1:

According to a newspaper article, in June 1955, Brownsburg's schools were dealing with rapid growth. Figures from the Hendricks County Schools Superintendent show that for the 1950-1951 school year, Lincoln Township schools had about 500 students; for the 1954-1955 school year, Brownsburg's elementary and high schools had 951 total students, almost double what it had been just 4 years before.

In 1952 Lincoln Township built a new 8-room elementary school on 12 acres of land, at a cost of $160,000. In 1954 they contracted to build 4 additional rooms at a cost of $56,000, to be ready for the 1955-1956 school year. In 1955, they were in the process of designing a new high school and gymnasium east of the new elementary school, estimated to cost $450,000 to $500,000 and to hopefully be ready for use in the 1957-1958 school year. The new high school would have 16 classrooms and the gymnasium would have seating for 3,000 people, plus temporary bleachers to seat another 1,000 people.

Adoption of Larry Dean PRIDEMORE, Jr. and Roy Jacob PRIDEMORE (1977)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 24, 1977 - page 9, columns 2-3:

According to a legal notice, in March 1977 Cheryl Denise Pridemore filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 77-11) to adopt minor children Larry Dean Pridemore, Jr. and Roy Jacob Pridemore. Their biological father, Larry Dean Pridemore, consented to the adoption. Their biological mother, Betty Pearl Pridemore Hall, was said to have abandoned and deserted them, and her whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice had been published.

List of Danville High School graduates 1923-1978 added

An index of the graduates of Danville High School from 1923 through 1978 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index (which contains over 3,500 people) was compiled from the graduates list that was published in Danville newspapers each spring.

Adoption of Michelle Dawn GATES (1980)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 23, 1980 - page 10, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in October 1980 Donald D. Clark filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 80-34) to adopt Michelle Dawn Gates, a minor. Her biological father, Robert Joseph Gates, was said to have abandoned and deserted her, and his whereabouts were unknown. The petition was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice had been published.

James H. SMITH sued for divorce from Philadelphia (1961)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 22, 1961 - page 6, column 6:

According to a June 1961 legal notice, James H. Smith was being sued by Angela Smith for divorce in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (case #1433). His current whereabouts were unknown, but his last known residence was Rural Route 2, Box 178, Danville, Indiana. The grounds for the divorce petition was desertion. The case was scheduled to be heard by the appointed Master of the Court, Max E. Cohen, on July 6, 1961.

Hendricks County estate index for 1976 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1976 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1976; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Alice June BAKER graduates from Ball State University (1941)

A commencement program for Ball State Teachers College for June 6, 1941 lists among its graduates Alice June Baker of Amo. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Plainfield library to host DNA family history workshop

The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library will host a free workshop on DNA on Saturday, November 5 from 1 to 4 pm. The workshop will be given by the Central Indiana DNA Interest Group (led by Denise Anderson-Decina) and will discuss what DNA testing can show you about your family history. The workshop will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms.

Registration is required - register online or contact the library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Alan Thornton MORPHEW graduates from Purdue University (1943)

A commencement program for Purdue University for April 18, 1943 lists among its graduates Alan Thornton Morphew of Plainfield. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.

List of North Salem students in 1968 added

An index of the North Salem students in grades 1 through 12 in 1968 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1968 yearbook, Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Adoption of Jeffrey S. Brooks YATES and siblings (1970)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 29, 1970 - page 13, columns 4-5:

According to a legal notice, in October 1970 there was a petition filed by Robert Gray and Linda Gray in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 70-34) to adopt minor children Jeffrey S. Brooks Yates, Jerome Scott Yates, and Penny Jo Yates. Their biological mother was listed as Ruth Anne Frances Hoyt, aka Ruth Anne Frances Yates, whose whereabouts were unknown. The case was scheduled to be heard in court sometime after November 12, 1970.

Hendricks County residents who graduated from Indiana University (1919)

source: A commencement program for Indiana University, Bloomington for June 11, 1919:

BROWNSBURG:
Lawrence E. Henderson - Bachelor of Science in Medicine

CLAYTON:
Elizabeth Candy - Graduate Nurse
Beth Reid - Graduate Nurse

DANVILLE:
Joel Bert Thomas - Master of Arts in Education

List of New Winchester students in 1963 added

An index of the New Winchester students in grades 1 through 12 in 1963 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the New Winchester High School 1963 yearbook, The Warrior. This yearbook has been digitized and is available online in the Archives section of the Hendricks County Government website.

