African American Resources for Ohio: Difference between revisions

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| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[African American Genealogy|African American Genealogy]]
| link2=[[African American Genealogy|African American Genealogy]]
| link3=[[Ohio Genealogy|Ohio]]
| link3=[[Ohio, United States Genealogy|Ohio]]
| link4=
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| link5=[[African American Resources for Ohio|African American Resources]]
| link5=[[African American Resources for Ohio|African American Resources]]
}}  
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{{Click|Image:AA_ORP.png|African_American_Online_Genealogy_Records}}  
<div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[African American Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div>
 
{{TOC left}}
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
==Online Resources==
==Online Resources==
*[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ Discover Freedmen] - this site searches all of the Freedmen's Bureau record collections on FamilySearch altogether (and redirects there)
<li>[http://sites.google.com/site/janscorner/home/an-act-to-regulate-black-and-mulatto-persons An Act to Regulate Black and Mulatto Persons]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874]
<li>[http://www.morganohiolibrary.com/AfricanAmerican.html African American Ohio Name Index to 1850]</li>
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1414908 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872]
<li>[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ Discover Freedmen] - this site searches all of the Freedmen's Bureau record collections on FamilySearch altogether (and redirects there)</li>
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1231 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867 ($)]
<li>'''1865-1874''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874] at FamilySearch</li>
*[http://www.accessgenealogy.com/black-genealogy/ohio-african-american-genealogy.htm Access Genealogy-Ohio African American Genealogy]
<li>'''1861-1872''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1414908 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872] at FamilySearch</li>
*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohafram/ Ohio GenWeb African-American]
<li>'''1846-1867''' [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1231 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867] at Ancestry ($) </li>
 
<li>[http://www.accessgenealogy.com/black-genealogy/ohio-african-american-genealogy.htm Access Genealogy-Ohio African American Genealogy]</li>
*Ohio. Auditor of State. ''Special Enumeration of Blacks Immigrating to Ohio, 1861-1863''. (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Historical Society, 198-.) {{FHL|564229|item|disp=FHL film 1688779.}} - contains indexes by immigrants' names, previous residences, counties in which the lived, and questionable names. It also includes original returns by county.  
<li>[[African American Digital Bookshelf]] - a growing list of digital books on FamilySearch and other websites</li>
*Turpen, Joan. Register of Black, Mulatto and Poor Person in four Ohio Counties, 1791-1861. (Clinton, Highland, Logan, and Ross Counties) FHL 977.1 F28r
<li>[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohafram/ Ohio GenWeb African-American]</li>
*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohafram/ Ohio African American Genealogy] has sources to assist you in your search for your ancestors.  
<li>Ohio. Auditor of State. ''Special Enumeration of Blacks Immigrating to Ohio, 1861-1863''. (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Historical Society, 198-.) {{FSC|564229|item|disp=FS Library film 1688779.}} - contains indexes by immigrants' names, previous residences, counties in which the lived, and questionable names. It also includes original returns by county.</li>
*[http://www.prairiebluff.com/aacemetery/oh.htm African American Cemeteries] online
<li>Turpen, Joan. Register of Black, Mulatto and Poor Person in four Ohio Counties, 1791-1861. (Clinton, Highland, Logan, and Ross Counties) FS Library 977.1 F28r</li>
*[http://sites.google.com/site/janscorner/home/an-act-to-regulate-black-and-mulatto-persons An Act to Regulate Black and Mulatto Persons]
<li>[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohafram/ Ohio African American Genealogy] has sources to assist you in your search for your ancestors.</li>
<li>[http://slavenorth.com/ohio.htm Slavery in the North: Ohio]</li>


