THE BRICK WALL
PROTOCOLGENEALOGY · BEYOND THE SEARCH BOX
BRICK WALL PROTOCOL / FREE GUIDES

Franklin County:
Search Brookville and Batesville before assuming a single county collection covers everything.

Local-history holdings and border-area newspapers complement Franklin’s surviving early court and will records.

Addresses and access notes ↓

Franklin County, Indiana: repository locations and selected major roadsI-74US 521,4,5Brookville2,6BatesvilleN ↑≈ 5 miles
Selected repository locations for present-day orientation. Numbers match the research stops below. Select a marker to open its stop. Locations are approximate, not entrances or driving directions. Grouped numbers identify nearby repositories; use the address key for individual locations.

Explore local streets and repository locations ↗

Not sure where to begin? Build a free three-step research plan → Choose your question, period and records already checked.

Explore records coverage by year ↓

Community history groups and access notes

How to search and interpret selected collections ↓

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PLAN YOUR RESEARCH ROUTE

Match the stops to the repository

Several stops can lead to the same repository. Maps show selected verified locations, not every guide stop or every community represented in the records. Use each stop’s access instructions, including for online and out-of-county collections. Check access before traveling.

Other guide stops not shown on this map

These stops may be online collections, shared repositories or locations not yet confirmed for mapping. Follow the collection’s access instructions.

Map sources and limits

County outlines: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 cartographic boundaries . Selected major roads: 2024 TIGER/Line primary and secondary roads . Public repository addresses checked against the sources above, with approximate Census geocoder positions. Unmatched addresses and out-of-county repositories are listed in the key rather than assigned a guessed position. Markers identify contact locations, not collection coverage. Historical boundaries, township lines and current traffic conditions are not shown. Prepared November 5, 2026.

Sources checked October 24, 2026. Additional collection descriptions and access instructions checked November 5, 2026. Earlier repository corrections retained. Selected dates do not imply complete coverage.

Start with one connection.

Bring a person, a place, approximate years, and one question. A township, congregation, school, or employer may reveal records a surname search misses. The custodian can be outside the county.

STOP 01 / Brookville

Franklin County Public Library: Brookville Local History and Genealogy

Keep research in the historic Carnegie building.

The library identifies its Carnegie building as the home of the Local History and Genealogy Department, separate from the newer children’s and teen annex.

Research details & a question to ask

How to begin

Call 765-647-4031 with your surname, locality, dates, and desired record before visiting 919 Main Street. Ask staff to identify available local files and newspapers for that question.

A question you can ask

Which collection or newspaper run should I request for this Brookville or Laurel family?

Keep in mind

The location page does not enumerate collection-level coverage. Treat holdings and staff availability as questions to confirm rather than assuming every county record is onsite.

STOP 02 / Batesville / Franklin-Ripley border

Batesville Memorial Public Library: Genealogy Center

A neighboring collection may hold the newspaper you need.

Holdings include church cemetery records, family histories, Franklin federal census microfilm for 1820–1920, Batesville newspapers for 1887–2020, and selected Brookville, Osgood, and Versailles newspapers.

Research details & a question to ask

How to begin

The center is open during regular library hours. Call ahead for genealogy assistance and ask which newspaper dates survive; microfilm printing is available for a fee.

A question you can ask

Does the Brookville or Batesville newspaper run cover this exact month?

Keep in mind

Published year spans do not guarantee every issue. The library’s listed Ripley county vital and probate microfilm should not be mistaken for Franklin records.

STOP 03 / Indianapolis / county-specific holdings

Indiana State Library: Franklin County research guide

Build a record checklist before ordering copies.

The guide lists court records, 1811–1842; marriages, 1811–1852; and will records and surname index, 1813–1936.

Research details & a question to ask

How to begin

Use the county guide to identify titles and call numbers, then ask the State Library about consultation or a targeted lookup. Its linked catalog and microfilm lists are separate from the printed abstracts.

A question you can ask

Which court or will entry can connect this person to a named relative?

Keep in mind

The State Library reports a courthouse fire in 1852 but says no records were lost. Do not repeat a blanket fire-loss assumption.

STOP 04 / Franklin County Public Library: Brookville

Family Bibles, school annuals and surname files

Read the collection in context.

The library describes more than 600 surname/local-topic files, 75 bound family histories, family Bibles and school annuals.

Research details & a question to ask

How to begin

Call 765-647-4031 for Julie Schlesselman; lengthy requests may be mailed. In-house review is free, copies/postage extra.

