Hamilton County, Ohio Genealogy

- United States  &gt; Ohio &gt; Hamilton County

Quick Dates
Births and deaths were recorded at the local, county and state level in various time periods. Some births and deaths were recorded in multiple locations and the information in those records varies. Hamilton County's civil records start in the following years:

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
Hamilton County Courthouse 1000 Main St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202(513) 946-5656

Directions and Parking

Online index to Divorces (1994-present), Civil and Criminal Cases (1989-present), Common Pleas (1997-present).

Court of Common Pleas

(513) 946-5800

Municipal Court

(513) 946-5700

Probate Court
William Howard Taft Center 230 E. Ninth St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

''Many records are now available online. Archival Records: Estates 1791 - 1984; Wills 1791 - 1973; Trusts1791 - 1984; Guardianships 1791 - 1984: Marriages 1808 - 1983; Minister's License 1963 - 1975; Birth Records 1863 - 1908; Birth Registrations and Corrections 1941 - 1994; Death Records 1881 - 1908; Naturalizations 1856 - 1906; Probate Court Journal Entries 1791 - 1837; Physician Certificates 1919 - 1987. Records are incomplete due to courthouse fires. ''

First District Court of Appeals
William Howard Taft Center 230 E. Ninth St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(513) 946-3500

Federal Courts in Hamilton County
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio Office of the Clerk Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse, Room 103 100 East Fifth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Directions and Hours

District Court for Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Highland, Lawrence, Sciotoand Warrencounties in Ohio.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse 100 East Fifth St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513-564-7000

U.S. Courts Library (513) 564-7321

Directions


 * U.S. Court of Appeals for Kentucky, Michigan, Ohioand Tennessee.
 * U.S. Courts Library serves the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, District Courts, and Bankruptcy Courts. The library is a repository for the Federal Depository Library Program.

Hamilton County Recorder and Hamilton County Auditor
Hamilton County Administration Building 138 E. Court St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-1236

Recorder's Office
(513) 946-4573

''Land records 1794-present, maps, Veteran's Grave Registrations. "Easy Reference List of Documents Recorded in the Recorder's Office" gives a complete list available records.''

Auditor's Office
(513) 946-4000

''Plats 1939-present. Property search is availabe on their website by name or address. ''

Hamilton County Health Department
Hamilton County Public Health Department 250 William Howard Taft, 2nd Floor Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 (513) 946-7800 Directions, Genealogical Research

Hamilton County births 1875-present, deaths 1891-present, Reading Health Department records.

Parent Jurisdictions
Hamilton County was created 2 Jan 1790 as an original county in the Northwest Territory. In 1803, Ohio became a state with Hamilton County as one of the original counties.

County seat: Cincinnati

Record Loss

 * 1814, 1849, 1884 - courthouse fires
 * 1810, 1890 - no census
 * Burned Counties Research in FamilySearch Wiki
 * Michael John Neill, Burned Counties in Family History Circle

Populated Places
A Gazetteer of Hamilton Co., Ohio 1784-1986 can be found in Guide to Genealogical Resources in Cincinnati &amp; Hamilton Co., Ohio, 6th Edition. [Hereafter referred to as The Guide.]

Board on Geographic Names (BGN)can be searched for the names of populated places in Hamilton County. Search for Hamilton County, Ohio with 'Populated Places' selected as the "Feature Class."

Townships
Anderson, Cincinnati, Colerain, Columbia, Crosby, Delhi, Green, Harrison, Miami, Millcreek (defunct), Spencer, Springfield, Storrs (defunct), Sycamore, Symmes, Whitewater

Neighboring Counties

 * Boone County, Kentucky
 * Butler County, Ohio
 * Campbell County, Kentucky
 * Clermont County, Ohio
 * Dearborn County, Indiana
 * Franklin County, Indiana
 * Kenton County, Kentucky
 * Warren County, Ohio

Family History Library
Addyston, Anderson Twp, Bevis, Bridgetown, Camp Dennison, Carthage, Cincinnati, Colerain Township, College Hill, Columbia, Columbia Township, Crosby Township, Cumminsville, Delhi Township, Elmwood Place, Fairfield, Fernbank, Fulton, Glendale, Green Township, Harrison, Lockland, Madisonville, Miami Heights, Monfort Heights, Montgomery, New Haven, North Bend, Norwood, Reading, Sayler Park, Springdale, Springfield Township, St. Bernard, Sycamore Township, The Village of Indian Hill, White Oak, Whitewate.

FamilySearch Wiki/Online
Cincinnati

Terrace Park, Ohio Building Survey contains history of every building in the village with stories, photos, census and a deed index. The site also includes genealogy records for former residents.

