Due to the nature of the creation of Fulton County research for vital records can be a challenge. The county was created out of three counties Henry, Lucas and Williams. The county also shares it's northern border with Michigan and prior to the county creation in 1850 the border records may be cloudy.
When researching families that were located in this county prior to 1850 checking the three other counties and the adjoining counties in Michigan may be necessary when looking for records. Fulton counties records started in 1867. The records can be found in three seperate locations. The first is at the county court house in Wauseon. Many records prior to 1864 were destroyed when the county courthouse was destroyed. The second place to look for records is at the Health Department where records were kept from 1908 to present. The court house and the Health department are where the certified copies of birth can be obtained. The third and final place to locate birth records is at the Archives in Bowling Green that has the index and the actual birth records which run from 1867-1951.
The next topic will be on marriages.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Fulton County Ohio- History
The General Assembly of Ohio passed a law making Fulton a county on Feb 28, 1850. The county was organized out of the counties of Henry, Lucas and Williams counties in April of 1850. The county seat is located in Wauseon, OH. The county was named after Robert Fulton the inventor of the first commercial steam ship. This area like Lucas Co. would be part of the dispute that would become the Toledo War.
Prior to 1850 records have to be searched in the other three counties that laid claim to this area. Especially early land deed would fall into this time period and take some unique searching during the early time period. The northern border of the county is with Michigan where yo can find some overlap of vital records. This area is know for it's outstanding farm land that has provided food supplies for decades.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Putnam Co.- Naturalization Records
Locating Naturalization records is a important step in identifying origins for a individual new to the United States. The primary location for these records for Putnam County is at the archives in Bowling Green, OH.
There are three different forms of documentation for the genealogist to look for which are the Declaration of Intent, the Petition and Certificate of Naturalization. The Declaration of Intent was normally filled out shortly after the person would arrive at a final destination. These documents would be filed at the county seat in Ottawa. Information in this document can vary greatly based on the time period that they were filed. From 1862 to 1906 these records lacked any real detail in most cases. Foreign citizens that participated in the Civil War were waved from having to fill out this portion of the application. After 1906 the information in this document became more detailed. The information provided would include name, address, occupation, birthplace, nationality, country from which emigrated, age or birth date, physical description, date of intention, marital status, last foreign residence, port of entry, name of ship, date of entry, and date of document. Some times this document would be filed with the Petition.
The petition would include the same information as the Intent. The information would reflect the same issues as the Intent.
The Certificate of Naturalization was completed once the person had completed the citizenship requirements. Prior to 1906 this information was often only the name of the person and name of court. After that the period would be the same as the other forms.
The Naturalization Records in Bowling Green run from 1861-1907. They have copies of the intentions and certificates on microfilm. These are very good sources of origin, because they are given by the immigrants themselves.
This completes Putnam County. Now I will begin covering Fulton County, OH.
There are three different forms of documentation for the genealogist to look for which are the Declaration of Intent, the Petition and Certificate of Naturalization. The Declaration of Intent was normally filled out shortly after the person would arrive at a final destination. These documents would be filed at the county seat in Ottawa. Information in this document can vary greatly based on the time period that they were filed. From 1862 to 1906 these records lacked any real detail in most cases. Foreign citizens that participated in the Civil War were waved from having to fill out this portion of the application. After 1906 the information in this document became more detailed. The information provided would include name, address, occupation, birthplace, nationality, country from which emigrated, age or birth date, physical description, date of intention, marital status, last foreign residence, port of entry, name of ship, date of entry, and date of document. Some times this document would be filed with the Petition.
The petition would include the same information as the Intent. The information would reflect the same issues as the Intent.
The Certificate of Naturalization was completed once the person had completed the citizenship requirements. Prior to 1906 this information was often only the name of the person and name of court. After that the period would be the same as the other forms.
The Naturalization Records in Bowling Green run from 1861-1907. They have copies of the intentions and certificates on microfilm. These are very good sources of origin, because they are given by the immigrants themselves.
This completes Putnam County. Now I will begin covering Fulton County, OH.
Putnam County Ohio- Will Records
The location of a Will is one of the most important documents when doing genealogical research on a specific individual. Wills offer important verification of relationships and location of a individual. Unfortunately all to often this is the only document where these items can be verified.
