Archives & ancestry

Genealogy

Welcome to the Genealogy Department, where you can find all the information you need about the history of Owen County and the families who built it.

A look inside

The genealogy room

The genealogy archive sits in what was once the building's original bank vault — back when this corner of Spencer housed the local bank, long before it became the library. You'll find it on the first floor. Click any photo to enlarge.

  • Newspaper archives back to 1888
  • Microfilm scanner
  • Local yearbooks back to 1913
  • Family birth and death records
  • Set in the original bank vault

What we have

Categories of archive

  • Local Archives

    Newspaper archives on microfilm, historic yearbooks from around Owen County, and family birth and death records are just the start of what’s available in our genealogy section.

  • The Indiana Section

    Inside the archive vault sits a special Indiana section dedicated to famous and notable Hoosiers, Indiana authors and artists, and the people and places that shaped the state.

  • Digital Resources

    In addition to our physical archives, the library provides access to several digital databases for family lineage research, GIS inquiries, and more (listed below).

Research from anywhere

Digital resources

The Owen County Public Library gives everyone access to several proprietary databases with their library card number and PIN. We also have quick links to local government resources and free archive sites to take your research further.

Forgot your PIN?

Call the Circulation desk with your library card number for instructions on how to reset your PIN.

Lost your library card?

Bring in a photo ID and we can get you a replacement card at the Circulation desk.

Questions, comments, or research help?

Our staff can point you to the right records or sit down with you to work through a research question. Stop by, call, or ask at the Genealogy Department desk on the first floor.

(812) 829-3392 · Ext. 5