GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Ohio Deaths

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find death information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the death section of the Ohio Guided Research page.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1959-2012:  Ohio Deaths, 1959-2012  - ($), Index only
 * 1908-1966:  Ohio Deaths, 1908 - 1966  - ($), Index only

Tips for finding deaths
Success with deaths records depends on a few key points.
 * Your ancestor's name may misspelled. Try the following search tactics:
 * Try searching spelling variations for your ancestor.
 * Try different spelling variations of the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Try a given name search (leave out the last names)


 * Expand the date range of the search.
 * Try searching with the state name only instead of by county.
 * If your ancestor's name is common, try adding more information to narrow the search.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * Ohio counties began registering deaths in 1867, although registration was incomplete for some counties. Statewide registration began in 1908 in Ohio.

Records Published Collection coverage tables show the places and time periods of original records published. Check the coverage table for the collections you searched which did not include your ancestor. Gaps in the online collection may require searches in other records or original birth records at an archive.


 * Record coverage table not available yet.

Records destroyed United States Counties With Records Loss shows which counties and when the loss happened. Zoom in to the state and click on a county marked in red to see date details.