In Putnam Co. OH there are three areas that this document can be located. The first is the library in Ft. Jennings, OH, the Probate Court at the county seat in Ottawa and finally the Bowling Green Archives in BG. The records in the library are all done on microfilm and run from 1837-1941. The records at the Probate Court run from 1837 to present. Here again access can be limited if the records are in the last 100 years. The Bowling Green Archives has two important items on Wills which is the Index to Will records (1837-1897) and the Will Records (1837-1941). These documents are all on microfilm.
The Will is the document that brings all your other facts together on a individual. The Will is normally dated several days after the individuals death. The information in the will explains the distribution of the persons worldly assets and where they would like things to go upon death. This is a important document for verifying wives, husbands and children's names. This document also becomes a good way to document the married names of daughters. A often overlooked portion of the will is the names of the executors. These names are often people that can offer clues to the lineage of the deceased individual. Many times it can be members of the wife or husbands family. It's important to figure out this person's relationship to the deceased. Relative or friend.
Tomorrow I will be wrapping up the records on Putnam Co. OH with the discussion of Naturalization records. I will then be moving on to a new county. My hope is that this information has been helpful on Putnam Co.
In Putnam Co. OH there are three areas that this document can be located. The first is the library in Ft. Jennings, OH, the Probate Court at the county seat in Ottawa and finally the Bowling Green Archives in BG. The records in the library are all done on microfilm and run from 1837-1941. The records at the Probate Court run from 1837 to present. Here again access can be limited if the records are in the last 100 years. The Bowling Green Archives has two important items on Wills which is the Index to Will records (1837-1897) and the Will Records (1837-1941). These documents are all on microfilm.
The Will is the document that brings all your other facts together on a individual. The Will is normally dated several days after the individuals death. The information in the will explains the distribution of the persons worldly assets and where they would like things to go upon death. This is a important document for verifying wives, husbands and children's names. This document also becomes a good way to document the married names of daughters. A often overlooked portion of the will is the names of the executors. These names are often people that can offer clues to the lineage of the deceased individual. Many times it can be members of the wife or husbands family. It's important to figure out this person's relationship to the deceased. Relative or friend.
Tomorrow I will be wrapping up the records on Putnam Co. OH with the discussion of Naturalization records. I will then be moving on to a new county. My hope is that this information has been helpful on Putnam Co.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Northwest Ohio Genealogical Post- Joyner Family
The purpose of these segments will be outline actual searches and the methods used to find the information needed. The task asked for in this search was to find some obituaries.
The two people that I was to search for were Ben Joyner who died in Toledo, Lucas Co., OH on Dec 31, 1991. Second person was Amanda Joyner who died 5 May 1929. The reader was looking for copies of two obituaries. Several sources can be consulted to find the information that was requested. The first is to locate the obits in a newspaper in the area. The local newspaper is the Toledo Blade which is microfilmed and located at the Toledo Public Library in their Genealogy and Local History room. Obituaries are indexed up until the 1960's which makes it very easy to find and locate the date a obituary was printed. After that period of time you have to do some searching. Second source would be the City Directories that are also located at the library.
The first person I began my search for was Ben Joyner. Typically the person is not listed in the paper for the day that they died. So I started on the day after. The obituaries appear in the local section of the paper and have been there for decades. I finally ended up finding the obituary I was looking for on January 3, 1992. It indicated that he had lived 90 years. He worked in construction for many years and had many survivors. Project completed.
The second person to search for was Amanda Joyner. First thing to check for this time period in Toledo is the index of obituaries. After doing a search in the days following the death I was unable to locate the obituary. I was not told prior to the search that the family was of African American descent. It is my belief that, because of the times in which she died it was not unusual to have her obit omitted from the mainstream paper. Luckily I consulted with a second source that gave me some indication of the time in which she died. That was the city directory. The break in dates and continuation of a Henry Joyner indicated that she was survived by her husband. This was later confirmed by the 1930 census for Toledo, Lucas Co., OH and the obit of Henry Joyner.
Well this is the first in I hope many that I get to do. Thanks again for the contribution.
On a side note I wanted you folks to know I was recently interviewed for the Putnam Co. Sentinel in Ottawa, OH on the subject of genealogy and this blog. The article will appear on the nineteenth of December for you folks in that area. Thanks again for your support.
