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Archiver > OHMERCER > 2001-06 > 0993428453


From: "Jason Gaerke" <>
Subject: [MERCER] Probate records...and were they used
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 20:28:37 -0500
References: <a6.15bfb0b8.2867a93e@aol.com>


First, this is an amazing amount of records. I had no idea the Mercer
Probate Court had all of this stuff.

Now, my question is on how complete the records are...were people required
to fill out these forms back in the mid- to late-1800's ? Sorry that this
email is a little long and asks a lot of questions, but perhaps other people
are wondering also.

> BIRTH 1867 thru Nov of 1908 $1.00 p/photocopy
*** This is a civil record. Was this always a requirement to have this
filled out?

> DEATH 1867 thru Nov of 1908 $1.00 p/photocopy
*** This is a civil record. If the family handled the funeral, would there
be a record? What if there was no relation to take care of the last
survivor of the family? These records could be handy for some of my early
immigrant ancestors who left little other record of their existance.

> MARRIAGE 1838 to present $0.50 p/photocopy
***I'm very interested if this was a legal requirement or if it was
considered "optional" for the late 1800's.

> MARRIAGE CONSENT FORMS 1829-1982
**** Only for the very young. Probably doesn't apply to my ancestors, as
far as I know.

> CRIMINAL RECORDS 1907-1938
*** Heh, heh. It's a shame that it doesn't go back further to the 1870's.
I've got some initial evidence that says that Joseph Gärke (Gerke, Gorke,
Garke, Goerke, Gercke, etc, etc) of Washington Twsp died of consumption. I
wonder if he had any prior alcohol related incidents that were recorded.

> INSPECTION OF TREASURY 1874-1906
*** Is this for business? This probably wouldn't apply to any of my
relation, though the Mercer County Atlas [Sutton etc] did state that
Deiderick Gärke (Gorke, etc) was engaging in Mercantile ventures, whatever
exactly that meant.

> LIQUOR DEALER BONDS 1882
*** For those who needed a liquor license, right?

> MOTHERS PENSION RECORDS 1914-1936
*** I don't know what record this is. Can someone explain the meaning of
this type of record, and who/how it is generated?

> NATURALIZATIONS FIRST PAPERS 1861-1906
> NATURALIZATIONS SECOND PAPERS 1859-1903
*** Naturalizations...of course. BUT, what is the difference between 1ST
and 2ND PAPERS??? The time span is fairly close, so it's not based on years
but some other distinction.

> NURSES/LTD. PRACTIONERS CERTIFICATES 1916-1956
**** Elisabeth Garke/Gaerke was a nurse and died of Influenza at a fairly
young age. Mercer County issued certificates to all practicing nurses?
This could be a VERY handy record...I know little to nothing of Elisabeth
Garke.

> PATENT RIGHT AFFIDAVITS 1868-1869
*** What would this record apply to, and how would it be generated?

> TOWNSHIP OFFICERS BONDS 1894-1900
*** I'm not sure what sort of record this is. If an ancestor of yours was a
township officer, then they left some sort of record behind???

> I have also received papers from probate that have to do with
> WILLS,GUARDIANSHIP,and DELAYED BIRTH RECORDS
*** Not sure what a "Delayed Birth" record is, but I'm interested in the
Wills and Guardianship records.

*** So I just visit the Mercer County Court House and ask for all (for
example) Gärke/Garke/etc records, or simply write them a letter with my
phone number and promise to send payment?

Many thanks,
Jason
Researching Gärke/Garke/Gaerke/Görke, etc, KNOTH, GOLDEN, GRUSS of Mercer
County and Jay County Indiana.


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