Hamilton East Public Library

The Indiana Room, located on the second floor of the Hamilton East Public Library Noblesville building houses a special collection dedicated to preserving and providing local and state history, genealogy and family history, and general information pertaining to the State of Indiana.

Items housed in the Indiana Room that might be of particular interest include:

• Hamilton County histories including the History of Hamilton County by A. F. Shirts, the History of Hamilton County by T. Helms, the Portrait and biographical record of Madison and Hamilton counties, Indiana, and the The History of Hamilton County, Indiana written by John F. Haines that was scanned by the State Library.
• Hamilton County History   Originally entitled Hamilton County in 1900: Through a Young Person's Lens.  Two collections of photographs by or of young people at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century including almost all of the Hamilton County Township Schools and photographs by Earl Brooks (1883-1968) of the people and places of Noblesville and the surrounding area. A joint project of the Hamilton County Historical Society and the Hamilton County Public Library.
• Obituary File Index (by surname)
• Local newspapers dating back to 1837 (available on microfilm)
• Federal census records for the state of Indiana (microfilm)
• WPA Indexes for Hamilton County 
  (birth records, 1882-1920) 
  (death records, 1882-1920) 
  (marriage records, 1850-1920)
• Family Histories File   *NEW*
• Hamilton County and Indiana clippings file
• Hamilton County cemetery listings
• Local high school yearbooks
• Sanborn maps of Noblesville (available on microfilm)
• Maps (at Hamilton County Surveyor's office):
• Family Tree Maker Archives
• City directories (Noblesville)
• 1874 Hamilton County directory
• Hamilton County Law Library
• Indiana Magazine of History
• Genealogy databases including:
  • American Ancestors
  • Ancestry Library Edition
  • Fold3
  • Heritage Quest Online
• Useful Genealogy Websites
• VINE (Vital Information Exchange)

VINE is a searchable statewide database, which is composed of Indiana local history and vital records from Indiana libraries and related organizations. We are in the process of adding our Obituary File Index to this database.

Most of the items in our collection are not available for checkout, so please plan to use these during your visit to the library.

You may photocopy most resources without leaving the room. A photocopier is conveniently located in the Indiana Room for your use. Black and white copies cost 15¢ each. Microfilm copies cost 25¢ each.

Feel free to ask our knowledgeable staff for help in finding materials, using the Indiana Room collection, or in accessing genealogical collections.

Staff is also available to do limited research for you at no charge as time allows. Mail, email, or phone inquiries must be brief and specific. We ask that you pay any copy and postage costs. Obituaries found in microfilmed newspapers may be scanned and emailed at no charge.

Requests may be made:

• In person
• By phone at 317-770-3206
• By fax at 317-770-3278
• By U. S. mail at Indiana Room Hamilton East Public Library
  One Library Plaza
  Noblesville, IN 46060
• By email to indrm@hepl.lib.in.us

Indiana Room staff periodically offers classes in genealogy. Topics may include "using the genealogy databases", "organizing your information", and tips on finding relatives through military records, obituaries, and other unique sources. Visit our program calendar to register for the latest classes.

Tours of the Indiana Room are also given to small groups. Contact us at least one week ahead of time to schedule a group tour.

Our Indiana Room is open to everyone. Each year we welcome guests from all over the United States and other countries.