Danville gets its first color television (1956)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 9, 1956 - page 1, columns 3-4:

COLOR TV MAKES DEBUT IN DANVILLE LAST WEEK
Mr. and Mrs. Rawleigh Baker entertained members of the press Thursday evening at a special showing of the new RCA color television. So far as it's known, this is the first color TV set in Danville. It has been reported that there are three other color sets now in this county.

By this time next year, color television will be a common-place thing. But at the present time, it is a new and exciting form of entertainment. As I watched a full-hour program, I was most conscious of the stars' hair. On a black and white program, you accept all hair has been dark or light. While the hair had a natural look, it sometimes looked more like a wig than the real thing, with each hair in its proper place.

Woodwork shown on the screen looked natural, as did the pastel-colored settings. Lipstick and fire extinguishers were shown in a peculiar shade of purple. During a commercial a red-haired hostess presented the commentary. Redheads really show up on color tv. However, a twist of a dial can ruin any girl's complexion.

Another advantage, or maybe disadvantage, color television can make your mouth water when it comes to scenes of food. Although I enjoyed my first colored tv show, I imagine a spectacular, with brightly colored costumes, would show up more effectively than a drama show.

Brownsburg genealogy group to discuss DNA research

The Brownsburg Branches genealogy group will meet on Tuesday, October 4 from 1 to 3 pm at the Brownsburg Public Library. Steve Smith from the Danville Public Library will discuss DNA testing and how it can improve your genealogy research.

Registration is requested - register online.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Linda Cook - e-mail lcook@bburglibrary.net

Adoption of Michael Lee TINGLE (1970)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 9, 1970 - page 11, columns 4-5:

According to a legal notice, in April 1970 there was a petition filed by Hames New and Ernestine New in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 70-13) to adopt Michael Lee Tingle, a minor. His biological parents were listed as Lee Tingle and Pamela Tingle. The case was scheduled to be heard in court on May 7, 1970.

Hendricks County estate index for 1975 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the year 1975 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1975; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Name change of Bernadine Joy FRANKLIN (1978)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 4, 1978 - page 9, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in May 1978 Bernadine Joy Franklin filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # S 78-114) to change her name to Bernie Joy Franklin. The petition was scheduled to be heard in court on June 30, 1978.

Harriet Jane NICHOLS to wed in Germany (1957)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, January 17, 1957 - page 4, column 3:

NORTH SALEM GIRL TO WED OVERSEAS
Miss Harriet Jane Nichols of North Salem, now teaching in the Oliver P. Morton High School at Hammond, will become the bride of David James Kluxdal, who is now in Germany with the United States Air Force. Miss Nichols will fly from Indianapolis February 9 for Germany where the couple will be married.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Franklin Nichols of North Salem. The bridegroom-elect is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Iver Kluxdal of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The bride-elect was graduated from Indiana University School of Business. She is a member of Delta Pi Epsilon sorority. Mr. Kluxdal was graduated from the Air Force Language School at Indiana University.

List of North Salem students in 1969 added

An index of the North Salem students in grades 1 through 12 in 1969 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1969 yearbook, Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Name change of Patsy Ann RICKER (1962)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 22, 1962 - page 5, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in October 1962, Patsy Ann Ricker of North Salem was petitioning the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # 62-51) to change her name to Patsy Ann Davidson. The petition was to be heard in court on January 7, 1963.

Brownsburg purchases land for new park (1958)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 8, 1958 - page 10, column 3:

According to a newspaper article, in May 1958 the Brownsburg town council arranged to buy a 39 acre piece of land from Mrs. Ivory Tolle, at a cost of $25,000, in order to build a park. The land was described as being "immediately north of the railroad" and "at the northwest edge of the town."

NOTE: Today this park is known as Arbuckle Acres (address 200 North Green Street).

Danvile gets direct dial telephone service (1954)

According to an article in the September 30, 1954 issue of The Republican, Danville was scheduled to get direct-dial telephone service beginning on Friday, November 12 at 8 pm, courtesy of the Indiana Bell Telephone Co. The change meant that all of Danville's 1,800 manual telephones had to be switched over to the new rotary-dialed telephones, a project which cost $135,000.

