Jefferson County, Ohio Genealogy

Guide to Jefferson County, Ohio ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Historical Facts

 * Parent Counties: Formed from Washington County 27 July 1797.
 * County Seat: Steubenville

Description
The county was named for Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, Secretary of State, and Vice President of the United States at the time of the County’s creation. It's county seat is La Belle and was founded July 29, 1797. It is located in the East-central area of the state.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Neighboring Counties
Columbiana County •  Carroll County  •  Harrison County  •  Belmont County  •  Hancock County, West Virginia  •  Brooke County, West Virginia  •  Ohio County, West Virginia

Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Ohio county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Ohio County Boundary Maps" (1788-1888) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Record Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Cemeteries
Cemetery records often reveal birth, marriage, death, relationship, military, and religious information.

Court of Common Pleas

 * Common Pleas civil docket (Appearance), 1804-1854 FHL microfilm.
 * Common Pleas Court Journals.

Probate Court
''The probate was formed in 1851 and generated many types of documents. Resources containing probate documents are listed under the Probate section of the Jefferson County, Ohio page. Likewise for resources containing naturalization documents see Naturalization. This section focuses on resources containing "the other" documents generated by the probate court; but in some cases a resource (such as a journal) will have entries regarding both probate and "other things".'Note also that the probate court had jurisdiction over the county and justice of the peace records.'' 


 * Ohio, Jefferson County Court Records (FamilySearch Historical Records) This is a wiki article describing and linking to an online collection. As of 15 Nov 2012 this collection only contains probate estate packets, but perhaps more documents generated by the the probate court will be added.
 * 1818-1820s Clerk of Court Justice of Peace Ledger. See Ohio State Archives
 * Probate journal, 1852-1887. FHL film.

Supreme Court

 * 1803-1826 Clerk of Courts Supreme Court Complete Record. 2 Vol. See Ohio State Archives.

Local Histories

 * Doyle, Joseph B., 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, (Chicago, Illinois: Richmond-Arnold, 1910). Digital copy at Google Books


 * Andrews, J.H., Centennial Souvenir of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio: 1797-1897, (Apollo, Pennsylvania: Closson Press, 2006).


 * Caldwell, J.A., History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, (Wheeling, West Virginia: Historical Pub. Co., 1880). Digital copy at


 * Miligan, T.V., History of Jefferson County, Ohio: An Address Delivered at the Centennial Celebration on 4 July 1876, (Westerville, Ohio: F.J. Milligan, 1993).


 * Hunter, W.H., Pathfinders of Jefferson County, Ohio, (Ohio: Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society, 1885). Digital copy at Google Books


 * Sinclair, Dohrman J., Pioneer Collection of Jefferson County, Ohio, (Stephens City, Virginia: Commercial Press, 1984).


 * Sinclair, Mary Donaldson, Pioneer Days, (Steubenville, Ohio: M.D. Sinclair, 1962).

You can find many local histories within Jefferson County at Digital Shoebox, which is a website from the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio (Schiappa Branch), where they have digitized many of their collection. This website includes library contributions from all of southeast Ohio.

You can also find much information on the Jefferson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society website at Jefferson County Chapter Many of the early records of this county have been donated to the chapter, and they are in the process of housing and cataloging these collections.

You can also find much historical and genealogical information at the Jefferson County Historical Museum located at 426 Franklin Ave., Steubenville, OH 43952. Phone: 740-283-1133. Hours of operation vary due to volunteer staff, so please call ahead to make arrangements for tours and library researching.

Land and Property

 * 1790-1907 - Bureau of Land Management database Courtesy OhioGenWeb Archives
 * 1800-1869 - Grantor Index Courtesy OhioGenWeb Archives
 * 1800-1869 - Grantee Index Courtesy OhioGenWeb Archives
 * various years - community contributed deeds Courtesy OhioGenWeb Archives

Maps

 * Maps of Ohio (1788-1940)

Military

 * 1888-1919 - at FamilySearch — index and images


 * Civil War Civil War service men from Morgan 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 Morgan County.


