Ohio Archives and Libraries

United States

U.S. Archives and Libraries

Ohio

Ohio Archives and Libraries

Ohio Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Guided Research Research Strategies Record Finder

Record Types

Adoption Bible Records Cemeteries Census Church Records Colonial Records Correctional Institutions Court Records Crime and Punishment Records Directories Divorce Records Emigration & Immigration Genealogies Land & Property Military Records Naturalization & Citizenship Newspapers Obituaries Online Collections Periodicals Probate Records Schools and Education Records Substitute Records Substitute Records Taxation Vital Records Voter Records

Ohio Background

Biography Further Reading Gazetteers History Law & Legislation Maps Migration

Cultural Groups

African Americans Indigenous Peoples Cultural Groups Swedish American

Local Research Resources

Archives & Libraries Societies Find a FamilySearch center

These repositories preserve sources, maintain indexes, and provide services to help genealogists document their ancestors who lived in Ohio.

Wiki Articles on Major Repositories for Ohio

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

Online Records of Ohio

Ohio Online Genealogy Records Links to online databases and indexes that may include vital records, biographies, cemeteries, censuses, histories, immigration records, land records, maps, military records, naturalizations, newspapers, obituaries, or probate records. Statewide Repositories Ohio Department of Health Offfice of Vital Statistics 225 Neilston Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Telephone: 614-466-2531 Email: VitalStat@odh.ohio.gov Internet: How to Apply The Office of Vital Statistics preserves Ohio births since 1908, and deaths since 1964. They do not have marriage or divorce records. Earlier 1867-1908 uncertified birth records, and 1867-1963 uncertified death records are available on plain paper from the Ohio History Connection (Ohio's archives), or at the city or county vital statistics office where the event occurred. A few counties have earlier records.

Indexes. The Office of Vital Statistics maintains a limited online Death Certificate Index 1908-1963. They also have a marriage index since 1950, and divorce index since 1954. For other Ohio vital record indexes see also the Ohio Vital Records Wiki article.

How to obtain Birth and Death record copies. There are several ways to obtain copies of Ohio birth and death records:

* From a local Vital Statistics Office in a city or county where the event occurred. This is often faster; fees and hours vary. Sealed adoption records are only available in Columbus.

* Walk-in at the downtown Columbus office for same-day service before 4:30 pm (except adoptions).

* Order online using their online order form. Please allow three weeks for processing (adoptions usually take longer).

* By mail following all their Records Request Instructions (pdf). Please allow at least three weeks for processing.

* For an additional fee you can order online official Ohio death records since 1964 from a private company VitalChek Ohio. They provide a faster turn-around time.

How to obtain Marriage license copies since the formation of the county contact the local county probate court; for divorce decrees contact the local county clerk of courts. Local fees and hours vary.

Ohio Genealogical Society

611 State Route 97 West
Bellville OH 44813-8813
Telephone: (419) 886-1903
Fax: 419-886-0092
Email: ogs@ogs.org
Website
Research Wiki Article

They have the best collection of family folders in Ohio. They also have county record guides, biographies, genealogies and some unique indexes to various Ohio records.

Ohio History Connection in Columbus

Ohio History Connection

800 E. 17th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43211
Telephone: 614-297-2510
Fax: 614-297-2546
Email: reference@ohiohistory.org
Internet: Ohio History Connection Archives/Library
Internet: Ohio Memory: a collaborative project of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio

The Archives Division of the State History Connection of Ohio serves as the state archives and primarily collects manuscript records of the state, including government, land, and military records. Also has biographies, genealogies, and early vital records (births 1867-1908; marriages since each county's formation; deaths 1867-1964). A few cities and counties have even earlier vital records.

*Andrea D. Lentz, and Sara S. Fuller, eds., A Guide to Manuscripts at the Ohio Historical Society (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Historical Society, 1972). Digital version At various repositories (WorldCat); FS Library Film 1320571 Item 3; Book 977.1 A3ohs.