The two people that I was to search for were Ben Joyner who died in Toledo, Lucas Co., OH on Dec 31, 1991. Second person was Amanda Joyner who died 5 May 1929. The reader was looking for copies of two obituaries. Several sources can be consulted to find the information that was requested. The first is to locate the obits in a newspaper in the area. The local newspaper is the Toledo Blade which is microfilmed and located at the Toledo Public Library in their Genealogy and Local History room. Obituaries are indexed up until the 1960's which makes it very easy to find and locate the date a obituary was printed. After that period of time you have to do some searching. Second source would be the City Directories that are also located at the library.
The first person I began my search for was Ben Joyner. Typically the person is not listed in the paper for the day that they died. So I started on the day after. The obituaries appear in the local section of the paper and have been there for decades. I finally ended up finding the obituary I was looking for on January 3, 1992. It indicated that he had lived 90 years. He worked in construction for many years and had many survivors. Project completed.
The second person to search for was Amanda Joyner. First thing to check for this time period in Toledo is the index of obituaries. After doing a search in the days following the death I was unable to locate the obituary. I was not told prior to the search that the family was of African American descent. It is my belief that, because of the times in which she died it was not unusual to have her obit omitted from the mainstream paper. Luckily I consulted with a second source that gave me some indication of the time in which she died. That was the city directory. The break in dates and continuation of a Henry Joyner indicated that she was survived by her husband. This was later confirmed by the 1930 census for Toledo, Lucas Co., OH and the obit of Henry Joyner.
Well this is the first in I hope many that I get to do. Thanks again for the contribution.
On a side note I wanted you folks to know I was recently interviewed for the Putnam Co. Sentinel in Ottawa, OH on the subject of genealogy and this blog. The article will appear on the nineteenth of December for you folks in that area. Thanks again for your support.
Tiffin Seneca Public Library
When searching in a particular locality for me the first place to start your genealogical research is at the main library in the county. The place to start in Seneca Co., OH is at the public library in Tiffin. I was surprised to learn about all the records that they had available and the amount that was located here.
The genealogy and local history area has a variety or records. One of the most extensive parts of the collection is the records related to churches and cemeteries. The records of 29 different churches are microfilmed in their collection. A lot of these records were compiled by the WPA back in the 1930's. The cemetery records consist of a name index that primarily tells where a person is buried in the county with out any real dates. Currently they have only five cemeteries on microfilm that includes all the information. (Fountain, Liberty and Pleasant Twp., Greenlawn, St. Mary's and St Josephs.
The military records are unique and have coverage of several wars. Rosters are kept in the collection from the Civil War, WWI, and WWII. The Civil War rosters they have are complete for the county and are all on microfilm. A unique item is the picture collection that includes many of the people from the area that served during WWI and WWII. This includes events put on and many individual pictures. A microfilm copy also exists of the discharge papers for soldiers from the county.
The newspaper collection includes those in the city of Tiffin and the county as a whole. The obituary index is indexed in a card file. Another interesting item is microfilm of two German Newspapers that were published in the county. Many of the obituary records are in the process of being included in the Hayes collection in Fremont that I have mentioned on several occasions.
If your ancestor came to Seneca Co. early his name may be found in the original land entries of the county. The collection also has two key map books that were published in 1874 and 1896 that show the location where people lived in the county.
The vital records collection is all on microfilm. The records include birth records 1867 -1908, marriage records 1841-1899, 1899-1930 and 1957-1977, death records 1867-1908 and wills 1851-1900. The census collection includes all the years from 1830 to 1930. They also have a fine collection of rural directories.
The library is located at the following.
77 Jefferson Street
Tiffin, OH 44883
419-447-3045
This is a outstanding collection of records related to Seneca Co., OH. It is well worth the trip.
The genealogy and local history area has a variety or records. One of the most extensive parts of the collection is the records related to churches and cemeteries. The records of 29 different churches are microfilmed in their collection. A lot of these records were compiled by the WPA back in the 1930's. The cemetery records consist of a name index that primarily tells where a person is buried in the county with out any real dates. Currently they have only five cemeteries on microfilm that includes all the information. (Fountain, Liberty and Pleasant Twp., Greenlawn, St. Mary's and St Josephs.