==Research Strategy==
==Research Strategy==
==History==
==History==
African Americans make up a rich part of Ohio's History. The [http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=1459 The Ohio Constitution of 1803] outlawed slavery, this was in accordance to the [http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=1747 Northwest Ordinance of 1787]. In 1804, Ohio passed Black Laws (sometimes referred to as Black Codes). These laws stipulated that only freedmen with a valid certificate of freedom (obtained from the court) could reside in Ohio. They also had to register their names in the county clerk's office of where they reside, which cost a small fee. Furthermore, freedmen could only be employed if they had a certificate proving their freedom. Anyone who harbored an escaped slave would be fined.
African Americans make up a rich part of Ohio's History. The Ohio Constitution of 1803 outlawed slavery; this was in accordance to the [https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/northwest-ordinance Northwest Ordinance of 1787]. In 1804, Ohio passed Black Laws (sometimes referred to as Black Codes). These laws stipulated that only Freedmen with a valid certificate of freedom (obtained from the court) could reside in Ohio. They also had to register their names in the county clerk's office of where they reside, which cost a small fee. Furthermore, Freedmen could only be employed if they had a certificate proving their freedom. Anyone who harbored an enslaved runaway would be fined.


By the early 1800s, a settlement of African Americans was located in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. This area was controlled by the Wyandot, a Native American tribe. While some of these settlers were free, others were runaway slaves seeking safety. See [http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=816 Upper Sandusky, Ohio] for more information.  
By the early 1800s, a settlement of African Americans was located in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. This area was controlled by the Wyandot, a Native American tribe. While some of these settlers were free, others were enslaved runaways seeking safety. See [https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/browse-historical-sites/indian-mill Indian Mill] for more information.  


*[http://dbs.ohiohistory.org/africanam/html/mss/index.html The African-American Experience in Ohio: 1850-1920]
*[https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=3ca47f61737c4b7c938b5f84d383c6e0 Tracking Freedom: Tracing the Origins of Ohio's Free Blacks from 1803-1863.]
*[http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Welcome_To_Ohio_History_Central Ohio History Connection]
*[https://learn.uakron.edu/beyond/africanam_antebellum.htm African Americans in Antebellum Ohio]
*[https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=34486eb863fa4743a0d4619ee5d56942 Story Map: Birth locations of Ohio's Free Blacks in 1850 & 1860]


==Resources==
==Resources==
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===Cemeteries===
===Cemeteries===
===Census Records===
===Census Records===
*{{FSC|564229|item|disp=Special enumeration of Blacks immigrating to Ohio, 1861-1863}}
===Church Records===
===Church Records===
===Emancipation Records===
===Emancipation Records===
*{{FSC|40992|item|disp=Greene County, Emancipation record, 1805-1844}}
===Funeral Homes===
===Funeral Homes===
*[https://app.air.inc/a/borzvL1af/b/8dc76b25-27b0-42b5-a889-6c7027db068f CAAGS Obituary and Funeral Home Collection] at California African American Genealogical Society - index & images
===Genealogies===
===Genealogies===
===Land and Property===
===Land and Property===
====Plantation====
====Plantation====
===Obituaries===
*[https://app.air.inc/a/borzvL1af/b/8dc76b25-27b0-42b5-a889-6c7027db068f CAAGS Obituary and Funeral Home Collection] at California African American Genealogical Society - index & images
===Oral Histories===
===Oral Histories===
===Other Records===
===Other Records===
*{{FSC|564229|item|disp=Ohio. State Auditor. Special enumeration of Blacks immigrating to Ohio, 1861-1863}}
*{{FSC|500149|item|disp=Belmont County. Record of Blacks and mulattoes, 1809-1854}}
*{{FSC|700567|item|disp=Greene County. Register of Blacks and mulattos, 1805-1844}}
*{{FSC|700571|item|disp=Logan County. Register of Blacks and mulattos, 1831-1857}}
*{{FSC|700573|item|disp=Miami County. Register of Blacks and mulattos, 1833-1847}}
*{{FSC|700575|item|disp=Montgomery County. Register of Blacks & mulattos, 1804-1805}}
*{{FSC|607192|item|disp=Pickaway County. Records of Black and mulatto persons, ca.1819-1848}}
===Military Records===
===Military Records===
*{{FSC|3754131|item|disp=Eric Eugene Johnson. ''Ohio's black soldiers who served in the Civil War.'' Bellville, Ohio : Ohio Genealogical Society,12014. FS Library 977.1 M26j}}
*{{FSC|384668|item|disp=''Enrollment and report of the "Black Brigade" of Cincinnati.'' Cincinnati, Ohio, 1864}}.
===Newspapers===
===Newspapers===
[https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll98 The African-American Experience in Ohio]
===Probate Records===
===Probate Records===
===Reconstruction Records===
===Reconstruction Records===
====Freedman’s Bank====
====Freedman’s Bank====
An excellent source is the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (visit the [[African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records]] page to learn more). This company was created to assist African American soldiers of the Civil War and freed slaves. Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company signature cards or registers from 3 March 1865 to 25 July 1874 may list the name of the depositor, date of entry, age, birthplace, residence, complexion, name of employer or occupation, wife or husband’s name, death information, children’s names, name of father and mother, brothers’ and sisters’ names, remarks, and signature. Early books sometimes contained the name of the former master or mistress and the name of the plantation. Copies of death certificates were sometimes attached to the entries. The collection is organized alphabetically by state, then city where the bank was located, then date the account was established, then account number.<br>
An excellent source is the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (visit the [[African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records]] page to learn more). This company was created to assist African American soldiers of the Civil War and Freedmen. Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company signature cards or registers from 3 March 1865 to 25 July 1874 may list the name of the depositor, date of entry, age, birthplace, residence, complexion, name of employer or occupation, wife or husband’s name, death information, children’s names, name of father and mother, brothers’ and sisters’ names, remarks, and signature. Early books sometimes contained the name of the former slaveholder and the name of the plantation. Copies of death certificates were sometimes attached to the entries. The collection is organized alphabetically by state, then city where the bank was located, then date the account was established, then account number.<br>