A question you can ask

Which original item covers this place and year, and how can I consult it?

Keep in mind

Annual and Bible dates are not published. Ask which item names this family.

STOP 05 / Franklin County Public Library: Brookville

Newspaper notes before a full microfilm search

Read the collection in context.

Genealogical newspaper notes cover 1827–1900; local newspaper microfilm begins in 1833.

Research details & a question to ask

How to begin

Request the note citation, then the newspaper image. Laurel duplicates some files and indexes but only selected newspaper editions.

A question you can ask

Which original item covers this place and year, and how can I consult it?

Keep in mind

Notes are selective; no complete microfilm issue inventory is provided.

STOP 06 / Batesville Memorial Public Library: Genealogy Center

Border-area newspapers at Batesville

Read the collection in context.

Batesville newspaper microfilm is listed for 1887–2020, alongside selected Brookville, Osgood and Versailles newspapers, church cemetery materials and family histories.

Research details & a question to ask

How to begin

Visit during library hours; arrange genealogy assistance through the contact form or phone 812-934-4706. Request the exact title/month before travel.

A question you can ask

Which original item covers this place and year, and how can I consult it?

Keep in mind

No issue-by-issue completeness is claimed. Listed Ripley vital/probate records are not Franklin records. The Genealogy Center is at the main library, not its Arts & Innovation Hub.

Leave a trail another researcher can follow.

Save the repository, collection title, dates, volume, page or item identifier, link, and the date you consulted it. Follow an index to the original record when possible. Keep uncertain names and inferred relationships visibly separate from what the source states.

Return to the Indiana county map · Explore Ohio collections

Corrections or a useful collection? hello@brickwallprotocol.com

FRANKLIN COUNTY / SELECTED RECORDS COVERAGE

Which collections cover your years?

Use these dated holdings to choose a next search. This is a selection of cataloged collections, not a complete inventory of Franklin County records.

A range is a lead, not a guarantee. Bars show the dates stated by the cited catalog or inventory. They do not establish uninterrupted coverage, complete reporting or online image access. Unmarked years mean not represented in this selection, not that records were destroyed. Indexes and abstracts still need to be followed to the underlying record.

Sources reviewed October 26, 2026. Blue shows cataloged holdings; rust identifies indexes or compiled publications where the source specifies them. Read the format label and access notes for each row.

inventory overview bounds

Marriage microfilm holdings

Listed years: 1811–1845, 1853–1957.

Source, access and coverage limits

Open the inventory and match the year to a specific item, title and call number. Ask the Indiana State Library about viewing the microfilm or any digital counterpart. The overview may combine indexes and record volumes; its bounds do not promise an uninterrupted series.

Keep in mind: Selected Indiana State Library holdings. Microfilm overview bounds can include indexes and multiple volumes; consult item-level entries for gaps. These are not countywide survival dates or an assurance of online images.

inventory overview bounds

Deeds microfilm holdings

Listed years: 1811–1902.

Source, access and coverage limits

Open the inventory and match the year to a specific item, title and call number. Ask the Indiana State Library about viewing the microfilm or any digital counterpart. The overview may combine indexes and record volumes; its bounds do not promise an uninterrupted series.

Keep in mind: Selected Indiana State Library holdings. Microfilm overview bounds can include indexes and multiple volumes; consult item-level entries for gaps. These are not countywide survival dates or an assurance of online images.

inventory overview bounds

Wills microfilm holdings

Listed years: 1813–1834, 1844–1925.

Source, access and coverage limits

Open the inventory and match the year to a specific item, title and call number. Ask the Indiana State Library about viewing the microfilm or any digital counterpart. The overview may combine indexes and record volumes; its bounds do not promise an uninterrupted series.

Keep in mind: Selected Indiana State Library holdings. Microfilm overview bounds can include indexes and multiple volumes; consult item-level entries for gaps. These are not countywide survival dates or an assurance of online images.

inventory overview bounds

Probates microfilm holdings

Listed years: 1811–1922.

Source, access and coverage limits

Open the inventory and match the year to a specific item, title and call number. Ask the Indiana State Library about viewing the microfilm or any digital counterpart. The overview may combine indexes and record volumes; its bounds do not promise an uninterrupted series.

Keep in mind: Selected Indiana State Library holdings. Microfilm overview bounds can include indexes and multiple volumes; consult item-level entries for gaps. These are not countywide survival dates or an assurance of online images.