*Suzanne Wolfe Mettle, et al., comps. Genealogical Researcher's Manual with Special References for Using the Ohio Historical Society Library (Columbus, Ohio: Franklin County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society, 1981). At various repositories (WorldCat); FS Library Book 977.1 D27g.

State Library of Ohio

274 East First Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Telephone: 614-644-7061
Fax: 614-644-7004
Email: refhelp@library.ohio.gov
Internet: State Library of Ohio
Internet: Ohio Memory: a collaborative project of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio

This collection contains good records of Ohio, and of states like Pennsylvania, New York, and the states of New England which all contributed early immigrants to Ohio.

The State Library of Ohio's genealogy collection is now housed at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. SLO still has the State of Ohio Government Documents Collection which may have genealogical content.

*Petta Khouw, and Ohio State Library, County by County in Ohio Genealogy (Columbus, Ohio: The State Library, 1978). Digital version. At various repositories (WorldCat; FS Library Fiche 6046719; Book 977.1 D23o

Regional Repositories

OH Network of Amer Hist Res Centers

Ohio Network of American History Research Centers These regional history centers collect Ohio records such as newspapers, printed materials, and local government records:

*Ohio History Connection see above

*University of Akron Libraries

*University of Cincinnati Libraries see below

*Western Reserve Historical Society see below

*Wright State University Library see below

*Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor

An inventory of each center's holdings is: Ohio Historical Society, Abstract of Ohio County Inventory, 1803-1977. Columbus, OH: OHS, 1977. At various repositories (WorldCat).

Bowling Green State University Jerome Library

Bowling Green State Univ Jerome Libr

Bowling Green State University Jerome Library
Center for Archival Collections
Bowling Green, OH 43403-0001
Telephone: 419-372-2411
Email: archive@bgsu.edu
Internet: Center for Archival Collections
Internet: Historical Collections of the Great Lakes

Has manuscripts, the Historical Collection of the Great Lakes, Rare Books and Special Collections, and local records of nineteen counties in northwest Ohio.

Dayton Metro Library

Dayton Metro Library Main Branch

Main Branch
215 E. Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Telephone: 937-463-BOOK
Email: reference question form
Internet: Dayton Metro Library

The Dayton Room has one of Ohio's best genealogical collections including books, periodicals, indexes, genealogies, and biographies.

Ohio University Alden Library

Ohio University Alden Library in Athens

Ohio University, Archives and Special Collections
Athens, OH 45701-2978
Telephone: 740-593-2699
Fax: 740-593-2708
Internet: Archives and Special Collections
Internet: Alden Library

Their excellent manuscript collection includes church records, and business records. They also have county histories, biographies, and newspapers. It is like a second state archives.

Pub Libr of Cincinnati & Hamilton Co

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Public Libr of Cincinnati & Hamilton County

800 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Telephone: 513-369-6900
Email: Ask a reference question form
Internet: Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

A top genealogy and local history collection of early Ohio sources. This includes the Inland Rivers Library of the Ohio River and its tributaries (riverboat traffic between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Louisville, Kentucky) in Special Collections.

Pub Libr of Youngstown & Mahoning Co

Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
305 Wick Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44503
Telephone: 330-744-8636
Reference Fax: 330-744-3355
Email: Email reference question form
Internet: Genealogy and Local History

They have a good solid genealogy collection with oral histories, state and county histories, biographies, and genealogies. Youngstown was a portal for immigrants from Pennsylvania and New England entering Ohio.

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

R B Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont

Spiegel Grove
Fremont, OH 43420-2796
Telephone: 800-998-7737, ext. 231
Fax: 419-332-4952
Email: bhill@rbhayes.org
Internet: Hayes Research Library
Internet: Ohio Obituary Index of over 3 million obituaries, death, and marriage notices, and other Ohio sources from the 1810s to the present.

President Hayes' personal collection is strong on Ohio history, as well as Sandusky River and Great Lakes history, U.S. history and Black studies. The Hayes family history including many manuscripts are kept here.