Online collections of Freedman's Bank records:
Online collections of Freedman's Bank records:
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874]
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8755 U.S., Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1871 ($)]
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8755 U.S. Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1871 ($)]


====Freedmen's Bureau====
====Freedmen's Bureau====
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was created by the US government in 1865 until 1872 to assist former slaves in the southern United States. The Bureau created a wide variety of records extremely valuable to genealogists.  Such documents include censuses, marriage records, and medical records.  These records often include full names, former masters and plantations, and current residences.<ref>"African American Records: Freedmen's Bureau," "African American Heritage," ''National Archives'', accessed 11 May 2018. </ref> For 1865 and 1866, the section on abandoned and confiscated lands includes the names of the owners of the plantations or homes that were abandoned, confiscated, or leased. It gives the county and location, a description of the house, the number of acres owned, and the number of cabins of former slaves. These films do not appear to contain the names of former slaves.   
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was created by the US government in 1865 until 1872 to assist formerly enslaved persons in the southern United States. The Bureau created a wide variety of records extremely valuable to genealogists.  Such documents include censuses, marriage records, and medical records.  These records often include full names, former slaveholders and plantations, and current residences.<ref>"African American Records: Freedmen's Bureau," "African American Heritage," ''National Archives'', accessed 11 May 2018. </ref> For 1865 and 1866, the section on abandoned and confiscated lands includes the names of the owners of the plantations or homes that were abandoned, confiscated, or leased. It gives the county and location, a description of the house, the number of acres owned, and the number of cabins of enslaved persons. These films do not appear to contain the names of the enslaved.   


To find Freedmen's Bureau records:
To find Freedmen's Bureau records:


