Bartholomew County Genealogical Society

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Bartholomew County Genealogical Society

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Bartholomew County Genealogical Society (BCGS) is not only about having relatives in Bartholomew County!

Founded on September 22, 1990, the Bartholomew County Genealogical Society is dedicated to helping people interested in collecting and preserving family histories. It's about:

Genealogy Research Tips
Speakers
Quarterly BCGS Newsletter (printed or e-mail format)
Surname list with contact info of others who might be researching your relatives
Researching in other counties, states and countries
Sharing your Research Successes
Getting Help with your Genealogy Roadblocks

10/25/2026

The BCGS board is working to improve our programming. Please click on this link and fill out our survey. We want to provide the best information to you that we can. Thank you in advance.
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10/23/2026

Sand Hill Cemetery, located east of Columbus, was the original burial place of Joseph Hart, son of Revolutionary War Patriot William Hart. Joseph and his family were later moved to Garland Brook Cemetery when the roadway was widened in the 1930s, but Sand Hill remains an important historic landmark and the resting place of many early settlers, pioneers, and patriots.
The cemetery survived severe vandalism in 2012, and through the generosity of the community, damaged monuments were restored. Now Sand Hill needs our help once again. A project is underway to repair the historic cemetery wall, including replacing 50 to 60 feet of the crumbling concrete cap, resetting damaged stones, and cleaning the structure. More than $26,000 is needed to complete the work. The County Commissioners and Clay Township Trustee are funding a large portion of this but donations are being sought for the remaining funds.
Please consider making a donation to help preserve this important piece of Bartholomew County history. By supporting this project, you are helping ensure that the stories of our early settlers, Revolutionary War families, and local heritage are protected for future generations. If you would like to make a donation to the project, checks may be written to Clay Township and sent to the Clay Township Trustee’s office 9922 East 25th St., Columbus, IN 47203. Please note on the memo line Sand Hill Cemetery Project. Or Contact Rob Kittle at 812-378-4834 or 812-343-4233. Together, we can keep Sand Hill Cemetery standing as a visible reminder of our community's past.

10/11/2026

🔵Mark your calendars for Friday, October 16, 9:00-4:00.

🔵This month, instead of our regular program, we are excited that the library is hosting a day where you can learn all about genealogy.

🔵Register now to attend in person or online. We hope to see you there!!

Whether you're just beginning your family history journey or looking to deepen your research, the engaging sessions at the Celebrate Family History Month Genealogy Symposium offer something for everyone. Attend in person or online and explore your past with guidance from top genealogists. BCPL is one of 86 libraries participating in this nationwide conference! You can see the full list of libraries that are participating at shorturl.at/bI9zX

Register to attend in person or online at mybcpl.org/events.

10/08/2026

Mark Your Calendars! Our Fall Gathering is October 17th! 10 AM to 4 PM

Join us at Historic Eleutherian College for a day filled with music, history, archaeology, and stories that connect our past to the present.

Music at 11 AM & 3 PM
Experience an engaging musical journey featuring Tabitha Tolbert, performing a selection of her original songs woven together with timely 19th-century covers. Joining Tabitha is Kyla Renae, whose soulful voice and original music bring a warm, vibrant energy to this reflection on an era when music brought communities together.

Archaeology Talk at 1 PM
Dr. Sean O’Neill, archaeology professor at Hanover College, will share insights into the past and the discoveries that help bring history to life.

History Presentations at 12 PM & 2 PM
Local historian, professional genealogist and HEC board member Phyllis Codling McLaughlin will share the results of nearly a decade of research into Robert Jefferson’s family, including DNA research involving living descendants to establish his relationship to Thomas Jefferson.

Phyllis will also share highlights from her recent trip with two of Robert Jefferson’s descendants to the Families of Monticello conference in Washington, D.C., held September 22–23, 2026.

Tours Throughout the Day
Between presentations and performances, we’ll be offering tours of Historic Eleutherian College—giving you the chance to explore this remarkable place and discover more of its history.

Travel Note for Visitors
INDOT has closed State Road 7 near Madison, between Deputy Pike Road and Dawson Smith Road, over Big Clifty Creek. The official detour is State Road 62 → State Road 256 → State Road 3. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.

09/26/2026

We are just two weeks away from our October Hoosier Roots Live presentation!

Before you head out to a local cemetery with a scrub brush, learn what tools and methods are safe for historic headstones. Preservationist Carissa Thomas will guide us step-by-step through proper cleaning protocols on Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 PM ET. Protect the stones that protect our past!

09/19/2026

Eleven downtown Columbus businesses are honoring our community's WWII MIA soldiers as part of the DAR's "Downtown Window Walk," running through September as part of First Thursdays. Each window displays a poster remembering one of Bartholomew County's 11 missing servicemen — men who never came home, and whose families spent a lifetime not knowing. This local effort is part of DAR's statewide "Enduring Promise" project honoring Indiana's 1,500 WWII MIA soldiers. A huge thank-you to the participating businesses for helping us remember these men and keep their stories alive. See the map below for all 11 locations!

09/18/2026

You are invited to the Fifth Annual BCPL Guided Cemetery Tour Series in honor of National Family History Month!

On these self-paced walking tours, library staff positioned around the cemetery will share the stories of historic families that are buried. Both of these tours are suitable for all ages.

October 5 - BCPL Cemetery Tour Series: Flat Rock Baptist Cemetery
Rain date: October 7 at 6:00 pm.

October 19 - BCPL Cemetery Tour Series: Garland Brook Cemetery
The Joseph Hart Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be joining us to tell the story of local Revolutionary War Soldier, Joseph Hart, buried in Garland Brook. Rain date: October 21 at 6:00 pm.

Address

Bartholomew County Genealogical Society PO Box 2455
Columbus, IN
47202

Website

http://www.barthgen.org/

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