Fulton County, Ohio Genealogy
Guide to Fulton County, Ohio ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Fulton County was named for Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat. The county is located in the northwestern area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse
Fulton County Courthouse
210 S Fulton St
Wauseon, OH 43567-1355
Phone: 419-337-9230
Fulton County Website
Probate Court has birth and death records 1867-1908, marriage, probate and naturalization records;
Clerk Court has divorce and court records;
County Recorder has military and burial records;
County Auditor has land records[4]
Fulton County, Ohio Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1867 | 1864 | 1867 | 1850 | 1835 | 1853 | 1820 |
Record Loss
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1864 A courthouse fire in July destroyed many of the county records. Those saved were located in the Court of Common Pleas such as Chancery, Plaintiff and Defendant indexes, plus the court cases. Probate Court records such as the wills, estates, and guardianship's were lost. The Recorder's Office lost the land records, but those have been reconstructed using Barber's Abstracts. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. Hometown Locator
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county: [7]
| Cities | ||
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| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Townships | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
For an extensive list of resources for Bible Records see Ohio Bible Records.
Biographies
- Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio: including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams, and Fulton; ...; (Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1899) Online at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Fulton County Historical Society; Fulton County, Ohio: a collection of historical sketches and family histories; (Dallas, Texas: The Taylor Publishing Company, 1976) Online at FamilySearch Digital Library
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 7,781 | — |
| 1860 | 14,043 | 80.5% |
| 1870 | 17,789 | 26.7% |
| 1880 | 21,053 | 18.3% |
| 1890 | 22,023 | 4.6% |
| 1900 | 22,801 | 3.5% |
| 1910 | 23,914 | 4.9% |
| 1920 | 23,445 | −2.0% |
| 1930 | 23,477 | 0.1% |
| 1940 | 23,626 | 0.6% |
| 1950 | 25,580 | 8.3% |
| 1960 | 29,301 | 14.5% |
| 1970 | 33,071 | 12.9% |
| 1980 | 37,751 | 14.2% |
| 1990 | 38,498 | 2.0% |
| 2000 | 42,084 | 9.3% |
| 2010 | 42,698 | 1.5% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Ohio denominations, see Ohio Church Records.
- 1765-1947 Ohio, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms, 1765-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Catholic
- 1796-2004 Ohio, Diocese of Toledo, Catholic Parish Records, 1796-2004 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection
Lutheran
- 1846-1900 St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church at OHGenWeb
Court Records
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
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Genealogies
Guardianship
- 1864-1889 Guardians' Docket, 1864-1889(*); Probate Court, Fulton County at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
Land and Property Records
After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and are where records are currently housed. More information about why to use land records and what information land records includes can be found on the Ohio Land and Property Wiki page.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1790-1907 Land Records at OHGenWeb Archives
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for this county. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see Ohio Local Histories.
- Reighard, Frank H.; A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio: an authentic narrative of the past… (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1920) Volume 1 online at FamilySearch Digital Library, Google Books; Volume 2 online at Internet Archive; Google Books.
- Mikesell, Thomas; The county of Fulton; a history of Fulton County, Ohio, from the earliest days (Madison, Wisconsin: Northwestern Historical Association, 1905) Online at Google Books; FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Aldrich, Lewis Cass; History of Henry and Fulton Counties, Ohio with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers (Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & Co., 1888) Online at FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archives.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Ohio (1788-1940) at MapofUS.org
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
- 1888-1919 Ohio Soldier Home Records, 1888-1919 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
Civil War
- Civil War service men from Fulton County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Fulton County.
- - 100th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, Companies E and H
- - 111th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, Companies C and F
- Ohio Genealogical Society. Fulton County Chapter. Civil War soldiers discharge abstracts, Fulton County, Ohio. ([Ohio] : Ohio Genealogical Society. Fulton County Chapter, 1993) FS Library Book 977.1115 M2c and 1890 Fulton County, Ohio special census of Union veterans FS Catalog book 977.1115 X2f 1890
World War I
- 1914-1919 Ohio, World War I Statement of Service Cards, 1914-1919 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
- 1914-1918 Ohio, World War I, Enrollment Cards, 1914-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
- 1916-1920 Ohio, WWI Index and Return Cards, 1916-1920 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1800-1977 Ohio, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1977 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
Newspapers
Fulton County newspapers often contain genealogical value including obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, family gatherings, family travel, achievements, business notices, engagement information, and probate court proceedings.
- For more online Ohio newspapers index & images, see Ohio Newspapers.
- 1793-2009 Ohio Newspapers, 1793-2009 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1800s-late 1900s Newspapers at Ohio History Connection — Select county.
- 1800s-Current Ohio, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries
- 1657-Onward Ohio Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
- Fulton Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society; Early pioneer obituaries of Fulton County, Ohio Online at FamilySearch Digital Library
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
From 1797 or the creation of the county, probate records were held by the Court of Common Pleas. After 1852, records are held by the Fulton County Probate Court. See Ohio Probate Records for information about how to use probate records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1786-1998 Ohio, Wills and Probate Records 1786-1998 at Ancestry ($) — index & images.