Research Guides
Burke, Kenny R. and Connie Stunkel Terheiden. A Guide to Genealogical Resources in Cincinnati &amp; Hamilton County, Ohio, 6th Edition. Milford, Ohio: Little Miami Publishing Co., 2009.

Graver, William H. ''Hamilton County, Ohio Guide to Recorder's Indexes and Documents 1794-1988. ''Milford, Ohio: Little Miami Publishing Co., 2003.

Cemeteries
A list of Hamilton County's active cemeteries is in The Guide including their addresses, dates of establishment, indexes and/or websites. There is a map showing the locations of both current and defunct cemeteries. The Guide also has an annotated list of active and defunct burial sites compiled by Mary H. Remler. Hamilton County Genealogical Society (HCGS) has published many cemetery records. For a complete list, see HCGS Publications. In the FHL catalog, most cemetery records are cataloged in the community where they are located.

Cemetery Deeds and Lot Owner Deeds

 * Cemetery deeds (1859-1934) FHL Film 344600, 344601
 * Cemetery lot owner deeds are indexed in The Tracer. See ‘TRACER, Article Index, 1979-2008’ for descriptions and issue numbers.

Cemetery Records

 * Bevis - Cedar Grove Cemetery (1870-1930)
 * Wesleyan Cemetery, 1842-1994
 * Cemetery records indexed in The Tracer can be found using PERSI or ‘TRACER, Article Index, 1979-2008’.
 * Many cemetery records have been compiled and published by the HCGS. For a complete list, see HCGS Publications.

Cemetery Records Available Online

 * Gate of Heaven Cemetery
 * Mt. Washington Cemetery
 * Oak Hill Cemetery
 * Rest Haven Memorial Park
 * Spring Grove Cemetery
 * St. Joseph New Cemetery
 * Walnut Hills Cemetery
 * Wesleyan Cemetery

U.S. Population Census Schedules
Population schedules are widely available on microfilm and on the internet for 1820-1880, 1890 Veteran’s Census, 1900-1930 including indexes of varying quality and completeness. Published indexes can be consulted if you are unsuccessful finding your ancestor in the online indexes. Tax and voter lists can serve as partial substitutes prior to 1820.

See Ohio Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes.

See Hamilton County, OH census assignments, including links to transcribed files. [The USGenWeb Census Project®].

U.S. Nonpopulation Census Schedules
U.S. Special census schedules are available on microfilm through the NARA and on microfilm at the State Library of Ohio and Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.


 * 1850 Agriculture: NARA T1159,Roll 4
 * 1860 Agriculture: NARA T1159, Roll 20
 * 1870 Agriculture Recapitulation: NARA T1159, Roll 31
 * 1870 Agriculture: NARA T1159, Roll 36
 * 1850 Industry: NARA T1159, Roll 12
 * 1870 Industry: NARA T1159, Roll 46
 * 1880 Industry: NARA T1159, Roll 94
 * 1850 Mortality: NARA T1159, Roll 14 also available on Ancestry.com
 * 1860 Mortality: NARA T1159, Roll 29 also available on Ancestry.com
 * 1880 Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes: NARA T1159, Roll 99

State Census
There are no state census records for Ohio. Tax lists, voter lists and directories can be used as a partial substitute.

Church

 * Numerous church records are available on microfilm at both the PLCH and through the Family History Library. A list of microfilms at the PLCH is in their card catalog and in a Guide to Genealogical Resources in Cincinnati &amp; Hamilton Co., Ohio, 6th Edition.  Hamilton County Genealogical Society (HCGS) has published indexes tomany church baptismal, marriage and burial records. For a complete list, see HCGS Publications and ‘TRACER, Article Index, 1979-2008’.
 * This is a partial listing of microfilm available through the Family History Library: 0974060, 1510039, 1510042, 1510044, 1510055, 1510056, 1510057, 1510072, 1514042, 1514059, 1514063, 1514070, 1548046, 1548049, 1630318, 1686036, 1686037, 1845262, 1902451, 1954690, 1955128, 1955202, 1987642, 1987643, 2020899, 2030565, 2048136.  A more complete listing is being prepared.

Court
''In the courts outlined below, several state and federal courts are included. Depending on the time period, these courts held either original or appelate jurisdiction for Hamilton Co., Ohio.''

Justice of the Peace - Township
The University of Cincinnati Archives holds township Justice of the Peace records for the following townships: Cincinnati Twp Civil Docket (1846-1900), Cincinnati Twp Criminal Dockets (1860-1913), Cincinnati Twp Apprenticeship Book (1862-1898), Delhi Twp Criminal Docket (1853-1905), Millcreek Twp Criminal Docket (1853-1863, 1881-1890), Whitewater Twp Civil Docket (1860-1876, 1910-1911), Whitewater Twp Criminal Docket (1860-1931).