 * - 98th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, Companies A and D

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1800-1977 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Newspapers
Online Newspapers

Online Newspaper Abstracts


 * various years - community contributed newspaper articles Courtesy OhioGenWeb Archives

Newspaper Extracts and Abstracts in Book Form

The local newspaper is "The Herald-Star" located at 401 Herald Square, Steubenville, OH 43952. Phone (740) 283-4711 WebsiteThe archive issues of this paper date to 1806, and can be accessed at the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County (Schiappa Branch - Ohio Room). They are housed on microfilm, and many issues have been indexed. Some of these indexes are digitized online (including 1892), and others are available at the library.

Obituaries of the recently deceased (last 5-10 years) can also be accessed by visiting the websites of local funeral homes. A few of these are listed below:

Clarke Funeral Home, Toronto - Website

Everhart-Bove Funeral Home - Website

Shorac Funeral Homes - Website

Mosti Funeral Home - Website

J.E. Foster Funeral Homes - Website

Probate
Online Probate Records
 * 1786 - 1998 Ohio Wills and Probate Records 1786-1998 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1789 - 1996 at FamilySearch.org — images
 * 1790–1940 - at FamilySearch Historical Records – free. This collection consists of records from Jefferson County, Ohio. This collection is being published as images become available. An index is being created in cooperation with the Jefferson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society and will be published as it becomes available. Currently, (September 2012) the collection includes Probate records from 1797 to 1940, and is only searchable by browsing the images.
 * 1790–1967 - at FamilySearch Historical Records – free. This collection consists of probate records and estate files from county courthouses in Ohio. The content and time period varies by county, with more records being added as they become available. This Collection will include records from 1789 to 1996. Currently, (September 2012) the collection is only searchable by browsing the images. A list of Fires that have destroyed records in the courthouses of several counties are listed on the Record Description page.
 * various years - community contributed wills Courtesy OhioGenWeb Archives

Wills - Index and Abstracts

 * early to 1853 - Daily, Linda. Index to early wills and estates of Jefferson County, Ohio up to 1853. FHL US/CAN Book 977.1 A1 no. 676.
 * 1798-1821 - DiThomas, Mary, Will abstracts taken from will book one, 1798-1821, Jefferson County, Northwest Territory, and the State of Ohio. FHL US/CAN Book 977.1 A1 no. 269.
 * 1821-1836 - DiThomas, Mary E. Will abstracts taken from will book two, 1821-1836, Jefferson County, Ohio. State of Ohio FHL US/CAN Book 977.1 A1 no. 276.

Wills - Images (digital or film)

 * 1798-1920 - Record of wills, 1798-1920

Administration

 * early to 1818 - DiThomas, Mary E. Early estate administrations, Jefferson County, Ohio, to 1818 : taken from Common Pleas Court journals. FHL US/CAN Book 977.169 P2.
 * 1838-1918 - Administrators' dockets, 1838-1918. FHL film.
 * 1849-1885 - Administrators bonds vols. 1-3, 1849-1885. FHL film.

Executors Bonds

 * 1849-1885 - Executors bonds vol. 1-3, 1849-1885. FHL film

Inventories - Index and Abstracts

 * 1803-1816 - Francy, Leila S. Inventory of estates, Jefferson County, Ohio : books I and II, 1803-1816. FHL US/CAN Book 977.169 P28i.

Inventories - Images (digital or film)

 * 1803-1889 - Inventory of estates, 1803-1889. See FHL catalog.

Guardianship - Index and Abstracts

 * early to 1818 - DiThomas, Mary E. Court appointed, and chosen guardians from Common Pleas Court journals, Jefferson County, Ohio, to 1818 FHL US/CAN Book 977.1 A1 no. 271.
 * 1838-1920 - Guardians' dockets, 1838-1920. FHL film.
 * 1849-1894 - Guardian bonds and letters, 1849-1894. FHL film.

