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.
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, open whenever the library is, with no appointment or sign-up needed. 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
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).
Digital resources
The Owen County Public Library gives everyone access to several research databases. Heritage Quest works from home with your library card number and PIN; Ancestry Library is free to use on the library's computers with no card at all. We also have quick links to local government resources and free archive sites to take your research further.
Heritage Quest (opens in new tab)
Powered by Ancestry.com, this free resource lets you trace your family tree through census records, military rolls, and more.
Library card neededAncestry Library (opens in new tab)
Full access to Ancestry Library Edition on the library’s computers, the same records used by professional genealogists. No library card needed; available for use inside the library.
In-library onlyIndiana Genealogical Society (opens in new tab)
Free databases and historical resources focused on Indiana families, cemeteries, and county records.
No card neededIndiana State Library Genealogy (opens in new tab)
Statewide genealogical resources curated by the Indiana State Library.
No card neededOwen County GIS (opens in new tab)
County map and zoning information, useful for locating historic addresses, parcels, and property records.
No card neededU.S. Veteran Service Records (opens in new tab)
Look up specific service records on the website of the U.S. National Archives.
No card needed
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.
Indexes & research guides
We keep a number of indexes in the Genealogy Room to help you track things down. Most aren't online yet. Ask at the desk and a staff member will pull the right one. We've also gathered a few trustworthy outside guides to extend your search.
In the Genealogy Room
- Owen County Information Files Index
- Family Files Index
- Newspapers Available on Microfilm: Inventory
- Family Binder Index
- Yearbook List
Available on site. Ask at the Genealogy Department desk (Ext. 5).
External research guides
- FamilySearch: Indiana Online Genealogy Records (opens in new tab)
- FamilySearch: Owen County, Indiana (opens in new tab)
- Indiana State Library: Owen County research guide (opens in new tab)
- Indiana State Library: Digital Collections (opens in new tab)
- Census Records at the National Archives (opens in new tab)
- Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana newspapers (opens in new tab)
- Indiana Memory: digital collections (opens in new tab)
- FamilySearch: United States records (opens in new tab)
- RootsWeb (opens in new tab)
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. Call and ask for extension 5, or email the Genealogy Department any time.