Court of Common Pleas/Cincinnati Municipal Court
The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts maintains the court records of Hamilton County and the Municipal court. Many of the early court records have been moved to the University of Cincinnati Archives or the Cincinnati Historical Society. The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts has the following records available on microfilm: Naturalization Records (1850-1893), Declarations of Intent (1842-1926), Court Dockets (1884-present), Certified Judgments (1884-present), Pending Suits (1884-present), Judgments (1884-present), Law Suits and Divorces (1884-1994) and Criminal and Civil Records (1884-present). The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts has a searchable database of cases that indexes many of these records. Early records may only contain a list of litigants. Many cases tried after 1884 involved property or estates from earlier time periods that named litigants as 'heirs of' many early Ohio settlers.

Probate Court
Estate settlement matters were handled by different courts in different time periods. See Probate below.

Digitized records: Minister's Licenses (1963-1975), and Physician Certificates (1919-1987). See also Probate and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship.

The University of Cincinnati Archives holds many of the county's Court of Common Pleas and Probate Court original records. For a partial list of UC Archives holdings, see A Guide to Genealogical Resources in Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio, 6th Edition or Inventory of Government Documents for Eight Counties of Southwest Ohio.

Hamilton Co. Circuit Court 1883-1912
The FHL has Hamilton County Circuit Court Records 1844-1847 with a Diary, 1856-1861 of Charles Morton as a manuscript on microfilm FHL Film 897439 Item 2.

Ohio Supreme Court 1803-present
Prior to 1851, the Ohio Supreme Court sessions involving Hamilton Co., Ohio cases were held and recorded in Hamilton County. Many of the records were lost due to courthouse fires. Prior to 1823, there was no provision for recording Ohio Supreme Court decisions. From 1823-1851 the court met annually in Columbus to review cases that decided questions of law - these sessions were referred to as the Supreme Court in bank. The decisions of the Supreme Court in bank were published in a series of books titled, Cases decided in the Supreme Court of Ohio in bank. The following published court record books are available through Google books:


 * Vol. 1, Dec 1823 &amp; Dec 1824
 * Vol. 2, Dec. 1825
 * Reports of Cases at Law and in Chancery decided by the Supreme Court of Ohio 1831-1834
 * Condensed reports of decisions in the Supreme Court of Ohio, Volumes 6-7.

U.S. Federal District Court 1803-present
The U.S. Federal District Court Records from 1803-1982 are in Record Group 21 at the Chicago Branch of the NARA. The U.S. Federal District Court Records include 7 volumes of Chancery Record Books, 1869-1915. Chancery records can be rich sources of genealogical information as they include the records of disputed estate settlements. The US Federal District Court also has Naturalization Records, 1852-1966. 

Place of Recourse: History of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 1803-2003 provides a detailed history of the court including many examples. The history is particularly helpful to researchers as it details the evolution of the court and its jurisdictional history.

U.S. Federal Circuit Courts 1807-1911
The U.S. Circuit Court Records from 1807-1911 are in Record Group 21 at the Chicago Branch of the NARA. The U.S. Circuit Court Records include 90 volumes of Chancery Record Books, 1828-1911. Chancery records can be rich sources of genealogical information as they include the records of disputed estate settlements.

Directories
The PLCH Virtual Library has City Directories for the following years available online: 1819, 1825, 1829, 1831, 1834, 1836-7, 1839-40, 1842,1843, 1846, 1848-1923. “Cincinnati and Hamilton County Directories” gives an excellent analysis of available directories and their use in research. The article includes a detailed accounting of changes in directory listings and contents over time including pointing out directories with unique personal or historical content.

Family Histories
Miami Valley Genealogy Index is an index to more than a half million pointers to records all over Miami Valley including Hamilton County.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has a card index of personal names found in many local histories and manuscript materials.

Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship
The Hamilton County Probate Court has digitized and made available many different records including Naturalizations (1856-1906).

The UC Archives has indexed Hamilton County Ohio Citizenship Records, 1837-1916. The indexes are available online at their website.

Local Histories
The Local History Card Catalog at the PLCH is an index of many Hamilton County histories and materials. The name index includes the source name, call number and page where a reference to the individual can be found. Many unusual and rare books are included in the index.

The Cincinnati Historical Society has an index to local histories available online.

Digital Journals is an online collection of journals published by Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Historical Society and the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History.

Maps
Volumes 1-4, 1904-1930, of Cincinnati Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps are now available on the PLCH Virtual Library. For the geographic areas covered by each volume, go to the volume’s first page following the index pages. See also Hamilton County, Ohio GenWeb, Maps.