Confirm the historical jurisdiction as well as the date. A record may be held outside today’s county, and an inventory’s ending year does not mean recordkeeping stopped.

Check historical jurisdiction → · Find collections for my years →

COMMUNITY MEMORY

Community history groups and research leads

Local communities can help identify a place, photograph or possible source. These independently run groups are community leads, not catalogued archives or BWP partners. Keep the contributor, date, basis for an identification and original source together. Ask permission before republishing photographs or private contributions.

Facebook identities and visible access information checked October 25, 2026. Verification here concerns the group, not the accuracy of its members’ posts. No groups were joined and no messages were sent.

Franklin, Ripley, and Dearborn County Indiana History

Public Facebook group

A regional community for history and old photographs from Franklin, Ripley and Dearborn counties in Indiana. State the county and town in a question.

Access and rules: Facebook lists a public, visible group; sign-in may still be requested. Read the current description and rules before posting.

Verification limits: The group identity, location and visible access information were checked. Member posts and particular holdings were not independently verified. Preserve source details and ask permission before reusing photographs or private contributions.

Open Franklin, Ripley, and Dearborn County Indiana History on Facebook

BEFORE YOU SEARCH

Understand the collection. Choose your next step.

Two selected collections, with practical ways to search and interpret the result. These are research suggestions, not findings about a particular person.

  1. Choose a source
  2. Check its limits
  3. Search and record
  4. Follow the next lead
Selected local collection

Genealogical newspaper notes

What it can tell you
This collection offers evidence about genealogical newspaper notes. Inspect the record itself and its purpose before drawing a conclusion about an individual.

Selected listed years: 1827–1900

Date overlap is a lead, not a guarantee of complete coverage.

How to search, request and interpret this collection

Coverage and gaps
Notes are selective; no complete microfilm issue inventory is provided. Selective notes; verify the cited newspaper image.

How to search
Begin with the named collection, school, congregation or locality. Search name variants, then inspect the cited entry and surrounding pages. Record the item reference and distinguish what the document states from your interpretation.

How to retrieve it
Request the note citation, then the newspaper image. Laurel duplicates some files and indexes but only selected newspaper editions.

Practical access
Request the note citation, then the newspaper image. Laurel duplicates some files and indexes but only selected newspaper editions.

If nothing turns up
Notes are selective; no complete microfilm issue inventory is provided. Selective notes; verify the cited newspaper image. A missing result alone does not establish absence from the community.

Read the collection source ↗

Source review: 2026-11-05; published collection descriptions checked; individual records not comprehensively inspected. Search and interpretation suggestions are BWP guidance.

Then try this

Check the collection description and source links before planning a request or visit.

Follow this research route →

Match collections to your research years →

Selected local collection

Batesville newspaper microfilm

What it can tell you
This collection offers evidence about batesville newspaper microfilm. Inspect the record itself and its purpose before drawing a conclusion about an individual.

Selected listed years: 1887–2020

Date overlap is a lead, not a guarantee of complete coverage.

How to search, request and interpret this collection

Coverage and gaps
No issue-by-issue completeness is claimed. Listed Ripley vital/probate records are not Franklin records. The Genealogy Center is at the main library, not its Arts & Innovation Hub. Broad holding span; confirm title/month and missing issues.

How to search
Begin with the named collection, school, congregation or locality. Search name variants, then inspect the cited entry and surrounding pages. Record the item reference and distinguish what the document states from your interpretation.

How to retrieve it
Visit during library hours; arrange genealogy assistance through the contact form or phone 812-934-4706. Request the exact title/month before travel.

Practical access
Visit during library hours; arrange genealogy assistance through the contact form or phone 812-934-4706. Request the exact title/month before travel.

If nothing turns up
No issue-by-issue completeness is claimed. Listed Ripley vital/probate records are not Franklin records. The Genealogy Center is at the main library, not its Arts & Innovation Hub. Broad holding span; confirm title/month and missing issues. A missing result alone does not establish absence from the community.

Read the collection source ↗

Source review: 2026-11-05; published collection descriptions checked; individual records not comprehensively inspected. Search and interpretation suggestions are BWP guidance.

Then try this

Check the collection description and source links before planning a request or visit.

Follow this research route →

Match collections to your research years →

HELP KEEP THIS GUIDE USEFUL

Know a collection we should include?

Suggest a correction, an overlooked collection or an updated access detail. An official link or source helps us check it before making a change. Please leave out private family documents and sensitive personal information.

Suggest a correction or collection

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