- 1789-1996 Ohio Probate Records 1789-1996 at FamilySearch.org — How to Use this Collection.
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Ohio tax records complement land records and can be used in place of censuses before 1820 or to supplement the years between censuses. Because only persons who owned taxable property were listed, many residents were not included in tax lists. There may also be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties.
Online Tax Indexes and Records
- 1800-1950 Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
- 1800-1850 Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850 at MyHeritage ($) — index
Vital Records
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Marriages were usually recorded from the formation of the county and are held at the office of the County Probate Court. Divorce records are located with the county Clerk of Courts.
Any existing birth and death records from 1867 through December 19, 1908 are located at the County Probate Court. The Ohio Department of Health has birth records filed after December 20, 1908 and death records filed after January 1, 1954, while the Ohio History Connection houses death records from December 20, 1908 through December 31, 1953.
Birth
- 1765-1947 Ohio, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms, 1765-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
- 1841-2003 Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
- 1908-1998 Ohio, Birth Index, 1908-1998 at Ancestry ($) — Index
- 1918-1953 Ohio, Stillbirths, 1918-1953 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1959-1998 Ohio, Birth Index, 1959-1998 at MyHeritage - index ($)
Marriage
- 1789-2013 Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
- 1789-Onward Ohio Marriages at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1800-1942 Ohio Marriages, 1800-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
- 1800-1958 Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
- 1970-2003 Ohio, Marriages, 1970 - 2003 at MyHeritage ($) — index
Death
- 1765-1947 Ohio, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms, 1765-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; selected counties, incomplete; includes, death, church, and cemetery records
- 1833-1967 Ohio, Church and Civil Deaths, 1833-1967 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1840-2001 Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection.
- 1908-1932, 1938–1944, and 1958–2007 Ohio Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007 at FamilySearch – How to Use this Collection – Index
- 1908-1932, 1938-2018 Ohio, Death Records, 1908-1932, 1938-2018 at Ancestry ($) — index & images
- 1913-1944, 1954-1963 Ohio Death Index, 1913-1944, 1954-1963 at MyHeritage ($) — index
- 1918-1953 Ohio, Stillbirths, 1918-1953 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1954-Present Ohio Deaths, 1954-Present Death certificates from 1954 to the present are held by the Ohio Department of Health. These records can be ordered in person or by mail.
Divorce
- 1962-2007 Ohio, Divorce Abstracts, 1962-1963, 1967-1971, 1973-2007 at Ancestry ($)
Voting Records
- 1900-Onward Ohio, Voter Registrations at MyHeritage — index ($)
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Fulton County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Ohio Archives and Libraries.
Fulton County Records/Microfilm Center
152 South Fulton Street, Suite 55
Wauseon, OH 43567
419-337-9262
Website
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Toledo Ohio FamilySearch Center
- Wauseon Ohio FamilySearch Center
- Toledo-Lucas County Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Fulton County. For state-wide library facilities, see Ohio Archives and Libraries.
Archbold Community Library
205 Stryker St
Archbold, OH 43502
419-446-2783
Website
Delta Public Library
402 Main St
Delta, OH 43515-1304
419-822-3110
Website
Evergreen Community Library
253 Maple St
Metamora, OH 43540
419-644-2771
Website
Normal Memorial Library
301 N Eagle St
Fayette, OH 43521
419-237-2115
Website
Swanton Public Library
305 Chestnut St
Swanton, OH 43558
419-826-2760
Email: swantonpl@gmail.com
Website
Wauseon Public Library
117 E Elm St
Wauseon, OH 43567-1444
419-335-6626
Email: mdeleon@seolibraries.org
Website
Museums
Museum of Fulton County, OH
8848 State Highway 108
Exit 34 OH Turnpike
Wauseon, OH 43567
419-337-7922
Email: info@museumoffultoncounty.org
Website
Societies
Listed below are societies in Fulton County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Ohio Societies.
Fulton County Ohio Genealogical Society
PO Box 337
Swanton, OH 43558
Email: FCCOGS@gmail.com
Website
Websites
- Custom Browse of Historical Collections at Ohio Memory — Use map or alpha bar to select county or place, then browse search options in left sidebar.
- Ohio Genealogical Society ($) — online databases
- Ohio USGenWeb
- USGW Archive for Ohio
- Fulton County OH Genealogy at LDS Genealogy
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Fulton Count History, Fulton County Chapter of OH Genealogical Society; accessed 9/1/2020
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ohio.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ http://genealogytrails.com/ohio/fulton/ accessed 2/16/2017
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ohio.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ohio.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ohio.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Fulton County, Ohio," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_County,_Ohio, accessed 12 November 2018.