The military records are unique and have coverage of several wars. Rosters are kept in the collection from the Civil War, WWI, and WWII. The Civil War rosters they have are complete for the county and are all on microfilm. A unique item is the picture collection that includes many of the people from the area that served during WWI and WWII. This includes events put on and many individual pictures. A microfilm copy also exists of the discharge papers for soldiers from the county.
The newspaper collection includes those in the city of Tiffin and the county as a whole. The obituary index is indexed in a card file. Another interesting item is microfilm of two German Newspapers that were published in the county. Many of the obituary records are in the process of being included in the Hayes collection in Fremont that I have mentioned on several occasions.
If your ancestor came to Seneca Co. early his name may be found in the original land entries of the county. The collection also has two key map books that were published in 1874 and 1896 that show the location where people lived in the county.
The vital records collection is all on microfilm. The records include birth records 1867 -1908, marriage records 1841-1899, 1899-1930 and 1957-1977, death records 1867-1908 and wills 1851-1900. The census collection includes all the years from 1830 to 1930. They also have a fine collection of rural directories.
The library is located at the following.
77 Jefferson Street
Tiffin, OH 44883
419-447-3045
This is a outstanding collection of records related to Seneca Co., OH. It is well worth the trip.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Sick Day
Just wanted to let you know there will not be a normal post today. I am not feeling well. Will cover the Tiffin Seneca Library tomorrow.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Putnam County- Obituaries
Obituaries offer interesting insight and clues into our relatives lives. The quality of the obituaries though varies. We all hope to find that wonderfully detailed obit, but are disappointed when we find it and it is just two lines long. Putnam County has many newspapers to consult to find the obit for your relative.
The primary location for the newspapers in the area are at the library in Ft Jennings. Please check out my posting from a week ago this past Friday when I did the overview on the resources at the library and you will find a list of newspaper. Include is the time period of publication. Remember again the accuracy of the obit is only as good as the person giving the information and the writer.
Another excellent resource for obit search is at the Hayes Library in Fremont. Here is the link to their site.
RB Hayes Obituary Index
This will help in narrowing down your ancestors obit publication date and the newspaper.
The primary location for the newspapers in the area are at the library in Ft Jennings. Please check out my posting from a week ago this past Friday when I did the overview on the resources at the library and you will find a list of newspaper. Include is the time period of publication. Remember again the accuracy of the obit is only as good as the person giving the information and the writer.
Another excellent resource for obit search is at the Hayes Library in Fremont. Here is the link to their site.
RB Hayes Obituary Index
This will help in narrowing down your ancestors obit publication date and the newspaper.
Putnam County- Cemetery Records
Cemetery Record research is a very important element in genealogical research. Some of my personnel best cemetery hunts have happened in Putnam Co., OH. My family descends from the Continental area. I have spent some time searching through the Crow, Myers and Varner cemeteries in that area.
Cemeteries come in three forms. They are the church burial yard, public cemeteries and family burial plots. If you are fortunate to have a person buried in a church cemetery the church will often have the records for the burial. This information is similar to a death certificate, but will often include more information. Public cemeteries also have burial records and these are often stored at the local sexton's office or with the township. Family burial plots are often not as well covered, but some records are kept with the township.
A note on rubbings of the stones. This practice is frowned on by most people in the genealogy field. The exposure to weather has resulted in many stones be difficult to read. Rubbings only help in more destruction to the surface of the stone. Use common sense when you are in the cemetery.
Here is a good link for locating cemeteries in Putnam Co. OH.
http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=17371
Happy hunting!!
Cemeteries come in three forms. They are the church burial yard, public cemeteries and family burial plots. If you are fortunate to have a person buried in a church cemetery the church will often have the records for the burial. This information is similar to a death certificate, but will often include more information. Public cemeteries also have burial records and these are often stored at the local sexton's office or with the township. Family burial plots are often not as well covered, but some records are kept with the township.
A note on rubbings of the stones. This practice is frowned on by most people in the genealogy field. The exposure to weather has resulted in many stones be difficult to read. Rubbings only help in more destruction to the surface of the stone. Use common sense when you are in the cemetery.
Here is a good link for locating cemeteries in Putnam Co. OH.
http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=17371
Happy hunting!!
Putnam County- Death Records
Death Records in Putnam County are again listed in three separate locations. The county courthouse in Ottawa under the Probate Court. The other two locations are at the library at Ft Jennings and the Archives in Bowling Green.