Civil War
Civil War service men from Hamilton County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Hamilton County:


 * 1st Regiment, Ohio Cavalry, Company C, also known as "Pope's Escort" and "Shield's Body Guard" and Company G with many men from Clermont County
 * 106th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, Companies A, B, C, E, G, H, I, and K
 * Bard's Independent Company, Ohio Cavalry Militia
 * Burdsal's Independent Company, Ohio Cavalry

Cincinnati was an inland port at the time of the Civil War. It was not unusual for Hamilton County residents to serve in the Navy.

Newspapers
Obituary Indexes and Marriage Indexes for some newspapers and some time periods are available on the HCGS website.

Newsdex (incomplete) is a partial index to local newspapers maintained by the PLCH. Not all years and newspapers are included in the index. A description of the contents can be found on the PLCH website.

The Guide includes a list of newspapers available at the PLCH.

The Cincinnati Historical Society has an extensive collection of Hamilton County newspapers, both microfilm and original.

The Library of Congress, Chronicling America has an online directory of newspapers and repositories holding them.

Periodicals

 * The Tracer (journal) and The Gazette (newsletter) are published by the HCGS. Recent back issues are available on the website.  Older issues are available on CD or as individual issues through HCGS.

Probate

 * The Hamilton County Probate Court has digitized and made available many different records types including Estates 1791-1984, Wills 1791-1973, Trusts 1791-1984, Guardianships 1791-1984 and Probate Court Journal Entries 1791-1837. Probate Court Journal Entries have been transcribed in Abstract of Book 1 and Book A, Probate Record 1791-1826; Abstract of Book 3, Probate Record 1829-1834; and Abstract of Book 4, Probate Record, 1834-1837. These books are available on CD through HCGS.  The original books are held by the University of Cincinnati Archives - designated as 'Original Entry Books'.
 * The University of Cincinnati Archives has indexed Hamilton County Ohio Wills, 1791-1901.
 * The Hamilton County, Ohio Genealogical Society is currently creating a master index of Will Books 1918-1973. If you would be interested in participating, please contact HCOGSIndexing@gmail.com.

Taxation
Duplicate Tax Records of Hamilton County, Ohio 1816-1838 is available on FHL microfilm and at the Ohio Historical Society. These were copies of the tax records that the Hamilton County auditor sent to the state.

Vital Records
While some 19th century registrations exist, they are incomplete due to lack of compliance and courthouse fires. More complete records are available after mandatory state registration in 1908. See "Hamilton County, Ohio Vital Records," "Hamilton County Probate Court Records Online at Last!" and "Hamilton County Probate Court Indexes - Update" for further information about Hamilton County vital records and their availability. 

Societies
Hamilton County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society

P. O. Box 15865 Cincinnati, OH 45215-0865 (513) 956-7078

''Cincinnati Newspaper Death Notice and Hamilton County Marriage Indexes are available on their website. HCGS has numerous publications including the "The Tracer" (journal) and "The Gazette" (newsletter). HCGS sponsors or co-sponsors numerous genealogical events.''

Libraries
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

800 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-2009 (513) 369-6900

''PLCH is one of the largest genealogical libraries in the country. Very extensive Hamilton County history, genealogy and manuscript sources including a personal name card index to many local histories and manuscript materials. Online resources include: 'Catalog', 'Virtual Library', 'Newsdex'.''

Cincinnati Historical Society Library

1301 Western Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45203 (513) 287-7030

''Large collection of manuscript and microfilm materials including deeds, photographs, directories, census, local histories and military rosters. They have a vital record card index to some of their newspaper and manuscript materials (incomplete coverage). Online resources include: Name Index to Local Histories, Digital Journals, Catalog (incomplete)'and 'Archive and Manuscript Registers (incomplete).''

University of Cincinnati Archives &amp; Rare Books Library

8th Floor Blegen Library P.O. Box 210113 2602 McMicken Circle Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0113 (513) 556-1959 Location and Hours

The University of Cincinnati is the Ohio Network Of American History Research Center ''for Hamilton County. They are the designated repository for government records of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland and Warren Counties in Ohio. The UC Archives has numerous records including the following online indexes: Hamilton County Ohio Citizenship Records 1837-1916, Hamilton County Ohio Wills 1791-1901 and Deaths 1865-1912 (image and index, in progress).''

Family History Centers
Cincinnati Ohio Family History Center  5505 Bosworth Place Cincinnati, Ohio 45212 (513) 531-5624

Extensive collection of Hamilton County, Ohio and German microfilms on permanent loan.

Cincinnati Ohio East Family History Center 8250 Cornell Road Montgomery, Ohio 45249 (513) 489-3036

Many Hamilton County and surrounding county microfilms on permanent loan.

Web Sites

 * Hamilton County, Ohio GenWeb
 * Greater Cincinnati Memory Project

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