The Genealogy & Family History Social Network
Ohio Genealogy
Information
Ohio is the crossroads of the nation, one of the most historical states. It is the best state for genealogical research in terms of historical sources being available, preserved, and indexed.
Members: 112
Latest Activity: Jan 8, 2023
Getting Started in Ohio Research
Ohio has the nation's best system of archives as well as the best collections of historical materials with genealogical value. When combined with significant research strategies, the use of these excellent sources often leads to the most successful family history pursuits.
GETTING STARTED:
A. Prepare for research by constructing an organizational system based on record-keeping jurisdictions [see our Group about Organization]:
global national state county town & township family
B. Begin Ohio pedigree pursuits by building the necessary methodological foundation. Use the research principles described in this outline.
C. Study the most current and accurate locality-specific "how-to" tools. In addition to those cited under Genealogy in the following state listings, these include the free FamilySearch Research Guidance system and individual Research Outlines at: www.familysearch.org
D. Create a timeline for one target ancestral family. Add key dates of national and state events as mentioned in the FamilySearch Research Outline.
E. Study local history and add items to your timeline (i.e. county created, newspaper published, church or lodge established, arrival of important settlement groups).
F. Learn about the most important archives and libraries for your locality. See the guides and bibliographies listed below under Archives or Vital. Use the WPA inventories, even when a county is not yet known; if one is not available for a target county, use one for the nearest county. Those facilities with the best collections have particularly helpful Internet sites: state archive, state historical society, state library, state vital records bureau, large public library, special library.
G. Use the major survey sources -generally automated- which may lead to compiled information about any Midwestern family. Examples are the Biography and Genealogy Master Index, Pedigree resource File. The International Genealogical Index is perhaps the largest database based on Ohio vital records, and pilot.familysearch.org has indexes to digitized images of Ohio deaths (1908-1953) and tax records (1816-1838).
H. Following the basic research process, use the sources of the Family History Library (FHL). Start with the federal indexes which pertain to Ohio families, i.e.:
' indexes to all federal military service, 1776-1900 (seeking residences)
' indexes to federal passenger arrival lists, 1820-1920 (seeking destinations)
' indexes to federal census schedules, 1790-1920 (seeking residences, origins)
' indexes to land claims and to pre-1908 BLM land records (seeking residences)
' indexes to naturalizations at federal courts, generally 1906-1980s (for residence and more)
' indexes to national historical sources, such as the U.S. Territorial Papers
I. Continue with the statewide locator sources highlighted is a separate post. The goal is to identify each county where the family may have left a paper trail.
J. Understand the history and area of each locality and place name by using sources such as those listed under Gazetteers, Historical Geography, and Maps.
K. Repeat the research process with relevant Internet sources. See examples marked + in the list which follows.
L. If the desired county cannot be determined for a certain time period, review your search of survey sources. If needed, try key indexes to civil records in the older and larger cities in the state (such as marriage indexes for Cincinnati).
M. If a county has been identified, gather and evaluate local sources obtained at the FHL and by correspondence and personal visits to the Midwest, if possible. These sources are described in the world=s largest genealogical bibliography, the Family History Library Catalog, under the name of each specific county -and then town or township. Start with courthouse documents such as probates and deeds, and continue with non-civil sources such as newspapers and church records.
N. Build a network of genealogists and archivists by joining at least one statewide genealogical society and one local society, and perhaps an Internet interest group such as those I posted on GenealogyWise for Naturalization, Military Pensions, Newspapers, and so on. Since you will have discovered so many possible sources, "divide and conquer" the pedigree pursuit by enlisting family members.
GETTING STARTED:
A. Prepare for research by constructing an organizational system based on record-keeping jurisdictions [see our Group about Organization]:
global national state county town & township family
B. Begin Ohio pedigree pursuits by building the necessary methodological foundation. Use the research principles described in this outline.
C. Study the most current and accurate locality-specific "how-to" tools. In addition to those cited under Genealogy in the following state listings, these include the free FamilySearch Research Guidance system and individual Research Outlines at: www.familysearch.org
D. Create a timeline for one target ancestral family. Add key dates of national and state events as mentioned in the FamilySearch Research Outline.
E. Study local history and add items to your timeline (i.e. county created, newspaper published, church or lodge established, arrival of important settlement groups).
F. Learn about the most important archives and libraries for your locality. See the guides and bibliographies listed below under Archives or Vital. Use the WPA inventories, even when a county is not yet known; if one is not available for a target county, use one for the nearest county. Those facilities with the best collections have particularly helpful Internet sites: state archive, state historical society, state library, state vital records bureau, large public library, special library.
G. Use the major survey sources -generally automated- which may lead to compiled information about any Midwestern family. Examples are the Biography and Genealogy Master Index, Pedigree resource File. The International Genealogical Index is perhaps the largest database based on Ohio vital records, and pilot.familysearch.org has indexes to digitized images of Ohio deaths (1908-1953) and tax records (1816-1838).