Death records of the nineteenth century and beyond are very detailed. The records will include persons name, date and place of death, age at time of death, place of birth, parents' names, occupation, name of spouse, name of the person giving the information and the informers relationship to the deceased. Race is also noted on the record.
Again if you are looking for copies of records that are certified the courthouse is the place to go. Copies of all the death records are located here. The library has records dating from 1834-1920. The archives include the same records dated from 1834 to 1920.
Please be aware that death records are only as accurate as the person that is giving the information. A common error is the name of parents and the dates of birth and location. Additional sources to document this information is critical.
Death records of the nineteenth century and beyond are very detailed. The records will include persons name, date and place of death, age at time of death, place of birth, parents' names, occupation, name of spouse, name of the person giving the information and the informers relationship to the deceased. Race is also noted on the record.
Again if you are looking for copies of records that are certified the courthouse is the place to go. Copies of all the death records are located here. The library has records dating from 1834-1920. The archives include the same records dated from 1834 to 1920.
Please be aware that death records are only as accurate as the person that is giving the information. A common error is the name of parents and the dates of birth and location. Additional sources to document this information is critical.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Holiday Time
Thank you for your support of my blog. My hope is that it is providing some valuable help to your research.
This coming week I will finish up the overview of sources in Putnam Co. OH. Please contact me if you would like to see other topics covered.
This coming week I will finish up the overview of sources in Putnam Co. OH. Please contact me if you would like to see other topics covered.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
DNA Testing
The study and evaluation of data from DNA testing is having a big impact on genealogy. More and more people are going through this procedure to understand their past and areas of origin. With a swab of your mouth they can determine your lineage on your maternal side of your family. Recently a piece was done on this topic. ABC News: Who Are You, Really? Find Out With DNA
I hope you find it interesting.
On a separate topic, I did get one response on my offer to do a genealogy research and then use it as a demonstrator on the blog. This topic will be covered next week. I would love to see more. The search is free and the search must deal with someone in Northwest Ohio. Have a great Saturday.
I hope you find it interesting.
On a separate topic, I did get one response on my offer to do a genealogy research and then use it as a demonstrator on the blog. This topic will be covered next week. I would love to see more. The search is free and the search must deal with someone in Northwest Ohio. Have a great Saturday.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Putnam County District Library
Since the topic of the week has been genealogical research in Putnam County, OH it would not be complete with out covering was of the main repositories in the county at the District Library. AS mentioned previously the permanent collection is normally located at the main library in Ottawa, but has been moved due to the rains in the Spring 0f 2007 to the Ft Jennings library. The information I will cover will be on those records in the collection other than the birth and marriage records listed in earlier postings.
Some of the highlights in the collection are manuscripts of local families genealogies, memorial card collection, obituary index for the Putnam County Sentinel from 1865 to present, fully indexed collection of Putnam County pictures, yearbooks, and vertical file of local history and genealogy.
The newspaper collection is the finest in the county.
- The Continental News Review- 1919-2005
- Delphos Weekly Herald- 1872-1902
- Gilboa Gazette- 1978-1981\
- Kalida Sentinel- 1855-1866
- The Kalida Venture- 1845-1854
- Leipsic Free Press- 1878-1982
- Leipsic Messenger- 1982-2005
- Pandora Times- 1902-1995
- Putnam County Gazette- 1892-1949
- Putnam County Sentinel- 1865- current
- Putnam County Vidette- 1875-1995
- Putnam County Vidette & Pandora Times- 1996-2004
- Western County News- 1931-1947
All of these are on microfilm.
The library also has a complete collection of books related to the counties history and maps.
For further information the staff at the library can be contacted at 419-523-3747 or wilhelru@oplin.org
Some of the highlights in the collection are manuscripts of local families genealogies, memorial card collection, obituary index for the Putnam County Sentinel from 1865 to present, fully indexed collection of Putnam County pictures, yearbooks, and vertical file of local history and genealogy.
The newspaper collection is the finest in the county.
