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Jay County, Indiana
Genealogy, History & Facts
County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links
Jay County, Indiana Facts
When was Jay County, IN Created?
Jay County was established on March 1, 1836 from Adams New Purchase. This county was named for John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
What is the County Seat of Jay County, IN?
The County Seat is located in Portland also, the county government website is www.co.jay.in.us/ .
What counties are adjacent to Jay County, IN?
Bordering Counties are Adams County, Mercer County, Ohio, Darke County, Ohio, Randolph County, Delaware County, Blackford County, Wells County.
What cities and towns are in Jay County, IN?
Cities and towns located in the County include Bryant, Pennville, Portland, Redkey, Salamonia, Dunkirk.
What Townships are in Jay County, IN?
Townships located in the County include Bearcreek, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Noble, Penn, Pike, Richland, Wabash, Wayne.
Jay County, IN Vital Records
Where can find Jay County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Jay County vital records can be found at the Indiana Office of Vital Records which has copies of birth and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Indiana for current fees and application process.
You can search online for Jay County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Indiana Birth Certificate or Death Certificate Applications to mail.
Vital Records can also be found in the Jay County Department of Health, 504 W. Arch St., Portland, IN 47371 ; Phone: 260-726-8080 ; maintains and provides Certified Birth and Death Records. They have Birth & Death Records from 1882.
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- USGenweb Archives Indiana Marriage Project
- Indiana, Births and Christenings, 1773-1933
- Indiana Births, 1880-1920
- Indiana Marriage Records, Various Sources 1919 – 2001
- Indiana Marriages to 1850
- Genealogy Database: Marriages through 1850
- Genealogy Database: Marriages: 1993-2004
- Indiana, Marriages, 1780-1992
- Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941
- Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959
- Indiana Marriages, 1802-1892
- Indiana, Death Index, 1882-1920
- Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920
Jay County, IN Census Records
What Jay County, IN census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Adams County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Jay Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Jay Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Jay Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Indiana Census Records Research Guide
Jay County, IN Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Jay County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Jay County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Indiana Corthouse Records Research Guide.
PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk’s department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The files are available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many staff will guide individuals in locating the materials, however it’s up to the person to carry out the research.
- Jay County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 120 Court St. , Portland, IN 47371
- Jay County Clerk responsiblities include administering Court Records of all Court Cases, prepares the Court’s permanent historical record, performs marriage ceremonies, process marriage applications and issue marriage licenses, processes and distributes documents for court cases, and keeps a record of all wills and matters of trust in probate proceedings. The County Clerk’s Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. The documents are available to interested parties, barring confidential issues. The staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research.
- Phone: 260-726-4951
- Marriage Records: 1837
- Probate Records: 1837
- Court Records: 1837
- Jay County Recorder maintains, preserves and Records Deeds, Mortgages, Assignments, Releases, Powers of Attorney, Real Estate Contracts, Annexations, Trustee Elections, Affidavits, Final Decrees, Surveys, Federal Tax Liens, Mechanics Liens, Military Discharges, Articles of Incorporation, Cemetery Deeds, Bonds, Plats, Condominiums, Firms Doing Business Under Assumed Names, Delinquent Sewer Liens, and Miscellaneous Instruments.
- Phone: 260-726-6940
- Land Records: 1836
- Jay County Treasurer’s Office is responsible for collecting taxes. The treasurer also receives distributions of local income and other taxes that are collected by the state such as real estate tax, personal property tax, mobile home tax, state assessed tax, and the following miscellaneous taxes: auto excise tax, inheritance tax, and innkeeper’s tax.
- BLM Land Records
Jay County, IN Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Jay County, IN?
A list of Jay County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Indiana Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Jay County Historian, Jane Spencer, 1400 S. Meridian St., Portland, IN 47371-2808; Home Phone: (260) 726-7283
- Balbec Historical Club, 7638 N. 650 W., Bryant, IN 47326-8905; Phone: (260) 731-3951
- Jay County Historical Society, 903 E. Main St., Portland, IN 47371-2017; Phone: (260) 726-7168
- Indiana State Archives, 6440 E. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN 46219; (317) 591-5222
- Indiana State Library, 140 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2296
- Indiana Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 10507, Fort Wayne IN 46852
- Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St, Indianapolis,IN 46202
Where can I connect with other Jay County, IN Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Indiana Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Indiana State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Jay County, Indiana Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Jay County
- Jay County, Indiana Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Jay County, IN?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Jay County. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a cost. This is simply a collection that has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site over another.
Jay Co. IN Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Indiana Links and Information
- Jay County Township Map (stats.indiana.edu)
- 1895 Jay County Map (livgenmi.com)
Jay Co. IN Books, Newspapers & Publications
- Indiana Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- Indiana historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from Indiana (1817 – 1930) (genealogybank.com)
- Jay County, Indiana Books (amazon.com)
- Internet Archives online books for Jay County (archive.org)
- Google online books for Jay County (google.com)
- Indiana Newspaper Holdings for Jay County (in.gov)
- SearchIndiana Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
Jay Co. IN Cemeteries & Church Records
- Jay Co., Indiana Graves (findagrave.com)
- Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project (rootsweb.ancestry.com)
- Jay County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Jay Co., Indiana Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Jay Co., Indiana Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Jay County, Indiana Church Books (amazon.com)
Jay Co. IN Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Create a Free Family Tree (ancestry.com)
- Nichols and Related Families (nicholsgenealogy.com)
- The Indiana Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Jay Co. IN General and History Websites
- Jay County, Indiana Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- History of Jay County, Indiana (search.ancestry.com)
- Early Indiana History for Jay County (countyhistory.com)
- Map of Jay Co. Historical Markers (in.gov)
- Jay County, Indiana Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Jay Co. IN Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Jay County, Indiana (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Indiana – Counties – Jay (cyndislist.com)
- Jay County Indiana (genealogytrails.com)
- Jay Co. INGenweb (pasttracker.com)
- Jay County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Jay Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Jay Co. IN Military Records
- Indiana Military Records Research Guide
- Indiana Military Records (fold3.com) offers easy access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents of the Indiana both women and men which served. Perfect for Jay County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.
Jay Co. IN Schools & Directories
- Portland, Indiana Directory, 1897 (search.ancestry.com)