Ohio Court Records: Difference between revisions
m (added NARA related web link) |
(Changed "Rating" to "Content".) |
||
| (18 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown) | |||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
=== Online Resources === | === Online Resources === | ||
*[ | *[https://www.blacksheepancestors.com/united-states/ohio/ Black Sheep Ancestors Ohio] | ||
*{{RecordSearch|2363038|Ohio, Washington County Court Records, 1810-1930}} | *'''1810-1930''' {{RecordSearch|2363038|Ohio, Washington County Court Records, 1810-1930}} at FamilySearch - [[Ohio, Washington County, Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images | ||
=== Records === | === Records === | ||
Court records include record books, dockets, bonds, journals, petitions, minutes, final records, case files, and so forth. They contain many primary source materials that are useful for genealogical research. [[FamilySearch Catalog Title Search|The | Court records include record books, dockets, bonds, journals, petitions, minutes, final records, case files, and so forth. They contain many primary source materials that are useful for genealogical research. [[FamilySearch Catalog Title Search|The FamilySearch Library]] has many [[Ohio, United States Genealogy|Ohio]] court records. Additional records are available at county courthouses, the [[Ohio History Connection]] (formerly Ohio Historical Society), and the [[National Archives at Chicago]]. Major courts that kept records of genealogical value were established as follows: | ||
'''1787-present:''' Courts of common pleas have districtwide jurisdiction over felonies, marriages, major civil cases, juvenile matters, probates until 1852, naturalization's until 1860 and after 1906, chancery matters until 1900, and divorces until 1894. [[FamilySearch Catalog Title Search|The | '''1787-present:''' Courts of common pleas have districtwide jurisdiction over felonies, marriages, major civil cases, juvenile matters, probates until 1852, naturalization's until 1860 and after 1906, chancery matters until 1900, and divorces until 1894. [[FamilySearch Catalog Title Search|The FamilySearch Library]] has copies of some of the common pleas records, such as Cuyahoga County journals for 1823 to 1852. | ||
'''1787-present:''' Supreme Court is a statewide appellate court. It originally had jurisdiction over common law and chancery matters. '''1787-1802, 1852-present:''' Probate court has handled guardianship, general probate, land sales, a few divorces, and naturalizations. '''1800s-present:''' County, municipal, mayor, justice of the peace, and police courts have kept records with some genealogical value. '''1851-1883''':District courts have county-wide jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including chancery and divorces. The | '''1787-present:''' Supreme Court is a statewide appellate court. It originally had jurisdiction over common law and chancery matters. '''1787-1802, 1852-present:''' Probate court has handled guardianship, general probate, land sales, a few divorces, and naturalizations. '''1800s-present:''' County, municipal, mayor, justice of the peace, and police courts have kept records with some genealogical value. '''1851-1883''':District courts have county-wide jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including chancery and divorces. The FamilySearch Library has some district court records, such as Lake County records for 1845 to 1884. | ||
'''1883-1912''':Circuit courts have county-wide jurisdiction over civil and criminal records, including equity and divorce. They have been replaced by courts of appeal. The | '''1883-1912''':Circuit courts have county-wide jurisdiction over civil and criminal records, including equity and divorce. They have been replaced by courts of appeal. The FamilySearch Library has some circuit court records. | ||
There is often an overlapping of jurisdiction since newer courts have been established. Therefore all court records should be checked for those periods. | There is often an overlapping of jurisdiction since newer courts have been established. Therefore all court records should be checked for those periods. | ||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
*For more information about court records and procedures<br> | *For more information about court records and procedures<br> | ||
''A History of the Courts and Lawyers of Ohio" <ref> Marshall, Carrington Tanner, ed. ''A History of the Courts and Lawyers of Ohio'' (New York, New York: American Historical Society, 1934.) Four Volumes. {{WorldCat|3657828|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{ | ''A History of the Courts and Lawyers of Ohio" <ref> Marshall, Carrington Tanner, ed. ''A History of the Courts and Lawyers of Ohio'' (New York, New York: American Historical Society, 1934.) Four Volumes. {{WorldCat|3657828|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|75091|item|disp=FS Catalog book 977.1 P3ma}} </ref>'' | ||
*Court records are listed in the Place Search in The [[FamilySearch Catalog Title Search|FamilySearch Catalog]] under: | *Court records are listed in the Place Search in The [[FamilySearch Catalog Title Search|FamilySearch Catalog]] under: | ||
{{Block indent|OHIO - COURT RECORDS }} | |||
{{Block indent|OHIO, [COUNTY] - COURT RECORDS }} | |||
{{Block indent|OHIO, [COUNTY], [CITY] - COURT RECORDS}} | |||
=== Common Pleas Court === | === Common Pleas Court === | ||
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
=== Probate Court === | === Probate Court === | ||