Before the switch, if you wanted to call someone, you had to lift the receiver on your manual telephone, which engaged the operator. You then had to tell your operator what 3 digit phone number you wanted, or ask them to look up the 3 digit number from a directory. In either case, the operator was the one who actually placed the call.

After the switch, everyone in the Danville telephone exchange would have a phone number that began with SH (referred to as "Sherwood") and 5, followed by four digits. For example, the Weaver Funeral Home had a phone number of SH 5-4411, and when they told it to people they could use the shorthand version, "Sherwood 5 4411". Many Danville phone numbers today start with 745; if you look at those buttons on the telephone, the "S" corresponds to 7, the "H" corresponds to "4", and then the 5.

Before the switch, Indiana Bell held programs for the public showing them how to dial, which included picking up the phone and waiting to hear the dial tone/hum before beginning to dial.

To make a long-distance call, you still had to contact the operator first, EXCEPT if you were making a call to New Winchester or North Salem. Those two exchanges had special 3-digit prefixes you could use to dial the call yourself.

Danville was the first community in the Hendricks County area to get the direct-dialed service.

As a result of the switch, many of the women who had been employed as operators were no longer needed (although under the direct-dialed system, you could still dial "0" if you needed help from an operator, such as when placing a long-distance call).

Hendricks County marriage index for 1999-2000 added

An index of Hendricks County marriage license book 63 (which covers 9 October 1999 through 2 September 2000) has been added to the marriage records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This marriage index now covers 1904 through 2000; more years will be added later.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the marriage license books for 1824 through 2003.

Pardon for Joseph GATES denied (1924)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 9, 1924 - page 8, column 3:

PARDON DENIED
Joseph Gates of Plainfield, who is in the Pendleton Reformatory for issuing checks without having funds to meet, was denied a pardon by Governor Branch last week. Nine pardons were issued and 35 appeals denied.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss digitizing and preserving records

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, October 6 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Steve Smith from the Danville library will give a presentation on digitizing and preserving your family records and how to share that information online.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Hendricks County estate index for 1972-1974 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the years 1972 through 1974 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1974; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Adoption of Terry Wayne DIXON (1974)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 13, 1974 - page 5, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in June 1974 there was a petition filed by Rodger Nelson Theodore Felty in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 74-22) to adopt Terry Wayne Dixon, a minor. His biological father, Calvin Tiffiany Dixon, was listed as whereabouts unknown, alleged to have abandoned and deserted him. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Kelly Jo JUSTICE (1974)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 18, 1974 - page 7, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in April 1974 there was a petition filed by Phillip Max Hensley, Sr. in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 74-11) to adopt Kelly Jo Justice, a minor. Her biological mother was listed as Martha Lee Hensley; her biological father, Donald Joe Justice, was listed as whereabouts unknown, alleged to have abandoned and deserted her. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Kim Elaine WOLFE and Janet Dee WOLFE (1974)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 18, 1974 - page 7, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in April 1974 there was a petition filed by Joseph Louis Prano in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 74-9) to adopt minor children Kim Elaine Wolfe and Janet Dee Wolfe. Their biological mother was Alberta Kay Prano; their biological father, George David Wolfe, was listed as whereabouts unknown, alleged to have abandoned and deserted them. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

List of Cascade High School students in 1991 added

An index of the students in grades 9 through 12 at Cascade High School in Clayton in 1991 has been added to the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Cascade High School 1991 yearbook, Colossus. This yearbook is in the collection of the Plainfield library.

NOTE: Cascade High School opened in Clayton in the fall of 1964 as the consolidation of 3 school districts - Clayton, Amo and Stilesville.

Adoption of Lynn Marie KINLEY (1974)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 25, 1974 - page 5, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in April 1974 there was a petition filed by Ronald D. McBride in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 74-10) to adopt Lynn Marie Kinley, a minor. Her biological father, Terry Kinley, was listed as whereabouts unknown, his last known address being New York City. The case was scheduled to be heard in court on June 20, 1974.

