If you wish to purchase the collection volumes, they are priced as follows: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008 are $30 each year; 2004, 2005 and 2006 are $25 each year.  The complete index for 2000 to 2008 is $35 for a two- volume set.

We have included two links here which will take you to an alphabetical index which you can use to order copies of individual obits. The charge for each obituary copied will be $2.50 including postage.

2000 to 2008v Garringer Obit Book alphabetical last name

2000 to 2008v Garringer Obit Book alphabetical maiden name shortened

This book has school histories, school songs, pictures, and names of seniors and graduates from Bryant, Dunkirk, Gray, Madison, Pennville, Poling, Portland, and Redkey High Schools.  It was written by Jane Spencer and edited by Janice Stucky for the Fall Festival celebration in 2009, when all eight schools were honored.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Jay County Newspaper Clippings 1871-1887 $30
Jay County Newspaper Clippings Vol. 2, 1887-1889 $30
Jay County Newspaper Clippings Vol. 3, 1889 $30
 Portland’s 1st Newspapers 1854-1859 $25.00

 
Jay County Journal Newsletters are the monthly publications of the Jay County Historical Society, Inc. Each book is a complete year of the issues. They are indexed.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Portland’s 1st Newspapers was compiled by Janice Stucky in 2007. Only articles about Jay County from the Portland Journal 1854-1856 and Jay County Democrat 1856-1859 are included. The Portland Journal was the first newspaper. Actual articles may be seen in the Recorder’s Office at the courthouse.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Volume 1 covers the years 1871-1887.  Rex Bertram transcribed information from those Jay County newspapers which were available on microfilm at the time this project was done in 2005.  This material may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Rex.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Volume 2 covers May 19, 1887 to April 25, 1889.  Rex Bertram transcribed information from those Jay County newspapers which were available on microfilm at the time this project was done in 2005.  This material may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Rex.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Volume 3 covers May 2, 1889 to November 28, 1889.  Rex Bertram transcribed information from those Jay County newspapers which were available on microfilm at the time this project was done in 2005.  This material may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Rex.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Tract Book of Entry, transcribed by Janice Stucky and Nadine Miller in 2009, is an index to the names of people who first owned land in Jay County.

They purchased directly from the government.  It is a reference to books in the Recorder’s office at the courthouse.  The index includes the following: township, section, acres, land description, and purchase date.  Patent deeds before 1837 will probably be in Allen County, as that is where the land office was located.  
To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Rex Bertram has transcribed the 1840 Jay County Census.  He has included an index of names.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Rex Bertram has transcribed the 1850 Jay County Census.  He has an index of names.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Detailed descriptions of these materials follow.

Bryant Area Centennial was compiled from newspaper clippings, pictures, maps, and recollections of the past for the 1975 Bryant Centennial  celebration, there are many ads and snippits of information included. The 1910 Bryant Directory is interesting to genealogists.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Dorothy’s Dunkirk was compiled by Janice Stucky in 2006 for the Jay County Historical Society Inc. In Dorothy’s words, “I have tried to write about our town as I have seen it through the years.” Born December 4, 1900, she lived to the age of 99.
The book begins with recollections she wrote in recognition of the Sesquicentennial of Jay County in 1986. She wrote memories again between 1988 and 1993. Included are memories of her farm life in Zion School District in Knox Township. Pictures of many of the sites she describes are shown. An index of names is included. Original manuscripts used to compile this book were found in the Dunkirk City Public Library, including some articles from Dunkirk News & Sun and The Observer newspapers.   To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Compiled by Oma Scruggs, Dunkirk -the Glass Capital of Indiana-Sesquicentennial is a review of the founders, early churches and schools, the discovery of natural gas, businesses and the glass factories.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Early Post Offices was originally compiled by Mrs. Robert [Treva] DePoy in 1966 as a report at the time of our state of Indiana’s Sesquicentennial. This book begins with information identifying early mail routes. Samuel Hawkins’ experience with some fugitive slaves is recounted. A table showing Jay County information from the mid-1850s includes post offices, postmasters, compensation and net proceed.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Ghost Towns – Miriam’s description means these towns no longer have business places even though they may have churches and residences, or they may be in existence, but by the name given here they no longer exist. The revised edition has them listed in alphabetical order by townships. Some photos have been included. The 1864 county map and a later hand-drawn county map are included. There is an index of individual names mentioned concerning the towns. J. Walter Fiers tells of New Charleston in Wabash Township that “died a-borning”.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Historic Penn Township is a compilation of eight small books about Penn Township for the former Jay County Genealogy Society by Janice Stucky in 2003.
Titles included are as follows:
A. EARLY DAYS IN PENN TOWNSHIP PUBLISHED IN 1926-1927
B. SOUVENIR BOOKLET, INDIANA SESQUICENTENNIAL 1816-1966
C. GRIEST 1915-1923 HISTORY Balbec and Vicinity
D. YE OLD SCRAP BOOK Issue XII
E. RUBY CROSBIE’S HISTORY
F. UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
G. FROM RUBY CROSBIE’S SCRAPBOOK…
H. PERSONALITIES
I. PHOTO ALBUM
J. INDEX
Some original materials may be seen in the Indiana Room at the Jay County Public Library, the Pennville Public Library, the Genealogy Department of the Jay County Historical Society, Inc.   To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

