The Ohio Genealogical Society is the largest state genealogical society in the United States. Its mission is to meet the educational needs of its members and the general public through the acquisition, preservation and dissemination of genealogical and historical information. The Samuel D. Isaly Library is at the Ohio Genealogical Society is Ohio’s top repository for Ohio genealogical information.
Many records in Ohio were kept at the county level. You may also wish to contact the genealogical societies of the counties where the family lived. Many county chapters of the Ohio Genealogical Society publish indexes to local records, document area cemeteries and provide local research assistance for a nominal fee.
Your public library is a good place to look for Genealogy how-to books and guides to popular family history topics. They may also have a local history section. Your public library may also provide access to online genealogy resources such as Ancestry.com and Fold3. Find an Ohio public library near you
County Probate Courts and Courts of Common Pleas may still hold records (ex. birth records, wills and estates) from various time periods. Contact the Probate Court or Clerk of Courts in a specific county of interest for more information.
Several repositories across the state collect local government records from nearby county courts. Visit our Ohio Network of American History Research (ONAHR) Centers webpage to view a list of repositories.
Many Ohio counties have their own archives and records centers where historic records are maintained. Not all court records are transferred to these repositories. View a list of County Archives and Records Centers for more information.