*[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ DiscoverFreedmen] - the search on this site will utilize all of the Freedmen's Bureau records on FamilySearch, including:
*[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ DiscoverFreedmen] - the search on this site will utilize all of the Freedmen's Bureau records on FamilySearch, including:
**{{RecordSearch|2432941|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Claim Records,1865-1872}}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2432941|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Claim Records,1865-1872}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Claim Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2432992|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records, 1865-1872}}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2432992|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2475025|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Indenture and Apprenticeship Records, 1865-1872}}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2475025|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Indenture and Apprenticeship Records, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Indenture and Apprenticeship Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|1414908|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872}}
**'''1861-1872''' {{RecordSearch|1414908|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872}} at FamilySearch - [[United States Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2431759|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records,1865-1872}}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2431759|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records,1865-1872}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2515868|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Persons and Articles Hired, 1865-1872 }}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2515868|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Persons and Articles Hired, 1865-1872 }} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Persons and Articles Hired - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2515865|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Freedmen's Court Records, 1865-1872 }}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2515865|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Freedmen's Court Records, 1865-1872 }} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen’s Bureau, Freedmen’s Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2515867|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records, 1865-1872 }}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2515867|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records, 1865-1872 }} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2492627|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872 }}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2492627|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872 }} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2427894|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872 }}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2427894|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872 }} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
Other FamilySearch collections not included:
 
*{{RecordSearch|2575789|United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records,1865-1872 }}
*Other FamilySearch collections not included:
*{{RecordSearch|2721171|United States Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen, 1865-1872 }}
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2575789|United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records,1865-1872 }} at FamilySearch - [[United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*{{RecordSearch|2427901|''United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872'' }} Images only. These reports primarily contain statistical and historical information.  
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2721171|United States Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen, 1865-1872 }} at FamilySearch - [[United States Freedmen’s Bureau, Records of Freedmen - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2427901|''United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872''}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Images only. These reports primarily contain statistical and historical information.
 
*More collections are available in the FamilySearch Catalog. Search for "FREEDMEN - OHIO" in the Subjects search bar to find.
*More collections are available in the FamilySearch Catalog. Search for "FREEDMEN - OHIO" in the Subjects search bar to find.


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===School Records===
===School Records===
===Slavery Records===
===Slavery Records===
*{{FSC|335438|item|disp=WPA. Slave narratives : 1937, interviews with formerly enslaved persons in Ohio}} Ohio Historical Society
===Vital Records===
===Vital Records===
====Birth====
====Birth====
====Marriage====
====Marriage====
The Freedmen's Bureau (1865-1872) was created by the US government to assist former slaves in the southern United States. One of their responsibilities was to record the marriages (past and present) of the former slaves. These records can be found in the collections below and include the lists of marriages that occurred previously, marriage certificates, and marriage licenses.  The information contained on the records may include the name of the husband and wife/groom and bride, age, occupation, residence, year or date of marriage, by whom, number of children, and remarks.
The Freedmen's Bureau (1865-1872) was created by the US government to assist formerly enslaved persons in the southern United States. One of their responsibilities was to record the marriages (past and present) of the formerly enslaved couples. These records can be found in the collections below and include the lists of marriages that occurred previously, marriage certificates, and marriage licenses.  The information contained on the records may include the name of the husband and wife/groom and bride, age, occupation, residence, year or date of marriage, by whom, number of children, and remarks.
 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1414908 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1414908 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872]
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1231 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867]
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1231 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867]


====Death====
====Death====
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1949341 Ohio Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007] - information may include name, death date and place, time of death, residence, gender, age, race, education level, birth date and place, parents, and cause of death
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1949341 Ohio Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007] - information may include name, death date and place, time of death, residence, gender, age, race, education level, birth date and place, parents, and cause of death


====Divorce====
====Divorce====
===Voting Registers===
===Voting Records===
 
==Archives and Libraries==
==Archives and Libraries==
[http://www.archives.com/genealogy/free-north-american-genealogy-resources.html African American in Ohio at ArchivesDigital Collection] - Genealogy related information for various States and Provinces is available from a variety of servers which may be official government services, genealogy society efforts, or maintained by interested individuals. A digital archive of materials related to African American in the Ohio.
[http://www.archives.com/genealogy/free-north-american-genealogy-resources.html African American in Ohio at ArchivesDigital Collection] - Genealogy related information for various States and Provinces is available from a variety of servers which may be official government services, genealogy society efforts, or maintained by interested individuals. A digital archive of materials related to African American in the Ohio.


