While we recognize the stringent requirements for various lineage societies, we do request that applicants go ahead and make copies of the documentation that they used for a previously approved application and mail it in with their Society of Indiana Pioneer application. We are a small lineage society and would like to have our documentation available for future generations. You might think of it as placing your family history in multiple places for safekeeping. While we are very careful to keep recent generations private, it is nice when we can provide valuable information to someone starting their family research into their early ancestors. Think of it as making our society a repository of Indiana pioneer history.
Do I need copies of the original documents, or will transcribed records be sufficient?
Either one will be accepted. If you are sending a transcribed record, please include a copy of the title page so that it would be possible to find that record in the future.
Should I highlight the pertinent information?
Please do not use highlighter since, over time, it will fade, and when making digital copies, it makes the information hard to read.
- Having the vital information underlined with a red pen or pencil is helpful. That way, the genealogist will see the information you have pointed out.
How do you like to see dates written?
The standard among many genealogists is to write a date in this format: “31 Dec 1840.”
If I have a relative who is already a Society of Indiana Pioneers member, do I need to locate all the documentation again?
Not if you’re linking to the same ancestor. Fill in all the names, dates, and places for each generation, but enter something like the following in the source section for each generation: “See the 2008 application of John Doe for ancestor Jane Doe.”
- You will need to provide documentation for your own generation as described above and documentation for each generation until you have “tied” into your relative’s approved application.
- For example, if you have a grandfather who is a member and you would like to join, you would need to provide the birth and marriage information for your generation and the birth, marriage, and death information for the previous generation. Either the birth certificate or a death certificate for Generation #2 should then tie into your grandfather’s application since it would list parents.
- Don’t forget to go ahead and enter the names, dates, and places for each generation back to the ancestor! That will help for future generations.
Why should I check the online Index of Ancestors on the Indiana Society of Pioneers website?
It is always a great way to get started! We continually update this Index, and if you are fortunate enough to find your ancestor listed, you may contact the office, and the genealogist will gladly check previous applications to see what type of information is available on your ancestor. Remember, this Society has existed since 1916, and with over 8,000 ancestors, a large amount of information has been submitted!
Why should I encourage my family and friends to join the Society of Indiana Pioneers?