Genealogy & Local History Staff

See How We've Grown!

The Genealogy and Local History Department opened in 1991.

Marcia Brosher Ford	Background: Head of GLHS Department since September of 2002 Previously served as Adult Services & Reference Librarian at Jay County Public Library for 14 years and in charge of the Genealogy Room for 8 years. Masters of Library Science from Ball State University. Became interested in Genealogy as a young child attending family reunions. Ancestral Background: Brosher, Whitfield, Garringer, McCartney (paternal) Bousman, Harmon, Bragg, Potter (maternal) G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather Larance Bausman, came to the U.S. from Germany in 1746 Relatives are from Jay & Randolph Counties Special Areas of Genealogical Interest / Expertise: Genealogy Education Cemetery Research Genealogy on the Web Indiana History Historic Architecture
Janice Bradley Blanchard	Background: Mother got her started in genealogy Volunteer in the "Indiana Room" (now known as Genealogy & Local History Services) beginning 1986 Substitute Genealogy Assistant in Genealogy & Local History Services beginning 1992 Genealogy Assistant in Genealogy & Local History Services 1999 to present Ancestral background: Has traced several lines to New England. WARD, FINNEY, WARDWELL families were all here in 1600. SPRONG family settled New Amsterdam, now New York City. Has a common ancestor with President Eisenhower - Hans Nickolas ISENHOUR from Germany who came to America in 1600 settling in Pennsylvania. Special areas of genealogical interest / expertise: Early New England Records German and English records
Ronald L. Tetrick	Background: B.S. & M.A. degrees (Latin - English) Ball State University Latin Teacher - Haworth & Kokomo High Schools 1968-2000 Began as Genealogy Assistant June 26, 2000 Researcher of genealogy & family history for 40 years. Ancestral background: German, English, Scotch, Irish, Welsh MA, PA, VA, NC, OH, IN, KY Earliest immigrant: George ALLEN to MA, 1635 Surnames: TETRICK, HIX, EAKINS, MART, HENDERSON, ECHELBARGER, EBBERT, ALLEN, BOND, NESBITT + many more including his wife, Candace Kay Wintrode's family. Brick Walls Tetrick in 1750's - 1760's; Eakins in 1790's; Hix in 1780's; Mart in 1730's Special areas of genealogical interest / expertise: Knowledgable in Quaker faith, history & genealogy
Janet Smith Winrotte	Background: Janet Smith Winrotte has been an "at-home volunteer" in the Genealogy & Local History Services Department since eary 2001; she is helping input and proofread vital records data from our index card file to the computer. Ancestral background: Janet's Howard County Pioneer Roots include the following surnames: Touby, Colville, Smith, Cate, Bagwell, Hicks, Downhour, Ayers, Swisher, and Davis. Special areas of genealogical interest / expertise: Taking Michele's class in the spring of 2000 sent Janet in the direction of simply compiling first-hand documented family history and organizing it in a manner that present & future generations could enjoy. Since three of Janet's grandparents were deceased before her birth, the best part for her is making a connection for people & helping them experience & appreciate the sense of belonging.
Pat Tracewell	Background: Has lived in Kokomo all her life Graduate of Kokomo High School 1961 Volunteer since 1993 Substitute starting March 2001. Ancestral Background: Pat has researched both her maternal and paternal lines to the 1840's. Father's ancestors were from Germany and France. Pat's mother's name was SMITH and has become her brick wall. Most of her Indiana research is in the counties of Tipton, Madison, Hancock, Franklin, Jennings, Rush and Shelby. Her husband's ancestors were from England, Kansas, Virginia, and Illinois. Special areas of genealogical interest / expertise: Newspaper/microfilm research. Looks for old books and pictures of genealogical and historical interest at flea markets and antique stores.