- The Continental News Review- 1919-2005
- Delphos Weekly Herald- 1872-1902
- Gilboa Gazette- 1978-1981\
- Kalida Sentinel- 1855-1866
- The Kalida Venture- 1845-1854
- Leipsic Free Press- 1878-1982
- Leipsic Messenger- 1982-2005
- Pandora Times- 1902-1995
- Putnam County Gazette- 1892-1949
- Putnam County Sentinel- 1865- current
- Putnam County Vidette- 1875-1995
- Putnam County Vidette & Pandora Times- 1996-2004
- Western County News- 1931-1947
All of these are on microfilm.
The library also has a complete collection of books related to the counties history and maps.
For further information the staff at the library can be contacted at 419-523-3747 or wilhelru@oplin.org
Putnam County- Land Records
Part of the great American dream was to own land. One of the first acts that a before moving or upon arriving in a new area was the purchase of land. Through the purchases and transfers of land genealogical data can be gathered about your ancestors. Relationships can be determined from these documents as well as origins of the purchasers.
In Putnam Co., OH the records concerning land purchase were kept by the County Recorder. These records are located at the county court house, but can also be search at the Archives in Bowling Green, OH. The records available date from 1830-1903 at the archives and from 1830 to present at the courthouse. Land Records are very important and often overlooked area of genealogical research.
In Putnam Co., OH the records concerning land purchase were kept by the County Recorder. These records are located at the county court house, but can also be search at the Archives in Bowling Green, OH. The records available date from 1830-1903 at the archives and from 1830 to present at the courthouse. Land Records are very important and often overlooked area of genealogical research.
Putnam County- Marriage Records
The next major event of interest to the genealogist is the Marriage record. The records of marriage are located in three primary spots for Putnam Co. OH. They are the library at Ft Jennings, Court House in Ottawa and the Bowling Green Center for Archival Collections in Bowling Green, OH.
With the marriage records the certified copies can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Ottawa. Again there will be cost involved and may be subject to restriction. Please be aware that staff is limited and be patient when asking for a records search.
The marriage records located at the library run from 1834 to 1951. Marriage records were some of the best kept records in any county. For reasons that am not sure of they always tend to be the oldest records in any county. Another source at the library will again be the church records which were kept at the individual churches. All of these records are available for microfilming.
Located at the BG archives is the index to marriage records and index from 1834-1951. Available again for microfilming.
With the marriage records the certified copies can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Ottawa. Again there will be cost involved and may be subject to restriction. Please be aware that staff is limited and be patient when asking for a records search.
The marriage records located at the library run from 1834 to 1951. Marriage records were some of the best kept records in any county. For reasons that am not sure of they always tend to be the oldest records in any county. Another source at the library will again be the church records which were kept at the individual churches. All of these records are available for microfilming.
Located at the BG archives is the index to marriage records and index from 1834-1951. Available again for microfilming.
Putnam County- Birth Records
When searching for birth records in the Midwest you are limited on the time period in which the records were recorded. Putnam Co. OH is no exception. The birth records are located with the Clerk of Courts at the county seat of Ottawa. These records are only available if you attempting to purchase certified copies. As in all cases the service varies and is heavily restricted by privacy laws.
The good news is there are two other areas that you can get birth records in the county. The first one is at the Putnam County Library which is located at the main library in Ottawa. As of this printing the collection has been moved to Ft Jennings Library due to the flood that occurred in the spring of 2007 that effected downtown Ottawa. The second location for records related to birth are at Bowling Green Center for Archival Collections in Bowling Green, OH.
The early birth records for the county are available on microfilm at the Ft Jennings Library. The first records are from the court house records and date from 1867-1920 and the birth registration that dates from 1876-1925. The next series of records were kept by the Health Department and they run from 1908-1996. When at the library you are able to make copies off of the microfilm for your records. These should be acceptable for most documentation purposes.
Located at the BG archives is several different records concerning births. They are
Birth Records- 1857- 1920
Index to Birth records- 1854-1925
Index to Birth Registrations and Corrections- 1941-1964
All of these records are available on microfilm and can be copied.
Another source for birth related records also located at the library in Ft Jennings is the Catholic Church records for the county which include baptisms. Also available are records from various other religions in Putnam County. These records also include baptisms.
For those settlers of Mennonite faith another excellent source is the collection at Bluffton University. The Musselman Collection was covered in a posting from a couple of weeks ago.
This is a must see for people of this faith.
