Donations for the Archives, Request for Research or General Local History Questions?

In 1916, Mr. Sylvester Moore and his wife Anne, felt that Brownsburg should have its own public library. Mr. Moore was superintendent of the Brownsburg schools. A committee consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Moore and Mr. and Mrs. William Evans visited the Coatesville Library to learn how Brownsburg might secure a public library. Mr. Sanvorn, secretary of the Library Commission, helped them formulate their plans.   A number of taxpayers subscribed funds to start the project. The Carnegie Corporation provided a $12,500 gift, and money was borrowed from the local bank.   The cornerstone was laid September 18, 1917. School was dismissed for the occasion. A year later the new library opened with 400 books. Ottie Roberts was the librarian until 1944.   "Laying the Groundwork" images   "Carnegie Letter" image   "Design and Construction" images   "Filling the Library" images   "Finished Library" images   "Business of the Board" images

A wealth of Brownsburg history is at your fingertips with the Willard Jackson Collection housed in our Local History section. Willard Jackson, a Brownsburg resident, compiled years worth of articles from local papers chronicling the progress of our town. This is a great way to find specific topics in the bound newspaper volumes and microfilm that are housed in the Library. To search the PDF files below follow the link and then click "Ctrl F" to use Adobe's search function.

Willard Jackson Indices by date

Willard Jackson Indices by subject

Ancestry.com -- Access every genealogist's dream available at the library only.

Brownsburg: Then and Now; a work in progress, this database contains photographs of Brownsburg through the years...

Donor Gift Agreement -- If you have items that you'd like to donate to the Brownsburg Public Library Local History collection, please fill out this form.

E-Obits is a database that contains obituaries that have appeared in the Hendricks County Flyer and are constantly being updated, so check back often.

Heritage Quest combines digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with the digitized version of the popular UMI Genealogy & Local History collection and other valuable content.

Reproduction Request Form -- If you'd like to have a photocopy or digital image of one of our images, please click the link to fill out the form.

Virtual Field Trip, geared toward elementary-aged kiddos this fun and interactive field trip takes them on a virtual exploration around Brownsburg Then and Now! Be sure to turn on your speakers (this presentation is best viewed in an updated Microsoft Internet Explorer browser).

A look at Library History, take a stroll down memory lane from our beginnings to present day at the Brownsburg Public Library. Thanks to Jenna Case for making us a part of her project.

Cyndi's List - Charts, forms, websites

LDS Library - Salt Lake City

US Gen Web - Links to detailed information by State

Roots Web - discussions, links to detailed databases

National Archives - "how to" do geneology

Find a Grave - info on famous people

VINE Database from the IN State Library

Ancestry.com - The library has a subscription to this database. Please see a staff member for help in logging on.