Indiana Ancestors,
Genealogy column Indianapolis Star

Indiana Ancestors

by

Vicktoria Hizer

There were alot of Greene county Indian Queries in it over the years of existence. I personally used it allot myself back when it was in exixtence.

Even tho this no longer in existence - this is a tremendous source of information - data - queries if you can local a source that has the Indianapolis Star on file - such as the Indiana State Library, Marion County Library and and at one time the Indianapolis Star had their own library. The column too at one time for several years I think appeared in the Bloomington paper tho not sure - probably as was owned by the same company

This was a long running column in the Indianapolis Star appearing each Sunday in the "Arts & Entertainment Section" and earlier years I believe it was in the "Lifesyles: section. The paper is distributed all over the state of Indiana at present time so an excellent source to place a query. Contents were: general genealogy information, book reviews, queries and up coming genealogical and historical events in the area.

Some of the older columns by Betty McKay (I think) were put in book form; will check on this. I at one time seen this book or books but can't locate them at present.

If memory serves me correctly - this column was appearing in the late 1960's when I was but a teenager and not interested in family history. It did appear in the 1970's and I followed it faithfully after I got interested in family history for a long time; then I would occasionally buy the paper after 1989 for the column. Vicktoria wrote about herself and Betty:

I started writing the column in the fall of 1976 following Betty McKay. She was a dear friend of mine that died of cancer. Her daughter wrote it for about two years prior to moving to Georgia. Betty asked me to promise her before she died that I would interview for the job if her daughter ever had to quit. Here I still am. Her indexes were indexes only. The queries were not included. They are at the Indiana State Library along with the columns. I only indexed a couple of years that included the queries with the index.

Requirements were: Indiana must be mentioned within the text, include all known vital statistics and pertinent details, plus sender's name and address; and if desired e-mail address. Please submit multiple queries on separate pieces of paper. Surnames should be printed or typed in capital letters for clarity. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for query number and approximate date of publication.

or E-MAIL:

Vicktoria Hizer, Indiana Ancestors

Vicktoria e-mailed on 6 Jan 2006 as follows:

I have just been informed that the newspaper has made many cutbacks for the new year. The column was one of those along with other free lance journalists. It has had more than a 50 year run which is phenomenal. I was only going to keep it up for ten years and it has been 30! I know it performed a needed service and that is what has always kept me going even after we moved. It could not have been the $92 a week for the past 18 years.

Thank you for your friendship and help over the years. Who knows, we may move back up there one day! Would you please pass the word around. I will, of course, keep this e-mail address. .... I will not re-new the box office address that was published in the column.

Hope you and yours have a wonderful and genealogically prosperous New Year!

Sincerely, Vicktoria Hizer Indiana Ancestors