[https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/museum-and-site-locator/national-afro-american-museum '''National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center''']<br>
[https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/browse-historical-sites/national-afro-american-museum-cultural-center/ '''National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center''']<br>
1350 Brush Row Rd<br>
1350 Brush Row Rd<br>
PO Box 578<br>
PO Box 578<br>
Line 103: Line 136:
Email: InfoNAAMCC@ohiohistory.org<br><br>
Email: InfoNAAMCC@ohiohistory.org<br><br>


[http://dbs.ohiohistory.org/africanam/ '''Ohio History Connection: African Americans in Ohio''']<br>
[https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/ohio-history-center/ '''Ohio History Center''']<br>
800 E. 17th Ave.<br>
800 E. 17th Ave.<br>
Columbus, Ohio 43211<br>
Columbus, Ohio 43211<br>
Line 117: Line 150:
{{Ohio}}  
{{Ohio}}  


[[Category:Ohio, United States]] [[Category:African American Records]]
[[Category:Ohio, United States]]  
[[Category:African American Records]]
[[Category:Ohio Cultural Groups]]

Revision as of 17:08, 16 May 2025

Ohio Wiki Topics
Ohio flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Ohio Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

  • An Act to Regulate Black and Mulatto Persons
  • African American Ohio Name Index to 1850
  • Discover Freedmen - this site searches all of the Freedmen's Bureau record collections on FamilySearch altogether (and redirects there)
  • 1865-1874 Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874 at FamilySearch
  • 1861-1872 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872 at FamilySearch
  • 1846-1867 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867 at Ancestry ($)
  • Access Genealogy-Ohio African American Genealogy
  • African American Digital Bookshelf - a growing list of digital books on FamilySearch and other websites
  • Ohio GenWeb African-American
  • Ohio. Auditor of State. Special Enumeration of Blacks Immigrating to Ohio, 1861-1863. (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Historical Society, 198-.) FS Library film 1688779. - contains indexes by immigrants' names, previous residences, counties in which the lived, and questionable names. It also includes original returns by county.
  • Turpen, Joan. Register of Black, Mulatto and Poor Person in four Ohio Counties, 1791-1861. (Clinton, Highland, Logan, and Ross Counties) FS Library 977.1 F28r
  • Ohio African American Genealogy has sources to assist you in your search for your ancestors.
  • Slavery in the North: Ohio

    • Research Strategy[edit | edit source]

    History[edit | edit source]

    African Americans make up a rich part of Ohio's History. The Ohio Constitution of 1803 outlawed slavery; this was in accordance to the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. In 1804, Ohio passed Black Laws (sometimes referred to as Black Codes). These laws stipulated that only Freedmen with a valid certificate of freedom (obtained from the court) could reside in Ohio. They also had to register their names in the county clerk's office of where they reside, which cost a small fee. Furthermore, Freedmen could only be employed if they had a certificate proving their freedom. Anyone who harbored an enslaved runaway would be fined.

    By the early 1800s, a settlement of African Americans was located in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. This area was controlled by the Wyandot, a Native American tribe. While some of these settlers were free, others were enslaved runaways seeking safety. See Indian Mill for more information.

    Resources[edit | edit source]

    Biographies[edit | edit source]

    Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

    Census Records[edit | edit source]

    Church Records[edit | edit source]

    Emancipation Records[edit | edit source]

    Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]

    Genealogies[edit | edit source]

    Land and Property[edit | edit source]

    Plantation[edit | edit source]

    Obituaries[edit | edit source]

    Oral Histories[edit | edit source]

    Other Records[edit | edit source]

    Military Records[edit | edit source]

    Newspapers[edit | edit source]

    The African-American Experience in Ohio

    Probate Records[edit | edit source]

    Reconstruction Records[edit | edit source]

    Freedman’s Bank[edit | edit source]

    An excellent source is the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (visit the African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records page to learn more). This company was created to assist African American soldiers of the Civil War and Freedmen. Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company signature cards or registers from 3 March 1865 to 25 July 1874 may list the name of the depositor, date of entry, age, birthplace, residence, complexion, name of employer or occupation, wife or husband’s name, death information, children’s names, name of father and mother, brothers’ and sisters’ names, remarks, and signature. Early books sometimes contained the name of the former slaveholder and the name of the plantation. Copies of death certificates were sometimes attached to the entries. The collection is organized alphabetically by state, then city where the bank was located, then date the account was established, then account number.