[ | [https://www.unioncountyohio.gov/departments/Archives/probate-court-49178 The Ohio Constitution of 1851] provided for the formation of a probate court in each Ohio county. Marriage records previously kept by the Common Pleas Court were transferred to this court beginning in 1852. All probate functions, such as the proving and recording of wills, the appointment of administrators, executors and guardians, the appraisment and inventories of estates, bonds and the settling of accounts all came under the jurisdiction of the Probate Court. Some other records of genealogical value found in this court include birth and death registers (1867-1909), Delayed Registration and Correction of Births from 1941 forward, various forms of naturalization records (to 1906) and [http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/845.html Mothers' Pensions] from 1914 to ca. 1930's. The Probate Court also presided over matters regarding incompetancies, lunacy, insanity, adoptions and juvenile delinquencies. These record types are generally regarded as not public records but can nevertheless be sometimes found in earlier court journal or minute books before such records were segregated and recorded into their own record books. | ||
=== U.S. Circuit and District Courts RG, 21 === | === U.S. Circuit and District Courts RG, 21 === | ||
*[https://www.archives.gov/chicago/finding-aids/courts/us-courts-cincinnati.html Southern District of Ohio, Western Division (Cincinnati)] | [https://www.ohnd.uscourts.gov/court-info Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division], Cleveland, recent civil and criminal cases. | ||
Southern District Ohio, all divisions — [https://www.ohsd.uscourts.gov/NARA How to retrieve records] from the court that have been sent to [[National Archives at Chicago]] and the schedule for records transfer. | |||
The following archived information is available at the Chicago National Archives center.<ref>United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio. ''Retrieving Records from National Archive and Records Administration''. https://www.ohsd.uscourts.gov/NARA</ref> | |||
''''' Columbus (Eastern Division) Listings''''' | |||
Civil Docket Books – 1913 – 1964 | |||
Criminal Docket Books 1894 – 1964 | |||
Petitions for citizenship 1917 – 1964 | |||
Military Petitions for Naturalization – 1894 – 1919 | |||
Equity Journal – 1925 – 1938 | |||
Bar Admission Book 1880 -1955 | |||
Declaration of Intention – 1894 – 1964 | |||
''''' Dayton (Western Division) Listings''''' | |||
Civil Docket Books – 1938 – 1956 | |||
Criminal Docket Books 1917 – 1969 | |||
Petitions for citizenship 1916 – 1951 | |||
Military Petitions for Naturalization – 1918 – 1919 | |||
Equity Journal – 1915 – 1938 | |||
Law Journal – 1915 – 1941 | |||
Declaration of Intention – 1916 – 1951 | |||
''''' Cincinnati (Western Division) Listings''''' | |||
*[https://www.archives.gov/chicago/finding-aids/courts/us-courts-cincinnati.html Southern District of Ohio, Western Division (Cincinnati)] finding aid | |||
<br> | <br> | ||
===Online Court Records=== | ===Online Court Records=== | ||
*'''1810 - 1930''' {{RecordSearch|2363038|Ohio, Washington County Court Records, 1810-1930}} at [ | *'''1810-1930''' {{RecordSearch|2363038|Ohio, Washington County Court Records, 1810-1930}} at FamilySearch - [[Ohio, Washington County, Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images | ||
=== Websites === | === Websites === | ||
| Line 60: | Line 104: | ||
=== FamilySearch Historical Record Collections === | === FamilySearch Historical Record Collections === | ||
*{{RecordSearch| | *'''1797-1940''' {{RecordSearch|1935519|Ohio, Jefferson County Court Records, 1797-1940}} at FamilySearch - [[Ohio, Jefferson County Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images | ||
*'''1809-1917''' {{RecordSearch|1878534|Ohio, Stark County Court Records, 1809-1917}} at FamilySearch - [[Ohio, Stark County Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images | |||
*{{RecordSearch| | *'''1880-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1908531|Ohio, Cuyahoga County Records, 1880-1950}} at FamilySearch - [[Ohio Cuyahoga County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images | ||
*{{RecordSearch| | |||
=== References === | === References === | ||
Latest revision as of 00:30, 20 August 2025
| Ohio Wiki Topics |
|
| Beginning Research |
| Record Types |
|
| Ohio Background |
| Cultural Groups |
| Local Research Resources |
Online Resources
- Black Sheep Ancestors Ohio
- 1810-1930 Ohio, Washington County Court Records, 1810-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
Records
Court records include record books, dockets, bonds, journals, petitions, minutes, final records, case files, and so forth. They contain many primary source materials that are useful for genealogical research. The FamilySearch Library has many Ohio court records. Additional records are available at county courthouses, the Ohio History Connection (formerly Ohio Historical Society), and the National Archives at Chicago. Major courts that kept records of genealogical value were established as follows:
1787-present: Courts of common pleas have districtwide jurisdiction over felonies, marriages, major civil cases, juvenile matters, probates until 1852, naturalization's until 1860 and after 1906, chancery matters until 1900, and divorces until 1894. The FamilySearch Library has copies of some of the common pleas records, such as Cuyahoga County journals for 1823 to 1852.