Toledo‑Lucas County Public Library

Toledo-Lucas County Public Library

Main Library
325 Michigan Street
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Telephone: genealogy 419-259-5233, or general 419-259-5200
Email: Contact us e-mail form
Internet: Biography and Genealogy

This is the place to come if you are looking for early Ohio settlers who entered Ohio via the Great Lakes and Toledo. They have Great Lakes traffic records.

University of Cincinnati Blegen Library

University of Cincinnati Blegen Library

Archives and Rare Books Library
P.O. Box 210113
2602 McMicken Circle
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0113
Telephone: 513-556-1959
Fax: 513-556-2113
Email: archives@ucmail.uc.edu
Internet: University of Cincinnati Archives Department

Cincinnati births and deaths 1865-1912, morgue records 1887-1930, German-Americana, urban studies, and the Ohio Network Collection.

Western Reserve Historical Society

10825 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106-1788
Telephone: 216-721-5722 x1509
Fax: 216-721-0645
Email: reference@wrhs.org
Internet: Family History and Genealogical Research

The Western Reserve was a large part of Ohio at first intended for settlement by Connecticut Revolutionary War refugees. The Research Library at the Western Reserve Historical Society History Center is the premier repository for Cleveland, Ohio and the Connecticut Western Reserve history material. This important collection includes original land records, as well as many genealogies, biographies, histories, and Bibles from New York, Pennsylvania, and New England. Includes over 20 million manuscripts for genealogical research and northeast Ohio history. They have the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of Shaker materials. Other important collections include the American Civil War, and the automotive industry.

*Kermit J. Pike, A Guide to the Manuscripts and Archives of the Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland, Ohio: Western Reserve Historical Society, 1972). At various repositories (WorldCat); FS Library Book 977.1 A3p.

*Western Reserve Historical Society. History Library. Card Catalog to the Manuscripts Collection in the Library of the Western Reserve Historical Society (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1974). At various repositories (WorldCat); FS Library Films 934566-69; 934617-18.

Wright State University Dunbar Library

Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton, OH 45435-0001
Telephone: 937-775-2092
Fax: 937-775-4109
Email: archives@www.libraries.wright.edu
Internet: Genealogy

Books, maps, census records, and other research materials for the eleven counties including churches, labor unions, businesses, social and welfare agencies, women's organizations, papers of private individuals and public officials, photos, published and unpublished family histories.

Ethnic and Religious Repositories

Amererican Jewish Archives Marcus Center in Cincinnati

American Jewish Archives

101 Clifton Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45220
Telephone: 513-2211875
Fax 513-221-7812
Email: Ask an Archivist form
Internet: Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives

1,000 family genealogy files. Jewish communities and immigration records during the Colonial Period, early Jewish communities in the Caribbean Islands, along with congregational records from early Jewish settlement to modern times.

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

212 East Eighth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513-621-2086
Email: Contact us
Internet: Archdiocese of Cincinnati Archive

On-site research by appointment only. Accepts genealogical requests by mail or their online form. Fee required. The Archives has microfiche copies of baptism, marriage, and death registers of every open and closed parish in the Archdiocese, but not for parishes outside the current Archdiocese boundaries. Records after 1930 are restricted. Telephone and e-mail requests are not accepted.

Methodist Archives at Ohio Wesleyan University Beeghly Library in Delaware, Ohio

Archives of Ohio United Methodists

Ohio Wesleyan University Beeghly Library
43 Rowland Ave
Delaware, OH 43015
Telephone: 740-368-3285
Email: aoum@owu.edu
Internet: Archives of Ohio United Methodism

History of United Methodism in general and in Ohio, manuscripts and conference proceedings, Methodist publications, local church history files, records of closed and abandoned churches, Dead Ministers file, newspapers, journals, periodicals, personal papers and diaries. The Archives offers research services into church history, clergy members, and genealogy.

Irish American Archives Society

Collection at the Western Reserve Historical Society above.
Internet: Irish American Archives Society.

