Ohio Societies

Societies
There are many societies which may help family historians. Genealogical, historical, lineage, veterans, and ethnic societies are especially helpful because of the records and resources they collect, transcribe, and publish. Often their records contain birth, marriage, death, and biographical information. See "Societies". Archives and Libraries are carefully contributed to and maintained by various Societies.

Genealogical and historical societies often maintain a genealogical file for families in the area and may sponsor publications, which may be found on the Ohio Periodicals wiki page. Many counties have their own genealogical societies and they can be found on their county pages.

One important society in Ohio is the Ohio Genealogical Society (see the "Archives and Libraries" page). The Ohio Genealogical Society has a number of Chapters throughout the state. Many Chapters actively extract and index original records. OGS Chapters are independent societies; researchers should contact them for publications and other resources for their respective counties.

Genealogical Societies

 * African American Genealogical Society P.O.Box 201476 Cleveland, Ohio 44120 Website: AAGS


 * Blair Society for Genealogical Research 726 Falling Oaks Dr. Medina, OH 44256-2778 Website: Blair Society For Genealogical Research


 * East Cuyahoga County Genealogical Society ECCGS P.O. Box 24182 Lyndhurst, OH 44124-0182 Website: East Cuyahoga County Genealogical Society


 * Darke County Genealogy Society P.O. Box 908 Greenville, OH 45331 Website: Darke County Genealogy Society


 * Franklin County Genealogical &amp; Historical Society P.O. Box 44309 Columbus, OH 43204-0309 Website: Franklin County Genealogical &amp; Historical Society


 * Genealogy by Computer Society c/o Toledo-Lucas County Public Library 325 Michigan St. Toledo, Ohio 43604 Website: Genealogy by Computer Society


 * Genealogical Speakers Guild P.O. Box 38314 Olmsted Falls, OH 44138-0314 Website: Genealogy Speakers Guild


 * Huron County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society PO Box 923 Norwalk, OH 44857-0923


 * Greater Cleveland Genealogical Society P.O. Box 40234 Cleveland, OH 44140-0254 Website: The Greater Cleveland Genealogical Society


 * Logan County Genealogical Society 521 East Columbus Avenue P.O. Box 36 Bellefontaine, OH 43311-0036 Phone: 937-593-7811 Website: Logan County Genealogical Society


 * Ohio Genealogical Society 611 State Route 97 W [June 2010] Bellville, OH 44813 Phone: 419-886-1903 Website: Ohio Genealogical Society
 * Ancestor card file
 * First families of Ohio
 * Ohio obituary collection, 1970-2014


 * Ohio Cemetery Preservation Society P.O. Box 24810 Lyndhurst, OH 44124-0810 Website: Ohio Cemetery Preservation Society


 * Toledo Area Genealogical Society P.O. Box 352258 Toledo, OH 43635-2258 Website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~toags/

Historical Societies
Almost every county in Ohio has a branch of the OGS that actively collects, preserves, and publishes local records. There are many other societies in Ohio proactive in promoting research.


 * Irish American Archives


 * Ohio Genealogical Society 611 State Route 97 W, Bellville, OH 44813 Phone: (419) 886-1903 Internet: Ohio Genealogical Society


 * Ohio History Connection Ohio History Center 800 E. 17th Ave. Columbus, OH 43211 Telephone: 800-686-6124 and 614-297-2300 Internet: Ohio History Center
 * Archives/Library Section Telephone: 614-297-2510 Fax: 614-297-2546 E-mail: [mailto:reference@ohiohistory.org reference@ohiohistory.org]


 * The Archives/Library primarily collects manuscript records of the state, including government, land, and military records.
 * Guides to collection


 * Western Reserve Historical Society 10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106-1788 Telephone: 216-721-5722. Fax: 216-721-0645 Internet: Western Reserve Historical Society A guide to the holdings:


 * Pike, Kermit J. A Guide to the Manuscripts and Archives of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Cleveland, Ohio: The Western Reserve Historical Society, 1972.
 * Western Reserve Historical Society. History Library. Card Catalog to the Manuscripts Collection in the Library of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1974.

Lineage Societies
A Lineage society is an organization whose members have shown proof of their descent from a qualifying ancestor such as a colonist or soldier. There are early settlers, ethnic, religious, and war societies. The Hereditary Society Blue Book is the annual Who's Who or Social Register of Hereditary, Lineage, and Patriotic societies. It also contains information on lineage societies, including the insignia, the membership requirements, and the national address of each organization. Books, articles, and publications that can be very helpful in genealogical research are kept by these societies. The applications for membership in these societies are preserved, and many are on microfilm at the Family History Library. See the Register of U. S. Lineage Societies (mentioned in the "Societies"), for lists of microfilmed records, and publications. Hundreds of organizations are in the United States, here are some with Ohio ties:


 * Colonial Dames
 * Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
 * Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865
 * First Families of Ohio. Sponsored by the Ohio Genealogical Society to show lineage from an ancestor in Ohio prior to the end of 1820.
 * First Families of Ohio (Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake Counties only)
 * German-American Citizens League is an umbrella association of 27 organizations in the Ohio Valley, with the common bond of interest in German-American heritage and culture.
 * General Society of Mayflower Descendants
 * Ohio Society of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America
 * Ohio Society of the War of 1812
 * Ohio State Society Of The National Society United States Daughters of 1812
 * Scottish American Society
 * Sons of the American Revolution
 * Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Department of Ohio includes camp histories.