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Wells 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
Wells County, Indiana Facts
When was Wells County, IN Created?
Wells County was established on February 17, 1837 from Adams New Purchase (became effective May 1, 1837). This county was named for Capt. William A. Wells, Native American who became a hero in the War of 1812.
What is the County Seat of Wells County, IN?
The County Seat is located in Bluffton also, the county government website is www.wellscounty.org/ .
What counties are adjacent to Wells County, IN?
Bordering Counties are Allen County, Adams County, Jay County, Blackford County, Grant County, Huntington County.
What cities and towns are in Wells County, IN?
Cities and towns located in the County include Bluffton, Markle, Ossian, Poneto, Uniondale, Vera Cruz, Zanesville.
What Townships are in Wells County, IN?
Townships located in the County include Chester, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Lancaster, Liberty, Nottingham, Rockcreek, Union.
Wells County, IN Vital Records
Where can find Wells County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Wells 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 Wells 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 Wells County Department of Health, 223 W. Washington St., Bluffton, IN 46714-1955 ; Phone: 260-824-6489 ; maintains and provides Certified Birth and Death Records. They have Birth & Death Records from 1883.
- Wells County, Indiana Index to Death Records, 1883-1920
- 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
Wells County, IN Census Records
What Wells 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.
Wells Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Wells Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Wells 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
Wells County, IN Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Wells County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Wells 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.
- Wells County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 102 W Market Street, Suite 203, Bluffton, IN 46714
- Wells 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) 824-6479
- Marriage Records: 1837
- Probate Records: 1838
- Court Records: 1838
- Wells 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) 824-6507
- Land Records: 1838
- Wells 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
Wells County, IN Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Wells County, IN?
A list of Wells County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Indiana Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Wells County Historian, Barbara J. Elliott, 6831 SE State Road 116, Bluffton, IN 46714-9420; Phone: (260) 824-5443
- Wells County Genealogy Society, P.O. Box 54, Bluffton, IN 46714-0054
- Wells County Historical Society Museum, P.O. Box 143, Bluffton, IN 46714-0143; Phone: (260) 824-9956
- 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 Wells County, IN Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Indiana Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Indiana State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Wells County, Indiana Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Wells County
- Wells County, Indiana Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Wells County, IN?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Wells 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.
Wells Co. IN Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Indiana Links and Information
- Wells County Township Map (stats.indiana.edu)
- 1895 Wells County Map (livgenmi.com)
Wells 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)
- Wells County, Indiana Books (amazon.com)
- Internet Archives online books for Wells County (archive.org)
- Google online books for Wells County (google.com)
- Indiana Newspaper Holdings for Wells County (in.gov)
- SearchIndiana Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
Wells Co. IN Cemeteries & Church Records
- Wells Co., Indiana Graves (findagrave.com)
- Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project (rootsweb.ancestry.com)
- Wells County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Wells Co., Indiana Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Wells Co., Indiana Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Wells County, Indiana Church Books (amazon.com)
Wells 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)
Wells Co. IN General and History Websites
- Wells County, Indiana Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Early Indiana History for Wells County (countyhistory.com)
- Map of Wells Co. Historical Markers (in.gov)
- Wells County, Indiana Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Wells Co. IN Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Wells County, Indiana (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Indiana – Counties – Wells (cyndislist.com)
- Wells County Indiana (genealogytrails.com)
- Wells Co. INGenweb (rootsweb.ancestry.com)
- Wells County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Wells Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Wells 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 Wells County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.