Mennonite Historical Collections

Bluffton University Mussellman Library
280 W College Ave
Bluffton, OH 45817
Telephone: 419-358-3251
Email: phillipsc@bluffton.edu
Internet: Mennonite Historical Collections

Their collections include 3,000 volumes of family histories. They also have periodicals about Mennonite and related groups, resources for genealogy research, secondary sources on Mennonite history and life, and historic materials from the village of Bluffton and of surrounding communities.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, John Parker Library

Nat'l Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati

50 East Freedom Way
Cincinnati OH 45202-3913
Telephone: 513-333-7654
Email: Genealogy@nurfc.org
Internet: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, John Parker Library

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center museum houses the John Parker Library and FamilySearch Center. Patrons can view limited-access FamilySearch and Ancestry databases. They tell the history of the guides, safe houses, and transportation network used to smuggle runaway enslaved African Americans out of the slave states to freedom in the North before the American Civil War.

Palatines to America German Gen Center

Palatines to America German Genealogy Society Resource Center
PO Box 141260
Columbus, Ohio 43214
Telephone: 614-267-4700
Email: Contact us e-mail form
Internet: Palatines to America German Genealogy Society

They have an extensive collection of German immigrant ancestor files. Their book collection is at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Shakers

See the Western Reserve Historical Society above.

Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana

Outside of Ohio Repositories

Allen County Public Library

900 Library Plaza
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Telephone: 260-421-1225
Email: genealogy@acpl.info
Internet: Genealogy Center ACPL

This is the second-largest genealogy collection in the United States and the largest genealogy collection in a public library. Its holdings include more than 350,000 printed volumes and 513,000 items on microfilm and microfiche. It has a premier genealogical periodical collection, local histories, genealogies, databases, military, censuses, directories, passenger lists, ethnic sources, and Canadians. They have a great Ohio collection.

National Archives at Chicago, Illinois

National Archives at Chicago

7358 S. Pulaski Rd.
Chicago, IL 60629-5898
Phone: (773)948-9001
Fax: (773)948-9050
Email: chicago.archives@nara.gov
Internet: http://www.archives.gov/chicago/

Includes federal censuses 1790–1930; selected military service indexes, pension indexes, passenger lists, and naturalizations. Free computers for Ancestry, Heritage Quest, or Fold3. Federal agency, civil, and criminal court records of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois

Newberry Library

60 West Waltron Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Telephone: 312-255-3512
Email: reference@.

A large Chicago repository with genealogies, local histories, censuses, military, land, indexes, vital records, court, and tax records many from Ohio, the Mississippi Valley, eastern seaboard, Canada, and the British Isles.

FamilySearch Centers

Some of the above collections are partially duplicated at the FamilySearch Library and its branch FamilySearch Centers around the world. Most centers can help you by:

• Giving you limited, personal, one-on-one research suggestions (but they do not do research for you)
• Providing access to genealogical records through the premium online Internet FamilySearch Center Portal for free.
• Offering free how-to classes (varies by location)
• Fostering contact between genealogical enthusiasts

There are a number of FamilySearch Centers located in Ohio. Each center is staffed by volunteers and has varying hours and services. Telephone in advance to verify their hours. To locate one of these centers in your own neighborhood, see Find a FamilySearch Center.

Guides

• David R. Larson, ed., Guide to Manuscript Collections and Institutional Records in Ohio, ((S.l.) : Society of Ohio Archivists, 1974). At various repositories (WorldCat); FS Library Book 977.1 A34s.
• Paul D. Yon, Guide to Ohio County and Municipal Records for Urban Research. (Columbus, Ohio : Ohio Historical Society, 1973). At various repositories (WorldCat); FS Library Fiche 6051197; Book 977.1 A3.
• Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums, Directory of Museums, Historical Societies, and Associated Organizations in Ohio (Granville, Ohio : Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums, 1981). At various repositories (WorldCat); FS Library Book 977.1 C4.

Almost every county in Ohio has a branch of the Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) that actively collects, preserves, and publishes local records. There are many other societies in Ohio proactive in promoting research.

To find other repositories of Ohio records, see also:

*United States Archives and Libraries

*Ohio Societies.