    Online collections of Freedman's Bank records:

    Freedmen's Bureau[edit | edit source]

    The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was created by the US government in 1865 until 1872 to assist formerly enslaved persons in the southern United States. The Bureau created a wide variety of records extremely valuable to genealogists. Such documents include censuses, marriage records, and medical records. These records often include full names, former slaveholders and plantations, and current residences.[1] For 1865 and 1866, the section on abandoned and confiscated lands includes the names of the owners of the plantations or homes that were abandoned, confiscated, or leased. It gives the county and location, a description of the house, the number of acres owned, and the number of cabins of enslaved persons. These films do not appear to contain the names of the enslaved.

    To find Freedmen's Bureau records:

    • More collections are available in the FamilySearch Catalog. Search for "FREEDMEN - OHIO" in the Subjects search bar to find.

    Visit the African American Freedmen's Bureau Records page to learn more about utilizing these records.

    School Records[edit | edit source]

    Slavery Records[edit | edit source]

    Vital Records[edit | edit source]

    Birth[edit | edit source]

    Marriage[edit | edit source]

    The Freedmen's Bureau (1865-1872) was created by the US government to assist formerly enslaved persons in the southern United States. One of their responsibilities was to record the marriages (past and present) of the formerly enslaved couples. These records can be found in the collections below and include the lists of marriages that occurred previously, marriage certificates, and marriage licenses. The information contained on the records may include the name of the husband and wife/groom and bride, age, occupation, residence, year or date of marriage, by whom, number of children, and remarks.

    Death[edit | edit source]

    Divorce[edit | edit source]

    Voting Records[edit | edit source]

    Archives and Libraries[edit | edit source]

    African American in Ohio at ArchivesDigital Collection - Genealogy related information for various States and Provinces is available from a variety of servers which may be official government services, genealogy society efforts, or maintained by interested individuals. A digital archive of materials related to African American in the Ohio.

    National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center
    1350 Brush Row Rd
    PO Box 578
    Wilberforce, OH 45384-0578
    Phone: 937.376.4944
    Email: InfoNAAMCC@ohiohistory.org

    Ohio History Center
    800 E. 17th Ave.
    Columbus, Ohio 43211
    Phone: 614.297.2300
    Email: info@ohiohistory.org

    Societies[edit | edit source]

    References[edit | edit source]

    1. ↑ "African American Records: Freedmen's Bureau," "African American Heritage," National Archives, accessed 11 May 2018.
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    Allen County Public Library · FamilySearch Library · Library of Congress · National Archives I · National Archives Regional Branches · National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, John Parker Library · Birmingham Civil Rights Institute · Black Archives of Mid-America · Duke Univeristy Rubenstein Library · FamilySearch Centers · Godfrey Memorial Library · Kalamazoo College Black History Mobile Museum · New England Historic Genealogical Society · Newberry Library · John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library at Colonial Williamsburg · Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture · Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum · University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Libraries · University of Pennsylvania African Studies Center · University of Pittsburgh Hillman Library
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    Extinct Areas
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    Allen County Public Library (Ft. Wayne, IN) · American Jewish Archives · Archdiocese of Cincinnati · Archives of Ohio United Methodists · Bowling Green State University Jerome Library · Dayton Metro Library · Erie Lackawanna Historical Society Archives · Mennonite Historical Collections · National Archives at Chicago (Chicago, IL) · National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, John Parker Library · Newberry Library (Chicago, IL) · Ohio Department of Health · Ohio Genealogical Society · Ohio History Connection · Ohio University Alden Library · Palatines to America German Genealogy Society Resource Center · Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County · Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County · Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center · State Library of Ohio · Toledo‑Lucas County Public Library · University of Cincinnati Blegen Library · Western Reserve Historical Society · Wright State University Dunbar Library
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