H. Following the basic research process, use the sources of the Family History Library (FHL). Start with the federal indexes which pertain to Ohio families, i.e.:
' indexes to all federal military service, 1776-1900 (seeking residences)
' indexes to federal passenger arrival lists, 1820-1920 (seeking destinations)
' indexes to federal census schedules, 1790-1920 (seeking residences, origins)
' indexes to land claims and to pre-1908 BLM land records (seeking residences)
' indexes to naturalizations at federal courts, generally 1906-1980s (for residence and more)
' indexes to national historical sources, such as the U.S. Territorial Papers
I. Continue with the statewide locator sources highlighted is a separate post. The goal is to identify each county where the family may have left a paper trail.
J. Understand the history and area of each locality and place name by using sources such as those listed under Gazetteers, Historical Geography, and Maps.
K. Repeat the research process with relevant Internet sources. See examples marked + in the list which follows.
L. If the desired county cannot be determined for a certain time period, review your search of survey sources. If needed, try key indexes to civil records in the older and larger cities in the state (such as marriage indexes for Cincinnati).
M. If a county has been identified, gather and evaluate local sources obtained at the FHL and by correspondence and personal visits to the Midwest, if possible. These sources are described in the world=s largest genealogical bibliography, the Family History Library Catalog, under the name of each specific county -and then town or township. Start with courthouse documents such as probates and deeds, and continue with non-civil sources such as newspapers and church records.
N. Build a network of genealogists and archivists by joining at least one statewide genealogical society and one local society, and perhaps an Internet interest group such as those I posted on GenealogyWise for Naturalization, Military Pensions, Newspapers, and so on. Since you will have discovered so many possible sources, "divide and conquer" the pedigree pursuit by enlisting family members.
Discussion Forum
My Ohio Ancestry
Started by Eileen Hutzel Johnson Aug 14, 2011. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Favorite resources for Ohio ancestors
Started by Unknown Ancestor. Last reply by Rebecca Kenton Pyle Jul 27, 2009. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Comment Wall
Comment
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Comment by Sally lou Widener on August 2, 2009 at 1:46pm
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Looking for someone to take picture for me in Elm Grove Cemetery In Auglaize County, Ohio. This Person or Anyone else
by the Surname. Mary Elizabeth Orders. I think she died in 1999 This is a hard name to research. Thanks for any help
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Comment by Joyce /Shaum/ Rehberg on July 30, 2009 at 11:11pm
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Lori; Could you post a link to your Facebook page?
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Comment by Kevin M Ryan on July 30, 2009 at 3:20pm
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i am looking for info on the ryan family from norwood ohio if anyone has info
let me know !!!!!!!!!!
thank you
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Comment by Lori Shoemaker Hellmund on July 30, 2009 at 1:12pm
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If you are on Facebook, I would love for you all to join my group "Ohio Pioneers and Early Families". I'm trying to get as many Ohio family pictures and stories posted as I can and so far, even though I have members, nobody seems to want to share actual family stories and photos.
Lizzie, I completely agree with you! Ohio is genealogy friendly! :)
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Comment by Gen Story Girl on July 30, 2009 at 12:51pm
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i've been very pleased with all that OH has made available to me over the years, especially with my Stagner family research. it is one of those great genealogy friendly states.
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Comment by Unknown Ancestor on July 27, 2009 at 3:39pm
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Many Canadians were attracted by Ohio and Michigan.
Quebec's immigration lists don't start until 1865, Halifax in 1881, and the detailed Border crossings in 1895.
Was the adoption official? Due to death or divorce?
In pre-1852 Ohio you search the Court of Common Pleas for civil and even juvenile cases.
Don't forget that Iowa has off-year state census schedules before 1850; most are on Ancestry's fee site.
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Comment by Liz Loveland on July 27, 2009 at 3:12pm
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Unknown Ancestor, Thanks for responding. I have had some contact with the county and state historical societies but have yet to contact the Hamilton County Library, though I know others who have quite successfully contacted various Ohio libraries. Have you had contact with them? I see that since the last time I checked their site, they have begun a special genealogy and local history department: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/main/genlocal.html It doesn't appear to say whether they do lookups for off-site people, though.
Lori, Thanks for responding. I have already requested the lookups from them. :-) I just haven't followed up yet on the information they sent back (they send back info on what paper the notice appeared in, etc). I have also used their death index.
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Comment by Lori Deible Chaffin on July 27, 2009 at 2:55pm
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Liz, The Hamilton Co genealogical Society has a marriage index on their web page that might be helpful to you. They start about 1830 and I think they go through about 1884. I have used it many times as most of my family is from the South West Ohio area.
This link ought to take you there:
http://www.hcgsdata.org/marriage.shtml
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Comment by carole l thomas on July 27, 2009 at 1:54pm
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catharine dulanty b jan 1842 ireland adopted in cleveland area by ben jefffries family taken to iowa in 1852. any ideas on how to find any relatives. came through canada
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Hamilton County, of course, is one of the key counties in America due to its geography and history.
Its public library has one of the best collections for genealogy in the Midwest, even unique items such as documents about steamboat traffic.
http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/
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