Adoption of Christopher Allen ALEXANDER (1973)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, November 8, 1973 - page 3, column 6:

According to a legal notice, in November 1973 there was a petition filed by William Arthur Agnew in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 73-54) to adopt Christopher Allen Alexander, a minor. His biological father, Chester Jackson Alexander, was listed as not having been found and "willfully failing to provide for the care and support of the child." The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Hendricks County marriage index for 1999-1999 added

An index of Hendricks County marriage license book 62 (which covers 5 February 1999 through 23 October 1999) has been added to the marriage records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This marriage index now covers 1904 through 1999; more years will be added later.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the marriage license books for 1824 through 2003.

Adoption of Angela Maria HUGHES and Michelle Rene HUGHES (1973)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 20, 1973 - page 7, column 7:

According to a legal notice, in September 1973 there was a petition filed by William Ray Huskey in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 73-46) to adopt minor children Angela Maria Hughes and Michelle Rene Hughes. Their biological father, Benjamin Hughes, was listed as having abandoned and deserted the children; their biological mother was listed as Rebecca Maria Huskey. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Heather Marie SMITH (1973)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 28, 1973 - page 7, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in June 1973 there was a petition filed by Charles B. Smith and Mary Joe Smith in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 73-32) to adopt Heather Marie Smith, a minor. Her biological father, Jerry Leo, was listed as address unknown, and it stated that he had never been married to the child's biological mother, Cynthia Smith Goodman, who was dead. The petitioners stated they were the closest blood kin to the child. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Mary Katherine HACKER and Jackson Carl HACKER, Jr. (1973)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 29, 1973 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in March 1973 there was a petition filed by Henry William Douglas in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 73-20) to adopt minor children Mary Katherine Hacker and Jackson Carl Hacker, Jr. Their biological father, Jackson Carl Hacker, was listed as having abandoned and deserted them. Their biological mother was listed as Mary Katherine Douglas. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Hendricks County estate index for 1969-1971 added

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in the Danville newspapers Danville Gazette and The Republican for the years 1969 through 1971 has been added to the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index of estate cases now covers 1945-1971; more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Adoption of Paul Edward DEAL (1973)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 8, 1973 - page 7, column 5:

According to a legal notice, in March 1973 there was a petition filed by Virgil Earl Bennett, III in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # A 73-12) to adopt Paul Edward Deal, a minor. His biological father, Michael Deal, was listed as having abandoned and deserted him. The case was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Name change of Lisa Ranae DAMERON (1972)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 26, 1972 - page 7, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in October 1972 there was a petition filed by Lisa Ranae Dameron in the Hendricks County Circuit Court (case # C 72-327) to change her name to Lisa Ranae Snyder. Because she was under 21, the petition was filed on her behalf by Bonnie Jean Snyder. The case was scheduled to be heard in court on December 22, 1972.

List of New Winchester students in 1961 added

An index of the New Winchester students in grades 1 through 12 in 1961 has been added to the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the New Winchester High School 1961 yearbook, The Warrior. This yearbook has been digitized and is available online in the Archives section of the Hendricks County Government website.

Name change of Minnie Marie WADE and Donaldo Vargas WADE (1972)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 31, 1972 - page 7, column 3:

According to a legal notice, in August 1972 Minnie Marie Wade filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # S 72-228) to change her name to Marie Wade Davenport. She also petitioned to change the name of her minor son, Donaldo Vargas Wade, to Aaron Donald Davenport. The case was scheduled to be heard in court on October 16, 1972.

Danville enacts smoking ban (1947)

source: Danville Gazette (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 10, 1947

According to a legal notice, on April 7, 1947, the Danville town council (then known as the board of trustees) passed an ordinance banning smoking in all public buildings. The ban was to go in effect on April 21, 1947, with the fire marshal to post signs notifying the public. Violators of the ordinance would face a $10 fine.

Plainfield library digitizes Hendricks County family history files

The Indiana Room of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library has digitized their collection of family history files. There are almost 475 files about various Hendricks County families. These files were compiled by their descendants and donated to the library. Some of these files were donated as far back as 1968.

Adoption of Stephen William WAGNER (1970)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 30, 1970 - page 3, column 4:

According to a legal notice, in April 1970 there was a petition filed by William S. Bowman in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 70-16) to adopt Stephen William Wagner, a minor. His biological father, William Eugene Houk, was listed as whereabouts unknown. The case was scheduled to be heard in court on June 22, 1970.

List of Avon High School graduates in 1971 added

An index of students who graduated from Avon High School in 1971 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from an article published in a Danville newspaper.