Search For Your Ancestors

IN RESOURCES

STATE QUICKLINKS

AL AZ AR CA CO CT
DE FL GA ID IL IN
IA KS KY LA MA MD
ME MI MN MS MO MT
NE NV NH NJ NM NY
NC ND OH OK OR PA
RI SC SD TN TX UT
VT VA WA WV WI WY

OTHER GENEALOGY RESOURCES

TOP FREE ANCESTRY DATABASES

SPONSORS

St Joseph 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

St Joseph County, Indiana Facts

When was St Joseph County, IN Created?
St Joseph County was established on January 29, 1830 from Unorganized Land (becoming effective April 1, 1830). This county was named for St. Joseph River, which flows through it toward Lake Michigan.

What is the County Seat of St Joseph County, IN?
The County Seat is located in South Bend also, the county government website is www.stjosephcountyindiana.com/ .

What counties are adjacent to St Joseph County, IN?
Bordering Counties are  Berrien County, Michigan, Cass County, Michigan, Elkhart County, Marshall County, Starke County, LaPorte County.

What cities and towns are in St Joseph County, IN?
Cities and towns located in the County include  Indian Village, Lakeville, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, North Liberty, Osceola, Roseland, South Bend, Walkerton, Granger.

What Townships are in St Joseph County, IN?
Townships located in the County include  Centre, Clay, German, Greene, Harris, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, Olive, Penn, Portage, Union, Warren.

St Joseph County, IN Vital Records

Where can find St Joseph County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
St Joseph 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 St Joseph 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 St Joseph County Department of Health, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., Rm 825, South Bend, In 46601-1870 ; Phone: 574-235-9750 ; maintains and provides Certified Birth and Death Records. They have Birth & Death Records from 1882.

St Joseph County, IN Census Records


What St Joseph 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 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

St Joseph Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. St Joseph Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. St Joseph 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

St Joseph County, IN Courthouse and Government Records

St Joseph County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the St Joseph County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in St Joseph County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Indiana Courthouse 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.

  • St Joseph County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601
  • St Joseph 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: (574) 235-9635
    • Marriage Records: 1830
    • Probate Records: 1830
    • Court Records: 1830
  • St Joseph 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.
    • Address: 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. Room 321, South Bend, IN 46601
    • Phone: (574) 235-9525
    • Land Records: 1830
  • St Joseph 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

St Joseph County, IN Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for St Joseph County, IN?
A list of St Joseph County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Indiana Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other St Joseph County, IN Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in St Joseph County, IN?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to St Joseph 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.

St Joseph Co. IN Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

St Joseph Co. IN Books, Newspapers & Publications

St Joseph Co. IN Cemeteries & Church Records

St Joseph Co. IN Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

St Joseph Co. IN General and History Websites

St Joseph Co. IN Military Records