History of Redkey, Indiana was commissioned by the Redkey Chamber of Commerce in 1988.  It was reprinted with permission in 2009 by the Jay County Historical Society, Inc.  This book is the only know book available on the history of Redkey.  The period of time covered in this book begins with the coming of the pioneers to Richland Township up until the book’s writing in 1988.
Major names included are:  Appenzeller, Andrew, Andrews, Arbuckle, Arthur,  Auckerman, Ayers, Bader, Baker, Beekman, Bender, Bolen,  Bridgeford, Brown, Butler,  Carder, Chittum, Clevenger, Coble, Coons,  Crisler, Crowell, Cultice, Current,  Daniels, Devlin, Downing,  Dragoo, Ewing, Fiers, Grady, Gray, Hall, Hampton, Hatzell, Hoppes,  Jay, Jones, Ketterman, Kistler, Lyons,  Maitlen, Markley, McCord, McKennett,  McKinney, Mills, Mooney, Paxson, Payne,  Peters, Pierce, Porter, Powell, Racer, Rathfon, Rawlings, Redkey,  Rees, Reeves,  Rex, Ridgeway, Rinker, Rodkey,Rosenkans, Rowe, Runyen, Saxman, Shambarger, Shockney, Smith, Steed, Stoltz, Taylor, Thomas, Turpin, Wade, Wheat, Whipple, Williams, Williamson,  Wilman, Young and Zeigler. 

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

The Jack Imel Story tells the life of Jack from his childhood in Portland, Indiana to his retirement from the Lawrence Welk Show in 2008.   This book was written by Jay County Historian, Jane Ann Spencer, for the 2008 Jay County Heritage Festival which honored Mr. Imel.  You can see one of his marimbas at our museum.

 To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Jay County Sesquicentennial was compiled from writings found in the public libraries, the Historical Museum library, and the memories of contacted individuals for our 150th anniversary in 1986. Accuracy of the articles is within a small fraction of each other.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Jewish Families in Jay County was compiled by Leo Glogas and Janice Stucky in 2006. We can confirm Jewish families were here as early as 1857. Prominent names are Abromson, Appenzeler, Glogas, Goldman, Goodman, Hersch, Kaplan, Kirschbaum, Leff, Mossler, Peters, Richmond, Silvernale, Smilack, and Weiler.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Recollections was updated by Janice Stucky in 2006 for the Jay County Historical Society, Inc.
William Garner Sutton was born August 12, 1828, and came to Jay County at the age of nine. His family was the first to have a cabin erected in what is now Dunkirk. When he was 88 years old, Wm wrote his recollections in notes. The original notes are lost to the current generation. His great-granddaughter, Janice Sutton, is credited for typing the oldest known manuscript of his notes, which appeared in the Dunkirk City Public Library. That edition was the basis for this book. An index of names is included.  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

This is a collection of pictures taken by Jay County photographer, Frank Kenyon, during his career with the Graphic Printing Company, Inc.  It spans the years 1949-1988.  The book was compiled by Jane Spencer, Jay County Historian.  It was published by The Graphic Printing Company, Inc. in 2009.  Jack Ronald, president editor, and publisher of The Commercial Review, wrote the foreward.  

There is a separate index included with Marcus Whitman Montgomery’s book. This is a reprint of the earliest known history of the county. It was written when Montgomery was a young newspaper editor here. An 1864 map, showing the major communities begins the book. Stories are told of the first settlers, organization of the county, college histories, and townships. It concludes with Civil War events. 

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

This is a reprint of the Jay County portion of the original book published by the Lewis Publishing Company as 1887 History of Jay and Blackford Counties. Divisions include general history, settlement, county government, professional, the press, natural gas, the Civil War, communities, and indexed biographical sketches. 

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

This is a typed copy, which was done by the Jay County Genealogy Society, of the biographical section only.  It is taken from the original book published by the Bowen Publishing Company as Biographical Memoirs of Jay County. There is an index. It comes in two volumes. 

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

This book was edited by Dr. Milton T. Jay, M. D. His book had an index Only biographical material from Vol. II was reprinted. This is the PART IV section of the original book. Many portraits are included with approximately 300 biographies. 

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org . 

This book is a collection of historical sketches and family histories compiled by members and friends of the Jay County Historical Society, Inc., Portland, Indiana.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

JAY COUNTY CEMETERY LOCATIONS was compiled by Kathy Selman in 2005 for the former Jay County Genealogy Society
Cemeteries are listed by township.

Some old cemeteries have more than one name. Each entry begins with the section, township number, and range. An example is given.
BEARCREEK TOWNSHIP
BLOOMFIELD; FLAUDING S5 T24N R14E
At the end of the booklet is a map showing current road numbers.To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Included in Bluff Point Cemetery , compiled by Kathy Selman, are a history of Bluff Point and plat maps of Bluff Point. Included are a plat of the cemetery, tombstone pictures and inscriptions, obituaries of burials with tombstones, known burials with no tombstones, military veterans, and an index. This cemetery is in Pike Township. 

