Free Online Indiana Criminal Records

Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors unfortunately got in trouble with the law. And records were kept from arrests through court cases to prison documents. Now, more and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and are being made available online.

Types of Records

• Criminal court proceedings
• Police reports
• Prison and jail admission registers
• Arrest records
• Mug books
• Pardon and discharge information
• Hospital record books
• Workhouse records

Types of Information

• Name
• Age
• Birth date
• Height
• Weight
• Complexion
• Eye color
• Hair color
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Education
• Habits (alcohol use)
• Relations (parents living)
• Date incarcerated
• Court where charged
• Recommitments
• How and when discharged

Note: Some of the links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage, please make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.

Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the state; the first list is for multi-state collections:

United States

• Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
• Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
• Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages

Indiana

• Allen County, Circuit Court Record general Index
• Allen County, Civil and Criminal Case Files, 1820-1940
• Allen County, Probate Records, Probate Case Files, 1821-1935
• Allen County, Superior Court Records, Civil, Criminal, and Adoption Case Files, 1923-1939
• Brown County, Circuit Court Records, Civil and Criminal, 1836 to 1945, Index
• Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Prison Camp, 1861-1865
• Executions in Indiana
• Index to Life Prisoner’s Statements: State Prison at Michigan City
• Indiana Archives, Department of Corrections, Index Records
• Indiana, Department of Correction Records
• Indiana’s Death Row.. 1977-2008
• Miami County, Order Books, Court of Common Pleas, 1853-
• Randolph County Jail, 1909-1918
• Sullivan County, Court Records, 1882-1894
• Wabash Valley, Indictments Circuit Court criminal records 1861-1865