Estate Packets

 * 1797+  - Estate Packets FamilySearch Historical Records Collection.

Final Record Books

 * 1852-1888 - Final record of probate cases, 1852-1888. FHL microfilm.

Courthouse
Jefferson County Courthouse 301 Market Street Steubenville, OH 43952 Phone: 740.283.8583 Probate Judge has marriage, probate and naturalization records, probate and naturalization records; Clerk Court has divorce and court records from 1797; County Recorder has land records from 1797; Board of Health has birth and death records

Family History Centers

 * Wintersville Ohio Family History Center

For additional nearby Family History Centers, search online in the FHC directory. Put your town name in the top search box.

Libraries

 * Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio - Schiappa Branch Ohio Room (for genealogical research and history), 4141 Mall Drive, Steubenville, OH 43952. Phone: 740-264-6166

Museums

 * Vivian Snyder Genealogical Library, Jefferson County Historical Museum, 426 Franklin Ave., Steubenville, OH 43952.  Phone (740) 283-1133

Societies

 * Jefferson County Chapter, OGS - Website

Online Genealogy Research Groups

 * U.S. Midwest Genealogy Research Community - FamilySearch Facebook Research Group
 * Ohio Ancestors - FamilySearch Community group, must have a free FamilySearch account to join
 * U.S. and Canada Genealogy Research - FamilySearch Community group, must have a free FamilySearch account to join
 * U.S. and Canada Genealogy Research - FamilySearch Community group, must have a free FamilySearch account to join

Taxation

 * 1800–1850 at FamilySearch Historical Records – free. Name index of tax records as recorded with the County Auditor of each county. Entries are recorded in voucher books, one person per page. The majority of the tax records in this collection are for the years 1816 through 1838. Currently (September 2012) this collection is 17% complete. Additional records will be added as they are completed.


 * 1816-1838 Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850. FamilySearch Historical Records Collection. As of 12 Nov 2012 only partially digitalized, but on microfilm. Appears that when complete, this collection will cover Jefferson county from 1816-1838.
 * 1835, 1864, 1865, 1869, 1870 See Ohio State Archives.

Birth
Online Birth Indexes and Records


 * 1867-1879 - Birth Records of Jefferson County Courtesy OhioGenWeb
 * 1879-1894 - Birth Records of Jefferson County Courtesy OhioGenWeb
 * 1894-1901 - Birth Records of Jefferson County Courtesy OhioGenWeb
 * 1901-1908 - Birth Records of Jefferson County Courtesy OhioGenWeb
 * 1949-1963 - Some Births, Marriages and Divorces of Jefferson County, Ohio Courtesy OhioGenWeb
 * various years - community contributed birth records Courtesy OhioGenWeb Archives

Original Birth Records on Microfilm

Marriage
Online Marriage Indexes and Records


 * 1789-2013 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1797-1901 - Marriage of Jefferson County Courtesy OhioGenWeb
 * 1800-1958 - at FamilySearch — free; Index.
 * 1800-1942 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1949-1963 - Some Births, Marriages and Divorces of Jefferson County, Ohio Courtesy OhioGenWeb

Original Marriage Records on Microfilm

Death
Online Death Indexes and Records


 * 1840-2001 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1908-1953 - Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953 Free name indexes and images at FamilySearch. Records include such information as birth date of deceased, city, county, and state of death, name of spouse if married, names of parents, maiden name of mother, name of informant, if deceased was single, married, windowed or divorced, occupation of deceased.
 * 1908-1932, 1938-2007 - Online Ohio Death Records and Indexes Courtesy OhioGenWeb
 * 1913-1944 - Ohio Death Certificate Index Courtesy OhioGenWeb
 * various years - community contributed death records Courtesy OhioGenWeb Archives

Original Death Records on Microfilm

Websites

 * Jefferson County, OH History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Ohio Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Ohio Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Jefferson County OH Genealogy
 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Ohio Historical Society - Jefferson county
 * Ohio Historical Society - Jefferson county