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

 Boundary Cemetery, compiled by Kathy Selman includes the history of Boundary City and Green Lawn Cemetery, tombstone pictures, plots, inscriptions, obituaries, known burials not in the record, military veterans, and an index. This cemetery is located in Pike Township.

 To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

 Gravel Hill Cemetery is currently being updated.  It is expected to be available in early 2010.  A brief history of the cemetery will be included. Items in the database will include name, birth, death, section, row, and if the person was a veteran. The cemetery is located at the intersection of county roads 50W and 650N in Jackson Township.  

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

 Green Park Cemetery was compiled by the Green Park Cemetery Association in 2000.  This book contains a preface, a map of the cemetery, section codes, miscellaneous burials for which no location is known, and burials in alphabetical order. This cemetery is at the intersection of W. 7th Street and Blaine Pike in Portland, Indiana. 

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

 Salamonia Cemetery, compiled by Phyllis [Strock] Franklin, includes a brief history of Salamonia, list of lot owners, surveys of the cemeteries, burials without stones, veterans, index, and an interpretation of data. This cemetery is in Madison Township.

 To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

 TALES of the Old Pine Tree were a series newspaper articles from the Times-Journal articles by J. Walter Fiers. They tell of burials in the Mt. Vernon Pioneer Cemetery in Redkey.  We have as many articles as we could locate. There is an index of names. Major family names include Allegre, Current, Evans, Fiers, Hesser, Manor, McKinney, Redkey, Roberts, Smith, Sutton, Wade, and Wilson  To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Written by J. Walter Fiers, these books have excellent genealogical information of the pioneer families living in their districts is given.
Theywere compiled in 2002 for the former Jay County Genealogy from a series of weekly newspaper articles of Mr. Fiers published in the Redkey Times newspaper. The articles are devoted to history of Richland Township schools, beginning with the Booth and Wade log schools.
Major family names in Book 1 are Allegre, Anderson, Andrew, Andrews, Armstrong, Beekman, Booth, Bridgford, Bromagem, Brooks, Burns, Campbell, Caylor, Clore, Clouse, Coons, Current, Daugherty, Davis, Evans, Ewing, Hesser, Hoppes, Kern, Manor, Mitchell, Pierce, Redkey, Reeves, Richardson, Roberts, Smith, Sutton, Wade, and Wilson.
The building of the five Halfway Schools – three of which were brick – is told in Book 2. It is from the name of this school that the Halfway Lodge in Redkey got its name. Major names in Book 2 include the following: Allegre, Anderson, Andrew, Bell, Booth, Boots, Carder, Clore, Coons, Current, Daugherty, Dragoo, Evans, Ewing, Fulkerson, Green, Hamilton, Hesser, Hickman, Hoppes, Jackson, Kern, Manor, McKinney, McVey, Nibarger, Redkey, Reed, Rook, Shrack, Smith, Stewart, Sutton, Wade, and Wilson.
Book 3 concludes with Mr. Fiers’ obituary. Major names included are: Anderson, Bell, Bridgford, Brooks, Brotherton, Carl/Carle, Clevenger, Coons, Current, Daugherty, Dragoo, Dunn, Ewing, Fiers, Fulkerson, Gunckel, Hall, Hayes, Hesser, Hickman, Holley, Hoppes, Horn, Jackson, Kern, LaFollette, Manor, McKee, McKinney, Orr, Phillips, Pierce, Redkey, Rees, Richardson, Roberts, Ross, Smith, Stewart, Sutton, Wade, Whetsel, Whipple, and Wilson.
To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

 Fiers’ Dunkirk Pioneer Days is a history of Dunkirk, IN and vicinity written by J. Walter Fiers in the early 1900’s.  Dunkirk is in Richland Township, Jay County, IN.  

Fiers’ Redkey Pioneer Days is a history of the earyl settlers of Redkey, IN and vicinity written by J. Walter Fiers in 1910 and 1911.  Redkey is in Richland Township, Jay County, IN. 

 Also included in Redkey’s book is an article entitled Pioneer Days by M. V.Coons. It was published in the Redkey Times newspaper in 1903. Martin V. Coons was the “first white child born in Richland township”.

These books were compiled for the former Jay County Genealogy Society from a series of newspaper articles of Mr. Fiers that were published in the Redkey Times newspaper. Some articles are undated. They were published in the early 1900s. Some original newspaper clippings are in two scrapbooks in the Indiana Room of the Jay County Public Library.  Our editions have been indexed.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .

Obituary Books – each year $25.00 Abstracted by Cathy Jo Garringer for the Jay County Genealogy Society Currently being indexed
Obituary books are available for the years 1950, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 2007 and 2008.  We are in the process of indexing these books.

These obituaries have been abstracted from The Commercial Review in Portland, Indiana.

To purchase materials contact the Jay County Historical Society at 903 East Main Street, Portland, IN 47371. You may call 1-260-726-7168 or e-mail research@jaycountyhistory.org .