1787-present: Supreme Court is a statewide appellate court. It originally had jurisdiction over common law and chancery matters. 1787-1802, 1852-present: Probate court has handled guardianship, general probate, land sales, a few divorces, and naturalizations. 1800s-present: County, municipal, mayor, justice of the peace, and police courts have kept records with some genealogical value. 1851-1883:District courts have county-wide jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including chancery and divorces. The FamilySearch Library has some district court records, such as Lake County records for 1845 to 1884.
1883-1912:Circuit courts have county-wide jurisdiction over civil and criminal records, including equity and divorce. They have been replaced by courts of appeal. The FamilySearch Library has some circuit court records.
There is often an overlapping of jurisdiction since newer courts have been established. Therefore all court records should be checked for those periods.
- For more information about court records and procedures
A History of the Courts and Lawyers of Ohio" [1]
- Court records are listed in the Place Search in The FamilySearch Catalog under:
Common Pleas Court
Ohio: The trial court of general criminal and civil jurisdiction, located in each of Ohio's counties. Judges are elected at large.Court of Common Pleas
- Anita Short and Ruth Bowers, Preble County, Preble County, Ohio Common Pleas Court Records, 1810-1850 (1970)Land disputes, guardianship's, petitions for divorce, estate records, pension claims, declarations of intent for citizenship, and lists of Preble County justices of the peace involving over 3000 individuals. The abstracts are all indexed.
Probate Court
The Ohio Constitution of 1851 provided for the formation of a probate court in each Ohio county. Marriage records previously kept by the Common Pleas Court were transferred to this court beginning in 1852. All probate functions, such as the proving and recording of wills, the appointment of administrators, executors and guardians, the appraisment and inventories of estates, bonds and the settling of accounts all came under the jurisdiction of the Probate Court. Some other records of genealogical value found in this court include birth and death registers (1867-1909), Delayed Registration and Correction of Births from 1941 forward, various forms of naturalization records (to 1906) and Mothers' Pensions from 1914 to ca. 1930's. The Probate Court also presided over matters regarding incompetancies, lunacy, insanity, adoptions and juvenile delinquencies. These record types are generally regarded as not public records but can nevertheless be sometimes found in earlier court journal or minute books before such records were segregated and recorded into their own record books.
U.S. Circuit and District Courts RG, 21
Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Cleveland, recent civil and criminal cases.
Southern District Ohio, all divisions — How to retrieve records from the court that have been sent to National Archives at Chicago and the schedule for records transfer.
The following archived information is available at the Chicago National Archives center.[2]
Columbus (Eastern Division) Listings
Civil Docket Books – 1913 – 1964
Criminal Docket Books 1894 – 1964
Petitions for citizenship 1917 – 1964
Military Petitions for Naturalization – 1894 – 1919
Equity Journal – 1925 – 1938
Bar Admission Book 1880 -1955
Declaration of Intention – 1894 – 1964
Dayton (Western Division) Listings
Civil Docket Books – 1938 – 1956
Criminal Docket Books 1917 – 1969
Petitions for citizenship 1916 – 1951
Military Petitions for Naturalization – 1918 – 1919
Equity Journal – 1915 – 1938
Law Journal – 1915 – 1941
Declaration of Intention – 1916 – 1951
Cincinnati (Western Division) Listings
Online Court Records
- 1810-1930 Ohio, Washington County Court Records, 1810-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
Websites
- Ohio Public Record Search
- Ohio Divorce and Custody Records
- Ohio Court Records Licking County
- Ohio Sunshine Laws
FamilySearch Historical Record Collections
- 1797-1940 Ohio, Jefferson County Court Records, 1797-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
- 1809-1917 Ohio, Stark County Court Records, 1809-1917 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
- 1880-1950 Ohio, Cuyahoga County Records, 1880-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
References
- ↑ Marshall, Carrington Tanner, ed. A History of the Courts and Lawyers of Ohio (New York, New York: American Historical Society, 1934.) Four Volumes. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Catalog book 977.1 P3ma
- ↑ United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Retrieving Records from National Archive and Records Administration. https://www.ohsd.uscourts.gov/NARA