The good news is there are two other areas that you can get birth records in the county. The first one is at the Putnam County Library which is located at the main library in Ottawa. As of this printing the collection has been moved to Ft Jennings Library due to the flood that occurred in the spring of 2007 that effected downtown Ottawa. The second location for records related to birth are at Bowling Green Center for Archival Collections in Bowling Green, OH.
The early birth records for the county are available on microfilm at the Ft Jennings Library. The first records are from the court house records and date from 1867-1920 and the birth registration that dates from 1876-1925. The next series of records were kept by the Health Department and they run from 1908-1996. When at the library you are able to make copies off of the microfilm for your records. These should be acceptable for most documentation purposes.
Located at the BG archives is several different records concerning births. They are
Birth Records- 1857- 1920
Index to Birth records- 1854-1925
Index to Birth Registrations and Corrections- 1941-1964
All of these records are available on microfilm and can be copied.
Another source for birth related records also located at the library in Ft Jennings is the Catholic Church records for the county which include baptisms. Also available are records from various other religions in Putnam County. These records also include baptisms.
For those settlers of Mennonite faith another excellent source is the collection at Bluffton University. The Musselman Collection was covered in a posting from a couple of weeks ago.
This is a must see for people of this faith.
Putnam County Ohio- History
The beginnings of Putnam Co. Ohio occurred back in 1820 when it was created out of Shelby County. The legal jurisdiction during this time was with Wood County, OH to the north. Then in 1824 the county of Williams was created and the jurisdiction was switched to Williams. Finally the county became a sole unit with a act passed in 1834.
The county was a names after Israel Putnam who was a popular military figure at the time from Massachusetts. In the early days a large part of the area as we know it today was still inhabited by Indian tribes. Slowly in the 1830 period settlers of German and Swiss heritage. The settlement was greatly effected though by the presence of the Black Swamp that covered a good portion of the Northeast portion of the county. This would create a natural barrier to people attempting to settle in this area.
The people of this area were primarily German Catholic and Mennonite. The migration into this area began in the early part of the 1830's. The areas of origin of many of the early ancestors was from eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina. The Mennonites were a people of faith and tended to travel with others of the same belief. Another group that blended into the Mennonites were the Quakers. Many can trace their roots back to Lancaster Co. PA which is a major area of for Mennonites.
Tomorrow I will be discussing the many records that are available for this county.
Military Records- World War II
The last war that I will cover in this section is World War II. As we all know this war had a major effect on Northwest Ohio from both a people and economic standpoint. We played a major part in supporting the war effort.
When looking for genealogical records related to this service you are left with two basic sets of records draft registration and enlistment records. The unfortunate part concerning these records is that the National Archives had a fire and many of these records were destroyed. The good news is that many of them survived.
The registration cards are very similar to those records covered for WWI. The document lists the persons name, birth, location of birth, occupation and personnel stats. It also tells where the person lived at the time of sign up.
The enlistment records give a brief description of where the person was mustered into the military. What part of the military did they serve. The document also gives what theater of the service the person served.
Again these records can be obtained from the National Archives or Ancestry (pay site) on the internet.
Over the next week I will start profiling the individual counties in Northwest Ohio. Please ask questions now or ideas you would like me to cover and I will include them. I am also still looking for peoples brick walls. Do you have ancestors in Northwest Ohio that you are having trouble with? Give me a try I will do it for free and it will be profiled on Saturdays in the blog.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Winter Blast
For those of you in Northwest Ohio today stay warm from this snowy icy blast. Tomorrow we finish up on Military Records.
Have a great Sunday.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Northwest Ohio Genealogical Searchs
I would like to start a new item in my blog. Every Saturday I will outline one of the readers searches. Send me your details on a brick wall in your genealogical research and I will attempt to solve it. The people involved must have lived in Northwest Ohio at some period in their lives. So if you have some research that you would like conducted or friends that need some help drop me a line.
Once the search is completed then I will write out how I completed the search in my blog. My intent is to show people how to use some of the many resources we have here in Northwest Ohio to complete the research and hopefully we all learn something new. I look forward to hearing from you.
Have a great weekend.
Once the search is completed then I will write out how I completed the search in my blog. My intent is to show people how to use some of the many resources we have here in Northwest Ohio to complete the research and hopefully we all learn something new. I look forward to hearing from you.
Have a great weekend.
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